Model A 4G Development Board

Polyhex Technology Company Limited
DEBIX 4G Board User Guide
Version: V1.0（2023-07）
Complied by: Polyhex Technology Company Limited（http://www.polyhex.net/）

DEBIX 4G Board is an add-on board for DEBIX Model A and DEBIX Model B SBC. The DEBIX 4G Board is designed to provide 4G network function for DEBIX Model A/B. In a small size of 57mm x 51.3mm, it has one Mini PCIe slot for  4G module and one Micro SIM slot.

REVISION HISTORY

Chapter 1 Security

1.1. Safety Precaution
The following messages inform how to make each cable connection. In most cases, you will simply need to connect a standard cable.
Table 1 Terms and conventions

no workload required  on it. Do not connect the power cable while the power is on.
A sudden rush of power can damage sensitive electronic components. Only experienced electricians should open the chassis.
Caution| Always ground yourself to remove any static electric charge before touching DEBIX product.  Modern electronic devices are very sensitive to electric charges. Use a grounding  wrist strap at all times. Place all electronic components on a static-dissipative surface or in a static-shielded bag.

1.2. Safety Instruction
To avoid malfunction or damage to this product please observe the following:

1. Disconnect the device from the DC power supply before cleaning. Use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid detergents or spray-on detergents.

2. Keep the device away from moisture.

3. During installation, set the device down on a reliable surface. Drops and bumps will lead to damage.

4. Before connecting the power supply, ensure that the voltage is in the required range, and the way of wiring is correct.

5. Carefully put the power cable in place to avoid stepping on it.

6. If the device is not used for a long time, power it off to avoid damage caused by sudden overvoltage.

7. Do not pour liquid into the venting holes of the enclosure, as this could cause fire or electric shock.

8. For safety reasons, the device can only be disassembled by professional personnel.

9. If one of the following situations occur, get the equipment checked by service personnel:
   • The power cord or plug is damaged.
   • Liquid has penetrated into the equipment.
   • The equipment has been exposed to moisture.
   • The equipment does not work well, or you cannot get it to work according to the user’s manual.
   • The equipment has been dropped and damaged.
   • The equipment has obvious signs of breakage.

10. Do not place the device outside the specified ambient temperature range. This will damage the machine. It needs to be kept in an environment at controlled temperature.

11. Due to the sensitive nature of the equipment, it must be stored in a restricted access location, only accessible by qualified engineer.

DISCLAIMER: Polyhex disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy of any statement of this instructional document.
1.3. Declaration of Compliance
CE: This equipment has passed CE certified.
FCC: This equipment has passed FCC certified.
RoHS: This equipment is manufactured in compliance with RoHS regulations.
UKCA: This equipment has passed UKCA certified.

1.4. Technical Support

1. Visit DEBIX website https://www.debix.io/ where you can find the latest information about the product.
2. Contact your distributor, sales representative or Polyhex’s customer service center for technical support if you need additional assistance. Please have the following info ready before you call:
   • Product name
   • Description of your peripheral attachments
   • Description of your software(operating system, version, application software, etc.)
   • A complete description of the problem
   • The exact wording of any error messages
   Discord Community (recommended): https://discord.com/invite/adaHHaDkH2 Email: info@polyhex.net

Chapter 2 DEBIX 4G board Introduction

DEBIX 4G board for DEBIX motherboard provides a Mini PCIe interface, Micro SIM card slot, and supports 4G module to realize 4G network function.
Main features:

• Support Mini PCIe 4G module.
• Support 4G network.
• Compatible with the existing DEBIX Aluminum Enclosure.

2.1. Overview

DEBIX 4G board provides 4G network capability for DEBIX motherboard. The data specifications are as below:
Table 2 DEBIX 4G Board specification

I/O Interface

Mini PCIe| 1 x Mini PCIe, support 4G module
LED| 1 x 4G Operation LED
Slot| 1 x Micro SIM card slot (pop-up)
PCIe| 1 x PCIe, the connector is 19Pin 0.3mm Pitch FPC socket (Clamshell)
Mechanical & Environmental

Size (L x W)| 57.0mm x 51.3mm
Weight| 90g

2.2. Interface
2.2.1. Mini PCIe
DEBIX 4G board has a PCIE Gen3.0 single lane PCIe controller compatible with the following
standards:

• PCI Express Base Specification, Revision 4.0, Version 0.7
• PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 3.0
• PCI Bus Power Management Specification, Revision 1.2
• PCI Express Card Electromechanical Specification, Revision 1.1

Mini PCIe interface (J53) supports Mini PCIe 4G module with the following supported models:

• Quectel EC20CEHDLG-128-SNNS
• Quectel EC21ECGA-128-SNNS
• Quectel EC25ECGA-128-SNNS

Table 3 Pin definition of Mini PCIe

2.2.2. PCIe Interface
DEBIX 4G board provides a PCIe interface (J54) with 19Pin/0.3mm FPC socket connector, please refer to “FH26W-19S-0.3SHW(97)” on DEBIX website, which can be used to connect to the PCIe interface of DEBIX motherboard.

The PCIe interface is defined as follows:
Table 4 Pin definition of PCIe

2.2.3. Slot
DEBIX 4G board provides a Micro SIM card slot for inserting a SIM card to provide network connection and data transmission for the 4G module.
2.2.4. LED
DEBIX 4G Board has a 4G operation status indicator as shown below:

2.2.4. LED
DEBIX 4G Board has a 4G operation status indicator as shown below:

Table 5 Description of LED

2.3. Packing List

• DEBIX 4G Board
• 4G Module (optional)
• Antenna (optional)

Chapter 3 Getting started

3.1. Hardware connection

• Component Preparation
• DEBIX 4G board
• DEBIX motherboard
• 4G Module, 4G antenna
• FPC cable (19Pin 0.3mm Pitch)
• 2 x lock screw CM2.0X4, lock screw PM1.4X4
• Micro SIM card

The connection steps are as follows:

1. Paste the square shape and the round shape Mylar sheet on the front and back of DEBIX motherboard, as shown in the figure below:
   

2. Insert the FPC cable into the PCIe interface (J54) of DEBIX 4G board, as shown in the following figure:
   

3. Install the 4G module to DEBIX 4G board and lock screw CM2.0X4 to fix it, as shown in the following figure:

4. Insert the Micro SIM card into the slot of DEBIX 4G board (note the direction of insertion), as shown in the following figure:

5. Align the female header of DEBIX 4G board with the top pin header of DEBIX motherboard, and press to insert, fix them with locking screws (PM1.4X4), and insert the FPC cable into the PCIe interface (J18) of DEBIX  motherboard, as shown in the following figure:
   NOTE
   It is necessary to confirm that the female header of DEBIX 4G board are aligned one by one with the top pin header on the DEBIX motherboard to avoid damage to the board caused by power on after misalignment.
   

6. Connect the 4G antenna to 4G module;

7. Insert the Micro SD card with DEBIX system into the slot of DEBIX motherboard, connect DEBIX peripherals (HDMI monitor, keyboard, mouse, network cable), power up DEBIX, and the DEBIX can be used normally.

Chapter 4 Function Examples

4.1. Usage of 4G network

1. Start DEBIX, click to open the “Add-on Board” application;
   

2. The “DEBIX add-on board dtb file selection” dialog box pops up, select Debix+4g board, and click OK.
   

3. Select None for Panel and click OK.
   

4. Click Start, and click OK.
   

5. Reboot the device to take effect the above settings.

6. Dial-up: Click to open “Setting” application, select Network, enable “Mobile Broadband”, set Network to “Add new connection”, and the “Set up a Mobile Broadband Connection” dialog box pops up, click Next.
   

7. In the “Choose your Provider’s Country or Region” dialog box, select the country as needed, here “China” was chosen, click Next.
   

8. In the “Choose your Provider” dialog box, select “China Mobile”, click Next.
   

9. In the “Choose your Billing Plan” dialog box, click Next.
   

10. In the “Confirm Mobile Broadband Settings” dialog box, make sure the settings are correct, and then click Apply.
    

11. Get the dial-up IP address;
    

12. 4G network test: Open a Terminal, type ping -I ppp0 baidu.com to verify whether the network connection is normal.
    

4.2. Common Troubleshooting
PCI device query:

1. Install and query PCI devices with the following commands:
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install pciutils
   lspci

2. The output is as follows:
   

4G module verification:
The 4G module is identified as /dev/ttyUSB2 in DEBIX system:

1. Use the serial port debugging tool and type the following command to verify:
   microcom /dev/ttyUSB2
   AT+CPIN?
   AT+CIMI
   AT+CGSN
   AT+CSQ

2. The output is as follows:

NOTE
AT+CPIN? #SIM card detection; return “+CPIN:”, if is READY, no password is required
AT+CIMI #Query SIM card CIMI; return International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) code
AT+CGSN #Query module IMEI; return international mobile equipment identity code AT+CSQ