AT%XRFTEST LTE-M CW B14 returns ERROR

[Michal Mühlpachr]

Hi,

why 

AT%XRFTEST=1,1,14,7880,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0
AT%XRFTEST=1,1,14,7930,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0
AT%XRFTEST=1,1,14,7980,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0

returns ERROR but e.g.

AT%XRFTEST=1,1,13,7770,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0
AT%XRFTEST=1,1,13,7820,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0
AT%XRFTEST=1,1,13,7870,23,1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0

works fine ?

Regards,
Michal

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Unfortunately, Band 14 is not supported, as per the modem release notes:

*** mfw_nrf9160_1.3.2
*********************

The mfw_nrf9160 is the firmware for the modem subsystem of nRF9160. It supports 3GPP LTE release 13
LTE-M and NB-IoT standards, selected optional 3GPP LTE release 14 features, GPS L1C/A and QZSS L1C/A
positioning.

LTE-M operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 and 66.
...

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Michal Mühlpachr]

How unsuported bands (B14, B17) can be certified ?

www.nordicsemi.com/.../nRF9160-Certifications

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Band 14 was supported up to mfw v1.1.2, where it was removed from mfw v1.1.3 release:

*** Changes
***********
- E-UTRA Cat-M1 Band 14 support removed.

Band 17 was removed with mfw_nrf9160_1.2.1.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Michal Mühlpachr]

Why it is not updated in https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/pdf/nRF9160_PS_v2.1.pdf ?

nRF9160 features
7.6.1 Key RF parameters for Cat-M1
7.6.2 Key RF parameters for Cat-NB1 and Cat-NB2

Our certification body seams to have trouble that product specification is not in line with product properties.

Kind regards,
Michal

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

I understand the confusion, and I'll report this internally.

What we state in the PS is:

LTE band support in hardware

The hardware still supports this, but it has to be matched with the modem fw that also supports the specific band(s) you're after.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Michal Mühlpachr]

Hi, thanks for clarification.

What is reason to remove band support in modem fw please?

Kind regards,
Michal

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

They're not used for "normal" communication.

Example: Band 14 is a first responder band: https://www.digi.com/blog/post/what-is-firstnet-band-14

 

Kind regards,

Håkon