NimbeLink NL-SWDK2 Manuale utente
NL-SWDK2 User Manual
NimbeLink Corp
Updated: January 2021
PN 1002633 REV 1 © NimbeLink Corp. 2021. All rights reserved. 1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Introduction 3
Contact Information 3
Orderable Part Numbers 3
Additional Resources 3
Kit Contents 4
Getting Started 5
Data Plans 5
Access Point Names 5
Development Kit Configuration 6
USB Interfaces 6
UART Selection 6
Modem Power On 7
Connect to a PC 9
SIM Insertion 9
Modem Placement & Antenna Connectors 10
Connect LTE Antennas 12
Apply Power 12
Connect USB 13
Modem Power On 13
AT Commands 14
Test Serial Communication 15
PDP Context APN Configuration 17
Verizon Cat1+ Devices 17
LTE M1 and Non-Verizon LTE Cat 1+ Device APN Configuration 18
Signal Quality 19
Network Registration 24
Activate PDP Context 27
Next Steps 28
Version Information 29
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1. Introduction
This document serves as the user manual for the Skywire Development Kit Version 2
platform. Throughout this document document the Skywire Development Kit Version 2
will be referred to by its abbreviated name, SWDK2, or by its part number,
NL-SWDK2.
1.1 Contact Information
NimbeLink’s goal is to make integrating Skywire™ modems into end-user applications
as easy as possible. Please send any feedback, documentation requests, or technical
support questions to NimbeLink’s product support team at:
For purchasing information, please visit the "Part Ordering Information" section on the
development kit's product page. Any additional sales questions or requests for
quotation can be directed to NimbeLink’s sales team at:
1.2 Orderable Part Numbers
*This modem is compatible with all Skywire modems using the standard Skywire interface. This development kit is not compatible
with Skywire Nano products.
1.3 Additional Resources
●Skywire Software Developers Guide
●Skywire Hardware Developers Guide
●NL-SWDK2 Product Page
●NL-SWDK2 Datasheet
●NL-SWDK2 Schematic
●NL-SWDK2 Altium Design Files
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Orderable Device
Compatible Modems
Operating Temperature
NL-SWDK2
All Skywires*
-40 C to +85 C
1.4 Kit Contents
The SWDK2 development kit includes the following:
- 1x NL-SWDK2 development board
- 2x Taoglas TG.30.8113 Antennas
- 1x NimbeLink AT&T SIM
- 1x 12V Power Supply
- 1x Mini-B USB Cable
The development kit does not include a Skywire modem. Modems must be purchased
separately.
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2. Getting Started
The following section will guide users through the getting started process with a
SWDK2 development kit in a Windows 10 environment.
2.1 Data Plans
Skywire cellular modems do not ship with active cellular data
plans, unless they are part of NimbeLink's Skywire Bundled
Dataplan Service.
Devices using NimbeLink's Bundled Data Plan Service ship
with global coverage SIM's, on a 10 year, 500 MB bundled
data plan that is pre-activated and ready to use out of the
box.
If your modem did not come with a bundled data plan then
you can activate a new Verizon or AT&T data plan by visiting
http://go.nimbelink.com, creating an account, and then
activating your Skywire there. Alternatively, you can also
contact your preferred cellular carrier for assistance in
setting up a data plan.
2.2 Access Point Names
Users will need to set an Access Point Name (APN) on their modem for it to be able to
connect to a cellular carrier's network. The APN is determined by the cellular carrier
and the type of data plan that is in use.
The table below contains a list of common APNs and their respective carriers. It is
important to use the APN that corresponds to the proper carrier. Failure to do so will
result in failed cellular network connections. Customers using non-NimbeLink data
plans will need to contact their carriers for APN information.
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Cellular Carrier
APN
Description
Verizon
nimblink.gw12.vzwentp
APN for go.nimbelink data plans using Verizon
AT&T
iot0718.com.attz
APN for go.nimbelink data plans using AT&T
Global
nl2.nimbelink
APN for NimbeLink 10 year bundled data plans
2.3 Development Kit Configuration
This development kit may be used as a stand alone development kit interfaced to a
PC or as a shield connected to another development kit with a compatible Arduino
shield interface.
The SW1 DIP switch will ship with a piece of tape covering the switches. This should
be removed by the user upon getting started with the kit.
2.3.1 USB Interfaces
The development kit has two USB Mini-B connectors to allow for the use of the
modem's serial UART AT command interface and/or the modem's USB interface.
