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 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 

SoftDevice + Application

  1. Erase all first. Then program Softdevice and follow by Application code.
  2. Or you may combine code as stated in above. Erase all and follow by programing the combined code.

SoftDevice + Bootloader+ Application

  1. Either Erase all first.  Program the Softdevice and follow by Bootloader. and then use DFU to update the application code.
  2. Or suggested having a combined code (SofDevice+Application+Bootloader) for program. Simply erase all and follow by programming the combined code.
*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. If you are not familiar with merging firmware, please download the instruction from the link:     https://mega.nz/#!Qg5UBJTQ!POWmmNNdapGqefHpB10YjpcuExLWwXnxDfBzcVrsTOw
  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.
nRF52840 MDBT50Q Module
nRF52840 MDBT50Q Module
Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司
A company of Abietec
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
www.raytac.com
email:service@raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

nRF52832 Module MDBT42Q Reel Package Now Is Available!

Raytac Corporation, a recommended 3rd-party module maker by Nordic Semiconductor, announced that MDBT42Q series module now provide a Reel Package option for customers’ selection.

nRF52832 module-Raytac MDBT42Q Package .JPG

Raytac MDBT40 Series Module (Nordic nRF51 Solution) BT4.2 Certification Granted

With coming depreciation and withdraw of Legacy Bluetooth Core Specification Version, BT4.1/BT4.0 has been defined to be withdraw in 1 July, 2020, which covered Nordic’s nRF51 series solution (Raytac MDBT40 series module).

Bluetooth SIG Announces Deprecation and Withdraw of Legacy Bluetooth Core Spec Version


To resolve this issue, Raytac has updated the MDBT40’s Bluetooth specification to BT4.2 with DID: D042310. Raytac MDBT40/MDBT40-P/MDBT40-n designed based on Nordic nRF51xxx SoC with integrated Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth 4.1, and Bluetooth 4.0 stack. MDBT40/MDBT40-P/MDBT40-n module incorporates: GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, and ADC interfaces for connecting peripherals and sensors. The modules are all FCC/IC/Telec/CE/KC/SRRC/NCC/ANATEL/RCM pre-certified (MDBT40-P includes CNC/IFETEL), which can speed up customers’  easy hardware design, reduce BOM cost, and enhance Time-To-Market efficiency

The granted BT4.2 DID includes not only basic GATT, RF PHY and Link Layer, but also a completed coverage of BLE software stack: Proximity Profile; Heart Rate Profile; Health Thermometer Profile; Blood Pressure Profile; Running Speed & Cadence Profile; HID Over GATT Profile; Alert Notification Profile; Glucose Profile; Cycling Speed & Cadence Profile ; Mesh Profile which fully support customers to suit the needs of any application!     

D042310
Raytac nRF51822 BLE Module
Raytac Nordic Module Line
Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 & BT4.2 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nR52810 & nRF52840)
www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Raytac Central Role AT Command Module Released

Raytac AT Command Family

AT command module, an easy solution provides developers a quick breakthrough to Bluetooth connection. Without firmware effort needed, simply have commands setting on MCU and the start to enjoy the implement of bridging connectivity between devices through Bluetooth.

Raytac AT Command Family
Raytac AT Command Family

After Raytac’s Peripheral (Salve) role AT command module released, the demand of Central role has been highlighted by developers.

To have a completed solution, Raytac today announced Central role, as known as Master, AT command module released.

Part No.:

MDBT42Q-ATM (Chip Antenna Version)

MDBT42Q-PATM (PCB Antenna Version)

Specification Download (Please Click Me)

Differ from Peripheral role AT command module built by nRF52810 solution, Central role AT command module deployed Nordic nRF52832 which employees 64K RAM and 512K Flash Memory.

Central Role AT Command Module: MDBT42Q-ATM
Central Role AT Command Module: MDBT42Q-ATM
Central Role AT Command Module: MDBT42Q-PATM
Central Role AT Command Module: MDBT42Q-PATM
The AT command modules, same as Raytac’s all other lines,  are Bluetooth qualified (BT5/BT4.2) and FCC/IC/Telec/KC/SRRC/NCC pre-certified and CE compliant. A completed hardware and preloaded AT Command firmware solution not only simplify the designs and reduce BOM cost, but also waive the cost of regulatory burden and speed up time to market efficiency.
Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 & BT4.2 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nR52810 & nRF52840)
www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

nRF52840 Module MDBT50Q Series Bluetooth & RF Safety Certification Granted

Following Raytac’s Easy Employ Policy (EE), we are glad to announce that Raytac’s nRF52840 modules, MDBT50Q series have completed not only Bluetooth BQB certified, but also most popular countries’s safety regulation granted.

With the effort to provide a most coverage of the regulation compliance, developers who build up the IoT project by Raytac modules can be easier to develop without worry for product testing and manage the budget of development.

MDBT50Q
MDBT50Q powered by Nordic nRF52840 solution is a multi-protocol Bluetooth 5, Thread, IEEE 802.15.4, Zigbee, ANT+ solution incorporated 1MB flash memory, 256K RAM, built-in USB interface, supporting 5.5V DC/DC supply which is an edge cutting, ultra lower power solution ideal for all IoT applications. With completed pre-certified coverage, it bring the benefit for customers by reducing the design complexity, BOM cost and faster the Time-To-Market efficiency.

Raytac BT5 MDBT50Q-U External Antenna Type Module (Nordic nRF52840 Solution) Now Is Available

Bluetooth 5 grabs the attention may drop in “Long Range Feature"!

Compare to BT4.X BLE module in the market, mostly reach only about 20~30M.

Even Raytac’s BT4.X series modules, the best performance may about 100~140M line of sight.

Recent released MDBT50Q series, deploy Nordic nRF52840 has dramatically break the barrier of connectivity rage.

Upon the test under 1M bps  / sending data and link maintain, the connectivity range has reached over 340M.

nRF52840 MDBT50Q-U1M.JPG

Nordic nRF52810 AT-Command BLE Module By Raytac MDBT42Q-PAT

Raytac plans to release the AT command module, MDBT42Q-PAT, in April 2018, which is powered by Nordic nRF52810 solution.
Nordic nRF52810 AT Command Module-MDBT42Q-PAT.jpg

nRF52832 BLE Module (P/N: MDBT42V) Safety Regulation Granted

Raytac’s conducting Easy Employ Policy (EE), all Raytac’s modules need to have not only Bluetooth BQB Certification, but also complied with most popular countries’s safety regulation.
With the effort to provide a most coverage of the regulation compliance, developers who build up the IoT project by Raytac modules can be easier to develop without worry for product testing and manage the budget of development.
nRF52832 Module-MDVT42V

Bluetooth Module Approval Policy

There are various Bluetooth modules in the market, but how developers should select?
Despite most of the module makers promote the module with FCC certificated or FCC pre test, the products built by this selected module can really comply with module approval policy?