FOTA issue when moving from different NCS versions

[Adeel]

Hi Dev team,

I am using the Thingy91 for my development project. I have noticed 1 peculiar issue and wanted to ask for suggestions regarding it.

I had deployed a Thingy91 in a field 2 months ago with my code compiled and running on NCS v1.6.1 back then.

Now, I have moved to NCS v1.7.0 and imported my code in the new NCS version. I have made some further changes in my code and I tried to do the FOTA update through AWS.

I uploaded the app_update.bin file of my code in AWS bucket that I coded in NCS v1.7.0 and tried to do the FOTA. The FOTA was done successfully but the device only rebooted but did not take in the new features I had added through the new firmware.

Interestingly, If I did the same changes in my old code in NCS v1.6.1 and then did the FOTA of my device, it was successful and the device got the firmware with the new features.

So what I was able to deduce was that sine the Thingy had a code running on NCS v1.6.1 at the start, it only updated with the changes when uploaded through v1.6.1 and the old code, and not through a different NCS version (v1.7.0). I was interested to know what could be the cause of it.

Regards,

Adeel.

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Hi,

 Do you have any logs from the updates?

The bootloader might have given you a hint about what was happening.

You might want to take a look at this guide, which explains how to add support for the factory bootloader on the Thingy:91 in other (and newer) projects.

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/guides/cellular-iot-guides/b/getting-started-cellular/posts/how-to-program-any-project-to-the-thingy-91-with-dfu

I believe part 2 is especially relevant in your case.

Note that if you have replaced that bootloader with a new one (i.e. you have flashed a merged.hex file to the Thingy:91), the settings of your new bootloader might not be the same.

You can find the configuration of the bootloader in <your build folder>/mcuboot/zephyr/.config

The settings should be the same for your "old" bootloader, and the bootloader built with your new version.

Best regards,

Didrik