The J5 USB interface is for connecting to the modem's USB interface. The USB
interface will allow customers to connect to multiple different communication ports on
the modem including:
- AT Command interfaces
- Debug interfaces for modem diagnostic tools
- GNSS NMEA streaming interfaces
The specific USB interfaces available will be modem specific and connecting to the
USB interface will require that users download the modem's USB drivers from its
product page.
The J14 interface will connect to the modem's USB to serial UART interface IC to
access the modem's serial UART interface. The USB to serial UART interface IC used
on the J14 USB interface is an FTDI FT234XD. The FTDI drivers for the FT234XD are
available on FTDI's website.
2.3.2 UART Selection
The Skywire modem's UART interface is multiplexed to several different interfaces on
the development kit to allow for easy interfacing with different host development kits
and for accessing it through the USB to serial UART interface (J14).
The USB to serial interface will be automatically selected when a USB connection is
powered on J14 and will override the selection switch for the other UART interfaces.
This feature may be bypassed, if desired, by modifying the circuit board.
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The interface selection for the Arduino interface is controlled by the switches ARD1
(SW1-1) and ARD2 (SW1-2) on SW1 according to the following logic table:
Below is an image of the switch locations on SW1.
2.3.3 Modem Power On
The development kit can automatically boot the modem when power is applied by
turning SW1-3/Auto-ON to the ON position. This will enable the development kit's built
in automatic turn on circuit using a TI TPL5111DDCR (U1). This circuit will toggle the
modem's ON_OFF pin low once for about 8 seconds after the 4.0V supply is applied.
The automatic turn on circuit can be enabled or disable based using the SW1-3 DIP
switch.
Users may also manually turn the modem on or off by disabling the auto turn on circuit
by setting SW1-3 to the off position and then use SW2, labeled "ON BTN" on the
circuit board, to manually pulse the modem's ON_OFF line low.
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Interface Selection
ARD1 Position
ARD2 Position
Test Points (TP16-TP19)
OFF
OFF
Arduino Interface 1 (D0/D1)
ON
OFF
Arduino Interface 2 (D2/D8)
OFF
ON
USB to Serial Interface
ON
ON
Users may use SW2 to turn off the modem or to turn the modem back on after a
shutdown when the automatic turn on circuit is enabled.
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2.4 Connect to a PC
This section will guide users through setting up the SWDK2 and issuing AT
commands to a Skywire modem. For this demonstration a NL-SW-LTE-QBG96
Skywire modem will be used, but users may use any modem that uses the standard
Skywire interface.
2.4.1 SIM Insertion
Insert the SIM card for the Skywire modem into the modem's 3FF SIM interface
located on the bottom side of the modem. The gold contacts on the SIM should be
inserted so they are facing the modem's PCB.
Some Skywire modems have onboard Verizon SIMs. If the user is using the onboard
SIM for Verizon service this step can be skipped.
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2.4.2 Modem Placement & Antenna Connectors
⚠ Make sure the Skywire is installed in the correct orientation in your host
board. Failure to do so will damage the modem and void the warranty.
Skywire modems use U.FL RF connectors for connecting antennas to the modem's
LTE and GNSS RF interfaces. U.FL connectors must be carefully handled to avoid
damage and users should always use a U.FL extractor tool for connecting and
disconnecting the U.FL connectors. The U.FL connectors should always be inserted
and removed with a force that is perpendicular to the modem.
The Skywire modem's RF interfaces are labeled X1, X2, and X3. Each interface has a
specific function as documented below. The locations of the interfaces may change
depending on the modem and it is recommended that users carefully review the
modem's documentation before connecting antennas before powering up the modem.
Users should not attempt to place the modem in the Skywire socket or attach the U.FL
connectors while power is applied.
To seat the modem, align the Skywire modem's top side U.FL connectors with the two
circles seen on the top of the SWDK2's Skywire socket.
⚠ Make sure that the modem's pins are properly aligned in the Skywire socket.
Inserting the modem into the Skywire socket incorrectly can damage the
modem.
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RF Interface
Function
Notes
X1
LTE Primary RF Antenna Interface
(TX/RX)
This interface must have an antenna
attached for network connectivity.
X2
LTE Diversity Antenna Interface
(RX)
This interface must have an antenna
attached for Cat 4+ products for carrier
certification compliance and is strongly
recommended for Cat 1+ devices.
X3
GNSS Antenna Interface
Do not connect to cellular antennas. This
interface requires the use of an appropriate
GNSS antenna. Review the modem's
datasheet for GNSS antenna guidelines.
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