RAK WisLink-Cellular RAK2011 User manual

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WisLink-Cellular™RAK2011
User’s Manual
Version 1.0 | August 2018

WisLink-Cellular RAK2011
V 1.0 | Aug. 2018
Author: Gan, Penn
Approval: Ken Yu
2of 28
ABOUT RAKWIRELESS
Rakwireless is a pioneer in providing innovated and diverse cellular and LoRa connectivity solutions for
IoT edge devices. It’s patented, modularized, simplified design significantly help address diverse IoT
applications and accelerate their time-to-market. For any assistance, please contact our company
headquarters:
Shenzhen Rakwireless Technology Co., Ltd.
Room 506, Bldg. 3, Minqi Technology Park, NO.65 Taiyuan Road, XiliBlockm, Nanshan District
Website: www.rakwireless.com.
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Technical support: http://support.rakwireless.com/
More document: https://www.rakwireless.com/en/download
GENERAL NOTES
RAKWIRELESS DOES NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN, AND DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY
KIND INCURRED BY USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THE INFORMATION. IN THIS DOCUMENT,
THE ACTUAL COMPANY AND PRODUCT NAMES, TRADEMARKS ARE THEIR RESPECTIVE
OWNERS. ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR
NOTICE.
Copyright © Shenzhen Rakwireless Technology Co., Ltd. 2018. All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents
1. Overview................................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Package Content.......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield......................................................................................................5
2.1 Overview........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Functional Diagram...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Interfaces....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Operating Modes.......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Operating Frequency............................................................................................................................... 8
2.6 Arduino Header.............................................................................................................................................................................8
2.7 PCM Voice Header.......................................................................................................................................................................9
2.8 Analog Input / Digital I/O Header............................................................................................................................................. 10
2.9 Debug Header.............................................................................................................................................................................11
2.10 Micro-B USB Interface.............................................................................................................................................................11
2.11 USB Boot Jumper.................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.12 PWRKEY Push Button............................................................................................................................................................ 12
2.13 RESET Push Button................................................................................................................................................................ 12
2.14 LEDs...........................................................................................................................................................................................12
2.15 Power Requirements............................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.16 Environmental Requirements.................................................................................................................................................13
2.17 Mechanical Dimensions.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
3. Antenna................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna....................................................................................................................................................14
3.1.1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................14
3.1.2 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna Dimension................................................................................................................. 14
3.1.3 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna Parameter................................................................................................................. 15
3.1.4 Smith Plot..................................................................................................................................................................... 15
3.1.5 Radiation Pattern on H-Plane................................................................................................................................... 16
3.1.6 Radiation Pattern on E1-Plane................................................................................................................................. 17
3.1.7 Radiation Pattern on E2-Plane................................................................................................................................. 18
3.1.8 UGain and Efficiency Table........................................................................................................................................18
3.2 GPS Antenna.............................................................................................................................................................................. 20
3.2.1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................................................20
3.2.2 GPS Antenna Dimensions......................................................................................................................................... 20
3.2.3 GPS Environmental Requirements.......................................................................................................................... 20
3.2.4 GPS Antenna Parameter........................................................................................................................................... 21
4. Usage Model by Interface............................................................................................................................... 22
4.1 User USB Interface.................................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.1.1 Install USB Driver........................................................................................................................................................ 22
4.1.2 Send AT Commands................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.1.3 NB-IoT UDP Communication Test............................................................................................................................ 24
4.1.4 GPS Function Test...................................................................................................................................................... 27
4.2 User Arduino Header Interface................................................................................................................................................ 27

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1pc BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield
1pc Micro USB Cable
(Length: 1ft)
1pc GPS Antenna
1pc Cellular Antenna
1. Overview
1.1 Introduction
RAK2011is a compact cellular module that supports Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) technology for networking
Internet-of-Things (IoT). It can simultaneously support 2G, 4G/LTE, NB-IoT and GPS, with additional feature of Voice-
over-LTE (VoLTE) for high definition (HD) and uninterrupted voice calls.
These multitude of features allow users the flexibility of advancing from 2G to 4G/LTE without having any hardware
change, improve power consumption, system capacity and spectrum efficiency by utilizing the Narrow Band Internet-
of-Things, tracking units through GPS and location base services (LBS), stay on the 4G/LTE network even when
making or receiving calls and other networking requirements.
It is based on Quectel BG96 module and comes with drivers for Windows, Linux and Android support via AT
commands, as well as various network protocols such as PPP, TCP, UDP, SSL, TLS, FTP(S), HTTP(S), NITZ, PING
and MQTT. This is useful for facilitating software development and system integration into any IoT applications.
RAK2011 can be used as a development platform in tandem with microcontrollers/microprocessors for IoT
applications or can be used as standalone. It is in full compliance with FCC, CE, RoHS and Japan TELEC/JATE.
1.2 Package Content
A full WisLink-Cellular RAK2011 retail package includes:
BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield
Micro USB cable
Cellular Antenna
GPS Antenna

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2. BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield
2.1 Overview
The picture below shows the top view of the BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield.
The picture below shows the underside of the BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield.

