Minimal device programming requirements

[JohnBrown]

We need our PCB assembler to be able to program nrf51822 modules in situ. We have tracked the PCB to include a tag-connect footprint to this end. The assembly house will purchase a nrf51-DK, and have a cable that goes between the tag-connect and the 10 pin debug-out connector. So my question is: What is the minimum installation that they will need to be able to program a supplied, combined hex file into the devices? I'm guessing the simplest way might be to install nrfgo Studio, but perhaps there is a way to install the j-link stuff and have a command line batch file. I just want to make it as easy and foolproof as possible.

[RK]

You can use JLink.exe (called JLinkExe if you're on OSX). Just write a script file for it which uploads the code and softdevice and sets any registers in the UICR, you can then put a batch script around that. It's going to be 20 lines of halt/reset/loadbin/wait very simple.

Any segger will do - so if they have one already, they can use that, doesn't have to be a DK.

oh and Segger will point out quite fairly that JLink isn't designed for production bulk programming, but for a small run it will serve your purpose.

[JohnBrown]

I will check, but I don't think they have any Segger J-Link programmers. As far as not being designed for production bulk, what are the alternatives? Bearing in mind that the design is using a commercially available module, so it isn't possible to place the bare chip in a socket.