# Nordic nRF9151 Satellite NTN Network
### Quick Navigation 1. [Set up the nRF9151DK](#set-up-the-nrf9151dk) 2. [Connect the nRF9151 to Skylo](#connect-the-nrf9151-to-skylo) 3. [Test the connection by sending UDP payload](#test-the-connection-by-sending-udp-payload) 4. [Useful Links](#useful-links) ## Set up the nRF9151DK 1. Connect the **USB cable** to the nRF9151DK 2. **Connect the LTE antenna** 3. **Connect the GPS antenna** 4. Insert the **Monogoto SIM** ### Run the latest modem and application firmware Update the nRF9151DK-SMA with the latest **modem firmware** which supports NTN, and use the **`serial_lte_modem`** application firmware.
How to download and update the nRF modem and application firmware #### Update modem firmware 1. Download the latest modem firmware on [Nordic's website](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nRF9151-SMA-DK/Download?#infotabs), under **nRF9151 SiP NTN firmware**. 2. Open [**nRF Connect for Desktop**](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-tools/nRF-Connect-for-Desktop) > **Programmer** 3. Upload the `.zip` file (e.g. `mfw_nrf9151-ntn_1.0.0-1.alpha.zip`) to the **Programmer** and select **Write**. *Don't unzip the file.*
#### Update application firmware 1. Download the latest **nRF9151 SMA DK application and modem firmware** `.zip` file on [Nordic's website](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nRF9151-SMA-DK/Download?#infotabs) (e.g. `nrf9151dk_mfw-2.0.2_sdk-3.1.0`). 2. Unzip the folder 3. Navigate to the directory `img_app_bl` 4. Find the `.hex` file called `nrf9151dk_serial_lte_modem_202X-XX-XX_XXX.hex` 5. Upload the `.hex` file to the **Programmer** and select **Erase & Write**.
{% hint style="info" %} For more information, see Nordic’s [getting started page](http://nordicsemi.com/start9151smadk). {% endhint %} ### Open a serial connection with the nRF9151 You can use the **Serial Terminal** from the [**nRF Connect for Desktop**](https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-tools/nRF-Connect-for-Desktop), or any program of choice (e.g. PuTTY for Windows, or screen/minicom/miniterm for macOS/Linux). Set the baud rate to `115200` . To test the connection with the nRF9151 modem enter `AT` and expect the answer `OK`. {% hint style="info" %} Keep the AT Commands manual next to you for more details about the commands. [Click here](https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ref_at_commands_nrf91x1/page/REF/at_commands/intro_nrf91x1.html) to download the latest version. {% endhint %} ### Check SIM Status **Enable the module** ```bash AT+CFUN=1 ``` **Check SIM status** ``` AT+CPIN? ``` Expected response: `+CPIN: READY` {% hint style="success" %} +CPIN: READY means that the SIM is ready and does not require any PIN entry. {% endhint %} ### Query Device Information Useful for confirming firmware, hardware and SIM identity. **Request the firmware version** ``` AT+CGMR ``` Example response: `mfw_nrf9151-ntn_1.0.0-1.alpha` {% hint style="warning" %} The minimum required modem firmware is `mfw_nrf9151-ntn_1.0.0-1.alpha` {% endhint %} **Request the hardware version** ``` AT%HWVERSION ``` Example response: `%HWVERSION:nRF9151 LACA A1A` **Request the IMSI** ``` AT+CIMI ``` **Request the ICCID** (Integrated Circuit Card ID), which is the identification number of the SIM ``` AT%XICCID ``` ### **Acquire GPS location** To establish a satellite connection, a location has to be set. **Put the radio in flight mode** ``` AT+CFUN=4 ``` **Enable GNSS** ``` AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,0,1,0,0 ``` **Activate GPS within the nRF module** ```bash AT+CFUN=31 ``` **Start the GNSS scan** ```bash AT#XGPS=1,0,0,0 ``` {% hint style="warning" %} It can easily take up multiple minutes to establish an initial GNSS fix. {% endhint %} Example response: ```bash #XGPS: 1,1 #XGPS: 52.089769,4.313237,56.617798,14.694924,0.126635,0.000000,"2025-11-24 18:00:31" ``` {% hint style="warning" %} Save the location as we need it later on. {% endhint %} **Shutdown the GPS** ```bash AT#XGPS=0 ``` *** ## Connect the nRF9151 to Skylo **Disable radio** ``` AT+CFUN=0 ``` **Enable NTN mode** (NB-IoT over satellite) ``` AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,0,0,0,1 ``` **Lock the modem to one or multiple NTN satellite