nRF91 Thingy

[John_Turner]

Hi, 

I have an nRF91 Thingy that arrived last week but it's not operating as expected. I've downloaded the latest version of NRF Connect and I've been following the get started guide.

First I tried to update the cellular modem firmware using MCUboot, I press SW3 while turning on the power and I see a message that "Memory layout is not available in MCUboot mode" but when I try tp update the firmware I receive a message to place the device in MCUboot mode and to try again. The date code on the module looks like 2020.22. Does it come with the bootloader programmed.  

I then tried to register the device on nRF Cloud as an LTE module but either the IEMI or the pin isn't being recognized, the Device ID I'm using is nrf-352656101111642 which matches the IEMI on the module. I'm using the 6 digit pin on the module not the one on the SIM card. 

Questions:

Can the bootloader be programmed using the USB port on the module or is an external programmer required?

The SIM seems to be recognized but are there problems using the nRF9160 modems in Canada. Anecdotally, I located near Vancouver, B.C. in Canada and have an LTE CATM1 module from another vendor operating connecting to the Bell network less then a meter away.

JT

[Carl Richard]

Hello, John!

The bootloader should be pre programmed on all recent versions of the Thingy:91. Have you made sure to follow the following the getting started steps, as described in this video? If that doesn't help please report back. When it comes to your issues with the cloud please double check that you have entered the correct IMEI and PIN. If that doesn't work I'll talk to the cloud team to see if there are any issues with your device.
For your questions:

1. The bootloader can only be programmed with an external programmer (like the one on the nRF9160 DK).

2. We are certified in Canada and the included SIM (from iBasis) should be supported in Canada, so it should operate normally. If you face any issues regarding this after the modem firmware issues are sorted out we'll look at it!

Best regards,
Carl Richard

[John_Turner]

Hello Carl Richard,

I was following the steps in the video but I was unable to program the cellular modem firmware using MCUboot. Again, I received the Thingy  last week, installed nRFconnect, and verified that all applications were updated. There is what I believe is a date code of 2020.22 on the label with the IEMI.

In better news I was able to register the device this morning. Are there any timing issues that might have affected the registration, e.g. weekdays during business hours?

JT

[John_Turner]

Hi Carl Richard,

A little more information,

Now that I have cellular connectivity I can see that the cell coverage where I'm working may be marginal with respect to the nRF9160 which might account for my registration issues. 

I can also see that the modem firmware is mfw_nrf9160_1.1.1 and the asset tracker version is thingy91_1.4.0_production_final. The OTA version is FOTA_V1.

JT

[Carl Richard]

Hi again, John!

Good to hear that the registration and connection went okay. Could you try to update the connectivity firmware of the nRF52840 on the board? Use the following firmware thingy91_fw_2020-10-30_5522ca2b/img_fota_dfu_hex/thingy91_nrf52_connectivity_bridge_2020-10-30_5522ca2b.hex and set the nRF52840 in MCUBoot by holding SW4 while turning on the Thingy:91 (with USB attached).

Then try to update modem firmware and application again.

Could I also ask, what operating system are you using?

Best regards,
Carl Richard