CC2540EMK-USB: Using BLE Device Monitor (Part 2): Flashing the device

David Jones2

Part Number: CC2540EMK-USB
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2500, CC2540

In a previous thread

CC2540EMK-USB: Using BLE Device Monitor:
I indicated my need to flash CC2540EMK-USB dongle with the "BLE Device Monitor" image as the dongle comes with the BLE Bluetooth Sniffer image. With help I was able to get teh driver for the dongle working with an x64 Windows 10 system and purchased a CC Debug device to reprogram the dongle with the required imag. I was also able to determine the correct connectivity between the CC Debugger and the dongle. I have also installed the SmartRF Studio and updated the CC Debugger firmware.

In the Studio the CC Debugger show up but says No chip .. I guess that means I haven't actually got connectivity with the dongle.

I installed SmartRF Flash Programmer.

I now need help with the flashing the dongle.

I cannot see specific instructions for flashing the CC2540EMK-USB dongle using the CC Debugger and the SmartRF Flash Programmer.

- When I connect the dongle, the indicator on the CC Debugger stays red. Its documentation says it should be green:
"The target device has been properly detected. It is possible to start using the supported tools"

- Which mode do I run the Flash Programmer in?:
   Program CCxxxx SoC or MSP43
   or
   Program Evaluation Board
--- I am guessing the latter as the CC Debugger shows up in this mode.

- How do I get the dongle to show up and how can I be sure it is the dongle that is being programmed not the debugger?
PS I reversed the microcable connection to the dongle but that didn't resolve things.

- Do I need to apply power to the dongle via its USB interface when connected to the debugger. I would have assumed that the CC Debugger would have supplied that.

Thx in advance for help.

over 7 years ago

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago

Intellectual 350 points

OK I HAVE got the green LED going on the debugger, so I do have connectivity.
And the No Chip message in the Studio now shows as CC2500.

After power up I just pressed reset on the debugger.

But I still can't get the dongle to show in the Flash Programmer.

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Intellectual 350 points

Further,
The dongle IS now showing up in the Flash software.
Whereas previously it was showing Chip Type N/A and EB type when in "Program Evaluation Board" mode Application (USB) tab
It now shows Chip Type CC2500.

So can I now just load the required hex file and program?

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Intellectual 350 points

But I note downloading of the image from the dongle is greyed out.

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 735535 points

If you start Flash Programmer, do you see CC2540 listed on it?

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Intellectual 350 points

Thought I was getting out of the woods!" ..

Last night when I pressed reset on the CC Debugger with the dongle attached, the LED turned green.

Today not so! :(

I have plugged and unplugged, changed machines, restarted the apps (Studio and Flash Programmer) but to no avail.

Both apps say No Chip.

The red strand (gnd) is connected to Pin 1 on CC2450 dongle (MCU end) and to Pin 1 on the CC Debugger adapter (Near RoHS label on read adapter).

The CC2450 Dongle still works as a Packet Sniffer so its not "broken".

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

Also,

In my post last night, when the dongle was connected, it came up as a CC2500 device, not CC2540

When in the Studio it was the CC2500 tile that was active rather than the 2540.

Is this an issue too?

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 735535 points

Can you take a snap shot to show me what happens?

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Intellectual 350 points

Flash Programmer WITHOUT CC2540 USB dongle connected to CC Debugger

Flash Programmer WITH CC2540 USB dongle connected to CC Debugger (simulated as can't get this connection to work today i.e. As I saw it last night)

The Studio had a similar response.

As indicated, I can't get connectivity with the CC2540 USB dongle today.

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 735535 points

Do you plug your CC2540 USB dongle to desktop?

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Intellectual 350 points

Below is a snapshot of the dongle attached to the CC Debugger which is attached to the desktop, with the Studio running.

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 735535 points

You have to plug CC2540 USB dongle to your desktop too.

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Intellectual 350 points

Ah ....
OK So I do have to insert the dongle to USB power to get it powered up.
I inserted it into the desktop as well and I can now get a green light and it shows in the Studio as CC2540 and same in Flash Programmer.
Something weird must have happened last night as I am sure I didn't do that and it was coming up a CC2500.

So am I good to flash program now?
If so thanks.. and I will blog all of this in a comprehensive document on my blog site embedded101.com/.../David-Jones

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 735535 points

Yes, it's good to flash program now.

0 Markel Robregado over 7 years ago in reply to David Jones2

Guru 86235 points

Hi,

You need to set your Smart RF Flash Programmer to "Program CCxxxx SOC or MSP430". The Flash Image or hex file can be found at "C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\SmartRF Tools\BLE Device Monitor\firmware\cc254x". The filename is "CC2540_USBdongle_HostTestRelease_All.hex".

- kel

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Intellectual 350 points

So to summarise the answers to my issues with this thread
- The CC2540 USB dongle is attached to the CC Debugger with the microcable such that the red strand (gnd) is on the MCU side of the debug header on the CC2540 USB dongle and has only one possible orientation on the CC Debugger attachment because of its headers shroud.
- With either the Studio or Flash Programmer software on the desktop running attach the CC Debugger USB cable to the desktop.
- It uses the same driver as the CC2540 when it runs with the Sniffer software
- Power up the CC2540 USB dongle with USB power via its USB interface (eg insert to desktop.
- Press reset on the CC Debugger if its LED isn't green.
- The Studio and Flash Programmer should C Debugger connected and indicate Chip type CC2540 rather than say none.

- You have to set Smart RF Flash Programmer to "Program CCxxxx SOC or MSP430". (Thanks Markel)

Footnote: I found I had create a dummy .hex file and point to it (in the Flash Image box) to be able to read the existing firmware into a backup file.

Thanks again YK

0 YiKai Chen over 7 years ago in reply to Markel Robregado

Guru 735535 points

Markel is correct. You have to set Smart RF Flash Programmer to "Program CCxxxx SOC or MSP430".

0 David Jones2 over 7 years ago in reply to YiKai Chen

Intellectual 350 points

Yeah Bingo (to quote Tarantino from one of his movies)!
I was able to program the dongle and get the BLE Device Monitor running and capturing messages.
Can I suggest that TI market a version of the dongle with this firmware.

Because of the holidays, TI E2E™ design support forum responses will be delayed from Dec. 25 through Jan. 2. Thank you for your patience.

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CC2540EMK-USB: Using BLE Device Monitor (Part 2): Flashing the device