BLE connectivity when plugged in

[MichaelParticipant]

Hello Team Flomio,

Out of the 22 Floble units that we have purchased, 5 units do not read tags properly when plugged in to charged. They just don’t connect via BLE. Once off plug, they go back to functioning properly. Please advise on how we can rectify this situation or if we should return these units. We are running latest SDK, iOS 10.1+ on Ipad Air 2.

Thank you.

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Mike, haven’t seen that issue before. I’m investigating if the malfunction could be corrected via software. Give me a couple days to clear that before we start the RMA process. Could that work??

thanks,
Richard

[MichaelParticipant]

Hello Richard,

That works.

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Mike, we’ve been trying to reproduce your issue without success. We’ve checked across all the different versions of firmware we’ve shipped out to no avail. Can you check what version of firmware is running on the 5 failing units? Can you get these units to work plugged in to power using the Flomio Test App v2.1 (10)? We’re trying to isolate how this behavior is happening because it seems the issue is very much isolated to your deployment only.

We’ve also touched base with our manufacturer, ACS, and they haven’t seen the issue as well. They asked for the some further details:

1. Client mentioned that “They just don’t connect via BLE”. Does this mean that if the reader is charging, it is not able to connect over BLE? Can the reader be searched and listed by the mobile. What is message shown on the mobile? (it is strange as we haven’t seen this before)
2. Client mentioned that “They just don’t connect via BLE”. Do this means they can connect reader through Bluetooth, but the tags are just not read? If this is the case, what is the tag they are using?

any feedback you can provide may help getting to the bottom of this. It would be great if you could record a video of the failure, post to Youtube, and include the link here.

best,
Richard

[MichaelParticipant]

We are currently in deployment at our event. Would need to wait until next week to make a video.

It won’t read via the test app. Literally, right when you plug in, it loses the BLE connection. Right when you take the USB out, it searches and connects and goes back to normal.

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Mike, are you able to record that video to capture this issue?

BTW, how’d the event go?? Any other failures worth mentioning?

best,
Richard

[MalikParticipant]

Hello Michael,

I came across the same same issue a while back. For me, it was a combination of a faulty device and problems in the SDK. Scott from Flomio helped with the SDK issues and the faulty device issue was resolved as my company ordered some more devices.

Please have a look at my correspondence with the Flomio Team to give you an idea of what we did.FloBLE connectivity issues while charging

[MichaelParticipant]

Hello Richard,

That is the video requested.

Event was ok. There was a big issue with our App randomly kicking out. We are trying to get to the bottom of it and hopefully get that resolved.

In addition, we have had issues where now randomly, 2 Floble’s will connect to the same Ipad. As you had mentioned previously, you will get an SDK out with the Floble being able to connect via serial number. Do you happen to know when that will be? We would love to have that option for our 12/4 event as it will be one of our premier events for the yr.

Lastly, when plugged in for an extended period. Our last event ran 80+ hours nonstop, the Floble, I think in essence, just over-heated. Do you have a adapter in mind for events that need to run 24/7 for consecutive days?

Mike

[MichaelParticipant]

In addition, is the Sleep mode disabled in the new SDK? We found that to be quite cumbersome also for access control issues. In our 4 day event, from our records we had 18k+ entry/exit scans and having to press the button on the side was kinda frustrating for the interns/event staff.

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Mike, thanks for the detailed feedback. We will address these issues for you. My comments/answers to each:

1) Connect to specific FloBLE Plus Reader device. I’m not sure this is achievable before your 12/4 event but we will try our best. We currently have 7 issues to resolve on release v2.2 so I will add to that list.

2) FloBLE Plus disconnects after 80+ hrs. I don’t believe this is an overheating issue as the amount of current these devices dissipate is orders of magnitude below the temperature they can manage. It’s more likely that Bluetooth interference is the cause of the disconnection and there’s little that can be done to address that. Bluetooth Low Energy is designed to operate in sparse areas since it has little connection redundancy. It’s part of it’s philosophy of keeping link budgets down and therefore not consume much energy. We have observed failures at trade shows and conferences with lots of BLE traffic but have yet to properly diagnose the issue. I believe that resolving #1 will address this problem going forward.

3) Sleep mode disabled in Flomio SDK v2.2. Yes, the latest Flomio SDK v2.2 includes disabling Sleep Mode for readers running FWV1.16.03. 18,000 scans in 4 days is a notable number. With Sleep Mode disabled and plugged into power, I expect the FloBLE Plus to perform well.

I have spoken to the engineering team at ACS and discussed your video. The issue of 5 of the 20 FloBLE Plus readers you ordered misbehaving when plugged into power, still eludes everyone. Some questions for you:
1) What NFC tags are you using?
2) What BLE Tablet are you using to connect to the reader?
3) Is the USB cable that you attempt to charge the FloBLE Plus in the video connected to a wall charger or to a PC USB port? Have you tried different power sources or different cables?
4) Do the same 5 devices consistent show this behavior? What are the serial number of these devices?

Thanks for helping us diagnose these issues. I’d like to arrange for shipping you replacements and receiving the damaged units from you so we can investigate this problem further. Would that be possible?

best,
Richard

[MichaelParticipant]

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your feedback. Anxiously waiting for the new SDK. Can you send a link for the current beta 2.2 version so that we can start with the sleep mode issue?

To answer your questions

1. NTAG 213
2. Ipad Air 2
3. USB cable is connected to a USB/Plug out we have designed in our conference table. We have tried connecting to PC USB port and also connecting through regular outlet with a Ipad AC adpater.

4. Yes, all 5 devices show behavior like the one in the video. Will get the serial numbers to you later on today.

Lastly, can we get a link to download the latest firmware?

I believe we will be ordering some more units in the next few days for our 12/4 event. Yes, if we could arrange that ASAP, would be greatly appreciated. That way, can just send back with the additional units we order. Will you need to receive the 5 units first before you send out new ones? As we are on a deadline, I just need to be sure. If not, maybe we can send back after our event? Please advise.

Thank you!

Mike

[MichaelParticipant]

Any update on this? Thanks

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Mike, thanks for the feedback and sorry for delay. We’ve been working with ACS and think we have a solution for the 5 readers that are loosing connectivity when plugged in. Please follow these instructions.

RE: Latest Flomio SDK v2.2 Beta firmware, download from here.

If the fixes don’t correct the 5 units that are problematic we will send you 5 new ones with your next order. We will test these before shipping in order to make sure you don’t have any issues in the field.

best,
Richard

[MichaelParticipant]

Hey Richard,

Thanks for the update. Will give the fix a try in the afternoon. We also need to place order for another 10 Floble Units with FedEx shipping. Can you please put that in the account so we can make payment? Sorry for the rush but our event organizers always give us details late. We hate to waste money on Fedex but that is the cost of doing business here. Could you send out tomorrow? Please advise ASAP!

Mike

[RichardKeymaster]

If we get order in tonight we will fulfill by tomorrow.

best,
Richard

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