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nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop....

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nRF Connect Programmer v1.4.1 User Guide v1.3.0 1159720_170 v1.3.0 / 2020-08-21
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Page 1: nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop. Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect

nRF Connect Programmerv1.4.1

User Guidev1.3.0

1159720_170 v1.3.0 / 2020-08-21

Page 2: nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop. Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect

ContentsRevision history. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Installing the Programmer app. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3 nRF Connect Programmer overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4 Programming a Development Kit or the nRF51 Dongle. . . . . . . . . . . 10

5 Programming the nRF52840 Dongle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

6 Programming the nRF9160 DK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126.1 Programming applications on nRF9160 DK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126.2 Programming the nRF9160 DK cellular modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

7 Programming Nordic Thingy:91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157.1 Programming applications on Nordic Thingy:91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

7.1.1 Programming applications through USB (MCUboot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157.1.2 Programming applications through an external debug probe . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

7.2 Programming the Nordic Thingy:91 modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207.2.1 Programming the modem through USB (MCUboot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207.2.2 Programming the modem through an external debug probe . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

8 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Legal notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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Page 3: nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop. Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect

Revision history

Date Version Description

August 2020 1.3 Updated:

• Introduction on page 4• nRF Connect Programmer overview on page 6• Programming a Development Kit or the nRF51 Dongle on page

10• Programming the nRF52840 Dongle on page 11• Programming the nRF9160 DK on page 12• Programming Nordic Thingy:91 on page 15• Troubleshooting on page 25

May 2020 1.2.1 Added Figure 5: Nordic Thingy:91 buttons on page 16

April 2020 1.2 • Updated Supported devices in Introduction on page 4• Updated nRF Connect Programmer overview on page 6• Added Programming the nRF9160 DK on page 12• Added Programming Nordic Thingy:91 on page 15

September 2019 1.1 Updated to match nRF Connect Programmer v1.2.3:

• Added Programming the nRF9160 DK cellular modem on page13

• Updated nRF Connect Programmer overview on page 6• Updated Installing the Programmer app on page 5

May 2019 1.0.1 Updated Installing the Programmer app on page 5

February 2019 1.0 First release

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Page 4: nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop. Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect

1 Introduction

nRF Connect Programmer is an app available from nRF Connect for Desktop that you can use to programfirmware to Nordic devices. The application allows you to see the memory layout for both J-Link andNordic USB devices. It also allows you to display content for the HEX files and write it to the devices.

Supported devices

• Nordic Thingy:91• Nordic Thingy:52• nRF91 Series DKs• nRF53 Series DKs• nRF52 Series DKs and Dongle• nRF51 Series DKs and Dongle

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Page 5: nRF Connect Programmer...The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop. Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect

2 Installing the Programmer app

The Programmer app is installed as an app for nRF Connect for Desktop.

Before you can install the Programmer app, you must download and install nRF Connect for Desktop(version 3.2.0 or later).

To install the Programmer app:1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop.2. Find the Programmer app in the list of apps and click Install.

Once the app is installed, you can launch it by clicking Open.

For easy access, you can create a desktop shortcut by clicking the arrow down button and selecting Createshortcut.

If a new version of the app becomes available, an Update button is displayed next to the Open button.Click this button to install the latest version. To uninstall the app, click the arrow down button and selectUninstall.

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3 nRF Connect Programmer overview

The nRF Connect Programmer main window shows the memory layout of device and file you want to workwith. It also provides you with options to program the device and inspect the whole process through thelog.

When you start the Programmer app, the following main window appears:

Figure 1: nRF Connect Programmer default view at startup

This main window is composed of the navigation bar and the smaller windows, which are described in thefollowing sections.

Navigation barIn the navigation bar at the top, you can access the menu, select a device, and see the connection statusof the selected device.

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nRF Connect Programmer overview

Click the three-dash button in the top-left corner to open the menu through which you can launch anotherapp, create a system report, or view information about the Programmer app.

Once you connect a device to the system, it becomes visible and available as you click on the Select devicedrop-down list. You can choose a device from the list of connected devices to perform further actions onthe device such as programming.

The status indicator to the right of the Select device drop-down list shows the connection status of theselected device. The indicator is green when the Programmer app has established a connection to thedevice.

Device Memory Layout and File Memory LayoutIn the Device Memory Layout window, you can see the memory sections for the device selected by usingthe Select device option in the navigation bar.

The File Memory Layout window displays the memory layout for files added into the Programmer appwith the Add HEX file option. Once added, these files can be programmed onto the device.

Both windows use graphs that display the different sections in the memory with different colors.

Application section

SoftDevice section

Bootloader section

MBR or Application section

Unknown

Figure 2: Memory layout section colors

DeviceWhen you select a device, you have the following actions available in the Device section:

• Erase all clears the written memory on the device.• Read reads and displays the written memory in the Device Memory Layout.

• You can tick the Auto read memory field to automatically read the memory layout of the deviceand display it in the Device Memory Layout.

• You can tick the Enable MCUboot field to program the Nordic Thingy:91™ modem through USB.• In the Device Memory Layout, you can read the name, address range, and size of a memory section

by hovering the mouse cursor over one of the memory sections. This option is possible only afterloading a memory layout.

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nRF Connect Programmer overview

Figure 3: Memory section details• Additionally, after you read the memory, Save as file allows you to save the memory as a HEX file.

• Erase & write clears the written memory and programs the files added to the File Memory Layout.• Reset resets the device.• Write programs the files added to the File Memory Layout.

FileIn the File section, you can add files to the File Memory Layout graphic, reload, and remove them.

When adding files with the Add HEX file button, you can select the files either from the drop-down list ofprevious files or by browsing to the file destination.

Cellular ModemYou can use the Programmer app to update the nRF9160 modem firmware on all kits with the nRF9160SiP. To do so, click Update modem and select the zip file that contains the new modem firmware.

LogEach time you open the Programmer app, a new session log file is created in the Log folder at <userfolder>/AppData/Roaming/nrfconnect/pc-nrfconnect-programmer/logs. The Log

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nRF Connect Programmer overview

window allows you to view the most important log events that are saved to these log files. The events aretagged with a timestamp.

This window contains the following buttons in its top right corner:

• Open log file opens the detailed log file, which is useful for troubleshooting.• Clear log erases all the information in the Log window. The contents of the log file are not affected.• Scroll automatically toggles automatic scrolling of the Log window as new lines appear.

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4 Programming a Development Kit orthe nRF51 Dongle

In nRF Connect Programmer, you can program nRF91, nRF52, and nRF51 development kits, nRF51 Dongle,or a custom board with a supported chip that allows for communication with J-Link.

Note: When programming a custom board with a supported chip, make sure that the J-Linksupports the relevant Arm® CPU. For example, an nRF52 Series DK cannot be used to program aNordic Thingy:91 since the J-Link on an nRF52 Series DK does not support the programming of theArm Cortex®-M33 CPU of Nordic Thingy:91. Also, a Nordic Thingy:52™ can be programmed only viaJ-Link and a 10-pin programming cable.

To program the nRF52840 Dongle, see Programming the nRF52840 Dongle on page 11. To program thenRF9160 DK, see Programming the nRF9160 DK on page 12. To program any other development kit,the nRF51 dongle, or a custom board, see the following procedure.

1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Connect a development kit to the computer with a micro-USB cable, and turn it on.

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.3. Click Select device and select the device from the drop-down list.

The button text changes to the SEGGER ID of the selected device, and the Device Memory Layoutsection indicates that the device is connected.

4. If you have not ticked the Auto read memory option under the Device menu and wish to visually seethe memory layout before you program, click Read in the menu. If you have ticked it, the memorylayout will update automatically.

5. Drag and drop the HEX file into the File Memory Layout section. Alternatively, click Add HEX file on theright pane (named as File) to add the files you want to program, by using one of the following options:

• Select the files you used recently.• If there are no recently used files, click Browse from the drop-down list.

6. Select the firmware image file (with the extension .hex) from the file browser that opens up.7. Click Erase & write in the Device pane to program the device.

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5 Programming the nRF52840 Dongle

Programming the nRF52840 Dongle in nRF Connect Programmer requires a different approach thanprogramming the nRF51 Dongle.

To program the nRF52840 Dongle:

1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Insert the nRF52840 Dongle into a USB port on the computer.3. Put the dongle into bootloader mode by pressing the RESET button.

