nRF5340 and nRF9160 general questions

[Franco Fourie]

Good day,

I would like to confirm the following points regarding the nRF9160 and nRF5340:

nRF9160 

1. The modem firmware binary is programmed through the SWD and not a UART port?

2. The Application core is also programmed using the SWD interface?

3. Does it ship from the factory with a bootloader? 

nRF5340

1. The application core and network processor are programmed through the SWD interface and can be simultaneously debugged by creating two debug sessions? 

2. The network core only supports a single UART instance, while the application core can support up to 4 UART instances?

3. What interface is used to load the bootloader (SWD and/or UART) and also are there specific GPIO pins that need to be used if the bootloader is uploaded using UART.

4. Does it ship from the factory with a bootloader? 

[Charlie]

Hi Franco,

nRF9160 

1. The modem firmware binary is programmed through the SWD and not a UART port?

2. The Application core is also programmed using the SWD interface?

At the development stage, you need to use the SWD interface for programming and debugging with a debugger like J-Link.

3. Does it ship from the factory with a bootloader? 

A bootloader is used when you need to update FW for either modem firmware or application firmware for your existing product. For secure concerns, you should set up and program your own secure bootloader for your product, so only your company can update them.

nRF5340

1. The application core and network processor are programmed through the SWD interface and can be simultaneously debugged by creating two debug sessions? 

Yes,  you get debug logs from different UART outputs.

2. The network core only supports a single UART instance, while the application core can support up to 4 UART instances?

Yes

3. What interface is used to load the bootloader (SWD and/or UART) and also are there specific GPIO pins that need to be used if the bootloader is uploaded using UART.

It should be programmed with SWD so your application firmware can be updated with bootloader through UART, BLE, WiFi, Cellular network, and so on. NCS/ZEPHYR use MCUboot as bootloader Using MCUboot in nRF Connect SDK — MCUboot 1.8.99 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

4. Does it ship from the factory with a bootloader? 

Please refer to the answer to nRF9160 3).

I list related documents as below, you will get more familiar with nRF9160 and nRF5340 development after reading them.

Working with nRF91 Series — nRF Connect SDK 1.9.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

Working with nRF53 Series — nRF Connect SDK 1.9.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

nRF5340 samples — nRF Connect SDK 1.9.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

nRF9160 samples — nRF Connect SDK 1.9.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

Applications — nRF Connect SDK 1.9.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/struct_nrf53/struct/nrf5340.html

Best regards,

Charlie

[Franco Fourie]

Hi Charlie thank you for the information.

Just one more additional question with regards to the single UART on the network core:

Can any GPIO pins be used for this UART as long as it is not being used by another peripheral?

I could not find any info on this in the documentation and assume that this is the case?

BR

Franco

[Charlie]

Hi Franco,

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/struct_nrf53/struct/nrf5340.html

nRF53 Series > nRF5340 > nRF5340 Product Specification > Peripherals > UARTE mentions:

The GPIOs used for each UART interface can be chosen from any GPIO on the device and are independently configurable. This enables device pinout flexibility and efficient use of board space and signal routing.

Best regards,

Charlie

[Franco Fourie]

Hi Charlie,

Thanks, yes I saw this, hence my assumption. 

I couldn't find any documentation where they made mention of the configuration of the UART on the network core. 

Thanks

[Charlie]

The general document cover UART used by network core. 

See Table 2. Instances

Best regards,

Charlie