[SOLVED] After upgrade to mysensors 2.1 problems with radio module might manifest itself more.
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@tekka Im not saying it doesn't work, but it doesn't work ;)
I have spent some hours yesterday and today testing different possibilities.
However, as soon as I enable soft signing it just my nodes get no reply or partial reply sometimes.If I disable softsigning in GW, everything works perfect.
I would guess that the problem could be with my hardware as everything except my ethernetshield is china clones.
But since I had used everything and everything worked without a flaw (with signing) and the only thing I did was update library via arduino, and uploaded the same sketch (without editing it) to the GW.
I would beg to differ that something is not broken with mysensors 2.1. Or atleast maybe compability has been lowered.
Or mysensors 2.1 changed something in the use of the NRF chips (the + as well as PA with big antenna!).I uninstalled arduino completely, but had some problems installing 2.0 as it complained about some stuff about my arduino mega. But when I installed 2.1 it worked with mega which is also weird.
It is no biggie that signing doesn't work for me, but It bugs me that this should be simple and it isn't.
To sum up:
My NRF works without signing. It even works behind steel heat radiators across my flat (yes, did that for testing purposes!)
Switch on signing and I can barely connect to my GW.@Nicklas-Starkel
I can only repeat what I said earlier. You have NACKs. That indicate that messages are not coming through. It is NOT a signing issue but a rf issue. The only reason it looks like a signing issue is because when you use signing, messages are significantly longer and are therefore statistically more difficult to transmit/receive. Improve decoupling of your radios and you'll probably be fine like suggested by Pete. I also explained this in the signing troubleshooting guide I linked above.
In 2.x significant changes are made to the rf drivers. These are all for the better but could mean power consumption of the radio has a different profile which inadequate decoupling will have trouble dealing with. -
@Nicklas-Starkel
I can only repeat what I said earlier. You have NACKs. That indicate that messages are not coming through. It is NOT a signing issue but a rf issue. The only reason it looks like a signing issue is because when you use signing, messages are significantly longer and are therefore statistically more difficult to transmit/receive. Improve decoupling of your radios and you'll probably be fine like suggested by Pete. I also explained this in the signing troubleshooting guide I linked above.
In 2.x significant changes are made to the rf drivers. These are all for the better but could mean power consumption of the radio has a different profile which inadequate decoupling will have trouble dealing with.@Anticimex I understand that the problem is not with signing itself.
I also understand that with longer messages with low power things it gets extra difficult.What I am saying is mysensors 2.1 did something and my hardware can't cope with it.
I have tried socket adapters for NRF modules.
I have tried giving them external power.
I tried without socket adapters.
Giving external power as well.
I have tried 47uF capacitator.Mind you, I have tried several different hardware pieces as well just to make sure.
I will redo everything above again just to make sure and report back.
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@Anticimex I understand that the problem is not with signing itself.
I also understand that with longer messages with low power things it gets extra difficult.What I am saying is mysensors 2.1 did something and my hardware can't cope with it.
I have tried socket adapters for NRF modules.
I have tried giving them external power.
I tried without socket adapters.
Giving external power as well.
I have tried 47uF capacitator.Mind you, I have tried several different hardware pieces as well just to make sure.
I will redo everything above again just to make sure and report back.
@Nicklas-Starkel
Then I suggest you rename the topic to draw more attention to the core issue so others who might have had similar problems with 2.x can share their experiences as well. All who don't use signing but might have radio troubles in 2.x won't realize that this is discussed here otherwise. -
Well so I deleted whole Arduino to make sure I got everything fresh.
Installed arduino and mysensors 2.0 via library manager and also mysensors HW arduino manager in preferences.Updated my gateway and all nodes work with signing ON.
The nodes are a mixture now with mysensors 2.0 as well as 2.1.I updated library to 2.1 in my GW and instantly I have failed messages with Signing ON.
To make sure, I powered the GW from one source and NRF separately from external source (5v computer usb)
No changes. I tried different NRF as well as NRF PA with big antenna.
I even tried different antennas (used to other applications). With mysensors 2.0 they work, with 2.1 fails.I took a node and powered it similar with external power source (3x1.5v AAA) for the NRF but it would still give me fails.
When I go back to mysensors 2.0 everything works great again.
I guess I'll stick with 2.0 and wait and see if other people upgrade their stuff and use signing might see the same problem with their hardware.
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Well so I deleted whole Arduino to make sure I got everything fresh.
Installed arduino and mysensors 2.0 via library manager and also mysensors HW arduino manager in preferences.Updated my gateway and all nodes work with signing ON.
The nodes are a mixture now with mysensors 2.0 as well as 2.1.I updated library to 2.1 in my GW and instantly I have failed messages with Signing ON.
To make sure, I powered the GW from one source and NRF separately from external source (5v computer usb)
No changes. I tried different NRF as well as NRF PA with big antenna.
I even tried different antennas (used to other applications). With mysensors 2.0 they work, with 2.1 fails.I took a node and powered it similar with external power source (3x1.5v AAA) for the NRF but it would still give me fails.
When I go back to mysensors 2.0 everything works great again.
I guess I'll stick with 2.0 and wait and see if other people upgrade their stuff and use signing might see the same problem with their hardware.
@Nicklas-Starkel ok. Well like I already said, your problem (at least according to your logs) have nothing to do with signing, but with rf issues. If you were to send messages that were larger you most likely would have the same problem, signing on or off, so I can just stress that referencing signing just shadows the real issue. Signing is only a way of extending the message size to provoke the issue. Signing has been verified to work with 2.1 as @tekka stated, so I (as the security guy) consider the issue settled from a signing perspective.