Figure 4: nRF52840 Dongle overview

Note:

• This step is not needed if the currently running application uses the DFU trigger library.• If this is the first time the dongle is connected, a driver needed for the nRF52840 USB DFU

feature is also installed as part of this step.

The status light (LD2) will start pulsing red, which indicates that the dongle is powered up and inbootloader mode. After a few seconds, the computer recognizes the dongle as a USB composite device.

4. In the navigation bar in the Programmer app, click Select device and select the serial number of thedongle from the drop-down list.

5. Drag and drop the HEX file into the File Memory Layout section. Alternatively, click Add HEX file on theright pane (named as File) to add the files you want to program, by using one of the following options:

• Select the files you used recently.• If there are no recently used files, click Browse from the drop-down list.

6. Select the firmware image file (with the extension .hex) from the file browser that opens up.7. Click Write to program the firmware onto the dongle.

When the writing process completes, the device resets and – unless the application uses the DFU TriggerLibrary – the dongle will no longer show up in the Programmer app, as it is no longer in the bootloadermode.

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6 Programming the nRF9160 DK

You can use nRF Connect Programmer to program the modem and to program applications onto nRF9160DK.

You can program applications either on the nRF9160 System in Package (SiP) or on the nRF52840 Systemon Chip (SoC) of nRF9160 DK. You can select the target to be programmed by using the PROG/DEBUG(SW5) switch on the nRF9160 DK.

6.1 Programming applications on nRF9160 DKYou can program applications on the nRF9160 DK after obtaining the corresponding firmware images.

Before you start, download the latest application and modem firmware from the nRF9160 DK Downloadspage. If you update the application firmware on an nRF9160 DK, you must also update the modemfirmware using the steps described in Programming the nRF9160 DK cellular modem on page 13.

To program applications on the nRF9160 DK, complete the steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Set the PROG/DEBUG (SW5) switch on the nRF9160 DK to nRF91 or nRF52 depending on whether you

want to program the nRF9160 SiP or the nRF52840 SoC.3. Connect the nRF9160 DK to the computer with a micro-USB cable, and turn it on.

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.4. Click Select device and select the device from the drop-down list.

You can identify the nRF9160 DK by the fact that it has three COM ports. If the three COM ports are notvisible, it could be because of the following reasons:

• When the nRF9160 DK is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.

The button text changes to the SEGGER ID of the selected device, and the Device Memory Layoutsection indicates that the device is connected.

5. If you have not ticked the Auto read memory option under the Device menu and wish to visually seethe memory layout before you program, click Read in the menu. If you have ticked it, the memorylayout will update automatically.

6. Drag and drop the HEX file into the File Memory Layout section. Alternatively, click Add HEX file on theright pane (named as File) to add the files you want to program, by using one of the following options:

• Select the files you used recently.• If there are no recently used files, click Browse from the drop-down list.

7. Select the firmware image file (with the extension .hex) from the zip file that you have downloadedfrom the nRF9160 DK Downloads page, using the file browser that opens up.

Check the CONTENTS.txt file in the extracted folder for the details of the compatible firmwareimage file.

8. Click Erase & write in the Device pane to program the device.

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Programming the nRF9160 DK

6.2 Programming the nRF9160 DK cellular modemThe nRF9160 DK contains a multimode modem that supports LTE-M and NB-IoT. You can use nRF ConnectProgrammer to program the multimode modem of the nRF9160 DK.

Before you start, download the latest modem and application firmware from the nRF9160 DK Downloadspage. If you update the modem firmware on an nRF9160 DK, you must also update the applicationfirmware using the steps described in Programming applications on nRF9160 DK on page 12.

To program the nRF9160 modem, complete the steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Make sure that the PROG/DEBUG (SW5) switch on the nRF9160 DK is set to nRF91.3. Connect the nRF9160 DK to the computer with a micro-USB cable, and turn it on.

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.4. Click Select device and select the device from the drop-down list.

You can identify the nRF9160 DK by the fact that it has three COM ports. If the three COM ports are notvisible, it could be because of the following reasons:

• When the nRF9160 DK is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.

The button text changes to the SEGGER ID of the selected device, and the Device Memory Layoutsection indicates that the device is connected.

