# NORDIC nRF9160 DK
The nRF9160 DK is a cellular IoT development kit for LTE Cat-M1, NB-IoT, GNSS and Bluetooth LE. It is an affordable, pre-certified single-board development kit for evaluation and development of the [**nRF9160 SiP**](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9160)**.**
### Quick Navigation
* [Getting Started with the nRF9160 DK](#getting-started)
* [Connect the nRF9160 to Monogoto](#connect-the-nrf9160-to-monogoto)
* [Build a tracking application](#build-a-tracking-application)
* [Useful Links](#useful-links)
### Prerequisites
* [NORDIC nRF9160 DK](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nrf9160-dk)
* [nRF Connect for Desktop](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-tools/nRF-Connect-for-desktop/)
* [Account on nRF Cloud](https://nrfcloud.com/)
* [nRF Connect SDK](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/gs_assistant.html#gs-assistant) for VS Code or SES (Segger Embedded Studio)
## Getting Started with the nRF9160 DK
### Connect to the nRF9160
Connect the nRF9160 to your computer using a micro USB cable**.**
Open the **Programmer** tool from **nFR Connect for Desktop.**
Connect your device by clicking **SELECT DEVICE โ** at the top-left corner.
### Program the Development Kit with the `at_client` sample
{% hint style="info" %}
For details about the `at_client` sample, [see nRF9160 documentation](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/nrf9160/at_client/README.html)
{% endhint %}
Open your [**nRF Connect SDK**](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/gs_assistant.html#gs-assistant) on VS Code or SES. Select the option: **Create a new application from sample** and open the application: `at_client` which can be found in the folder: `samples/nrf9160/`.
**Add Build Configuration** for the board `nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns`
Flash the build file to the nRF9160 by clicking **Flash** in the left side menu
Wait for the status message: "**Programming: Programming complete"**
## Connect the nRF9160 to Monogoto
{% hint style="info" %}
Keep the **nRF91 AT Commands manual** next to you for more details about the commands. [**Click here**](https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fref_at_commands%2FREF%2Fat_commands%2Fintro.html) to visit NORDICs AT Commands documentation.
{% endhint %}
Start off by **inserting the Monogoto SIM card**.
Open the **LTE Link Monitor** from **nRF Connect for Desktop.**
After selecting your device via the button **SELECT DEVICE โ,** the AT command `AT+CFUN?` is sent automatically to the modem which returns: `+CFUN: 0`, indicating that the modem is turned off.
Reset the modem to **factory settings**:
```bash
AT%XFACTORYRESET=0
```
Enable **error reporting**, resulting in more descriptive error codes (optional):
```bash
AT+CMEE=1
```
**Activate** the cellular modem:
```bash
AT+CFUN=1
```
Check if the SIM card is attached and is not locked with a PIN, expected response: `+CPIN: READY`:
```bash
AT+CPIN?
```
{% hint style="warning" %}
If you receive an error, the SIM may not be inserted properly or the SIM is protected with a PIN. By default, Monogoto SIMs are not PIN protected.
{% endhint %}
### **Query device information**
Request the modem **hardware version**:
```
AT+CGMM
```
Validate if the nRF9160 modem runs the latest firmware:
```bash
AT+CGMR
```
Compare the response with the latest version found on [**NORDICs website**](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9160/Download#infotabs) under **nRF9160 SiP modem firmware***.*
How to update the nRF9160 modem firmware
If you donโt run the latest modem firmware, [**download**](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nRF9160-DK/Download?lang=en#infotabs) the latest nRF9160 DK **application and modem firmware**. Unzip the file and look for a zipfile which starts with `mfw` (which stands for Modem Firmware).
Open the **Programmer** in **nRF Connect for Desktop**.
Click in the left menu bar Read 
, followed by Add file 
and select the modem firmware zipfile you just downloaded.
Click Write 
to write the latest application and modem firmware to the nRF9160. Wait for the program to report: "**Completed successfully**".
