Install the Blecon Modem Firmware

Flashing the Blecon Modem Firmware onto a supported chip

In order for a host MCU or your development machine to connect to the Blecon network, you will need a Blecon Modem. This guide will show you how to program the Blecon Modem Firmware onto a supported BLE development board so that it functions as a Blecon Modem.

Find your development board

Blecon Modem firmware is currently available for the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 device.

Blecon officially supports three nRF52840-based development boards:

• The nRF52840-DK Development Kit,

• The nRF52840 Dongle, and

• The XIAO nRF52840 / nRF52840 Sense

Download and program the Blecon Modem Firmware

Follow the board-specific instructions below to download and program the firmware on your board.

nRF52840 DK

Requirements

• Computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux

• USB cable to connect your nRF52840-DK board

• nRF Connect for Desktop

Steps

• Download the Blecon Modem Firmware for nRF52840-DK and note the location where you download the file.

• Connect the programming port (the USB port furthest away from the Nordic logo) on the nRF52840-DK board to your computer using a USB cable. If you are using a Mac, you may need to give your permission for the board to connect.

Location of the Programming and nRF USB ports

• Start the nRF Connect for Desktop app and select the Programmer tool.

• Click the Blue "Select Device" dropdown in the top-left of the Programmer tool and select the "nRF52840 DK" board

• In the "File" section of the sidebar, click the "Add File" button and select "Browse...". Navigate to where you downloaded the .hex file and select the file. The programmer will display a message that says "Part of the HEX regions are out of the device memory size, but you can still proceed write operation". This message is a known issue with the programmer and can be safely ignored.

• In the "Device" section of the sidebar, click the "Erase and write" button to program the firmware onto your nRF52840-DK board.

• Disconnect the USB cable and move it to the "nRF USB" port (the USB port close to the Nordic logo).

nRF52840 Dongle

Requirements

• Computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux

• nRF Connect for Desktop

Steps

• Download the Blecon Modem Firmware for nRF52840-DONGLE and note the location where you download the file.

• Plug your nRF52840-DONGLE board into your computer. If you are using a Mac, you may need to give your permission for the board to connect.

• Place the nRF52840-DONGLE into programming mode by pressing the grey button at the rear of the dongle. The board's red LED will start flashing.

Location of the button that activates programming mode

• Start the nRF Connect for Desktop app and select the Programmer tool.

• Click the Blue "Select Device" dropdown in the top-left of the Programmer tool and select the Open DFU Bootloader.

• In the "File" section of the sidebar, click the "Add File" button and select "Browse...". Navigate to where you downloaded the .hex file and select the file. The programmer will display a message that says "Part of the HEX regions are out of the device memory size, but you can still proceed write operation". This message is a known issue and can be safely ignored.

• In the "Device" section of the sidebar, click the "Write" button to program the firmware onto your nRF52840-DONGLE board.

• The programmed dongle will now appear as a "Blecon Modem" in the Programmer tool. Since the Programmer does not natively support the Blecon Modem it will output a message starting with "Failed to set mcu state...", which can be safely ignored

XIAO BLE nRF52840

Requirements

• Computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux

• USB cable to connect your XIAO nRF52840 board

Steps

• Download the Blecon Modem Firmware for XIAO nRF52840 and note the location where you download the file.

• Plug your XIAO nRF52840 board into your computer. If you are using a Mac, you may need to give your permission for the board to connect.

• Place the XIAO nRF52840 into programming mode by double-pressing the very small button labelled 'RST' next to the USB port. A XIAO-SENSE USB drive will appear. On a Mac, you may need to give your permission again for the drive to connect.

Location of the button to activate programming mode

• Drag and drop the .uf2 file you downloaded into the XIAO-SENSE drive.

Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and programmed the Blecon Modem Firmware on your board.

Next steps

Install the Blecon CLI to communicate with your modem and send messages to the Blecon network.

Did something not work? Let us know at [e-mail]