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XIAO nRF54L15 with PlatformIO

PlatformIO Introduce​

PlatformIO stands as a powerful and highly extensible development ecosystem designed for embedded systems. It seamlessly integrates support for a vast array of development boards and microcontrollers, offering unparalleled flexibility. What sets PlatformIO apart is its remarkable scalability: even if your specific board isn't natively supported, its architecture allows for straightforward custom board definitions.

Crucially, PlatformIO bridges the gap for developers familiar with Arduino, enabling the compilation and deployment of Arduino-style code by simply including the relevant libraries. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up PlatformIO for your XIAO nRF54L15 and demonstrate how to compile, upload, and monitor sample code, making complex Zephyr RTOS development remarkably accessible.

Setting Up PlatformIO for XIAO nRF54L15​

Follow these streamlined steps to configure your development environment and deploy your first application on the XIAO nRF54L15 Sense.

Install PlatformIO IDE Extension for VS Code​

If you haven't already, install the PlatformIO IDE extension directly within Visual Studio Code. This powerful extension transforms VS Code into a comprehensive embedded development environment.

  • Open VS Code.

  • Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X).

  • Search for "PlatformIO IDE" and click Install.

Create a New PlatformIO Project​

Here you can choose any one of the development version to create a project file, I take XIAO ESP32 C3 for example.

Operation oneOperation two

Configure platformio.ini for XIAO nRF54L15 Zephyr Support​

Once your project is created, locate the platformio.ini file in the root of your project directory (visible in the VS Code Explorer on the left). This file is the heart of your PlatformIO project configuration.

Operation three

You need to replace the entire content of your platformio.ini file with the following configuration:

[env:seeed-xiao-nrf54l15]
platform = https://github.com/Seeed-Studio/platform-seeedboards.git
framework = zephyr
board = seeed-xiao-nrf54l15
tip

Crucial Step: After pasting the code, remember to save the platformio.ini file (Ctrl+S or Cmd+S). PlatformIO will automatically detect the changes and begin downloading the necessary Zephyr framework and board-specific tools from the platform-seeedboards GitHub repository. This process might take a few moments.

Now, let's test your setup with a classic "Blink" example. This code will toggle the built-in LED on your XIAO nRF54L15.

Replace the content of your src/main.cpp (or src/main.c) file with the following Zephyr-compatible C code:

Download the Library

Next we compile and burn using this code

/*
 * Copyright (c) 2016 Intel Corporation
 *
 * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 */

 #include <zephyr/kernel.h>
 #include <zephyr/device.h>
 #include <zephyr/drivers/gpio.h>
 #include <nrfx_power.h>
 
 /* 1000 msec = 1 sec */
 #define SLEEP_TIME_MS   1000
 
 /* The devicetree node identifier for the "led0" alias. */
 #define LED0_NODE DT_ALIAS(led0)
 
 /*
  * 获取 LED 的 GPIO 规范
  */
 static const struct gpio_dt_spec led = GPIO_DT_SPEC_GET(LED0_NODE, gpios);
 
 int main(void)
 {
	 int ret;
	 bool led_is_on = true;
	nrfx_power_constlat_mode_request();
	 if (!gpio_is_ready_dt(&led)) {
		 return -1;
	 }
 
	 ret = gpio_pin_configure_dt(&led, GPIO_OUTPUT_ACTIVE);
	 if (ret < 0) {
		 return ret;
	 }
 
	 while (1) {
		 ret = gpio_pin_set_dt(&led, (int)led_is_on);
		 if (ret < 0) {
			 return ret;
		 }
		 led_is_on = !led_is_on;
		 k_msleep(SLEEP_TIME_MS);
	 }
 
	 return 0;
 }

Now, connect your XIAO nRF54L15 to your computer via USB. In VS Code:

  • Build: Click the "Build" icon (checkmark) in the PlatformIO toolbar at the bottom of VS Code, or use the PlatformIO sidebar: PROJECT TASKS -> your_project_name -> General -> Build.

  • Upload: After a successful build, click the "Upload" icon (right arrow) in the PlatformIO toolbar, or use the PlatformIO sidebar: PROJECT TASKS -> your_project_name -> General -> Upload.

Operation four

The output in the terminal should indicate a successful compilation and burning process.

Observe the Result​

After a successful upload, your XIAO nRF54L15's built-in LED should begin blinking at a 1-second interval.

Tech Support & Product Discussion​

Thank you for choosing our products! We are here to provide you with different support to ensure that your experience with our products is as smooth as possible. We offer several communication channels to cater to different preferences and needs.

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