Friday, June 20, 2025

nRF52840 Nordic SoC USB Dongle – MDBT50Q-CX-40, Now Supports Zephyr RTOS

[New Taipei City, Taiwan] 

Zephyr RTOS hosted in Linux system has become a leading IoT ecosystem and it has been widely adopted as an open-source , real-time operation system for embedded devices, making it easier for developers to integrate the project smoothly.


Nordic Semiconductor , a main contributor to Zephyr, from the Bluetooth LE controller and USB stack to test tools, DFU frameworks.. and more, is making great effort and strategic decisions to adopt the Zephyr open-source into its nRFConnect(NCS) SDK program.

Raytac Corporation , a hardware-based manufacturer and a comprehensive solution developer with Nordic SoC development for multi-protocol complied wireless modules, now expands support for Zephyr RTOS ecosystem with its nRF52840 USB-C dongle – MDBT50Q-CX-40.

Zephyr support package for MDBT50Q-CX-40: 

https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/boards/raytac/mdbt50q_cx_40_dongle/doc/index.html


Reminder: The current Nordic released NCS SDK may NOT upgrade with Zephyr package at the same pace ; It is recommended to get the latest NCS SDK version to access the complete Zephyr support package.

If you’re interested in how Zephyr becomes powerful for a developer to start a project design easier and how the Nordic nRFConnect SDK community brings you to the world of Zephyr RTOS system, never hesitate to save the spot in the upcoming webinar on July 2nd, 2025. How Zephyr became the leading open-source RTOS for IoT (Click on the link to know more)

Resources:
– Begin your journey with Nordic nRFConnect SDK community – nRF Connect SDK Fundamentals
– User Manual of MDBT50Q-CX (nRF52840/nRF52833-based USB-C Dongle)


Edited by Business Development Manager: Ms. Jocelyn Tsai


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 / Raytac Corporation (USA)
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker/ODM & OEM Manufacturer based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262


Bluetooth Specification: BT6.1 ; BT6 ; BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN


All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
https://www.raytac.com/contact/
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208(TW)/+1-626-217-3139(USA)

Thursday, May 29, 2025

MCUboot DFU Guide For Raytac MDBT50Q-DB-40 (Using NCS V2.9.1)

 is guide teaches you how to use MCUboot for DFU (Device Firmware Update),

Combined with nRF Connect SDK (NCS) V2.9.1 to upgrade firmware on Raytac's MDBT50Q series modules.


Table of contents:

  1. Hardware Set Up
  2. Software Kits resource download & install
  3. Compile and load the program
    a. Open VS Code
    b. Project setup
    c. Setup the situation for DFU over UART or DFU over USB
    d. Start compiling your project
    e. Load your compiled program into the MDBT50Q-DB-40 demo board

  4. DFU to MDBT50Q-DB-40 over UART / USB
  5. Execute USB DFU using AuTerm
  6. DFU using your custom keys

1. Hardware setup
- Equip Raytac's MDBT50Q-DB-40 development board
- Ensure the board is connected via USB to your PC


2.Software Kits resources download & install
- Resources download:
nRF Connect for Desktop - Download nRF Connect for Desktop (Please Click Me)
nRF Command Line Tools - Download nRF Command Line Tools (Please Click Me)
Visual Studio Code - Download Visual Studio Code(Please Click Me)

Install nRF Connect for Desktop ➔ install Programmer and Toolchain Manager.


Open Toolchain Manager and install SDK V2.9.1.


Install Visual Studio Code


3. Compile and load the program
a. Open VS Code(Visual Studio Code)


Note:
If it's your first time using the software: after installing all the extensions, you should see the same on your screen.


b. Project setup
b.1 Create an example code(In this article: peripheral_uart)
Please refer to the following steps:
Create a new application ➔ Copy a sample ➔ NCS V2.9.1


b.2 Name the Project: peripheral_uart
Input peripheral_uart and the corresponding example program will appear in the options section below.


