3G/4G module

Thread Starter

KlemenSM

Joined May 17, 2021
4
Hello,
i am designing a product that, among other things, needs to send data out via mobile signal. Since this is low quantity product (100 to 300 per year) and the client doesn't want to spend money an time on developing and certifying custom design for mobile communication, i am looking for a 3G or 4G PCB module(similar to the wifi modules from ST or Microchip) that i can stick SIM card in communicate with with my custom pcb.

Any help will be appreciated.
 

Thread Starter

KlemenSM

Joined May 17, 2021
4
Hello,
i am designing a product that, among other things, needs to send data out via mobile signal. Since this is low quantity product (100 to 300 per year) and the client doesn't want to spend money an time on developing and certifying custom design for mobile communication, i am looking for a 3G or 4G PCB module(similar to the wifi modules from ST or Microchip) that i can stick SIM card in communicate with with my custom pcb.

Any help will be appreciated.
And that it communicates with AT comamnds.
 

dendad

Joined Feb 20, 2016
4,451
There are modems available..
https://etmpacific.com.au/serial-modems-terminals/etm-9440-4g-serial-modem/
https://australism2m.com.au/category/products/4g-serial-modems/
As well as boards, like for an Arduino...
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/132725280717?hash=item1ee70b0fcd:g:0T8AAOSwvItbYAE3&frcectupt=true

What level of design are you able to engage in?
The SIMxxxx series of modules like on these boards...
https://www.adafruit.com/?q=3G&sort=BestMatch

https://www.simcom.com/
Make sure the version you chose is suitable for the area you operate in.
 

Thread Starter

KlemenSM

Joined May 17, 2021
4
Thank you a lot for your help, i was looking at exact SimCom modules not 5min ago and looks liek they offer best ratiot beetwen simplicity to incorporate and price point. My level design is made from designing everything from Cortex M7 applications, programming GUI interfaces for slot machines, BL drivers, medical equpment and products with AT wireless modules. But it is first time i am faced with GSM modules and interface and i dont have knowledge of what exactly is on market or what is most developer friendly, so i thought to ask experienced community in this area.
 

kaindub

Joined Oct 28, 2019
125
Is this a product for your company internal use or is the product for sale in different parts of the country and the world?
GSM is dead pretty much is most of the world so dont use those modules unless you want to upgrade quickly. Carriers use different frequencies and systems for cellular data. If you buy a Samsung phone or an Apple for (as examples) they will be country specific adapted to the frequencies and systems and even the carriers they supply to. Even within a country the frequencies and systems each carrier uses varies depending on what spectrum they own and where their base stations are.
Im not saying dont carry on with your project, but its not as simple as just buying a module and expecting it to work everywhere.
 

Thread Starter

KlemenSM

Joined May 17, 2021
4
Is this a product for your company internal use or is the product for sale in different parts of the country and the world?
GSM is dead pretty much is most of the world so dont use those modules unless you want to upgrade quickly. Carriers use different frequencies and systems for cellular data. If you buy a Samsung phone or an Apple for (as examples) they will be country specific adapted to the frequencies and systems and even the carriers they supply to. Even within a country the frequencies and systems each carrier uses varies depending on what spectrum they own and where their base stations are.
Im not saying dont carry on with your project, but its not as simple as just buying a module and expecting it to work everywhere.
The product is indented to be sold all over EU. Well i expected that if i buy Europe version of modem, that it would work everywhere in Europe. That puts a wedge in a project. I was also looking into LPWANs, but there is none that offers good coverage all over EU. Sigfox seemed perfect, but their coverage has remained same for couple of years now, LoRa is also not available in all EU countries. Any idea? Project demands are that i need to transmit 50-100Bytes to server and 10Byte back to client, maybe 2 or 3 times per day.
 

kaindub

Joined Oct 28, 2019
125
For the amount of data you are sending, Lora is a good solution. For areas where there is no Lora base station, sell one to the customer. Remember Lora has no network access charges like ceiiular systems
 

Bravo10

Joined Mar 16, 2021
1
And that it communicates with AT comamnds.
Hi, I know SIM800 works in London. You can get those from AliExpress for a couple of $s. I use lots of them, but I test them on a R&S CMD55 first. Make sure you have a large capacitor right next to the power connections. They can draw up to 3 Amp pulses when sending data which I verified with a Keithley DMM6500 running at a million readings per sec. Regards, Gary
 

pegarrison

Joined Aug 24, 2021
2
I just purchased a 4g LTE module that is a Arduino "shield" board that snaps onto a Arduino processor that is going to help me transition from a 3G Arduino communications device to a 4G since AT&T and others are retiring the 3G systems Feb 22, 2022. The module i speak of is the SIM7600CE-T 4G(LTE) Arduino Shield ( https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/426-TEL0124 )

i have been using the 3G FONA board (https://www.adafruit.com/product/2687) with a Arduino for the last 3 years successfully but now i have to upgrade to 4g. . Mouser also sells a EUropean version of the 4G SIM7600CE that should work for you. there are some nice information that is detailed on how to control the board. Initially i would connect a computer to it via usb serial and talk to it sending AT commands to get the hang of it. here are some sites with more info on it.

here are some documents you will need to better understand and operate this board. I am just getting started with this board and using a Arduino but this board can be controlled by other processors as well. there are some small form factor Arduino boards that you can wire to this SIM7600 to controll if you wish to use the Arduino.
1629820162421.png
 

Attachments

I just purchased a 4g LTE module that is a Arduino "shield" board that snaps onto a Arduino processor that is going to help me transition from a 3G Arduino communications device to a 4G since AT&T and others are retiring the 3G systems Feb 22, 2022. The module i speak of is the SIM7600CE-T 4G(LTE) Arduino Shield ( https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/426-TEL0124 )

i have been using the 3G FONA board (https://www.adafruit.com/product/2687) with a Arduino for the last 3 years successfully but now i have to upgrade to 4g. . Mouser also sells a EUropean version of the 4G SIM7600CE that should work for you. there are some nice information that is detailed on how to control the board. Initially i would connect a computer to it via usb serial and talk to it sending AT commands to get the hang of it. here are some sites with more info on it.

here are some documents you will need to better understand and operate this board. I am just getting started with this board and using a Arduino but this board can be controlled by other processors as well. there are some small form factor Arduino boards that you can wire to this SIM7600 to controll if you wish to use the Arduino.
View attachment 246450
in additon the dfrobot.com website has a fantastic doc on how to use this SIM7600 at https://wiki.dfrobot.com/SIM7600CE-T_4G(LTE)_Shield_V1.0_SKU_TEL0124
 
Top