Get started
With the nRF52 DK
Congratulations on getting your nRF52 DK!
On this page we'll show you how to connect and power up your nRF52 DK, and what to expect when you do so.
This will take about 20 minutes.
Before you start:
- You need a reasonably current Windows PC to perform the following.
- Your nRF52 DK must be running firmware v1.1.0 or later.
DKs with hardware revision 1.1.0 or later, are shipped with this firmware.
If step 5 below fails:- Click here to download firmware version 1.1.0 or later, and
- continue from step 7 to program the new firmware into your nRF52 DK.
Enjoy your development kit!
Connect and test
your nRF52 DK
- What's included with the kit: The nRF52 DK board itself, and a flex NFC antenna (Pic.1).
- Connect the NFC antenna to the board. The connector is marked "NFC", and located on the edge of the board near the 4 buttons (Pic.2). Use a micro USB 2.0 cable to connect the nRF52DK to one of your PC's USB host ports. This provides power to the board.
- Flip the power switch to "on". Find it near the micro USB connector (Pic.3).
- Confirm that the USB active LED has started to pulsate (Pic.4)
- Use buttons 1-4 to control which LED is pulsating (Pic.5)
- Open a Windows file explorer. Confirm that the nRF52 DK has appeared as a removable drive named "JLINK" (Pic.6). This allows you to program the onboard chip. You'll do this under "how to program the optional demos into your nRF52 DK" below. Take out your smart phone and enable NFC, if available. If you don't know how to do this, consult the phone manual or Google " NFC enable".
- Once NFC is enabled, hold your phone close to the nRF52 DK (Pic.7). Your phone will prompt you to open a URL. Please allow this. Your smart phone browser will then open this web page!
Optional demos
Download them from the 'Downloads' tab
- Heart rate monitor - fake EKG values are broadcasted by the nRF52 DK. The nRF Toolbox app displays the curve.
- Proximity demo - activate LEDs on the nRF52 DK using the nRF Toolbox mobile app.
Program optional demos
- Download demo zip files by clicking on the links above.
- Unzip and find a hex file and a readme document inside. The document describes how the demo works.
- Drag and drop the hex file into the JLINK removable drive mentioned above. The file contains firmware which will be automatically programmed onto the nRF52832 SoC. This happens immediately. The explorer window may close when programming starts. When programming is completed, the unit will be re-detected by Windows.
- Follow the instructions in the "readme" document that came with the demo.
Getting started guide
In addition to the user guide for this devkit, you will also find good help to get started in the guide "nRF5 Getting Started", which encompasses several Nordic tools. Check it out!
Video Tutorials
View and learn
Bluetooth 5 @ 2Mbps
Nordic Thingy:52