nRF 9160 DK LTE modem turn on

[Captain CK]

Hello,

I am beginner for the nRF 9160 DK I need to turn on the LTE modem. My questions are,

1.  Will it work for any 4FF  4G LTE enabled sim?
2.  I use 4G LTE  enabled sim but the Link monitor show result in figure below.

Do I need to update the modem firmware or change the 4FF sim card. Can nay one give guide for turn on the modem.

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Hi,

 Will it work for any 4FF  4G LTE enabled sim?

The nRF9160 should work with any LTE-M or NB-IoT enabled SIM. "Normal" 4G LTE is not supported.

 I use 4G LTE  enabled sim but the Link monitor show result in figure below.

What application are you running on the nRF9160?

I recommend you use the at_client sample, and run the following AT commands:

// You probably have to configure the modem to use NB-IoT
AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0
AT+CFUN=0

// These commands gives us usefull notifications when the modem is running
AT+CGMR
AT+CEREG=5
AT+CMEE=1
AT+CNEC=24
AT%CESQ=1

// If you are running mfw_nrf9160_1.3.0 or newer (check the output of AT+CGMR)
AT%MDMEV=1

// Finally turn on the modem
AT+CFUN=1

After sending AT+CFUN=1, could you let the modem run for a while, and if it doesn't connect to a network send me the log (press the "open log file" button, and upload the file)?

Best regards,

Didrik

[Captain CK]

Fullscreen 2021-12-29T12_32_31.459Z-log.txt Download

2021-12-29T12:32:33.059Z INFO Application data folder: C:\Users\User 1st\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG App pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor v2.0.0 official
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG App path: C:\Users\User 1st\.nrfconnect-apps\node_modules\pc-nrfconnect-linkmonitor
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG nRFConnect 3.9.1, required by the app is (^3.8.0)
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG nRFConnect path: C:\Users\User 1st\AppData\Local\Programs\nrfconnect\resources\app.asar
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG HomeDir: C:\Users\User 1st
2021-12-29T12:32:33.155Z DEBUG TmpDir: C:\Users\USER1S~1\AppData\Local\Temp
2021-12-29T12:32:38.683Z INFO Modem port is opened
2021-12-29T12:32:38.696Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN?
2021-12-29T12:32:38.715Z DEBUG modem << +CFUN: 0
2021-12-29T12:32:38.718Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:32:45.713Z DEBUG modem >> at
2021-12-29T12:32:45.723Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:32:59.483Z DEBUG modem >> AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,1,1,0
2021-12-29T12:32:59.496Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:33:13.090Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN=0
2021-12-29T12:33:13.106Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:34:01.370Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CGMR
2021-12-29T12:34:01.382Z DEBUG modem << mfw_nrf9160_1.3.1
2021-12-29T12:34:01.384Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:35:03.409Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG =5
2021-12-29T12:35:03.420Z DEBUG modem << ERROR
2021-12-29T12:35:03.422Z ERROR Error: AT+CEREG =5
 failed
2021-12-29T12:35:23.801Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CEREG=5
2021-12-29T12:35:23.812Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:35:38.930Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CMEE=1
2021-12-29T12:35:38.940Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:35:54.825Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CNEC=24
2021-12-29T12:35:54.837Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:36:13.073Z DEBUG modem >> AT%CESQ=1
2021-12-29T12:36:13.084Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:36:26.698Z DEBUG modem >> AT%MDMEV=1
2021-12-29T12:36:26.709Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:36:55.777Z DEBUG modem >> AT+CFUN=1
2021-12-29T12:36:55.816Z DEBUG modem << OK
2021-12-29T12:37:14.668Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 38,1,24,3
2021-12-29T12:37:14.712Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"A9F6","000AF905",9
2021-12-29T12:37:15.484Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC_EMM: 15
2021-12-29T12:37:15.512Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"A9F6","000AF905",9,0,15
2021-12-29T12:37:15.761Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0,255,0
2021-12-29T12:37:15.784Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2
2021-12-29T12:37:23.256Z DEBUG modem << %MDMEV: SEARCH STATUS 1
2021-12-29T12:37:29.780Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 39,1,19,2
2021-12-29T12:37:29.809Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"3A99","0051A00C",9
2021-12-29T12:37:30.284Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC_EMM: 15
2021-12-29T12:37:30.308Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"3A99","0051A00C",9,0,15
2021-12-29T12:37:30.711Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0,255,0
2021-12-29T12:37:30.739Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2
2021-12-29T12:37:31.033Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 40,2,21,3
2021-12-29T12:37:31.063Z DEBUG modem << %MDMEV: SEARCH STATUS 2
2021-12-29T12:37:38.643Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 35,1,14,2
2021-12-29T12:37:46.324Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 37,1,20,2
2021-12-29T12:37:48.826Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 42,2,23,3
2021-12-29T12:37:51.419Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,20,2
2021-12-29T12:37:59.143Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 41,2,24,3
2021-12-29T12:38:40.103Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,20,2
2021-12-29T12:38:42.585Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 40,2,25,3
2021-12-29T12:38:47.718Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,18,2
2021-12-29T12:39:10.824Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 29,1,6,0
2021-12-29T12:39:18.460Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 39,1,15,2
2021-12-29T12:39:23.581Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 39,1,21,3
2021-12-29T12:39:38.984Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 34,1,4,0
2021-12-29T12:39:41.543Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 39,1,17,2
2021-12-29T12:39:49.147Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 41,2,26,3
2021-12-29T12:39:59.465Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 38,1,16,2
2021-12-29T12:40:01.981Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 40,2,23,3
2021-12-29T12:40:12.221Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,18,2
2021-12-29T12:40:17.367Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 40,2,23,3
2021-12-29T12:40:40.405Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 35,1,14,2
2021-12-29T12:40:48.026Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 35,1,19,2
2021-12-29T12:40:53.148Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 39,1,24,3
2021-12-29T12:40:58.344Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 33,1,9,1
2021-12-29T12:41:00.827Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,19,2
2021-12-29T12:41:21.385Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 31,1,4,0
2021-12-29T12:41:23.882Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,17,2
2021-12-29T12:41:26.504Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 33,1,6,0
2021-12-29T12:41:29.066Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 33,1,12,1
2021-12-29T12:41:34.073Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 31,1,7,1
2021-12-29T12:43:48.387Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 255,0,255,0
2021-12-29T12:43:48.636Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 35,1,17,2
2021-12-29T12:43:49.866Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 33,1,12,1
2021-12-29T12:43:52.427Z DEBUG modem << %CESQ: 36,1,18,2

