Nordic Thingy:91Cellular IoT prototyping platform

Multi-sensor cellular IoT prototyping platform

The Nordic Thingy:91 is an easy-to-use battery-operated prototyping platform for cellular IoT using LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS. It is ideal for creating Proof-of-Concept (PoC), demos and initial prototypes in your cIoT development phase.

Thingy:91 is built around the nRF9160 SiP and is certified for a broad range of LTE bands globally, meaning the Nordic Thingy:91 can be used just about anywhere in the world. The cellular communication can be interleaved elegantly with GPS positioning acquisition making it perfect for sophisticated asset-tracking product ideas. The kit comes preloaded with a sophisticated asset tracking application.

The kit is packed with a multitude of sensors for motion, impact, air quality and much more. The nRF Connect SDK supports Thingy:91 and there are examples for all sensors and connectivity functionality.

There is an nRF52840 multiprotocol SoC on the Thingy:91. This offers the option of adding Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity to your project ideas.

The Nordic Thingy:91 comes complete with a global use SIM card from iBasis that has a free 10 MB data plan to get you up and running immediately. The Thingy:91 and SIM can be provisioned and monitored using nRF Connect for Cloud which is Nordic Semiconductor’s cloud demonstration, evaluation and test platform.

Download PDFNordic Thingy:91 product brief [PDF]

Buy online
Ask us about this
Key features
  • Supports LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS
  • Supports Bluetooth LE and NFC
  • User-programmable button and RGB LEDs
  • Environmental sensor for temperature, humidity, air quality and air pressure
  • Color and light sensor
  • High-g and low-power accelerometers
  • Rechargeable Li-Po battery with 1440 mAh capacity
  • Bundled with a eSIM card from iBasis preloaded with 10 MB 
Documentation
Downloads

Precompiled application and modem firmware

Selected version

2021-03-04_8e8c6089

thingy91_fw_2021-03-04_8e8c6089.zip

Changelog:

2021-03-04_8e8c6089

Changelog:

  • Updated to nRF Connect SDK v1.5.0

The following samples and applications are part of the package:

2020-10-30_5522ca2b

  • Built from nRF Connect SDK 1.4.0
  • Includes nRF9160 SiP modem firmware v1.2.2
  • Improved stability in nRF52840 Connectivity bridge firmware

2020-09-23_b6ad40d0

  • Built from nRF Connect SDK v1.3.1
  • Includes nRF9160 SiP modem firmware v1.2.1

2020-04-29_bc7ade8b

  • Built from nRF Connect SDK master branch commit bc7ade8b
  • Includes nRF9160 SiP modem firmware v1.2.0
  • Added nRF Connect for Cloud A-GPS support
  • Improved stability and bugfixes
  • Supports full modem update through USB
  • New connectivity bridge with dual UART and BLE support added as replacement for the usb uart bridge.
  • Debug builds with modem trace enabled included in .zip

Known Issues:

  • Occasional reboots caused by POLLERR on socket. Varies with network conditions.

2019-11-29_d3130d77

  • Updated to nRF Connect SDK v1.1.0
  • Includes nRF9160 SiP modem firmware v1.1.0
  • Added firmware over-the-air (FOTA) support for application updates and delta updates of the modem firmware.
  • Various bug and stability issues fixed.
  • See details in nRF Connect SDK v1.1.0 release notes.

0.2.3


0.2.2


0.2.0


Feature Brief

for the nRF9160 SiP modem firmware

nRF9160 SiP modem firmware - what it is and how it works

The nRF9160 SiP modem firmware is provided as pre-compiled binaries, signed and encrypted by Nordic Semiconductor.

