HL6528RD missing GPIO6 and FW upgrade issue

IoT Modules Legacy HL Series
1

Hi All,
I am stucked with an issue with this modem: I miss the GPIO 6 when I issue the command AT+KGPIO=?. The answer is +KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,7,8),(0-2). This GPIO should exist as reported in the HL6528RD document “AirPrime_HL6528RDx_Product_Technical_Specification_Rev10_0”.

If I issue the ATI3 I get “RHL6528RD.2.1.4.1.11CV10F37.201605061629.m6261a_1” which means that I am running the FW version 2.1.4.1.11.

If I also issue the command AT+WDSD=? the modem returns ERROR and I understod that this command is necessary for the Firmware update.

I am looking forward some reply.

Thanks
Vito

2

Hi Vito,

For GPIO6 missing issue, I guess you enabled the GNSS Antenna Detection, Temperature monitor, etc.
To restore the default settings, you can try an internal AT command of AT+NVRST=2 or disable the GNSS Antenna Detection, Temperature monitor, etc.
For AT+WDSD issue, unfortunately, you cannot do the local upgrade by X-modem with AT+WDSD in v2.1.4.1.
The Xmodem feature (+WDSD) is support from v2.2.1.11(201605101825).

Here’s my log for your reference:
ATI3
RHL6528RD.2.1.4.1.11CV10F37.201605061629.m6261a_1
OK
AT+KGPIO=?
+KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8),(0-2)
OK
AT+KGPIOCFG?
+KGPIOCFG: 1,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 2,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 3,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 4,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 5,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 6,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 7,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 8,0,2
OK
AT+KGPIO=6,0
OK
AT+KGPIO=6,1
OK
AT+KTEMPMON=1,20,1,2,0,6
+KTEMPMON: 0,26
OK
AT+KGPIO=?
+KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,7,8),(0-2)
OK
AT+KGPIOCFG?
+KGPIOCFG: 1,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 2,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 3,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 4,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 5,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 7,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 8,0,2
OK
AT+KTEMPMON=0
+KTEMPMON: 0,26
OK
AT+KGPIO=?
+KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8),(0-2)
OK
AT+KGPIOCFG?
+KGPIOCFG: 1,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 2,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 3,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 4,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 5,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 6,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 7,0,2
+KGPIOCFG: 8,0,2
OK

3

Hi,
thanks for your promt reply.
The modem I have is without “-G” in the part number and that’s means no GNSS support. The part number is HL6528RD impressed on the modem chassis and also returned by ATI3 command.

Anyway I issued the “AT+NVRST=2” command (which is not reported in the “AirPrime_HL6528RDx_AT_Commands_Interface_Guide_Rev8_0”) and the modem returned:

OK
+KSUP: 3
+NVBU_IND: 0

I don’t know what this means but I issued again AT+KGPIO=? and I got +KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,7,8),(0-2), no GPIO 6.
Also I tried to disable the temperature monitor by issuing AT+KTEMPMON=0 and then:

AT+KTEMPMON?
+KTEMPMON: 0,0,0,0,30,1

OK
AT+KGPIO=?
+KGPIO: (1,2,3,4,5,7,8),(0-2)

OK

On the second topic, if the AT+WDSD doesn’t work, I can I upgrade the modem firmware?

Thanks
Vito Caruso

4

Hi Vito,

I see your log +KSUP: 3, it means the module is in “SIMlock” state. Maybe you can try with another SIM.
Normally GPIOs could already be used by +KSIMDET, +KSYNC, +KTEMPMON, +KGSMAD, +KGNSSAD, or WESHDOWN.
Please check again AT+KSIMDET? AT+KSYNC? AT+KTEMPMON? to see if the GPIO6 occupied by these features.

To upgrade in Windows + USB:

  • Download and Install USB driver: MS_USB_ComPort_Driver_exe_v1.1032.1.zip:
  • Download new FW.exe from source then double click the FW.exe (a modem power cycle may need).

Link for HL6528RD Firmware FW 2.5.1:
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl6528rdx-firmware-latest-release/

Link for USB driver MS_USB_ComPort_Driver_exe_v1.1032.1.zip:
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/hl6528rdx-usb-drivers/

If you have only UART available for upgrade, you need to do the additional:
1/ Extract entry.bat file from FW.exe file.
2/ Edit entry.bat file like below:
set DL_PORT=COM27
set DL_BAUD=460800
3/ Put back entry.bat in FW.exe file.

5

Hi,
I have tested that comands as below:

AT+KSIMDET?
+KSIMDET: 1,3,1
OK

AT+KSYNC?
+KSYNC: 2,4,50,1000
OK

AT+KTEMPMON?
+KTEMPMON: 0,0,0,0,30,1
OK

And I have got this in two modems.

I succesfully upgraded one modem to the FW 2.5.1 by UART (I couldn’t connect by USB with that drivers and may be could be an HW issue)

After the FW upgrade the modems respond to the command AT+KGPIO=? that all GPIO are availables.

So looks like that the FW revision have this issue. BUT if you think that the GPIO can be used for something else please advice, because we have modems in our customers that show this issue and we would avoid to heve them back.
Thanks
Vito

6

Hi Vito,

Good to hear that you succeed to upgrade to FW 2.5.1 and GPIO 6 come back after the upgrade.

For the two issued modems (FW 2.1.4), try again +NVRST and then see if the GPIO6 can come back or not:

AT+KGPIO=?

AT+NVRST=2

AT+KGPIO=?

As I know, GPIOs could already be used by +KJAM(?), +KSIMDET, +KSYNC, +KTEMPMON, +KGSMAD, +KGNSSAD, or WESHDOWN.

But for the FW 2.1.4, it seems some features are not available.

If possible, please kind to provide all the AT commands used in your device.

7

Hi,
I have just tested and I confirm that the +NVRST doesn’t solve the issue.
Moreover I tested the single commands:

term> s ati3
ati3
RHL6528RD.2.1.4.1.11CV10F37.201605061629.m6261a_1

OK
term>
term> s at+KJAM=?
at+KJAM=?
ERROR
term>
term> s at+KSIMDET=?
at+KSIMDET=?
+KSIMDET: (0-1),(1)

OK
term> s at+KSYNC=?
at+KSYNC=?
+KSYNC: (0-2),(1-8),(1-100),(1-65535)

OK
term> s at+KTEMPMON=?
at+KTEMPMON=?
+KTEMPMON: (0-1),(0-150),(0-1),(0-2),(0-255),(1-8)

OK
term> s at+KGSMAD=?
at+KGSMAD=?
ERROR
term> s at+KGNSSAD=?
at+KGNSSAD=?
ERROR
term> s at+WESHDOWN=?
at+WESHDOWN=?
ERROR
term>

Apparently only the firmware update can solve this issue.
Cheers
Vito Caruso