Default boot-loader for dongle

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:49:28 GMT

As far as I know there is no way to verify that the Dongle is in bootloader mode except trying to initiate a DFU with the Dongle.

The bootloader firmware that is "graviton_bootloader_mbr_v1.0.1-\[nRF5_SDK_15.0.1-1.alpha_f76d012\].hex" does not have a timeout I'm afraid, but you can set a timeout in the open bootloader example I mentioned to be whatever you desire.

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Hiihtaja — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 08:16:09 GMT

Hi !

Just to be sure if I understand all features of loader and nrfutils.

If dongle in DFU mode, how I can verify this by nrfutil ?

And if it in DFU mode and no any requests, it will reboot to normal mode automatically after what time ?

Regards,

Eugene

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:08:53 GMT

Either powering off/on or a timeout that aborts or ends the bootloader session would be the only ways to go back to the application mode. Would it be an issue to just assume that the Dongle is in DFU mode if it doesn't respond for your use case?

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Hiihtaja — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:17:32 GMT

Hi Simon !

It is just need for startup scripts. if NRF not respond, it might be in DFU mode. But looks like no way to detect if nRF in DFU mode and no way to initiate normal reboot. And power off/on toggling need for notmal boot to application if it flashed.

Is this so ?

Regards,

Eugene

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 07:24:38 GMT

Hi again

I don't really see why you would put it in bootloader/DFU mode if you're not flashing any new firmware onto it? There is an "abort" command in DFU that resets the bootloader, but as far as I know this isn't implemented in nrfutil. What I would think is the easiest would be to either set an inactivity timer that trigs if no DFU is occurring.

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Hiihtaja — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 08:39:22 GMT

Hi Simon !

I press button and device go to DFU. After that I don't won't to power off/on device and would like to force dongle to normal boot because application is really flashed already on previous rounds.

Can I issue some nrfutil command or power off/on need to initiate normal boot ?

Regards,

Eugene

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:29:33 GMT

Hi again Eugene

Can you explain what you mean by "reboot nRF to normal mode" here? Are we still talking about the nRF52 Dongle? As long as you flash the bootloader image to the Dongle using nrfutil the device should indeed go back to the bootloader mode, but if it is already flashed onto the Dongle, it will be sufficient to press the side mounted button while the device is powered, and the Dongle will go into bootloader mode.

Best regards,
Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Hiihtaja — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:03:26 GMT

Hi Simon !

Do you have idea if nrfutil can reboot nRF to normal mode ?

It happens after update automatically but sometimes it need back without update e.g if someone put it to DFU and power ON/OFF is npt possible.

Regards,

Eugene

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 08:58:29 GMT

Hi Eugene

I would recommend the Open bootloader that has more relaxed security compared to the secure one, and makes it easier to add the public key that's required to update the bootloader itself over USB. But it should be perfectly fine using the older .hex file as well unless you want to implement some custom features to your bootloader.

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Hiihtaja — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 12:50:20 GMT

Hi Simon !

So in common case, you suggest to use Secure Bootloader https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fsdk_nrf5_v17.1.0%2Fble_sdk_app_secure_bootloader.html

source as a base and maintain own bootloader especially in cases when security/signature check is required ( typical production case ) ?

Looks like only legacy nrfutil v6.x is available in the source code ( I need flasher for Rpi arm platform ) and from the roadmap is not so clear what bootloaders support what protocols.

Regards,

Eugene

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Simonr — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:16:21 GMT

Hi Eugene

Sorry about the late reply, but we don't have an updated .hex file for the later SDK versions, as not too much has changed in the USB bootloader area since nRF5 SDK v15.

As the Dongle Programming tutorial explains, you can also use the Open Bootloader example from the later SDKs, although this doesn't include the public key needed to update the bootloader itself over USB DFU. This can be added with slight modifications though.

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Default boot-loader for dongle

Maria Gilje — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 17:03:17 GMT

Hello Eugene,

I will take a look at this and get back to you after the weekend.

Thank you for your patience.

Kind Regards,
Maria