BC66 NB-IoT Module (DevKiT)

[ameero95]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking into using an old NB-IoT DevKit with the discontinued Quectel BC66 Module I received from a colleague of mine. Does anyone have any idea how I can still use this DevKit? Unfortunately, the AT command firmware does not seem to exist on the device anymore. The device doesnt respond with a "RDY" after the booting process. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Ameer

[LubOlimex]

Try sending "AT" without the quotes and see if it responds. If it doesn't respond, try downloading the latest firmware, you can request AT command firmware from the Quectel forums, just start a new thread and request AT firmware for BC66, similar to this one:

https://forums.quectel.com/t/bc66-latest-firmware/5637/6

Then use Qflash to download it to the module

[ameero95]

Hello LubOlimex,

Thank you for your reply. I will write them and ask for the latest firmware. I actually managed to scrounge up an AT command firmware for the BC66 I found on the internet and flashed it with an old QFlash Tool (version 4.15) because I read that the new QFlash tools do not work with discontinued hardware. The flash tool says PASS at the end of flashing but unfortunately, nothing changed and no "RDY" is given out after the device boot up. I dont think the device is dead though. Any idea what could be the problem?

[LubOlimex]

The chances are that what you found online is not the proper AT firmware for BC66. Let's see what happens with the firmware provided by Quectel. Sadly, I can't send it to you since the resource was deleted over here and it is not the latest version anyway.

After connecting the module to the USB, open the terminal on the COM port and if AT doesn't work, then press the RST_KEY1 (the inner button) and see if you get something over the serial.

Maybe the board goes to sleep too fast to accept at commands.

Does the yellow LED turn on when you attach the USB?

[ameero95]

Hello LubOlimex,

The chances are that what you found online is not the proper AT firmware for BC66.

I found the following firmware files:

• BC66NBR01A04.bin
• BootLoader_BC66NBR01A04.bin
• customer_779ed915-75c2-4447-9eed-afe06fd31908.dec
• flash_download.cfg

and used QFlash Tool v4.15 to flash the device. Do these firmware maybe sound familiar to you?

Let's see what happens with the firmware provided by Quectel. Sadly, I can't send it to you since the resource was deleted over here and it is not the latest version anyway.

Unfortunately, Quectel support reached out to me with this email

Hello Ammer,

Please understand that Quectel provides support only to its direct customers. Since Olimex Ltd. is our customer, it is necessary for you to first send your support request to them. If they are unable to provide the required support, they will forward your question to us. Thank you for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Nikola

After connecting the module to the USB, open the terminal on the COM port and if AT doesn't work, then press the RST_KEY1 (the inner button) and see if you get something over the serial.

After pressing the reset button I get this output from the device

Code Select Expand

[12:06:33:325] ␊
[12:06:33:325] ␍F1: 0000 0000␊
[12:06:33:325] ␍V0: 0000 0000 [0001]␊
[12:06:33:338] ␍00: 0006 000C␊
[12:06:33:338] ␍01: 0000 0000␊
[12:06:33:338] ␍U0: 0000 0001 [0000]␊
[12:06:33:338] ␍T0: 0000 00B4␊
[12:06:33:355] ␍Leaving the BROM␊
[12:06:33:355] ␍␊
[12:06:33:355] ␍
and no RDY message. Writing AT in the serial does not return anything.

Does the yellow LED turn on when you attach the USB?

Yes.

[LubOlimex]

Did you write e-mail to the support or post in the forums? Please post in the Quectel forums and link me the forum thread where you requested the firmware.

[ameero95]

Hello LubOlimex,

Did you write e-mail to the support or post in the forums? Please post in the Quectel forums and link me the forum thread where you requested the firmware.

I got that answer from emailing their support. I have requested for the firmware on the forums (https://forums.quectel.com/t/how-to-get-quectel-standard-firmware/36353/64) aswell. I'll wait for a reply from one of their support people. Thanks again.