Quectel 5G-Modem doesn't work at all

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin Are you sure that the add-on board is fully seated onto the VOXL 2? There are two connectors that need to be fully seated

[Jerry Lin]

Hi @tom I am not sure and don't know how.

Can you show me some pictures so I can have the clue which modules are needed take apart for checking and making sure.

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin If you looks at the diagram here: https://docs.modalai.com/5G-Modem-datasheet/#block-diagrams
both J4 and J2 need to fully inserted into J5 and J3 of VOXL 2, seen here: https://docs.modalai.com/voxl2-connectors/#connector-callouts

[Jerry Lin]

Super cool, after all unscrewed and the modem taken out, I saw the connectors. Knowing how they connect, I pressed hard to make sure fully seated and the qmidevice_detect failed went away with the WiFi working!!!

The output of lsusb looks more devices now:

voxl2:~$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 2c7c:0800
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 0424:5744 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0424:2740 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:0811 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0424:2744 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

The output of quectel-CM is now totally different:

voxl2:~$ quectel-CM -s nxtgenphone
[09-10_01:27:54:793] Quectel_QConnectManager_Linux_V1.6.0.24
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Find /sys/bus/usb/devices/2-1.1 idVendor=0x2c7c idProduct=0x800, bus=0x002, dev=0x003
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Auto find qmichannel = /dev/cdc-wdm0
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Auto find usbnet_adapter = wwan0
[09-10_01:27:54:795] netcard driver = qmi_wwan, driver version = 22-Aug-2005
[09-10_01:27:54:796] Modem works in QMI mode
[09-10_01:27:54:828] /proc/3149/fd/7 -> /dev/cdc-wdm0
[09-10_01:27:54:828] /proc/3149/exe -> /usr/bin/quectel-CM
[09-10_01:27:56:830] cdc_wdm_fd = 7
[09-10_01:27:56:905] Get clientWDS = 1
[09-10_01:28:26:908] QmiWwanGetClientID message timeout
[09-10_01:28:26:921] Get clientNAS = 4
[09-10_01:28:26:953] Get clientUIM = 1
[09-10_01:28:26:985] Get clientWDA = 1
[09-10_01:28:26:985] QMIType 2 has no clientID
[09-10_01:28:26:985] requestBaseBandVersion err = -19
[09-10_01:28:41:321] QmiWwanThread read=-1 errno: 2 (No such file or directory)
[09-10_01:28:56:987] requestSetEthMode message timeout
[09-10_01:28:56:987] requestSetEthMode err = 110
[09-10_01:29:26:989] requestGetSIMStatus message timeout
[09-10_01:29:26:990] requestGetSIMStatus err = 110
[09-10_01:29:26:990] requestSetProfile[1] nxtgenphone///0
[09-10_01:29:27:081] QmiWwanThread read=-1 errno: 2 (No such file or directory)
[09-10_01:29:57:051] requestGetProfile message timeout
[09-10_01:29:57:051] requestGetProfile err = 110
[09-10_01:29:57:064] QmiWwanThread read=-1 errno: 2 (No such file or directory)
[09-10_01:30:27:054] requestRegistrationState2 message timeout
[09-10_01:30:27:055] requestRegistrationState2 err = 110
[09-10_01:30:57:056] requestQueryDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:30:57:057] requestQueryDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:30:57:057] ifconfig wwan0 0.0.0.0
[09-10_01:30:57:083] ifconfig wwan0 down
[09-10_01:30:57:129] requestRegistrationState2 MCC: 310, MNC: 410, PS: Attached, DataCap: LTE
[09-10_01:32:57:130] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:32:57:130] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:32:57:130] try to requestSetupDataCall 5 second later
[09-10_01:35:02:132] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:35:02:133] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:35:02:133] try to requestSetupDataCall 10 second later
[09-10_01:35:12:170] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:35:12:170] try to requestSetupDataCall 20 second later
[09-10_01:35:32:200] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:35:32:200] try to requestSetupDataCall 40 second later
[09-10_01:38:12:226] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:38:12:228] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:38:12:228] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:41:12:274] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:41:12:277] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:41:12:277] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:44:12:304] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:44:12:304] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:44:12:304] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:45:12:357] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:45:12:357] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:46:12:424] QmiWwanThread read=-1 errno: 2 (No such file or directory)
[09-10_01:48:12:391] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:48:12:391] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:48:12:392] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:49:12:454] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:49:12:454] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:52:12:486] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:52:12:486] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:52:12:486] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:55:12:530] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:55:12:533] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:55:12:533] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:56:12:582] QmiWwanThread read=-1 errno: 2 (No such file or directory)
[09-10_01:58:12:576] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:58:12:576] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:58:12:576] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:59:12:615] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:59:12:615] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later

However, it takes forever to finish. I googled around my AT&T APN, it looks right using nxtgenphone:

If you have an:
LTE device: Set your settings to NXTGENPHONE
Data device: Set your settings to Broadband
5G Smartphone: Set your settings to ENHANCEDPHONE

Not sure what is going wrong this time.

[Vinny]

Hi @Jerry-Lin
Glad Tom was able to help you and you are making progress.
For future note, please re-install the nut hardware on these screws or the boards can become separated again leading to more failures.

Please be careful to ensure they do not contact any of the circuit components on the PCB.
Thanks!

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin Awesome seems as though the hardware is working as expected now. I can't tell you what the correct APN is for your network, it very much depends on your plan, provider, etc. It's possible you need a SIM card specifically for IOT devices from your carrier

[Jerry Lin]

Sure, will do.

Sorry that I was trying to insert the SIM card and realized unable to do it unless lifting the modem module. After inserting the SIM card, I didn't push hard worrying breaking anything because the drone is super expensive.

