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RSSI and RSRP on THINGY.91

Dear, 

Im trying to measure the RSSI with THINGY:91, I found on the document  nrf91_at_commands_v1.1.pdf about

1. AT+CSQ

      +CSQ: <rssi>,<ber>

Note: Not detectable, RAT not supported. Use +CESQ and %CESQ for E-UTRA signal quality.

2. AT + CESQ 

    +CESQ: <rxlev>,<ber>,<rscp>,<ecno>,<rsrq>,<rsrp>

<rsrp>
0 – RSRP < −140 dBm
1 – When −140 dBm ≤ RSRP < −139 dBm
2 – When −139 dBm ≤ RSRP < −138 dBm
...
95 – When −46 dBm ≤ RSRP < −45 dBm
96 – When −45 dBm ≤ RSRP < −44 dBm
97 – When −44 dBm ≤ RSRP
255 – Not known or not detectable

I am using AT+CESQ to find RSRP 

and, i found some document about RSRP range: 

https://wiki.teltonika.lt/view/RSRP_and_RSRQ

But, when I tested to measure it, i got: 

I set the devices (3) in my freezer, and got the RSRP < -100dBm, 

is it conflict here? On the document, they say: NO signal when RSRP < -100dBm, but, I measured -120dBm, and I still received the data from my THINGY:91 - it means : still signal 

I am using Telia NB-IOT( Unit1) Telia LTE-M(Unit2) and Telenor LTE-M(Unit3)

My question is: RSRP vs Signal strength range? RSRP for no signal?

Thanks 

BR, 

Hoang Nguyen

Parents
  • Hello,

    receiver sensitivity for Cat-M1 is -108 dBm and -107 dBm for low band and mid band respectively. For Cat-NB1/Cat-NB2 it's -114 and -113 dBm. It makes sense that you'll still receive something when the RSRP is close to -100 dBm.

  • Dear

    I am using THING:91 with NB-IoT of Telia (Norway)  to measure the temperature, .., RSRP, and send the data to my webserver.

    It will send 1 package in each hour. and its staying underground, and I got the data from my thingy:91 (RSRP) 

    My problem: when the signal is bad (RSRP < -130 dBM), it stopped working and couldnt reconnect at kl.19.24. 

    At kl.13.20 , it did NOT send any package (because of bad signal), then, it sent again 14.23. 

    My statemachine: 

     My main: 

    void main(void)
    {
          
         
          env_sensors_init();
          env_sensors_start_polling();
          battery_monitor_init();
          printk("modem_configure\n");
          modem_configure();
      
          while(1){
                                         
                 
                  
                    printk("-----------------------\n\r");
                    sensor_data_read();
                    ENCR_HTTP_POST();
                    k_sleep(DELAYPOST); 
                
                   
            
           
          }
    
    }

    Connecting: modem_configure(); 

    Read the temperature,battery,.., RSRP: sensor_data_read()

    encrypted and send  (HTTP_POST): ENCR_HTTP_POST

    sleep: 1hr

    When the THINGY:91 stays underground, the signal is so bad ( RSRP = -130 dBm), and the worst case, NO signal, then, it couldnt POST (HTTP _POST), it will return ERROR, and I tried to reconnect:

    void ENCR_HTTP_POST (void){
    //FPOST: postData
    int err = snprintk_post(FPost,HTTP_HOST,HTTP_PORT);
                
                if(!err){
                    
                    printk("done http post \n\r");
                }
                else {
                    printk("httppost is error \n\r");
                     goto reconnect; 
                }
             return ; 
    reconnect: 
          printk("reconnect network .......\n\r");
          reconnect_nw();
          //modem_configure(); 
         
    }

    my reconnect_nw() (similar to modem_configure()) 

    void reconnect_nw(void){
                    
                    int err;
    		printk("ReConnecting to LTE network. ");
    		printk("This may take several minutes.\n");
    		//ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LTE_CONNECTING);
    
    		err = lte_lc_init_and_connect();
    		if (err) {
    			printk("LTE link could not be established.\n");
                            error_handler(ERROR_LTE_LC, err);
    			
    		}
    
    		printk("Connected to LTE network\n");
    }
    

    and, my snprintk_post(): ( I m using http post from : https://github.com/Rallare/fw-nrfconnect-nrf/blob/nrf9160_samples/samples/nrf9160/https_simple/src/main.c is it your? )

    int snprintk_post (char *PostString, char *HTTP_HOST, int HTTP_PORT)
    {
         
       int poststat = '0';
       struct sockaddr_in local_addr;
       struct addrinfo *res;
       printk("Webserver: http://%s:%d \n\r",HTTP_HOST,HTTP_PORT); 
    
       local_addr.sin_family = AF_INET;
       local_addr.sin_port = htons(0);
       local_addr.sin_addr.s_addr = 0;
     
        int err = getaddrinfo(HTTP_HOST, NULL, NULL, &res);
        printk("get addrinfo\n\r");
        printk("getaddrinfo err: %d\n\r", err);
        
        if(!err) {
           printk("network is OK: \n\r");
        }
    
        else {
             printk("network is error: \n\r");
             return CONFIG_LTE_ERR ; 
        }
        
