Difference between revisions of "HW SW FAQ"

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Revision as of 20:33, 11 March 2014

  1. How to use the modem on this cape for establishing data connection?

Ans : Please refer to Application notes for configuring Cape for first time use and configuring for data connection using PPP/wvdial in debian wheezy or Angstrom.

  1. How to use the GPS module on this cape ?

Ans : Please refer to Application notes for Configuring Cape for first time use and GPS location and NTP Synchronization in Debian Wheezy or Angstrom.

  1. What are various applications of having GPS module on this cape? How can I use them ?

Ans : Please refer to Application note for GPS Location and NTP Synchronization in Debian Wheezy or Angstrom.


  1. How to set the PPP settings for a service provider ?

Ans : Please refer to Application note for Configuring for data connection using PPP/Wvdial in Debian Wheezy or Angstrom


  1. How to use the modem wtihWvdial ?

Ans : Please refer to Application note for Configuring for data connection using Wvdial in Debian Wheezy or Angstrom


  1. What all software patches do I need to use this cape ? Are there any images readily available to use it on the go ?

Ans : To use GPS Module completely, PPS drivers for GPIO enabled in kernel and NTP packages to be installed.

To use Modem, Wvdial and/or PPP files need to configured for establishing PPP connection.

All this is available in a Downloadable image for both Angstrom and Debian Wheezy as a normal SD card image or EMMC flasher image.

Kernel patch files are also available for use with pre-existing Debian/Angstrom Images and steps for compiling kernel for these drivers and installing packages are provided here. Please refer to Application notes for more details.


  1. Which all OS does the Cape support ? Can I use it with Android on Beaglebone Black ?

Ans: Currently Our Cape has full support on Debian Wheezy and Angstrom Linux. We are working to expand it for use with Android and other OS that Beaglebone Black supports.


  1. Cape/Modem was not Powered off when I shut Beaglebone Black down by pressing Power button or executing shutdown command ?

Ans: When Beaglebone Black is shutdown with Power adapter still plugged in then Modem just resets and turns back on because it draws power directly from Power Adapter and not the PMIC on Beaglebone Black.

So, usually when remotely shutting down Beaglebone Black, Turn off the Modem before that . Resetting Beagle bone Black resets the Modem in any case.

GPS module simply turns off when Beaglebone Black is shutdown.


  1. PPP is established, but I cannot access/login to Beaglebone Black over PPP IP ?

Ans : After establishing PPP connection and ensuring that it has been established properly, the Network Gateway on the Beaglebone black has to be switched from eth0 by default to the ppp0 .

It can be done using following commands :

GW=$(ip address show ppp0 | awk ‘/peer/ {print $4}’ | cut –d “/” –f1)

ip route replace default via $GW dev ppp0

You can simply replace the ‘GW’ by the Gateway ip for ppp0 too by looking from ifconfig output.

Now, check status of gateway being changed from eth0 to ppp0 by

netstat –arn

Similarly, you can reset back from ppp0 to eth0


  1. How to enable PPP redial when connection drops in between ?

Ans:


  1. What are the GPIOs for Resetting or turning ON/OFF the Modem and the GPS module?

Ans: For turning the Modem On or Off, GPIO 45 is used. GPIO45 should be high by default.

For Soft Resetting, cycle GPIO45 through OFF and then ON .

For Hard Resetting the modem, GPIO 60 is used. GPIO60 should be high by default

For Resetting the GPS module, GPIO50 is used. GPIO50 should be high by default.

There is no ON/OFF control for GPS Module.

Alternatively, push button switches can be used instead of GPIOs.

Please refer to Application notes for more information.


  1. At which port is GPS NMEA data coming?

Ans : GPS NMEA data is coming at UART4 or /dev/ttyO4 .

As a root user you can do the following :

stty –F /dev/ttyO4 19200 raw

cat /dev/ttyO4

or see the data over minicom at ttyO4 port.


  1. What are AT command settings for modem?

Ans : There is a AT command set available for the Modems . They can be downloaded from here.

AT command port for GPRS modem is /dev/ttyO1 at baud rate 115200 8N1.


  1. How to know whether PPP has been established successfully?

Ans : Please refer to Application note for Configuring Data connection using Wvdial/PPP for more details.