hello again,

I tried you recommended "at_client" sample  and above noted "AT" command but modem didn't turn on. I wait at least 12 minutes. The terminal widow show only range of receivec signal qualities as in above Figure. I have attached the log file as you said. Can check it and give any recommendations. 

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Captain CK said:

I tried you recommended "at_client" sample  and above noted "AT" command but modem didn't turn on.

The modem turns on, but it is not able to connect to a network. Instead, it is rejected with reject cause 15.

2021-12-29T12:37:14.712Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"A9F6","000AF905",9
2021-12-29T12:37:15.484Z DEBUG modem << +CNEC_EMM: 15
2021-12-29T12:37:15.512Z DEBUG modem << +CEREG: 2,"A9F6","000AF905",9,0,15

Cause #15 – No suitable cells in tracking area

This EMM cause is sent to the UE if it requests service, or if the network initiates a detach request, in a tracking area where the UE, by subscription, is not allowed to operate, but when it should find another allowed tracking area or location area in the same PLMN or an equivalent PLMN.

This usually indicates a problem with the subscription or the network, e.g. NB-IoT is not supported.

Captain CK said:

Also I have another question how do I configure CAT LTE M1 configuration on nRF9160 DK, can you give any guide or recommendation on this. If there is AT commands for this add them too.

You can use the AT%XSYSTEMMODE command:

AT%XSYSTEMMODE=1,0,1,0 (this will also enable GPS, if you don't want/need that, change the second 1 to 0).

You can then store the setting in modem flash with AT+CEREG=0.

Note that the %XSYSTEMMODE command only can be used when the modem is in flight mode (+CFUN=4) or offline (+CFUN=0).