Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 22:25:12 GMT

Fingers crossed!

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 22:18:42 GMT

Brilliant! I am working on getting myself a Vodafone NB-IoT developer card. Hopefully, if I get one, I'll get mine working the same as yours.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 21:56:50 GMT

Yes, it works!

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../2818.screencapture_2D00_nrfcloud_2D00_2019_2D00_11_2D00_28_2D00_21_5F00_44_5F00_40.pdf

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 13:57:45 GMT

Got it. Missed that. Thanks a million. Will report back .. the device is on a trip to Brighton today so out of my grasp!

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 17:32:07 GMT

Thanks for letting me know. It's still useful information.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 17:29:59 GMT

From the User Guide "To activate GPS, go outdoors and press the button for a minimum of 10 s until the user-programmable LED begins breathing purple."

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 16:30:11 GMT

Hmm. No. What does that do? Have I missed that step in a document somewhere?

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 16:17:26 GMT

Hi. It's a SIM card from Vodafone, but it was given to us for testing purposes in our IoT team .. I am not sure how you would get hold of one for real!

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:32:46 GMT

Hi Pat!

[quote user="patmolloy13"]he team tell me that we need to alter PLMN via the AT+COPS command, and also change the APN via the AT+CGDCONT command.[/quote]

What team is this? is this information from the network provider?

Not know the specifics from your vendor, the settings that you issue looks correct.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]Well, much to my surprise (and delight) I seem to have found a combination of things (SIM, Location, Firmware) which has brought the thingy91 to life here in South West London, and I can see data appearing in the nrf cloud dashboard![/quote]

That's good to hear. Can you provide full output from the LTE Link Monitor, please? This so that I can see any indication of why the data is not correct.

Regarding GPS signal, are you outside in the open as stated in User Guide:
Note: GPS signals do not usually penetrate ceilings or other structures. For best GPS performance, Nordic Thingy:91™ should be used outside in an open space, far from sources of interference and other structures that may block the signals.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:23:17 GMT

Did you remember to press the button and hold it for 10 secs?

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:22:04 GMT

Sounds promising. What SIM card did you use and where did you get it?

Thanks

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:15:25 GMT

Well, much to my surprise (and delight) I seem to have found a combination of things (SIM, Location, Firmware) which has brought the thingy91 to life here in South West London, and I can see data appearing in the nrf cloud dashboard!

But now have questions about the data!

1) I am not getting GPS at all .. I just see "Waiting for GPS Data". The device is outside and has been for >30 mins. It has a clear view of the sky. Anything else I need to do? Or does it not work right now. There is no GPS data showing up in the datastream in the terminal window,

2) Air Pressure is showing up at a constant 99.9 for every reading. Presumably not correct?

3) I can see something in the terminal ..

Received":{

3 items

"appId":

"AIR_QUAL"

"data":

"25.1"

"messageType":

"DATA"

}

what is that? It's not showing in the dashboard and is not selectable as a pane to show.

Pat

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:36:21 GMT

Hi Steve,

No, I did not buy one. It seems impossible to at present! We have an experimental NB-IoT base station at work with a test sim. Which I cannot make work. And I also have a SIM from a Pycom NB-IoT workshop earlier in the year. Which I also cannot get to work :-O

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Smythey — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 16:12:32 GMT

Hi Pat

I am also in London and looking for a suitable NB-IoT SIM. Did you buy one? If so, please can you tell me where you got it? I am finding it hard to locate one that I can buy!

Thanks

Steve

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 15:25:49 GMT

Ok, a little more to report. We have a testbed NBIoT setup here at DC. The team tell me that we need to alter PLMN via the AT+COPS command, and also change the APN via the AT+CGDCONT command.

I am issuing ..

AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","internet"

Where "internet" is the APN name. This command works, and I get OK back. AT+CGDCONT? confirms set.

AT+CGDCONT?
+CGDCONT: 1,"IP","internet","",0,0
OK

Then I issue

AT+COPS=1,2,"23592"

but I get

Error: 'AT+COPS=1,2,"23592" ' timed out

and after this, all further commands time out .. I am pretty sure the command is correct, so am I missing something further?

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:36:52 GMT

[quote user="patmolloy13"]which of these is the one that tells the modem to talk NB-IoT rather than LTE-m? Or is it both?[/quote]

Yes, both is correct. The modem itself does the communication to the network, but the application tells the modem which network it should use with CONFIG_LTE_NETWORK_MODE_NBIOT=y.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]If the SIM was working, should this make the device burst into life?[/quote]

Yes, if the SIM was working, you should see green on everything in the LTE Link Monitor. Have you got a new SIM?

[quote user="patmolloy13"]Installing thingy91_at_client_v0.2.3.bin (which I have installed now) effectively overwrites thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin - is that right?[/quote]

Yes, that is correct. And I hope that the modem settings are saved so that it works as intended to give more debug information to us.

From the log you pasted in last comment, I see that the modem FW is correct at least. However, I can't see anything about NB-IoT, which can mean that your SIM does not work. LTE Link Monitor does not list a network either, another signal that NB-IoT is not working.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:46:26 GMT

The thing I am still not clear on .. I installed this mfw_nrf9160_update_from_1.0.0_to_1.0.1.bin

and then installed thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin

which of these is the one that tells the modem to talk NB-IoT rather than LTE-m? Or is it both?

If the SIM was working, should this make the device burst into life?

Installing thingy91_at_client_v0.2.3.bin (which I have installed now) effectively overwrites thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin - is that right?

Sorry again!

Pat

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:38:53 GMT

Ok, I am *still* confused .. I have now installed the AT firmware, and the LTE Link monitor software. I have also installed an NB-IoT SIM from Vodafone, that we used earlier in the year here (I don't know it it is still alive). This is what I see from AT+CFUN?

Main question -- can you tell from this whether the modem is configured properly for NB-IoT?

2019-11-14T14:22:51.079Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.101Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 1\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.127Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.130Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGSN=1\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.147Z DEBUG modem << +CGSN: "352656100826604"\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.150Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.151Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.167Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMI\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.175Z DEBUG modem << Nordic Semiconductor ASA\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.178Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.182Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.197Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMM\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.215Z DEBUG modem << nRF9160-SICA\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.221Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.225Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMR\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.231Z DEBUG modem << mfw_nrf9160_1.0.1\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.244Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.246Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.246Z INFO Nordic Semiconductor ASA nRF9160-SICA [mfw_nrf9160_1.0.1] SerNr: 352656100826604
2019-11-14T14:22:51.256Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEMODE?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.262Z DEBUG modem << +CEMODE: 2\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.264Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.282Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XCBAND=?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.291Z DEBUG modem << %XCBAND: (1,2,3,4,5,8,12,13,14,17,18,19,20,25,26,28,66)\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.292Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.296Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.314Z DEBUG modem << +CMEE: 1\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.316Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.317Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.337Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.354Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC: 24\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.356Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.357Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.361Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGEREP?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.366Z DEBUG modem << +CGEREP: 1,0\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.383Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.385Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.399Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIND=1,1,1\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.415Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.419Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG=2\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.425Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.427Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.467Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,0,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.483Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.485Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.507Z DEBUG modem >> AT%CESQ=1\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.525Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.541Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CESQ\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.558Z DEBUG modem << +CESQ: 99,99,255,255,255,255\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.574Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.576Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.595Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM=1\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.610Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.625Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSIM?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.642Z DEBUG modem << %XSIM: 1\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.659Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.660Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.680Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPIN?\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.696Z DEBUG modem << +CPIN: READY\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.713Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.714Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.735Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.754Z DEBUG modem << +CPINR: "SIM PIN",3\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.772Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.773Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.778Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CIMI\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.783Z DEBUG modem << 901288002206279\x0D
2019-11-14T14:22:51.800Z DEBUG modem << \x0A
2019-11-14T14:22:51.801Z DEBUG modem << OK\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:22:51.802Z INFO IMSIdentity: 901288002206279
2019-11-14T14:23:25.933Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0\x0D\x0A
2019-11-14T14:23:25.976Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",7\x0D\x0A\x00
2019-11-14T14:25:06.749Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0\x0D
2019-11-14T14:26:47.675Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0\x0D

This is what I see in LTE Link Monitor ...

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:35:34 GMT

No, the shipped version is for LTE-M, while you'll need to load NB-IoT. In the sentence above, I am referring to the modem FW.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 12:57:23 GMT

[quote userid="77062" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/54211/unable-to-activate-ibasis-sim-i-think/219902"]If you have the same version as included in the Thingy:91 Firmware pack, then you do not need to do anything. Remember to load the "thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin" afterward.[/quote]

Is this the version that shipped with the Thingy:91?

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:40:39 GMT

[quote user="patmolloy13"]1) Find an NB-IoT provider in the UK and get a working SIM (may or may not be possible!)[/quote]

According to GSMA, Vodafone is your provider of NB-IoT

[quote user="patmolloy13"]2) Flash the thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin code (I have done this) .. but this is only the app, not the modem firmware.[/quote]

Correct, this is the application that enables NB-IoT on your board. It is configured with CONFIG_LTE_NETWORK_MODE_NBIOT=y, which selects network mode and configures the modem for this.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]3) Install Firmware from mfwnrf9160101.zip = Modem firmware, updated through nRF Connect for Desktop, which will allow the modem to talk NB-IoT[/quote]

You need to ensure that you have the latest modem FW in order for the modem to talk to NB-IoT or LTE-M networks.