        ((struct sockaddr_in *)res->ai_addr)->sin_port = htons(HTTP_PORT);
        
       
        char send_buf[MAXLINE + 1];
        int send_data_len_post  = snprintk(send_buf,
    				         500, 
    				         POST_TEMPLATE, HTTP_PATH,
    				         HTTP_HOST, strlen(PostString),
    				         PostString);
    
         printf("send_buf is: %s \n",send_buf);
         printk("send_data_len_post: %d\n\r", send_data_len_post);
         
         int client_fd = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
    
         printk("client_fd: %d\n\r", client_fd);
         err = bind(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)&local_addr, sizeof(local_addr));
         printk("bind err: %d\n\r", err);
         if(!err )
            {
              printk("bindnetwork is OK: \n\r");
              
             }
         else
            {
              printk("network is error: \n\r");
              return CONFIG_LTE_ERR ; 
             }
        
    
        
         //err = blocking_connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr,sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
    
          err = connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr, sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
    	if (err > 0) {
    		printk("connect err: %d\n", errno);
    		goto clean_up;
    	}
         //err = blocking_connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr,sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
         printk("connect err: %d\n\r", err);
         
         int num_bytes = send(client_fd, send_buf, send_data_len_post, 0);
        
         printk("send err: %d\n\r", num_bytes);
         
         
         printk("Close socket \n\r");
         err = close(client_fd);
         
         freeaddrinfo(res);
         printk("============================== DONE SENDING =============================================== \n\r");
        
         return 0; 
         
    clean_up:
    	freeaddrinfo(res);
    	err = close(client_fd);
            
    }

    Could you plz help me. I dont know why, it stopped working. 

     I tested it many times before I put it underground ( try to put it in the freezer, ..., somewhere with bad signal), and it worked

    Thanks so much 

    MVH, 

    Hoang Nguyen 

  • Hi

    Thanks for fast response, I spent  2times to write the question to you ( 1st after writing, the  https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/ downed, couldnt submit, must did it again) 

    So you tested this with the thingy in the freezer and it worked?

    YES, it worked, and RSRP: 

    Was it any lower when it was underground?

    I think so, RSRP underground is about  -130 dBm, it is lower than in the freezer. 

    the signal is not stable, it will be up and down, sometime it can connect, sometime it can NOT. I think, 

    I am trying to build: if the NW is bad, it will try to reconnect. 

    Do you have any solution ?

    Thanks so much 

    MVH

    Hoang 

  • Have you considered using an external antenna? The thingy antenna is not very good.

  • if we want the external antenna, which one should we use? do you have any suggestion 

  • Hi

    I hope you will have time for me today. 

    1. With the external antenna, which one is suitable for THINGY:91 ( NB-IoT Telia) 

    2. Go back my problem

    My problem: when the signal is bad (RSRP < -130 dBM), it stopped working and couldnt reconnect at kl.19.24. 

    At kl.13.20 , it did NOT send any package (because of bad signal), then, it sent again 14.23. 

    when the signal is bad (lost) for a long time, it couldnt reconnect, and just hang there. Have you met this problem before?  

            1.  I tried to put the thingy91 in a metal-box ( simulated for bad signal)

            2.  it stopped sending because of bad signal, if:

                       2.1.  10mn, took thingy out, it reconnected automatically and resent the package

                       2.2.  3hrs, took thingy out, I didnt receive any data from my thingy - it could NOT reconnect and resend the data !!!

    Does error_handler() work correct in this case? 

    /**@brief nRF Cloud error handler. */
    void error_handler(enum error_type err_type, int err_code)
    {
    	/*if (err_type == ERROR_CLOUD) {
    		if (gps_control_is_enabled()) {
    			printk("Reboot\n");
    			sys_reboot(0);
    		}
                    */
    #if defined(CONFIG_LTE_LINK_CONTROL)
    		/* Turn off and shutdown modem */
    		printk("LTE link disconnect\n");
    		int err = lte_lc_power_off();
    		if (err) {
    			printk("lte_lc_power_off failed: %d\n", err);
    		}
    #endif
    #if defined(CONFIG_BSD_LIBRARY)
    		printk("Shutdown modem\n");
    		bsdlib_shutdown();
    #endif
    	}
    
