mqtt_simple connect to AWS

[Timothy]

I have an AWS account and I am comfortable with the AWS IOT operation in general. I have used it in the past. I am trying to get the sample mqtt_simple to connect to AWS IOT and be able to send packets and receive packets to the nRF9160dk board.

 I am not sure how to set up mqtt_simple parameters? I have created a thing and certificates. I have named the thing "nrf-IMEI" as recommended so it has the board ID in it. All I want to do is to be able to publish a packet to a topic on my AWS account and receive a packet from a topic in my AWS account. I have done this several times in the past with other systems so I am comfortable with AWS IOT operations and formats. I just do not understand how to get mqtt_simple to publish from my board to AWS and subscribe to messages from AWS.

Is this the correct program to use. It seems like all the pieces are there I just do not know how to use them.

I appreciate any help you can give, This is an essential requirement of our production system. right now we are using the pre-production system with a modified version of asset_tracker to send sensor data to the nRF Connect site. We need to be able to send sensor data to our AWS site.

[Martin Lesund]

Hi Timothy,
First I would recommend checking out the mqtt_simple documentation

There is also a similar case on Devzone that could be of help:

• How best to begin new nRF91 MQTT project connecting to AWS

also, this could be relevant later on --> Tutorial on "Enabling and testing TLS in mqtt_simple"

If there is still something uncertain please let me know.

[Timothy]

The documentation and the code are not very clear as to

How do I create a packet to send? is it of a simple JSON format such as {"X":"Y"}?

How to I send a packet to mqtt.eclipse.org?

How do I get mqtt.eclipse.org to send a packet to the board?

How do I get the board to communicate to AWS?  I know how to use the IOTR page to send/receive packets. I have created certificates and put them in a certificates.h file but it does not seem to be using them. is there something that needs to be configured to use the AWS certificates I have generated? I can change to the AWS endpoint but it does not connect probably because the certificates are not correct.

The end goal is to be able to send/receive packets to/from my AWS account.

[Martin Lesund]

If the end goal is to send/receive packets from AWS, maybe this guide and the AWS FOTA sample could help you out.

I will try to provide a more detailed answer tomorrow.

[Timothy]

Thank you for your help. I will look at the example you suggest. Our production board will be available in a few weeks and I need to have the software tested on our development board using the nRF9160dk before it arrives. I will keep working away.

[Martin Lesund]

no worries, just let me know if there are some obstacles that pops up that you need help with.