Getting started with nRF70 Series

This page gets you started with your nRF70 Series devices using the nRF Connect SDK.

Supported development boards 

nRF7002 DK 

The nRF7002 DK (PCA10143) is a single-board development kit for evaluation and development on the nRF7002, a Wi-Fi® companion Integrated Circuit (IC) to Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF5340 System-on-Chip (SoC) host processor.

Overview 

The nRF7002 is an IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) compliant solution that implements the Wi-Fi physical layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer protocols. It implements the Wi-Fi driver software on the nRF5340 host processor communicating over the QSPI bus.

The nRF5340 host is a dual-core SoC based on the Arm® Cortex®-M33 architecture. It has the following features:

A full-featured Arm Cortex-M33F core with DSP instructions, FPU, and Armv8-M Security Extension, running at up to 128 MHz, referred to as the application core.
A secondary Arm Cortex-M33 core, with a reduced feature set, running at a fixed 64 MHz, referred to as the network core.

The nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp build target provides support for the application core on the nRF5340 SoC. The nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpunet build target provides support for the network core on the nRF5340 SoC.

Hardware 

The nRF7002 DK has two external oscillators:

The frequency of the slow clock is 32.768 kHz.

The frequency of the main clock is 32 MHz.

Supported features 

The nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp board configuration supports the following hardware features:

Interface	Controller	Driver/Component
ADC	on-chip	adc
CLOCK	on-chip	clock_control
FLASH	on-chip	flash
GPIO	on-chip	gpio
I2C(M)	on-chip	i2c
MPU	on-chip	arch/arm
NVIC	on-chip	arch/arm
PWM	on-chip	pwm
RTC	on-chip	system clock
RTT	Segger	console
RADIO	nrf7002	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
QSPI	on-chip	qspi
SPI(M/S)	on-chip	spi
SPU	on-chip	system protection
UARTE	on-chip	serial
USB	on-chip	usb
WDT	on-chip	watchdog

The nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpunet board configuration supports the following hardware features:

Interface	Controller	Driver/Component
CLOCK	on-chip	clock_control
FLASH	on-chip	flash
GPIO	on-chip	gpio
I2C(M)	on-chip	i2c
MPU	on-chip	arch/arm
NVIC	on-chip	arch/arm
RADIO	on-chip	Bluetooth, ieee802154
RTC	on-chip	system clock
RTT	Segger	console
QSPI	on-chip	qspi
SPI(M/S)	on-chip	spi
UARTE	on-chip	serial
WDT	on-chip	watchdog

Other hardware features are not supported by the nRF Connect SDK kernel.

Connections and IOs 

The connections and IOs supported by the development kit are listed in this section.

LED

LED1 (green) = P1.06
LED2 (green) = P1.07

Push buttons

BUTTON1 = SW1 = P1.08
BUTTON2 = SW2 = P1.09
BOOT = SW5 = boot/reset

Wi-Fi control

BUCKEN = P0.12
IOVDD CONTROL = P0.31
HOST IRQ = P0.23
COEX_REQ = P0.28
COEX_STATUS0 = P0.30
COEX_STATUS1 = P0.29
COEX_GRANT = P0.24

Security components 

The following security components are available:

Implementation Defined Attribution Unit (IDAU) on the application core.

The IDAU is implemented with the System Protection Unit and is used to define secure and non-secure memory maps. By default, the entire memory space (Flash, SRAM, and peripheral address space) is defined to be secure-accessible only.
Secure boot.

Programming and debugging 

The nRF5340 application core supports the Armv8-M Security Extension. Applications built for the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp board boot by default in the secure state.

The nRF5340 network core does not support the Armv8-M Security Extension. nRF5340 IDAU can configure bus accesses by the nRF5340 network core to have the secure attribute set. This allows to build and run secure-only applications on the nRF5340 SoC.

Building nRF Connect SDK applications with Arm TrustZone 

Applications on nRF5340 can use Cortex-M Security Extensions (CMSE) and separate firmware for the application core between Secure Processing Environment (SPE) and Non-Secure Processing Environment (NSPE). You can build SPE using either nRF Connect SDK or Trusted Firmware M (TF-M). You must always build NSPE using nRF Connect SDK.

For information about Cortex-M Security Extensions (CMSE) and the difference between the two environments, see Processing environments.

Note

By default, SPE for the nRF5340 application core is built using TF-M.

Building the firmware with TF-M

If you want to use nRF Connect SDK to build the firmware image separated in SPE with TF-M and NSPE, complete the following steps:

Build the nRF Connect SDK application for the application core using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp_ns build target.