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2.2 Functional Diagram
Block diagram below shows internal architecture and external interfaces:

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2.3 Interfaces
It is built around Quectel BG96 LPWA IoT cellular module and provides the following interfaces, headers, jumpers,
buttons and connectors:
Micro-B USB
Micro SIM Card Slot
Arduino Headers (UART1, UART3, RESET, PWRKEY, STATUS, AP_READY, DTR, RI, PSM_IDC,
W_DISABLE, 5V, 3.3V)
2x4 PCM Voice Headers (I2C, I2S)
2x3 Digital/Analog I/O Headers (ADC0, ADC1, GPIO0, GPIO1)
1x4 Debug UART Header (UART2)
1x2 USB BOOT Jumper
It has two push buttons to allow the user to power on/off and reset the board:
POWER_KEY – Power on/off the BG96 module
RESET – Reset the BG96 module
It has two SMA antenna connectors:
Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna (3GPP Bands) – UART1
GPS Antenna (1575.42±1.023 MHz) – UART3
2.4 Operating Modes
BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield can operate in the following modes:
Normal Operation
Idle - Software is active. The BG96 module has registered on network, and it is ready to send and receive data.
Talk/Data - Network connection is ongoing; the power consumption is decided by network setting and data
transfer rate.
Extended Idle Mode DRX (e-I-DRX) - BG96 module and the network may negotiate over non-access stratum
signaling the use of e-I-DRX for reducing power consumption, while being available for mobile terminating data
and/or network originated procedures within a certain delay dependent on the DRX cycle value.
Airplane Mode - AT+CFUN command or W_DISABLE# pin can set the module into airplane mode. In this case, RF
function will be invalid.
Minimum Functionality Mode - AT+CFUN command can set the BG96 module into a minimum functionality mode
without removing the power supply. In this case, both RF function and (U)SIM card will be invalid.
Sleep Mode - In this mode, the current consumption of the BG96 module will be reduced to a lower level. During this
mode, the BG96 module can still receive paging message, SMS and TCP/UDP data from the network normally.
Power Saving Mode (PSM) - The BG96 module may enter into Power Saving Mode for reducing its power
consumption. PSM is similar to power-off, but the BG96 module remains registered on the network and there is no
need to reestablish PDN connections.
Power OFF Mode - In this mode, the power management unit shuts down the power supply. Software is not active.
The serial interfaces are not accessible, but operating voltage remains applied.

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2.5 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Operating Frequency
The table below lists all the supported cellular (LTE/GSM) operating frequency:
3GPP Band
Transmit (MHz)
Receive (MHz)
B1
1920 ~ 1980
2110 ~ 2170
B2 (PCS1900)
1850 ~ 1910
1930 ~ 1990
B3 (DCS1800)
1710 ~ 1785
1805 ~ 1880
B4
1710 ~ 1755
2110 ~ 2155
B5 (GSM850)
824 ~ 849
869 ~ 894
B8 (GSM900)
880 ~ 915
925 ~ 960
B12
699 ~ 716
728 ~ 746
B13
777 ~ 787
746 ~ 757
B18
815 ~ 829.9
860 ~ 874.9
B19
830 ~ 844.9
875 ~ 889.9
B20
832 ~ 862
791 ~ 821
B26
814 ~ 848.9
859 ~ 893.9
B28
703 ~ 748
758 ~ 803
B39
1880 ~ 1920
1880 ~ 1920
2.6 Arduino Header
The mapping of Arduino headers on BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield is shown below:

