Demo Software for Thingy91

[Darkover]

I search for an LTE modem for a small device. (between 10000 or 100000 parts per year)

So I need something to play with it to learn what is possible. (for example battery live with my measurement hardware)

My idea is to buy a Thingy91.

Is there somewhere an easy demoprogram that I can modify and compile so it reads data for example from I2C oder USART and send to with LTE-M or NB to my computer or my server?

Olaf

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hello Olaf,

My idea is to buy a Thingy91.

Is there somewhere an easy demoprogram that I can modify and compile so it reads data for example from I2C oder USART and send to with LTE-M or NB to my computer or my server?

Yes, the Thingy:91 is a great choice as a rapid prototyping platform for an LTE-M / NB device.

It sounds like you might be looking for the demo application source code for the Thingy91, you can see this on the nrf-sdk github.
For example, you may see the standard asset tracking example source code and documentation here.

As a side note, for development of a custom device with the nRF9160 SiP you might also want to have a look at the nRF9160 Development kit.
While the Thingy:91 is fast to setup, test and get results, the development kit makes it easier to add custom hardware and peripheral sensors, for example, which might be useful if you are going to develop your own custom board with the nRF9160.

Please do not hesitate to ask if anything still should be unclear, or if you have any other issues or questions!

Best regards,
Karl

[Darkover]

The thingy91 arrived on my desktop. It was easy to install the SIM-Card.

It was possible to register the SIM-Card. The thingy is now blinking with two RGB-LED. I think both are blinking with red, green and blue. But I can not add the device. It said:

There was an error adding your device: It wasn't found. Is it connected?

If the LED(s) don't indicate that it's connected, you may have to update your device.

I wonder if I have to update anything, because the thingy said it is made 2020.13. That sound new to me.

I tried to install nrfconnect to read error-codes. But when I start nrfconnectsetup341ia32.exe it said it can not download apps list. with Status code 500. That sound not very reliable to me. 

I read that the SIM-Card is LTE-M, but LTE-M is limited in Germany, because we are using LT-NB? Do I need a different SIM Card?

Olaf

[Darkover]

I solved the install problem myself. I can now connect with LTE- Link Monitor to Thingy91,

It said: 

AT+CGMR
mfw_nrf9160_1.1.0

Is this firmware to old?

The LTE Button was blinking for some time between red and yellow, but it stops blinking

now and stay grey. 

Olaf

[Kenneth]

To update firmware you can check out:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/cellular-iot-guides/b/getting-started-cellular/posts/thingy91_2d00_fw_2d00_update_2d00_mcuboot

I do not have any knowledge why nrconnect can't download app list, think you will have to try and fail a bit, e.g. restart PC, check you have admin privileges, firewall etc?

Also check out:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/nordic-blog/b/blog/posts/thingy-91-faq

And:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_thingy91/UG/thingy91/getting_started/getting_started_intro.html 

Best regards,
Kenneth

[Darkover]

I am connected now. I think the iBasis SIM card did not work in Germany.

I use now a German Telekom card and it is now connected!

AT+CEREG?
+CEREG: 2,5,"34BB","019E7F01",7

The nordic Connect for Cloud says now "Loading cards" whatever this means..

Olaf

[Darkover]

It WORKS! I am in IoT!

The Nordic pages said:

"Received":{

3 items

"appId":

"AIR_PRESS"

"data":

"100.4"

"messageType":

"DATA"

}

I think that is send from my thingy! 

Olaf

[Darkover]

BTW: I think there is a bug in the Nordic firmware. :-)

My Airpressure is 1004hPa and not 100.4hPa. .-)

Olaf

[Kenneth]

good to hear it work! I can report it.

Kenneth

[Darkover]

I found a new problem, sigh.

I tried to update the firmware. I download this file:

  thingy91_fw_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b.zip

I unpack it.

I start the programmer. I switch on the Thingy when press the big button and connect it to usb.

I connect with the programmer and use the button "Update modem" 

I direkt it to the file "mfwnrf9160120.zip"

The programmer did program some file to the thingy. It looks good. 

Modem DFU starts to write...

Writing C:\Daten\Source\Nordic\thingy91_fw_2020-04-29_bc7ade8b\mfwnrf9160120.zip to device

Modem DFU completed successfully!

I switched off and on the device. But it did not work anymore. No blinking led.

I don't understand what I did wrong!

Is it now time to connect the j-link Ultra and did the real work?

Olaf

[Darkover]

It is possible to repeat the steps above. So the uboot is perhaps working:

But the result is the same. It did not work anymore. 

BTW: You should think about using the led to do some blinking in the uboot so people know what the device is doing.