Repeater drops nodes

[sundberg84]

@itbeyond logs would be great it can be improved. As i wrote above, I had some issues as well but they went away when I upgraded all (and made some other changes as well).

[Norton]

Hello,
I have a similar problem. I wanted to start a new thread, but after reading this posts I put it here. My problem is similar even though I do not have a repeater. I used the mysensors version 2.3.0 alpha, after updating to 2.3.0 stable a few days ago one of my nodes started not to send humidity data. Here is the log:

16 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA---,VER=2.3.0
25 TSM:INIT
26 TSF:WUR:MS=0
33 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
35 TSM:INIT:STATID=101
37 TSF:SID:OK,ID=101
39 TSM:FPAR
40 TSM:FPAR:STATP=0
43 TSM:ID
44 TSM:ID:OK
45 TSM:UPL
81 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1
2092 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=1,st=OK:1
2099 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-101,s=255,c=3,t=25,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
2104 TSF:MSG:PONG RECV,HP=1
2107 TSM:UPL:OK
2108 TSM:READY:ID=101,PAR=0,DIS=1
2132 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:0100
2143 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-101,s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0:0100
2183 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2.3.0
2191 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:0
2732 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-101,s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=0,l=1,sg=0:M
2769 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=18,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:Senzor 101-DualDHT
2780 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1.1
2790 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=0,c=0,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2798 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2805 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=2,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2813 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=3,c=0,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2820 MCO:REG:REQ
2824 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
2832 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-101,s=255,c=3,t=27,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
2837 MCO:PIM:NODE REG=1
2840 MCO:BGN:INIT OK,TSP=1
2848 MCO:SLP:MS=2000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2853 TSF:TDI:TSL
2855 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2856 TSF:TRI:TSB
2868 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:31.8
DHT1TEMP: 31.80
2875 MCO:SLP:MS=2500,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2880 TSF:TDI:TSL
2882 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2884 TSF:TRI:TSB
4485 !TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:35.2
DHT1HUM: 35.20
4497 MCO:SLP:MS=2000,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
4501 TSF:TDI:TSL
4503 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
4505 TSF:TRI:TSB
4513 TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=2,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=1,st=OK:24.0
DHT2TEMP: 24.00
4520 MCO:SLP:MS=2500,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
4527 TSF:TDI:TSL
4529 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
4530 TSF:TRI:TSB
6130 !TSF:MSG:SEND,101-101-0-0,s=3,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:56.8
DHT2HUM: 56.80

As you can see the temperature is sent correctly, and then the humidity value is not. When I returned the 2.3.0 alpha version to the node, everything started going OK. Otherwise, on other nodes where i also updated to version 2.3.0 stable this problem is not. I also updated the gateway to version 2.3.0 stable. I just had to make a downgrade on this one node only.

[sundberg84]

@norton just out of curiosity, you can add a wait(100); after sending the temp value. This way the radio has some time to recover if needed. I understand your point since it works in alpha but could be a good clue if it works with a wait().

[itbeyond]

@sundberg84 I understand about the logs but after spending several days trying to make 2.3.0 work on these nodes and just going to NACK NACK NACK for every send either repeater or gateway I reverted. I can enable it again if you like but all you will see is good data for a period then without any warning or reason constant NACK for every send. I did add wait(50)s on my nodes and these seem to be better but no go on Gateways and Repeaters cannot inject a wait of course. I can report that on Gateways trying 2.3.0 I used Vera/Ethernet - openHab/MQTT and openHab/Ethernet and all did the exact same thing and now on 2.2.0 I have zero problems.

Coupled with this testing the openHab network was and is still new so had limited nodes installed and everything was 2.3.0 when the troubles occurred so I did have a full 2.3.0 network using channel 82.

[titvs]

@itbeyond im running 2.3 on gateway, nodes and repeater… Im glad someone showed up with the same issue. The behaviour is similar: everything is ok and, in my case, it starts to "NACK" after around 16 min… Seems to be a software problem then and not the "popular" NRF24 reception issues. What radios are you using? NRF24's?

