HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

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RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 07:57:50 GMT

@Tom: I mentioned in the comment: It's to be used with Softdevice v7.x.

All examples in SDK v6 are to be used with Softdevice S110 v.7 not S110 v6.0.

Have a look here.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 18:58:46 GMT

Did the example that you sent in the zip file work for you on a Rev 2 chip with s110?

I unzipped the file into Nordic nRF51 SDK 6.1.0 > nrf51822 > Board > pca10001 > s110 > ble_app_hids_keyboard PCA10001. Erased and programmed s110_nrf51822_6.0.0_softdevice.hex. Build all was successful in uVision5 (no errors). Loaded successfully and started running.

Advertising light never comes on. Loaded Debug and it never reaches main(). Starts at 12898 after reset (why not 00000?), runs several instructions down to 12BB2 then hangs at 12B94/12B96.

I have made NO changes to the code or uVision5 Target Options at all.

Also unzipped into Board > nrf6310 folder with same results.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:15:52 GMT

@Tom: Why did you changed the parameters:

"Set Device = nRF51822_xxAA, IROM1 = 0x1B000, Size = 0x25000, IRAM1 = 0x20002000, Size = 0x5F80" ?

You should keep them unchanged since it's configured to meet with the Softdevice v7.x

I attached in my answer below the example I ported for PCA10001 SDK v6.1 SDK v7.x

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 00:12:55 GMT

OK, I did not realize that SDK and softstack versions were tied to chip versions. With that in mind, our chips are all QFAAG0 which are rev 2 chips. I was using SDK v11.0.0 (now changed to v6.1.0) and S130 (now changed to S110).

The HID Keyboard example for S110 uses the nRF6310 and I am using the PCA10001 (will go to custom board after this is running). I loaded the HID Keyboard example from the nRF6310 directory made several changes:

Changed the preprocessor symbols to BOARD_PCA10001
Set Device = nRF51822_xxAA, IROM1 = 0x1B000, Size = 0x25000, IRAM1 = 0x20002000, Size = 0x5F80
Set Debug to J-Link / J-Trace Cortex

After running Build All there were errors due to LED's and buttons that are not available on the PCA10001. I commented out the lines that included the LED's and buttons that are unavailable on PCA10001 (LED_2 thru LED_7 and BUTTON_2). Then Build All was successful.

Loaded/ran the code. NRF MCP and iPad (in Settings) did not find Nordic Keyboard. Debug shows that the code never reaches main() and appears to be hanging in the startup code.

Am I on the right track now?

Was my major problem that I was using the incorrect SDK and softstack?

Do you have any suggestions to help determine why the PCA10001 is not advertising?

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:30:56 GMT

Hi Tom,

To determine which rev your chip is please have a look here.

After that you can find which softdevice and SDK is compatible with your chip by looking at here.

To erase bonding information on the PCA10001 you press and hold the BTN_ID_WAKEUP_BOND_DELETE (button 1) when reset the chip. Another option is to do a "Erase All" on the chip, only reprogram the chip won't help erase bond information.

It's been quite long thread and maybe I am lost at some points but I don't know why you have to click "Forget this device" ? What happens if you simply click to connect (and they bond automatically) and use the keyboard ?

You click "Forget this device" only if you want to have a new bond to the device, don't click it every time you connect. And when you want a new bond to the device, make sure you delete old bond on both of the device.

Connect is not the same as Bond. However in your case with HID device, the iOS device will do bonding automatically (Popup message "if you want to pair with ... "). If you don't click "Forget this device" , simply connect, press button 0 to write hello, and then reset the PCA10001, what happens ?

Regarding Wiresharks issue, please download wireshark v1.10 here. It's the only version we support with the sniffer.

To upload photo, please click on the image button next to the 101 101 button when you edit the question, you can also add them as attachment (the paperclip button)

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:29:24 GMT

When I said "Settings showed it as an option and I selected it" I meant that the Nordic Keyboard was found by the iPad's Bluetooth search and I tapped on "Nordic Keyboard" to enable the BT connection. I was then able to tap on the icon to the right of “Nordic Keyboard” and then tap "Forget this device". I did nothing to the PCA10001 (did not reprogram it). Then it connected and Button 0 sent characters to the iPad.

