How to use nrf52833 without DK?

[nrfquestion]

Is it possible to code nrf52833 chip without DK and what other hardware and software is needed?

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hello,

Yes, the nRF52833 needs supporting circuitry as detailed in the reference circuitry part of its product specification on infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf52833/ref_circuitry.html?cp=4_1_0_6_2

Here you can find downloadable hardware files with a PCB reference layout which we highly advise people to follow if they want to create their own custom board: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF52833/Downloads#infotabs

This is what everyone needs to copy if they want to design a custom board with one our chips.

To program the chip it needs VDD, GND, SWDIO and SWDCLK signals available on a header/connector on the board, and you can connect to it using either a J-Link debugger or you can use one of our development kits as a programmer/debugger (which is a lot cheaper than a J-Link).

For programming you can check out: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-software/nRF-Connect-SDK and https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-tools/nRF-Command-Line-Tools

Other than that you can search around on DevZone a bit, there's a lot of resources for people starting out with our products.

Best regards,

Martin S.

[nrfquestion]

So it is possible without the DK but the DK is recommended over making your own board?

[Martin Sivertsen]

You need something to act as a programmer that sits between the computer and the nRF52833, on the DK that is included on the board itself, when making a custom board you can use an external programmer like a J-Link such as I linked in my previous post.

The development kits are a tool for people to develop their own application with, and has a lot of added support circuitry which might or might not be needed in the final application/product you want to make. 

Making a custom board with just the functions you need is the next step. You can program and debug your custom board using any Nordic development kit instead of a J-Link.

The components inside the orange marked area are the only ones you need when making a custom board, the large chip inside the lime green marked area is the on-board debugger (OBD)/programmer.

Best regards,

Martin S.

[nrfquestion]

Great. Thank you for your help

[Martin Sivertsen]

You're welcome.

Best regards,

Martin S.