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nRF9160DK can not find the cellular network

ebran

I am unable to connect the nRF9160DK to the cellular network.

I have gone through the "Get started guide" (working in Linux) and I have been able to install the SDK. I have also
updated the firmware to mfw-m1_nrf9160_0.6.8-30.alpha. I have installed ARM Embedded Studio and can
build and run the examples (SecureBoot/Asset Tracker/AT client) without problems.

I have sucessfully registered the iBasis SIM via nrfcloud.com, but is stuck
with LED3 blinking and LED4 never coming on.

If I run the AT client via nRF Connect Desktop, I can reset the DK and clicking "AT+CFUN?" twice I get green lights for Modem and
UICC, but red light for PDN, while UART and LTE are blinking yellow and red.

I have also tried the DK with another SIM which I know works (Telenor Sweden) with exactly the same results.

What could be the problem?

Best regards,
Erik

  • 0

    Erik,

    I don't know how much help I can be (I'm just a dev working through this stuff as you all are), but it seems like the radio is not connecting to the tower. 

    For the AT Client, the CFUN? does do a CFUN=1 command but it seems like it needs time before it works.  I always do the CFUN=1 (to power on the radio) then do the CFUN? and then each only needs to be clicked once.  But when you do that all the "lights" should go green if it connects to a tower and gets an IP, etc. 

    And I'm sure you have seen but the asset tracker documentation is here: http://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/nrf9160/asset_tracker/README.html  Blinking green is in the connecting phase. 

    These might be "is your monitor plugged in" kind of suggestions, but is the SIM select switch in SIM and not eSIM?  You could also send a CIMI command and make sure the SIM card is responding with a ID.  I'm assuming CFUN=1 should error out if the SIM wasn't even installed.

    So unfortunately that brings me to a "you aren't connecting because of the sim card and/or the distance to a tower".  I know we tried with sim cards from our phones and that does not work.  They have to be LTEM cards and at least the SIMS we had from AT&T and TMobile (in the US) didn't work.  But the iBasis did work for us.  As well as a Hologram branded SIM. 

    It's possible that there is something wrong with J1 (the LTE connector for an external antenna).  It's switched so that when you plug in an external antenna it disconnects the one of the DK, and I've been testing with alternate external antennas and have seen this.  But chances are yours is fine. 

    Going for the simplest possibility it's either SIM card not installed (easily testable in the AT client) or appropriate tower too far away.  When my stuff is setup properly and the SIM is activate and working if I go into a basement with no signal, it works as you describe. 

    Good luck, let us know if you get connected.

    Steve

  • 0

    Another note, the nRF91 radio only supports LTE-M and not NB IoT (yet).  It's possible that your lack of connection is because the towers and service you have locally to you have rolled out NB-IoT and not LTE-M.  Just another thought.  Not sure of a good way to check for that. 

    This: https://www.gsma.com/iot/deployment-map/

    Doesn't look promising, but who knows how accurate that map is.  They claim NB-IoT firmware will be out in about 4 weeks, maybe if you bug support they can hook you up with an alpha version with NB-IoT to see if that helps you. 

  • 0

    Hello Erik,

    stevenminnick said:
    It's possible that your lack of connection is because the towers and service you have locally to you have rolled out NB-IoT and not LTE-M.

    It is possible that you are lacking the NB-IoT FW. Please check with your local Regional Sales Manager, he will be able to tell you if this is the case. If you do not have his contact information, please PM me and I will forward it to you.

    Kind regards,
    Oeyvind 

  • 0 in reply to stevenminnick

    AT+CIMI command in the AT client responds

    AT+CIMI
    240078517888228
    OK

    which I think (?) is fine. Looks like it might be a connectivity issue, either NB-IoT firmware needed or just too far from a tower but I doubt that given I'm in central Stockholm.

  • 0 in reply to Øyvind

    One final question with respect to coverage, is the iBasis SIM known to work on LTE-M in Stockholm, Sweden?

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