Bluetooth Project: How to program your firmware to module

After setup been done, here comes the next question: How to program the firmware in to the module. We are using some simple instruction in below for reader's quick reference.

Hardware

You will need a Nordic nRF5X DK or a Segger J-link as programmer to load the firmware. To use Nordic nRF5X DK to debug the SoC as well, you will need to order corresponding nRF5X DK to match the SoC number. For example, order nRF52840 DK to debug nRF52840 SoC or order nRF52 DK to debug nRF52832/52810 SoC. But if you are only using it as programmer, any version of nRF5X DK will work as we only use the J-link on this board.

Software

Please download Nordic nRFGo Studio or Nordic nRF Connect for Desktop for programming. Remember to install nRF5X Command Line Tools if the board was not detected by nRFGo Studio. Once they are all connected, you can then start programming. Please make sure to “erase all” every time before programming.


For more tutorials and demo of sample code, please visit Nordic’s DevZone and Infocenter where have ample resources to utilize. 

Programing 

Case A. SoftDevice + Application

1. If Softdevice and Application code separately
Erase all first. Then program Softdevice and follow by Application code.
   

2. If Softdevice and Application combined code is available (Recommend)

Erase all first. Then program the combined code

   

 **Raytac module comes with testing code programmed. Please erase the testing code as the first step and then start the programming.

Case B. SoftDevice + Bootloader+ Application

1. Softdevice+Bootloader 

Erase all first. Program the Softdevice and follow by Bootloader. Then use DFU to update the application code.

2. Softdevice+Application+Bootloader combined code is available (Recommend)

Erase all First and follow by programming the combined code.

 **Raytac module comes with testing code programmed. Please erase the testing code as the first step and then start the programming.

*Remark
Bootloader is needed for DFU (OTA) Function.
SDK 11 (included) and before - a legacy DFU method, which is simple but less security
SDK 12 (Included) and after - a latest DFU method, which has higher security.

To easy customer's IoT device mass production, Raytac provide code pre-program service into module before shipment.  There are requirements listed in below for customers who need the service!

1. A single, combined hex file is required. Please combine softdevice and application or/and bootloader (depending on your firmware design) together before programming. This will shorten programming time and help to manage your code easier.
2. Need a simple method to check programming status. The easiest way is to check the device name if device will broadcast device name after programming is done; or use I/O to trigger LED and its behavior. This does not aim to test any or full function of your device, only a simple method for the operator to know programming status.

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5 & BT 4.2 & BTv4.1 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 

(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF52810 & nRF52840)

www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Bluetooth Project: How to get your Nordic solution firmware development started

Setting up Nordic's IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is the first step into Bluetooth product development, and it's also where most developers need support.

In order for developers to be able to smoothly set up their IDE, Raytac hereby provide you with a few easy steps.

First and foremost - In terms of IDEs, there are currently four different ones that are all viable; Segger Embedded Studio (SES), Keil C, IAR and GCC. Among these, SES and GCC are IDEs free of charge while Keil C and IAR both require the developer to pay a license fee to their respective company.

We at Raytac generally recommend SES, as it is an IDE brought forth by both Nordic and Segger together and it uses Segger J-Link. Although GCC is a free IDE, it only builds code and is impractical editting make file or debugging firmware. Thus, it's not our primary choice.

Therefore, we will hereby provide you a step-by-step guide on how to set up your IDE when using SES.

1. Where to download SES?

https://www.segger.com/downloads/embedded-studio/

2. Where to Nordic SDK ( Use SDK v15.0.0 as an example)

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF5_SDK/nRF5_SDK_v15.x.x/

3. Install SES V3.34 and unzip SDK v15.0.0

After SES installed, you may find "Non-Commercial License" 

4. SES License Key?

http://license.segger.com/Nordic.cgi

5. How to get free License Key?

Key in Name, Company name, Address and PC's MAC address. Then press "Request License", the "License key" will send to your mail box automatically.

Tips: How look up PC's Mac address: Pls enter DOS mode, 

Key in ipconfig/all,

The Mac address will be found in Ethernet card.