  • Details - click to open

    • Pre-compiled binary, signed and encrypted
    • LTE Rel-13 Cat-M1 (LTE-M/eMTC)
    • LTE Rel-13 Cat-NB1/2 (NB-IoT)
    • Type B half duplex (HD), frequency division duplex (FDD)
    • Cat-M1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 and 66.
    • Cat-NB1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 and 66.
    • Power saving
      • Power Save Mode (PSM)
      • Idle-DRX and Connected Mode-DRX, DRX/extended-DRX in both
      • Independent clock and sleep state control
      • Support for 3GPP AS-RAI (Release Assistance Indication)
      • Support for MAC Inactivity Monitoring
      • Support for NIDD (Non-IP Data Delivery)
      • First LTE search optimizations
      • Modem Sleep notifications
      • Pre-evaluation of a connection
    • Interface to Application CPU
      • AT-command Interface for control
      • Socket Interface for Data
      • Modem production test support
      • Antenna Tuner per band Configurability with limited MIPI-RFFE support
    • Integrated TLS(1.2)/DTLS(1.2) and TCP/UDP/IPV4/IPV6 Dual Stack
      • Storage of TLS and Cloud credentials
    • SMS PDU Mode
    • Differential FOTA support enables small upgrade images
    • Support for SIM ATK and remote provisioning via Bearer Independent Protocol
      • eSIM support
    • GPS L1 C/A  and QZSS L1C/A positioning
    • GPS L1 C/A and QZSS L1C/A receiver during LTE PSM and Idle DRX/extended-DRX modes
    • GPS time based configurable IO-pin / pulse
    • Single shot, fixed interval and continuous tracking modes

  • TLS Cipher suites - click to open

    • mbed TLS Name / NIST Name
      		 Value
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA384
      		 {0xC0,0x24}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA  
      		{0xC0,0x0A}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256
      		 {0xC0,0x23}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA 
      		{0xC0,0x09}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA        
      		{0xC0,0x14}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256   
      		{0xC0,0x27}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA      
      		{0xC0,0x13}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA     
      		{0x00,0x8D}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256  
      		{0x00,0xAE}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA
      		 {0x00,0x8C}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CCM-8
      		 {0xC0,0xA8}
      TLS-EMPTY-RENEGOTIATIONINFO-SCSV {0x00,0xFF}
       

nRF9160 SiP modem firmware 

Programming app available in nRF Connect

Selected version

1.3.0 nRF91 firmware binaries

mfw_nrf9160_1.3.0.zip

Changelog:

1.3.0 nRF91 firmware binaries

Before applying this version:

  • Note that this modem firmware is targeted nRF9160 SiP Revision 2 
  • It can be used for nRF9160 SiP Revision 1, but only for testing and development
  • It cannot be used for engineering samples of Revision 1 (e.g. DKs or Thingy:91 with version older than v0.9.0) 
  • After you upgrade to MFW 1.3.0 it is not recommended to downgrade to mfw 1.2.x or mfw 1.1.x.(potential file system issues)

Read out your revision by either AT command: AT%HWVERSION or look on the nRF9160 SIP for marking "B1".

"B1" = Revision 2

"B0" = Revision 1 

The AT command responses for Revision 1 and Revision 2 SiPs will be "nRF9160 SICA B0A" and "nRF9160 SICA B1A" respectively.

Early engineering Revision 2 (B1A) SiPs and Revision 1 (B0A) SiPs might produce AT command responses such as  "nRF9160 SICA BQA" and "nRFFFFFFFFF SICA FFFFFFFF" respectively.

 

Changelog:

  • QZSS L1C/A positioning support.
  • GPS time based configurable IO-pin / pulse.
  • GPS dynamic modes for stationary, pedestrian and automotive.
  • GPS power consumption optimizations during satellite tracking.
  • GPS enhancements to reduce GPS TTFF.
  • Support for 3GPP NB-IoT-NB2.
  • Support for 3GPP AS-RAI. Release Assistance Indication.
  • Support for Non-IP Data Delivery (NIDD).
  • Feature for application to configure country specific parameters to speed up NW search and connection times.
  • Feature for application to take benefit of modem sleep events. For power saving possibilities.
  • Feature for application to execute LTE channel pre-evaluation before establishing connection. For power saving possibilities.
  • Feature for application to measure serving and neighbor cells for cellular based positioning purposes.
  • Feature for application to optimize device power consumption when modem is searching network.
  • Feature for application to enable both LTE-M and NB-IoT system modes and modem performs automatic system mode selection.
  • Feature for application to configure RF Rx and Tx indications from IO-pin.
  • Speed-up improvements to modem cell selection and re-selection.
  • Power consumption optimization in LTE-M and NB-IoT RRC Idle mode.
  • Improvements for NB-IoT receiver performance.
  • Non-wired full modem update with pre-validation.
  • Support for on device key generation.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

 

This release is aligned with v1.7 of nRF91 AT command reference guide.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

We have also published a webinar showcasing all the new features and improvements, you can watch it here.


