Hello everyone. I am working on a GPS remote tracker sending data through 4G. I bought an article from Aliexpress including the following 3 components:
As you can see, other than the 4G and GPS antennas, it has the sim7600 module core board (indeed the article name is "Original CAT1 SIM7600E-L1C breakout,4G LTE core board 1pc"). However, it seems that I cannot safely connect to Arduino UNO using only it (chatgpt), and that I need some sort of extension. This is what I've seen in most tutorials:
Is there any way I can connect safely to arduino UNO using only the core board, or do I need some sort of extension? Are there any cheaper and valuable alternatives to sim7600?
Thank you all for the support
No idea what an extension is.
Do you have a datasheet for the things you bought?
In the pics of what you bought from AE, I don't see a GPS module, only the antenna.
Use the writing (upside down) on the bottom edge of the SIM module to get the pinojut of the board. It looks like maybe 8 pins.
That picture of the RED board is very different. It does have the same SIM, but also many, many, many more components and connections. Which of the two do you think is potentially workable?
rather than photos links to the original web page where you purchased the modules would be more useful
the probability is that the modules use 3.3V logic
if so do not connect directly to a UNO which uses 5V logic
use level converters or even better move to a microcontroller which uses 3.3V logic, e.g. ESP32, RP2040, STM32, etc
if you go down you'll see the project description (I'm a beginner in arduino projects, I found it just now).
I see that the red one has many connections, I just need to send data through for 4G to a webserver.
if you go down you'll see the project description (I'm a beginner in arduino projects, I found it just now). The arduino uno I own has a 3.3 V pin, so I think I can use that (right?)
Find a similar project either in library samples, or the Project HUB or a general google search. Forget AE for now and find that project either at AdaFruit or Sparkfun etc. Once you know what you want then you can maybe source it through AE,
BTW, isn't 7600 now obsolete? What country still uses it?
so guys let's sum up: the product I bought as of now is not directly compatible to arduino uno, so I either need a shield (but the price will go up) or I should move to other microprocessors like raspberry pi right?
okay thanks a lot. so I must use something that is compatible with 3.3V logic (esp32, or arduino uno with a level-logic converter like this one: 4-Channel 5V / 3.3V Logic Level Converter - Bastelgarage Electronics Online Store) and then I'm set? or do you see any other criticality? sorry for the inexperience but I'm really beginning
I would avoid the complexity and extra wiring of a level converter
the more interconnecting wires the more likely of getting poor connections and intermittent problems
// ESP32 Serial1 test - for loopback test connect pins RXD1 and TXD1
#define RXD1 16 // can map Serial1 and Serial2 to many ESP32 GPIO pins
#define TXD1 17 // check pin usage https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-pinout-reference-gpios/
// for RS232 shield connect
// ESP32 RXD1 to TTL/RS232 Rx
// ESP32 TXD1 to TTL/RS232 Tx
// connect GND pins together and VCC to 3.3V on ESP32 5V on UNO ect
// for loopback test connect 9-pin D_type connector pins 2 Tx to 3 Rx (pin 5 is GND)
void setup() {
// initialize both serial ports:
Serial.begin(115200);
Serial1.begin(115200, SERIAL_8N1, RXD1, TXD1);
Serial.printf("\n\nESP32 serial1 test RXD1 pin %d TXD1 pin %d\n", RXD1, TXD1);
Serial.printf(" loopback test connect pin %d to pin %d\n", RXD1, TXD1);
Serial.printf("RS232: ESP32 pin %d RXD1 to TTL/RS232 Rx and pin %d TXD1 to TTL/RS232 Tx\n", RXD1, TXD1);
Serial.printf("RS232 - loopback connect 9-pin D-type pin 2 Tx to pin 3 Rx\n");
}
void loop() {
// read from Serial1, send to Serial
if (Serial1.available()) {
int inByte = Serial1.read();
Serial.write(inByte);
}
// read from Serial, send to Serial1
if (Serial.available()) {
int inByte = Serial.read();
//Serial.write(inByte); // local echo if required
Serial1.write(inByte);
}
}
serial monitor output in response to AT commands
*ATREADY: 1
+CPIN: SIM REMOVED
AT
OK
AT+CGMI
SIMCOM INCORPORATED
OK
AT+CGMR
+CGMR: A131B03A7670M6C
OK
AT+CGMM
A7670E-LASA
OK
AT+CSQ
+CSQ: 16,99
OK
the photo shows the SIM-A7670E powered from the ESP32 5V supply which is sufficient for testing AT commands
in practice an external power supply 5V 2amp minimum is recommended for communications, e.g. from documentation
note although the power supply is 5V the IO logic level is 3.3V
This looks like a viable option. What do you think however about esp32 + sim7600 (without the hat)? It would be suitable to go this way as I already have sim7600e
I don't know, it's not something I am involved in or interested in. Where I live, 4G is being replaced with 5G, and the SIM devices are very expensive.
