MIKROTIK LHGG + QUECTEL EM12-G

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hi everyone ,I had written in other topic already open but I prefer to create a new one also as a log for others.
HARDWARE:

TOOLS:

SOFTWARE:

TEST 1
Microtik LHGG + Modem R11e-LTE6 + SIM (LHGG sim-reader)
Result:
OK

  • Modem detected
  • SIM detected
  • OK AT commands
  • OK Lock BTS and Band

TEST 2
Microtik LHGG + Modem Quectel EM12-G + SIM (LHGG sim-reader)
Result:
KO

  • Modem detected
  • SIM no detected
  • KO AT commands
  • KO Lock BTS and Band
    Modem original settings [ PPP & QMI mode]

TEST 3
Microtik LHGG + Modem Quectel EM12-G + SIM (Adapter mpci/m2 sim-reader)
Result:
KO

  • Modem detected
  • SIM detected
  • KO AT commands
  • KO Lock BTS and Band
    Modem original settings [ PPP & QMI mode]

TEST 4
Microtik LHGG + Modem Quectel EM12-G + SIM (Adapter mpci/m2 sim-reader)
Result:
KO

  • Modem detected
  • SIM no detected
  • OK AT commands
  • KO Lock BTS and Band
    Modem settings [ MBIM mode]
AT+QCFG ="usbnet", 2

TEST 5
Microtik LHGG + Modem Quectel EM12-G + SIM (LHGG sim-reader)
Result:
KO

  • Modem detected
  • SIM no detected
  • OK AT commands
  • KO Lock BTS and Band
    Modem settings [ MBIM mode]
AT+QCFG ="usbnet", 2

INFO RouterOS:

[admin@MikroTik] > /system resource print                                     
                   uptime: 4m55s
                  version: 7.1beta3 (development)
               build-time: Dec/02/2020 15:59:47
         factory-software: 6.46.6
              free-memory: 110.1MiB
             total-memory: 256.0MiB
                cpu-count: 2
                 cpu-load: 0%
           free-hdd-space: 2240.0KiB
          total-hdd-space: 16.0MiB
  write-sect-since-reboot: 98
         write-sect-total: 98
               bad-blocks: 0%
        architecture-name: arm64
               board-name: RBLHGGR
                 platform: MikroTik

########################################

admin@MikroTik >port print
Flags: I - INACTIVE
Columns: NAME, CHANNELS, USED-BY, BAUD-RATE
  #     NAME     C  USED-BY         BAUD-R
  0     serial0  1  Serial Console  115200
  1  I  usb2     2                    9600
  2  I  usb3     4                    9600

########################################

admin@MikroTik > system resource usb print
Columns: DEVICE, VENDOR, NAME, SPEED
  #  DEV  VENDOR                NAME                  SPEE
  0  3-0  Linux 5.6.3 xhci-hcd  xHCI Host Controller  5000
  1  2-1  Quectel               EM12-G                 480
  2  1-0  Linux 5.6.3 ehci_hcd  EHCI Host Controller   480
  3  2-0  Linux 5.6.3 xhci-hcd  xHCI Host Controller   480
  
  #####################################
  
  /interface lte at-chat lte1 input="AT+CPIN\3F"           
  output: +CME ERROR: SIM not inserted

Can anyone help me to detect the sim?

2

try to detach your m2 adapter => mpci because the lhgg radiator presses too much on the sim location of your adapter and causes this message.

even simpler dismantle the radiator from the lhgg and test again

3

I did the same mod and had the exact same problem. Now I’m posting this using the LHGG with EM12-G. What solved the problem for me was removing the two original thermal pads for the modem and either not using any thermal pads (EM12-G will be OK) or replacing the top one with something much thinner than the Mikrotik original. Don’t bother replacing the bottom thermal pad, which was the one that was shorting my adapter’s SIM connector - no point in cooling the adapter.

As dad2312 mentions, it’s a mechanical problem - the radiator presses the adapter+modem assembly (thicker than the original PCIe modem) and shorts its SIM slot.

4

at Ros v7 this em12-g should be detected and work properly.
Remember that SIM you insert at RouterBoard, you not use a sim slot at adapter.