bands** ``` AT%XBANDLOCK=2,,"23,255,256" ``` {% hint style="info" %} 23 = Canada \ 255 = L band Global (US, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Japan)\ 256 = S band Europe {% endhint %} #### **Set GPS location** Format: ``` AT%LOCATION=,"","","",, ``` **Set the location** which has just been acquired, e.g.: ```bash AT%LOCATION=2,"52.08995","4.31301","16",0,0 ``` **Validate if the location was successfully set** ```bash AT%LOCATION? ``` #### Set APN ``` AT+CGDCONT=0,"IP","data.mono" ``` ### Subscribe to network status events CEREG network registration status events ``` AT+CEREG=5 ``` Subscribe to error codes from the network ``` AT+CNEC=24 ``` Subscribe to connection state changes ``` AT+CSCON=3 ``` Enable modem domain event reporting ``` AT%MDMEV=2 ``` Enable the radio ``` AT+CFUN=1 ``` Example responses: ``` %MDMEV: SEARCH STATUS 1 +CEREG: 2,"3AAE","0021CC6E",14 %MDMEV: PRACH CE-LEVEL 0 +CSCON: 1,7,4 %MDMEV: SEARCH STATUS 2 +CEREG: 5,"3AAE","0021CC6E",14,,,"11100000","00111000" ``` **CEREG State Codes**
ValueMeaning
0Not registered, not searching
1Registered (home network)
2Not registered, searching
3Registration denied
4Unknown / out of coverage
5Registered & roaming
### Radio & Signal Checks Check the signal quality ``` 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 with a value be tween 0 and 97. Higher values represent better signal quality. For more details [click here](https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ref_at_commands_nrf91x1/page/REF/at_commands/mob_termination_ctrl_status/cesq_set.html). {% endhint %} **Request network info** ``` AT%XMONITOR ``` Example response: ``` 5,"","","90198","3A9D",14,255,"0007DBBD",5,228841,9,19,"","11100000","00111000","11100000" ``` *** ## Test the Connection by Sending UDP Payload To send UDP data, send **three AT commands**: 1. **Create UDP socket** ``` AT#XSOCKET=1,2,0 ``` Expected response: `#XSOCKET:0,2,17` 2. **Connect socket** Replace `` with the ip address of your UDP server ``` AT#XCONNECT="", ``` **Set the IP address** and port, e.g.: ``` AT#XCONNECT="18.199.15.247",1055 ``` Expected response: `#XCONNECT:1` {% hint style="info" %} You can test the UDP connection with the Ubidots platform which runs a UDP server. [Learn more](https://docs.monogoto.io/developer/cloud-integrations/ubidots). {% endhint %} 3. **Send UDP data** ``` AT#XSEND="Hello Nordic" ``` Example response: `#XSEND:12` 4. **Close the UDP socket** ``` AT#XSOCKET=0 ``` Expected response: `#XSOCKET:0,"closed"` {% hint style="info" %} **Great work on connecting the Nordic nRF9151-SMA DK to Monogoto**! Have a look at the Things logs in the [Monogoto Hub](https://hub.monogoto.io/) to find more details about the established connection. {% endhint %} ### Switch Between NTN and Public Networks Use the following commands to switch from NTN to public networks: **Disable radio** ``` AT+CFUN=0 ``` #### **Enable public networks** ``` AT%XSYSTEMMODE=1,1,0,0,0 ``` **Enable radio** ``` AT+CFUN=1 ``` #### Switch Back to Satellite NTN **Disable radio** ``` AT+CFUN=0 ``` **Enable NTN** ``` AT%XSYSTEMMODE=0,0,0,0,1 ``` **Enable radio** ``` AT+CFUN=1 ``` *** ## Useful Links * [nRF9151 NTN Evaluation Getting Started v1.1](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FixsCDC8qCDXVmzsDeF9O%2FNTN%20evaluation%20getting%20started%20v1.1.pdf?alt=media\&token=577311cf-e19e-4e0c-9c7c-59cb1633dd5d) * [mfw\_nrf9151-ntn AT Commands v0.4](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2F5bzFMG17YlF3WpnTCW2r%2Fmfw_nrf9151-ntn_at_commands_v0.4.pdf?alt=media\&token=a8208e29-d451-4224-bf69-8e10e54612f9) * [nRF9151\_SMA\_DK Hardware User Guide v0.9.0](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FXICvrGMuxbAuRhcBY1ZD%2FnRF9151_SMA_DK_HW_User_Guide_v0.9.0.pdf?alt=media\&token=76b7dc38-b4a0-4691-80c3-f352b27d467e) * [nRF9151\_SMA\_DK Antennas](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FNN2dJ2PGDB73oMXcnR2Z%2FnRF9151_SMA_DK%20antennas.pdf?alt=media\&token=3c50c2da-b1aa-4c25-8b2b-c0e3587bea64) * [nRF91 SoftSIM API](https://docs.monogoto.io/developer/api/softsim-nordic) {% embed url="" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.monogoto.io/ntn-satellite-networks/ntn-certified-devices/ntn-certified-modules/nordic-nrf9151-satellite-ntn-network.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.