[SOLVED] NRF24L01 Radio Fails connecting to Gateway

[mrhutchinsonmn]

I am attempting to set up my first sensor (motion) on Homeassistant but could not see that the gateway was picking up on it, so I enabled debug on Arduino IDE.

(Both radios are NRF24L01)

Serial monitor displays the following:

10040 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
10042 TSM:INIT
10048 !TSM:INIT:TSP FAIL
10050 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2
10052 TSM:FAIL:DIS
10054 TSF:TDI:TSL

Serial Monitor on the gateway shows the following:
0;255;3;0;9;0 MCO:BGN:INIT GW,CP=RNNGA---,REL=255,VER=2.3.1
0;255;3;0;9;5 TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;7 TSF:WUR:MS=0
0;255;3;0;9;14 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
0;255;3;0;9;17 TSM:INIT:GW MODE
0;255;3;0;9;20 TSM:READY:ID=0,PAR=0,DIS=0
0;255;3;0;9;24 MCO:REG:NOT NEEDED
0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;255;0;0;18;2.3.1
0;255;3;0;9;28 MCO:BGN:STP
0;255;3;0;9;34 MCO:BGN:INIT OK,TSP=1
0;255;3;0;9;37 TSM:READY:NWD REQ

Gateway sketch:

/**
* The MySensors Arduino library handles the wireless radio link and protocol
* between your home built sensors/actuators and HA controller of choice.
* The sensors forms a self healing radio network with optional repeaters. Each
* repeater and gateway builds a routing tables in EEPROM which keeps track of the
* network topology allowing messages to be routed to nodes.
*
* Created by Henrik Ekblad <henrik.ekblad@mysensors.org>
* Copyright (C) 2013-2018 Sensnology AB
* Full contributor list: https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/graphs/contributors
*
* Documentation: http://www.mysensors.org
* Support Forum: http://forum.mysensors.org
*
* This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
* modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
* version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
*
*******************************
*
* DESCRIPTION
* The ArduinoGateway prints data received from sensors on the serial link.
* The gateway accepts input on serial which will be sent out on radio network.
*
* The GW code is designed for Arduino Nano 328p / 16MHz
*
* Wire connections (OPTIONAL):
* - Inclusion button should be connected between digital pin 3 and GND
* - RX/TX/ERR leds need to be connected between +5V (anode) and digital pin 6/5/4 with resistor 270-330R in a series
*
* LEDs (OPTIONAL):
* - To use the feature, uncomment any of the MY_DEFAULT_xx_LED_PINs
* - RX (green) - blink fast on radio message received. In inclusion mode will blink fast only on presentation received
* - TX (yellow) - blink fast on radio message transmitted. In inclusion mode will blink slowly
* - ERR (red) - fast blink on error during transmission error or receive crc error
*
*/

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
#define MY_DEBUG


// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_RF24
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF5_ESB
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM95

// Set LOW transmit power level as default, if you have an amplified NRF-module and
// power your radio separately with a good regulator you can turn up PA level.
#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW

// Enable serial gateway
#define MY_GATEWAY_SERIAL

// Define a lower baud rate for Arduinos running on 8 MHz (Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V & SenseBender)
#if F_CPU == 8000000L
#define MY_BAUD_RATE 38400
#endif

// Enable inclusion mode
#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_FEATURE
// Enable Inclusion mode button on gateway
//#define MY_INCLUSION_BUTTON_FEATURE

// Inverses behavior of inclusion button (if using external pullup)
//#define MY_INCLUSION_BUTTON_EXTERNAL_PULLUP

// Set inclusion mode duration (in seconds)
#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_DURATION 60
// Digital pin used for inclusion mode button
//#define MY_INCLUSION_MODE_BUTTON_PIN  3

// Set blinking period
#define MY_DEFAULT_LED_BLINK_PERIOD 300

// Inverses the behavior of leds
//#define MY_WITH_LEDS_BLINKING_INVERSE

// Flash leds on rx/tx/err
// Uncomment to override default HW configurations
//#define MY_DEFAULT_ERR_LED_PIN 4  // Error led pin
//#define MY_DEFAULT_RX_LED_PIN  6  // Receive led pin
//#define MY_DEFAULT_TX_LED_PIN  5  // the PCB, on board LED

#include <MySensors.h>

void setup()
{
	// Setup locally attached sensors
}

void presentation()
{
	// Present locally attached sensors
}

void loop()
{
	// Send locally attached sensor data here
}

Motion Sensor sketch:

