SARA-R5: Registration Status Not Registered

Wireless & IoT Cellular
1

Hi,

We have recently purchased the SparkFun LTE GNSS Breakout - SARA-R5, and we are trying to configure it.

Apparently, when I use the m-center from ublox, and I get Registration Status as not registered.

The SIM looks OK and I can read the IMSI of the SIM card when I issue the CIMI AT command.

The LEDs of the board look weird.

  • The ON status looks okay since the LED is turned White.

  • Nt and TP are OFF

  • 3V3 is Red

  • VIN is Orange

-Rx and Tx are off

Please note that I have conected the board to my PC using a USB Cable.

Thanks,

Michalis

2

Strange; are any of the rear-side jumpers modified? https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/lt … e-overview

Have you attempted a factory reset, or swapping to a known-good SIM? https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/b/6/2/4 … 47455_.pdf

3

Hi,

I am using the module out of the box. I did not connect any jumper cables. The only cables I have connected are the USB cable and the two antennas (GPS and cellular)

I’ve tried sim cards from 3 different operators which are working fine for normal mobile phones.

Regarding the factory reset, do you mean I should issue the AT Command +UFACTORY?

Thanks for your reply,

Regards,

Michalis

4

Yep - any luck?

5

Hi,

I’m having the precisely same problem - Network not registered.

I have tried a working SIM and the same issue - Network not registered.

I have tried the Hologram SIM that came with the Sparkfun device on my phone and is registered as Roaming.

It like the LTE is not working at all.

I tried factory reset…seems to have done nothing.

Please help.

Julian.

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6

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/18031

Hi,

Here is some more info regarding my issue.

I recently purchased a “SparkFun LTE GNSS Breakout - SARA-R5”, installed the m-center software, connected the device to my PC’s USB and the m-centre application successfully connected to the device. I am able to send AT commands to the device and see the response.

I am located in Australia, and the Hologram SIM is supposed to work here but I continuously am unable to connect to the Hologram operator. In fact, I can’t even received any signal from any tower. The Hologram SIM is detectable on my mobile phone, so there is no problem with the SIM. I am thinking that there is something wrong with the embedded LTE hardware. I have connected a proper broad band LTE antenna, even checked it on a Vector Network Analyser, so this is not causing any problems. Is there something I’m missing here on why I can’t receive any LTE signal?

Is someone able to please provide a list of AT commands that should get my device up and registered to the Hologram network, to see if it works? Otherwise, I have no other option but to contact the seller (Mouser) and request a replacement due to a possible hardware fault.

Has anyone else ever had the same issue, and solved it?

Can anybody help solve this issue please or provide some help?

Thanks.

Julian

7

Hello again,

It appears the LTE ANT pin is shorted to GND! Is this normal?

I received a replacement , and the same issue - the LTE ANT pin is shorted to GND!

The supplier’s entire batch probably has the same issue, so there no point in asking for a 2nd replacement.

Thanks.

Julian

8

Hi,

I managed to sort this issue out. Apparently my +URAT was set to 8 (NB1) and not 7 (M1), despite Sparkfun stating somewhere that the installed Sara-R5 device is the -00B, so I assumed the +URAT could never be 8. However, the kit does have the Sara-R5 device -01B installed and the default of +URAT is 8. My carrier does not support NB1, obviously!

Julian