NimbeLink Skywire NL-SWDK User manual
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1.Introduction
1.1OrderablePartNumbers
1.2ProductOverview
1.3BlockDiagram
2.ConnecttoKitusingaPC
2.1UnpackKitContents
2.2Skywire™Placement
2.3AttachAntennatoBaseboard
2.4EnsureheaderJ6isshortedwith2pinJumper
2.5Plugin12VPowerSupplytoconnectorJ15
2.6PlugUSBcableintoconnectorJ14andPC
2.7PressandholdbuttonS1topoweronthemodem
2.8OpenTeraTermorsimilarterminalemulator
2.9TestSerialCommunication
2.10TestSignalStrength
2.11ActivateModem(onetimestep)
2.12SIMCardDetection(GSMOnly)
2.13SendModemActivationString(1xRTTandEVDOonly)
2.14SetupPDPContext(GSMandLTEOnly)
2.15TestNetworkCommunication
3.CommonNextSteps
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1.Introduction
1.1OrderablePartNumbers
OrderableDevice
Description
Carrier
Network
Type
NLSWDK
SkywireDevelopmentKit
Any
Any
NLSW1xRTTA
2G1xRTT
Aeris
CDMA
NLSW1xRTTS
2G1xRTT
Sprint
CDMA
NLSW1xRTTV
2G1xRTT
Verizon
CDMA
NLSWGPRS
2GGPRS
AnyGSM(AT&T,
TMobile,etc.)
GSM
NLSWEVDOA
3GEVDO,GPS,GLONASS
Aeris
CDMA
NLSWEVDOV
3GEVDO,GPS,GLONASS
Verizon
CDMA
NLSWHSPAP
3GHSPA+
AnyGSM(AT&T,
TMobile,etc.)
GSM
NLSWHSPAPE
3GHSPA+,EuropeanVersion
AnyEUGSM
GSM
NLSWHSPAPG
3GHSPA+,GPS,GLONASS
AnyGSM(AT&T,
TMobile,etc.)
GSM
NLSWLTETSVG
LTEwithoutFallback,GPS,GLONASS
Verizon
CDMA
NLSWLTETNAG
LETwithHSPA+Fallback,GPS,GLONASS
AnyGSM(AT&T,
TMobile,etc.)
GSM
NLSWLTETEUG
LTEwithHSPA+Fallback,GPS,GLONASS,
EU
AnyEUGSM
GSM
NLSWLTEGELS3
LTECAT1,Verizon
Verizon
CDMA
1.2ProductOverview
The Skywire™ Development Kit includes one baseboard, antenna, power supply, SIM cards, and
debug cables. Skywire modems must be purchased separately. The kit enables you to develop your
applicationdirectlyontheSkywire™modemwiththreedifferentwaystoconnect:
● Connect your PC to the xE910 modem UART port via onboard USBtoUART converter and
send AT commands directly to the modem through PC terminal applications.You can also
connectoverUSBforaccesstomultipleCOMports.
● The kit is an Arduino shield, so you can plug the kit directly onto an Arduino microcontroller.
PleaseseeSection3:CommonNextStepsforlinkstoexampledocumentation.
● To connect the kit to a different processor or development kit, a 14pin header breaks out the
necessary signals for easy connection to any device. The modem supports I/O levels from
1.655.5V,simplifyingconnectiontoothersystems.
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1.3BlockDiagram
*X2andX3U.FLconnectorsnotpresentonallmodems.
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2.ConnecttoKitusingaPC
This section covers how to connect your development kit to a PC and provision the modem with your
cellular plan. It also covers how to communicate over the serial port to the Telit x910 modem which
only requires the use of USB port and connector marked J14 or USB2 in the diagram below. USB1
(connectorJ5)isusedforTelitfirmwareupdatestothemodemandisnotusedinthissection.
2.1UnpackKitContents
Note:TheSkywire™DevelopmentKitalsocomeswithSIMcards(notpictured)
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2.2Skywire™Placement
TomountyourSkywire™Cellularmodemfollowthesesteps:
1. Gatherthefollowing:
a. Skywire™DevelopmentKitboard
b. Skywire™CellularModem
c. U.FL extractor tool (Always use a U.FL extractor tool when placing or removing U.FL
cablesontheSkywire™modemtoavoiddamagingtheU.FLconnectors).
