Trouble with Boron "Quick Start"

Troubleshooting
1

Hi, I am having trouble with the Boron Quick Start Reference and need some help.

Procedure:

  • Unplugged, to breadboard, antenna connected, USB connected
    cyan then green blink (COM21)
  • Hold mode 3 seconds
    blue blink
  • Enable iPhone bluetooth, open App, select ‘+’, ‘Boron’, ‘Scan’
  • “I have attached”, ‘Next’
  • “Pairing with your Boron”, “Congrats! You’ve successfully paired Boron-3F7RCB”
  • Updated Firmware on request
  • “Use in Mesh Network”
  • “Enroll in Subscription”, “Connect to Device Cloud”

Result:

  • “Connecting to the internet via cellular” for 42 seconds, then:
    -> PC noises for USB disconnect & reconnect repeatedly
    -> “Error: The Bluetooth connection was dropped unexpectedly. Please restart the set up and try again”

I have tried my iPhone in multiple locations several times. I have also tried an external Bluetooth antenna with the same results, what is the problem here in connection?

2

What is the Boron doing after that happens?
What mobile device (type & OS version) are you using?
Is the device claimed to your account after the procedure?
If not, can you try adding manually?

3

What is the Boron doing after that happens?

  • Flashes green (42 sec)
  • Flashes white & disconnects USB (~3 sec)
  • Flashes green (~3 sec)
  • Flashes white & disconnects USB (~3 sec)
  • Flashes green (constant typically, sometimes continues to disconnect)

What mobile device (type & OS version) are you using?

  • iPhone 8, iOS 12.2(v16E227)

Is the device claimed to your account after the procedure?

  • No it is unlisted

If not, can you try adding manually?

  • I tried adding hybrid-0.9.0-boron.bin manually with ‘particle flash’ and observed the same results with a 60 second connection attempt

Thoughts?

4

Hi @ScruffR, this ended up being a simple cell signal strength problem. This was resolved by taking the unit from my office (-116dBm) outside to better coverage (-68dBm), where the Particle Cloud connection works very well.

Consider passing this false Bluetooth status message along, it was confusing. Unit up and running now! :+1: