Thingy 91, cannot connect to cellular network or register in nRF for Cloud.

[shoei600]

I have taken a new Thingy:91 out of the box, fitted ibasics sim card and been through the registration process. Sim registers fine, but the 'add new LTE device' does not recognise the two numbers and always rejects them. Meanwhile the device is on with blue LED blinking for 2 seconds with 5 seconds off between.

I have USB connection to the device and have tried various commands of LTE-M or LTE-NB without success, and have connected external antenna. If I put ibasic sim in an unlocked mobile it connects to the UK O2 network without issue.

Following the instructions I have created a certificate but this will not upload as it fails with buffer overrun everytime.

What else needs to be done to get this registered and connected? 

Of course the promotional video showed this to be very easy, effortless, out of the box setup.

Thanks.

[Martin Lesund]

Hi Shoei600,

Please check which the Coverage list for iBasis for your area as well as the official GSMA Deployment Map to see which network supports what in your area.

I would highly recommend getting a local SIM card from the network carrier which has support for the network in your area. 

Please open LTE Link Monitor and uncheck the "Automatic Request" and the "Auto device/port filter":

Then connect the Thingy:91 via USB and select the port at the bottom:

Then you should eventually see some information being printed to the terminal (similar to this):

Please wait for a while and then send the log:

You could also try to Enable the "Automatic requests" and send the AT Command: AT+CFUN?

Then you should get out some additional information from the Modem:

I do suspect that the iBasis SIM is not supported in your area, in which case you need to use a local SIM. 

(Even if it looked like the iBasis SIM "worked" in your cellphone, it does not mean that it got connected to the correct network technology (LTE-M/NB-IoT))

Best regards,

Martin L.

[shoei600]

Hi Martin,

I have followed your instructions and have not managed to get any output at all on the terminal for the modem port using either local sim or ibasics. I do get some text for the first port only in both cases.

The ibasics website does say it has 'limited' connectivity in the UK which is then illustrated on the GDMA map as the whole of the uk provided by Vodafone. I am in central London so I would expect ibasics to be supported here but when in the mobile it had connected to O2 not Vodafone.

I have an LTE-M sim ordered which will hopefully solve the issue, but please confirm that you would expect nothing to be in the log at all if there was no connection. 

Please also confirm if it is possible to setup this device to use regular connection with regular sim, not just LTE-M/NB-IoT, if so, how (as I have sim cards already).

Thanks,

James.

[Martin Lesund]

Hi James,

• The nRF9160 can only work with the LTE-M and NB-IoT network, which is the lowest category in the LTE Technology: 
  

(The categories goes much higher, which typically cellphones support)

The nrf9160 is ment to work on low power/low bandwidth technology, which can be typical for IoT applications.

---

• You should expect to see something on terminal, at least when you send the AT-Command: AT+CFUN?

Please try to turn ON/OFF the Thingy:91 and try to select the device again in the Link monitor app, and send some AT commands.

Or try to select the other COM port. (also make sure that the micro USB cable supports sending data and that it isn't just a power cable) 

Best regards,
Martin L.

[shoei600]

Hi Martin,

I forgot to mention that the first com port was giving data. Please find the attached log.

Thanks,

James.

