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ARK M.2 LTE

This guide will help you set up the ARK Jetson PAB Carrier with the RC7611 LTE module.

Prerequisites

  • A nano-SIM card with a data plan.

  • The ARK M.2 LTE module.

  • Correct antennas connected

  • A Kernel with QMI_WWAN support (already included in the ARK Jetson Kernel)

1. Install the Nano-SIM

Insert the nano-SIM into the ARK M.2 LTE module.

2. Build and Flash the Kernel

Skip this step if you purchased a pre-flashed ARK Jetson Bundle.

The RC7611 requires the QMI_WWAN kernel module, which is not included by default in Jetpack 6. You will need to manually build and flash the kernel onto the Jetson device.

  1. Clone the kernel repository:

    git clone https://github.com/ARK-Electronics/ark_jetson_kernel

  2. Use the setup_source_build.sh script to enable the necessary kernel modules.

    Follow the instructions in the ARK Jetson Kernel repository

Once the kernel is built and flashed, boot up the Jetson device.

3. Connect to the Device

Connect a Micro USB cable and SSH in:

ssh jetson@jetson.local

4. Determine the Modem Instance Number

Run the following command to list the modem instances:

mmcli -L

You should see something like:

/org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Modem/0 [Sierra Wireless, Incorporated] RC7611

Take note of the instance number of the modem (in this case, 0).

5. Configure Initial EPS Bearer Settings

Set the initial EPS bearer settings to register the device with the network:

sudo mmcli -m 0 --3gpp-set-initial-eps-bearer-settings="apn=<your_apn>"

T-Mobile APN: fast.t-mobile.com

AT&T APN: broadband

If successful, it will print:

Successfully set initial EPS bearer properties

6. Connect the Modem to the Network

Run the following command to connect your device to the network. For example using T-Mobile:

sudo mmcli -m 0 --simple-connect="apn=fast.t-mobile.com,ip-type=ipv4v6"

If successful, it will print:

Successfully connected the modem

7. Verify the Modem Status

To check the modem’s status, run:

mmcli -m 0

Ensure that the state is connected and the packet service state is attached. Note the first Bearer path at the bottom to determine the Bearer Index:

Bearer | paths: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Bearer/1

In our case the Bearer Index is 1.

8. Query Bearer Settings

Use the index of the first bearer path to query the bearer settings.

mmcli -m 0 --bearer=1

Take note of the IPv4 configuration

  ------------------------------------
  IPv4 configuration |         method: static
                     |        address: 162.177.172.180
                     |         prefix: 29
                     |        gateway: 162.177.172.181
                     |            dns: 10.177.0.34, 10.177.0.210
                     |            mtu: 1500
  ------------------------------------

9. Set Up the Wireless Interface

Use the values from the above IPv4 configuration for address, prefix, gateway, and mtu.

  1. Bring up the wwan0 interface:

    sudo ip link set wwan0 up

  2. Assign the IP address:

    sudo ip addr add <address>/<prefix> dev wwan0

  3. Disable ARP on wwan0:

    sudo ip link set dev wwan0 arp off

  4. Set the MTU:

    sudo ip link set wwan0 mtu <mtu>

  5. Add a default route:

    sudo ip route add default via <gateway> dev wwan0 metric 4294967295

The metric option ensures links like WiFi or Ethernet are prioritized ahead of LTE

10. Configure DNS (Optional)

To use the DNS servers provided by the cellular connection, run the following commands:

sudo sh -c "echo 'nameserver 10.177.0.34' >> /etc/resolv.conf"
sudo sh -c "echo 'nameserver 10.177.0.210' >> /etc/resolv.conf"

11. Test the Connection

ping -4 -c 4 -I wwan0 8.8.8.8

Troubleshooting

  • Modem not registering? Double-check the APN value.

  • Modem not detected? Ensure the required kernel modules are enabled.

  • SIM card inactive? Make sure your SIM has a valid data plan.

3D Model

Find the 3D model at https://github.com/ARK-Electronics/ARK_M.2_LTE

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