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Nordic DFU

Most Meshtech BLE devices support Nordic DFU, but only gateway supports being a Nordic DFU host. Nordic DFU requires the device to switch to DFU mode. During Nordic DFU, the device being upgraded must be concidered offline since it will not perform its normal operation in this period. The device's name is changed to a DFU advertisement name during the update process. Devices with nRF52 chipset will advertise with MAC + 1 in DFU mode. It is important to remember this when using gateway as Nordic DFU host and supply the correct MAC in 0x8131 - Start Nordic DFU command.

A host device doing the DFU transfer is required to do Nordic DFU. That can be MT MeshConnect 2011 or a phone.

Note

Nordic DFU is the only upgrade method supported in MT MotionDetector 311 and MT PocketClip 231. Other devices support both Nordic DFU and Download/Broadcast firmware update. Nordic DFU host is not implemented in network extender. Only gateway has Nordic DFU host implemented.

In order to update a device using Nordic DFU, it has to be in range of the host performing Nordic DFU.

Upgrading a device with Nordic DFU involves switching the device to DFU mode first, then initiating the upgrade from the host.

Nordic DFU with MT MeshConnect 2011 as host

To perform Nordic DFU using MT MeshConnect 2011 as host, follow this procedure:

  1. Switch device to DFU mode. For most devices this is achieved by writing 0x8110 - Device Mode with mode "dfu" (0x01). For old/legacy devices where 0x8110 is not supported, write 0x8111 - Legacy Device Mode Switch to MT MeshConnect 2011 to make it switch mode of legacy device.
  2. When device starts reporting in DFU mode, write command 0x8131 - Start Nordic DFU to MT MeshConnect 2011 to start the upgrade.
  3. Status/progress can be monitored via a property 0x8130 - Nordic DFU State reported by the host performing Nordic DFU.

Once in DFU mode, the devices change their names to DFU advertisement names. These DFU names are bullet-listed on the devices' pages.

Example

MT MultiTracker 11x's DFU name is DFU_ND. Such DFU advertisement name of the device can be found on MT MultiTracker 11x DFU Advertisement Name: DFU_ND at the top of the page in a bullet-list.

Device will stay in DFU mode for a limited time before it times out and switches back to it's previous mode if no connection is made from a DFU host. When a connection is made from a Nordic DFU host, the device remains in DFU mode for as long as the firmware update is happening.

Nordic DFU with App

This is how to upgrade a MT PocketClip 231 using nRF Connect for Mobile as host. Procedure will be very similar for all Meshtech devices supporting Nordic DFU, keeping in mind nRF52 based devices will use MAC+1 in DFU mode.

Note

Devices operating in Connected mode currently connected to a network will not be discoverable while scanning with nRF Connect app. To discover and connect to a Connected mode device either switch device mode from system by writing property 0x8110 - Device Mode, move it out of range of network, or power off gateway while doing the upgrade.

  • Scan for and connect to the device you want to upgrade. RSSI filter is a convenient way to find the device near your phone.
  • Select the device you want to upgrade and click Connect.
  • Select Unknown Service then click the up arrow next to Unknown Characteristic.
  • Enter text 01 in value field and click Send.
  • Device should now switch to DFU mode. Go back to Scanner tab and start scan. Device should now advertise using DFU in its name. Select the device and click Connect.
  • Click the DFU icon to open a prompt where you can select .zip file to upload.
  • Navigate to the appropriate .zip file you want to upgrade to and select it to start upgrade.
  • Upgrade will now proceed, showing a progress bar and notifying you when upgrade is complete.

Note

Video instruction shows nRF Connect for Mobile running on Android device. iOS version is also available and is similar, but will not show MAC address.