Loading the AT Client will print the current modem FW on your modem when issuing "AT+CFUN?" from the LTE Link Monitor. If you have the same version as included in the Thingy:91 Firmware pack, then you do not need to do anything. Remember to load the "thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin" afterward.

nRF Connect for Desktop is a software where you can download both the Programmer app (updating modem) and the LTE Link Monitor (issuing AT Commands and printing information). As long as you are able to load the .bin files from the Thingy:91 Firmware pack, you won't need any other external HW.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]Sorry for all this :-O [/quote]

Nothing to feel sorry about, this is why we are here 🙂

The next step for you is to acquire a Vodafone NB-IoT SIM and get your Thingy:91 connected. Then go to nRFCloud.com to demonstrate the NB-IoT.

Let me know how it goes!

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:07:02 GMT

Thanks again for all of your help Øyvind. I really appreciate it!

To get this working in the UK is spiralling a bit beyond my capabilities! I just wanted it to work 🙂

So .. to get this working in the UK, compared with the out-of-the-box delivery, I need to ..

1) Find an NB-IoT provider in the UK and get a working SIM (may or may not be possible!)

2) Flash the thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin code (I have done this) .. but this is only the app, not the modem firmware.

3) Install Firmware from mfwnrf9160101.zip = Modem firmware, updated through nRF Connect for Desktop, which will allow the modem to talk NB-IoT

To get NRF Connect for Desktop working, do I need additional hardware/cables or is this all done via the MicroUSB port?

Sorry for all this :-O

I work here https://www.digicatapult.org.uk/projects/future-networks-lab/ and am trying to find a nice demonstrator for NB-IoT !

Pat

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:29:57 GMT

[quote user="patmolloy13"] Has the act of flashing this image definitely flashed the modem?[/quote]

The application has been loaded, but nothing on the modem itself. In the "Thingy:91 Firmware pack" you'll find mfwnrf9160101.zip = Modem firmware, updated through nRF Connect for Desktop Programmer app. But see point 1 below first.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]1) Is there any way (via the USB port) to see any diagnostic data that might be being generated?[/quote]

Yes, you can load the AT Client (thingy91_at_client_v0.2.3.bin) which will more information about the modem and network.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]2) Is there any way to verify whether the iBASIS sim has roamed (or is capable of roaming) to NB-IoT in the UK ? (London)[/quote]

iBasis does, unfortunately, not have NB-IoT support in the UK, and only limited support for LTE-M. Ref. iBasis coverage.

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

patmolloy13 — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:58:27 GMT

Ok, I have flashed thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin to the device. But I am still getting no connection. How do I debug this best? Has the act of flashing this image definitely flashed the modem?

1) Is there any way (via the USB port) to see any diagnostic data that might be being generated?

2) Is there any way to verify whether the iBASIS sim has roamed (or is capable of roaming) to NB-IoT in the UK ? (London)

Thanks

Pat

RE: Unable to activate iBASIS SIM (I Think)

Øyvind — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:56:30 GMT

Hi Pat,

[quote user="patmolloy13"]It's brand new out of the box. I just stuck the SIM in and hoped that it would magically work :) [/quote]

Yes, usually they do magically work out of the box, but sometimes the conditions for the magician is not optimized ;) LTE-M and NB-IoT are two different types of technologies.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]I am a complete novice as far as Nordic goes. Had the thingy:52, though. Excellent for demos.[/quote]

Yes, and that's what we based the Thingy:91 on. We want it to be just as excellent for demos, however, the nRF9160 is a more advanced device compared to nRF52 devices.

[quote user="patmolloy13"]I'll look into a jlink programmer.[/quote]

Did you find one? Based on the following comment, it seems as though you have solved it.

[quote user="patmolloy13"][/quote]

This has worked, I think .. I was not sure which com port but 30 works, and 29 does not.

C:\Users\patmo\Downloads\thingy91_fw_v0.2.3\images_dfu>mcumgr --conntype=serial --connstring=COM30 image upload thingy91_nbiot_v0.2.2.bin
294.77 KiB / 294.77 KiB [===================================================================] 100.00% 3.12 KiB/s 1m34s

As I mentioned, one COM port is for the board controller (COM29 - does not work) and the other COM30 is for the nRF9160.

From the initial post:

[quote user=""]I cannot proceed to the next step, as the led continues to pulse blue - so I assume not connected to the network.[/quote]

Are you getting any further? If not, you may need to try with another SIM from your local NB-IoT provider.

Let me know how it goes, and if you have any further questions, just ask :)

Cheers!

-Øyvind