Problems with first sensors

[AWI]

@blebbens connect the gateway to your computer usb port and look at the serial to see the debug log.

In addition where does domoticz show the "unknown" sensor? In the hardware log there is always one with id 255 for the node.

From you log I read a lot of "failed" messages. This indicates transmission errors which could result from your amplified radio's. These a more error prone than the non amplified ones. For testing you better use the non amplified.

[blebbens]

This is what domoticz looks like...

Connecting the serial gateway to my computer means, I can not connect it to domoticz ?
For debugging I have to enable #define MY_DEBUG ?
Or, is there a way to read the log file on the gateway ?

[scalz]

I don't know about domoticz but perhaps you can get the logs. Or use MYSController.

Otherwise, when you need it, you can debug gw and node on your computer. Just connect both devices to your computer. Then of course this is not connected to domoticz but for debugging i often do this, it's useful.

So:

• connect gw+node to your computer
• then use Serial monitor from arduino if you want, to monitor one device. choose right baudrate and comport of course
• and for other device, use another serial monitor like putty etc..
  or a sniffer if you really want to keep it connected to your controller. But for noobs, i would advice to simply use two serial monitor when you need to debug, easier..

[AWI]

@blebbens your domoticz screen looks fine. No errors but also no sensors reported. Only the node is known.
As @scalz mentioned, just connect the node and gateway to your computer watch what happens on the serial monitor (arduino idea or whatever you are using) the node does not have to be connected to domoticz for initial debugging.

[blebbens]

Okay, I have...

The motion sensor connected to the Arduino IDE. The output of the serial monitor (at this time the gateway was connected to the controller):

Starting sensor (RNNNA-, 2.0.0)
TSM:INIT
TSM:RADIO:OK
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
!TSM:FPAR:FAIL
!TSM:FAILURE
TSM:PDT
TSM:INIT
TSM:RADIO:OK
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:

An at this point I had the gateway connected to the arduino IDE (the motion sensor was not connected to the computer):

0;255;3;0;9;Starting gateway (RNNGA-, 2.0.0)
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:RADIO:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:GW MODE
0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY
0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;255;0;0;18;2.0.0
0;255;3;0;9;No registration required
0;255;3;0;9;Init complete, id=0, parent=0, distance=0, registration=1
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK

I never had both, gateway and sensor, connected to the monitor at the same time. I am afraid, I didn´t understand to use MYScontroller. Did not find the com-port settings etc. It always tries to connect to gateway 192.168.0.x, my network is not set up to this IP.

Does the output help ?

[scalz]

nope, output can't help as it's only one device..

I think you're talking about MYSController config when you say 192.168.0.x, isn't it? or i don't understand lol

To know your serialports in use:

• with Win for instance, go to something like Control Panel → Device Manager → COM & LPT ports
• connect your devices to usb, and disconnect one by one. So now you know which one use which port.

About MYSController: you will need to setup the serial port for GW.

• With GW connected to usb, click Settings button and then click Gateway tab.
• Check Serial GW and choose port&bauds.
• Now, still in MYSController, you can click Connect button. There are tabs in MYSController for different debug levels. Look a bit at features.
• It should connect, if it does not, un/replug your gw, and reclick Connect.

Then you'll have the logs for your GW if it is enabled in sketch of course.
As said above, if you would like, you could use another software (serial monitor) in place of MYSController. but not required here.

Now, for the other device (node), you can monitor it in Arduino software by setting well port&bauds. you know it now ;)

Could you try in this order, please :

• plug GW only. And connect with MYSController
• then plug node, and open your Arduino Serial monitor.

does it work? if no, logs, thx ;)

[blebbens]

Okay, done it... both connected, gw on MYScontroller, motion sensor monitored using IDE...

Sensor output:

TSM:INIT
TSM:RADIO:OK
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
!TSM:FPAR:FAIL
!TSM:FAILURE
TSM:PDT

And gateway output:

MYScontroller debug:

16.07.2016 19:43:42	INFO	Flushing FIFO
16.07.2016 19:43:42	INFO	Connected to COM7
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;Starting gateway (RNNGA-, 2.0.0)
16.07.2016 19:43:44	CHILD	New child discovered, node id=0, child id=internal
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:RADIO:OK
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:GW MODE
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;0;0;18;2.0.0
16.07.2016 19:43:44	DEBUG	Update child id=255, type=S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;No registration required
16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;Init complete, id=0, parent=0, distance=0, registration=1
16.07.2016 19:44:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK
16.07.2016 19:45:44	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSP:SANCHK:OK

MySensors debug:

8	16.07.2016 19:43:44	TX	-1	-1		-1	-1	NA (-1)	N/A	NA (-1)	-1			required

Nodes debug: this message was shown before I connected the sensor to power

7	16.07.2016 19:43:44	0 - Gateway	S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE	S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE	2.0.0	

And messages tab:

6	16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0 - Gateway	INTERNAL	C_INTERNAL	NO	I_GATEWAY_READY	Gateway startup complete.
7	16.07.2016 19:43:44	RX	0 - Gateway	INTERNAL	C_PRESENTATION	NO	S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE	2.0.0

Okay, hope, this helps now.

