nRF Connect for Desktop - Programmer v3.0.4 support for nRF9160 using other USB chips

[Achim Kraus]

I'm developing currently with the nRF9160 feather , which uses a CP2102 for USB.

That works quite well, especially it enables to add different sensors, which isn't that easy with a Thingy:91. Using a nRF9160-DK for that requires a larger form-factor.

Flashing firmware for the Arm33 works quite well over USB using the zephyr tools. Also using a jlink works.

But using nRF Connect for Desktop and a USB connection seems to be refused (or not considered by Nordic).

According pc-nrfconnect-programmer devices.ts the Programmer App filters on the USB ids.

Would it be possible to add a checkbox to make other USB serials also available?

That would make it easier to update the modem-firmware over USB without jlink.

[Hung Bui]

Hi Achim, 

I will send your suggestion to our Software team. 
As far as I know you should be able to modify the code and remove the filter the recompile it as your own customized version of nRF Connect Programmer. 

However I'm not 100% sure if the nRF Connect Programmer would work out of the box with the bootloader on the nRF9160 feather. As far as I know they have a customized version of MCUBoot that has higher speed. I haven't tested it with our tool. 

[Achim Kraus]

Thanks!

Do you know, if there are instruction how to recompile that?

(I'm common with java and C, but not that common with javascript/typescript ;-) ).

[Hung Bui]

Hi Achim, 
You can follow the documentation here: https://nordicsemiconductor.github.io/pc-nrfconnect-docs/
Compiling is covered in "Everyday development" section. 
We provided a simple RSSI example that you can get started with. 

[Achim Kraus]

Thanks. I will try that.

[Achim Kraus]

Not sure, if that description is more intended as "rough overview" than a documentation of "step by step instruction".

Using Ubuntu 20.04, installed node.js v14.21.3 and npm 6.14.18 I get for the pc-nrfconnect-programmer:

> npm ci

 Cannot read property 'nrf-intel-hex' of undefined

> npm install

pm WARN read-shrinkwrap This version of npm is compatible with lockfileVersion@1, but package-lock.json was generated for lockfileVersion@3. I'll try to do my best with it!

The required version fo npm seems to be not mentioned.

A more complete list of pre-requirements and instructions will be very helpful.   

[Achim Kraus]

Seems to require node.js v18,  not v14, as in the documentation.

The links to "nrf-device-lib-js" are not longer valid.