To invoke the building of TF-M, the nRF Connect SDK build system requires the Kconfig option CONFIG_BUILD_WITH_TFM to be enabled, which is set by default when building nRF Connect SDK as an application that supports both NSPE and SPE.

The nRF Connect SDK build system performs the following steps automatically:
1. Build the NSPE firmware image as a regular nRF Connect SDK application.
2. Build an SPE firmware image (with TF-M).
3. Merge the output image binaries.
4. Optionally, build a bootloader image (MCUboot).
Note

Depending on the TF-M configuration, an application DTS overlay can be required to adjust the NSPE image flash memory partition and SRAM starting address and sizes.
Build the application firmware for the network core using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpunet build target.

Building the secure firmware using nRF Connect SDK

If you want to use nRF Connect SDK to build the firmware images with CMSE enabled, but without TF-M, complete the following steps:

Build the nRF Connect SDK application binary for SPE for the application core using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp build target.

Also set CONFIG_TRUSTED_EXECUTION_SECURE to y and CONFIG_BUILD_WITH_TFM to n in the application project configuration file.
Build the nRF Connect SDK application binary for NSPE for the application core using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp_ns build target.
Merge the two binaries.
Build the application firmware for the network core using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpunet build target.

When building application with SPE and NSPE for the nRF5340 application core, the SPE image must set the IDAU (SPU) configuration to allow non-secure access to all CPU resources used by the application firmware in NSPE. SPU configuration must be applied before jumping to the application in NSPE.

Building application without CMSE 

Build the nRF Connect SDK application as described in Building and programming an application, using the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp build target for the firmware running on the nRF5340 application core and the nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpunet build target for the firmware running on the nRF5340 network core.

Programming the firmware to the DK 

Follow the instructions in the Building and programming an application page to build and flash applications.

Note

To flash and debug applications on the nRF7002 DK, you must use the nRF Command Line Tools version 10.12.0 or above.

Debugging 

See the Testing and debugging an application page for information about debugging.

Testing the LEDs and buttons in the nRF7002 DK 

The following samples allow you to test if the buttons (or switches) and LEDs on the development kit are working properly with nRF Connect SDK:

Build and flash the samples to make sure nRF Connect SDK is running correctly on your development kit. For the button and LED definitions, see the boards/arm/nrf7002dk_nrf5340/nrf5340_cpuapp_common.dts file.

Shields and expansion boards 

Shields and expansion boards are add-on hardware that can be attached to a development kit or prototyping platform to extend their features and functionalities.

nRF7002 EK 

The nRF7002 Evaluation Kit (EK) is a versatile evaluation kit in the form of an Arduino shield. The kit can be used to provide Wi-Fi connectivity and Wi-Fi-based locationing to compatible development or evaluation boards through the nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 companion IC.

The nRF7002 EK features the nRF7002 companion IC. In addition, the shield may be used to emulate the nRF7001 and nRF7000 companion IC variants.

Overview 

The nRF7002 EK (PCA63556) is designed to provide Wi-Fi connectivity and Wi-Fi (SSID) scanning capabilities via the nRF7002 companion IC to a compatible host development board.

The nRF7002 EK features an Arduino shield form factor and interface connector that allows it to be used with Arduino compatible boards, such as the nRF52840 DK, nRF5340 DK, or nRF9160 DK. This interface is used to connect the nRF7002 companion device to a host System on Chip (SoC), Microprocessor Unit (MPU), or Microcontroller Unit (MCU).

Pin assignment for Arduino interface connector 

The Arduino interface of the nRF7002 EK is compatible with the Nordic nRF52840 DK, nRF5340 DK, and nRF9160 DK. The interface connectors are described in the following table:

Arduino pin name	nRF7002 Signal	Function
D0	IOVDD_EN	Enable power to I/O interface
D1	BUCK_EN	Enable power to nRF7002
D2	COEX_STATUS0	Coexistence status 0
D3	COEX_REQ	Coexistence request from host
D4	COEX_GRANT	Coexistence grant to host
D5	SW_CTRL0	Switch control 0
D6	COEX_STATUS1	Coexistence status 1
D7	HOST_IRQ	Interrupt request to host
D8	DATA2	QSPI data line 2
D9	DATA3	QSPI data line 3
D10	SS	Slave select
D11	MISO/DATA1	QSPI/SPI Data line 1/ Slave Out
D12	MOSI/DATA0	QSPI/SPI Data line 0/ Slave In
D13	CLK	QSPI/SPI Clock
GND	GND	Ground
AREF	N.C.	Not used
SDA	N.C.	Not used
SCL	N.C.	Not used

Programming 

To add support for the nRF7002 EK on an application running on a compatible host development board, the SHIELD setting must be specified.