5. Click Update modem under the Cellular Modem pane on the right and choose the zip file that youhave downloaded from the nRF9160 DK Downloads page, which contains the latest modem release.

Note: Make sure to select the zip file. Do not unzip it.

The Modem DFU dialog box appears as shown in the following figure.

6. Click Write in the Modem DFU dialog box to update the firmware.Do not unplug or turn off the device during this process.

Note: If you have issues updating modem firmware, click Erase all before trying to update themodem again. In this case, the contents of the flash memory are deleted and the applicationsmust be reprogrammed.

When the update is complete, you see a success message.

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Programming the nRF9160 DK

If you want to verify that the update was successful, program the AT Client sample provided in thedownloaded zip file to the device using the steps described in Programming applications on nRF9160DK on page 12. To check the modem firmware version, run the AT+CGMR AT command via the nRFConnect LTE Link Monitor (part of nRF Connect for Desktop).

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7 Programming Nordic Thingy:91

You can use nRF Connect Programmer to program the modem and to program applications onto NordicThingy:91.

You can program applications either on the nRF9160 System in Package (SiP) or on the nRF52840 Systemon Chip (SoC) of Nordic Thingy:91. You can select the target to be programmed by using the switch and thebuttons in Nordic Thingy:91.

7.1 Programming applications on Nordic Thingy:91You can program applications on Nordic Thingy:91 after obtaining the corresponding firmware images.

Before you start, download the latest application and modem firmware from the Nordic Thingy:91Downloads page. If you update the application firmware on Nordic Thingy:91 , you must also update themodem firmware using the steps described in Programming the Nordic Thingy:91 modem on page 20.

You can program the applications in the following ways:

• Using USB (MCUboot)• Using an external debug probe

7.1.1 Programming applications through USB (MCUboot)You can program either the nRF9160 System in Package (SiP) or the nRF52840 System on Chip (SoC) ofNordic Thingy:91 through USB by putting the device into serial recovery mode.

The component to be programmed is determined by pressing and holding the SW3 or SW4 button whilepowering on the device.

Note: To update the nRF52840 SoC on the Nordic Thingy:91 HW v1.0.0 (see white label on PCB),perform the steps as described in Programming applications through an external debug probe onpage 19.

To program a Nordic Thingy:91 through USB (MCUboot) and the built-in serial recovery mode, completethe steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Connect Nordic Thingy:91 to the PC with a micro-USB cable.3. Power on Nordic Thingy:91 and put the device into application serial recovery mode by pressing and

holding the SW3 or SW4 button while powering on depending on whether you want to program thenRF9160 SiP or the nRF52840 SoC.See the following image to locate the buttons.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

Figure 5: Nordic Thingy:91 buttons

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.4. Click Select device and select the device from the drop-down list as shown in the following figure.

You can identify Nordic Thingy:91 by confirming that the PCA number displayed in the drop-down listis PCA20035 and there are two visible COM ports. If the two COM ports are not visible, it could bebecause of the following reasons:

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

• When Nordic Thingy:91 is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.5. Drag and drop the HEX file into the File Memory Layout section. Alternatively, click Add HEX file on the

right pane (named as File) to add the files you want to program, by using one of the following options:

• Select the files you used recently.• If there are no recently used files, click Browse from the drop-down list

6. Select the MCUboot compatible firmware image file (with the extension .hex) from the zip file thatyou have downloaded from the Nordic Thingy:91 Downloads page, using the file browser that opensup.

Note: A normal firmware image HEX file cannot be used when programming applicationsthrough USB, since the MCUboot bootloader is used. The HEX file needs to contain theapplication at the appropriate memory offset for use with MCUboot. See the CONTENTS.txtfile in the extracted folder for details of the MCUboot compatible firmware image file.

7. Click Write on the Device pane in the right as shown in the following figure.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

The MCUboot DFU dialog box appears as shown in the following figure.

8. Click Write in the MCUboot DFU dialog box to program the device.When the update is complete, you see a success message.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

7.1.2 Programming applications through an external debug probeYou can program either the nRF9160 System in Package (SiP) or the nRF52840 System on Chip (SoC) ofNordic Thingy:91 by using an external debug probe.

The component to be programmed is determined by the setting of the SWD selection switch (SW2) ofNordic Thingy:91 to nRF91 or nRF52.

