Time Sync Issues with sidewalk Sub-GHz Template from SDK v2.5.0

[Leon2]

Hello, 

I’m having issues with time synchronization when using the sidewalk Sub-GHz template from SDK v2.5.0. My setup includes a Nordic Semiconductor chip nrf52840 and LR1110 running on an amazon sidewalk dev kit wm11110-A, with an Amazon Echo device acting as the gateway. I’m located in the Netherlands and have configured my router with a VPN connection to the United States.  

The BLE example from the same SDK works with this setup, but with the Sub-GHz template, time synchronization consistently fails. I have followed the default template settings with instructions from https://github.com/Lora-net/SWDR006  and used Lora. I’ve confirmed the VPN connection is active during tests and that the gateway is operational, as shown by the BLE example functioning correctly. However, Sub-GHz communication seems to initialize but fails during the synchronization process. Could this issue be related to additional Sub-GHz configurations I might be missing, or could the VPN or geographical location impact time sync for Sub-GHz? Are there any additional logs or diagnostics I should check to better identify the root cause? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[Øyvind]

Hello, 

Can you please first of all try with nRF Connect SDK v2.8.0, or even v2.6.0, and see if this changes anything for you? There have been several fixes in the newest version.

What version of the Sidewalk SDK are you currently using? Make sure to follow the compatibility matrix.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Leon2]

Thank you for the suggestion. I’ve checked the compatibility matrix and it is correct (nRF Connect SDK v2.5.0 with Sidewalk MCU SDK v1.14).

I cannot use newer SDK versions because the LR1110 repository (https://github.com/Lora-net/SWDR006) specifies in Step 2 that it is only compatible with SDK v2.5.0 (commit 9a2e912e703625f11b73889678bfdf1792f3c266).

Do you have any suggestions on what to do next?

Kind regards,
Leon

[Øyvind]

Hi Leon, sorry for the late response on this issue. I have been out of offce and was not been able to get an answer from our experts. 

What could be a way forward is to experiment with the DUT sample. Maybe deregister the device with curl command, then next try DUT sample to get FSK working (FSK should register on its own) and when FSK is working switch to LoRa and check if it works.

Our experts are not sure if there could be any differences on the Amazon Sidewalk dev kit wm11110-A compared to the nRF52840DK and LR1110 evaluation add-on. Are you able to try with different GPIO pin assignment on this board? 

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Leon2]

Hello,  

Thank you for your response! While working on the problem, I came across another repository by Semtech that uses SDK v2.6.1 (https://github.com/Lora-net/SWSD006), and it worked perfectly.  

I was wondering if your team plans to support the LR11xx by default in the future? The necessary changes are outlined in this diff file: (https://github.com/Lora-net/SWSD006/blob/v2.6.1/v261_nRF52840_sidewalk_lr11xx.diff). 

Kind regards, 
Leon 

[Leon2]

Hello,

I got the notification that the ticket is closed, but can you still reply about the LR11xx support?

Kind regards,
Leon

[Øyvind]

Hi Leon, 

Leon2 said:

I got the notification that the ticket is closed, but can you still reply about the LR11xx support?

Sorry, I might have misunderstood your previous answer. I still don't have a good answer to the LR11xx support. There seems to be nothing on the technical side preventing this, but I have no further information.

Kind regards,
ØYvind