How to Use Simcom SIM7906E-M2 LTE Module with DSBOARD-ORNX?

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?

1- How to enable M.2 Key-B slot’s power?

2- How to connect the mobile broadband?

ENVIRONMENT

Hardware: DSBOARD-ORNX

OS: JetPack 5.1.1

In this blog post, we will connect mobile broadband with Simcom SIM7906E-M2 LTE GSM module. First, we will enable M.2 Key-B slot’s power. Then, we will connect to the Internet with this mobile broadband.

Hint: In this tutorial, we connected our GSM antennas on this module's MAIN & AUX ports.

Enabling M.2 Key-B Slot’s Power

Connect the Simcom SIM7906E-M2 LTE GSM module & SIM card on DSBOARD-ORNX. Then, power up the system.

You can see the mounting direction of nano SIM card on the connector below.

For JetPack-5, open a terminal and type these commands below:


sudo su
echo 446 > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo 328 > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo 331 > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo 389 > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo 433 > /sys/class/gpio/export

echo high > /sys/class/gpio/PP.06/direction
echo high > /sys/class/gpio/PCC.00/direction
echo low > /sys/class/gpio/PCC.03/direction
echo low > /sys/class/gpio/PG.06/direction
echo high > /sys/class/gpio/PN.01/direction

For JetPack-6, install gpiod package first:


sudo apt install -y gpiod

Then, open a terminal and type these commands below:


sudo su
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PP.06"`=1 &
PID_M2B_ENABLE2=$!
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PCC.00"`=1 &
PID_M2B_ENABLE1=$!
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PCC.03"`=0 &
PID_M2B_PWR_OFF=$!
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PG.06"`=0 &
PID_M2B_RESET=$!
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PN.01"`=1 &
PID_M2B_FULLCARD_PWRON=$!

If you will use a USB-2.0 based GSM module on the DSBOARD-ORNX (rev-1.2 or newer one), please type the following extra commands below:

(These commands will disables one of the USB type-A slot's USB-2.0 access)

For JetPack-5, type these commands below:


sudo su
echo 474 > /sys/class/gpio/export
sudo echo high > /sys/class/gpio/PY.04/direction

For JetPack-6, type these commands below:


sudo su
gpioset --mode=signal `gpiofind "PY.04"`=1 &
PID_M2B_USB_SELECT=$!

Then, type “lsusb” after 10 seconds later to check the GSM module powered on.

Connecting to the Mobile Broadband

Open the "Settings" application and select the "Network" section.

As you can see that the GSM module detected by the system.

Select the "Network" side and click "Add new connection" (if you have not prepared it before).

Click "Next" to configure the Mobile Broadband.

Select your country/region and continue.

Select your provider and continue.

Select your billing plan and continue.

Look up the network configuration and apply it.

After the Mobile Broadband created, the PIN code will ask (if it has not disabled before).

Type the PIN code and unlock the SIM card.

Then, the mobile broadband connection established.

Finally, let’s test it on terminal and browser.

Open a terminal and type the following command below:


ping -c 5 www.google.com

As you can see that the Internet connection is working.

Now, let's try to open our website to check it with browser.

Thank you for reading our blog post.