1.2.3 nRF91 firmware binaries

Changelog:

  • Correction to sleep mode entry timings. Earlier timings may have failed on sleep mode entry and
    cause additional current consumption. Updated PMIC debounce setting at boot up improves
    reliability of mode change.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.5 of nRF91 AT command reference guide.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.


1.2.2 nRF91 firmware binaries

Changelog:

  • Added option to use previously obtained altitude information with GPS three-satellite first fix
  • Improved GPS hot start sensitivity
  • Improved GPS time to first fix in poor signal conditions
  • Completed TCP server support
  • Various improvements to LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS stability and performance
     

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.5 of the nRF91 AT command reference guide.
It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

Note:
Release 1.2.2 is not recommended for production use due to sleep mode current consumption issue.
Please refer to release 1.2.3.

1.2.1 nRF91 firmware binaries

Changelog:

  • Added support for new nRF9160 product variant (nRF9160-SIxA-B1).
  • Added support for TLS extension Server Name Indication (SNI).
  • Added support for (D)TLS cache over power cycle.
  • Added various new AT commands and improved existing ones.
  • Various improvements to LTE-M, NB-IoT and GNSS stability and performance.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.4 of the nRF91 AT command reference guide.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.


1.2.0 nRF91 firmware binaries

 

  • Various improvements to LTE-M and NB-IoT stability and performance
  • Added new socket options for improving LTE modem power consumption
  • Improved GPS power consumption
  • Improved GPS tracking performance for sensitivity and accuracy
  • Improved GPS hot and cold start acquisition sensitivity and time-to-first-fix
  • Added AT command for routing GPS signal when using a single antenna for LTE and GPS signals
  • Added various new AT commands and improved existing ones

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.2 of the nRF91 AT command reference guide.

 

1.1.4 nRF91 firmware binaries

Changelog:

  • Bugfix that addresses rare occurrences of increased sleep current.
  • Improvement for very rare occasion where modem program NVM access may have failed at modem sleep wakeup.
  • Correction for GNSS sleep timer handling. Incorrect handling may have resulted that acquiring GNSS location may have failed after a long period of time.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.5 of nRF91 AT command reference guide.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

1.1.3 nRF91 firmware binaries

Highlights:
  • Added support for new nRF9160 product variant (nRF9160-SIxA-B1)
  • Added various new AT commands and improved existing ones
  • Various improvements to LTE-M, NB-IoT and GPS stability and performance
     

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

This release is aligned with v1.3 of the nRF91 AT command reference guide.

Note:
Release 1.1.3 is not recommended for production use due to sleep mode current consumption issue. 
Please refer to release 1.1.4.

1.1.2 nRF91 firmware binaries

Highlights:
  • A software workaround fix for flash memory controller hardware issue, which may have caused flash accesses to fail after sleep wake-up.
  • A software correction for handling FOTA rollback in case of security or watchdog reset. Issue may have caused unnecessary modem firmware rollback after FOTA.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.
It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

1.1.1 nRF91 firmware binaries

The mfw_nrf9160 is the firmware for the modem subsystem of nRF9160. It supports 3GPP LTE
release 13 Cat-M1 and Cat-NB1 standards, and GPS L1C/A positioning.

Cat-M1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25,
26, 28 and 66.

Cat-NB1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26,
28 and 66.

This release is aligned with v1.1 of nRF91 AT command reference guide.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

1.1.0 nRF91 firmware binaries

This release represents a long list of:

  • New features
  • Changes
  • Bugfixes

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

Before applying this version, please make sure it has the mobile network operator certifications your product needs.

 

Hardware  files

Selected version

1.6.0 Layout and BOM resources

Thingy91 - Hardware files 1_6_0.zip

Changelog:

1.6.0 Layout and BOM resources

  • Power optimization, added circuitry to turn off RF switches when not used

1.5.0 Layout and BOM resources

  • Updated to nRF9160-SICA B1A

1.4.0 Layout and BOM resources

•    GPS performance improvement
•    Added footprint for MFF2 SIM card
•    Added EEPROM for version identification
•    Connected RESET line to debug connector


1.0.1 Layout and BOM resources

  • Added 3D model of casing

1.0.0 Layout and BOM resources