1 Hardware Getting started
1.1 Out of the box
The following items are included in the Murata Type1SC evaluation kit:
- Type1SC board
- 2 Mini USB to USB type A cables
- Antenna
Only a single mini USB is required for development and testing. Plug one of the USB cables into UART0, the right USB port
1.2 SIM Card
The UMTS & ELT EVB accepts a micro SIM card. Ensure that the SIM is subscribed to NTN connectivity.
Insert the SIM card with the metal pads facing down
Push the SIM card in until it clicks into place
1.3 Power the board
Both USB ports are able to supply power to the board
1.4 Power on instructions
Once the device is assembled, connect power to the board. Press SW 2 (The middle button) and the board will start up.
2 Software Getting Started
2.1 USB Drivers
Murata recommends installing the drivers from the following page: https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers
We recommend using the CP210x VCP Windows driver as it is the easiest to install.
Extract the ZIP file and run the installer executable for your architecture (usually x64).
After running the installer, the device now shows up in device manager:
Keep note of the COM port.
3 Sending AT Commands: PuTTy
This is the easiest way to get connected and the most standard.
Install putty
Once putty in installed, change the connection type to serial, set the baud rate to 115200, and the Serial line to the port listed in task manager:
Connecting to Skylo
Ensure that before you attempt to connect, you have a clear view of the sky. Skylo utilizes geo-stationary satellites, and thus ensure that the horizon is clear towards the equator. Avoid indoor areas. Working by a window may work but the best results will be outdoors.
Ensure the SIM card is inserted and the antennas are attached.
First, restore the factory settings of the board and restart to clear any prior configurations.
AT+QPRTPARA=1
Reset Non Volatile Memory.
AT+QPRTPARA=3
Restore Factory Settings
AT+CFUN=1,1
Reboot board
The following commands will configure the BG95-S5 to be ready to communicate through the satellites!
AT+COPS=0
AT+COPS=0 sets the board into automatic network selection mode.
AT+QCFG="iotopmode",3
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3
AT+QCFG=”iotopmode”,3 sets the board to use NB-IoT instead of CAT M1. NB-IoT is needed to be able to send a signal distinct enough to be detected by the satellites.
AT+QCFG=”nwscanmode”,3 sets the board will only scan for LTE networks. This is important since we are in automatic network detection.
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","skylo.ip"
Here we are setting the APN (Access Point Name) for the device. Having the correct APN for the network you are trying to connect to is crucial. The above APN is for a Skylo SIM card, so ensure this setting is correct for the Skylo partner you are trying to connect to.
AT+QCFG="band",0xf,0x100002000000000f0e189f,0x10004200000000090e189f,0x1,1
The above command sets the specific band for the board to use. Here is a breakdown of the command:
0xf is the GSM_bandval. Setting it to 0xf has the board use all supported bands ( EGSM900, DCS1800, GSM850, PCS1900)
0x100002000000000f0e189f is the eMTC_bandval. It is a mask setting the board to the following eMTC LTE bands:
B2, B3, B4, B5, B8, B12, B13, B18, B19, B20, B25, B27, B28, B66, and B73.
The next value is the NB-IoT_bandval. The value is also a mask which sets the board to the same LTE bands.
0x1 tells the board which NTN band to use. This is based on regulatory requirements and changes from region.
- 0x1: 23 For North America
- 0x2: 255 L Band Global
- 0x4: 256 S Band Europe
1 tells the board to apply these settings immediately.
Once these commands are run, the BG95 should have a connection. You can verify this with the following commands:
AT+CSQ
This command will return 2 values. The first value is the signal strength indicator. It ranges from 0-31, with a higher value indicating stronger strength. When using NTN connectivity, it is expected to have a signal strength of below 5. If it returns 99, then the board does not have signal. The second value is the bit error rate. 99 means unknown, and is the expected result.
AT+QNWINFO
This command returns the access technology, network operator, and band selected. It will return “No service” if there it cannot access a network
AT+QENG="servingcell"
This command will return information about the servicing cell. If there is no signal, it will return “no service”. If it is unable to register with the network, There may be a lot of empty values.
AT+QPING=1,"8.8.8.8",3
Send out a Ping over the satellite connection and check for response.
Troubleshooting
Many issues may come down to signal quality. Skylo utilizes geostationary satellites, which orbit above the equator at 35,700 km. Ensure that the board has a clear unobstructed view towards the equator to maximize signal strength.
To test this, try utilizing the GNSS capabilities of the board. This is a good test to see if you can pick up the signals of satellites to begin with. First, enable the GNSS on the board.
AT+QGPS=1
AT+QGPSCFG="gnssconfig",1
AT+QGPSCFG="nmeafmt",1
Next, poll for the location. Note that it can take up to a few minutes to fix a location. If after a few minutes, no location is available, it may indicate that you are in a suboptimal position to receive signals.
AT+QGPSLOC=2
Another issue could be network registration. If AT+QENG is returning empty values, your board could be getting rejected by the network. Ensure you are using the correct APN and your SIM is subscribed to NTN connectivity.
5 Power off the board
To safely shut off the board, send the AT command AT+QPOWD, or press down the PWRKEY button on the board for 1 second. Then switch the power slider to the OFF position.
6 Helpful Links