RE: Debugging external NRF52832 with nRF52840 DK by BLE

Alexandria McKie — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 04:54:47 GMT

Hey Einar,

Thank you for the response, I will keep in mind opening the device to test it but it is something we are trying to avoid. I will look into Memfault.

You mentioned using the Nordic UART service, I have been able to achieve that with my iPhone and the NRF Toolbox App. Are the links you mentioned in your reply applicable for my PC? I would really like to be able to send and receive messages with a windows computer.

RE: Debugging external NRF52832 with nRF52840 DK by BLE

Einar Thorsrud — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 12:46:11 GMT

Hi,

There is no remote debugging support or features in the SDKs out of the box. If you only have BLE connection but is able to update via DFU as you write, then what comes to mind is to add some code that logs important events and transmits those over BLE, for instance using the Nordic UART service. (See Bluetooth: Peripheral UART sample if using the nRF Connect SDK, or UART/Serial Port Emulation over BLE if using the older nRF5 SDK). That is only giving you logging though, and in case of errors you will typically not be able to log, but perhaps you can transfer that data later. This will not be ideal though, so I would really try to be able to debug with a wired connection if possible, preferably with a debugger. Is it not possible to open up your device and solder on wires on the SWD pins?

(Note that there are commercially available remote debugging solutions out there - like Memfault, but based on what you write I am not sure if that is relevant for you.)