Programming Thingy:53 with Bluetooth Mesh sensor_server example

[alwalker]

I have successfully built the Bluetooth Mesh sensor_server example, using the thingy53_nrf5340_cpuspp_ns build configuration.

But when I come to try and program the Thingy:53, it does not appear in the Connected Devices list, when connected to an nRF5340-DK board with a standard 10-pin cable (I used one from a STLink-V3). The RGB LED on the Thingy:53 illuminates on power up and cycles through the three colours a couple of times before going out, as it does when not connected via the 10-pin cable. When the Thingy:53 is connected via the 10-pin cable to the nRF5340-DK, the LEDs on the latter are not illuminated and neither appear in the Connected Devices list.

When I unplug and replug the USB cable to the nRF5340-DK board without the Thingy:53 connected, then the nRF5340-DK is detected and does appear in the Connected Devices list.

What else do I need to do for the Thingy:53 to be detected please?

I am using nRF Connect SDK v2.3.0 on Windows 11.

[alwalker]

Hi Elfving,

I get the same result (not launching the Bootloader) with the functioning nRF5340DK. JLINK(E:) is launched.

Photo of reset process on working nRD5340DK:

LED flashes when there is data communication.

And then running the already programmed application:

Incidentally I can use this process to program the Thingy:53 successfully without using the nRF5340DK:

https://academy.nordicsemi.com/flash-instructions-for-the-thingy53/

Kind regards,

Al

[Hung Bui]

Hi Al, 

Håkon is on vacation so I will take over this case. 

It's been a long discussion so I would be appreciate if you can give me a summary of the issue you are having now. 

Please be aware that the method of putting the Dev Kit to BOOTLOADER mode by holding button SW5 when resetting is no longer work with nRF53 DK. On the nRF53 DK it's not possible to manually update the firmware of the interface chip. 

Regarding the instruction you pointed to: https://academy.nordicsemi.com/flash-instructions-for-the-thingy53/ It's about how to use the USB bootloader to program the Thingy53. You will not be able to debug the application on it as you can do with the SWD interface on the nRF53 DK. 

Also please be aware if you connect the Debug out of the nRF53 DK to the Thingy53 like this: 

You would need to turn on the Thingy to make it work. 
Also in Visual Studio Code you will not see the Thingy name appear but only the serial number of the nRF53 DK. 

[alwalker]

Hi Hung Bui,

Thank you very much for confirming my experience that it is not possible to reprogram the interface chip on the nRF5340DK. This information does not seem to have been shared with Elfving, resulting in this very long thread, can I suggest better sharing of information between DevZone team members please?

Unfortunately this is now the 4th DK board that has been bricked and will have to go in the (recycling) bin, the previous three were nRF5340 Audio DK boards during initial LE Audio testing (a problem that I know was experienced by other developers). This suggests that there is an issue with the Interface IC HW/SW implementation that needs addressing, especially as I am concerned that I will experience the same issue if I try to use my other nRF540 DK boards to provide the debug function for Thingy:53. Obviously I have limited appetite and budget to keep buying new DK boards.

It would be appreciated if you could review at least the start of this thread, as I am not sure what was expected behaviour and at what point the interface IC became corrupted. Most of the rest of this thread gets lost in trying to reprogram the bricked DK board.

Kind regards,

Al

[Hung Bui]

Hi Al, 

Could you give me a brief summary of your situation now ? 

From what you wrote in the original question, the nRF53 DK was still working if you don't connect the Thingy53. Is it still the case or it's now bricked ? 
Can you program the nRF53 chip on the DK (not the interface chip)  ?

[alwalker]

Hi Hung Bui,

As a test, I created a completely new project using the Blinky template. The project builds as expected but then fails when I try to flash it to the nRF5340 DK. I have been previously able to flash this board.

Kind regards,

Al