DFU new SDKs?

[Sami]

Hello,

We are currently using the NRF52840 with SDK 17.0.2 with S113 softDevice. We have our own boot-loader implementation. Is it possible (advisable) to perform an Over-The-Air Device-Firmware-Upgrade (OTA-DFU) to a new SDK? I believe this should be ok, but wanted some certainty. Secondly, is it possible to OTA-DFU to a new SDK that contains freeRTOS or Zephyr ports as well? Thanks!

Best,

Sami

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi Sami,

There is no problem updating from one SDK to the next, but you need to handle any API differences and of course test that it works. Using the bootloader we provide that is supported, but you may need to do a specific combination/order of upgrading bootloader, SoftDevice and application as there are inter dependencies. How this is with your custom bootloader I cannot say.

I do not know much about your custom bootloader. Generally though, updating via DFU from nRF5 SDK to nRF Connect SDK that is not supported and not practical in most cases as it has a very different design, typically different flash layout etc. Updating to a nRF5 SDK based application that use FreeRTOS on the other hand is no problem, and would be the same as updating to a nRF5 SDK based application which does not use FreeRTOS.

Einar

[Sami]

Very helpful Einar, thank you. We do not intend of migrating to the NRF53XXX chip, so NRF Connect SDK is not part of our plans. We intend on staying with the NRF52840 chip for the short term and the long term (at least 5 years out). We just want to leave the option open to upgrade from SDK 17.0.2 to newer versions of the SDK as our product evolves. 

We are intending on using the NRF9160 as an LTE modem chip, which, if I'm not mistaken, is only supported by the NRF Connect SDK. So we wouldn't be able to update the NRF9160 chip OTA-DFU? Or, use a separate boot-loader for the NRF9160 update?

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi Sami,

The nRF Connect SDK is the only SDK we provide for the nRF9160, that is correct. We also provide DFU solutions for that SDK, based on MCUboot. I recommend you read the FOTA upgrades section here for a brief overview.