Use of NCP in Zigbee

[Pranav3]

Hello,

I am using nRF52833, nRF Connect SDK  v1.5.0.

In v1.5.0 there is one new example i.e Zigbee NCP. ( Zigbee: NCP — nRF Connect SDK 1.5.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)..)

In the above link, NCP and coordinator are both used for testing.

I'm not understanding what is the use of NCP.  I am confused between the use of coordinator and NCP.

Can you please explain to me why and in which case NCP required?

What is the difference between NCP and coordinator?

Thank you,

Pranav.

[Pranav3]

Hello,

Understood. Thank you for your quick reply. I have encountered two problems while testing,

1. With the help of this link Zigbee: NCP — nRF Connect SDK 1.5.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com) and Readme file under ncp_sdk_v0.9.3. I        tried to test the NCP example. But after completing all the steps under testing, my light control device doesn't join the Zigbee network. It doesn't show any led indication on board. 

2. Also tried to test the (SDK v1.5.0) Zigbee network_coordinator, light_switch,light_bulb example but after building while testing it  light_switch doesn't respond. Doesn't show any led indication and not joined the network. Previously, I tested the same scenario with SDK v1.4.2 its works fine there.  

Can you please help me to resolve this issue?

Thanks,

Pranav.

[Edvin]

Pranav3 said:

2. Also tried to test the (SDK v1.5.0) Zigbee network_coordinator, light_switch,light_bulb example but after building while testing it  light_switch doesn't respond. Doesn't show any led indication and not joined the network. Previously, I tested the same scenario with SDK v1.4.2 its works fine there.  

 Does the logs from the nRFs say anything?

Try erasing all boards completely using "nrfjprog --eraseall" (nRF command line tools is needed for this) and re-program them.

 

Pranav3 said:

1. With the help of this link Zigbee: NCP — nRF Connect SDK 1.5.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com) and Readme file under ncp_sdk_v0.9.3. I        tried to test the NCP example. But after completing all the steps under testing, my light control device doesn't join the Zigbee network. It doesn't show any led indication on board. 

 

Is your NCP connected to anything physically? What is running the application?

[Pranav3]

Hello Edvin,

Thank you for the answer. I will definitely try this.

Please help me to resolve the “NCP” example issue. It’s been one week am facing the problem.

I have followed all the steps in the readme file. But still my I am not getting this result,

“The light control device joins the Zigbee network, searches for a light bulb to control, and starts sending On/Off commands with a 15-sec period that toggles the LED 4 on the light bulb on and off.”

Pranav3 said:

Edvin said:

Is your NCP connected to anything physically? What is running the application?

Pranav3 said:

1. About the NCP example 

I am running the light_control application and NCP connected to my Linux pc. Also tried the same step with my colleague but encountered the same issue.

Can you please suggest to me some solution by trying it out on your side? 

I have also confirmed the same steps with my college but still facing the same issue.

Can you please help me to resolve this issue?

Thank you,

Pranav

[Edvin]

I don't understand your NCP example issue. The NCP is a network co processor. What are you using it with? It needs an application CPU running an openthread application, and using the nRF NCP as the radio. What is running your application?

"I am running the light_control application and NCP connected to my Linux pc".

What is your linux pc doing then? Is it doing some openthread things? Or do you expect the NCP to create a folder that you can drag and drop applications into? (That is not a serious suggestion, but I try to figure out how you are trying to use the NCP example).

 

Pranav3 said:

“The light control device joins the Zigbee network, searches for a light bulb to control, and starts sending On/Off commands with a 15-sec period that toggles the LED 4 on the light bulb on and off.”

 Where is this written? Can you please point me to the location of this readme file? It looks like you are pointing to the light_switch's readme.rst text, but mine doesn't say that.

BR,

Edvin

[Pranav3]

Hello Edvin,

I have followed this link for Zigbee NCP Zigbee: NCP — nRF Connect SDK 1.5.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com)

The step I have followed -

1. The Zigbee network coordinator sample programmed on one separate device.

2.The Zigbee: Light bulb sample programmed on one separate device.