For programming the applications, you must use an external debug probe such as nRF9160 DK or J-Link device supporting Arm Cortex-M33. To program a Nordic Thingy:91 using an external debug probe,complete the steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Set the SWD selection switch (SW2) on Nordic Thingy:91 to nRF91 or nRF52 depending on whether

you want to program the nRF9160 SiP or the nRF52840 SoC. See SWD Select for more information onthe switch.

3. Connect Nordic Thingy:91 to the debug out port on a 10-pin external debug probe, for example,nRF9160 DK, using a 10-pin JTAG cable as shown in the following figure.

Figure 6: Connecting Nordic Thingy:91 to the external debug probe

Note: If using nRF9160 DK as the debug probe, make sure that VDD_IO (SW11) is set to 1.8 Von the nRF9160 DK.

4. Make sure that Nordic Thingy:91 and the external debug probe are powered on.5. Connect the external debug probe to the PC with a micro-USB cable.

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.6. Click Select device and select the appropriate debug probe entry from the drop-down list.

You can identify the nRF9160 DK by the fact that it has three COM ports. If the three COM ports are notvisible, it could be because of the following reasons:

• When the nRF9160 DK is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

The button text changes to the SEGGER ID of the selected device, and the Device Memory Layoutsection indicates that the device is connected.

7. Drag and drop the HEX file into the File Memory Layout section. Alternatively, click Add HEX file on theright pane (named as File) to add the files you want to program, by using one of the following options:

• Select the files you used recently.• If there are no recently used files, click Browse from the drop-down list.

8. Select the firmware image file (with the extension .hex) from the zip file that you have downloadedfrom the Nordic Thingy:91 Downloads page, using the file browser that opens up.

Check the CONTENTS.txt file in the extracted folder for the details of the compatible firmwareimage file.

9. Click Erase & write in the Device pane to program the device.

7.2 Programming the Nordic Thingy:91 modemNordic Thingy:91 contains a multimode modem that supports LTE-M and NB-IoT. You can use nRF ConnectProgrammer to program the multimode modem of Nordic Thingy:91.

Before you start, download the latest application and modem firmware from the Nordic Thingy:91Downloads page. Also, make sure that you update the application firmware as described in Programmingapplications on Nordic Thingy:91 on page 15 after programming the modem.

You can program the modem in the following ways:

• Using USB (MCUboot)• Using an external debug probe

7.2.1 Programming the modem through USB (MCUboot)You can program the modem of Nordic Thingy:91 by putting the device into serial recovery mode.

To program the Nordic Thingy:91 modem through USB (MCUboot) and the built-in serial recovery mode,complete the steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Connect Nordic Thingy:91 to the PC with a micro-USB cable.3. Power on Nordic Thingy:91 and put Nordic Thingy:91 into application serial recovery mode by pressing

and holding the SW3 button while powering on to update the nRF9160 modem.In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.

4. Click Select device and select the device from the drop-down list as shown in the following figure.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

You can identify Nordic Thingy:91 by confirming that the PCA number displayed in the drop-down listis PCA20035 and there are two visible COM ports. If the two COM ports are not visible, it could bebecause of the following reasons:

• When Nordic Thingy:91 is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.5. Make sure that you have ticked Enable MCUboot in the Device pane on the right.6. Click Update Modem in the Cellular Modem pane on the right and choose the zip file that you have

downloaded from the Nordic Thingy:91 Downloads page, which contains the latest modem release.

Note: Make sure to select the zip file. Do not unzip it.

The Modem DFU via MCUboot dialog box appears as shown in the following figure.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

7. Click Write in the Modem DFU via MCUboot dialog box to update the firmware.Do not unplug or turn off the device during this process.

Note: The contents of the flash memory are deleted and the applications must bereprogrammed.

When the update is complete, you see a success message.

If you want to verify that the update was successful, program the AT Client sample provided in thedownloaded zip file to the device using the steps described in Programming applications through USB(MCUboot) on page 15. To check the modem firmware version, run the AT+CGMR AT command via thenRF Connect LTE Link Monitor (part of nRF Connect for Desktop).

7.2.2 Programming the modem through an external debug probeYou can program the modem of Nordic Thingy:91 by using an external debug probe.

