EDGE/HSDPA over UART/SPI

[dora]

Hi All,

I plan to integrate 3G/4G module to our system.
I have noticed that most if not all 3G/4G modules are having USB for the fast data services.
We don't have USB in our CPU system but we have 5mbit/sec uart.

Does anyone has experience with SIMCOM/TELIT/WAVECOM/Cinterion 3G or 4G modules
using only UART/SPI interfaces?

Best Regards
dora

 

[FvM]

Cinterion PH8 has e.g. 920k UART, which isn't bad but considerably below maximum HSDPA speed.

 

[dora]

Hi FvM

I will try to get some of the Cinterion datasheets.
I've seen modules with 4mbit/sec UART which I may interface with our fast UART.

BTW I don't have big experience with those data modems.
Does it mean that I can fully control and use those modules without the USB interface
and the only issue I may get is to put some limitation of the EDGE/HSDPA speed due to he UART/SPI rate capacity?

For example some of those modules have TCP/PPP stack integrated.
Can I use it from the UART? My host CPU OS is Linux if it matters.

Thank you
dora

 

[FvM]

Most provide serial PPP access with a speed according to the UART baud rate. This is particularly convenient with OS that support PPP like linux. USB offers additional network interfaces and the necessary throughput to get full advantage of recent HSDPA links.

Some devices, e.g. Cinterion/Gemalto PLS8 omit the UART interface.