  1. How to see the NTP server data?

Ans : After starting NTP server, its data can be seen by using following query command :

ntpq –p

This would list all the peers that you have entered in your ntp.conf file.


  1. How to check that pps input data is coming ?

Ans: PPS inut data from GPS module is coming at /dev/pps1 after it has got a Fix . As a root user, follow these commands :

cd /usr/src/pps-tools

./ppstest /dev/pps1


The output should be something like this for a valid pps input

trying PPS source "/dev/pps1"

found PPS source "/dev/pps1"

ok, found 1 source(s), now start fetching data...

source 0 - assert 1392269685.015340936, sequence: 53 - clear 0.000000000, sequence: 0

source 0 - assert 1392269686.015346237, sequence: 54 - clear 0.000000000, sequence: 0

source 0 - assert 1392269687.015357137, sequence: 55 - clear 0.000000000, sequence: 0


  1. Can I use my own existing Debian image with this cape ? What extra files/software patches do I require to install?

Ans: Yes, you can use your own Debian/Angstrom image with our cape. You will need to include the precompiled kernel patches available from here and copy in your image as directed and reboot with the new image. It is advised to backup your existing image before doing this.

After applying kernel patches, follow application notes to configure the cape for establishing PPP connection or running a NTP server for time synchronization.


  1. What is the exact process to Turn Modem On and off and reset it using On/off switch or SW GPIOs ?

Ans: For turning the modem On or Off , GPIO 45 is used. Following is the process how it has to be used :

GPIO45 High, delay of 4 seconds, GPIO45 Low, delay of 4 seconds, GPIO45 High

GPIO45 should be High by default.

For soft resetting, cycle GPIO45 through OFF and then ON like following:

GPIO45 High, delay of 4 seconds, GPIO45 Low, delay of 4 seconds , GPIO45 High, delay of 4 seconds, GPIO45 Low, delay of 4 seconds, GPIO45 High

For Hard Resetting the modem, GPIO 60 is used. Following is the process:

GPIO60 Low, delay 1 second, GPIO60 High

GPIO60 should be high by default

For Resetting the GPS module, GPIO50 is used. Following is the process:

GPIO50 Low, delay 2 second, GPIO50 High

GPIO50 should be high by default.

Alternatively, Push button Switches can be used instead of GPIOs in similar cycles.

Please refer to Application notes for more information.


  1. What to do when the Modem hangs up ?

Ans : In cases when the Modem hangs up or its firmware stops responding to AT COMMANDS and cannot be turned OFF and then ON, Use Hard Reset.

Hard reset is advised to be used in such cases only otherwise prefer soft resets for minor aberrations.


  1. What is the process of resetting the GPS module ?

Ans: For reseting the GPS module, GPIO50 is used. Following is the process:

GPIO50 low, delay 2 second, GPIO50 High

GPIO50 should be high by default.

Alternatively, push button switch can be used instead of GPIO in similar cycle.

Please refer to Application notes for more information.


  1. If I remove the SIM card while Cape is still ON and replace it with a new SIM card, what should be done next ?

Ans : You will need to restart the modem ( OFF ON cycle).


  1. GPS module takes time to get GPS fix indoors, does the antenna need to outdoors always ?

Ans : Yes for best results, it is advised that GPS antennas be under open sky to get fast GPS Fix as per the hot start, warm start or cold start times. After GPS fix has been achieved, antenna can be moved indoors if required.


  1. On my Modem+ GPS cape, is there a way that either of the modules be used selectively ?

Ans : Yes , if you want that at some time only GPS module be used and not the Modem, you can either remove Power Jumper from the 5V supply or simply Turn the Modem OFF.

Similarly, to use only the Modem alone and not the GPS modem , you can pull down the GPIO50 which controls the reset input of GPS module.


  1. What is Power requirements of the cape ? How much Current is drawn by Modem and by GPS module ?

Ans : Modem + GPS version of Cape in active mode requires around 2A @5V.

Modem uses 1800mA@ 4V when data connection has been established and is being used.

GPS Module draws upto 50mA @3.3V.

Power usage values of Beaglebone black ranges 210-430 mA @5V as per its SRM.


