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Carl-Magnus Stenmo edited this page Jan 23, 2026 · 1 revision

s-center User Manual

Complete guide to using s-center for testing and configuring u-blox short-range modules.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Getting Started
  3. Workspace Management
  4. Product Configuration
  5. Serial Communication
  6. Wi-Fi Features
  7. Bluetooth Features
  8. Network Capabilities
  9. Security & Certificates
  10. Advanced Features
  11. Tutorials
  12. Troubleshooting

Introduction

About s-center

s-center is a comprehensive Windows application designed for testing, configuring, and exploring u-blox short-range standalone modules. It provides an intuitive interface for:

  • Direct AT command communication
  • Wi-Fi configuration and management
  • Bluetooth device management
  • Network protocol testing (MQTT, HTTP, Sockets)
  • Certificate management for secure connections
  • Firmware updates

Supported Modules

  • NORA-W36 - Wi-Fi 4 & Bluetooth 5.3 module
  • NORA-B26 - Bluetooth 6.0 module

Note: For older u-blox modules (ANNA-B, NINA-B/W, ODIN-W series), please use s-center classic.

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (1809+) or Windows 11
  • Architecture: 64-bit (x64) only
  • .NET Runtime: .NET 9 (included in installer)
  • Hardware: Serial port or USB connection

Getting Started

Installation

  1. Download the latest MSIX package from Releases
  2. Double-click the .msix file
  3. Click "Install" when prompted
  4. Launch from Start Menu

First Launch

On first launch, s-center:

  1. Creates a default workspace
  2. Shows an empty product list
  3. Displays the welcome screen

Quick Start: See Quick Start Guide for step-by-step setup.

Workspace Management

What is a Workspace?

A workspace is a collection of products (devices) and their configurations. Workspaces help you:

  • Organize multiple projects
  • Keep different device setups separate
  • Switch between configurations quickly

Creating Workspaces

To create a new workspace:

  1. Click the "Workspace" button (left sidebar)
  2. Click "New Workspace"
  3. A new workspace tab appears
  4. (Optional) Click the tab name to rename

Workspace features:

  • Multiple workspaces shown as tabs
  • Each workspace saves independently
  • Automatic save on changes

Switching Workspaces

  • Click any workspace tab to switch
  • Current workspace state is preserved
  • All products and widgets are saved

Deleting Workspaces

To delete a workspace:

  1. Click "Workspace" (left sidebar)
  2. Click "Delete Workspace"
  3. Confirm deletion

⚠️ Warning: This removes all products and settings in that workspace.

Product Configuration

Adding a Product

A product represents a physical u-blox module connected to your computer.

To add a product:

  1. Click "+ Add Product"
  2. Enter details:
    • Name: Descriptive name (e.g., "Dev Board NORA-W36")
    • COM Port: Select from dropdown
    • Baud Rate: Usually 115200
    • Flow Control: Enable if required
  3. Click "Add"

Auto-detection:

  • s-center automatically identifies the module type
  • Available features are configured based on capabilities
  • Connection is established automatically

Product Overview Block

Each product shows an Overview Block (right sidebar) with:

  • Connection Status: Connected/Disconnected
  • Module Type: NORA-W36, NORA-B26, etc.
  • Firmware Version: Current firmware
  • Serial Settings: COM port, baud rate
  • Connect/Disconnect Button

Product Menu

Click the ⋮ menu on a product for:

  • Firmware Update - Upload new firmware
  • Rename - Change product name
  • Remove - Delete product from workspace

Serial Communication

Terminal Widget

The Terminal Widget provides direct AT command access.

Features:

  • AT command input with history
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Response display
  • Command history (↑↓ arrows)
  • Auto-scroll

Using the terminal:

  1. Select your product
  2. Find the Terminal widget
  3. Type AT commands and press Enter

Common AT commands:

AT              Test connection
ATI             Device information
AT+UMLA=1       Enable local echo
AT+CGMR         Firmware version
AT+UMRS         Module reset

AT Command Browser

The AT Command Browser Widget lets you:

  • Browse available AT commands by category
  • View command syntax and parameters
  • Execute commands with a single click
  • See command descriptions

To use:

  1. Open AT Command Browser widget
  2. Browse categories (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Network, etc.)
  3. Click a command to see details
  4. Click "Execute" to send the command

Debug Logging

Enable Debug Logging to see:

  • All AT commands sent
  • Module responses
  • Timestamps
  • Internal events

To enable:

  1. Open Debug Log widget
  2. Click "Start Logging"
  3. View real-time communication
  4. Export logs for troubleshooting

Wi-Fi Features

Wi-Fi Scan Widget

Discover available Wi-Fi networks:

To scan:

  1. Open Wi-Fi Scan Widget
  2. Click "Scan"
  3. View network list with:
    • SSID (network name)
    • Signal strength (RSSI)
    • Security type (WPA2, WPA3, etc.)
    • Channel

Quick connect:

  • Click the ⚡ icon next to a network
  • Enter password if required
  • Wait for connection

Wi-Fi Station Mode

Configure and manage Wi-Fi connections:

Wi-Fi Station Block (right sidebar) shows:

  • Connection status
  • Current network (SSID)
  • IP address
  • Signal strength

To connect manually:

  1. Open Wi-Fi Configuration widget
  2. Enter network details:
    • SSID
    • Security type
    • Password
  3. Click "Connect"

Supported security:

  • Open (no password)
  • WPA2-PSK
  • WPA3-SAE
  • WPA2/WPA3 Mixed

Wi-Fi Access Point Mode

Turn your module into a Wi-Fi access point:

To enable AP:

  1. Open Wi-Fi Access Point block (right sidebar)
  2. Configure:
    • SSID (network name)
    • Password (WPA2)
    • Channel
    • Max clients
  3. Click "Start AP"

AP features:

  • View connected clients
  • Set IP configuration
  • Monitor traffic
  • Configure DHCP

Bluetooth Features

Bluetooth Configuration

Configure Bluetooth settings:

Basic settings:

  • Device name
  • Bluetooth address (read-only)
  • Discoverable mode
  • Connectable mode

Advertising:

  • Advertising interval
  • Advertising data
  • Scan response data

To configure:

  1. Open Bluetooth Configuration widget
  2. Modify settings
  3. Click "Apply"

Bluetooth Scan Widget

Discover nearby Bluetooth devices:

To scan:

  1. Open Bluetooth Scan Widget
  2. Click "Start Scan"
  3. View discovered devices with:
    • Device name
    • Bluetooth address
    • RSSI (signal strength)
    • Device type (Classic/BLE)

Bluetooth Connections

Manage Bluetooth connections:

Connection types:

  • ACL (Asynchronous Connection-Less) - Classic Bluetooth
  • SPP (Serial Port Profile) - Serial over Bluetooth
  • GATT (Generic Attribute Profile) - Bluetooth Low Energy

To create a connection:

  1. Open Bluetooth Connections Widget
  2. Click "Add Connection"
  3. Select connection type
  4. Choose device from scan results
  5. Click "Connect"

GATT Server

Create custom Bluetooth LE services:

Predefined services:

  • Battery Service
  • Heart Rate Service
  • Environmental Sensing
  • (More available)

Custom services:

  1. Click "Add Custom Service"
  2. Define service UUID
  3. Add characteristics:
    • Characteristic UUID
    • Properties (Read, Write, Notify)
    • Value
  4. Start advertising

GATT Client

Connect to BLE devices and access their services:

To connect:

  1. Scan for BLE devices
  2. Connect to desired device
  3. Discover services
  4. Read/write characteristics
  5. Subscribe to notifications

Network Capabilities

Socket Connections

Create TCP/UDP connections:

To create a socket:

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

Features:

  • Send/receive data
  • View connection status
  • Monitor data transfer
  • Close connections

MQTT Client

Connect to MQTT brokers:

To connect:

  1. Open MQTT Connection Widget
  2. Click "Add Connection"
  3. Enter broker details:
    • Broker address
    • Port (1883 for plain, 8883 for TLS)
    • Client ID
    • Username/password (if required)
  4. Click "Connect"

MQTT operations:

  • Subscribe to topics
  • Publish messages
  • View incoming messages
  • QoS levels (0, 1, 2)
  • Retain flag
  • Last Will and Testament

TLS/SSL:

  • Enable TLS for secure connections
  • Import CA certificates
  • Client certificates (optional)

HTTP/HTTPS Requests

Make HTTP requests for API testing:

To make a request:

  1. Open HTTP widget
  2. Configure:
    • Method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
    • URL
    • Headers
    • Body (for POST/PUT)
  3. Click "Send"

View response:

  • Status code
  • Response headers
  • Response body
  • Request/response time

HTTPS:

  • Automatically uses TLS
  • Certificate validation
  • Custom CA certificates supported

Security & Certificates

Certificate Management

Import and manage certificates for TLS/SSL:

Certificate types:

  • CA Certificates - Certificate Authority roots
  • Client Certificates - For client authentication
  • Private Keys - For client certificates

To import:

