NRF9160 Board for Qr Code Project

[Gioele]

I need to create an IoT QR code reader.

I decide to use the NRF9160 board because it integrates a lot of components that I need to use (LTE, GPS, Bluetooth) so the only mandatory device to buy was the QR Code Reader.

This project aims to prepare a message to be sent to a blockchain, and this message is composed of the QrcodeData read, the location GPS, the time, etc.

It does not seem to be so difficult. -.-

I tried to connect the device with the NRF Cloud but the LTE connection is not available in Italy

I connected the four pins (VCC, GND, RX, TX of the reader to 5V, GND, 0.10, 0,11 of the board) of the Qr code reader (https://www.amazon.it/Waveshare-Barcode-Scanning-Directly-Computer/dp/B07P3GD3XV) to the board and I tried the UART connection with no results.

Then I tried the GPS connection following the sample of the guide with no results, always "Searching device".

I think that I really can't realize the project with this board, so I have three solutions, or I try to set a way to program the NRF9160 with the Arduino IDE where I feel more comfortable, or someone, probably God, helps me, or I change the board.

So, there is a way to program with the Arduino IDE?

This is all folks!

Merry Christmas and happy new year! :)

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Hi,

I am not familiar enough with the Arduino ecosystem to say if it is possible to use the Arduino IDE with the nRF9160, but I haven't heard that it is possible.

However, I will do my best to help you with the nRF Connect SDK (NCS) and Visual Studio Code.

I tried to connect the device with the NRF Cloud but the LTE connection is not available in Italy

According to GSMA's IoT deployment map, there should be NB-IoT coverage in Italy.

However, it does not look like the iBasis SIM card that comes with the nRF9160 DK is supported in Italy.

When you tried to connect to the network, did you use LTE-M or NB-IoT, and what SIM card did you use?

Are you able to get an NB-IoT SIM card from one of your local carriers?

Then I tried the GPS connection following the sample of the guide with no results, always "Searching device".

I assume you were using the 'gps' sample?

When you tested it, were you indoors?

The GPS needs a clear view of the sky to be able to receive the satellite signals.

I connected the four pins (VCC, GND, RX, TX of the reader to 5V, GND, 0.10, 0,11 of the board) of the Qr code reader (https://www.amazon.it/Waveshare-Barcode-Scanning-Directly-Computer/dp/B07P3GD3XV) to the board and I tried the UART connection with no results.

I will need some more details here before I can help you.

What application were you using?

How were it configured?

etc.

Best regards,

Didrik

P.S.: We are short on staff due to the holidays, so it might take longer than usual to reply.

[Gioele]

Well, Gps now works.
Now I have a Barcode Scanner module compatible with Arduino One. This has 4 pins, and I want to connect the Barcode directly to the NRG9160 but I don't know how to read the data from the device (with a UART probably). This is all that I know 
See this: www.waveshare.com/.../Barcode_Scanner_Module_Setting_Manual_EN.pdf

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Note that the nRF9160 doesn't support 5V, so you will need some form of level converter to reduce the voltage on the UART lines to not harm the nRF9160.

As for how to actually get any data from the QR code module, reading the datasheet is your best bet.

For help with how to use the UART, you can look at this sample: https://github.com/simon-iversen/sdk-nrf/tree/lpuart_using_normal_uart/samples/peripheral/lpuart 

[Gioele]

I have no problems with the 5V. nRF9160 supports it. The problem is related to the RX and TX pins.

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Gioele said:

I have no problems with the 5V. nRF9160 supports it

Yes, there is a 5V supply, but the TX pin will also send 5V signals, and the RX pin expects 5V. Those pins needs to be converted.

Gioele said:

The problem is related to the RX and TX pins.

What problem?