DStar Commander 1.21a and iPhone 6 (IOS 9.1) WiFi issues
Dec 11, 2015 10:05:51 GMT -7
Post by AE2A on Dec 11, 2015 10:05:51 GMT -7
All those folks with an iPhone 6 (or other) on IOS 9.1:
I recently had an issue where using the iPhone "Personal Hotspot" feature would allow my computer to connect, but not the Raspberry Pi!
The iPhone does NOT continuously transmit an SSID on IOS 9.x ! This does violate the "normal" protocols (which call for SSID broadcast
at 100 msec intervals. Apple chose to save power by turning OFF the SSID Broadcast and only transmitting the SSID every so often
(about once every 5 minutes)! This means the RPi will not see an SSID and try to connect to the iPhone. After having one iPhone replaced
under warranty, the same issue appeared on the replacement! I downloaded inSSIDer home to my laptop to watch the AP's and see if I could find
my SSID. I could not see the SSID except for a few seconds (random) after turning on the "Personal Hotspot" feature.
I upgraded the iPhone to IOS 9.2 and this did cure the failure to connect, but the timing is still an issue that Apple needs to address.
Patience is the secret here! A workaround:
1) Assume your iPhone is WiFi Configuration #1, Boot the RPi.
2) Wait for the "Not Connected" message from the RPi
3) Issue a 'link' command from a radio.
4) Turn OFF the "Personal Hotspot" feature for 10-30 seconds.
5) Turn ON the "Personal Hotspot" feature.
6) Wait for the RPi to connect and verify a connection on the iPhone (Blue top border shows an active connection).
7) Optional - Fire up the inSSIDer Home program and verify that the iPhone SSID is visible.
8) Complain to Apple that there is no way to disable the power saving feature (bug) and restore 'normal' operation!
UPDATE 14DEC2015:
After heated discussions with Apple, I got the best workaround:
Turn OFF Bluetooth while trying to link to the iPhone!
Apparently Bluetooth and WiFi on the iPhone share a common stack and IOS9.2 cannot handle both at the same time.
Once your RPi establishes a good link, turn the Bluetooth back on (If you need it).
I tried this out and it works!
BTW: The iPhone will always default to Channel 6 for its use, which means if you want to use a home network and your iPhone as an alternate
connection while home, set your home access point to use either Channel 1, 3, 9 or 11. remember that there are only 3 non-overlapping
channels available (in the 2.4 GHz Band - 1, 6, and 11). Channels 3 & 9 should be used only if 1 or 11 is in use in your vicinity.
You can download inSSIDer home version at: www.inssider.com/downloads/ .
Good Luck and see you on the air!
I recently had an issue where using the iPhone "Personal Hotspot" feature would allow my computer to connect, but not the Raspberry Pi!
The iPhone does NOT continuously transmit an SSID on IOS 9.x ! This does violate the "normal" protocols (which call for SSID broadcast
at 100 msec intervals. Apple chose to save power by turning OFF the SSID Broadcast and only transmitting the SSID every so often
(about once every 5 minutes)! This means the RPi will not see an SSID and try to connect to the iPhone. After having one iPhone replaced
under warranty, the same issue appeared on the replacement! I downloaded inSSIDer home to my laptop to watch the AP's and see if I could find
my SSID. I could not see the SSID except for a few seconds (random) after turning on the "Personal Hotspot" feature.
I upgraded the iPhone to IOS 9.2 and this did cure the failure to connect, but the timing is still an issue that Apple needs to address.
Patience is the secret here! A workaround:
1) Assume your iPhone is WiFi Configuration #1, Boot the RPi.
2) Wait for the "Not Connected" message from the RPi
3) Issue a 'link' command from a radio.
4) Turn OFF the "Personal Hotspot" feature for 10-30 seconds.
5) Turn ON the "Personal Hotspot" feature.
6) Wait for the RPi to connect and verify a connection on the iPhone (Blue top border shows an active connection).
7) Optional - Fire up the inSSIDer Home program and verify that the iPhone SSID is visible.
8) Complain to Apple that there is no way to disable the power saving feature (bug) and restore 'normal' operation!
UPDATE 14DEC2015:
After heated discussions with Apple, I got the best workaround:
Turn OFF Bluetooth while trying to link to the iPhone!
Apparently Bluetooth and WiFi on the iPhone share a common stack and IOS9.2 cannot handle both at the same time.
Once your RPi establishes a good link, turn the Bluetooth back on (If you need it).
I tried this out and it works!
BTW: The iPhone will always default to Channel 6 for its use, which means if you want to use a home network and your iPhone as an alternate
connection while home, set your home access point to use either Channel 1, 3, 9 or 11. remember that there are only 3 non-overlapping
channels available (in the 2.4 GHz Band - 1, 6, and 11). Channels 3 & 9 should be used only if 1 or 11 is in use in your vicinity.
You can download inSSIDer home version at: www.inssider.com/downloads/ .
Good Luck and see you on the air!