For programming the modem, you must use an external debug probe such as nRF9160 DK or J-Link devicesupporting Arm Cortex-M33. To program the Nordic Thingy:91 modem using an external debug probe,complete the steps in this section.1. Open nRF Connect for Desktop and launch nRF Connect Programmer.2. Connect Nordic Thingy:91 to the debug out port on a 10-pin external debug probe, for example,

nRF9160 DK, using a 10-pin JTAG cable as shown in the following figure.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

Figure 7: Connecting Nordic Thingy:91 to the external debug probe

Note: If using nRF9160 DK as the debug probe, make sure that VDD_IO (SW11) is set to 1.8 Von the nRF9160 DK.

3. Make sure that Nordic Thingy:91 and the external debug probe are powered on.4. Connect the external debug probe to the PC with a micro-USB cable.

In the navigation bar, No devices available changes to Select device.5. Click Select device and select the appropriate debug probe entry from the drop-down list.

You can identify the nRF9160 DK by the fact that it has three COM ports. If the three COM ports are notvisible, it could be because of the following reasons:

• When the nRF9160 DK is reset while it is still connected to the Programmer app. Press Ctrl+R inWindows and command+R in macOS to restart Programmer and to correctly view the COM ports.

• Other errors.

The button text changes to the SEGGER ID of the selected device, and the Device Memory Layoutsection indicates that the device is connected.

6. Click Update Modem in the Cellular Modem pane on the right and choose the zip file that you havedownloaded from the Nordic Thingy:91 Downloads page, which contains the latest modem release.

Note: Make sure to select the zip file. Do not unzip it.

The Modem DFU dialog box appears as shown in the following figure.

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Programming Nordic Thingy:91

7. Click Write in the Modem DFU dialog box to update the firmware.Do not unplug or turn off the device during this process.

Note: If you have issues updating modem firmware, click Erase all before trying to update themodem again. In this case, the contents of the flash memory are deleted and the applicationsmust be reprogrammed.

When the update is complete, you see a success message.

If you want to verify that the update was successful, program the AT Client sample provided in thedownloaded zip file to the device using the steps described in Programming applications through anexternal debug probe on page 19. To check the modem firmware version, run the AT+CGMR ATcommand via the nRF Connect LTE Link Monitor (part of nRF Connect for Desktop).

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8 Troubleshooting

For troubleshooting, nRF Connect Programmer allows you to access a more detailed log file.

To open this file, click the Open log file button in the log window.

Figure 8: Where to open the detailed log file

The Programmer app shares several of the troubleshooting issues and suggested solutions with the nRFConnect Bluetooth® Low Energy app. Refer to the troubleshooting section in the nRF Connect BluetoothLow Energy user guide for the list of issues.

Flashing a device

If you are unable to flash a device with the Write button, verify that:

• You are trying to program a supported device.• There are no issues with the HEX file, and the addresses mentioned within the file are correct.

Restarting the Programmer appYou can restart the Programmer app by pressing Ctrl+R in Windows and command+R in macOS. Arestart might be required in the following scenarios:

• A device is reset while it is connected to the Programmer app. In this case, you may not see allCOM ports in the drop-down list while selecting the device (e.g. nRF9160 DK) in the Programmerapp.

• Other errors.

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Liability disclaimerNordic Semiconductor ASA reserves the right to make changes without further notice to the product toimprove reliability, function, or design. Nordic Semiconductor ASA does not assume any liability arising outof the application or use of any product or circuits described herein.

Nordic Semiconductor ASA does not give any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as tothe accuracy or completeness of such information and shall have no liability for the consequences of useof such information. If there are any discrepancies, ambiguities or conflicts in Nordic Semiconductor’sdocumentation, the Product Specification prevails.

Nordic Semiconductor ASA reserves the right to make corrections, enhancements, and other changes tothis document without notice.

Life support applicationsNordic Semiconductor products are not designed for use in life support appliances, devices, or systemswhere malfunction of these products can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury.

Nordic Semiconductor ASA customers using or selling these products for use in such applications do soat their own risk and agree to fully indemnify Nordic Semiconductor ASA for any damages resulting fromsuch improper use or sale.

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Copyright notice© 2020 Nordic Semiconductor ASA. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibitedwithout the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

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