NRFutil failing to perform dfu over ble with code 0x8016.

[KRichardson846]

Hello,

I've been trying to perform a dfu to a target Nordic device over Bluetooth using an nrf52840 dongle distributed by Laird, however whenever I attempt to run the command:

nrfutil dfu ble -ic NRF52 -pkg <package_name> -a <target_address>

I get a strange error. I will post the verbose output below, but first let me tell about the environment, packages and what firmware is on my device.

This is running on a Raspberry PI 4, with Buster 10.

I have the latest version of pc-ble-driver built on the device, pc-ble-driver-py version 0.14.2, and nrfutil version 6.1.0.

My nrf52840 dongle is flashed with connectivity_6.0.0_usb_with_s140_6.1.1.hex.

Here is the output from running the command:

Please select connectivity serial port:
        0 : /dev/ttyACM1 - D67B7A98D69A
Enter your choice: : 0
2020-10-08 09:18:03,198 Using connectivity board at serial port: /dev/ttyACM1
2020-10-08 09:18:03,207 Sending Application image.
2020-10-08 09:18:06,616 Successfully opened /dev/ttyACM1. Baud rate: 1000000. Flow control: none. Parity: none.
2020-10-08 09:18:06,617 evt> severity(20) message(Successfully opened /dev/ttyACM1. Baud rate: 1000000. Flow control: none. Parity: none.)
2020-10-08 09:18:06,617 RpcAppStatus.resetPerformed: Target Reset performed
2020-10-08 09:18:06,618 evt> status code(RpcAppStatus.resetPerformed) message(Target Reset performed)
2020-10-08 09:18:07,818 RpcAppStatus.connectionActive: Connection active
2020-10-08 09:18:07,818 evt> status code(RpcAppStatus.connectionActive) message(Connection active)
2020-10-08 09:18:07,823 BLE: Scanning for None
2020-10-08 09:18:08,243 RpcAppStatus.ioResourcesUnavailable: serial port read failed on port /dev/ttyACM1. Error: End of file [2]
2020-10-08 09:18:08,243 evt> status code(RpcAppStatus.ioResourcesUnavailable) message(serial port read failed on port /dev/ttyACM1. Error: End of file [2])
2020-10-08 09:18:09,324 Failed to receive response for command
2020-10-08 09:18:09,324 evt> severity(30) message(Failed to receive response for command)
Traceback (most recent call last):
2020-10-08 09:18:09,325 RpcAppStatus.pktSendError: Error sending packet to target. Code: 0x8016
  File "/usr/local/bin/nrfutil", line 11, in <module>
2020-10-08 09:18:09,325 evt> status code(RpcAppStatus.pktSendError) message(Error sending packet to target. Code: 0x8016)
    load_entry_point('nrfutil==6.1.0', 'console_scripts', 'nrfutil')()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 764, in __call__
    return self.main(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 717, in main
    rv = self.invoke(ctx)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1137, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1137, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 956, in invoke
    return ctx.invoke(self.callback, **ctx.params)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 555, in invoke
    return callback(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/__main__.py", line 1207, in ble
    dfu.dfu_send_images()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu.py", line 127, in dfu_send_images
    self._dfu_send_image(self.manifest.application)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu.py", line 88, in _dfu_send_image
    self.dfu_transport.open()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu_transport_ble.py", line 476, in open
    target_device_addr = self.target_device_addr)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu_transport_ble.py", line 152, in connect
    self.adapter.driver.ble_gap_scan_start()
  File "/home/pi/.local/lib/python3.7/site-packages/pc_ble_driver_py/ble_driver.py", line 107, in wrapper
    error_code=err_code,
pc_ble_driver_py.exceptions.NordicSemiException: Failed to ble_gap_scan_start. Error code: NRF_ERROR_SD_RPC_SEND

Update:

Some information I forgot to mention was that the target device is using s140_nrf52_6.1.1_softdevice.hex. Now I've since tried different hex files. Before I knew what was really on the target device I tried connectivity_4.1.2_usb_with_s132_5.1.0.hex because it was precompiled with pc-ble-driver-py. The behavior here was that it would perform the update, but fail at 62%. The output was this:

Please select connectivity serial port:
        0 : /dev/ttyACM0 - D67B7A98D69A
Enter your choice: : 0
  [######################--------------]   62%  00:00:30
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/local/bin/nrfutil", line 11, in <module>
    load_entry_point('nrfutil==6.1.0', 'console_scripts', 'nrfutil')()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 764, in __call__
    return self.main(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 717, in main
    rv = self.invoke(ctx)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1137, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1137, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 956, in invoke
    return ctx.invoke(self.callback, **ctx.params)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 555, in invoke
    return callback(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/__main__.py", line 1205, in ble
    dfu.dfu_send_images()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu.py", line 127, in dfu_send_images
    self._dfu_send_image(self.manifest.application)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu.py", line 100, in _dfu_send_image
    self.dfu_transport.send_firmware(data)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu_transport_ble.py", line 572, in send_firmware
    response['crc'] = self.__stream_data(data=data, crc=response['crc'], offset=i)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu_transport_ble.py", line 642, in __stream_data
    self.dfu_adapter.write_data_point(list(to_transmit))
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/nrfutil-6.1.0-py3.7.egg/nordicsemi/dfu/dfu_transport_ble.py", line 350, in write_data_point
    self.adapter.write_cmd(self.conn_handle, DFUAdapter.DP_UUID, data)
  File "/home/pi/.local/lib/python3.7/site-packages/pc_ble_driver_py/ble_adapter.py", line 568, in write_cmd
    raise e
  File "/home/pi/.local/lib/python3.7/site-packages/pc_ble_driver_py/ble_adapter.py", line 554, in write_cmd
    response = self.driver.ble_gattc_write(conn_handle, write_params)
  File "/home/pi/.local/lib/python3.7/site-packages/pc_ble_driver_py/ble_driver.py", line 107, in wrapper
    error_code=err_code,
pc_ble_driver_py.exceptions.NordicSemiException: Failed to ble_gattc_write. Error code: NRF_ERROR_SD_RPC_NO_RESPONSE

