RFXCOM RFCtrx433e stopped working after

Hi,

I have been using the RFXCOM RFCtrx433e with the X10 RF interface and the RFXCOM plugin for several years now without any issues. The RFCtrx433e was connected to a powered USB hub. I recently upgraded from Mojave to Monterrey and I was expecting more trouble with this device but it worked without any issues after the upgrade. Yesterday a friend of mine needed to test something with a USB powered hub so I had to disconnect mine from my MacMini. After I connected it back the RFCtrx433e back to the USB it wouldn't work. It's possible I may have changed the order of how some of the devices are connected to the USB hub but I have no way of knowing how were they connected nor is feasable to try all configurations (it's a 10 port USB hug with 9 devices connected). The relevant log events on my Indigo client are:

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   RFXCOM                          connected to RFXtrx 433.92 MHz, firmware version 235
   RFXCOM                          currently enabled receiver protocols: Oregon Scientific
   Connected to W800 interface on port usbserial-A1YJB0KQ
      RFXCOM Error                    incomplete packet received
   RFXCOM                          initializing communication on port /dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ at speed 38400
   RFXCOM Error                    communication error occured
   RFXCOM Error                    initialization failed (retrying in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Error                    Error in plugin execution runConcurrentThread:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "plugin.py", line 309, in runConcurrentThread
  File "/Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 2021.2/Plugins/RFXCOM.indigoPlugin/Contents/Server Plugin/RFXTRX.py", line 2285, in startComm
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'close'

   RFXCOM Error                    plugin runConcurrentThread function returned or failed (will attempt again in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Error                    "RFXCOM serial port" serial port open error: [Errno 35] could not open port /dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ: [Errno 35] Resource temporarily unavailable: '/dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ'
   RFXCOM Error                    the specified serial port is used by another interface or device
   RFXCOM Error                    serial port could not be opened

The last 3 lines repeat every 10 seconds in a loop. I have tried everything that I can think of:

1: Reinstalled the latest FTDI USB driver (FTDIUSBSerialDextInstaller_1_4_7.zip). I can confirm the driver is installed and shows as an active extension:


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cdt:/Users/cdt>systemextensionsctl list
4 extension(s)
--- com.apple.system_extension.driver_extension
enabled   active   teamID   bundleID (version)   name   [state]
*   *   N3S6676K3E   com.dymo.dymo-connect.usb (1.0/1)   com.dymo.dymo-connect.usb   [activated enabled]
*   *   52444FG85C   com.silabs.cp210x (6.0.2/1)   com.silabs.cp210x   [activated enabled]
*   *   G43BCU2T37   org.pqrs.Karabiner-DriverKit-VirtualHIDDevice (1.6.0/1.6.0)   org.pqrs.Karabiner-DriverKit-VirtualHIDDevice   [activated enabled]
*   *   658CPPCMJJ   com.ftdi.vcp.dext (1.0/089)   NullDriver   [activated enabled]




Not sure if it is OK for the driver name to show as "NullDriver"?

2. I checked this post and I don't have the Apple USB FTDI driver installed:


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cdt:/Users/cdt>ll /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBFTDI*
ls: /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBFTDI*: No such file or directory


One thing I think it doesn't look right is that the RFXCOM device red light is not on. When I boot the red light goes on briefly and then it stays off. I am almost sure that the red light used to stay on constantly before but I am not 100% sure. The yellow light does go on every minute which is an indication the device it's getting a data packet. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Here is the debug log of the plugin. The log event says "the specified serial port is used by another interface or device" but this looks like a red herring to me since looking at the debug logs it seems to suggest the plugin doesn't receive any data from the device.

Code: Select all

   Stopped plugin "RFXCOM 2.1.16"
   Starting plugin "RFXCOM 2.1.16" (pid 2535)
   Started plugin "RFXCOM 2.1.16"
   RFXCOM Debug                    RFXCOM startup called
   RFXCOM Debug                    startup called
   RFXCOM Debug                    <<-- entering deviceStartComm: Power Monitor House Mains (99275676 - ELEC2EnergyUsageSensor)
   RFXCOM Debug                    <<-- entering deviceStartComm: Temperature Inside (257613241 - Barometer)
   RFXCOM Debug                    <<-- entering deviceStartComm: Temperature Outside Back (1107983630 - Temperature)
   RFXCOM Debug                    Updating plugin props, Sensor 507
   RFXCOM Debug                    <<-- entering deviceStartComm: Temperature Outside Front (1427491408 - Temperature)
   RFXCOM Debug                    Updating plugin props, Sensor 419
   RFXCOM Debug                    runConcurrentThread called
   RFXCOM Debug                    startComm called
   RFXCOM Debug                    getConfiguration start
   RFXCOM                          initializing communication on port /dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ at speed 38400
   RFXCOM Debug                    serial port opened
   RFXCOM Debug                    send reset cmd: 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0D 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00)
   RFXCOM Debug                    PIC INIT IS: none
   RFXCOM Debug                    send init cmd: 13 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0D 00 00 01 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00)
   RFXCOM Debug                    incomplete packet: 13 1 (0D 01)
   RFXCOM Error                    incomplete packet received
   RFXCOM Debug                    rcvd init reply: none
   RFXCOM Error                    initialization failed (retrying in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Error                    Error in plugin execution runConcurrentThread:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "plugin.py", line 309, in runConcurrentThread
  File "/Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 2021.2/Plugins/RFXCOM.indigoPlugin/Contents/Server Plugin/RFXTRX.py", line 2285, in startComm
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'close'

   RFXCOM Error                    plugin runConcurrentThread function returned or failed (will attempt again in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Debug                    runConcurrentThread called
   RFXCOM Debug                    startComm called
   RFXCOM Debug                    getConfiguration start
   RFXCOM                          initializing communication on port /dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ at speed 38400
   RFXCOM Debug                    serial port opened
   RFXCOM Debug                    send reset cmd: 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0D 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00)
   RFXCOM Debug                    PIC INIT IS: none
   RFXCOM Debug                    send init cmd: 13 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (0D 00 00 01 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00)
   RFXCOM Error                    communication error occured
   RFXCOM Debug                    Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 2021.2/Plugins/RFXCOM.indigoPlugin/Contents/Server Plugin/RFXTRX.py", line 703, in readPacket
    data = self.port.read()
  File "/Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 2021.2/IndigoPluginHost.app/Contents/Resources/PlugIns/serial/serialposix.py", line 474, in read
    'device reports readiness to read but returned no data '
SerialException: device reports readiness to read but returned no data (device disconnected or multiple access on port?)

