Cellular Internet Connection

The Sixfab Base HAT is a bridge between the mini PCIe module and Linux based Single Board Computer (SBC) such as Raspberry Pi. To provide internet to Raspberry Pi, the user guides provided by the mini PCI module manufacturer must be followed. For the ease, we have prepared tutorials based on these user guides so that you can create an internet connection quickly.

Commonly used/supported protocols for Internet connection are PPP, QMI and ECM. You only need to follow one of them. Please follow the appropriate tutorial that suits your case scenario.

PPP

PPP is easy to establish, widely used legacy protocol, and it is flexible with the devices. PPP may show a drop of the connection while using the AT command set for other functionality of modem. The PPP protocol is just used between the computer and the modem to make the connection look like a legacy dial-up modem-based network connection.

If you need to establish an internet connection for a short period of time and the date to be transferred is not high, you may stick to PPP.

• Setting up the PPP connection for Sixfab Shield/HAT

QMI

To get rid of the legacy cruft, newer ways to present USB-connected LTE modems like QMI and MBIM have been developed. Both Quectel and Telit modules offer QMI(Qualcomm MSM Interface) which is established as a real network interface, such as ethernet(typically shows as wwan0).

The QMI offers a more accessible and faster connection compared to the PPP protocol. We recommend QMI, if you are looking for a faster connection, and for a longer duration.

1. QMI Interface Internet Connection Setup Using Sixfab Shield/HAT — Only for Quectel modules
2. Setting up a data connection over QMI interface using libqmi — For both Quectel and Telit modules

ECM

The ECM (Ethernet Control Model) protocol is used for exchanging Ethernet-framed data between the mini PCIe module and host. The USB bridge appears as a regular network interface on both sides, transporting Ethernet frames.

ECM is unlike PPP, and QMI. This tutorial doesn't need any installation, This tutorial is all about proper configuration of the module supporting ECM.

1. Internet Connection with Quectel EC25 using ECM Mode
2. Internet Connection with Telit LE910Cx module using ECM Mode

The tutorials here contains installation scripts. We have tested these installation scripts for the mini PCIe modules that are available for purchase in our stores. We cannot guarantee the installation of other mini PCIe modules. Users can follow the user guides of the mini PCIe modules to make them work with Sixfab Base HAT.