MNO Profile 1 (SIM ICCID select)

[mbrenner]

Hi,

I’m using a Nova R410, a Hologram SIM, and the latest version of the firmware:

L0.0.00.00.05.08 [Apr 17 2019 19:34:02]

I’m using AT command info found in, “SARA-R4 series, AT commands manual (Document number: UBX-17003787, 11-Sep-2019).”

I’m trying to make best use of the +UMNOPROF command for selecting an MNO (pp. 59-61). In the manual, section 7.15.1 indicates that a list of available profiles can be obtained like this:

AT+UMNOPROF=,1
AT+UMNOPROF=?

Section 7.15.2 includes an example of the returned list of profiles known to the device. The first two listed are:

0: SW default
1: SIM ICCID select

I believe profile 0 was the same in the previous firmware version, but that profile 1 is new. Confusingly, the next section (7.15.3), on the same page, lists the all possible profiles (for all R410 modules) and begins with:

0: Undefined
1: SIM ICCID select

Question 1: is profile 0 “Undefined,” or is it “SW default”?

Question 2: if profile 0 remains “SW default,” then what is the difference between profile 0 and profile 1. That is, when is it best to choose profile 0, and when is it best to choose profile 1?

Trying to Use Profile 1 (SIM ICCID select)

If I select profile 0:

AT+COPS=2
AT+UMNOPROF=0
AT+CFUN=15

The device will reset and then register (on ATT in my situation). If I then select profile 1:

AT+COPS=2
AT+UMNOPROF=1
AT+CFUN=15

The device accepts the AT+UMNOPROF=1 command and returns “OK,” but the settings doesn’t “stick.” That is, if I ask for the current MNO profile,

AT+UMNOPROF?

the value returned remains 0 (not 1), and the device continues to register on ATT.

So, it seems the device will not accept profile 1.

Question 3: does it fail to accept profile 1 because of the Hologram SIM or for some other reason?

Profile 2 (ATT) Doesn’t Seem to Work Either

If I then select profile 2 (ATT),

AT+COPS=2
AT+UMNOPROF=2
AT+CFUN=15

The setting “sticks,” and,

AT+UMNOPROF?

returns 2 (ATT) as expected. However, it never registers again (I only left it trying for 6 hours). Each time I issue command,

AT+CREG?

the device responds with,

+CREG: 0, 2

indicating the device is, “Not Registered but Searching.” Cycling the power doesn’t help.The only solution I have found is to reset the profile to 0,

AT+COPS=2
AT+UMNOPROF=0
AT+CFUN=15

after which it registers within 30 seconds.

[Reuben]

0 is the default I believe. If 0 works for you, then its probably fine to stick with it. The only downside to it is that it scans a lot of bands and can make registering take a while if the SIM isn’t able to find the last network it was on.

[mbrenner]

After corresponding with a ublox field engineer, this is what I have learned:

1. ublox STRONGLY urges against using profile 0 (except, perhaps, for testing, though it’s not clear to me why profile 0 might be helpful for testing). Ublox recommends using profile 1 (SIM ICCID Select) or the MNO profile for your preferred vendor.

The field engineer also provided a Product Change Notice (PCN) for the SARA-R410M-02B. Here is a link:

https://www.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/SARA-R410M-02B-01_PCN_%28UBX-19024506%29.pdf

Page 3 of the document presents a table of profiles with more information than shown in the AT Command documentation. In particular, it show whether Power Saving Mode (PSM) and/or Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) are enabled by selecting each profile.

2. when profile 1 is selected, the device will consult the SIM and then select a profile associated with a MNO. In my case, with a Hologram SIM, the device chose profile 2 (ATT).

3. by default, PSM is enabled for profile 2 (as ATT apparently prefers). With PSM enabled, the Nova with a Hologram SIM will not register. Disabling PSM will allow the device to register on ATT.

Here is the configuration sequence that works for me,

AT+COPS=2              (deregister)
AT+UMNOPROF=1          (select Profile 1)
AT+CPSMS=0             (disable PSM)
AT+CFUN=15             (reset device)

after which the device uses profile 2 and registers within 30 seconds.

Please note that my experiments indicate that disabling PSM needs to happen after selecting the profile and before resetting the device.

[mbrenner]

Following up on my own reply with more info…

Profile Selection Requires Changing the Profile

Please note that for a change of profile to actually change profile settings the Profile number must be changed. That is, if you wish to select Profile X or change any Profile X settings, you must first set the profile to a non-X value, and then set it to Profile X.

(This requirement is set forth in ublox documentation, but I mention it anyway because it is absolutely necessary)

So, for example, if I want to select Profile 2 (ATT) and turn off PSM (Power Saving Mode), which is on (by default) for Profile 2, then I ublox advises a sequence like this:

1: AT+COPS=2            (degister)
2: AT+UMNOPROF=6        (select non-ATT profile, 6 = China Telcom)
3: AT+CFUN=15           (reset device)
4: AT+COPS=2            (deregister)
4: AT+UMNOPROF=2        (select ATT profile)
5: AT+CPSMS=0           (turn off PSM)
6: AT+CFUN=15           (reset device)

I’ll also add that selecting Profile 1 (SIM ICCID Select) is not working consistently for me. That is, if I select a profile (e.g. 6, which is not available in my locale) and then select Profile 1, the device may or may not register with an available network, I have tested this with Hologram and non-Hologram SIMs and found identical behavior.

Although ublox recommends against using Profile 0 with the new firmware, my tests show that only by using Profile 0 does the Nova consistently register. That is, the ublox recommended sequence, does not work::

1:  AT+COPS=2         (deregister)
2:  AT+UMNOPROF=6     (a carrier I know is not available)
3:  AT+CFUN=15        (reset)
4:  AT+COPS=2         (deregister)
5:  AT+UMNOPROF=1     (choose Profile 1, SIM ICCID Select)
6:  AT+CFUN=15        (reset)
7:  AT+CPSMS=0        (turn off PSM)
8:  AT+CFUN=15        (reset)

(Ublox has recommended a reset, step 6, after setting the profile and before turning of PSM. My experiments show that such a reset adds about 5 seconds, and doesn’t affect behavior of the device).

I have found that this sequence does get the device to find an available network and register:

1:  AT+COPS=2         (deregister)
2:  AT+UMNOPROF=6     (select a profile for carrier I know is not available)
3:  AT+CFUN=15        (reset)
4:  AT+COPS=2         (deregister)
5:  AT+UMNOPROF=0     (choose Profile 1, SIM ICCID Select)
6:  AT+CPSMS=0        (turn off PSM)
7:  AT+CFUN=15        (reset)

Differences: select Profile 0 (instead of one) at Step 5, discard reset between Steps 5 and 6.

Let me also mention while ublox does say that to activate profile X, a non-X profile must be selected, a reset performed, and then profile X must be selected. What is not clear is:

If I select Profile 1 (or 0) and the device then chooses an available carrier (e.g. ATT, Profile 2), and later (say, after the a reboot) I want to tell the device to search for an available network, does setting the device to a non-X profile actually mean setting it to non-1 (since I last set it to Profile 1), or does it mean setting it to non-2 (since the device, after being told to select Profile 1, connected to ATT).

I know from bitter experience that writing clear and complete documentation is hard work. I don’t think ublox has done a particularly good job in the case of this module.

I’ll also mention that my experiments are sufficiently at odds with the specific recommendations of the ublox field engineer with whom I have been corresponding that we have a phone call scheduled (in two days) to discuss the differences. I’ll report any useful information I gain.