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nRF9160 - no LTE-NB connection [LTE Link Monitor]

Dear Nordic,
dear Community,

I want to use the NRF9160 for a new IoT product row of our company.

The NRF9160 DK seems the perfect solution for evaluation and development of our solution.

Unfortunately I am not able to connect to a LTE-NB network.
Statusblock_right

I have updated the Modem Firmware to mfw_nrf9160_1.1.1 (current version) and programmed the NRF with the nrf9160dk_at_client_2019-11-29_d3130d77.hex firmware (full image) via the NRF connect programmer sw tool.

I am using a SIM from Fusion-IOT, according to the provider we should have a LTE-NB signal here in south germany (SIM can use every national NB net). I've tested the following at home, in my company and at the University of Stuttgart, each time, also with the Basis eSIM with same (bad) results (yes i changed the switch between E-sim and sim):

In the LTE Link Monitor im giving the AT commands
AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0    //for LTE-NB usage

and 
AT+CGDCONT=0,"IP","m2m.fusion-iot.de"     //for selecting the APN of my SIM provider

after giving AT+CFUN=1 and AT+CFUN? im getting the usual feedback
but when there is a signal (according to CEREG) the NRF tries to connect, the LTE indicator Box switches between orange and red for <1s and then I'm getting CEREG 4 (unknown, e.g. out of E-UTRAN range) with a grayed out LTE indicator box.
Does anyone know what this means?
Is there an hardware issue or did i make anything wrong?

AT+COPS=? returns
+CME ERROR: 0 

It would be great if anyone can help me or had this issue before.
Thank you in advance,

Niko

 

LTE Link Monitor Terminal:


// ...
// 
// ...
 
***** Booting Zephyr OS build v2.0.99-ncs1 *****
The AT host sample started
AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0
OK
AT+CGDCONT=0,"IP","m2m.fusion-iot.de"
OK
AT+CFUN=1
OK
AT+CFUN?
+CFUN: 1
OK
AT+CGSN=1
+CGSN: "352656100303646"
OK
AT+CGMI
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
OK
AT+CGMM
nRF9160-SICA
OK
AT+CGMR
mfw_nrf9160_1.1.1
OK
AT+CEMODE?
+CEMODE: 0
OK
AT%XCBAND=?
%XCBAND: (1,2,3,4,5,8,12,13,17,19,20,25,26,28,66)
OK
AT+CMEE?
+CMEE: 0
OK
AT+CMEE=1
OK
AT+CNEC?
+CNEC: 0
OK
AT+CNEC=24
OK
AT+CGEREP?
+CGEREP: 0,0
OK
AT+CGDCONT?
+CGDCONT: 0,"IP","m2m.fusion-iot.de","",0,0
OK
AT+CGACT?
+CGACT: 0,0
OK
AT+CGEREP=1
OK
AT+CIND=1,1,1
OK
AT+CEREG=2
OK
AT+CEREG?
+CEREG: 2,4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",9
OK
AT%CESQ=1
OK
AT+CESQ
+CESQ: 99,99,255,255,255,255
OK
AT%XSIM=1
OK
AT%XSIM?
%XSIM: 1
OK
AT+CPIN?
+CPIN: READY
OK
AT+CPINR="SIM PIN"
+CPINR: "SIM PIN",3
OK
AT+CIMI
232010869981139
OK
%CESQ: 48,2,23,3
+CEREG: 2,"D2F5","01C4D009",9
+CNEC_EMM: 15
+CEREG: 4,"D2F5","01C4D009",9
%CESQ: 255,0,255,0
+CEREG: 4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",9
%CESQ: 51,2,22,3
+CEREG: 2,"BAD1","0113AA65",9
+CNEC_ESM: 111,0
+CNEC_EMM: 15
+CEREG: 4,"BAD1","0113AA65",9
%CESQ: 255,0,255,0
+CEREG: 4,"FFFE","FFFFFFFF",9
%CESQ: 49,2,22,3
+CEREG: 4,"BAD1","0113AA65",9
%CESQ: 49,2,27,3
%CESQ: 49,2,32,4
Parents
  • Hi Nikola,

    I am not familiar with the Fusion SIM card since I suspect the issue lies there.

    There does not seem to be any issues with the HW or FW in this case, only an issue getting an attachment to the network.

    First of you need to know what networks are in your area that supports NB-IoT and since the Fusion SIM card needs to roam on the network in your area, they need to have a roaming agreement with the carrier that owns the network in your area.

    Some suggestions that you can try out before you turn ON the modem (AT+CFUN=1):

    AT%XEPCO=0  (some networks do not support ePCO feature, so let's try legacy)

    Then set the connection parameters with CID1 instead of 0:

    AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","m2m.fusion-iot.de"

    Then activate the PDN connection:

    AT+CGACT=1,1

    Then try to turn ON the modem (AT+CFUN=1)

    (please share the log output if you still do not get a connection)


    If that does not work I would suggest getting in contact with the Fusion team if there are some steps you need to do to activate or register their SIM card.

    The iBasis SIM is not yet supported for the NB-IoT network in your area.

    Another option could be getting a SIM card from your local carrier since they will allow connections to their home network.

    (The SIM switch should always be set to "SIM" unless you have soldered on an embedded SIM)

Reply
  • Hi Nikola,

    I am not familiar with the Fusion SIM card since I suspect the issue lies there.

    There does not seem to be any issues with the HW or FW in this case, only an issue getting an attachment to the network.

    First of you need to know what networks are in your area that supports NB-IoT and since the Fusion SIM card needs to roam on the network in your area, they need to have a roaming agreement with the carrier that owns the network in your area.

    Some suggestions that you can try out before you turn ON the modem (AT+CFUN=1):

    AT%XEPCO=0  (some networks do not support ePCO feature, so let's try legacy)

    Then set the connection parameters with CID1 instead of 0:

    AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","m2m.fusion-iot.de"

    Then activate the PDN connection:

    AT+CGACT=1,1

    Then try to turn ON the modem (AT+CFUN=1)

    (please share the log output if you still do not get a connection)


    If that does not work I would suggest getting in contact with the Fusion team if there are some steps you need to do to activate or register their SIM card.

    The iBasis SIM is not yet supported for the NB-IoT network in your area.

    Another option could be getting a SIM card from your local carrier since they will allow connections to their home network.

    (The SIM switch should always be set to "SIM" unless you have soldered on an embedded SIM)

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