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@Nicklas-Starkel ok. Well like I already said, your problem (at least according to your logs) have nothing to do with signing, but with rf issues. If you were to send messages that were larger you most likely would have the same problem, signing on or off, so I can just stress that referencing signing just shadows the real issue. Signing is only a way of extending the message size to provoke the issue. Signing has been verified to work with 2.1 as @tekka stated, so I (as the security guy) consider the issue settled from a signing perspective.
@Anticimex maybe I was not clear enough or used the wrong words?
I still understand that the problem is not with signing.
I pointed out that using signing provokes the error.
The error is still an underlying issue weather it be my hardware or it be NRF module code in mysensors 2.1. -
@Anticimex maybe I was not clear enough or used the wrong words?
I still understand that the problem is not with signing.
I pointed out that using signing provokes the error.
The error is still an underlying issue weather it be my hardware or it be NRF module code in mysensors 2.1. -
@Nicklas-Starkel Did you also try with different GW hardware, i.e. ESP8266 or a regular Uno?
@tekka that was my next goal ;)
I just built an UNO with an ethernet shield and low and behold its working with 47uF capacitor.
Conclusion:
MEGA does not work with NRF plate adapter nor 47uF capacitor.
UNO works with 47uF capacitor only (not with plate).All nodes are reporting in (mixed 2.0 and 2.1).
I use @AWI quality meter with NRF plate board to test as well and it is OK.So same NRF hardware yields different results on UNO and MEGA for me.
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@tekka that was my next goal ;)
I just built an UNO with an ethernet shield and low and behold its working with 47uF capacitor.
Conclusion:
MEGA does not work with NRF plate adapter nor 47uF capacitor.
UNO works with 47uF capacitor only (not with plate).All nodes are reporting in (mixed 2.0 and 2.1).
I use @AWI quality meter with NRF plate board to test as well and it is OK.So same NRF hardware yields different results on UNO and MEGA for me.
@Nicklas-Starkel
Any difference in how you power the radio? -
@Nicklas-Starkel
Any difference in how you power the radio?@Anticimex
I power either with 3xAAA (4.5V) if I'm using the plate.
If I'm using only capacitor I power with 2xAA (3.3V).
Tried both versions with same results. Only difference is Arduino/MEGA.
All batteries fresh and also checked with voltmeter ;) -
@Anticimex
I power either with 3xAAA (4.5V) if I'm using the plate.
If I'm using only capacitor I power with 2xAA (3.3V).
Tried both versions with same results. Only difference is Arduino/MEGA.
All batteries fresh and also checked with voltmeter ;)@Nicklas-Starkel
I mean do you power the radio by dedicated regulator or directly from mcu? -
@Nicklas-Starkel
I mean do you power the radio by dedicated regulator or directly from mcu?@Anticimex I not sure I follow you and perhaps I am doing it wrong :)
I power my arduinos via their usb jacket, 5V/2.1A
If I'm using the NRF plate it has its own dedicated regulator hence its getting 3xAAA 4.5V.
Otherwise I am using 2xAA which is around 3.3V connected to VCC/GND of the radio module and GND is also connected to the arduino. -
@Anticimex I not sure I follow you and perhaps I am doing it wrong :)
I power my arduinos via their usb jacket, 5V/2.1A
If I'm using the NRF plate it has its own dedicated regulator hence its getting 3xAAA 4.5V.
Otherwise I am using 2xAA which is around 3.3V connected to VCC/GND of the radio module and GND is also connected to the arduino.@Nicklas-Starkel
I owe you an apology. It appears there for some configuration combinations does exist a bug for signing in 2.1. @tekka found a problem where the signing presentation in some situations would not be sent to the correct node.
That said, you do appear to also have issues with the radio (the NACKs) but you are correct in that there is an issue with signing. It will be resolved in 2.1.1.
Thank you for reporting, and again, please accept my sincere apology for failing to look more thoroughly through your logs. -
@Nicklas-Starkel
I owe you an apology. It appears there for some configuration combinations does exist a bug for signing in 2.1. @tekka found a problem where the signing presentation in some situations would not be sent to the correct node.
That said, you do appear to also have issues with the radio (the NACKs) but you are correct in that there is an issue with signing. It will be resolved in 2.1.1.
Thank you for reporting, and again, please accept my sincere apology for failing to look more thoroughly through your logs.@Anticimex , eh, no apologies needed. I'm thankful mysensors is opensource and actually FREE!
Cool that you found a bug and if I helped, I'm glad :) -
@Anticimex and @tekka .
I just upgraded my GW (MEGA) and most sensors.
I do not know what you did, but my range is incredible now (and everything works!)
I had good coverage in my apartment before, but if I went outside my front door it started failing (steel security door).
Now, I can not only go outside the door, I can actually go 3 stairs down in my building with AWIs NRF tester.
Same hardware is used and nothing has changed from my part.Kudos and thank you.
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@Anticimex and @tekka .
I just upgraded my GW (MEGA) and most sensors.
I do not know what you did, but my range is incredible now (and everything works!)
I had good coverage in my apartment before, but if I went outside my front door it started failing (steel security door).
Now, I can not only go outside the door, I can actually go 3 stairs down in my building with AWIs NRF tester.
Same hardware is used and nothing has changed from my part.Kudos and thank you.
@Nicklas-Starkel nice to hear! We are constantly trying to improve the performance in various aspects. I think it is @tekka that deserves the credit for increased rf performance as he has done a tremendous work with the drivers.
