nRF9160DK firmwares updates : Request external flash memory ?

[Gaétan]

I use a nRF9160DK for make my experiments:

• nRF9160(modem) -> mdm_1.3.2
• nRF9160(application) ->Serial Modem LTE (nRF SDK 2.0.0) with UART 2 and CONFIG_SLM_NRF52_DFU_LEGACY=y
• nRF52840 -> my Application (with P0.13=high and P0.24=high for routing UART2 from nRF9160 to nRF52840)

I can make FOTA update for all 3 firmwares without activation of pin P0.19 (external_flash_pins_routing ).

But in the sample nRF9160: HTTP full modem update: Requierements there are a multiple mention of external flash memory

Is it necessary to use an external memory on nRF9160 for make firmware update with FOTA and DFUGET AT command ?

[Charlie]

Hi Gaétan,

Using external flash or not depends on the size of your application. nRF9160 has 1MB flash, if your application needs a firmware update and its size is big or you considering adding more features later, you will need to add an external flash. 

See Using external flash memory partitions — nRF Connect SDK 2.0.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

Best regards,

Charlie