Sometimes NRF_ERROR_TIMEOUT occurred when using pc-ble-driver-py for nRF52840 Dongle

[Linh Nguyen]

Hi,

I'm new to nRF52840 Dongle development.

We use some nRF52840 Dongles (packed in a machine) with pc-ble-driver-py for transferring data through BLE.

I can not share the code, but it is quite similar to https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/pc-ble-driver-py/blob/master/pc_ble_driver_py/examples/heart_rate_collector.py

It often works OK but sometimes NRF_ERROR_TIMEOUT error occurred (while calling collector.open() )

I realized a hotfix by making a cold boot for the machine but it is not suitable for remote machines.

I also fixed this issue by making the dongle enter bootloader mode (using nRF Connect) then reinstalling Connectivity firmware to the dongle (using nrfutil)

(When setting up the machine, we use nrfConnect to install the Connectivity firmware to the dongle)

I have some questions:

1. Do you have any suggestions about the reason for this error?

2. Some remote machines are located in locations with poor network connectivity. Therefore manually using GUI for remoting is not a good idea.

     We need a way to automate the process (making the dongle enter bootloader mode) or another command to fix this issue.

Thanks.

[Marjeris Romero]

Hi,

This seems like a Windows COM port timeout issue since rebooting the PC seem to fix the problem?

Are you seeing this problems using different machines (PCs)?

Best regards,

Marjeris

[Linh Nguyen]

Hi Marjeris,

Thanks for your reply.

Our machine installed Ubuntu 18.04. Each machine has many dongles. When a dongle has trouble, other dongles in the same machine are error-prone.

It seems a random issue and occurred on some machines (not all machines).

[Susheel Nuguru]

Hi Linh, Marjeris and also the pc-ble-driver expert is on summer holiday. So we need to wait a week more until one of them comes back. Thanks for your patience.

[Linh Nguyen]

Hi,

Is there any command for making the dongle enter bootloader mode?

Thanks.