Can't program XIAO nrf52840 Sense using NRF connect SDK in vscode

Products & Technology XIAO
#1

Hello there,

I just got a seeed nrf52840 sense board. I am trying to build programs for it using the NRF connect sdk v2.8.0 in vscode. I started off with the basic blinky example, and i am able to select the XIAO board in the build configuration, but when I drag and drop the zephyr.uf2 file into the XIAO BLE drive, nothing happens. I have tried as well using “west -r uf2” command but it also does not work. I know my board is working because I am able to use the Arduino IDE to program the blink example, and I was also able to get circuit python working, using a blink example as well.

I have been reading through the forums, and watching the available tutorials online and it seems to absolutely be possible to use NRF connect SDK, but It is not working for me. I will also mention I have tried SDK V2.5.0 and V2.3.0 to no avail.

Some other things to note, I am seeing online that some people have changed the flash configuration in the board files, I have tried a few different configs i have seen online but they have not worked.

Note:

  • I am running Manjaro Linux.
  • I am using the Adafruit bootloader provided by XIAO

I am wondering if anyone here has a fool proof way of running nrf connect sdk code on the XIAO board and if they could share that with me. Another helpful thing would be if someone could share a .uf2 file that is built for the nrf sdk blinky example, and that is known to run on their own XIAO board.

Thanks for the help!

#2

HI there, and Welcome here…

So I can personally vouch for it… YEA it works and It works very well.:+1: albeit this was using 2.6.1 so keep that in mind.
Check out the threads I have posted on here, You using the DEV board or RAW dogging :laughing: it? ( XIAO board and usb-c only?) using the SWD ?

If you don’t know what that means , then you got some catching up to do.
Do the screens on your NRF connect SDK look like those in my posts?
Alos I’m on a Windows 10/11’ ish box btw YMMV.
Time permitting I will look and attach the uf2 I used after the build. mind the bootloader and the softdevice :v:

HTH
GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

PS, I found it this is PWM_Blinky BTW… I was able to drag and drop onto Xiao in BL mode , so You should too!
LMK :+1: I don’t like it names them all Zephyr though… :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:
zephyr.zip (38.3 KB)

Blinking PWM style...Xiao too_small

#3

Hey!

Thank you for the reply. A couple of things off the bat, yes I am raw dogging it haha, just the USB, no SWD. I tried the UF2 file you provided … and it worked! Now, I will try to build using V2.6.1 and check the outputs of the build and see how they match.

I know that when using V2.8.0, I Modified the flash file to be:

&flash0 {
	partitions {
		compatible = "fixed-partitions";
		#address-cells = <1>;
		#size-cells = <1>;

		code_partition: partition@0 {
			label = "code_partition";
			reg = <0x0000000 0x000c5000>;
		};
	};
};

and I got the following results:

xiao_changed_flash
xiao_changed_flash1317×349 39.5 KB

When using the default flash configuration, I get:

xiao_build
xiao_build1332×338 37.6 KB

There are of course other build outputs, I will go through those and see if there are any discrepancies.

I will compare these to what i see in your posts and get back to you. Did you have to change any of the board files or setup? or did they all just work right away?

1 Like
#4

Hi there,

So I’m in the middle of some system maintenance(much needed) so I’ll be down for a few.
I see the start offset is Ox0 in your flash, then the second looks correct 0x27000 Hmmm.
so you may be overwriting a portion of the Bootloader. Check the memory map addresses for sure,I don’t remember changing anything, but let me think on it and I’ll get back , Glad it works though! :+1:

HTH
GL :slight_smile: PJ :v:

#5

So i have installed the SDK V2.6.1 and all the examples I have tried are building and working when flashed to the board. I tried again using V2.8.0 and no luck. I am happy to be using V2.6.1 but this is an interesting problem, I wonder if you would experience the same issue with 2.8.0?

I will take a look and see if I can spot any differences in the builds and config files, and i will add them here if I find them. I think it is odd that the versions before 2.6.1 did not work, and also the ones after.

#6

Depending on what you need, Seeed does not seem to have the latest bootloaders for nrf52 in their repo’s. You may find them here:

At least some of the Meshtastic stuff uses a newer one from here or possibly hosted by Meshtastic themselves.

#7

Hi there,

So Success with the maintenance…Whew.
Yes , I had to update the Zephyr components and something else? Let me check and get back, If I recall the Nrf52840=DK board worked straight away , but the Xiao either board file or build file threw an error. I have the Next DK board nRF54L15 so I’ll be working back in the Nrf_SDK a lot coming up. :v:

and BTW , I flagged that next post as NOT relative, unless he can add some information as to why some Boot loader change that only effected the T1000 ? of Seeed is outside of my understanding , SO fyi.
HTH

GL :slight_smile: PJ :v: