Supported 3G/4G USB dongle

Sinamics

Hi
I would like to share my knowledge on which devices is supported by RPI or not.
I have been using ZTE MF821D for a long time, and this one is really great and reliable. But there is one drawback.

If this modems loses signal , there is no way to establish link again without unplug or reboot RPI.
For some reason the modem (/dev/cdc-wdm0 ) disappear from the source list.

So i wanted to test another modem, and today i got Huawei E3276 4G LTE Cat. 4.
This modem works almost out of the box. This device won’t work with UQMI but works with sakis3g or wvdial, also reconnecting if loss of signal works perfect, and that is a great feature.

I will create complete installation procedure for Huawei E3276 4G LTE Cat. 4 soon. I will encourage you to post any knowledge you might have about supported and un-supported devices.

mocart

Sinamics I will create complete installation procedure for Huawei E3276 4G LTE Cat. 4 soon

I did recieive this modem for free test period from my friend and this one does not work with Jessie and PI3 out of the box. Can you share this procedure if possible? I think I need to change something else on this modem configuration side because my current one works perfect with defult WVdial parameters. I would like to test e3276 becuse it covers more frequences than current one. Just for clarification this is E3276s-150 version in details.

RemoteOperations

Hi!
I bought this from Ebay:

Huawei Wingle E8278s-602 Cat4 LTE USB WiFi Hotspot modem UNLOCKED O2...

and it worked out of the box, no config needed on RPI 3.
Using Talkmore 4G in Norway logged on to the modem and changed APN to internet.public , changed DMZ to RPI IP (192.168.1.100 standard)
Make sure you have a good power supply to your RPI (minimum 2A) or it will behave strange and reboot all the time 🙂

Sinamics

Kekko991

Im concerned using ZMR250 with RPI due to the space needed. The 250 frame is quite small. I never build such small drone using Companion computer, but there might be other people in here to answer that.

Kekko991 SIM808 as LTE/4G transmitter/receiver (https://goo.gl/2i86Ma)

I would rather use a USB LTE dongle instead of SIM900 or SIM808. E.g E8278s-602 as mentioned here RemoteOperations This is plug an play and would save you allot of time.

Kekko991 Pixhawk 2.4.8 , but i'm not sure for the hight cost (https://goo.gl/RmbLdo)

I know there is some clone Pixhawk using diffrent connectors than 3DR. @mocart is`t that correct?

Sinamics

Hi Thank you for sharing. Do you use the Huawei E8278 as WiFi hotspot in your aircraft? Could you tell little more about your configuration?

RemoteOperations

Hi! This dongle is connected directly in the USB port of the RPi. it does not need any wifi connection. plug and play. I have a hexacopter with APM 2.8 (Chinese..) that is connected to a TTL to ethernet converter into my RPi3.

swisseagle

it would be great if you could share your setup.
I have the same modem on a Navio+ and PI2 with the Linux navio 4.4.6-4d0ae01-emlid-v7 kernel

much appreciated !

mocart

PLATINET LTE 4G USB MODEM with hot spot
unlocked, tested with T-mobile Poland sim card.
product page: http://platinet.eu/blog/2015/06/29/platinet-usb-4g-lte-modem-100mbps-with-wi-fi-router/

wvdial - works well, no problem with connection
UQMI - i didn`t test it I will try to update this infomation later.

edward962

mocart
I am from Poland too, could u give me ur mail or FB to contact i porozmawiać na ten temat? 🙂

rma153

Sprint 341u (Netgear), with linux drivers installed, works plug and play (no need for wvdial to establish the connection)

flyingw

rma153,

I just bought a NETGEAR 341U LTE modem for use with Sprint. Can you please advise where I may find the linux drivers for the unit. I will be using a Raspberry Pi with picam and a Navio2 controller.

Thanks, Paul

rma153

https://kb.netgear.com/27019/AirCard-341U-Sprint-Downloads-and-Documentation

flyingw

Thanks rma153 for the link and info. Please indulge me as I am baffled by this nagging question: How does the Pi/Navio send the video to the ground station PC if the PC's IP address is a private address behind a router?

The raspivid command for UDP video in the Pi includes the IP address of the GCS PC - which in my case would be the private address behind my router.

Paul

Sinamics

flyingw The raspivid command for UDP video in the Pi includes the IP address of the GCS PC - which in my case would be the private address behind my router.

You should use your external IP as destination and use port forwarding in your router.

rma153

In my case, I also use a 341U on my GGS laptop. So both my modems have a static/Public IP address.

flyingw

Ok, I think i get it. For UDP video, put the external IP address for my home internet service as the destination IP in the Pi's raspivid command. Then configure port forwarding in my cable modem/router to forward that session to the private address of my ground station PC.

I want to use TCP for telemetry. For that I would use the TCP option on the Mission Planner connect buttons and use the static IP address associated with the LTE modem. Same for Patrick Duffy's gstreamer HUD.

Rma153 - you must have two instances of 341U/sprint service, right?

I calculated that I can get about 8 minutes of streaming video at 2Mb/s with each GB of data service.

Thanks,

Paul

rma153

Yes, have two instances of 341U/sprint service - so I can fly from out in the field, any where there is Sprint coverage (Sprint speed and coverage is improving every day, just bad indoors). Only issue is latency. US carriers all fall back to 3g , and in some cases 2g.

I'm anticipating the arrival of 5G with very low latency and high bandwidth.

But the other issue, in the USA, is that the FAA now mandates Line of Sight. Kind'a dampens the fun, doesn't it?.

flyingw

rma153 - Having both the GCS and airborne system on 4g is a very portable and very cool arrangement.

Yes, I suppose line of sight limits these cellular experiments, but I'm ok with that for now since I spent my whole life flying RC planes and helis in what we now call line of sight. I think these model flying machines are cool and like to watch them while they fly. I think soon the law will allow flights to go autonomous by telemetry and video only and I want to be ready with this!

I am not sure of the purpose of the udp_redirect program and the udp-send script. Do I need to invoke these if I have a static IP on the LTE modem and am using port forwarding on the GCS side?

Thanks,

Paul

rma153

The TTL to Ethernet adapter is not required if you are using Navio2

flyingw

I cannot locate any more 341U LTE modems on planet earth. Is there a substitute that will work on Sprints's USA network?

rma153

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00IOUE8E2/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all&qid=1491517257&sr=8-1

I bought mine for a lot less from ebay.

These used 341u modems show up on ebay all the time, but I understand that Sprint can still get them new for you.
If you buy it used, the seller needs to have Sprint deactivate the seller's account so that Sprint can give you a new SIM card and activate your account.

flyingw

Thanks rma153. I'll report in when I get set up.