The nRF 9160 Development Kit is a powerful and versatile tool for developing Internet of Things (IoT) applications that use cellular connectivity. It is based on the nRF 9160 System-in-Package (SiP), which includes a Cortex-M4F microcontroller, a LTE-M/NB-IoT modem, and a variety of sensors and peripherals. The kit provides a comprehensive development platform for developers to create IoT applications with low power consumption, small form factor and secure communication. With the help of this kit, developers can easily prototype and test their IoT application ideas and then deploy them to a final product. In this blog post, we will discuss the key components, technical specifications and how to start working with the nRF 9160 DK.
What is nRF 9160 DK?
The nRF 9160 Development Kit is a hardware platform developed by Nordic Semiconductor that enables developers to easily create low-power, cellular IoT (Internet of Things) applications. It is based on the nRF 9160 System-in-Package (SiP), which integrates a Cortex-M4F microcontroller, a LTE-M/NB-IoT modem, and various other components, such as memory and power management, into a single package.
The kit includes a development board that connects to a PC via USB, and provides access to all the pins and interfaces of the nRF 9160 SiP. It also includes a variety of sensors and peripherals, such as a GPS module, an accelerometer, and a microphone, that can be used to extend the capabilities of the development board. The development board is pre-programmed with firmware that supports the LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular standards, making it easy to start experimenting with cellular connectivity.
nRF 9160 Development Kit comes with a software development kit (SDK) that provides a set of libraries and example applications that simplify the process of developing and testing cellular IoT applications. The SDK supports several programming languages, including C and Python, and can be used with a variety of development tools, such as the Nordic Semiconductor nRF Connect SDK and the Arm Keil MDK.
Key Features of the nRF 9160 Development Kit
The key features of the nRF 9160 Development Kit include:
- The nRF 9160 SiP (System-in-Package): This is the main component of the kit and it integrates a Cortex-M4F microcontroller, a LTE-M/NB-IoT modem, and various other components, such as memory and power management, into a single package.
- Development board: The development board connects to a PC via USB and provides access to all the pins and interfaces of the nRF 9160 SiP. It also includes a variety of sensors and peripherals that can be used to extend the capabilities of the development board.
- Sensors and peripherals: The kit includes a variety of sensors and peripherals, such as a GPS module, an accelerometer, and a microphone, that can be used to extend the capabilities of the development board.
- Software development kit (SDK): The SDK provides a set of libraries and example applications that simplify the process of developing and testing cellular IoT applications. It supports several programming languages, including C and Python, and can be used with a variety of development tools, such as the Nordic Semiconductor nRF Connect SDK and the Arm Keil MDK.
- Antenna: The kit includes an antenna that can be used for both cellular and GPS communication.
- Power supply: A power supply is provided with the kit to power the development board.
- Debugging and Programming Interface: The kit includes a debugging and programming interface, such as J-Link, which allows developers to debug and program the nRF 9160 SiP using a PC.
- Battery connector: The development board includes a battery connector that allows developers to test the power consumption of their applications using a battery.
- LEDs and buttons: The development board includes a variety of LEDs and buttons that can be used to indicate the status of the application and to interact with it.
- External interfaces: The development board includes a variety of external interfaces, such as UART, SPI, I2C, and PWM, that can be used to connect to external sensors and peripherals.
- Certifications: The nRF 9160 Development kit comes with certifications such as FCC, IC, CE and GCF for easy deployment and commercial use of the kit.
- Supporting documents and guides: The kit also comes with a set of documentation and guides that help developers to get started with the kit and understand its features and capabilities.
- Cloud connectivity: The nRF 9160 Development kit supports cloud connectivity, which enables developers to connect their applications to various cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud IoT and more for data storage and management.
- Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware updates: The kit supports OTA firmware updates, which allows developers to remotely update the firmware on the development board without the need of physical access.
- Multi-regional and multi-band support: The nRF 9160 Development Kit supports a wide range of frequency bands and regions, which allows developers to test their applications in different regions and with different cellular operators.
- Multiple power modes: The development board supports multiple power modes, which allows developers to optimize the power consumption of their applications and extend the battery life.
- Advanced security features: The kit comes with advanced security features such as secure boot, secure firmware update, and secure communication which helps developers to secure their IoT applications.
- Multi-protocol support: The kit supports multiple protocols such as MQTT, CoAP, LWM2M, and more which allows developers to easily integrate with existing IoT platforms.
What are technical specifications nRF 9160 Development Kit?
The technical specifications of the nRF 9160 Development Kit may vary depending on the manufacturer, but generally include:
Processor: The kit is based on the nRF 9160 SiP, which includes a Cortex-M4F microcontroller with 64 KB of RAM and 1 MB of flash memory.
Cellular modem: The kit includes a LTE-M/NB-IoT modem that supports a wide range of frequency bands and regions, such as B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B20, B28, B66, B71.
GPS: The kit includes a GPS module that supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
Sensors and peripherals: The kit includes a variety of sensors and peripherals, such as a microphone, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a temperature sensor.
External interfaces: The development board includes a variety of external interfaces, such as UART, SPI, I2C, and PWM, that can be used to connect to external sensors and peripherals.
Power supply: The development board can be powered by a USB connection or by a battery connector. The board includes a voltage regulator and a battery management system to optimize power consumption.
Antenna: The kit includes an antenna that can be used for both cellular and GPS communication.
Debugging and programming interface: The kit includes a debugging and programming interface, such as J-Link, which allows developers to debug and program the nRF 9160 SiP using a PC.
Operating temperature: The kit is designed to operate in a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C.
How to start working with the nRF 9160 Development Kit?
To start using the nRF 9160 Development Kit use nRF SDK, you should follow these general steps:
- Download the nRF SDK: Go to the Nordic Semiconductor website and download the latest version of the nRF SDK that is compatible with the nRF 9160 Development Kit.
- Install the necessary tools: To work with the nRF SDK, you will need to install a few software tools, such as the SEGGER J-Link software and the nRF Connect for Desktop.
- Connect the board to your computer: Connect the development board to your computer using the USB cable. This will provide power to the board and allow you to communicate with it.
- Configure the cellular modem: Configure the cellular modem on the development board by following the manufacturer's instructions. This typically involves inserting a SIM card and configuring the modem settings to match the network settings of your cellular operator.
- Open the nRF SDK: Open the nRF SDK and navigate to the example project that you want to work with. The SDK includes a variety of example projects that demonstrate how to use the various peripherals and features of the nRF 9160 SiP.
- Build and program the example project: Use the nRF Connect for Desktop to build and program the example project onto the development board.
- Test the example project: Use the debugging and programming interface to monitor the board's performance and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
- Develop your application: Use the example project as a starting point and develop your own application. You can use the functions provided by the SDK to access the peripherals and features of the nRF 9160 SiP.
- Test your application: Test your application by running it on the development board.
- Deploy your application: Once your application is complete and tested, you can deploy it to a final product using the nRF9160 DK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the nRF 9160 Development Kit is a powerful and versatile tool for developing IoT applications that use cellular connectivity. It is based on the nRF 9160 SiP, which includes a Cortex-M4F microcontroller, a LTE-M/NB-IoT modem, and a variety of sensors and peripherals. The kit includes a variety of external interfaces, such as UART, SPI, I2C, and PWM, that can be used to connect to external sensors and peripherals. The kit also includes a debugging and programming interface, such as J-Link, which allows developers to debug and program the nRF 9160 SiP using a PC. To start working with the nRF 9160 Development Kit, you should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and use the software tools provided by the manufacturer to develop your application. The nRF 9160 Development Kit is a great tool for developers looking to create IoT applications with cellular connectivity.