    #if !defined(CONFIG_DEBUG) && defined(CONFIG_REBOOT)
    	LOG_PANIC();
    	sys_reboot(0);
    #else
    	switch (err_type) {
    	case ERROR_CLOUD:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 4, 2 and 3)
    		 * if there is an application error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_CLOUD);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_CLOUD: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	case ERROR_BSD_RECOVERABLE:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 3, 2 and 4)
    		 * if there is a recoverable error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_BSD_REC);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_BSD_RECOVERABLE: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	case ERROR_BSD_IRRECOVERABLE:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF if there is an
    		 * irrecoverable error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_BSD_IRREC);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_BSD_IRRECOVERABLE: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	default:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4)
    		 * undefined error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_UNKNOWN);
    		printk("Unknown error type: %d, code: %d\n",
    			err_type, err_code);
    	break;
    	}
    
    	while (true) {
    		k_cpu_idle();
    	}
    #endif /* CONFIG_DEBUG */
    }

    3. About the power consumption of thingy91: have you ever measured the power consumption on thingy when the signal is bad ( RSRP = -130 dBm -- -110dBm). Do you have any document about this one

    Thanks a lot

    MVH

    Hoang Nguyen

Reply
  • Hi

    I hope you will have time for me today. 

    1. With the external antenna, which one is suitable for THINGY:91 ( NB-IoT Telia) 

    2. Go back my problem

    My problem: when the signal is bad (RSRP < -130 dBM), it stopped working and couldnt reconnect at kl.19.24. 

    At kl.13.20 , it did NOT send any package (because of bad signal), then, it sent again 14.23. 

    when the signal is bad (lost) for a long time, it couldnt reconnect, and just hang there. Have you met this problem before?  

            1.  I tried to put the thingy91 in a metal-box ( simulated for bad signal)

            2.  it stopped sending because of bad signal, if:

                       2.1.  10mn, took thingy out, it reconnected automatically and resent the package

                       2.2.  3hrs, took thingy out, I didnt receive any data from my thingy - it could NOT reconnect and resend the data !!!

    Does error_handler() work correct in this case? 

    /**@brief nRF Cloud error handler. */
    void error_handler(enum error_type err_type, int err_code)
    {
    	/*if (err_type == ERROR_CLOUD) {
    		if (gps_control_is_enabled()) {
    			printk("Reboot\n");
    			sys_reboot(0);
    		}
                    */
    #if defined(CONFIG_LTE_LINK_CONTROL)
    		/* Turn off and shutdown modem */
    		printk("LTE link disconnect\n");
    		int err = lte_lc_power_off();
    		if (err) {
    			printk("lte_lc_power_off failed: %d\n", err);
    		}
    #endif
    #if defined(CONFIG_BSD_LIBRARY)
    		printk("Shutdown modem\n");
    		bsdlib_shutdown();
    #endif
    	}
    
    #if !defined(CONFIG_DEBUG) && defined(CONFIG_REBOOT)
    	LOG_PANIC();
    	sys_reboot(0);
    #else
    	switch (err_type) {
    	case ERROR_CLOUD:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 4, 2 and 3)
    		 * if there is an application error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_CLOUD);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_CLOUD: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	case ERROR_BSD_RECOVERABLE:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 3, 2 and 4)
    		 * if there is a recoverable error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_BSD_REC);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_BSD_RECOVERABLE: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	case ERROR_BSD_IRRECOVERABLE:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF if there is an
    		 * irrecoverable error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_BSD_IRREC);
    		printk("Error of type ERROR_BSD_IRRECOVERABLE: %d\n", err_code);
    	break;
    	default:
    		/* Blinking all LEDs ON/OFF in pairs (1 and 2, 3 and 4)
    		 * undefined error.
    		 */
    		ui_led_set_pattern(UI_LED_ERROR_UNKNOWN);
    		printk("Unknown error type: %d, code: %d\n",
    			err_type, err_code);
    	break;
    	}
    
    	while (true) {
    		k_cpu_idle();
    	}
    #endif /* CONFIG_DEBUG */
    }

    3. About the power consumption of thingy91: have you ever measured the power consumption on thingy when the signal is bad ( RSRP = -130 dBm -- -110dBm). Do you have any document about this one

    Thanks a lot

    MVH

    Hoang Nguyen

Children
  • Hoang said:
    1. With the external antenna, which one is suitable for THINGY:91 ( NB-IoT Telia) 

     Which frequency bands are you going to use? The ideal antenna will depend on the frequencies.

