Using BL654 DVK with Nordic nRFToolbox

Overview

This application note is intended to guide you through the initial setup of the BL654 development kit (part # 455-00001 and 455-00002), download a smartBASIC application onto the module, and create BLE data.

Requirements

Initial Setup using BL654 Development Kit

Complete the following steps on the BL654 development kit:

  1. Configure the BL654 development kit with the following settings:

    1. Power source switch (SW4) to USB_5V
    2. Switches SW6 and SW5 to 3V3
    3. Set SW7 in the middle position and SW11 to the right, as shown in Figure 1
  2. Connect USB1 on the development kit to any spare USB port on your PC via the included USB-A to USB Micro cable.
  1. In most cases, this should be a plug-and-play operation, but if asked, install the FTDI USB-to-Serial driver (found at http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm).
  2. Ensure that the Windows Device Manager displays a new virtual COM port for the USB-to-Serial adapter.
A screen shot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. Launch UwTerminalX (available at https://github.com/ezurio/UwTerminalX/releases)
  2. From the Update tab in UwTerminalX, click Check for Updates to ensure you’re using the latest version of UwTerminalX with support for the BL654.
  3. From the Config tab in the Device drop-down menu, select BL65x to populate the baud, parity, stop bits, data bits, and handshaking settings. If BL65x is not a selectable device, set the following:

    1. Baudrate: 115200
    2. Parity: None
    3. Stop Bits: 1
    4. Data Bits: 8
    5. Handshaking: CTS/RTS
  4. In the Port dropdown, select the COM port associated with your development kit.
  5. At the top of the screen, click OK.
A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. To test that UwTerminalX is configured correctly and communicating with the module, click Enter. You should get 00 .
A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. Download and save to your local drive the smartBASIC applications found in https://github.com/ezurio/BL654-Applications/
  2. Right-click in the UwTerminalX window and select XCompile + Load to load the htss smartBASIC application.
  3. Navigate to the Applications folder and select the htss.health.thermometer.sensor.custom.sb file.
  4. Wait for the application to compile and load; this should take few seconds. Verify the program is properly loaded by running the at+dir command in UwTerminalX.
  5. Confirm that htss is displayed (Figure 5).
A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. Place a jumper on the 2-pin header J6 (see Figure 1) to connect the temperature sensor to the module.
A beach with waves crashing on the sand

Description automatically generated
  1. Search in the App store or Google Play Store for “nRF Toolbox” and install it.
  2. In UwTerminalX, type htss and click on enter to run the application. The module will start advertising
A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. Open the nRF Toolbox and run HTM.
A screenshot of a phone

Description automatically generated
  1. Click CONNECT to start searching for the module.
A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated
  1. In the next screen, click to select the BL654 module (EZURIO_TS).
A white background with black dots

Description automatically generated
  1. You are now connected to the module. The application displays the received temperature data from the temperature sensor on the development board.
A screenshot of a thermometer

Description automatically generated
  1. If you place your figure on the temperature sensor IC (see Figure 1), you should see the temperature reading on the app changing.

Further Information

Further information relating to the BL654 USB dongle is available from the Ezurio BL654 product page:
https://www.ezurio.com/products/bl654-ble-thread-nfc-modules

VersionDateNotesContributor(s)Approver
1.021 June 2018Initial ReleaseShewan YitayewJonathan Kaye
1.105 July 2018Renamed to Using BL654 Development Kit with Nordic nRFToolboxShewan YitayewJonathan Kaye
2.015 Apr 2025Ezurio rebrandingSue WhiteDave Drogowski