# M6E Nano - No serial comms **URL:** \ **Category:** NFC & RFID\ **Created:** [December 23, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217 "2021-12-23T21:56:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/1 "2021-12-23T21:56:22Z")
I have the Simultaneous RFID Tag reader (M6E Nano) and am unable to get serial communications. The Universal Reader Assistant software refuses to connect. Windows 10 64 bit and using 64Bit version of the software. I am using the breakout board FTDI pins using a 5V FTDI cable from Adafruit. - I have done a successful loop-back (rx to tx) test and the FTDI cable is working. - The red power led is always on when connected. - JP1 on the breakout is connected. - Using the on-board antenna (jumpers are correct) - I have tried multiple USB ports - I have tried a desktop power supply, which draws 220mA@5VDC and still no communication with RX/TX/GND connected from the FTDI cable. - I am selecting 115200 baud in the software - Checked COM Port (made note of all ports, unplugged cable… made note of what port disappeared… reconnected) - Nothing is NEAR or TOUCHING anything it shouldn’t be (ground plane, unused pins etc.) Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 9:42am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/2 "2021-12-24T09:42:43Z")
URA normally works and as far as I can see you have done already a lot of good diagnosing. Did the Nano worked before or did you have other issues with it? If it is new, I would return it I assume the com-port is detected and you can get into the main screen. If you enable the transport logs (in the connect tab). What info does that show? A very weird question… but it has happened that people connected the USB/Serial the wrong way around to the Nano board. The led will also be on… but not all the time. Maybe double-check. You already indicated that connecting RX/TX created a loopback… still try to use another USB cable for test. If you happen to have an Arduino or variant, you could try to connect it to the board with the Sparkfun library. As the last option to consider Only once someone had a problem that the firmware on the NANO was damaged and thus could not connect. There is a tab Firmware/license update in the URA. He was able to burn the new firmware and got it running. The firmware is available on [https://www.jadaktech.com/resources/rfi … s|firmware](https://www.jadaktech.com/resources/rfid-document-library/?rfid_software=apis%7Cfirmware). Make sure to use the 1.9 version. If you drop me a PM with your email I can also send you the zip file with the firmware. ---
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/3 "2021-12-24T19:26:54Z")
Thanks for the response Paul, I have confirmed the cable is the right way (grn on grn, blk on blk) and I have even broke out those pins so i can switch rx/tx just in case there was some screwup pinning the cable from factory, to no effect. The Nano is straight out of the bag from digikey. One thing I am going to try today is to build a logic level converter inline with tx and rx. Reading the specs on the FTDI cable I have it says that it is 5V BUT the rx/tx lines are at 3v3. Which would work with any 5v/3v3 system BUT the on board converter on the nano MAY need a 5V swing on the rx/tx lines. Basically Im going to have to go from 3v3 to 5v then back to 3v3 into the nano. If that doesn’t work i will attempt a firmware update… but don’t see how I can do that if I can’t even get it to connect. I’ll let you know what happens. ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/4 "2021-12-24T19:46:58Z")
if it is new… I would return it and do not even try a firmware update… I would consider it a DOA ( Dead ON Arrival)… ---
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/5 "2021-12-24T22:23:49Z")
Built a logic level converter and tested via loopback (rx to tx) and the circuit works fine. Connected the Nano (also tried switching rx/tx to tx/rx just to be sure) and it does not communicate. Tried powering with both USB power and Power Supply power (not at the same time obviously) Checked windows drivers to ensure the latest FTDI driver, and I have and am using the latest one (which was downloaded via windows update when FTDI cable was first plugged in.) All transport logs look like this: ```auto 12-24-2021 04:13:16.824 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-24-2021 04:13:16.924 PM Received 12-24-2021 04:13:16.924 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-24-2021 04:13:21.925 PM Received 12-24-2021 04:13:21.926 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C etc.... ``` Unless anyone has any suggestions… I guess all I can do is get a new FTDI cable and if that doesn’t work RMA it. ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 9:36am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/6 "2021-12-25T09:36:57Z")
it is requesting the hardware/firmware level and gets no response. What do you see in the log if you connect TX and RX. does it show receiving what you send? if so it will not be your FTDI cable… ---
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/7 "2021-12-25T23:56:41Z")
Ya, I have already proven the cable works with multiple loop-back tests. I always get back what I send (with echo OFF) But Just for fun I connected RX to TX on my cable and ran the test again via the URA software. The Transport Log looks the same as all the others, FF 00 03 1D 0C is sent and nothing is Received. When you hook RX to TX on your cable and run the URA software do you get the same result? ```auto 12-25-2021 05:50:11.181 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:11.290 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:11.290 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:16.302 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:16.302 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:21.322 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:21.322 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:26.327 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:26.328 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:31.348 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:31.349 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:36.352 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:36.353 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:41.357 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:41.358 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:46.361 PM Received 12-25-2021 05:50:46.362 PM Sending FF 00 03 1D 0C 12-25-2021 05:50:51.366 PM Received ``` ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 9:31am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/8 "2021-12-26T09:31:18Z")
just tried it… get the same result as you… no echo to be seen by connecting RX and TX ---
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/9 "2021-12-27T00:20:36Z")
Also just tried one of the example sketches on a 5v uno board… “Module failed to respond. Please check wiring.” Using the Serial Header on the opposite side of the antenna… so HW/SW serial switch not in play. ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 9:36am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/10 "2021-12-27T09:36:57Z")
I would return it and get a replacement. OR try to upload the new firmware as stated earlier. Uploading the firmware is using a different protocol than a normal connect. ---
**Author:** ![JonGordon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jongordon/32/410_2.png) [@JonGordon](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JonGordon)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 3:45am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/11 "2022-01-02T03:45:39Z")
I purchased a new M6E Nano board, and another [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15096](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/15096) USB/Serial converter (just to be sure) Switched the converter to 5V and plugged it into the new board… everything works! Plugged it into the old board… everything works :x I don’t know how or why the old cable, which is proven to work… will not communicate EVEN AFTER going through a logic level converter AND powering the RFID board from external 5V (with a common ground). But… here we are. ---
**Author:** ![paulvha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@paulvha](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/paulvha)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2022, 9:33am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/12 "2022-01-02T09:33:47Z")
good to hear it works. A good point for others to check in case it does not work. My Nano works OK on 3V3, but as soon as I start to read or write a tag it can fail and I need the 5V or an external power supply to the board. ---
**Author:** ![monore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@monore](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/monore)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/m6e-nano-no-serial-comms/43217/13 "2022-01-08T02:11:47Z")
Didn’t read the post in depth (sorry, too lazy!) But in case is relevant and you are interested: [viewtopic.php?f=102&t=56879](https://forum.sparkfun.com/viewtopic.php?f=102&t=56879) [https://github.com/sparkfun/Simultaneou … 1003076756](https://github.com/sparkfun/Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader/issues/10#issuecomment-1003076756) I kind of have an unhealthy obsession over the issue, so I recently ordered an FTDI cable from Adafruit to test against ([https://www.adafruit.com/product/70](https://www.adafruit.com/product/70)), just out of curiosity, are you using that same cable?