  1. Open Certificate Management Widget
  2. Click "Import Certificate"
  3. Select certificate type
  4. Choose file format:
    • PEM (.pem, .crt)
    • DER (.der)
    • PKCS#12 (.pfx, .p12)
  5. Browse for file
  6. Upload to module

Certificate storage:

  • Certificates stored in module flash
  • Persistent across reboots
  • Referenced by name in TLS connections

TLS/SSL Configuration

Configure TLS for secure connections:

TLS settings:

  • Protocol version (TLS 1.2, TLS 1.3)
  • Cipher suites
  • Certificate validation
  • SNI (Server Name Indication)

Using TLS:

  1. Import required certificates
  2. Enable TLS in connection settings
  3. Specify certificate names
  4. Connect

Advanced Features

Firmware Updates

Upload new firmware to your module:

To update firmware:

  1. Click product menu (⋮)
  2. Select "Firmware Update"
  3. Browse for firmware file (.bin)
  4. Verify file details
  5. Click "Start Upload"
  6. Wait for completion (don't interrupt!)
  7. Module reboots automatically

XMODEM protocol:

  • Reliable file transfer
  • CRC error checking
  • Automatic retry on errors
  • Progress indication

Tips:

  • Use correct firmware for your module
  • Stable USB connection required
  • Process takes 1-3 minutes
  • Don't disconnect during upload

User-Defined Commands

Create custom command sequences:

To create:

  1. Open User Commands Widget
  2. Click "Add Command"
  3. Configure:
    • Name
    • Description
    • AT command sequence
    • Expected responses
  4. Save

Using custom commands:

  • Click command to execute
  • View responses
  • Edit or delete commands
  • Export/import command sets

Error Code Database

Look up module error codes:

To use:

  1. Open Error Code widget
  2. Enter error code (e.g., 1234)
  3. View:
    • Error description
    • Possible causes
    • Suggested solutions

Tutorials

s-center includes interactive step-by-step tutorials:

Available Tutorials

Wi-Fi Quick Start:

  • Scan for networks
  • Connect to Wi-Fi
  • Verify connection

User Commands:

  • Create custom AT sequences
  • Save common operations
  • Automate tasks

HTTP Quick Start:

  • Make HTTP requests
  • Handle responses
  • Test APIs

(More tutorials available based on module capabilities)

Using Tutorials

To start a tutorial:

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

Tutorial features:

  • Step-by-step guidance
  • Automatic validation
  • Progress tracking
  • Skip or restart anytime

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

Module not responding:

  1. Check COM port is correct
  2. Try different baud rate
  3. Enable/disable flow control
  4. Restart s-center
  5. Reconnect USB cable

Auto-detection fails:

  1. Send AT command manually
  2. Check module firmware is compatible
  3. Verify serial settings
  4. Try manual configuration

Wi-Fi Problems

Can't see networks:

  1. Ensure Wi-Fi is enabled on module
  2. Check antenna is connected
  3. Try different channel
  4. Move closer to access point

Connection fails:

  1. Verify password (case-sensitive)
  2. Check security type matches
  3. Ensure 2.4GHz network (not 5GHz)
  4. Check network availability

Bluetooth Issues

Scan finds no devices:

  1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled
  2. Check other devices are discoverable
  3. Try classic BT and BLE separately
  4. Check antenna connection

Connection fails:

  1. Pair devices if required
  2. Check device supports connection type
  3. Verify device is in range
  4. Try disconnecting other BT devices

Performance

Slow response:

  1. Lower baud rate
  2. Disable debug logging
  3. Close unused widgets
  4. Restart s-center

UI freezing:

  1. Check for firmware updates
  2. Reduce data transfer rate
  3. Close other applications
  4. Check Windows performance

Appendix

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Enter Confirm dialogs
Esc Cancel dialogs
Ctrl+L Focus terminal input
↑↓ Navigate command history

Supported File Formats

Certificates:

  • PEM (.pem, .crt)
  • DER (.der)
  • PKCS#12 (.pfx, .p12)

Firmware:

  • Binary (.bin)
  • Zip archives (with .bin inside)

Module Capabilities

NORA-W36:

  • Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth 5.3 (Classic + BLE)
  • MQTT, HTTP, Sockets
  • TLS/SSL
  • GATT Server/Client

NORA-B26:

  • Bluetooth 6.0 (Classic + BLE)
  • Enhanced features
  • GATT Server/Client
  • Extended advertising

Getting Help

In-App Help

  • Help Tab: Context-sensitive help (right sidebar)
  • Tutorials: Interactive guides
  • Tooltips: Hover over UI elements

External Resources

Version: 0.50.0
Last Updated: 2025-01-24
For: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)

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