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BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield Arduino header signal definition is shown below:
Name
Pin#
I/O
Description
UART1_TXD
D0
D0
UART3_TXD
UART1_RXD
D1
D1
Receive cellular (LTE/GSM) data
R1
D2
D0
Ring indicator
DTR
D3
D1
Data Terminal Ready (sleep mode control)
AP_READY
D4
D1
Application processor sleep state detection
RESET
D5
D1
Reset signal of the BG96 module
PWRKEY
D6
D1
Turn on/off the BG96 module
STATUS
D7
D0
Indicate the BG96 module’s operation status
W_DISABLE
D8
D1
Airplane mode control
PSM_IND
D9
D0
Power saving mode indicator
UART3_RXD
D11
D0
Transmit GPS data
UART3_TXD
D12
D1
Receive GPS data
UART1 interface supports 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400, 460800 and 921600 baud rates, and the
default is 115200bps. It is used for cellular (LTE/GSM) data transmission and AT command communication.
UART3 interface supports 115200bps baud rate. It is used for outputting GPS data and NEMA sentences.
2.7 PCM Voice Header
A standard 2x4 (2.54mm) male header is used to
provide one Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital
interface and one I2C interface to external CODEC
extension board. PCM voice header pin definition is
shown below:
PCM voice header signal definition is shown below:
Name
Pin#
I/O
Description
Comments
I2C_SCL
1
OD
I2C serial clock
External pull-up resistor is required.
1.8V only. If unused, keep it open.
I2C_SDA
2
OD
I2C serial data
PCM_SYNC
3
DO
PCM frame sync output
1.8V power domain. If unused,
keep it open.
PCM_CLK
4
DO
PCM clock output
PCM_IN
5
DI
PCM data input
PCM_OUT
6
DO
PCM data output

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Reference design for external CODEC extension board is shown below:
2.8 Analog Input / Digital I/O Header
A standard 2x3 (2.54mm) male header is used to
provide 2x analog input (ADC0 and ADC1 and 2x
digital input and output (GPIO0 and GPIO1) to
external extension board for additional features
that will take advantage of these analog Input and
digital I/O. Analog input and digital I/O header pin
definition is shown below:
Analog Input/Digital I/O header signal definition is shown below:
Name
Pin#
I/O
Description
DC Characteristics
Comments
GPIO0
1
IO
General Purpose
Input/Output
VOLmax=0.45V, VOHmin=1.35V
VILmin=0.3V, VILmax=0.6V
VIHmin=1.2V, VIHmax=2.0V
1.8V power domain. If
unused, keep it open.
GPIO1
2
ADC0
3
AI
General Purpose
analog to digital
converter
Voltage range: 0.3V to 1.8V
15-bit resolution
If unused, keep it open.
ADC1
4

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2.9 Debug Header
A standard 1x4 (2.54mm) male header is used to
provide a serial port (UART2) interface for debug
and log output at 115200bps baud rate. Debug
header pin definition is shown below:
Analog Input/Digital I/O header signal definition is shown below:
Name
Pin#
I/O
Description
DC Characteristics
Comments
DB_G_RXD
2
DI
Receive data
VILmin= 0.3V, VILmax=0.6V
VIHmax=1.2V, VIHmax=2.0V
1.8V power domain. If unused,
keep it open.
DBG_TXD
3
DO
Transmit data
VOLmin=0V, VOLmax=0.45V
VOHmin=1.35V, VOHmax=1.8V
1.8V power domain. If unused,
keep it open.
2.10 Micro-B USB Interface
A Standard Micro-B USB compliant with USB 2.0
standard specification is used to provide an
interface to connect to a PC for control of BG96
cellular modem and firmware upgrade.
The Micro-B USB pin definition is shown below:
Pin#
Description
1
USB_VBUS (+5V)
2
USB_DM
3
USB_DP
4
N/C
5
GND

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2.11 USB Boot Jumper
A Standard 1x2 USB Boot header (once closed) is
used to force BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield
to boot from USB port for firmware upgrade.
2.12 PWRKEY Push Button
PWRKEY push button is used to turn on/off the
BG96 module. To turn on the BG96 module,
push PWRKEY button for at least 100ms.
STATUS pin from Arduino header will output
HIGH.
To turn off the BG96 module, push PWRKEY
button for at least 650ms. STATUS pin from
Arduino header will output LOW.
2.13 RESET Push Button
RESET push button is used to reset the BG96
module. To reset the BG96 module, push
RESET button between 150ms and 460ms.
2.14 LEDs
Three LEDs are used to indicate operating
status. The table below lists their detailed
functions:
GREEN: STATUS - indicates module operation
status.
BLUE: NETLIGHT - indicates network activity status.
RED: Power ON - indicates power status.