  1. What is the recommended ratings of Power adapter to use with Cape ?

Ans : It is recommended to use atleast a 2.5A 5V power adapter with our cape for complete utilisation of all the functions of Beaglebone Black and our cape.


  1. What is the function of each LED ? What do they denote and how do they function under different conditions ?

Ans : D2 is power Led of Cape, which denotes the 5V power being provided to Cape and for the Modem.

D7 is 3.3V power LED from the Beaglebone Black. This denotes 3.3V power for GPS module and other ICs on Cape.

D5 is 1 PPS Fix led for the GPS module. It will blink at the rate of 1s, when GPS module has got its fix.

D4 is Netlight/Signal Led for the Modem. It has different behaviours depending on the state of Modem.

D3 is Status LED for the GPRS Modem. It gives the indication whether the GPRS Modem is on or not.

  1. What are the functions of the different Switches ?

Ans : S1 is ON/OFF push button switch for the Modem.

S2 is Hard Reset push Button switch for the Modem.

S3 is Reset push button switch for the GPS module.

S4 is 2 position DIP switch for specifying address for the EEPROM IC of cape on I2C2 bus of Beaglebone Black.


  1. How to use the audio from the Modem ?

Ans : Stereo audio/speaker and Mic ports are configured for the Modem. You need a surface mount type RJ9 4P4C connector to be mounted at P8 before a normal handset can be used.

Following part is recommended : Molex 95503-6451


  1. Which other capes are compatible with your cape ?

Ans : Please refer to this document for a current list of frequently queried compatibility of capes with our versions of cape. This list is constantly updated on query basis.


  1. Are there any extra Features on this cape ?

Ans: There is an Audio port available for use with the modem. The connector P8 needs to be mounted. (there is a four pin header P4 available outside of expansion header with UART2/I2C1 to possibly use with sensors or similar standalone applications ??)


  1. Are there any different functioning modes for the Modem ? Can it go to sleep when idle ? How to wake it up when its idle ?

Ans : There are different functioning modes for GPRS modem. Please refer to application note on device enable for 2G capes here.

  1. What is fanout of 1 PPS output signal ? Can it be reused other than from Beaglebone Black?

Ans :


  1. I used the USB cable to power on Beaglebone black with Cape on it, Beaglebone black did not boot properly, what is the issue?

Ans: USB cable alone cannot provide sufficient power(only500mA max) to drive the Beaglebone Black and Cape together , that is why it did not boot properly. Use a power adapter of 2.5A,5V rating to properly boot Beaglebone black with our cape.


  1. How to get in touch for an RMA ? What all information is required while applying for it ?

Ans : Please refer to our Warranty, Return and Support policy here . You can also contact our support for any queries regarding the same.


  1. How can I setup NTP server on beaglebone Black to use GPS data and PPS from GPS module of cape ?

Ans : Please refer to Application note for GPS Location and NTP Synchronization in Debian Wheezy or Angstrom.


  1. What is the meaning of data under different fields while querying NTP server information ?

Ans : Columns Defined:remote: peers speficified in the ntp.conf file* = current time source# = source selected, distance exceeds maximum valueo = source selected, Pulse Per Second (PPS) used+ = source selected, included in final setx = source false ticker. = source selected from end of candidate list- = source discarded by cluster algorithmblank = source discarded high stratum, failed sanity

refid: remote source’s synchronization source

stratum: stratum level of the source

t: types availablel = local (such as a GPS, WWVB)u = unicast (most common)m = multicastb = broadcast- = netaddr

when: number of seconds passed since last response

poll: polling interval, in seconds, for source

reach: indicates success/failure to reach source, 377 all attempts successful

delay: indicates the roundtrip time, in milliseconds, to receive a reply

offset: indicates the time difference, in milliseconds, between the client server and source

disp/jitter: indicates the difference, in milliseconds, between two samples


  1. Can the firmware of the modules be upgraded? Will there be any updates?

Ans : Yes the firmware of the modules can be upgraded. But we have chosen not to keep that option open ended. If there is any issue with the firmware of the modules (modem or GPS), please contact our support.

Trying to update or debug the firmware of the modules will likely be grounds for ceasing any support from us under warranty period.

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