2. Line up your Skywire’s™ cellular U.FL connector(s) on the side of the board closest to the
antenna connector. Depending on the type of Skywire™ Modem you have there may be one,
two,orthreeU.FLconnections.
3. To avoid damage to the U.FL connector and maximize connector life, a U.FL removal tool
should be used when attaching/removing the U.FL connector. Always insert and remove the
U.FL connector with a force perpendicular to the board. If your Skywire™ is using GPS, attach
the GPS antenna to the bottom of the Skywire™ connector X3. If you are not using your
Skywire’s™GPSorifyourSkywire™doesnotsupportGPS,continuetostep4.
4. Attach the U.FL cable to the top U.FL connector X1 on the Skywire™. If you are using a
Skywire™withthecellulardiversityantennaoptionattachasecondantennatoconnectorX2.
5. Carefully seat your Skywire™ into the board’s Skywire™ socket (U1). Take care to ensure that
thepinsarecorrectlyaligned.FailuretoproperlyalignthepinsmaydamageyourSkywire™.
A common issue is accidentally inserting the modem with pins misaligned
by one row. Check pin alignment BEFORE applying power to prevent
modemdamage.
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2.3AttachAntennatoBaseboard
AntennascrewsontoSMAconnectorwithaclockwiserotation
2.4EnsureheaderJ6isshortedwith2pinJumper
ThisenablesUSBtoUARTcommunicationbetweenthePCandthemodem.
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2.5Plugin12VPowerSupplytoconnectorJ15
2.6PlugUSBcableintoconnectorJ14andPC
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2.7PressandholdbuttonS1topoweronthemodem
Please see the table below for the length of time needed to hold down button S1 for your particular
modem.
Device
HoldTime(t
h
)forButton
S1ToResettheModem
WaitTime(t
w
)Before
SoftwareCommunication*
LEDD1Activity
NLSW1xRTTA
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Blinkonce
NLSW1xRTTS
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Blinkonce
NLSW1xRTTV
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Blinkonce
NLSWGPRS
t
h
>5seconds
t
w
>10second
Blinkonce
NLSWEVDOA
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Blinktwice
NLSWEVDOV
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Blinktwice
NLSWHSPAP
t
h
>5seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Solidon
NLSWHSPAPE
t
h
>5seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Solidon
NLSWHSPAPG
t
h
>5seconds
t
w
>10seconds
Solidon
NLSWLTETSVG
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>15seconds
Noactivity
NLSWLTETNAG
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>15seconds
Noactivity
NLSWLTETEUG
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>15seconds
Noactivity
NLSWLTEGELS3
1second<t
h
<2seconds
t
w
>30seconds
Solidon
*Note:Dependingonyourmodemanddependingonthesetup,themodemmaybeavailableforuse
beforet
w
.
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2.8OpenTeraTermorsimilarterminalemulator
If you do not have a terminal emulator program, you can get Tera Term here:
http://logmett.com/index.php?/download/teraterm486freeware.html
Your PC may have multiple COM ports. Select appropriate USB COM port to communicate with the
developmentkit.
SerialSettingsshouldbeasfollows(thesearethedefaultsettings):
BaudRate: 115,200bps
Data: 8bit
Parity: none
Stop: 1bit
FlowControl: none
2.9TestSerialCommunication
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
Note: For the NLSWLTEGELS3, you may need to turn echo on in order to see what you are typing.
