NB Scan Networks
This example prints out the IMEI number of the modem, then checks to see if it's connected to a carrier and prints out its signal strength. It also scans for all nearby networks.
Hardware Required
- Arduino MKR NB 1500
- antenna
- SIM card enable for Data
Circuit
Code
First, import the NB library
#include <MKRNB.h>
SIM cards may have a PIN number that enables their functionality. Define the PIN for your SIM. If your SIM has no PIN, you can leave it blank :
#define PINNUMBER ""
Initialize instances of the classes you're going to use. You're going to need the NB, NBScanner, and NBModem classes.
NBScanner scannerNetworks;
NBModem modemTest;
Create a variable to hold the IMEI number, and a status messages to send to the serial monitor:
String errortext = "ERROR";
In setup, open a serial connection to the computer. After opening the connection, send a message to the Serial Monitor indicating the sketch has started. Call @scannerNetworks.begin()@@ to reset the modem.
Serial.begin(9600);
Serial.println("NB networks scanner");
scannerNetworks.begin();
Create a local variable to track the connection status. You'll use this to keep the sketch from starting until the SIM is connected to the network :
Connect to the network by calling gsmAccess.begin(). It takes the SIM card's PIN as an argument. By placing this inside a while() loop, you can continually check the status of the connection. When the modem does connect, nbAccess() will return NB_READY. Use this as a flag to set the connected variable to true or false. Once connected, the remainder of setup will run.
{
if ((nbAccess.begin(PINNUMBER) == GSM_READY) &&
(gprs.attachGPRS() == GPRS_READY)) {
connected = true;
else
{
Serial.println("Not connected");
delay(1000);
}
}
Get the IMEI of the modem with modemTest.getIMEI() and print it out to the serial monitor.
IMEI = modemTest.getIMEI();
IMEI.replace("\n","");
if(IMEI != NULL)
Serial.println(IMEI);
In loop(), scan and print out all available networks. This may take some time
Serial.println(scannerNetworks.readNetworks());
Print out the current connected carrier, and the strength of the signal. Signal strength is on a scale of 0-31, where 0 is the lowest, and 31 is the highest. close the loop().
Serial.println(scannerNetworks.getCurrentCarrier());
Serial.print("Signal Strength: ");
Serial.print(scannerNetworks.getSignalStrength());
Serial.println(" [0-31]");
Once your code is uploaded, open the serial monitor to see the status of the connection.
The complete sketch is below.
NB Scan Networks
This example prints out the IMEI number of the modem,
then checks to see if it's connected to a carrier.
Then it scans for nearby networks and prints out their signal strengths.
Circuit:
* MKR NB 1500 board
* Antenna
* SIM card
Created 8 Mar 2012
by Tom Igoe, implemented by Javier Carazo
Modified 4 Feb 2013
by Scott Fitzgerald
*/
// libraries
#include <MKRNB.h>
#include "arduino_secrets.h"
// Please enter your sensitive data in the Secret tab or arduino_secrets.h
// PIN Number
const char PINNUMBER[] = SECRET_PINNUMBER;
// initialize the library instance
NB nbAccess; // include a 'true' parameter to enable debugging
NBScanner scannerNetworks;
NBModem modemTest;
// Save data variables
String IMEI = "";
// serial monitor result messages
String errortext = "ERROR";
void setup() {
// initialize serial communications and wait for port to open:
Serial.begin(9600);
while (!Serial) {
; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for Leonardo only
}
Serial.println("NB IoT/LTE Cat M1 networks scanner");
scannerNetworks.begin();
// connection state
boolean connected = false;
// Start module
// If your SIM has PIN, pass it as a parameter of begin() in quotes
while (!connected) {
if (nbAccess.begin(PINNUMBER) == NB_READY) {
connected = true;
} else {
Serial.println("Not connected");
delay(1000);
}
}
// get modem parameters
// IMEI, modem unique identifier
Serial.print("Modem IMEI: ");
IMEI = modemTest.getIMEI();
IMEI.replace("\n", "");
if (IMEI != NULL) {
Serial.println(IMEI);
}
}
void loop() {
// currently connected carrier
Serial.print("Current carrier: ");
Serial.println(scannerNetworks.getCurrentCarrier());
// returns strength and ber
// signal strength in 0-31 scale. 31 means power > 51dBm
// BER is the Bit Error Rate. 0-7 scale. 99=not detectable
Serial.print("Signal Strength: ");
Serial.print(scannerNetworks.getSignalStrength());
Serial.println(" [0-31]");
// scan for existing networks, displays a list of networks
Serial.println("Scanning available networks. May take some seconds.");
Serial.println(scannerNetworks.readNetworks());
// wait ten seconds before scanning again
delay(10000);
}
See Also:
- Arduino MKR NB 1500 – Complete product description.
- Getting started with the MKR NB 1500 – Get everything set up in minutes.
- MKRNB library – Your reference for the NB Library.
- MKRNBToolsTestGPRS - Tries to access the internet over GPRS.
- MKRNBToolsPinManagement - How to to change or remove the PIN number.
- MKRNBToolsTestModem - Tests to see if the modem of the MKR NB 1500 is working correctly.
- MKRNBToolsTestWebServer - A simple web server that replies with nothing, but prints the client's request and the server IP address.
Last revision 2018/11/27 by SM
