CC3200MOD: CC3200MOD not connecting to Sprint Mobile hotspot and other routers

ihearth2o

Part Number: CC3200MOD
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC3200

Hi,

We have recently deployed a few CC3200MOD based devices and are experiencing WiFi interop issues. It just seems to not be able to connect as a station to certain hosts.

One such example is my Sprint-serviced iPhone 6 in hotspot mode. I have found this post that did not have a resolution - https://e2e.ti.com/support/wireless_connectivity/simplelink_wifi_cc31xx_cc32xx/f/968/t/432578

I have run our code base and the getting started with wlan example, but neither connects. What is the best way to debug this?

Is there a list of AP's with which interop testing that has been performed?

Thanks!

over 8 years ago

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

If you are using a custom board with a CC3200MOD, then you can try running the same code on a launchpad and seeing if you can connect properly to your AP. This will allow to check if the problems are caused by the AP having interop issues, or by your CC3200MOD's software/hardware.

If you run a demo from the SDK, such as the getting_started_with_wlan_station example, you can also rule out software problems, which will allow you to determine if the issue is due to your AP or due to your board.

We unfortunately are unable to publicly offer a list of APs which have been tested for interop. However, you can always using your board to try connecting to another CC3200 running in AP mode. Two CC3200s are definitely able to connect to each other.

From your findings doing those tests, you can do further debug. For example, if the problem is due to your board, then you should look through the hardware review steps and the debugging appnote:
processors.wiki.ti.com/.../CC3100_&_CC3200_Hardware_Design_Review

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/CC3100_%26_CC3200_HW_Debugging_AppNote

If the problem is due to your software, then I would examine the code against the SDK examples and the SimpleLink API reference and check for bugs.

Regards,
Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to Michael Reymond

Intellectual 780 points

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the response. I left out a crucial detail!

I tried the getting started example with the CC3200MOD Lauchpad too. It was unable to "see" the Hotspot. However, all software (mine and SDK examples) connects fine to other routers and my PC and other phones' are able to connect fine to the Hotspot.

Is there something particular about Cellular Hotspots? What would be the best way to debug the NWP? Logs?

Thanks!

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

There shouldn't be be any particular problem with celluar hotspots that causes them to be incompatible with the CC3200. I use a cellular hotspot for testing on a daily basis.

One thing to doublecheck would be your common.h file included in your project with the SSID and security key/type. Make sure that those are correct. Also, make sure that your iphone's hotspot is not using 5G and that its SSID is not hidden.

Regards,
Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to Michael Reymond

Intellectual 780 points

Common.h is updated with SSID/password and security type. It is a 2.4G network.

Would a hidden SSID matter if we are passing the parameters to the device already? It's not using SmartConfig or anything.

Is there a way to get more details on what the NWP is seeing?

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

Yes, a hidden SSID would only matter if you were trying to scan for the iphone hotspot on the CC3200. If you are using sl_wlanconnect() than it doesn't matter.

Are you using the latest servicepack on the CC3200? Have you used a wifi analyzer to get a detailed scan and confirm that the iphone 6 is running as a 2.4GHz network with appropriate wifi parameters?

What output do you get on the console when you run the getting_started_with_wlan_station example? I tested it with an Iphone 6S and it worked correctly for me.

Regards,
Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to Michael Reymond

Intellectual 780 points

Hi Michael,

I am using SP 1.0.1.11 - which I'm pretty sure is the latest. Checking on www.ti.com/.../cc3200sdk actually it currently does not show any service packs. I am on SDK 1.3.

I have tried inSSIDer for the PC and that oddly enough does not pick up the hotspot on 2.4G or 5G, but other cell phones and the PC are able to connect to the hotspot fine. Which "appropriate wifi parameters" should I be looking out for? I have an iPhone 6 so I don't imagine it will be broadcasting the hotspot in AC.

We have had customers report issues with two routers - G1100 from Frontier Verizon and Actiontec MM424WR also from Verizon. They are confirmed trying to connect via 2.4G n-network. I have ordered these routers to check if there is an issue.

Console is stuck at "Device started at STATION" for hotspot. I have confirmed it will connect to the office WiFi/router. Connects, pings, red LED goes solid.

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

With the wifi analyzer android app, I can see information such as SSID, security type, rssi, as well as channel number. It's a useful debugging tool to check that your wifi network is operating with your expected settings.

Come to think of it, perhaps your Iphone 6 is using channel 12 or 13 to broadcast. Try running this command on your CC3200mod to allow the use of channels 12&13 (not allowed in the US):

_u8* str = (_u8 *) "EU";
lRetVal = sl_WlanSet(SL_WLAN_CFG_GENERAL_PARAM_ID, WLAN_GENERAL_PARAM_OPT_COUNTRY_CODE, 2, str);

Setting the country code of the CC3200 to a region that allows channel 12 and 13 for wifi enables the CC3200 to connect to APs running on those channels.

Regards,

Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to Michael Reymond

Intellectual 780 points

Thanks, Michael.

Any specific Android app you recommend?

Also, shall I input this code anywhere specific in the getting started example?

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

You can try using the app called "Wifi Analyzer" by farproc.

You can put the code anywhere after sl_start() in the getting started example. For example, you can put it right before the sl_wlanconnect() call and it should work.

You can also paste in the follow code to check if the country settings were applied correctly:

_i8 country[3];
    _u16 len = 3;
    _u16 config_opt = WLAN_GENERAL_PARAM_OPT_COUNTRY_CODE;
    sl_WlanGet(SL_WLAN_CFG_GENERAL_PARAM_ID, &config_opt, &len, (_u8* )country);

Regards,

Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

Intellectual 780 points

Ok, so I reset my iPhone network settings and it changed the SSID to just be 'iPhone'. It connected! It might have been an iOS glitch...

I did try the European scan but took that out and it still worked. Thanks for the suggestions.

For our customer routers, can you confirm if you tested with the G1100 from Frontier Verizon or Actiontec MM424WR also from Verizon? We have ordered them as well but they won't arrive until next week.

Thank you.

0 Michael Reymond over 8 years ago in reply to ihearth2o

TI__Mastermind 40965 points

Hi ihearth2o,

We've tested the Actiontec MI424WR, but not the Actiontec MM424WR. Not sure what's the difference between two, but the MI424WR passed our interop testing.

The other router, the Frontier Verizon G1100, is not on our list of routers tested for interop.

Regards,
Michael

0 ihearth2o over 8 years ago in reply to Michael Reymond

Intellectual 780 points

Sorry, it is the MI424WR. Typo on my end. Thanks for confirming.

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CC3200MOD: CC3200MOD not connecting to Sprint Mobile hotspot and other routers