To add support for the nRF7002 EK and the nRF7002 IC, set -DSHIELD=nrf7002ek when you invoke west build or cmake in your nRF Connect SDK application. To emulate support for the nRF7001 or nRF7000 ICs, specify -DSHIELD=nrf7002ek_nrf7001 or -DSHIELD=nrf7002ek_nrf7000, respectively.

Alternatively, add the shield in the project’s CMakeLists.txt file, specifying the below settings, depending on which IC is to be used:

set(SHIELD nrf7002ek)

set(SHIELD nrf7002ek_nrf7001)

set(SHIELD nrf7002ek_nrf7000)

To build with the nRF Connect for VS Code extension, specify -DSHIELD=nrf7002ek in the Extra CMake arguments field. See Providing CMake options for instructions on how to provide CMake options.

To build for the nRF7002 EK and the nRF7002 IC with nRF5340 DK, use the nrf5340dk_nrf5340_cpuapp build target with the CMake SHIELD variable set to nrf7002ek. For example, you can use the following command when building on the command line:

west build -b nrf5340dk_nrf5340_cpuapp -- -DSHIELD=nrf7002ek

To build for the nRF7002 EK and the nRF7001 or nRF7000 ICs, you can use the corresponding shield name in the above command.

nRF7002 EB 

The nRF7002 Expansion Board (EB) can be used to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to compatible development or evaluation boards through the nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 companion IC.

The nRF7002 EB has a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) edge connector that can be used with a compatible development board such as the Nordic Thingy:53, an IoT prototyping platform from Nordic Semiconductor. There are also castellated holes on the side of the board that allow the EB to be used as a breakout board that can be soldered to other PCB assemblies.

Overview 

The nRF7002 EB (PCA63561) features a PCB edge connector and castellated holes to provide Wi-Fi connectivity through the nRF7002 companion IC.

The PCB edge connector is used to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to a development board with a compatible connector such as the Nordic Thingy:53, where it connects nRF7002 to nRF5340, which acts as a host. The EB can also be used to provide Wi-Fi capabilities to develop Wi-Fi applications with another System on Chip (SoC), MPU, or MCU host by using the castellated edge holes on the sides of the board.

Pin assignment for PCB edge connector 

The pinout of the PCB edge connector is shown in the following table.

Pin number	Signal	Function
1	N.C.	Not used
2	N.C.	Not used
3	VIO	IO Supply voltage
4	N.C.	Not used
5	GRT	Coexistence Interface Grant signal
6	REQ	Coexistence Interface Request signal
7	N.C.	Not used
8	CLK	SPI Clock signal
9	EN	Power Enable signal
10	N.C.	Not used
11	N.C.	Not used
12	N.C.	Not used
13	N.C.	Not used
14	VBAT	Supply voltage
15	ST0	Coexistence Interface Status signal
16	D0	SPI MOSI signal
17	D1	SPI MISO signal
18	CS	SPI Chip Select signal
19	IRQ	Host Interrupt signal
20	GND	Ground

Castellated edge holes 

Castellated edge holes on the sides of the board connects the nRF7002 EB to the nRF7002 companion IC. The following figure and table show the pinout for the nRF7002 EB.

Pin number	Signal	Function
1	CLK	QSPI Clock/SPI Clock
2	SS	QSPI Slave select/SPI Slave select
3	D0	QSPI DATA0/SPI_MOSI
4	D1	QSPI DATA1/ SPI_MISO
5	D2	QSPI DATA2
6	D3	QSPI DATA3
7	CTO	SW_CTRL0 (not supported on the nRF7002 EB)
8	ST1	SW_CTRL1
9	GND	Ground
10	VBAT	Supply voltage
11	GND	Ground
12	VIO	IO Supply voltage
13	STO	Coexistence Interface Status signal
14	EN	Power Enable signal
15	REQ	Coexistence Interface Request signal
16	GRT	Coexistence Interface Grant signal
17	IRQ	Host Interrupt signal
18	GND	Ground

Building 

To build for the nRF7002 EB with Thingy:53, use the thingy53_nrf5340_cpuapp build target with the CMake SHIELD variable set to nrf7002eb. For example, you can use the following command when building on the command line:

west build -b thingy53_nrf5340_cpuapp -- -DSHIELD=nrf7002eb

To build for a custom target, set -DSHIELD=nrf7002eb when you invoke west build or cmake in your nRF Connect SDK application.

Alternatively, add the shield in the project’s CMakeLists.txt file by using the following command:

set(SHIELD nrf7002eb)

To build with the nRF Connect for VS Code extension, specify -DSHIELD=nrf7002eb in the Extra Cmake arguments field. See Providing CMake options for instructions on how to provide CMake options.