Fullscreen 2677.2019-10-14T13_13_38.560Z-log.txt Download

2019-10-14T13:13:39.276Z VERBOSE Could not fetch serial number for serial port at COM3
2019-10-14T13:13:51.687Z INFO Modem port is opened
2019-10-14T13:13:51.692Z DEBUG modem << io_configure: AT CMD: AT%XMAGPIO=1,1,1,7,1,746,803,2,698,748,2,1710,2200,3,824,894,4,880,960,5,791,849,7,1574,1577\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.695Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.697Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.719,482] \x1B[0m<dbg> board_nonsecure.pca20035_magpio_configure: AT RESP: OK\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.698Z DEBUG modem << \x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.699Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.727,478] \x1B[0m<dbg> board_nonsecure.pca20035_magpio_configure: MAGPIO successfully configured\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.700Z DEBUG modem << Asset tracker started\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.701Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.739,837] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_client_id_get: client_id = nrf-352656100836595\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.702Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.749,053] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: shadow_base_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.703Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.760,711] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: accepted_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow/get/accepted\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.704Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.773,254] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: rejected_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow/get/rejected\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.705Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.785,797] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: update_delta_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow/update/delta\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.740Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.798,706] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: update_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow/update\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.741Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:01.810,546] \x1B[0m<dbg> nrf_cloud_transport.nct_topics_populate: shadow_get_topic: $aws/things/nrf-352656100836595/shadow/get\x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.742Z DEBUG modem << Connecting to LTE network. This may take several minutes.\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.744Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.745Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.759Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGSN=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.765Z DEBUG modem << +CGSN: "352656100836595"\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.766Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.768Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.772Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMI\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.777Z DEBUG modem << Nordic Semiconductor ASA\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.779Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.780Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.782Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMM\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.789Z DEBUG modem << nRF9160-SICA\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.791Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.792Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.794Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMR\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.799Z DEBUG modem << mfw_nrf9160_1.0.0\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.803Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.804Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.804Z INFO Nordic Semiconductor ASA nRF9160-SICA [mfw_nrf9160_1.0.0] SerNr: 352656100836595
2019-10-14T13:13:51.807Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEMODE?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.812Z DEBUG modem << +CEMODE: 2\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.813Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.814Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.820Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XCBAND=?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.826Z DEBUG modem << %XCBAND: (2,3,4,8,12,13,20,28)\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.828Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.829Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.833Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.839Z DEBUG modem << +CMEE: 0\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.840Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.841Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.843Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.847Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.850Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.856Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC: 0\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.857Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.858Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.863Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC=24\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.866Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.869Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.874Z DEBUG modem << +CGEREP: 0,0\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.875Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.876Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.878Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGDCONT?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.882Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.884Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGACT?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.889Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.892Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.896Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.898Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIND=1,1,1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.901Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.905Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG=2\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.909Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.911Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.917Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.919Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.919Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.929Z DEBUG modem >> AT%CESQ=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.932Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.936Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CESQ\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.941Z DEBUG modem << +CESQ: 99,99,255,255,255,255\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.943Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.944Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.948Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.951Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.956Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.960Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 1\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.961Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.961Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.966Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPIN?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.976Z DEBUG modem << +CPIN: READY\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.978Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.978Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:51.982Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.994Z DEBUG modem << +CPINR: "SIM PIN",3\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:51.996Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:51.996Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:52.000Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIMI\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:52.006Z DEBUG modem << 234570003870709\x0D
2019-10-14T13:13:52.008Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:13:52.009Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:13:52.009Z INFO IMSIdentity: 234570003870709
2019-10-14T13:14:01.649Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.653Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.661Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.664Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGSN=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.670Z DEBUG modem << +CGSN: "352656100836595"\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.671Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.672Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.674Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMI\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.679Z DEBUG modem << Nordic Semiconductor ASA\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.681Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.682Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.685Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMM\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.689Z DEBUG modem << nRF9160-SICA\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.690Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.691Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.695Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMR\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.701Z DEBUG modem << mfw_nrf9160_1.0.0\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.702Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.703Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.703Z INFO Nordic Semiconductor ASA nRF9160-SICA [mfw_nrf9160_1.0.0] SerNr: 352656100836595
2019-10-14T13:14:01.705Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEMODE?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.711Z DEBUG modem << +CEMODE: 2\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.712Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.713Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.716Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XCBAND=?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.722Z DEBUG modem << %XCBAND: (2,3,4,8,12,13,20,28)\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.723Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.723Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.729Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.733Z DEBUG modem << +CMEE: 1\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.734Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.735Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.737Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.744Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC: 24\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.745Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.746Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.748Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.752Z DEBUG modem << +CGEREP: 1,0\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.754Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.756Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIND=1,1,1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.762Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.764Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG=2\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.768Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.771Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.779Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.780Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.781Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.783Z DEBUG modem >> AT%CESQ=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.786Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.788Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CESQ\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.794Z DEBUG modem << +CESQ: 99,99,255,255,255,255\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.795Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.796Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.798Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM=1\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.802Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.804Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.811Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 1\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.812Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.812Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.815Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPIN?\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.819Z DEBUG modem << +CPIN: READY\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.820Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.822Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.829Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.844Z DEBUG modem << +CPINR: "SIM PIN",3\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.845Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.846Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.848Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIMI\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.853Z DEBUG modem << 234570003870709\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:01.855Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:01.855Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-10-14T13:14:01.855Z INFO IMSIdentity: 234570003870709
2019-10-14T13:14:20.354Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:47.850,616] \x1B[0m<dbg> lte_lc.at_handler: recv: %CESQ: 255,0\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:20.359Z DEBUG modem << \x1B[0m\x0D\x0A
2019-10-14T13:14:20.362Z DEBUG modem << [00:00:47.857,299] \x1B[0m<dbg> lte_lc.at_handler: recv: +CEREG: 2,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7\x0D
2019-10-14T13:14:20.363Z DEBUG modem << \x1B[0m\x0D\x0A

[Martin Lesund]

Thank you for sharing the log.
From what I can tell you the iBasis SIM card does not have a roaming network to connect to. 
You should be able to connect to the nb-iot network when you get the local SIM card and flash the NB-IoT version of the FW to the Thingy:91. (since NB-IoT is only supported in your area)

Here is the Guide on how you can switch out the FW on the Thingy:91 without a programmer.

Here is the Thingy:91 FW

[shoei600]

Hi Martin,

I ran into problems going through this last night when issuing the instruction, the message returned 'cannot find file'.

Should the firmware be in any specific location? I have assumed I can skip the 'compiling' section as I am using pre-compiled binary file. Please confirm this example looks correct?

mcumgr --conntype=serial --connstring=9 image upload C:\mynamefolder\path\filename.bin

Getting hold of an NB-IoT sim in UK is proving very difficult but I'm hopeful one will arrive today. It appears the UK has only NB-IoT deployed so once this firmware is switched over from LTE-M the ibasics one may work.

Thanks,

James.

[shoei600]

Martin,

Could you please confirm this mcumgr string in the previous post?

Thanks,

James.