Note: We named the project peripheral_uart_mcuboot to distinguish it.
This project will create a directory named peripheral_uart_mcuboot.

c. Build an environment for DFU over UART or DFU over USB

- Create a new application ➔ Open

Right click on the project name you just created (peripheral_uart_mcuboot), a pop-up menu will appear. Select the first option "Show in Explorer" from the pop-up menu to display all project files.


Then select New File to create a sysbuild.conf file.


Select sysbuild.conf, left-click on it, and a blank box will show.


Input the file name and define: SB_CONFIG_BOOTLOADER_MCUBOOT=y


Parameters and instructions
Add a new file mcuboot.conf, in the sysbuild folder, and input the following parameters into the file. (Add relevant parameters according to UART or USB)
(Note: Please be informed if you want to use DFU over UART in the end, you should use UART when you first create the environment. Similarly, if you want to use DFU over USB, you should create the USB environment at the beginning.)

For DFU over UART
# Enable logging for MCUboot
CONFIG_LOG=y
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_LOG_LEVEL_WRN=y
# Enable Serial Recovery over UART
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_SERIAL=y
# Disable UART, since Serial Recovery uses it
CONFIG_UART_CONSOLE=n
# Configure the bootloader to use two slots
CONFIG_SINGLE_APPLICATION_SLOT=n
# Turn on a LED so we can see when Serial Recovery mode is active
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_INDICATION_LED=y


For DFU over USB
# Enable logging for MCUboot
CONFIG_LOG=y
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_LOG_LEVEL_WRN=y
# Enable Serial Recovery over UART
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_SERIAL=y
# Disable UART, since Serial Recovery uses it
CONFIG_UART_CONSOLE=n
# Configure bootloader to use two slots
CONFIG_SINGLE_APPLICATION_SLOT=n
# Turn on a LED so we can see when Serial Recovery mode is active
CONFIG_MCUBOOT_INDICATION_LED=y
# Configure serial recovery to use CDC_ACM, which by default uses the USB
CONFIG_BOOT_SERIAL_CDC_ACM=y
# Increase flash space for the MCUboot image to fit USB drivers
CONFIG_PM_PARTITION_SIZE_MCUBOOT=0x10000


Create a new file: mcuboot.overlay and add the following parameters.


For DFU over UART
/* Configure button and LED for Serial Recovery */
/ {
    aliases {
          mcuboot-button0 = &button0;
          mcuboot-led0 = &led0;
    };
  };


For DFU over USB
/* Configure button and LED for Serial Recovery */
/ {
    aliases {
          mcuboot-button0 = &button0;
          mcuboot-led0 = &led0;
    };
  };
/* Configure CDC ACM */
&zephyr_udc0 {
            cdc_acm_uart0: cdc_acm_uart0 {
                        compatible = "zephyr,cdc-acm-uart";
            };
};


Note: if you use DFU over USB, please enable the USB subsystem in prj.conf.


After all the setup is completed, you can start compiling your project.


d. Start compiling your project
Add Build Configuration ➔ Select target board ➔ In this example, choose raytac_mdbt50q_db_40/nrf52840.


Start compiling by clicking "Generate and Build" at the bottom-right corner.


e. Load your compiled program into the MDBT50Q-DB-40 demo board
After compiling without error, select the flash function to load your program into the MDBT50Q-DB-40 demo board.


If the below is shown, it means that you have successfully loaded your program into the demo board.


4. DFU to MDBT50Q-DB-40 over UART / USB
DFU over UART
Hold the SW2 button then plug the power into the USB connector.
The system will enter the bootloader mode.
You can then DFU the new firmware via the UART.


DFU over USB
If you update your firmware through USB, please also hold the SW2 button and connect the USB cable.


