Programming the Beacon Kit with S130

[SergP]

I have bought the Beacon Kit because it matches my needs in terms of PCB shape and size, I have Evaluation Kit as well and use it for debugging purposes, but would like to use the Beacon for more "real life" experiments once the app more or less in working condition. Additionally, I don't need literally beacon as it is outlined in the documentation, instead I need something close what is available in S130.

Is that correct to assume that the nRF51822 Bluetooth Smart Beacon Kit can be programmed with any (S110, S120, S130) Soft Device and with any custom application hex file (which, of course, will match a softdevice)?

[Vebjørn]

That is correct. It is the same chip as on the evaluation kit, so they can perform the same functions, except the GPIO availability on the beacon is limited.

Programming it can be a bit tricky, though, as it has no On-Board debugger. Personally I use a normal J-link debugger, with this 6-pin adapter: https://www.segger.com/jlink-6-pin-adapter.html

[SergP]

Thank you for the answer, do you have some kind of pointer or link to the J-link debugger (as I can see the link you provided above is just 1 part of that system - the cable/adapter)? I would like to buy one (looking for one which just works and doesn't require any changes) so I am able to program and debug my Beacon Kit.

[Vebjørn]

Yea, the previous link is just an adapter that fits the beacon programming pads. The actual debugger can be any one of these models: https://www.segger.com/jlink-debug-probes.html. I use the J-link EDU since I'm a student and it's the cheapest one, but it has what you need to flash the nrf51822 :)

[SergP]

Thanks, does that mean that I have to solder the cable to the Beacon or there are some kind of cables which don't require soldering? I am trying to avoid soldering because the Beacon would go in/out of the box and I want to avoid multiple soldering/unsoldering operations when I need to upgrade softdevice/application. So, wondering how you use it exactly. I've found TC2030-IDC-NL "No Legs" 6-pin Plug-of-Nails tm Cable where they say: "... The "No Legs" versions of our cables are designed to be held in place by hand for a fast programming operation ..." which sounds pretty positive but I am not sure how achievable that is, so, wanted to know an opinion (whether it really has to be soldered or not really) from someone who already has an appropriate experience.

[Vebjørn]

you don't have to solder the programming pins, you simply "poke" the 6-pin adapter onto the beacon and hold it there while you flash it. The "no legs" version you linked is a better option for programming the beacon than the adapter i linked, because the legs are a bit in the way when poking the beacon. See this pic: http://www.tag-connect.com/Materials%202/NL_pinout.jpg. The 6 pins in the middle are the SWD-signals from the debugger, and the 3 outer "pins" are simply there so you cant put it on the beacon the wrong way. The 6 pins in the middle have springs on them, so when you push the entire thing onto the beacon it stays firmly in place. Some adapters have latching legs (like the one i linked) but those wont work so well on the beacon, because there are no holes for the legs