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2.15 Power Requirements
BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield can be powered by +5V coming out of MCU baseboard via Arduino header
(POWER) if used as an Arduino Shield.
BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield can also be powered by +5V out of Micro-B USB if used as a standalone
modem.
2.16 Environmental Requirements
The table below lists the operation and storage temperature requirements:
2.17 Mechanical Dimensions
The mechanical dimension of BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield can be found here:
Parameter
Min.
Max.
Power Supply Voltage
3.7V
5.5V
Current Consumption
500mA
Digital Inputs Voltage
0V
IOREF
Digital Outputs Voltage
0V
IOREF
Parameter
Min.
Typical
Max.
Operation Temp. Range
-35˚C
+25 ˚C
+75 ˚C
Extended Temp. Range
-40 ˚C
+85 ˚C
Storage Temp. Range
-40 ˚C
+90 ˚C

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3. Antenna
3.1 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna
3.1.1 Overview
The cellular (LTE/GSM) antenna for BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield covers working frequency band from
824MHz to 2690MHz.
3.1.2 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna Dimension
The antenna’s mechanical dimension is shown below:

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3.1.3 Cellular (LTE/GSM) Antenna Parameter
Voltage Standard Wave Radio (VSWR) plot is shown below:
3.1.4 Smith Plot
Smith Plot is shown below:
Freq. (MHz)
VSWR
700
9.3
800
4.6
880
3.6
960
4.9
1710
9.3
1880
4.4
2170
15

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3.1.5 Radiation Pattern on H-Plane

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3.1.6 Radiation Pattern on E1-Plane

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3.1.7 Radiation Pattern on E2-Plane
3.1.8 UGain and Efficiency Table
Frequency
(Hz)
Efficiency
Gain (dBi)
7.00E+08
49%
1.632948
7.10E+08
51%
1.826395
7.20E+08
49%
1.833288
7.30E+08
44%
1.600659
7.40E+08
46%
1.896142
7.50E+08
50%
1.936788
7.60E+08
50%
1.721112
7.70E+08
46%
1.406281
7.80E+08
45%
1.491829
7.90E+08
47%
1.8309
8.00E+08
45%
1.843967
8.06E+08
41%
1.714366
8.10E+08
45%
2.215538
8.24E+08
42%
1.97312
8.34E+08
44%
1.890023
8.44E+08
42%
1.407188
8.54E+08
42%
1.453714
8.64E+08
47%
2.111646
8.74E+08
46%
1.93289

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8.80E+08
48%
1.960958
8.84E+08
46%
1.930333
8.94E+08
52%
2.347337
9.00E+08
50%
2.192946
9.10E+08
50%
2.265394
9.20E+08
49%
2.081987
9.30E+08
48%
2.005751
9.40E+08
49%
2.128994
9.50E+08
49%
2.305449
9.60E+08
48%
2.233022
Frequency
(Hz)
Efficiency
Gain (dBi)
1.71E+09
35%
0.02584
1.72E+09
35%
0.0088
d1.73E+09
36%
0.647356
1.74E+09
44%
0.806863
1.75E+09
35%
0.03676
1.76E+09
46%
0.549059
1.78E+09
34%
0.14522
1.79E+09
35%
0.41562
1.81E+09
36%
0.35094
1.83E+09
34%
0.30882
1.85E+09
38%
0.430313
1.86E+09
35%
0.33059
1.88E+09
37%
0.008792
1.90E+09
43%
0.479122
1.92E+09
40%
0.111459
1.94E+09
46%
0.407999
1.96E+09
44%
0.037526
1.98E+09
48%
0.405617
1.99E+09
48%
0.112167
2.00E+09
47%
0.144104
2.02E+09
46%
0.14634
2.04E+09
47%
0.033818
2.06E+09
45%
0.112366
2.08E+09
51%
0.672779
2.10E+09
48%
0.291807
2.12E+09
54%
0.939911
2.14E+09
54%
1.161325
2.16E+09
59%
1.631935
2.17E+09
59%
1.967355

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3.2 GPS Antenna
3.2.1 Overview
The GPS antenna for BG96 LPWA IoT Cellular Arduino Shield is shown below:
3.2.2 GPS Antenna Dimensions
3.2.3 GPS Environmental Requirements
The antenna environmental requirements are listed in the table below:
Conditions
Temperature
Humidity
Working
-35ºC ~ +80ºC
0% ~ 95%
Storage
-40ºC ~ +85ºC
0% ~ 95%