5. Execute USB DFU using AuTerm
AuTerm is a free-for-download PC software on Windows.
It allows you to update your new firmware on the MDBT50Q-DB-40 demo board.
Download link:
https://github.com/thedjnK/AuTerm/releases/download/v0.35a-pre/AuTerm_test_Win_x64_v0.35a.7z

Steps:
Select the tab Config to set the correct COM port.


Follow the sequences in the below screenshot.


You can use the file peripheral_uart_mcuboot.signed.bin for testing.
It is located in peripheral_uart_mcuboot/build.
Then follow the sequences in the below screenshot.
DFU will be completed when the progress reaches 100%.


6. DFU using your custom keys
When you compile the code, you will see the below warning.
Reason: It's required to have your own private key to ensure your product's security.
Following are the steps to enable security features.


Step 1. Create the key
First, install the imgtool program using pip.


Then use the following command to generate your private key in your project folder.
After the private key is generated, you can access it in your directory.


Step 2. Configure the project to use this key in sysbuild.conf

# Add MCUboot
SB_CONFIG_BOOTLOADER_MCUBOOT=y
#Add private key for MCUboot
SB_CONFIG_BOOT_SIGNATURE_KEY_FILE="\${APP_DIR}/private_key.pem"
# Configure key type
SB_CONFIG_BOOT_SIGNATURE_TYPE_ECDSA_P256=y


Step 3. Build and flash the project again. Your firmware will have security features.


Edited by Account Manager: Mr. Welson Kuo


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 / Raytac Corporation (USA)
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker/ODM & OEM Manufacturer based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262


Bluetooth Specification: BT6.1 ; BT6 ; BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN


All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
https://www.raytac.com/contact/
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208(TW)/+1-626-217-3139(USA)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Raytac’s nRF54L15 module Demo Board: AN54L15Q-DB is now officially supported in the Zephyr Project

[2025.05.14] 

We’re excited to announce that the Raytac AN54L15Q-DB development board is now listed and fully supported in the Zephyr Project’s official board documentation! This milestone provides developers with seamless access to hardware abstraction, sample code, and configuration tools—directly within the Zephyr RTOS environment.

Based on Nordic Semiconductor’s latest nRF54L15 SoC, this board offers a cutting-edge platform for developing Bluetooth® Low Energy and other 802.15.4 protocol-related applications. The features include:

– Module Demo Board built by AN54L15Q module
– Built-in debug interface for streamlined development and testing
– Compatibility with Zephyr’s device tree and board configuration system
– Antenna variants: Ceramic Chip / PCB Trace / u.FL Connector
– Nordic nRF54L15 Solution
– A recommended 3rd-party module by Nordic Semiconductor.
– Intended for BT specification BT6, including Channel Sounding features
– Pre-certified with FCC, IC, CE, Telec (MIC), KC, SRRC, NCC, RCM, WPC
– Intended for EU new Cyber Security Standard: EN 18031
– RoHS & Reach Compliant.
– 128 MHz ARM® Cortex™-M33 processor with TrustZone® technology
– 128 MHz RISC-V co-processor with TrustZone® technology
– 1.5MB Flash Memory / 256KB RAM
– 31 GPIO
– Interfaces: QSPI(Intended), SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, PDM, PWM, ADC, and NFC
– Highly flexible multiprotocol, ideally suited for
Bluetooth® Low Energy, ANT+, Zigbee, Thread (802.15.4), and Matter ultra low-power wireless applications.


Reference:
AN54L15Q-DB Zephyr Documentation
nRF54L15 module: AN54L15Q(Chip antenna)
nRF54L15 module: AN54L15Q-P(PCB antenna)
nRF54L15 module: AN54L15Q-U(u.FL connector for external antenna)
nRF54L15 module demo board: AN54L15Q-DB
nRF54L15 ultra compact module: AN54L15V(Chip antenna)
nRF54L15 ultra compact module: AN54L15V-P(PCB antenna)
Nordic Third-party modules/modems


By being integrated into the Zephyr ecosystem, developers gain direct access to well-maintained upstream code, continuous integration support, and community-driven updates. Whether you’re building IoT sensors, connected medical devices, or industrial automation systems, using the AN54L15Q-DB with Zephyr ensures a modern, scalable, and open-source-ready development experience.