After removing power from the PCA10001 it would only connect using MCP and when going to Settings it said “Pairing unsuccessful” and disconnected in 8-10 seconds. Therefore I cannot force it to "forget" again.

You asked if I also erased the bond information on the PCA10001. How do I do that? Reprogram?

My PCA10001 and our custom boards all have QFAAG0 parts (all rev 2). You say they "may not be compatible." How do we definitively determine that?

I can test the PCA10001 with S110 but isn't S130 required for the HID Keyboard? If so, how do I test with S110? Are you asking me to test S110 with Beacon code to see if it connects?

The iPad uses the term "connect". Is “connect the same as "bond"?

I started ble_sniffer.exe in 32K Win7 (2GB RAM) and Nordic_Keyboard was found. After pressing “w” to load Wireshark, Network Protocol Analyzer starts registering plugins but stops at 52%. Another window opens saying “Wireshark has stopped working.” The only option is to Close Program. Could not find anything in Google to help resolve this.

How can I add screen shot images to comment? Must I use Photobucket or similar?

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:19:56 GMT

@Tom: Have you also erased the bond information on the PCA10001 when you click forget this device on iPad? On the first time when you connect did you bond ? I don't get this part "Settings showed it as an option and I selected it, it connected and I could send characters using Button 0." Which option was that ? A screenshot would be useful.

You chip is QFAAG0, according to this, it's rev 2, it may not be compatible with S130 v2 in the SDK v11. I would suggest to test with SDK v7, S110 v7. Just to check if the issue is with the iOS device.

If you want to attach files, screenshot, please edit the question and add them .

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 15:16:05 GMT

I am using the stock example (except changing to PCA10001).

After connecting with MCP I went to Settings and selected Forget This Device and then reset the PCA10001. Settings showed it as an option and I selected it, it connected and I could send characters using Button 0.

I have tried to repeat this numerous time without success. I have cycled power on the PCA10001, enabled Bluetooth using both MCP and Settings in various sequences but it keeps saying "Pairing Unsuccessful". When selecting OK it indicates it is connected for about 10 seconds and then disconnects. There was no opportunity to Forget Device and Button 0 does not send characters. I have not tried to reboot the iPad.

It seems like this may be an iPad issue and not the HID Keyboard.

I have rushed this off this morning because I know you will be leaving the office soon. I will spend more time today and try to get a sniffer trace.

I have some screenshots - how do I upload them?

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:28:38 GMT

@Tom: I suspect that the iPad didn't detect your device as a HID device (that's why you couldn't write hello by pressing the button). Make sure you have bonded to the device, and no previous bonding information is stored. Also please test with the stock example, just in case there is some unaware modification added.

A sniffer trace would really help. Also a screenshot of the MCP screen when you connected and do service discovery would be useful.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 14:38:26 GMT

I am not switching between beacon and HID Keyboard - HID Keyboard only. Just a note, I am connecting to an iPad and not an iPhone (probably not a significant point).

I just did a test running off a battery (not debugger) and found that when the battery was inserted it would not connect in Settings unless it connected through NRF MCP first.

Then I removed the battery and reinserted it again. Same thing - required NRF MCP to connect first before Settings would show it connected.

I have never installed or used the sniffer so it may take some time to get that information if you think it is necessary.

I still have the problem where the "hello" is not received on the iPad when Button 0 is pressed. This was working on July 1 but when I came back to the project several days later the device would not advertise. There were no changes to the code or hardware during that time. I then started from scratch by loading the original Nordic HID Keyboard example (no source changes). As mentioned before, the only change made was setting PCA10001 in the preprocessor. Also, using Debug the code runs through ble_hids_inp_rep_send() in ble_hids.c with good err_code (not DATA_SIZE, INVALID_STATE, or INVALID_PARAM errors) as mentioned before.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 11:50:31 GMT

@Tom: It's what I suspected, IS_SRVC_CHANGED_CHARACT_PRESENT = 1 doesn't guarantee that the iPhone would update the advertising packet. But you won't have problem if you don't change the advertising packet (switch to beacon), right ?

