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.

[Achim Kraus]

Seems to be without any progress ...

Programmer V4.01 still don't support a nRF9160 with other USB chips ...

[Jared]

What does the device drop-down list show when you connect the device?

Can you generate and share a system report?

regards

Jared 

[Achim Kraus]

Maybe Nordic starts with the answer from the development team and the product management, if supporting a nRF9160 with other USB chip for the "Programmer" App is intended, planed, or implemented?

It just doesn't help, to ask the user again and again, to provide information, if Nordic is unwilling to answer.

[Jared]

Hi,

From dev team: 

"If a device has any one of these traits it should show up  nordicUsb: true,    serialPorts: true,    jlink: true,    mcuBoot: true,    nordicDfu: true,"

Thus my question

regards
Jared

[Achim Kraus]

# nRFConnect System Report - 2023-11-21T14-21-45.771Z

- System:     System manufacturer System Product Name
- BIOS:       American Megatrends Inc. 4011
- CPU:        1 x AMD Ryzen 7 2700 Eight-Core Processor 3.2 GHz 16 cores (8 physical)
- Memory:     20.2 GB free of 31.3 GB total
- Filesystem: Dateisystem (Typ) 1 MB NaN% used

- OS:         Ubuntu (20.04.6 LTS) linux x64

- Versions
    - kernel: 5.4.0-166-generic
    - git: 2.25.1
    - node: 16.17.1
    - python: 2.7.18
    - python3: 3.8.10
    - nrfutil-device: 1.4.5
    - nrfjprog DLL: 10.22.3
    - JLink: JLink_V7.80c

- Connected devices:
    - d2e623fb9247ec11bbd4dbde461fcfc8 : /dev/ttyUSB0

[Achim Kraus]

I still think, that my question, "Programmer support for nRF9160 via USB CP2102" should be answered. The info above just shows, it doesn't work. If that's the intention, that some MUST use a Nordic USB chip, then that's the intention. Then I would document that at a prominent place. If it is the intention, that a NRF9160 is supported even with an different USB chip, then I guess Nordic should schedule the fix. After 9 months of nothing.

[Jared]

Hi,

It's not supported at the moment but they are working on getting it supported. I don't have a timeline on exactly when it will be supported, So for now you have to use a Nordic USB device. 

regards

Jared 

[Achim Kraus]

Thanks for the answer.