After figuring out what was on the target device I've tried the following hex files:

connectivity_4.1.2_usb_with_s140_6.1.1.hex

connectivity_6.1.0_usb_with_s140_6.1.1.hex

connectivity_6.1.1_usb_with_s140_6.1.1.hex

But all of these have exhibited the exact same behavior as in the original post.

[Sigurd]

KRichardson846 said:

tried connectivity_4.1.2_usb_with_s132_5.1.0.hex

That is the correct version to use, since pc-ble-driver-py does not support SD API 6 and 7.

KRichardson846 said:

The behavior here was that it would perform the update, but fail at 62%

Does it always fail at 62% ? and with the same error-code ?

[KRichardson846]

Hell Sigurd,

Thank you for the reply. That is good to know about the SD. As far always failing on 62%, that is not the case. It can fail at anytime. One time it failed at 97%. However sometimes it finishes completely, but when it fails it always has that same error code.

[Sigurd]

Hi,

It looks like there are some other users with this issue, ref. this github issue.

So there could potentially be some bugs with pc-ble-driver-py code, or the connectivity FW in this case.

You are using connectivity_4.1.2_usb_with_s132_5.1.0.hex, correct ?

I can try to reproduce the issue here, but if you have a nRF52 development kit, it would be helpful if you could do a nRF Sniffer trace when this happens, and upload the sniffer log here.

[KRichardson846]

Hi Sigurd,

Right now I am actually using connectivity_6.1.1_usb_with_s132_5.1.0.hex.

Do you know which version of the sniffer I should be using? I don't see an option for nRF52 Dongle.

[Sigurd]

KRichardson846 said:

Do you know which version of the sniffer I should be using? I don't see an option for nRF52 Dongle.

I recommend using the latest version, v3.x.x. As of today, the nRF Sniffer don't support the nRF52840 dongle.

[KRichardson846]

Unfortunately I am only using nRF52840 dongles for this project, the target device I believe is using nRF52840 as well but it is not a DK or a dongle.

If you are trying to recreate the issue, then I will tell you I am using the Laird nRF52480 dongle with connectivity_6.1.1_usb_with_s132_5.1.0.hex firmware on it, I am using the nrfutil command line command "nrfutil dfu ble -ic NRF52 -pkg <my_package> -a <target_address> -mtu 247 -cd 5". This on Ubuntu 18.04 with nrfutil 6.1.0. 

If you need anymore information let me know!

[KRichardson846]

Just one small update. I've tried this same command on Windows 10, using the same firmware on the dongle, and the same versions of nrfutil and pc-ble-driver-py. There is another error that appears often for windows. This error appears to be stemming from the dongle trying to stop a ble scan while there is no scan taking place. Not sure how to deal with this.

The output is below.

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\Scripts\nrfutil-script.py", line 33, in <module>
    sys.exit(load_entry_point('nrfutil==6.1.0', 'console_scripts', 'nrfutil')())
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 829, in __call__
    return self.main(*args, **kwargs)
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 782, in main
    rv = self.invoke(ctx)
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 1259, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 1259, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 1066, in invoke
    return ctx.invoke(self.callback, **ctx.params)
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\click\core.py", line 610, in invoke
    return callback(*args, **kwargs)
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\__main__.py", line 1197, in ble
    dfu.dfu_send_images()
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\dfu\dfu.py", line 127, in dfu_send_images
    self._dfu_send_image(self.manifest.application)
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\dfu\dfu.py", line 88, in _dfu_send_image
    self.dfu_transport.open()
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\dfu\dfu_transport_ble.py", line 474, in open
    self.target_device_name, self.target_device_addr = self.dfu_adapter.connect(
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\dfu\dfu_transport_ble.py", line 153, in connect
    self.verify_stable_connection()
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\nordicsemi\dfu\dfu_transport_ble.py", line 262, in verify_stable_connection
    self.adapter.driver.ble_gap_scan_stop()
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\wrapt\wrappers.py", line 605, in __call__
    return self._self_wrapper(self.__wrapped__, self._self_instance,
  File "C:\Users\krichardson\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.8_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\local-packages\Python38\site-packages\pc_ble_driver_py\ble_driver.py", line 103, in wrapper
    raise NordicSemiException(
pc_ble_driver_py.exceptions.NordicSemiException: Failed to ble_gap_scan_stop. Error code: NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE