Quick‐Start

s-center Quick Start Guide

Welcome to s-center! This guide will help you get started with testing and configuring your u-blox short-range modules.

What You'll Need

Hardware

• NORA-W36 or NORA-B26 module
• USB cable
• Windows 10 (1809+) or Windows 11 PC (64-bit)

Software

• s-center MSIX package (Download from Releases)

Installation

Step 1: Download s-center

1. Go to Releases
2. Download the latest s-center_x.x.x.x_x64.msix file

Step 2: Install

1. Double-click the downloaded .msix file
2. Click "Install" when prompted
3. Wait for installation to complete
4. Launch s-center from the Start Menu

First Time Setup

1. Connect Your Module

1. Connect your u-blox module to your PC via USB
2. Wait for Windows to recognize the device
3. Note the COM port assigned (e.g., COM3)

Find COM Port:

• Open Device Manager (Windows Key + X → Device Manager)
• Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)"
• Look for your device (e.g., "USB Serial Port (COM3)")

2. Create a Workspace

When you first open s-center:

1. A default workspace is created automatically
2. You can rename it by clicking on the workspace tab
3. Click "+ Add Product" to add your first device

3. Add Your Module

1. Click "+ Add Product"
2. Fill in the details:
   • Name: Give your device a name (e.g., "My NORA-W36")
   • COM Port: Select from dropdown (e.g., COM3)
   • Baud Rate: Usually 115200 (default)
3. Click "Add"

The app will:

• ✅ Auto-detect your module type
• ✅ Auto-connect to the device
• ✅ Configure available features

Basic Operations

Terminal Communication

The Terminal Widget lets you send AT commands directly:

1. Click on your product to select it
2. Find the Terminal widget in the workspace
3. Type AT commands and press Enter

Example commands:

AT              → Test connection
ATI9             → Get device information
AT+USYLA=0       → Get Bluetooth Address

Wi-Fi Connection (NORA-W36)

Quick Wi-Fi Setup

1. Scan for networks:

   • Open the Wi-Fi Scan Widget
   • Click "Scan"
   • View available networks

2. Connect to a network:

   • Click the ⚡ icon next to a network, or
   • Use the Wi-Fi Quick Start Tutorial (right sidebar)

3. Using the Wi-Fi Quick Start Tutorial:

   • Open Tutorials tab (right sidebar)
   • Select "Wi-Fi Quick Start"
   • Follow the step-by-step wizard:
     1. Scan for networks
     2. Select your network
     3. Enter password (if required)
     4. Connect

Bluetooth Operations (Both Modules)

1. Configure Bluetooth:

   • Open Bluetooth Configuration widget
   • Set device name, advertising parameters

2. Scan for devices:

   • Open Bluetooth Scan Widget
   • Click "Start Scan"
   • View discovered devices

3. Create connections:

   • Use Bluetooth Connections Widget
   • Click "Add Connection" to connect to other devices

Exploring Tutorials

s-center includes interactive tutorials in the Tutorials tab (right sidebar):

Available Tutorials

• Wi-Fi Quick Start - Connect to Wi-Fi networks
• User Commands - Create custom AT command sequences
• HTTP Quick Start - Make HTTP requests
• (More tutorials available based on your module capabilities)

How to use:

1. Click Tutorials tab (right sidebar)
2. Select a tutorial from the list
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions
4. Tutorial tracks your progress automatically

Common Tasks

Upload Firmware

1. Click the menu (⋮) on your product card
2. Select "Firmware Update"
3. Browse for firmware file (.bin)
4. Click "Start Upload"
5. Wait for upload to complete

Import Certificates (for TLS/SSL)

1. Open Certificate Management Widget
2. Click "Import Certificate"
3. Select certificate type (CA, Client, Private Key)
4. Browse for certificate file
5. Upload to module

Create Socket Connections

1. Open Socket Connections Widget
2. Click "Add Connection"
3. Configure:
   • Type: TCP/UDP
   • Role: Client/Server
   • Host/Port
4. Click "Connect"

MQTT Messaging

1. Open MQTT Connection Widget
2. Click "Add Connection"
3. Enter broker details:
   • Broker address
   • Port (usually 1883 or 8883)
   • Client ID
4. Click "Connect"
5. Subscribe to topics or publish messages

Workspace Management

Multiple Devices

You can connect multiple modules in one workspace:

1. Each device gets its own color-coded widgets
2. Widget borders match the device color
3. Open multiple widgets side-by-side

Save and Switch Workspaces

• Create new: Click "Workspace" → "New Workspace"
• Switch: Click workspace tabs at the top
• Delete: Click "Workspace" → "Delete Workspace"

Your settings are saved automatically!

Tips & Tricks

UI Customization

• Collapse unused blocks: Click the arrow on right-side blocks to collapse them
• Reorder widgets: Drag and drop widgets in the workspace
• Multiple products: Compare two modules side-by-side

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Enter key: Confirms dialogs (e.g., MQTT connection, socket connection)
• Ctrl+L: Focus terminal input (when available)

Context-Sensitive Help

Click the ? icon (when available) for context-specific help about the current feature.

Troubleshooting

Can't Connect to Module

Problem: Device not responding to AT commands

Solutions:

1. ✅ Check COM port is correct
2. ✅ Try different baud rate (115200, 230400, 921600)
3. ✅ Enable/disable flow control
4. ✅ Close other apps using the COM port
5. ✅ Disconnect and reconnect USB cable

No COM Port Listed

Problem: COM port dropdown is empty

Solutions:

1. ✅ Check device is connected via USB
2. ✅ Install USB drivers if needed
3. ✅ Check Device Manager for COM port
4. ✅ Try different USB cable/port

Wi-Fi Won't Connect

Problem: Wi-Fi connection fails

Solutions:

1. ✅ Check network name (SSID) is correct
2. ✅ Verify password (case-sensitive)
3. ✅ Ensure network is 2.4GHz (NORA-W36 doesn't support 5GHz)
4. ✅ Check module has power
5. ✅ Try moving closer to access point

Firmware Update Fails

Problem: Firmware upload doesn't complete

Solutions:

1. ✅ Use correct firmware file for your module
2. ✅ Don't interrupt upload process
3. ✅ Ensure stable USB connection
4. ✅ Try lower baud rate for upload

Next Steps

Learn More

• 📖 User Manual - Complete feature documentation
• 🎓 Tutorials - Interactive guides built into the app
• 💬 Report Issues - Found a bug?

Advanced Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore:

• GATT Server/Client - Create custom Bluetooth LE services
• User-Defined Commands - Automate common tasks
• Debug Logging - Troubleshoot complex issues
• Error Code Database - Look up module error codes

Getting Help

• In-app Help: Click the Help tab (right sidebar)
• GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
• u-blox Support: Contact u-blox

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Welcome to s-center! 🚀
Start exploring your u-blox modules now!