[tekka]

@titvs see here https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9642/nrf24-transmission-of-data-works-fine-but-constant-nack-s-produced/12

Please test https://github.com/tekka007/MySensors/tree/RF24Test

[titvs]

@tekka ok, will test your version tomorrow and collect the node log. Do i need to upload your version to the node, repeater and gateway?

[tekka]

@titvs are you using nrf24L01+ PA+LNA modules?

[titvs]

@tekka using normal NRF24's on the nodes and a nrf24L01+ PA+LNA on the gateway.

[tekka]

@titvs ok - I'd recommend to update all devices and re-run the test.

[itbeyond]

@titvs my testing seems to show that this updated version from @tekka does resolve the problem. I have added some questions about the release details etc in the post https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9642/nrf24-transmission-of-data-works-fine-but-constant-nack-s-produced/12

[titvs]

@itbeyond Nice! Will test it today and post my results.

[titvs]

@tekka well, unfortunately i had the same problem. The far away node connected to the Repeater but after aprox 1h working ok, it stopped being updated at Domoticz with transportCheckUplink() false.
You changed a timing setting, right? With the normal version the node stopped being updated at about 15-16 min and now it changed to about 1 hour…
I have a node connected directly to the gateway with the nrf24L01+ PA+LNA working without problems, so it seems to be some kind of problem with the Repeater code and timings...

[tekka]

@titvs It would be helpful if you could post the debug log showing what you describe + the sketch you are using.

[titvs]

@tekka the debug log (MY_DEBUG)/sketch from the node that gets disconnected or the repeater?

[itbeyond]

@titvs I have tested a repeater and it is still working ok after 48 hours using the CE timing modified code.

[titvs]

@itbeyond can you please post the initial code defines for your repeater and a node that connects to it? To see if I’m doing something wrong...
In the meantime I’m going to get the debug log and sketch code for my node.

[tekka]

@titvs ideally both + sketch

[titvs]

@tekka Well, im running your beta code and like @itbeyond it seems to be working for 24h now. Uploaded the new compiles with the lib from the RF24Fix branch to all the nodes, gateway and repeater and it seems the drops stopped.
Built a couple of Relay nodes, one of which is connected to the repeater and they also seem to be working correctly.

Im linking the ZIP to the node log file with the RF24 verbose debug (its a tad big), if you want to take a look:

LOG

And this is my TEMP+HUM node sketch:

// Enable debug prints
//#define MY_DEBUG
//#define MY_DEBUG_VERBOSE_RF24

// Enable and select radio type attached 
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RS485

#define MY_RF24_CHANNEL 1   //////////////
#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_HIGH

// ONLY IF USING FIXED ID REPEATER
//#define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0            // REPEATER NODE ID
//#define MY_PARENT_NODE_IS_STATIC        // this will force your node to use only the repeater

// #define MY_REPEATER_FEATURE

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensors.h>  
#include <DHT.h>

#include <U8g2lib.h>  //////////////////////
#include <Wire.h>    /////////////////////////

U8G2_SSD1306_128X64_NONAME_1_HW_I2C u8g2(U8G2_R0, A5, A4);   // U8G2 Constructor (A5 - Clock SCL ; A4 - Data SDA)

#define DHT_DATA_PIN 3

#define SENSOR_TEMP_OFFSET 0

static const uint64_t UPDATE_INTERVAL = 60000;

static const uint8_t FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS = 10;

#define CHILD_ID_HUM 0
#define CHILD_ID_TEMP 1

float lastTemp;
float lastHum;
uint8_t nNoUpdatesTemp;
uint8_t nNoUpdatesHum;
bool metric = true;