Request the **IMSI** (International Mobile Subscriber Identity):
```
AT+CIMI
```
Request the **ICCID** (Integrated Circuit Card ID), which is the identification number of the SIM card:
```bash
AT%XICCID
```
### **Network Configuration**
It is possible to let the modem select the network automatically, or to manually define a network to connect with.
#### **Option 1: Automatic Network Selection**
To set the modem to **automatic network selection** enter the command:
```
AT+COPS=0
```
Check the **network and cellular technology the modem** is currently using:
```
AT+COPS?
```
Expected response: `+COPS: 0,2,"",7`. The last digit indicates the cellular technology, `7` means **LTE Cat-M1**
#### Option 2: Manual Network Selection
Start with searching for available networks by entering the below AT Command, or by clicking the button: 
```
AT+COPS=?
```
{% hint style="warning" %}
Be patient, it may take several minutes before the modem responds, you cannot send any other AT Commands in the meantime. You may get an error message which you can ignore `Error: 'AT+COPS=? ' timed out`.
{% endhint %}
The modem responds with the **MCCMNC** codes of the available networks. It also shows the cellular technologies the networks support: `7` indicates **LTE Cat-M1**.
Example response:
```
+COPS: (2,"","","20408",7),(1,"","","20404",7),(1,"","","20416",7)
```
To find the names and MCCMNCs of the networks Monogoto has **roaming agreements** with, review the [**Coverage lists**](/getting-started/global-public-coverage.md).
{% hint style="info" %}
To find the **profile** of your SIM, visit the [**Monogoto Console**](https://console.monogoto.io/), open the page **Things** and select a specific **Thing**. Scroll down to **Mobile Identities** to find your profile in the column **Network Provider Name**.
{% endhint %}
To find the **network operator** and the **cellular technology** the device is currently using, enter:
```
AT+COPS?
```
Expected response: `+COPS: 0,2,"",7`. The last digit indicates the cellular technology LTE Cat-M1.
**Manually set the network and the cellular technology**:
```
AT+COPS=1,2,"XXXXX",7
```
Replace `XXXXX` with the **MCCMNC** code of your operator, for example`"20404"` for Vodafone NL.
#### **Check the radio signal strength and signal quality:**
```bash
AT+CESQ
```
Example response: `+CESQ: 99,99,255,255,15,53`
{% hint style="info" %}
`+CESQ` returns 6 values separated by commas. The last 2 values indicate the **RSRQ** (Reference Signal Received Quality) and **RSRP** (Reference Signal Received Power) respectively. RSRQ is indicated with a value between `0` and `34`, RSRP is with a value between `0` and `97`. Higher values represent better signal quality.
{% endhint %}
#### Read the LTE Cat-M1 band the modem is using:
```
AT%XCBAND
```
Example response: `%XCBAND: 20`
#### Define the cellular band(s) (optional)
It is possible to **lock the modem to one or more specific bands**. This may result in a faster boot cycle as the modem does not need to scan for available bands at startup.
To **find** the available bands the modem support:
```
AT%XCBAND=?
```
Expected response: `%XCBAND: (1,2,3,4,5,8,12,13,18,19,20,25,26,28,66)`
{% hint style="warning" %}
Although the modem may support many different bands, your local network operator may not. Have a look at the [**LTE Cat-M1 overview**](broken://pages/GDSRxI85QWE6Z2lsLeS3) to find the available band(s) in your region.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="info" %}
The LTE Link Monitor shows most of the network information as well. Example:
{% endhint %}
**Lock the modem to one or multiple bands**
First, deactivate the modem: `AT+CFUN=0`, then run the command:
```
AT%XBANDLOCK=1,""
```
{% hint style="info" %}
Example of **creating the bandmask:**
To lock the modem to band 3 and 8, create a bit array where the 3rd and 8th bit are a 1 (counted from right to left): `10000100`. The AT Command becomes: `AT%XBANDLOCK=1,"10000100"`
{% endhint %}
Reactivate the modem after locking the band: `AT+CFUN=1`
**Test** if the bands are properly set:
```
AT%XBANDLOCK?
