Failed to start PPK

[lilian brun]

Hi, 

I have nrF52840 DK rev 2.0.1

switch to VDD, Default, SB40 is cut (confirmed by multimeter)

I have the PPK rev 1.1.1

switch DUT to DK

switch Power to DK

I can run the program with segger IDE (and only with PPK as i cut SB40)

nrfConnect is 3.6.1

OS : Windows 10

When i run Power Profiler (3.1.0) i can't connect the device.

Here is the log file : 

2021-02-16T15:43:10.666Z INFO Application data folder: C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\pc-nrfconnect-ppk
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG App pc-nrfconnect-ppk v3.1.0 official
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG App path: C:\Users\XXXXXX\.nrfconnect-apps\node_modules\pc-nrfconnect-ppk
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG nRFConnect 3.6.1 is supported by the app (^3.6.1)
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG nRFConnect path: C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Local\Programs\nrfconnect\resources\app.asar
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG HomeDir: C:\Users\XXXXXX
2021-02-16T15:43:10.756Z DEBUG TmpDir: C:\Users\XXXXXX\AppData\Local\Temp
2021-02-16T15:43:11.669Z VERBOSE Could not fetch serial number for serial port at COM1
2021-02-16T15:43:13.929Z INFO Validating firmware for device with s/n 000683XXXXXX
2021-02-16T15:43:14.472Z INFO Opening device with s/n 000683XXXXXX
2021-02-16T15:43:14.565Z INFO Initializing the PPK
2021-02-16T15:43:14.979Z INFO SEGGER serial number: 683XXXXXX
2021-02-16T15:43:14.979Z INFO SEGGER speed: 2000 kHz
2021-02-16T15:43:14.979Z INFO SEGGER version: J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi compiled Mar 17 2020 14:43:00
2021-02-16T15:43:20.982Z ERROR Failed to start PPK
2021-02-16T15:43:20.983Z DEBUG Timed out in 6000 ms.
2021-02-16T15:43:21.065Z INFO PPK opened
2021-02-16T15:43:25.476Z ERROR Error while probing devices: Error occured when get serial numbers. Errorcode: Could not execute the function due to too many calls in line (0xe)

[Jared]

Hi,

Did you see the issue only recently after updating to v3.1.0? Could you try changing USB cable? We have seen that it has been the culprit before. 

regards

Jared 

[lilian brun]

I just start a new project with fresh devices and new softwares.

I change the USB cable with no luck, and the

USB cable seem to work as i can see debug log in the terminal and upload new code to the DK with or without PPK

[Jared]

Hi,

Could you update me when you have received your new PPK. Is the issue persistent?

regards

Jared 

[lilian brun]

Hi, so i receive a new PPK and this time it works.
Maybe i didn't cut properly the SB40 from DK the first time, can it damage the PPK ?

[Jared]

Hi,

But are you using the same DK? Have you applied any changes to it after getting a new PPK?

regards

Jared 

[lilian brun]

Hi,

So after successful tries... my new PPK is not working anymore !

But this time i think i understand wht's happening, by error i run a new nrf code on DK with segger, but kie you mention i can't upload code on DK while PPK is connected, so is it flashing PPK instead of DK.

If so, how can i reset PPK so that nrf power profiler ask me to flash again PPK ?

[Jared]

Hi,

So you flashed the PPK with your application instead of flashing the DK?

You can try to do a complete erase of the PPK by using command line tools. Stack the PPK ontop of the DK like this. Do an erase like this:

nrfjprog -e

This should erase the fw on the PPK. Next, start nRF Connect Power Profiler app and it should ask you if you want to reprogram the PPK. If you want to program the DK then you would either have to take of the PPK or set SW3 to EXT. I don't recommend doing the latter. Taking of the PPK each time you want to reprogram the DK is the best approach.

regards

Jared

[lilian brun]

I follow your instructions, and now it PPK is working again.

So everytime i want to upload new DK program i have to unplug PPK ?

[Jared]

lilian brun said:

So everytime i want to upload new DK program i have to unplug PPK

Yes.