How to get "going" with the nRF52820 used in a module, migration ...

[MuRa]

Hello all,

got the "ble module" that has the nRF52820 on it  ... therefore I am wondering how to start 

Currently I found this useful: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Bluetooth-Low-Energy/Development-tools?lang=en#infotabs   for examples the manufacturer suggested to use this software... However, I am not sure where and how to start? For example, I have the nrf52DK working via segger studio just fine, I have also managed to get going with the external sensor via the TWI, so far all good. Anyway, via the ble modules evaluation kit it should be possible to get going too... indeed, segger is on it ...

So, I have code that works on nrf52DK and I would like to use it on my BLE module evaluation kit... in general wondering, if the USB cable that I am using for the nrf52dk can be unplugged and  connected to the evaluation board of the module and download the app to the nrf52820 ? Apparently the examples from the nRF5SDK can be used, however, I am not sure where the PCA10100E can be found, for example, sometimes only certain examples include this PCA version while others do not, I guess this is dues to certain application of the BLE... Anyway, currently I am working on the PCA10040 ... and I am on the SDK5 ver 17.1.0... and this is the version I would like to use on the module where I would like to add the BLE stack ...

Any information how to get going would be more than helpful!

Best.

[Jared]

Hi there,

We have two SDKs, the first option is the nRF Connect SDK which is our primary option for new projects. This is what we recommend for new users and projects. The other option is the older nRF5SDK which is under maintenance mode, which means that we will not focus our resources on developing this SDK any more. Read more about the difference here.

Since you've already picked nRF5SDK, I'll focus my answers in regards to that. 

So, I have code that works on nrf52DK and I would like to use it on my BLE module evaluation kit... in general wondering, if the USB cable that I am using for the nrf52dk can be unplugged and  connected to the evaluation board of the module and download the app to the nrf52820 ?

That depends entirely on your module evaluation kit. Does it have a onboard debugger as on our nRF52 DK? If not, then you have to use a stand alone debugger or the debugger on the nRF52 DK and flash the board. This should be specified in the datasheet of the evaluation kit. 

Apparently the examples from the nRF5SDK can be used, however, I am not sure where the PCA10100E can be found, for example, sometimes only certain examples include this PCA version while others do not, I guess this is dues to certain application of the BLE...

Yes, we have not provided PCA10100e projects for every example, this means that if there is an example that miss the PCA10100e folder, you have to first see if the nRF52820 supports that example, and then port the example. There is a lot of threads on Devzone on how to port an example so I advise you to use some time to look up those threads.

regards

Jared 

[MuRa]

Hello and thank you for your reply.

Was wondering, if we should go after nRF connect, kind of instinctive... so, please let me know, so far the current SDK is used in a selected, a particular folder and the demos are used from there, indeed, we have just copied a certain demo and worked from there ... so, the question is can it be done the same with the Connect SDK or is there a different way to start working with a new SDK?

Checked the evaluation kit, and yes it has a "segger" on board debugger, hence my question. 

Jared said:

you have to first see if the nRF52820 supports that example, and then port the example

Ok, how to check that ? BTW what does the PCA and its number stand for?

Jared said:

how to port an example so

So, I guess the new connect sdk is used to do the same application ? Is that what is meant by porting in this case?

Best.

[Jared]

MuRa said:

Was wondering, if we should go after nRF connect, kind of instinctive... so, please let me know, so far the current SDK is used in a selected, a particular folder and the demos are used from there, indeed, we have just copied a certain demo and worked from there ... so, the question is can it be done the same with the Connect SDK or is there a different way to start working with a new SDK?

Yes, we already have multiple samples available for nRF Connect SDK.

MuRa said:

Ok, how to check that ? BTW what does the PCA and its number stand for?

It's the number of the board. Each IC has a distinct development kit with a distinct number, if the IC doesn't have a distinct board then we emulate it on another kit hence the -"e". For example, the nRF52832 has the PCA10040 board, while the nRF52810 doesn't have a board but is emulated on the nRF52832 DK, hence PCA10040e.

MuRa said:

So, I guess the new connect sdk is used to do the same application ? Is that what is meant by porting in this case?

By porting I mean that you adjust the application settings such as board file and memory setting to fit the board that you're using. One advantage of using nRF Connect SDK is that it's much easier to build an example for a different board. 

regards

Jared 

[MuRa]

Hi Jared

Installed the Connect SDK, however, having problems with opening it with the emSegger ... 

Wondering do I need the nRFConnect Desktop to open the examples from the nRFConnect SDK with the emSegger and getgoing?

Best.

[Jared]

Hi,

I recommend using Toolchain manager and VS Code with nRF Connect VS Code extension. You can open a project in VS code by using this option in Toolchain manager:

regards

Jared 

[MuRa]

Thanks Jared,

installed the VSCode Community 2019, updated the tool chain, however, not sure how to install the nRF Connect VS Code extension. I guess it is done automatically, anyway, if I want to open the new nRF Connect SDK via the toolchain the following error appears , see the pic, any ideas what am I doing wrong? 

 

 Best.

[Jared]

Hi,

You need to install VS code from here

Can you double check that it's already installed?

regards

Jared