   RFXCOM Debug                    rcvd init reply: none
   RFXCOM Error                    initialization failed (retrying in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Error                    Error in plugin execution runConcurrentThread:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "plugin.py", line 309, in runConcurrentThread
  File "/Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 2021.2/Plugins/RFXCOM.indigoPlugin/Contents/Server Plugin/RFXTRX.py", line 2285, in startComm
AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'close'

   RFXCOM Error                    plugin runConcurrentThread function returned or failed (will attempt again in 10 seconds)
   RFXCOM Debug                    runConcurrentThread called
   RFXCOM Debug                    startComm called
   RFXCOM Debug                    getConfiguration start
   RFXCOM Error                    "RFXCOM serial port" serial port open error: [Errno 35] could not open port /dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ: [Errno 35] Resource temporarily unavailable: '/dev/cu.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ'
   RFXCOM Error                    the specified serial port is used by another interface or device
   RFXCOM Error                    serial port could not be opened


OK some progress. I downloaded rfxcmd-v03-alpha1.zip from here and after installing pyserial on Python 2.7 (sudo /System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/bin/python -m pip install pyserial), disabling the X10 RF interface and the RFXCOM plugin in Indigo I am able to communicate with the RFXCOM device and see my data devices reporting (see below). This proves my device is working fine and there are no USB issues. But why is the Indigo plugin unable to communicate properly?

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cdt:/Users/cdt/Downloads/rfxcmd-v03-alpha1>./rfxcmd.py -d /dev/tty.usbserial-A1YJB0KQ -a LISTEN
RFXCMD Version 0.3 (515)
------------------------------------------------
Received      = 0D 01 00 00 02 53 EB 00 00 20 01 02 00 00
Date/Time      = 2022-02-13 18:11:26
Packet Length      = 0D
Packettype      = Interface Message
Subtype         = Interface response
Sequence nbr      = 00
Response on cmnd   = Get Status, return firmware versions and configuration of the interface.
Transceiver type   = 433.92MHz (Transceiver)
Firmware version   = 235
Display undecoded   = Off
Protocols:
Disabled      AE (433.92)
Disabled      Rubicson (433.92)
Disabled      FineOffset / Viking (433.92)
Disabled      RFU3
Disabled      RFU4
Disabled      RFU5
Disabled      RFU6
Disabled      Mertik (433.92)
Disabled      AD (433.92)
Disabled      Hideki/UPM (433.92)
Disabled      La Crosse (433.92/868.30)
Disabled      FS20 (868.35)
Disabled      ProGuard (868.35 FSK)
Disabled      BlindsT0 (433.92)
Disabled      BlindsT1/T2/T3 (433.92)
Disabled      X10 (310/433.92)
Disabled      ARC (433.92)
Disabled      AC (433.92)
Disabled      HomeEasy EU (433.92)
Disabled      Meiantech (433.92)
Enabled         Oregon Scientific (433.92)
Disabled      ATI (433.92)
Disabled      Visonic (315/868.95)

------------------------------------------------
Received      = 0D 54 02 00 84 00 00 C1 29 00 03 DD 04 50
Date/Time      = 2022-02-13 18:11:38
Packet Length      = 0D
Packettype      = Temperature, humidity and barometric sensors
Subtype         = BTHR918N, BTHR968
Seqnbr         = 00
Id         = 8400
Temperature      = 19.3 C
Humidity      = 41
Humidity Status      = Dry
Barometric pressure   = 989
Forecast Status      = Rainy
Battery         = 0
Signal level      = 5
------------------------------------------------
Received      = 11 5A 02 01 82 E2 00 00 00 0A 90 00 00 AF D5 B8 28 79
Date/Time      = 2022-02-13 18:12:14
Packet Length      = 11
Packettype      = Energy usage sensors
Subtype         = CM180
Seqnbr         = 01
Id         = 82E2
Instant usage      = 2704 Watt
Total usage      = 13189394 Wh
Battery         = 9
Signal level      = 7
------------------------------------------------
Received      = 0D 54 02 02 84 00 00 C1 29 00 03 DD 04 50
Date/Time      = 2022-02-13 18:12:16
Packet Length      = 0D
Packettype      = Temperature, humidity and barometric sensors
Subtype         = BTHR918N, BTHR968
Seqnbr         = 02
Id         = 8400
Temperature      = 19.3 C
Humidity      = 41
Humidity Status      = Dry
Barometric pressure   = 989
Forecast Status      = Rainy
Battery         = 0
Signal level      = 5


OK it's working now! I am not sure how I got into this situation, it seems that the X10 RF interface should DISABLED if I am using the RFXCOM plugin??!! I can't understand what happened here.

[matt (support)]

Yes, Indigo's built-in X10 RF interface is primarily for the CM15, MR26 or W800. If you are using the RFXCOM plugin then you shouldn't also use Indigo's built-in X10 RF interface – they'll both try to open a serial port connection with the hardware.