Nicla Vision: WiFi Scans & Connects only to some networks

OpenMV Boards
1

Background
I am using Nicla Vision (Nicla Vision - SEN-19728 - SparkFun Electronics) for image classification using the OpenMV Editor 4.2.4 and Edge Impulse. It works perfectly fine. However, I am having trouble with the wi-fi to connect to wifi networks. I have tried using the wi-fi connect example listed here: https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/nicla-vision/live-streaming/ and also the OpenMV IDE examples (File–>Examples–>WiFi) scan.py and connect.py that come along with the OpenMV IDE editor.

Problem
What I have noticed with scan.py is the following:

  • There are many wifi networks in my work area (more than 7-8)
  • The scan.py seems to pick up only a few networks. All the networks it seems to pick up have Auth = 5 or 7. It is not picking up any other networks.
  • From trial and error, I find that, it is picking up only networks that are on Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) protocol. It is not picking up networks that are on Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) protocol. In fact, even when the Nicla Vision is just one feet away from Wi-Fi 4 networks, it is not picking them up.

I have the same observation with connect.py

  • connect.py connects only to networks that are on Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) protocol and also have WPA2-Personal security type.
  • If I change the Wi-Fi protocol for a given network or if I change the security type (to say WPA3-Personal), connect.py does not connect to the network (even if the SSID and KEY are the same).

Is this a known behavior for Nicla Vision? Or, am I missing something?

2

The Nicla doesn’t have an “802.11 ax” radio. It can only do b/g/n and will only work with WPA2 networks.

I think something else may be going on in your environment. I have an Eero 6 router, and it works fine with my WiFi network. I have 5 access points in my house and it picks up all five at once. Channel 4 and Auth 5.

Can you make sure b/g/n is turned on with your router?

3

I am using a Nokia G-140W-C router and confirm that b/g/n is turned on for two networks (one on 2.4GHz and another on 5GHz). In fact, I connect my laptop to both the networks and can see that they are on Wi-Fi 4 (b/g/n).

It is strange that Nicla doesn’t have “802.11 ax” radio, but it is connecting to a hotspot that I have turned on from my Nothing 2a phone. That network is on Wi-Fi 6(802.11 ax).

4

I played around with my router settings and changing a setting’s value (setting “WPA Version” from “WPA/WPA2” to “WPA2”) did the trick. The Nicla Vision is now able to connect to a 2.4GHz network on Wi-fi 4 (b/g/n) with WP2-Personal encryption mode.

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