Building a custom board in VS Code for nRF9160, and getting an error

[JonnyMN]

I'm trying to build a custom board in VS Code to use with the nRF9160. I'm using a Thingy91, so I took the board file for that, and copied it into the project directory. (the board file I copied from is from C:\Users\<USERNAME>\ncs\v1.9.1\nrf\boards\arm\thingy91_nrf9160). The project I'm using is the AWS_IoT sample from Nordic.

I then renamed all the files so that "thingy91" was just replaced with "NCB". I followed all instructions that were in the Q&A (https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/68856/how-to-create-a-custom-board-for-nrf9160) and I followed the directions exactly as detailed in the webinar (https://webinars.nordicsemi.com/getting-started-with-custom-5).

So the custom board is now "NCB_nrf9160_ns" instead of "thingy91_nrf9160_ns".

I then programmed device using a J-Link.

However, programming the code onto the thingy91, the program fails to run, and I get this message on LTE Link Monitor (the last message with the "cancel startup", the software then stays in a while loop).

*** Booting Zephyr OS build v2.7.99-ncs1 ***
I: Starting bootloader
I: Primary image: magic=unset, swap_type=0x1, copy_done=0x3, image_ok=0x3
I: Secondary image: magic=unset, swap_type=0x1, copy_done=0x3, image_ok=0x3
I: Boot source: none
I: Swap type: none
I: Bootloader chainload address offset: 0xc000
I: Jumping to the first image slot
E: Protect mcuboot flash failed, cancel startup.

How do I get this working?

Thank you.

[Øyvind]

Hello, 

Did you copy every file nrf\boards\arm\thingy91_nrf9160? Both guides that you point to are fairly old and there have been several improvements introduced since. I will need some time to test on my side as well.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[JonnyMN]

Yes, every file was copied. I did notice some files exist in the board file directory that weren't mentioned in the webinar or the how-to page. But I kept those files since I figured they were important.

[Øyvind]

Hello, sorry for the delayed answer. There is a one last file that you have to add here: 
bootloader\mcuboot\boot\zephyr\boards\ncb_nrf9160.conf

I tested on my side and got at first the same output as you, then I copied the thingy91_nrf9160.conf and renamed to the same name as custom board and now it runs as expected. 

Let me know how it works for you.

Kind regards,

Øyvind

[JonnyMN]

Thank you, that works!

Is there a way to keep this file with the local project folder?

[Øyvind]

Yes, you can add it to a new folder called: child_image\ncb_nrf9160.conf

Your project folder should look similar to this:

boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\board_nonsecure.c
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\board_secure.c
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\board.cmake
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\CMakeLists.txt
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\Kconfig
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\Kconfig.board
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\Kconfig.defconfig
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_common.dts
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_defconfig
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_ns_defconfig
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_ns.dts
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_ns.yaml
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160_partition_conf.dts
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160.dts
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\ncb_nrf9160.yaml
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\pm_static.yml
boards\arm\ncb_nrf9160\pre_dt_board.cmake

child_image\ncb_nrf9160.conf

src
CMakeLists.txt
Kconfig
prj_qemu_x86.conf
prj.conf
README.rst
sample.yaml

That worked on my side. Let me know how it works for you.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[JonnyMN]

After moving the ncb_nrf9160.conf file into the child_image directory, the original problem happens again ("Protect mcuboot flash failed, cancel startup.").

Also, I'm not sure if it's related, but I noticed there's one additional file I have that isn't in your list: boards/arm/ncb_nrf9160/nrf52840_reset.c.

[Øyvind]

JonnyMN said:

Also, I'm not sure if it's related, but I noticed there's one additional file I have that isn't in your list: boards/arm/ncb_nrf9160/nrf52840_reset.c.

No, this is fine if you have in your folder. Should not affect the message you get. 

JonnyMN said:

After moving the ncb_nrf9160.conf file into the child_image directory, the original problem happens again ("Protect mcuboot flash failed, cancel startup.").

Sorry, you need to rename it to child_image\mcuboot.conf

Let me know how that works for you. Remember to do a pristine build.