Quick start: B-Series SoM

The Particle B-Series M.2 SoM is a cellular and Bluetooth development module designed for building connected products. This Quick start uses the SoM Evaluation Board to help get started easily. You will typically create your own base board with a M.2 socket on it to hold the SoM, but the SoM Evaluation Board is good for getting started.

To set up the device you'll need an Android or iOS mobile phone and a connection to the internet, or a computer with a USB connection.

The B-Series SoM comes with:

• M.2 SoM Module
• Bluetooth Antenna (2.4 GHz)
• Cellular antenna

The SoM evaluation board comes with:

• Evaluation board
• Hold-down screw for M.2 SoM

1. Connect the antennas to the SoM

• If you are going to use mobile app setup or want to use Bluetooth LE (BLE) you should attach the 2.4 GHz antenna to the BT connector on the SoM. If you are only going to use USB setup you do not need to do this. Note that there is no Bluetooth antenna on the SoM itself, unlike the Boron.
• Attach the cellular antenna to the CELL connector on the SoM.

2. Set up the Evaluation Board

• Insert the SoM into M.2 socket (22) on the Evaluation Board. It will spring back up if you let go of it, but should not require force beyond the spring-like force to press down. If it seems like it does not want to go down, let it back up and make sure it's fully inserted into the socket. Use the hold-down screw to keep the SoM in place.

• Connect a USB cable from your computer or power adapter to the SoM USB connector (3). There are two USB connectors on the SoM Evaluation Board, make sure you use the correct one.

• Make sure the SoM Power switch (6) is turned on.

3. Setup using the mobile apps (Method 1)

If you'd like to use the mobile app setup process, follow the instructions in this section. If you want to use USB and command line setup instead, skip to section 4. In the future the Particle mobile apps for iOS and Android will be deprecated so you should plan on using Method 2 in the future.

To begin setting up your B-Series SoM, click the button below and follow the onscreen instructions. When you've completed set up, continue to Step #4.

4. Setup using USB (Method 2)

Instead of using the mobile apps, you can set up your B-Series SoM using USB. With the SoM Evaluation Board connected by USB to your computer:

• If you have not installed the Particle CLI, do so now.

• The status LED should be blinking dark blue. If not, hold down the MODE button until it is.

• From a Command Prompt or Terminal window, issue the command:

particle identify

Note the ICCID returned, you will need it in the next step.

• Activate the SIM by going to Particle Setup and selecting the SIM card only option. You'll need the ICCID from the previous step.

• From a Command Prompt or Terminal window, issue the command:

particle update

After that completes:

particle usb setup-done

Your B-Series SoM should now be fully set up.

5. Open the Web IDE

To program your Boron, open a new browser tab and go to the Web IDE.

6. Load the Blink example

Click on Blink an LED on the left side of the page. As soon as you click the Blink and LED code will load and fill the screen as shown below.

The code is heavily commented to help you understand the general structure of the sketch: the first part of the code declares two variables, the setup() function configures two pins as outputs, and finally the loop() which turns the onboard LED on, then off, then loops continuously.

7. Target your device

The Web IDE can be used with multiple devices. As such, when you go to compile source code, it's a good idea to verify that the device you are intending to program has a gold star to the left of its name in the Devices tab (circle with 4 lines).

8. Compile your code & flash

Click the lightning bolt icon on the top left of your screen to flash your code to your device.

As soon as you click, the Particle Device cloud will compile the program source code to a binary file and send it over-the-air (OTA) to your B-Series SoM.