6. Copy the license key from mail

7. Execute SES and find out the "License Manager" in "Tools" option

8. Select "Activate Embedded Studio", Paste the "License Key", Click "Install License"

9. When completed, click "Manage Activation", shown "License key" well installed.

CMSIS Configuration Wizard,

10. Select "Open Solution" in SES's File option to open SDK v15.0.0 project

..\examples\ble_peripheral\ble_app_uart\pca10040\s132\ses\ble_app_uart_pca10040_s132.emProject 

11. Select "Open Studio Folder" in SES's File option, then select "External Tools Configuration". You may find the display as below screen shot. Pls paste the below command. (The command can also be found in below link)

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v15.0.0%2Fsdk_config.html&cp=4_0_0_1_6

11. Please save the "tools.xml". Afterward, developers may able start over build code and debug works. 

Build Code & Debug

Raytac Corporation

A Bluetooth Low Energy module maker based on Nordic Solutions!

www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          

Nordic Licensed A Free Development IDE-Embedded Studio

Nordic announced it recently has signed with SEGGER to license all developers allowed to use Embedded Studio to develop Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 application freely without any limitations.

Engineers designing nRF51 and nRF52 Series Bluetooth Low Energy SoC applications now gain free access to SEGGER’s commercial Integrated Development Environment

Getting started with SEGGER Embedded Studio and the nRF5 SDK Tutorial Video:

Nordic nRF52810 Module MDBT42Q-P192K by Raytac in Mass Production

With Nordic nRF52810 SoC volume production, Raytac announced nRF52810 module MDBT42Q-P192K and MDBT42Q-192K will be available by 2017/11

New NFC feature on nRF52 Series: Read/write capable Type 4 Tag NFC library in nRF5 SDK.

Raytac Corporation

A BT4.1 & BT4.2 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 

(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF51802)

www.raytac.com            Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

email: service@raytac.com

Wordpress

NFC feature is an interesting function in nRF52 series which can help developers and consumers to extent the device flexibility and accessibility.

Mostly, people knows that the NFC for nRF52 can work for paring work only.

Here Nordic Developer Zone introduced the new features of nRF52 for Type 4 Tag in nRF5 SDK.

Thus, not only used as a standard tag type for storing a web link or a text to launch apps and secure BLE pairing as known as Type 2 Tag. (The library already in nRF5 SDK), but also supports more features which enhance a faster communication and exposing data (known as NFC Type 4 Tag). Thus, nRF52 now can even write data to a tag with an NFC Reader/Writer such as smartphone and used in many secure transactions systems.

For more detail information, you can continue the reading in below which quoted from original post, or simply visit Nordic Developer Zone

New NFC feature on nRF52 Series: Read/write capable Type 4 Tag NFC library in nRF5 SDK.

Bluetooth 5-ready Nordic nRF52840 multi-protocol SoC released!

Raytac Corporation 

Bluetooth module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 

(Nordic nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF52840)
Bluetooth Specification Version: BT4.0 & BT4.1 & BT4.2

www.raytac.com

Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

email: service@raytac.com

https://raytacblog.wordpress.com/

Quoted from Nordic Press released!
https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/News/News-releases/Product-Related-News/Bluetooth-5-ready-SoC-from-Nordic-redefines-scope-for-smart-home-IoT-and-wearables-by-delivering-4x-range-2x-bandwidth-and-best-in-class-security

Nordic Semiconductor has today released the new nRF52840 multi-protocol SoC with on-chip support for the upcoming Bluetooth 5 specification. In addition to Bluetooth 5 the nRF52840 also introduces on-chip support for the 802.15.4 standard. With Bluetooth 5’s new high throughput and long range modes and 802.15.4, it offers unparalleled development opportunities for connected devices for IoT. These opportunities include advanced single-chip wearables, wearables with payment options and connected home devices.

Bluetooth 5 will undergo ratification by the Bluetooth SIG beginning December 6^th 2016. Upon completion, we will provide Bluetooth 5-ready SoftDevices to support nRF52840 and the nRF52832 (high-throughput mode only).

Bluetooth 5-ready nRF52840 multi-protocol SoC released!

Highlights

• Bluetooth 5 support
• 802.15.4 support
• ANT/2.4GHz RF support
• 1MB/256kB flash/RAM
• Cortex-M4F
• ARM® CryptoCell cryptographic accelerator
• USB 2.0 on-chip
• 48 configurable GPIO
• NFC
• QSPI
• Extended range of digital interfaces
• Dual-channel PDM digital microphone input
• 5v to 1.7v operation

The nRF52840 is available in a 73-pin 7x7mm AQFN package, and supported by the nRF52840 Preview Development Kit. View the Product Specification for more details!

Click below to view the product on our website, download the product specification or check out the nRF52840 Preview DK:

	nRF52840 product page
	nRF52840 Preview DK product page