NRF51422 stuck in ble_app_template example

[ktbalazs]

Hi!

I am working on a project with NRF51422QFAB.

First I tried a simple program, which runs well.

After that I would like to try out my own board antenna with the ble_app_template example but unfortunately, the code stucks really early.

I use the NRF5 SDK 10.0 and Soft device S130.

I use the NRF5 SDK 11.0, but I get the same result.

I tired with NRF5 SDK 12.3.0, too, but I get the same result.

This is where the code stucks:

err_code = sd_softdevice_enable(p_clock_lf_cfg, softdevice_fault_handler);

This is the build config:

This is my shematic:

This is the antenna design:

Do you have any idea why is it not working? :/

Thank you!

Balazs

[Kenneth]

I suggest to check out: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_gsg_keil/UG/gsg/program.html

Your project settings with an softdevice looks wrong, it should be something like:

If you don't have an external 32kHz crystal you should likely change to:

#define NRF_CLOCK_LFCLKSRC      {.source        = NRF_CLOCK_LF_SRC_RC,            \
                                 .rc_ctiv       = 16,                                \
                                 .rc_temp_ctiv  = 2,                                \
                                 .xtal_accuracy = NRF_CLOCK_LF_XTAL_ACCURACY_250_PPM}

[ktbalazs]

Could you check my error please?

[ktbalazs]

I have an NRF51 Dongle with NRF51822QFAA. With this the example works really well.

Now I have a new situation. I download the NRF51 SDK 10.0.0 again and I try it again. 
I have no idea how, but it go through the Soft Device init now.

BUT there is another strange issue. Now it stuck here, in a memset.

It has no sense...

What could I do?

Maybe a memory issue? Do this chip (NRF51422QAAB) have few memory?

This is my configuration:

My debugger settings:

UPDATE: After the "successful" flash I can not flash my device with the same settings...

I erased the flash, flash the soft device again, then the app, but at the flash of the app I get this error:

Why?

[Kenneth]

I don't know what is the problem here, but the latest nRF5 SDK that support nRF51-series is nRF5 SDK v12.3:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/com.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v12.3.0/nrf51_getting_started.html

I suggest to try and fail a bit.

Kenneth

[ktbalazs]

Is it compatible with S130 Soft device?

What do you mean? How could we make this debug process faster? 

[Kenneth]

You can find which tools and softdevices used in the Releas notes:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/com.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v12.3.0/index.html

Considering it's the first I have seen of your issue, you are likely doing something odd. Have in mind that it's not possible to single step code that use the BLE softdevice, since there are real time requirements that will break and the code will quickly assert. So debugging typically means you output serial data using logging to for instance UART.

Kenneth

[ktbalazs]

Thank you! I will try it in some hour. (the 12.3.0 and the UART way of the debugging)

I do not know what could be odd...I open an example project with the Keil project file, I flash the Soft Device without building, I set the cofing as you see in the last comments, then I comment out the init of the buttons and leds (because I do not have on my board), I change the clock source as you wrote, then I flash this app to my device.
I do now understand what could be odd in this process. :( 

[ktbalazs]

I can not try out because I can not flash the application. I think there is some memory issue because I can flash the blinky example with and without softdevice, too.

Which memory config should I use?

I tried yours.

[Kenneth]

The QFAB variant only have 128kB flash size, so I suspect you are exceeding that then:

So the entire code size is 0x20000 (128kB), so if for for instance the softdevice is using the first 0x1B000 (108kB), then the remaining size for the application is 0x5000 (20kB).

The ram size is 0x4000 (16kB), so if for instance the softdevice is using the the first 0x1870 (6kB), then the remaining size for the application is 0x2790 (10kB).

Best regards,
Kenneth

[ktbalazs]

Thank you, I tired it out, but with this config there is no space for the ble_app_template example.

Could it be real?

[Kenneth]

The compile error you see is consistent with an application that is larger than the available flash size yes. Please consider using the QFAA or QFAC.

Kenneth

[ktbalazs]

Okay, I ordered NRF51822QFAC.

Could you say me an BLE example which I can use with my actual flash size?

Where can I check the size of the application?