5

Hi @gianmikro

I am planning to install the LHGG + QUECTEL EM12-G too.

Are you able to operate the LHGG + EM12-G in Bridge / IP Passthrough Mode? If so how did you achieve that please as I wish to present it to my MT RB4011 router?

Thanks,
Steve

6

@stevenma Did you get anywhere with EM12-G working in passthrough mode?

7

playing with a similar setup now, using an LTAP mini with EM12G.

apparently my adapter doesnt also send the SIM pins to the edge connector. the only way I can get a SIM to recognize is to use the SIM slot on the adapter card.. I had hoped to find an adapter which passed them through so I could ocntinue to use the dual SIM functionslity of the LTAP mini but with a better modem.

I have the modem in MBIM mode but for some reason get a NAT IP on the LTE interface in the routerboard.. its not PPP and the modem reports its in usbnet mode 2, but i get a 192.0.0.2 as my IP and cant ping out to the internet, despite the modem reporting its got good signals and a servingcell. I had thought the only time you get a private IP is in ECM mode?

quectel confirmed my modem firmware is the latest..

maybe i need a different adapter card that passes the SIM pins through?

oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QENG="servingcell"
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +QENG: "servingcell","NOCONN","LTE","FDD",310,260,567A0B,339,851,2,5,5,B0F8,-104,-14,-70,12,-,-,19
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QCAINFO
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QXPOWER
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +QXPOWER: -32768,-32768,-32768,-32768
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QRSRP
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +QRSRP: -104,-121,-140,-140
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QNETINFO="cmr"
oct/05 20:08:23 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +QNETINFO: "cmr",8,1,1,9
oct/05 20:08:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QENG="servingcell"
oct/05 20:08:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +QENG: "servingcell","NOCONN","LTE","FDD",310,260,567A0B,339,851,2,5,5,B0F8,-104,-16,-68,11,-,-,19
oct/05 20:08:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+QCAINFO
oct/05 20:08:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd

seems to have lock on a cell?


[admin@DevRandomISP] > /interface/lte/at-chat lte1 input="AT+QIACT=1"
  output: ERROR
  
  why error here? shows as good command in doc
  
  
[admin@DevRandomISP] > /interface/lte/at-chat lte1 input="AT+QIACT\?"
  output: +QIACT: 1,1,1,"192.0.0.1"
OK

is that IP the one Tmobile is giving me? because it completely different than tmobile gives me on my EC25.
best I can get from a QPING is nothing on my console just a ‘561’ or ‘569’ in the logs.. nothing like id expect the command to return per the docs.. maybe routerboard doesnt support reading that command?

8

one mystery solved.. turns out my modem wouldnt hold onto my CGDCONT setting.. put it in my PC-Based adapter, ran an AT&F and then put it bsack in my LTAP mini, and ran the command below which it then took normally and holds onto now.. Wierd..

anyway im on the internet now.. still doesnt help with SIM Cards not being seen by the routerboard.. im guessing that is something ill have to find an adapter which passes the pins through? ive been told not to buy adapters with no SIM slot as they are for storage only.


/interface lte at-chat lte1 input="AT+CGDCONT=1,\"IPV4V6\",\"Fast.t-mobile.com\""

/interface lte at-chat lte1 input="AT+CGDCONT\?"
  output: +CGDCONT: 1,"IPV4V6","Fast.t-mobile.com","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0 +CGDCONT: 2,"IPV4V6","ims","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,
          0,0,0 +CGDCONT: 3,"IPV4V6","sos","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,1 +CGDCONT: 5,"IPV4V6","h2g2","0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0
          +CGDCONT: 4,"IP","","0.0.0.0",0,0,0,0 OK
9

got a different adapter card that passes the SIM pins through apparently.. it looks identical to the other card but the SIM slots in my LTAP mini work.,

I am using external antennas and had to remove the green board inside the lid of the LTAP mini, the modem on an adapter card sits up higher and interferred with the solder joint for the lid antennas..