3. The NCP sample (under Zigbee) import on segger.

4. I have done the "Communication through USB" step by defining the -DCONF_FILE='prj_usb.conf' 

 in Tools - Options - nRF Connect - Additional Cmake Options 

5. Then followed all the steps under Building and running. Also, follow the readme file under  NCP Host for Zigbee.

After completing all the steps,

The network_coordinator board has LED3 and LED4 are solid ON and LED1 is blinking.

The Light_bulb has LED3 is solid ON and LED1 is blinking.

The NCP board has only a power light on i.e. LED5

 Also, I have attached the screenshot of my NCP sample.

Edvin said:

Where is this written? Can you please point me to the location of this readme file? It looks like you are pointing to the light_switch's readme.rst text, but mine doesn't say that.

In this link - Zigbee: NCP — nRF Connect SDK 1.5.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com) .

under "Testing"  6th point.

Am I doing something wrong here? 

Can you please help me to resolve this issue?

Thank you,

Pranav

[Edvin]

Ok, so you intend to run the light switch from the ubuntu machine then, correct?

After you have programmed the board, do you switch the USB connector to the USB connector on the long side of the DK?

In the network coordinator and the light bulb, try adding this prj.conf configuration: CONFIG_ZIGBEE_CHANNEL=12

(doesn't have to be exactly 12. Anything from 11 to ...25? Don't remember the range, but 12 should work).

Then open light_control.h and change line 58: #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK(11<<12)

If you were to test the three examples without NCP:

light_bulb, netwoork_coordinator, light_switch and you set all the channels to 12, does that work? (just to make sure that the two other devices are working before you add the NCP).

Based on your description it sounds like it is not joining the network.

[Pranav3]

Hello Edvin,

Thank you for your quick reply. I tried what you suggested.

Edvin said:

Ok, so you intend to run the light switch from the ubuntu machine then, correct?

Correct.

Edvin said:

If you were to test the three examples without NCP:

light_bulb, netwoork_coordinator, light_switch and you set all the channels to 12, does that work? (just to make sure that the two other devices are working before you add the NCP).

These three standalone examples working fine for me. All three boards are connected and also I am able to control the light from both i.e. light_switch and BLE app (nRF ToolBox).

Edvin said:

After you have programmed the board, do you switch the USB connector to the USB connector on the long side of the DK?

In the network coordinator and the light bulb, try adding this prj.conf configuration: CONFIG_ZIGBEE_CHANNEL=12

(doesn't have to be exactly 12. Anything from 11 to ...25? Don't remember the range, but 12 should work).

Then open light_control.h and change line 58: #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK(11<<12)

As you suggested above I made all the changes.

while changing  light_control.h line 58: #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK(11<<12)

After modifying these file when I tried the "make" command I gives me an error

Also tried  #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK(1l<<12) instead of  #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK(11<<12) in  light_control.h . Still facing same error 

After this, I also tried with unmodified light_control.h (default) i.e #define LIGHT_CONTROL_CHANNEL_MASK (1l<<21) and 

In the network coordinator and the light bulb, I have added  this prj.conf configuration: CONFIG_ZIGBEE_CHANNEL=21

 Also, switch the USB connector to the USB connector on the long side of the DK

The LED 3 turn on both boards i.e Coordinator and light bulb i.e 

When LED 3 turns on, this development kit has become the Coordinator of the Zigbee network.

When LED 3 turns on, the light bulb has become a Router inside the network.

But the light control device not joining the Zigbee network, Also not sending the On/Off commands with a 15-sec period that toggle the LED 4 on the light bulb on and off.

In my terminal, I can't see any messages. I see some trace messages in light_control where does it suppose to appear?

I have also attached the light_control.log file. please find the attachment.

light_control.log

Can you please suggest what else (modification) required to test the NCP example?

Thank you,

Pranav.