MyMessage msgHum(CHILD_ID_HUM, V_HUM);
MyMessage msgTemp(CHILD_ID_TEMP, V_TEMP);
DHT dht;

void before(){

   u8g2.begin();

   u8g2.firstPage();
   do {
     u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_helvR14_tf);
     u8g2.drawStr(38,15,"OLED");
     u8g2.drawStr(15,35,"Temp+Hum");
     u8g2.drawStr(46,60,"v1.2");
   } while ( u8g2.nextPage() );
  
  delay(3000);

  u8g2.clear();
 
   u8g2.firstPage();
    do {
     u8g2.drawStr(3, 32, "Connecting...");
   } while ( u8g2.nextPage() );
}

void presentation()  
{ 

  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway
  sendSketchInfo("TEMPHUM_OLED", "1.2");

  // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
  present(CHILD_ID_HUM, S_HUM);
  present(CHILD_ID_TEMP, S_TEMP);

  metric = getControllerConfig().isMetric;
}

void setup()
{
  
  u8g2.clear();
  
  dht.setup(DHT_DATA_PIN); // set data pin of DHT sensor
  if (UPDATE_INTERVAL <= dht.getMinimumSamplingPeriod()) {

    u8g2.firstPage();
    do {
        u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_haxrcorp4089_tr); // 7 PIXEL HIGHT
        u8g2.drawStr(1,12,"WARNING: UPDATE_INTERVAL");
       u8g2.drawStr(1,24,"is smaller than supported by");
        u8g2.drawStr(1,36,"the sensor!");
       } while ( u8g2.nextPage() );
    delay(4000);

  }

  sleep(dht.getMinimumSamplingPeriod());
}

void loop()      
{  

 while (transportCheckUplink() == false){

  u8g2.firstPage();
  do {
    u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_helvR14_tf); // 14 px height
    u8g2.drawStr(3, 32, "Disconnected!");
    } while ( u8g2.nextPage() );
 }

  dht.readSensor(true);

  float temperature = dht.getTemperature();
  if (isnan(temperature)) {
    Serial.println("Failed reading temperature from DHT!");

  } else if (temperature != lastTemp || nNoUpdatesTemp == FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS) {
    // Only send temperature if it changed since the last measurement or if we didn't send an update for n times
    lastTemp = temperature;

    // apply the offset before converting to something different than Celsius degrees
    temperature += SENSOR_TEMP_OFFSET;

    if (!metric) {
      temperature = dht.toFahrenheit(temperature);
    }
    // Reset no updates counter
    nNoUpdatesTemp = 0;
    send(msgTemp.set(temperature, 1));

    #ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print("T: ");
    Serial.println(temperature);
    #endif
  } else {
    // Increase no update counter if the temperature stayed the same
    nNoUpdatesTemp++;
  }

  // Get humidity from DHT library
  float humidity = dht.getHumidity();
  if (isnan(humidity)) {
    Serial.println("Failed reading humidity from DHT");
  } else if (humidity != lastHum || nNoUpdatesHum == FORCE_UPDATE_N_READS) {
    // Only send humidity if it changed since the last measurement or if we didn't send an update for n times
    lastHum = humidity;
    // Reset no updates counter
    nNoUpdatesHum = 0;
    send(msgHum.set(humidity, 1));

    #ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print("H: ");
    Serial.println(humidity);
    #endif
  } else {
    // Increase no update counter if the humidity stayed the same
    nNoUpdatesHum++;
  }

  u8g2.firstPage();
  do {
  
  u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_fub30_tn);
  u8g2.setCursor(2, 35);
  u8g2.print(temperature, 1);
  u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_inb16_mf);
  u8g2.drawGlyph(88, 35, 0x00b0); // degree
  u8g2.drawStr(100, 35, "C");
  u8g2.setCursor(70, 60);
  u8g2.print(humidity, 0);
  u8g2.drawStr(100, 60, "%");
  u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_open_iconic_thing_2x_t); // 16 pix height
  u8g2.drawGlyph(45, 60, 0x0048); // drop
  
  } while ( u8g2.nextPage() );
  
  // Sleep for a while to save energy
  //sleep(UPDATE_INTERVAL); 
  
  delay(UPDATE_INTERVAL);  // POWERED NODE
}

[tekka]

@titvs ok, do you also have the repeater log + sketch? btw, for powered nodes I'd recommend using wait() instead of delay() - this ensures a proper functionality of the communcation stack.