Setting up SDK in Keil and softdevice for nRF51 DK with nRF51822 device

[nvj]

I have just begin using nRF51 DK board which has chip with label PCA10028, V1.2.2, 2017.4. Seems to me the device is nRF51822

I also downloaded the nRF51 Development kit user guide.

I have just installed Keil. In the boards section of pack installer, I can locate nRF51 PCA10028 board but it shows only version v1.0.0. So I think I need to externally download latest compatible SDK and softdevice from NordicSmi website

I therefore want to know

• Which is the latest compatible version of nRF SDK I can install and how to install it in Keil to be able to develop software for this particular chip version and board
• In section 1.3 section of user guide, I see list of various Softdevices like S110, S120, S130, S210, S310. Want to know which softdevice is compatible with this board and how to flash it
• Any Nordic or Segger software tools that I should install to flash/debug

Thanks

[awneil]

nvj said:

I have just begin using nRF51 DK board

If you're just starting, why not start up to date?

You know that nRF51 is not recommended for new BLE designs?

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/42960/status-of-nrf51-products/169728#169728 - from 2 years ago.

[nvj]

I understand your point that its not recommended for BLE development but not deprecated yet.

But I have just been handed over this board to work with by my supervisor. Maybe we will update to nRF52 in near future. But I have to work with this board for the moment. 

Also, as I read the silkscreen of the nRF SMD chip on the board, it seems its not nRF51822 but rather nRF51422

[Marte Myrvold]

Hi,

The latest version of the nRF5 SDK that is supported on the nRF51 is v12.3.0. You can download it here.

For compatibility between the different IC revisions of the nRF51 series, Softdevices and SDKs, you should check out this compatibility matrix. There's a guide for how to program the Softdevice here. 

For working with nRF51, you should take a look at this nRF51 DK user guide. There you'll find a list of Nordic tools to install, as well as third party tools (Keil and SES). We also have a guide for getting started with nRF5 SDK and Keil, and one for getting started with nRF5 SDK and SES that you can look at.

Best regards,

Marte