Firmware Flashing

tip

Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device. In CHESTER, as in most modern embedded devices, the firmware is stored in the non-volatile type of storage, called flash memory. The process of writing the firmware to this flash memory is called flashing.

On the CHESTER mainboard, there are several devices with user-upgradeable firmware:

1. Application + Bluetooth module

   The application module is located in the top left corner of the mainboard. The module encapsulates SoC (System-on-Chip) from Nordic Semiconductor - type nRF52840. This SoC provides 1 MB of flash memory and 256 kB of RAM. Apart from the main application functionality, this SoC hosts Bluetooth radio. Flashing can be done either using J-Link through SWD connector labeled as APP (or BLE on hardware revision R3.2 and earlier) or via Bluetooth if the running application supports that.

2. Cellular IoT (NB-IoT + LTE-M) modem

   The cellular IoT modem is located in the top right corner of the mainboard (above the LoRaWAN modem). The modem comes in a SiP form (System-in-Package) from Nordic Semiconductor - type nRF9160. This SiP provides 1 MB of flash memory and 256 kB of RAM. Flashing can be done using J-Link through the SWD connector labeled as LTE.

3. LoRaWAN device modem

   The LoRaWAN device modem is located in the top right corner of the mainboard (below the LTE modem). The modem comes in form of a module from Murata - type CMWX1ZZABZ-078. The module encapsulates a radio chip from Semtech - type SX1276, and a microcontroller from STMicroelectronics - type STM32L072CZ. Flashing can be done using J-Link through the SWD connector labeled as LRW.

Extension Modules

Apart from the mainboard itself, these are the other devices with the firmware in the CHESTER ecosystem:

1. Extension module CHESTER-Z1

2. Extension module CHESTER-S1