Thanks to Tom for helping me understand how the modules are connected. I think inserting the SIM card is a very frequent activity and it would be nice to make it very accessible by a hole like others on the side. It took me hours to figure out how to access the SIM card socket. Anyway, now I learned how to secure the connections and not a problem for me anymore.

BTW, any idea about my last "timeout and trying forever" issue? I have tried two SIM cards without a success.

[Jerry Lin]

@tom said in Quectel 5G-Modem doesn't work at all:

It's possible you need a SIM card specifically for IOT devices from your carrier

So, did you mean normal phone SIM cards are not compatible with the Quectel modem and the "5G LTE" is not the same protocol our phones use as advertised "Connectivity: 4G/5G"?

Then, what are requirements should I provide to my carrier (located in Pennsylvania, USA) for this kind of SIM card to get the drone Internet access?

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin They can be, it just depends on the carrier. We always test here with Google Fi IoT SIM cards, they're super easy to setup and cheap

[Jerry Lin]

Cool, my carriers are AT&T and Xfinity Mobile. What I should I mention to them for my application? Just IoT or any specs that you know about?

So, the log:

voxl2:~$ quectel-CM -s nxtgenphone
[09-10_01:27:54:793] Quectel_QConnectManager_Linux_V1.6.0.24
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Find /sys/bus/usb/devices/2-1.1 idVendor=0x2c7c idProduct=0x800, bus=0x002, dev=0x003
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Auto find qmichannel = /dev/cdc-wdm0
[09-10_01:27:54:795] Auto find usbnet_adapter = wwan0
...
[09-10_01:58:12:576] requestSetupDataCall message timeout
[09-10_01:58:12:576] requestSetupDataCall err = 110
[09-10_01:58:12:576] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later
[09-10_01:59:12:615] requestSetupDataCall QMUXResult = 0x1, QMUXError = 0x1a
[09-10_01:59:12:615] try to requestSetupDataCall 60 second later

looks a SIM card issue to you? Or what else (e.g. commands or wiring) can I try to get 5G connected?

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin I would mention IOT as well as the modem you're using "Quectel RM502Q-AE". I know when I was first working with this modem that some carriers didn't yet support but that was a long time ago so I'm guessing that has changed

[Jerry Lin]

OK, will get to carries to see if I can move forward with the existing SIM cards. If not, will try Google Fi IoT SIM cards.

Thanks for the advice!!!

[Jerry Lin]

I

• checked with an AT&T store and they provide SIM card for phone only.
• then googled around and found several attempts using Quectel MODEM with AT&T SIM card and AT commands were used for debugging.
• searched in ModalAI Forum and found some AT commands for the model.
• tried but got only ERROR

  voxl2:~$ echo -ne "AT+QNWPREFCFG="mode_pref",LTE:NR5G\r" | busybox microcom /dev/ttyUSB2
  AT+QNWPREFCFG=mode_pref,LTE:NR5G
  ERROR

• did voxl-configure-modem again to see if AT commands can be used and found the same command:

  Sep 25 02:41:22 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: qrb5165 based hardware detected...
  Sep 25 02:41:22 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: \Setting mode preference to LTE / 5G
  Sep 25 02:41:22 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: AT+QNWPREFCFG="mode_pref",LTE:NR5G
  Sep 25 02:41:22 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: OK
  Sep 25 02:41:23 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: Initalizing cellular connection...

• After 7 minutes I saw: no lease, failing. Well, at least, it tried to lease.

  Sep 25 02:48:49 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: started, v1.27.2
  Sep 25 02:48:49 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: No resolv.conf for interface wwan0.udhcpc
  Sep 25 02:48:49 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:48:52 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:48:55 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:48:58 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:49:01 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:49:04 m0054 udhcpc[10399]: wwan0: configuration failed: leasefail:
  Sep 25 02:49:04 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: no lease, failing

• All of sudden, I saw lease obtained with an IP provided:

  Sep 25 02:49:04 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: started, v1.27.2
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: No resolv.conf for interface wwan0.udhcpc
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending discover
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: sending select for 10.194.135.84
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: udhcpc: lease of 10.194.135.84 obtained, lease time 7200
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: Too few arguments.
  Sep 25 02:49:05 m0054 voxl-modem-start[8392]: Too few arguments.

• I was not sure about the impact of Too few arguments error, though.

Well, with an IP address, I tried to:

• ping
• ssh

Unfortunately only responded with timeout messages.
Wondering if I really have the Internet access, I did ifconfig wlan0 down and the ping google.com from voxl. It was still responded !!!

Hmm, how about continue Connecting to QGC over 5G instructions?

• With Tailscale VPN installed, I was able to ssh to the drone using the VPN IP address!!!
• With QGroundControl setup, I was able to see the drone statuses and statistics using the VPN IP address!!!

That means I can control the drone even it is hundreds of miles away!!!

Millions of thanks for great help @tom and @Vinny !!!!!!!!!!!

Still with Too few arguments error, I am not sure how good the 4G/5G connection would be. Will experiment more to figure out. However, if you guys know anything can be improved, please let me know.

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin You can ignore the "Too few arguments" message, that comes from lower down in the quectel driver, it shouldn't cause any issues.

Glad to hear things are working! It may take some routing changes in order for both wifi and 5g to work at the same time.

[Jerry Lin]

[Jerry Lin]

BTW, what are the routing changes suggested? Do I need to execute any commands? Or, do they happen automatically by some code or scripts?

[tom]

@Jerry-Lin Not something I can provide too much data on as I don't have a ton of linux network routing experience. But from what I understand you can use ip route to see how your network traffic is being routed for each network interface.

You can also change the default route via something like sudo ip route change default ..... (don't know the exact command format) might take some research.

[Jerry Lin]

OK, cool thanks

Will try.