I do notice that RoS when using an APN profile from the LTE screen doesnt capitalize.. maybe it doesnt matter however i seem to have best results when i run a script the AT command to set the APN on the modem. which AT&T uses a capital ‘B’. seems to make a big difference in whether it stays in ‘HSPA’ or switches to ‘LTE’ quickly when it snags a cell.. this is important to me as im using my LTAP in a mobile office rig that is on the go.

10

cadillackid write

What APN you type that should be used and confirmed in logs. Importand stuff is to disable the checkbox of Use Network APN, then works that what you write. We use small letters and all works.

ros7 APN.png
ros7 APN.png441×158 51.1 KB

seems to make a big difference in whether it stays in ‘HSPA’ or switches to ‘LTE’ quickly when it snags a cell.. this is important to me as im using my LTAP in a mobile office rig that is on the go.

I use all Quectel units in stationary place, no vehicles and cannot give any hint’s in this field.

11

so far so great with the EM12-G, I really didnt have much luck getting my LM960 to ever work, but this quectel is working really well.

I have use network APN unchecked and just have the APN sent via at-chat in my script that switches carriers.. the modem reports the correct APN basck in the debug logs so all is good.

I also dont get the ‘network mode selection failed’ errors that i was seeing with the quectel EC25, this has definitely been a worthwhile upgrade for my setup.
ROS 7.1.1 handles it well, again being dual SIM, i use a script for switching back and forth. even driving around the modem adapts well to changing cellular conditions. i just finished a 1500 mile road trip from ohio to minnesota and back.. very little dropout.. I streamed music the whole trip snd also looked at the LTAPs “check in” logs to my home server and there were less than .1%(point 1 percent) OF lost checkins.. the EC25 typically on the same trip (same antenna) would lose 3-4% on average.

I dont seem to have any power or heat issues (despite the LTAP being near a bus heater cabinet).. its being powered by a USB A to Micro USB cable and doesnt run into power issues.

this is all using a Mikrotik mANT LTE just stuck in the window of the bus. I have a better mast antenna which ill install in warm weather, it will get installed on a mirror mast of the bus so outside and up higher than the in-window.

to me this is success with the EM12-G,
im not sure how to tell which minie PCie adapter card is right.. mine look identical, one allowed me to use the SIM in the MT and the other only allowed me to use the SIM in its own slot.. I makred the one and will just use it for testing with my PC (maybe to get the LM960 to work)..

12

My EM12G has arrived, just awaiting myipex4 to sma cables.

13

very good upgrade. EM12 is my favorite one. If you buy it with latest firmware then it’s just work out-of-box at ros7

14

I can confirm this - Mine EM12-G came with EM12GPAR01A20M4G. After installation and first boot everything worked without any other action from my side - I was running RouterOS 7.2.0 at the time of the upgrade. I’m using the older LHG model.

The only thing which bothers me is SINR - it is very unstable.

15

Nice, and its cat12 as i can see…
How many carriers ( CAs ) does Cat12 use? any reference on that ?

Can the firmware be upgraded through terminal ? ( /interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 )

16

ralliart write:

means R01A20 is Revision 1.20
SINR, we not monitor it at graph then I cannot say a comment about that.

Zacharias write:

3CA., 256QAM

Can the firmware be upgraded through terminal ? ( /interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 )

no, but exit a way to do FOTA from delta firmware if you buy from official discributor then this is no problem to receive that.

17

I have an LHG here to compare to my LTAP Mini

18

hecatae write:

LHGR have better antenna gain, LtAP have very weak antenna and I not like this unit.. .
I use LDFR with EM12, I can add a SINR into graph to check value in time and we can compare.

Please check this post, this is very easy to run a monitoring way, I recover that in my device and share you link.
HowTo: http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/snmp-lte-signal-strength/85161/1
Example:

19

Mine has identical firmware, I see the firmware to flash it is is over here:
https://forums.quectel.com/t/how-to-update-em12gpar01a09m4g-msft-module/13956

20

As for today it seems to be stable:
screen.png
Previously it was jumping between 6 to 16 in seconds - like this:
screen2.png
Overall it seemed odd for me as R11 was more constant in this parameter. At the end it doesn’t matter - the most important part for me was 3xCA.