```
Expected response: `%XBANDLOCK: "",""`
### Network Activation
**Set the APN to** `data.mono`:
```bash
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","data.mono"
```
Validate if the **APN** is properly set:
```
AT+CGDCONT?
```
Expected response:
```
+CGDCONT: 1,"IP","data.mono"
```
**Activate the PDP (packet data protocol) context:**
```
AT+CGACT=1,1
```
**Test** if the PDP context is activated:
```
AT+CGACT?
```
Expected response:
```
+CGACT: 0,1
+CGACT: 1,1
```
#### Validate if your device received an **IP address**:
```bash
AT+CGPADDR
```
Expected response: `+CGPADDR: 1,XX.XXX.XX.XXX`
{% hint style="success" %}
Did you receive an IP address? **Congratulations! ๐ You successfully connected the nRF9160 to Monogoto.** Have a look at the **Things** logs in the [**Monogoto Console**](https://console.monogoto.io/) to find more details about the established connection.
{% endhint %}
Finally, visualize the network settings and status in the **LTE Link Monitor** with the command:
```bash
AT+CFUN?
```
If all went well, you should see the **Modem**, **UICC**, **LTE** and **PDN** (and optionally **UART**) indicators in the LTE Link Monitor turn **green**. You should also see network information such as the **band**, the **network** the **signal quality** and **IP address**.
## Build a tracking application
*After successfully connecting the nRF9160 to Monogoto, start building an IoT asset tracking application where GPS data is visualized in **nRF Cloud**.*
### **Prerequisites**
* Monogoto SIM
* [NORDIC nRF9160 DK](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nrf9160-dk)
* [Account on nRF Cloud](https://nrfcloud.com/)
* [nRF Connect SDK](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/gs_assistant.html#gs-assistant) for VS Code or SES (Segger Embedded Studio)
### Add the nRF9160 to nRF Cloud
Login to [**nRF Cloud**](https://nrfcloud.com/)
Connect the nRF9160 DK to nRF Cloud by clicking the **+** sign. Select **LTE Device** and **Skip** the step when asked to activate a SIM card.
The **Device ID** is composed of `nrf-` followed by the **IMEI** which can be found at the back of the device, or by running the AT Command: `AT+CGSN`. Below the IMEI, you should see the **PIN** or **HWID**.
Open your [**nRF Connect SDK**](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/gs_assistant.html#gs-assistant) on VS Code or SES. Select the option: **Create a new application from sample** and open the application: `asset_tracker_v2` which can be found in the folder: `nrf/applications/`.
{% hint style="info" %}
For details about the `asset_tracker_v2` sample, [see nRF9160 documentation](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/README.html)
{% endhint %}
Add a **Build Configuration** for the Asset Tracker V2 application (this may take several minutes) and **Flash** it to your Development Kit.
Place the device outside or close to a window so it can receive GPS signals. Have a look at the **LTE Link Monitor** tool from **nRF Connect for Desktop** to monitor the device.
If the nRF9160 DK successfully connected to Monogoto and got a GPS fix, data will appear in the nRF Cloud. Does your nRF Cloud look something like the below images? **Congratulations! Youโve successfully connected the nRF9160 DK to the nRF Cloud using Monogoto. ๐**
## Useful Links
* [nRF9160 DK Getting Started](https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fstruct_nrf91%2Fstruct%2Fnrf9160.html)
* [nRF91 AT Commands](https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fstruct_nrf91%2Fstruct%2Fnrf91.html)
* [nRF9160: Asset Tracker v2 documentation](nhttps://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/applications/asset_tracker_v2/README.html)
* [nRF9160 sample applications](https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/samples_nrf9160.html#)
* [nRF Cloud Documentation](https://docs.nrfcloud.com/)
---
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