Problem with getting started with software development on nRF52805

[Lorenzo]

Hello,

I started working with microcontrollers recently, I'm having issues with getting started with software development on an MS46SF11 module from Minew based on the nRF52805 SoC.

My current setup consists of
SES IDE (downloaded through nRF Connect) on Windows 10
Minew MS46SF11 modules
nRF52 DK for programming and debugging (through the P20 connector, connected accordingly to the following schematics)

I need two nRF52 modules to communicate with each other using simple text strings that are fetched and returned from/to another microcontroller through serial communication, we have been advised to reprogram the module to use the ESB protocol.

Being new to this I decided to try implementing serial communication as a first attempt.
So I opened the UART example project (pca10040) from the nRF5 SDK with SES, changed the RX and TX pins in the UART configuration function following Minew's pinout for the module, changed the target to nRF52805 in the project's options, and tried to flash it on the Minew module, but it looks like I can only make it work on the DK.

Also debugging seems possible only if I'm using the DK alone.
If I'm using the Minew module attached to the P20 connector and I try placing a breakpoint inside the main() function the code never stops. It works instead (as expected) on the DK.

It looks like though, that the Minew module has been flashed with something since I can't see it anymore with my phone.

I was wondering if example projects that can work on modules like Minew's instead of DKs are available or if I missed documentation on how to convert the example projects that are inside the SDK in order to make them work on external modules.

[Kenneth]

Hi,

Can you try to run 'nrfjprog --eraseall' from command line tool? I am suspecting there is some data that is not erased.

Also, make sure that you add a pull-up on the RXD line to avoid floating input, framing error and assert. However I do not see how this should affect your code from not running.

Kenneth

[Lorenzo]

Hello,

I tried running the command, but I'm afraid the thing is bigger than that.

I was able to find this guide Developing for the nRF52805 with nRF5 SDK and tried following it, but it looks like there are issues with the 17.0.2 version of the SDK.

As user timuser said it would be great if it was possible to have just a simple working blinky/Hello World example natively made for nRF52805 that we can use as a starting point to build on.

Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

We don't have a logic analyzer, but luckily it wasn't necessary.
I tried using pin 14 (16) as the TX pin and I was able to receive the data I sent using the app_uart_put function, also printfs seem to work.
I will investigate the reason why the other pin wasn't working.

Since the uart functions let me send or receive one byte at a time I suppose that if I need to receive a string (e.g. "<2350>") I should then write a function that takes the single bytes and puts them in a char array so I can use it as a string, right?

Lorenzo

[Kenneth]

Lorenzo said:

Since the uart functions let me send or receive one byte at a time I suppose that if I need to receive a string (e.g. "<2350>") I should then write a function that takes the single bytes and puts them in a char array so I can use it as a string, right?

For app_uart_put() that is the case yes, though there should be other UART libraries that can be more efficient in this regard, e.g. libuarte:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.0.2/lib_libuarte.html 

[Lorenzo]

I had initially excluded libuarte because of EasyDMA since in my case reliability isn't a priority, but I see now the nrf_libuarte_async functions which seem to be what I'm looking for, correct?

Lorenzo

[Kenneth]

Yes.

Kenneth

[Lorenzo]

Thanks

I'm using the ble_app_uart project as a starting point since I was able to build it and flash it onto my external board, by replacing the main.c file with the one from the uart example and I was able to test serial communication without any issues.
I can't seem to be able to include the libuarte files, SES says "nrf_libuarte_async.h: No such file or directory"
I tried importing it into the nRF_Drivers and nRF_Libraries with no success
The same happens with the source files for ESB

Also, I was wondering if using ESB was the best and easiest way to connect two nRF52805 modules

What I'm currently trying to achieve is

STM8 <-- UART --> nRF52805 <-- ESB? --> nRF52805 <-- UART --> STM8

Basically UART over ESB

Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

I have more information regarding the source files issue

Here's what I've tried:

I added the libuarte source (.c) files inside the nRF_Libraries folder

And created a folder named "nRF_Proprietary_RF" for the ESB source files

I can compile the nrf_esb.c file, but if I try building the project the compiler says nrf_esb.h doesn't exist

 

I can't compile nrf_libuarte_async.c nor nrf_libuarte_drv.c alone, I get the following errors:

Same happens when I try building the complete project

Do I need to change/add parameters inside sdk_config.h (?)

I added

#define NRF_LIBUARTE_ASYNC_WITH_APP_TIMER 1

Since the compiler said it was required

Lorenzo

[Lorenzo]

Please let me know if there is any news about my questions

Lorenzo

[Kenneth]

You can find a high level comparison of nRF52805 and nRF52832 here:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/struct_nrf52/struct/nrf52.html

For instance nRF52805 only have 10 PPI channels, while nRF52832 have 20. This may explain some of your problems.

Also check out:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/short-range-guides/b/getting-started/posts/developing-for-the-nrf52805-with-nrf5-sdk 

[Lorenzo]

So I suppose commenting the PPI channels declaration will solve that issue.

What about the problem with the source files and the easiest way to create a wireless uart link?

Lorenzo

[Kenneth]

I suggest to check out the youtube tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-kh1EbesvI&list=PLx_tBuQ_KSqGHmzdEL2GWEOeix-S5rgTV&index=6

And documentation:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_gsg_ses/UG/gsg/intro.html

If you want wireless UART I suggest to check out this example:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.0.2/ble_sdk_app_nus_eval.html

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.0.2/ble_sdk_app_nus_c.html 

Kenneth