Secure DFU OTA for nRF52832 solution modules: Creating hex/zip file for implementation – Part 2(Combining/merging built files)

 Following up – Part 1: Bootloader & Application (Click for article link),

We will be focusing on:

Part 2: Combining and merging built files

in this article.

IC: nRF52832
DK: PCA10040 (for nRF52832)
SDK: 16.0.0
Softdevice: s132_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex
IDE: Keil C
PC: Win 10

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Part 2: Combining and merging built files

Secure DFU OTA for nRF52832 solution modules: Guide to create hex/zip file for implementation – Part 1(Bootloader & Application)

Here are the guidelines for users to implement Secure DFU OTA(over-the-air) while using nRF52832 Solution modules. (Click on link for Raytac nRF52832 module series)

IC: nRF52832
DK: PCA10040 (for nRF52832)
SDK: 16.0.0
Softdevice: s132_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex
IDE: Keil C
PC: Win 10

Below are the guidelines to implement Secure DFU OTA by using Raytac’s nRF52832 modules, SDK16.0.0.
It consists of 2 parts:

Part 1: Bootloader & Application

Part 2: Combining and merging built files (Article link)

In this article, we will be focusing on Part 1: Bootloader & Application.

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FAQ: How to write MAC address into the OTP memory of Raytac’s AN7002Q Wi-Fi module/AN7002Q-DB-5340 DevKit

Recently we have received the FAQ: how to write MAC address into the OTP memory of AN7002Q-P Wi-Fi module? In this article, we’ll get this question explained to give customers a more smooth experience using the AN7002Q-nRF5340 Demo Board(AN7002Q-DB-5340).

Is there an existing Wi-Fi MAC address in the AN7002Q part on the DevKit?

Currently, the AN7002Q module on Raytac’s AN7002Q-DB-5340 board isn’t loaded with a Wi-Fi MAC address.


When running Wi-Fi Scan code/Station code/Shell code…etc. on NCS v2.6.0 (and later versions), the AN7002Q module must have a programed Wi-Fi MAC address to function properly.

Therefore, it’s necessary to follow the below process:
1. Program the original Wi-Fi radio test code (..\nrf\samples\wifi\radio_test) into the MDBT53 section,
2. Then write the Wi-Fi MAC address in to the AN7002Q section via command.

After this, program the original Wi-Fi Scan code/Station code /Shell code … into the 5340, and it will function properly.

*Raytac will assign 2 MAC addresses(for both 2.4GHz & 5GHz) to every AN7002Q module.

*If customers don't have MAC addresses for DevKit development yet, please reach out to service@raytac.com

=========================================================

Case study 1. SCAN code example

Scenario:
Following error occurred when building the SCAN example code, flash it onto the AN7002Q-DB-5340 board, and run the test.

Solution:

When running Wi-Fi scan code on NCS v.2.6.0 or later version, the OTP memory in the AN7002Q module must have a Wi-Fi MAC address programmed in for the Wi-Fi scan functionality to work properly.

(Note: OTP is a One-Time programmable memory, which means the value can only be written once.
The customer must aware of this before performing the OTP operation.)

1. Program the original Wi-Fi radio test code (..\nrf\samples\wifi\radio_test) into the MDBT53 section,
then manually input and execute the following OTP read command.

wifi_radio_ficr_prog otp_read_params

If you see both MAC0 and MAC1 display a value of 0xFF, as shown in above, it means that you haven’t written the Wi-Fi MAC address into the AN7002Q’s OTP.

2. Manually issue the OTP write command to write the Wi-Fi MAC address into the OTP.

https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/samples/wifi/radio_test/ficr.html

wifi_radio_ficr_prog otp_write_params 0x120 0xDDCCBBAA 0xFFEE

wifi_radio_ficr_prog otp_write_params 0x128 0xDDCCBBAA 0xFFEE

After you complete the above, use the OTP read command in below to check if the Wi-Fi MAC address value was written.
The MAC0 and MAC1 should display the value you’ve input from the OTP write command.

wifi_radio_ficr_prog otp_read_params

3. Program the original Wi-Fi SCAN code back into the MDBT53, the Wi-Fi scan functionality should work properly.

==================================================================

Case study 2. Shell code example

SDK Wi-Fi example test – Running Shell Code on AN7002Q-DB-5340:
Scenario:
An error occurs while running Shell code on AN7002Q-DB-5340.

Solution:
The AN7002Q-DB-5340 is paired with nRF5340 DK for development,
but neither of the 2 boards has an external MX25R64 (Serial NOR Flash) component.
So far, only the nRF7002DK board is equipped with the MX25R64.