Ifyoutypethecommand:
AT
anddon’tseeitbeingtypedonyourscreen,hittheEnterkey,andtypethefollowingcommand:
ATE1
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalprogramshouldrespondwith:
OK
Typethefollowingcommand:
AT
to verify you can see the command you are typing. After pressing the Enter key, the terminal program
willrespondwith:
OK
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2.10TestSignalStrength
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CSQ
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CSQ:xx,yy
where xxis the signal strength of the antenna, and yyis the bit error rate in percent. Typical values
areasfollows:
Valuesofxx
RelativeSignalStrength
0–9
Marginal:113dBmto95dBm
10–14
OK:93dBmto85dBm
15–19
Good:83dBmto75dBm
20–30
Excellent:73dBmto53dBm
31
Excellent:51dBmorgreater
99
Notknownornotdetectable
Valuesofyy
BitErrorRate(inpercent)
0
Lessthan0.2%
1
0.2%to0.4%
2
0.4%to0.8%
3
0.8%to1.6%
4
1.6%to3.2%
5
3.2%to6.4%
6
6.4%to12.8%
7
Morethan12.8%
99
Notknownornotdetectable
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2.11ActivateModem(onetimestep)
If you are using a new Skywire
TM cellular module, it does not have an active
cellular plan. To activate a Verizon data plan, send an email to
[email protected]withthefollowinginformation:
Name
ContactPhoneNumber
For NLSW1xRTTV and NLSWEVDOV Modems: MEIDs of all
themodemsyouwouldliketoactivate
For NLSWLTETSVG Modems: IMEIs and SIM card ICIDs of all
themodemsyou’dliketoactivate.
PleaseseebelowpicturesforthelocationoftheIMEIandMEID
A NimbeLink staff member will contact you to activate the modems. To
activate the NEO SIM for GSM modems, please follow the directions printed
ontheAERISSIMCard.
The NEO SIM (2FF size) must be cut to the microSIM (3FF) form factor in
order to fit into the Skywire modems. Use the template at the following URL
tocutyourSIMcardtosize:
http://www.thechinacellphone.com/micro_sim_template.pdf
Activation of an Aeris SIM required a different process than Verizon
activation. Please consult the application notes on the NimbeLink website
fortheactivationprocedure.
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2.12SIMCardDetection(GSMOnly)
Appliesto:
NLSWGPRS
NLSWHSPAP
NLSWHSPAPE
NLSWHSPAPG
If you are using a Skywire™ GSM modem that uses a SIM card, you need to configure the Skywire™
modemtodetectit.
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT#SIMDET=1
followedbytheenterkey.Theterminalprogramwillrespondwith:
#SIMDET:1,1
ThiswillenabletheSkywire™SIMdetection.
2.13SendModemActivationString(1xRTTandEVDOonly)
Appliesto:
NLSW1xRTTV
NLSWEVDOV
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
ATD*22899;
followed by the Enter key, and the module will begin the activation process which can take several
minutes.Theterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
#OTASP:0
#OTASP:1
#OTASP:2
NOCARRIER
Forallotherresponses,reviewnetworkstatusresponsesonline.
2.14SetupPDPContext(GSMandLTEOnly)
Appliesto:
NLSWGPRS
NLSWHSPAP
NLSWHSPAPE
NLSWHSPAPG
NLSWLTETSVG
NLSWLTETNAG
NLSWLTETEUG
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NLSWLTEGELS3
Before you can successfully communicate with the network using a GSM or LTE Skywire™, you need
todefinethePDPcontext.
ForGSMmodems:
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT=1,“IP”,”
APN”
where APN is the individual APN for your network, followed by the Enter key, and the terminal
programshouldrespondwith:
OK
To find the APN information, please contact your service provider or consult “Defining PDP Contexts
andMessageServiceCenters”,locatedatthefollowingURL:
http://nimbelink.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/10/Skywire_Defining_PDP_Contxts_MsgServ_Ctrs.pdf
ToverifythattheAPNwassetcorrectly,intheterminalprogramtypethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CGDCONT:1,”IP”,”
APN”
as well as the other PDP context information on the device. To enable this setting, in the terminal
programtypethecommand:
AT#SGACT=1,1
followedbytheenterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
#SGACT:www.xxx.yyy.zzz
wherewww.xxx.yyy.zzzistheSkywire™modem’sIPaddress.
IftheAT#SGACTcommanddoesnotwork,theterminalwillrespondwith
#ERROR
and further setup may be necessary. Check the signal strength with AT+CSQ
to verify the Skywire™
is getting an acceptable signal. Otherwise, consult the Telit AT Command Reference Guide for your
particularmodem.