  • Which frequency bands are you going to use? The ideal antenna will depend on the frequencie

    1. Telia NB IoT (800 MHz): 801-811 downlink 842-852 uplink

    2. Telia NB IoT (1800 MHz): 1745-1765 downlink 1840-1860 uplink

  • Hi

    I may find a problem with my thingy91.

    In my HTTP POST: 

    detail of my HTTP_POST: 

    int snprintk_post (char *PostString, char *HTTP_HOST, int HTTP_PORT)
    {
         
      
       struct sockaddr_in local_addr;
       struct addrinfo *res;
       printk("Webserver: http://%s:%d \n\r",HTTP_HOST,HTTP_PORT); 
    
       local_addr.sin_family = AF_INET;
       local_addr.sin_port = htons(0);
       local_addr.sin_addr.s_addr = 0;
     
        int err = getaddrinfo(HTTP_HOST, NULL, NULL, &res);
        printk("get addrinfo\n\r");
        printk("getaddrinfo err: %d\n\r", err);
        
        if(!err) {
           printk("network is OK: \n\r");
        }
    
        else {
             printk("network is error: \n\r");
             return CONFIG_LTE_ERR ; 
        }
        
        ((struct sockaddr_in *)res->ai_addr)->sin_port = htons(HTTP_PORT);
        
       
        char send_buf[MAXLINE + 1];
        int send_data_len_post  = snprintk(send_buf,
    				         500, 
    				         POST_TEMPLATE, HTTP_PATH,
    				         HTTP_HOST, strlen(PostString),
    				         PostString);
    
         printf("send_buf is: %s \n",send_buf);
         printk("send_data_len_post: %d\n\r", send_data_len_post);
         
         int client_fd = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
    
         printk("client_fd: %d\n\r", client_fd);
         err = bind(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)&local_addr, sizeof(local_addr));
         printk("bind err: %d\n\r", err);
         if(!err )
            {
              printk("bindnetwork is OK \n\r");
              
             }
         else
            {
              printk("network is error: \n\r");
              return CONFIG_LTE_ERR ; 
             }
        
    
         //hng: 17012020 testing bad signal
    
         //err = blocking_connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr,sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
    
          err = connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr, sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
    	if (err > 0) {
    		printk("connect err: %d\n", errno);
    		goto clean_up;
    	}
         //err = blocking_connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr,sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));
         printk("connect err: %d\n\r", err);
         /*
         if(!err )
            {
              printk("blocking_connectnetwork is OK: \n\r");
              
             }
         else
          {
               printk("network is error: \n\r");
               return CONFIG_LTE_ERR ; 
          }
          */
         int num_bytes = send(client_fd, send_buf, send_data_len_post, 0);
        
         printk("num_bytes sent: %d\n\r", num_bytes);
         
         //get the fb from webserver ; 
         /*
         int tot_num_bytes = 0;
         do {
    		
             num_bytes =blocking_recv(client_fd, recv_buf, RECV_BUF_SIZE, 0);
             tot_num_bytes += num_bytes;
             if (num_bytes <= 0) {
    			break;
    		             }
    	// printk("%s \n\r", recv_buf);
    	} while (num_bytes > 0);
         */
         printk("Close socket \n\r");
         err = close(client_fd);
         
         freeaddrinfo(res);
         printk("============================== DONE SENDING =============================================== \n\r");
         //poststat = true; 
         return 0; 
         
    clean_up:
    	freeaddrinfo(res);
    	err = close(client_fd);
            
    }

    If the bad signal  came  ( < -135 dBm) when http_posting, it may return HTTP_ERR

    connect(client_fd, (struct sockaddr *)res->ai_addr, sizeof(struct sockaddr_in));

    i used to get the error from this step)

    then, I tried to reconnect_nw():   lte_lc_init_and_connect()

    And, I may  get the ERROR:

    Exception occurred in Secure State
    ***** HARD FAULT *****
      Fault escalation (see below)
    ***** BUS FAULT *****
      Precise data bus error
      BFAR Address: 0x50008120
    ***** Hardware exception *****
    Current thread ID = 0x2002abec
    Faulting instruction address = 0x74b056ee
    Fatal fault in ISR! Spinning...

    The problem: The network haven't disconnected yet !!! HTTP_POST returned the ERROR, but I dont know exactly why, and what kind of error?

    If I tried:  DISconnect before reconnect_nw(), I wont get any ERROR.  

    What kind of error can we meet in HTTP POST? 

    ( I m sure, my webserver is OK)

    COuld you help me, I want to know about what kind of error can we meet in http post, and the solution for each of them?

    Thanks so much

    MVH

    Hoang Nguyen

  • Hoang said:
    What kind of error can we meet in HTTP POST? 

    I'm not sure what you're referring to. Is this "HTTP POST" something in the SDK or something you have written?

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