Therefore, while running the original Wi-Fi shell code, the program will enable SPI NOR.

When using AN7002Q-DB-5340, you should add CONFIG_SPI_NOR=n in the prj.conf file to disable SPI NOR, to turn off any configurations related to it.

After recompiling and flashing, the shell code function
( e.g., Wi-Fi scan/Wi-Fi connect/net ping ..) should work properly.

How to Set Up the Development and Programming Environment for Raytac’s AN7002Q-nRF5340 Demo Board (AN7002Q-DB-5340)?

 To help you quickly get started with Raytac’s AN7002 Wi-Fi module and nRF5340 module, here’s a simple guide on how to set up the development and programming environment using AN7002Q-nRF5340 Demo Board(AN7002Q-DB-5340)and nRF5340 DK.

This article will cover the 4 sections below:
1. Hardware setup
2. Software Development Kit and Environment setup
3. Programming/Development
4. Flashing/Uploading firmware

Secure DFU OTA for nRF52840 solution modules: Guide to create hex/zip file for implementation - #3(Combing & merging built files)

 Following up - Part A: Bootloader (Click for article link) and Part B: Application (Click for article link)

We will be focusing on:

Part C: Combining & merging built files

in this article.

IC: nRF52840
DK: PCA10056 (for nRF52840)
SDK: 17.1.0
Softdevice: s140_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex
IDE: Keil C
PC: Win 10

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Part C: Combining & merging built files

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Step 1. Execute the combine batch file in bootloader (nrf52840_bootloader_setting_merge.bat) and generate file of nrf52840_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex :

@echo off
title = [ J-Link Tool ] %CD%
set nrfDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Nordic Semiconductor\nrf5x\bin
set BS= nrf52840_bootloader_secure_settings.hex
set BL= nrf52840_xxaa_s140.hex
set BSBLCombind= nrf52840_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex
set path=%nrfDir%;%path%
pause
echo -----------merge image file-------------------
mergehex.exe -m %BS% %BL% -o %BSBLCombind%
pause

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Step 2. Create a Final.hex file by 3-in-1 batch file(nrf52840_3in1_merge.bat)
※Note : This hex file is created for the production line to pre-load firmware into modules prior to shipment.

@echo off
title = [ J-Link Tool ] %CD%
set nrfDir=C:\Users\user\Desktop\Nordic BLE\nRF5_merge tools\nRF52 bin
set SD= s140_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex
set BLT= nrf52840_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex
set APP= nrf52840_xxaa.hex
set SD_BLT=SD_BLT.hex
set Finalfile=Final.hex
set path=%nrfDir%;%path%
pause
echo -----------merge image file-------------------
mergehex.exe -m %SD% %BLT% -o %SD_BLT%
pause
mergehex.exe -m %SD_BLT% %APP% -o %Finalfile%
pause

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Step 3. Create a DFU(OTA).zip file of nrf52840_xxaa.zip
※Note : This zip file is created for end device DFU(OTA) implementation.

nrfutil pkg generate --hw-version 52 --sd-req 0x100 --application-version 0xFF --application
nrf52840_xxaa.hex --key-file private.pem nrf52840_xxaa.zip

The DFU OTA zip file: nrf52840_xxaa.zip will be derived.

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※Note :
The "0x100" appeared in the above DOS code(in red font) is the FWID(Firmware ID) for s140_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex;
FWID can be found from the soft device documents on the Nordic website.

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Step 4: Run DFU OTA (On mobile in this example)

4A. Install the nRF Connect APP on mobile, with DFU OTA file: nrf52840_xxaa.zip. 

       (Download link)

4B. Send nrf52840_xxaa.zip via email to mobile device after combination is done on PC, then download it.

4C. Open nRF Connect APP and run connection;

4D. Execute DFU and select "Distribution packet(ZIP)", thus starting the DFU OTA process.

4E. Start DFU OTA → exit the APP after DFU OTA is completed → restart the mobile device.

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Secure DFU OTA for nRF52840 solution modules: Guide to create hex/zip file for implementation
Detailed links of articles:
Part A: Bootloader (Click for article link)
Part B: Application (Click for article link)
Part C: Combining and merging built files (Click for article link)

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Technical guidelines provided by R&D Manager: Mr. MW Lee
Edited by Sales Manager: Mr. Tony Yin

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 
Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002 solution
BT5.4 &BT5.3 & BT5.2 & BT5.1 Qualified, FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified.
Bluetooth Solution: nRF54, nRF5340, nRF52840, nRF52833, nRF52832, nRF52820, nRF52811, nRF52810, nRF52805, nRF51822
WiFi Solution: nRF7002