Start building faster—with less setup and more confidence—thanks to this powerful combination of Raytac hardware and the Zephyr real-time operating system!


Our other Demo boards that are also listed on Zephyr:
MDBT50Q-DB-33 (nRF52833 module Demo Board)
MDBT50Q-DB-40 (nRF52840 module Demo Board)
MDBT53-DB-40 (nRF5340 module Demo Board)
MDBT53V-DB-40 (nRF5340 module Demo Board)


Edited by Business Development Manager: Mr. Tony Yin


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 / Raytac Corporation (USA)
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker/ODM & OEM Manufacturer based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262


Bluetooth Specification: BT6.1 ; BT6 ; BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN


All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
https://www.raytac.com/contact/
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208(TW)/+1-626-217-3139(USA)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Raytac's nRF7002 module: AN7002Q series Wi-Fi module have obtained Wi-Fi Alliance CID

 [2025.02.19]

Raytac Corporation is proud to announce that our application for Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) certification on the AN7002Q series(based on Nordic's nRF7002 IC) has been successfully approved. This achievement reinforces our commitment to providing high-quality, reliable, and standard-compliant wireless solutions.
By leveraging this certification, our modules ensure seamless interoperability, enhanced security, and superior performance for a wide range of IoT applications.



Advantages of Using Raytac Modules with WFA Certification:

Reliable and Secure Connectivity – Ensures seamless communication with other Wi-Fi-certified devices while meeting industry-leading security standards for stable and secure data transmission.
Faster Time-to-Market – Pre-certified modules simplify compliance processes, reducing development time.
Global Market Access – Certification helps meet regulatory requirements in multiple regions, expanding business opportunities.
Significant Cost-Saving – Compared to the chip-on-board approach, using Raytac’s Wi-Fi module allows direct access to the Derivative programs(please click here for more descriptions), leveraging Raytac’s CID to minimize certification costs and save time-to-market.




To learn more about Wi-Fi certifications and Wi-Fi + BLE applications, feel free to contact us anytime at service@raytac.com.


Edited by Account Manager: Ms. Mandy Chao




Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262


Bluetooth Specification: BT6 ; BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN


All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
email: sales@raytac.com


Monday, February 10, 2025

Join Raytac at "Embedded World 2025" – Experience Innovation at Our Booth!

 

Dear Valued Attendees,

We are thrilled to announce that Raytac Corporation will be participating in Embedded World 2025 from March 11 to March 13, 2025, at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre in Germany.

IoT and Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and LoRa...etc. continue to reshape industries worldwide, that's why Raytac is at the forefront, providing cutting-edge solutions that accelerate product development.
Together with our partner, Nordic Semiconductor, we offer a comprehensive range of modules designed to meet the increasing demands of today’s connected world.

This year, we have exciting innovations to showcase:

These are just a few of the groundbreaking solutions we’ll be unveiling. You won’t want to miss the chance to experience these with us!

What to Expect at Our Booth:

  • Live demonstrations showing how Raytac’s modules can be implemented in multiple industries.
  • Discover how our modules can reduce development time and costs, making your projects more efficient.
  • One-on-one consultations with our experts to help you find the right solutions for your needs.


Stop by and visit us at:
HALL 3
Booth 3-111
M2M Area


We would love to connect with you and discuss how Raytac can support your next project. Whether you're an engineer, developer, or business decision-maker, we have something for everyone at Embedded World 2025.

For more details and a sneak peek of what we have in store, don’t forget to check out:
1. Our website: http://www.raytac.com
2. Our LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raytac/
3. Our WordPress Blog: https://raytac.blog/

We can’t wait to see you at the event and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you!