If you simply stay in HID keyboard mode and restart the device, it would be reconnected automatically ?

I would suggest you if you plan to switch between beacon and HID, you can try to change the address when switch to beacon, for example +1 to the address. This will trick the iPhone to think there are 2 different devices.

Regarding the issue with "when restarting the program in Debug, must connect through NRF MCP" , could you capture a sniffer trace ? It good to check and compare if there is any difference and figure out why the phone didn't reconnect.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:55:09 GMT

I changed #define IS_SRVC_CHANGED_CHARACT_PRESENT 1 (was 0) in main.c but it still will not connect to the iPad (in Settings) unless the NRF MCP app is run and connected first.

Also, when restarting the program in Debug, must connect through NRF MCP (does not automatically reconnect).

After connecting the "hello" characters are not received by the iPad. This worked several days ago. The only changes from the original HID Keyboard example code for this test are: (1) changed board in preprocessor to PCA10001 and (2) changed IS_SRVC_CHANGED_CHARACT_PRESENT to 1.

Runs through ble_hids_inp_rep_send() in ble_hids.c with good err_code (not DATA_SIZE, INVALID_STATE, or INVALID_PARAM errors).

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 13:03:35 GMT

@Tom: It's explainable. If you don't enable IS_SRVC_CHANGED_CHARACT_PRESENT = 1 , the iOS device will make an assumption that your device will never change the services table. And it will cache your attribute table and keep thinking your device is the beacon. MCP when connect to the device will force the iOS device to update the advertising packet and the new attribute table.

So, make sure you turn on IS_SRVC_CHANGED_CHARACT_PRESENT in both beacon firmware and the keyboard firmware.

However, this doesn't guarantee the phone will update the advertising packet (it guarantee the phone will update the attribute table though). So you may still need to use MCP to scan and connect if you want iOS device to remove the cached advertising packet.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 16:58:16 GMT

Installed MCP on iOS iPad Air (not Air 2). After enabling BT the device was found and says "Beacon Config" and displays RSSI. I expected "Keyboard Config" and not "Beacon Config".

After pressing the Connect button it connects and shows Device Information and Battery Service. Selected Battery Service shows the UUID, Properties, Value and Descriptor. It appears to be working in MCP on iPad.

Just went back to Settings and Nordic_Keyboard is now shown and connected.

I closed MCP and removed power from the PCA10001 then the iPad indicated Nordic_Keyboard Not Connected (as expected). Applied power again and it indicated Connected.

I opened Google and after pressing Button0 5 times "hello" appeared in the search box.

It looks like it is now working but not sure what has changed. The only change was running MCP. How could that have enabled it? For now there is no problem. I will advise you if something changes.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 15:22:39 GMT

@Tom: Please test with the nRF Master Control Panel on iOS , you can download it from app store.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 14:50:05 GMT

No, I am running MCP on a PC.

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 12:20:56 GMT

@Tom: The iPad doesn't see it on the Bluetooth setting but can you see it in Master Control Panel app on the iPad ?

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:50:40 GMT

Hi Tom, The example worked fine here, I just tested with the PCA10001 and an iPad 3. Could you read the version number of the board ?

Please be aware that chip revision 1 or 2 is not compatible with the latest S130 v2.0, it should be revision 3.

Could you clarify that you can connect and pair but the keyboard doesnt send "hello" when pressing button 0 ?

If possible please capture a sniffer trace.

Attachment: ble_app_hrs for PCA10001 SDK v6.1 ble_app_hids_keyboard - PCA10001.zip

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Tom — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:32:11 GMT

SDK11.0.0.89a8197 ble_app_hids_keyboard_s130_pca10028.uvproj

Yes, it advertises and MCP can discover services.

It passed all tests with the HID Keyboard Application note on MCP.

It is not found at all on an iPad Air.

The chip is marked: N51822 QFAAG0 1351A6 (is this rev 1, 2 or 3?)

RE: HID Keyboard Example Not Recognized by iPad

Hung Bui — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 08:49:19 GMT

Hi Tom,

Could you tell the SDK version you used, and the exact HID project name you used ?

Have you checked if the board advertising ?