FortheVerizonCAT3LTESkywire™(NLSWLTETSVG):
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT#SCFG=3,3,300,90,600,50
followedbytheEnterkey.Theterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
Thisisconfigurationinformationforsettingupthecontextinthenextstep.
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT=3,“IP”,“
VerizonAPN”
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where Verizon APN is the specific APN to connect to for your intended use, followed by the Enter
key,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
TogetthespecificAPNsettingthatyouneed,pleasecontactVerizonorcontactNimbeLink.
ToverifythattheAPNwassetcorrectly,typethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CGDCONT:3,“IP”,“vzwinternet”
aswellastheotherPDPcontextinformationonthedevice.
Toenablethissetting,intheterminalprogramtypethecommand:
AT#SGACT=3,1
followedbytheenterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
#SGACT:www.xxx.yyy.zzz
wherewww.xxx.yyy.zzzistheSkywire™modem’sIPaddress.
IftheAT#SGACTcommanddoesnotwork,theterminalwillrespondwith
#ERROR
and further setup may be necessary. Check the signal strength with AT+CSQ
to verify the Skywire™
is getting an acceptable signal. Otherwise, consult the Telit AT Command Reference Guide for your
particularmodem.
FortheVerizonCAT1LTESkywire™(NLSWLTEGELS3):
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+SQNSCFG=3,3,300,90,600,50
followedbytheEnterkey.Theterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
Thisisconfigurationinformationforsettingupthecontextinthenextstep.
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT=3,“IP”,“
VerizonAPN”
where Verizon APN is the specific APN to connect to for your intended use, followed by the Enter
key,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
TogetthespecificAPNsettingthatyouneed,pleasecontactVerizonorcontactNimbeLink.
ToverifythattheAPNwassetcorrectly,typethecommand:
AT+CGDCONT?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
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+CGDCONT:3,“IP”,“vzwinternet”
aswellastheotherPDPcontextinformationonthedevice.
Toenablethissetting,intheterminalprogramtypethecommand:
AT+CGACT=1,3
followedbytheenterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
OK
IftheAT+CGACTcommanddoesnotwork,theterminalwillrespondwith
#ERROR
and further setup may be necessary. Check the signal strength with AT+CSQ
to verify the Skywire™
is getting an acceptable signal. Otherwise, consult the Nimbelink AT Command Manual for
NLSWLTEGELS3.
2.15TestNetworkCommunication
Thecommandstotestnetworkcommunicationdifferdependingonthemoduleyouhave.
Totestthesemodules:
NLSW1xRTTA
NLSW1xRTTS
NLSW1xRTTV
NLSWEVDOA
NLSWEVDOV
followthisprocedure:
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CREG?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CREG:0,1
or+CREG:0,5
Forallotherresponses,reviewnetworkstatusresponsesonline.
Totestthesemodules:
NLSWGPRS
NLSWHSPAP
NLSWHSPAPE
NLSWHSPAPG
NLSWLTETSVG
NLSWLTETNAG
NLSWLTETEUG
followthisprocedure:
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CGREG?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CREG:0,1
or+CREG:0,5
Forallotherresponses,reviewnetworkstatusresponsesonline.
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TotestNLSWLTEGELS3,followthisprocedure:
Intheterminalprogram,typethecommand:
AT+CEREG?
followedbytheEnterkey,andtheterminalshouldrespondwith:
+CEREG:2,1,xxxx,yyyyyyyy,z
Forallotherresponses,reviewnetworkstatusresponsesonline.
Reset power, and repeat steps 2.5 through 2.15 (as applicable) before
movingontoSection3.
3.CommonNextSteps
Once the network setup and testing is complete, you are ready to start developing with
your Skywire™ modem. Common application examples include sending and receiving
SMS messages, FTP file transfer, TCP/UDP packets, and using the modem with an
external microcontroller, such as an Arduino. Please consult these application notes on
the Skywire™ Development Kit page (http://nimbelink.com/skywiredevelopmentkit/) for
specificexamplesofeachtypeofoperation.
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