/*
 * The MySensors Arduino library handles the wireless radio link and protocol
 * between your home built sensors/actuators and HA controller of choice.
 * The sensors forms a self healing radio network with optional repeaters. Each
 * repeater and gateway builds a routing tables in EEPROM which keeps track of the
 * network topology allowing messages to be routed to nodes.
 *
 * Created by Henrik Ekblad <henrik.ekblad@mysensors.org>
 * Copyright (C) 2013-2018 Sensnology AB
 * Full contributor list: https://github.com/mysensors/MySensors/graphs/contributors
 *
 * Documentation: http://www.mysensors.org
 * Support Forum: http://forum.mysensors.org
 *
 * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
 * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
 * version 2 as published by the Free Software Foundation.
 *
 *******************************
 *
 * REVISION HISTORY
 * Version 1.0 - Henrik Ekblad
 *
 * DESCRIPTION
 * Motion Sensor example using HC-SR501
 * http://www.mysensors.org/build/motion
 *
 */

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_RF24
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF5_ESB
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM95

#include <MySensors.h>

uint32_t SLEEP_TIME = 120000; // Sleep time between reports (in milliseconds)
#define DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR 3   // The digital input you attached your motion sensor.  (Only 2 and 3 generates interrupt!)
#define CHILD_ID 1   // Id of the sensor child

// Initialize motion message
MyMessage msg(CHILD_ID, V_TRIPPED);

void setup()
{
  pinMode(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR, INPUT);      // sets the motion sensor digital pin as input
}

void presentation()
{
  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
  sendSketchInfo("Motion Sensor", "1.0");

  // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
  present(CHILD_ID, S_MOTION);
}

void loop()
{
  // Read digital motion value
  bool tripped = digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR) == HIGH;

  Serial.println(tripped);
  send(msg.set(tripped?"1":"0"));  // Send tripped value to gw

  // Sleep until interrupt comes in on motion sensor. Send update every two minute.
  sleep(digitalPinToInterrupt(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR), CHANGE, SLEEP_TIME);
}

[mfalkvidd]

Hi @mrhutchinsonmn, welcome to the MySensors community!

Init fail means that the Arduino is unable to find the radio.

If you haven't already, see https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help/ for the most common problems and how to troubleshoot them efficiently.

Triple-check the wiring for the radio. If you can, swap the radio for another module. If you can't find anything wrong please post photos of the wiring, it often helps to get a second pair of eyes.

[mrhutchinsonmn]

Thank you for your reply. I did resolve the problem and wanted to share what I did, in hopes of helping other newbies.
Firstly, I double checked the wiring, compared it to the working gateway and it seemed to be fine but still did not work.

I ran across this post and it turned out to be ideal for my situation:
https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=421081.0

Got the two radios communicating in a simplistic configuration and once working, uploaded mysensors sketches and the radios continued to work correctly. Maybe dismantling and reconnecting was the fix. Not sure, but things are working now. Thank you for a great resource of information and projects!

[mfalkvidd]

Great work @mrhutchinsonmn, thanks for reporting back.

[skywatch]

@mrhutchinsonmn Most likely is those dupont cables - they can easily work loose whilst appearing to be seated. I use an 4x2 socket for the nrf as it holds everything together and takes a lot more force to get it off. There are many options of dupont multiple connectors, I got a selection and I don't regret doing so.

[mfalkvidd]

@skywatch you mean a kit like https://www.aliexpress.com/item/620pcs-DuPont-wire-terminals-pins-connector-18-26awg-2-54mm-0-1-1p-2p-3p-4p/32919257470.html ?

[skywatch]

@mfalkvidd Yes, that would do the trick but you would also need 2x4 for the 8pins on the radio module if using nrf24l01+ .

I didn't get the kit as I got them cheaper as separate items so worth looking into that if you want to save a little

They do help as if one pin is not well crimped and a little loose, the stronger gripping pins will hold the 'block' in place. I've had much fewer issues in dev using these whenever possible. They also prevent the pins rotating as they do with single connectors.

[mfalkvidd]

@skywatch the kit contains 10------------2x4P

For reference (you probably don't need it), here are some videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CIWxZEt9NE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwSLdJ1uHag
Building a NRF24L01+ 8-pin connector for MySensors – 04:46
— Mikael Falkvidd

[skywatch]

@mfalkvidd Great stuff - I didn't see the page, just the link title and it wasn't in there (but I was in a rush to take my Mum shopping).