That´s strange, because there is no repeater... just a motion sensor sketch.

[blebbens]

No one ? It is so frustrating...

Read some more threads like this (https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/4280/simple-serial-gateway-and-sensor-does-not-work)... seems to be a common problem of MySensors 2.0 ?

[SGi]

Try this: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/4316/version-2-0-isn-t-working

[tekka]

@blebbens Your logs look ok, but your radios don't seem to talk to each other - this could possibly hint to radio interference or HW issues. Try:
(1) reduce PA power by setting:

#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW

and recompile and reflash GW and node sketch.

(2) move node and GW further away from each other
(3) Switch off WiFi AP

Please report back on any of these solutions with log from GW and node.

Thanks.

[blebbens]

Now I defined MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW in both, gateway and sensor.
Before I have done this, I compiled and uploaded the ClearEpromConfig.

The logs... gateway:

17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	Initialize message logging
17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	1.0.0 (build 3314)
17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	FPC 3.0.0 / Lazarus 1.6
17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	still under development :) tekka 2016
17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	Load INI file...
17.07.2016 15:52:22	STARTUP	INI version 1.0.0 (build 3314)
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	*** Logging START ***
17.07.2016 15:52:23	VERSION	1.0.0 (build 3314)
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	Logging=TRUE
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	AutoID=TRUE
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	AutoFW=TRUE
17.07.2016 15:52:23	STARTUP	INI file loaded
17.07.2016 15:52:23	STARTUP	Loading FW repository...
17.07.2016 15:52:23	REPO	FW "Blink" loaded. t=10, v=1, blocks=80, crc=0x46D4
17.07.2016 15:52:23	REPO	FW "TimeReporter" loaded. t=20, v=1, blocks=736, crc=0xE923
17.07.2016 15:52:23	REPO	FW repository loaded. Items=2
17.07.2016 15:52:23	STARTUP	Initialize message types
17.07.2016 15:52:23	NODE	New node discovered, node id=0
17.07.2016 15:52:23	NODE	New node discovered, node id=255
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	read MySensors.xml
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	Application: MYSController
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	Node id=0 skipped
17.07.2016 15:52:23	INFO	Node id=255 skipped
17.07.2016 15:52:30	UPDATE	current=1.0.0.3314 remote=1.0.0.3314
17.07.2016 15:52:32	INFO	Flushing FIFO
17.07.2016 15:52:32	INFO	Connected to COM9
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;Starting gateway (RNNGA-, 2.0.0)
17.07.2016 15:52:34	CHILD	New child discovered, node id=0, child id=internal
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:INIT
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:RADIO:OK
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:GW MODE
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;TSM:READY
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;0;0;18;2.0.0
17.07.2016 15:52:34	DEBUG	Update child id=255, type=S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;No registration required
17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0;255;3;0;9;Init complete, id=0, parent=0, distance=0, registration=1

6	17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0 - Gateway	INTERNAL	C_INTERNAL	NO	I_GATEWAY_READY	Gateway startup complete.
7	17.07.2016 15:52:34	RX	0 - Gateway	INTERNAL	C_PRESENTATION	NO	S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE	2.0.0

And, the sensor...

TSM:INIT
TSM:RADIO:OK
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
TSM:FPAR
TSP:MSG:SEND 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=bc:
!TSM:FPAR:FAIL
!TSM:FAILURE
TSM:PDT

They now are far away from each other...

I think, all cables are connected to the right position.

EDIT:
Found a MQ-135 air quality sensor. Uploaded the mysensor example sketch. But, the same error output in serial monitor.

Please take a look at this picture of my NRF24L01 amplified. Perhaps, it is wrong wired ? On my NRF24 there is no mark for GND, so I took this picture.

But, isn´t my gateway (wired the same) working very well ? Is there a way to find out, if the wiring is wrong ? Would the gateway work like you can see in the log ?

Or another idea: I changed the gateway´s sketch to a baud rate of 115200. The sensor´s sketches don´t contain this information. Do I need to set their baud rate to 115200, too ?

[tekka]

@blebbens Looks like you have nRF24L01, not nRF24L01+. The nRF24L01 does not support 250Kbps (see here, page 8 ). MySensors is set (by default) to 250Kbps datarate. In your case, try this:

#define MY_RF24_DATARATE RF24_1MBPS

and recompile and reflash GW and node.

[scalz]

@blebbens
could you show a link where you bought radio modules you're using please. I think @tekka may have found the problem :)

For people who are getting same messages "FPAR FAIL", I think you may fall into the old case "st:fail", hardware related like using capa for radio, tekka advices above etc... where radio does not work properly and there is no ACK back so the comm is not validated. Then, after multiple retries, it fails.

I can confirm this at least for static nodes. On my side, the latest v2.0 from dev branch works ok for me. as expected ;) Config tested for the moment is serial gw with exotic mcu atsam (I mean compared to classic gw). And the node is a multisensors. Radio is RFM69.

[blebbens]

Flashed ClearEpromConfig...

Added to the sketches...
#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW
#define MY_RF24_DATARATE RF24_1MBPS

Think, this overrides MyConfig.h ?

What a pity... just the same output... recognized as "unknown" S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE.

I bought this NRF:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1sets-Special-promotions-1100-meter-long-distance-NRF24L01-PA-LNA-wireless-modules-with-antenna/32341792715.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.161.TbEXts

But, the delivered NRFs have no marked GND.

Oh, any ideas left ? Delivery of standard NRFs take 30-40 days.

Extract of MyConfig.h:

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_SPI_MAX_SPEED
 * @brief MY_RF24_SPI_MAX_SPEED to overrule default nRF24L01+ SPI speed.
 */
//#define MY_RF24_SPI_MAX_SPEED 4000000

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_CE_PIN
 * @brief Default RF24 chip enable pin setting. Override in sketch if needed.
 */
#ifndef MY_RF24_CE_PIN
	#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP8266)
		#define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 4
	#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_SAMD)
		#define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 27
	#else
		#define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 9
	#endif
#endif

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_CS_PIN
 * @brief Default RF24 chip select pin setting. Override in sketch if needed.
 */
#ifndef MY_RF24_CS_PIN
	#if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP8266)
		#define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 15
	#elif defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_SAMD)
		#define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 3
	#else
		#define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 10
	#endif
#endif

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL
 * @brief Default RF24 PA level. Override in sketch if needed.
 */
#ifndef MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL
#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW
#endif

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_CHANNEL
 * @brief RF channel for the sensor net, 0-125.
 * Frequence: 2400 Mhz - 2525 Mhz Channels: 126
 * http://www.mysensors.org/radio/nRF24L01Plus.pdf
 * 0 => 2400 Mhz (RF24 channel 1)
 * 1 => 2401 Mhz (RF24 channel 2)
 * 76 => 2476 Mhz (RF24 channel 77)
 * 83 => 2483 Mhz (RF24 channel 84)
 * 124 => 2524 Mhz (RF24 channel 125)
 * 125 => 2525 Mhz (RF24 channel 126)
 * In some countries there might be limitations, in Germany for example only the range 2400,0 - 2483,5 Mhz is allowed
 * http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Sachgebiete/Telekommunikation/Unternehmen_Institutionen/Frequenzen/Allgemeinzuteilungen/2013_10_WLAN_2,4GHz_pdf.pdf
 */
#ifndef MY_RF24_CHANNEL
#define MY_RF24_CHANNEL	76
#endif

/**
 * @def MY_RF24_DATARATE
 * @brief RF24 datarate (RF24_250KBPS for 250kbs, RF24_1MBPS for 1Mbps or RF24_2MBPS for 2Mbps).
 */
#ifndef MY_RF24_DATARATE
#define MY_RF24_DATARATE RF24_250KBPS
#endif

[Tore André Rosander]

Have you tried to use another sketch?
Just a random mysensors sketch to see if it that one also get presented as repeater node.
Maybe just take one with a button and make your own (if you dont have any) and see if the buttonpress gets transmitted.

[blebbens]

@Tore-André-Rosander
Have tried out different sample-sketches from library, e.g. motion and air quality.

It is... so... frustrating. There has to be a stupid mistake causing the sensors to report their availability as repeater node.

[tekka]

@blebbens I totally understand your frustration but I'm afraid, your issue seems HW/radio-related. The logs look normal, also the repeater node message (which is actually emitted from the GW, see your domoticz screenshot and GW log). If you can get a different pair of nRF24L01+ (the P-version), I'd retry with those.

[Tore André Rosander]

Is it just me or does it look like the repeater node is not the actual sensor node?

If you look at the logs " Gateway INTERNAL C_PRESENTATION NO S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE 2.0.0" "New child discovered, node id=0, child id=internal" and "Update child id=255, type=S_ARDUINO_REPEATER_NODE"

How about try to define the node id manually?
And just to be sure the clear eeprom config sketch in the mySensors examples.
You can also try the RF24 library ping-pong examples to test your radios.

[SGi]

Ok so connections appear to be my major problem.... my dupont cables seem to be a bit dodgy... now wired with solid jumpers i can get the 'gettingstarted' sketch of the RF24 library working.

Now i have the following log from the sensor which is encouraging but still weird:

Anything obvious now? The sketch on the sensor is the basic motionsensor one from the examples of 2.0.0 and the gateway is the serialgateway sketch... both no changes

[nielsokker]

@SGi

I am not an expert but i had the same problem. I think a controller determines the id. But since you have none, it can't be done this way. Set a static ID with

#define MY_NODE_ID 11 

or something