Wireless Joint

Ok, so I got this EM9190 modem from aliexpress only to discover it defaults to PCIe mode and in order to have it switch to USB3 mode, a specific pin on the M.2 connector needs to be tied to a 1.8 volt signal.

What options do I have to make this modem visible by either ROOter or my windows machine?
Can I convert this back to PCIe connector, then use a PCIe to USB3 adapter (assuming one exists)?
Ideally an adapter to make this modem work in native USB3 mode would be the right thing to do, but I lack the skills to build it

Thanks in advance for any suggestion you may have.

Rick

Just a follow up to my original question.
I confirm this modem requires that PCIE_DIS signal is connected to 1.8v and also the VBUS_SENSE needs to be high,
or it will not work in USB mode.

OTOH my unit has an outdated firmware and Sierra refuses to give me a more recent one. I am willing to pay a finder fee if someone can find me a working EM9190 firmware, mine is even unable to aggregate more than 2 carrier (where my EM20 aggregates 4)

thanks
Rick

What do you have it working in currently?

Will your vendor not get it for you? They should.

I'll try to dig for a new version, though I doubt I have access to one.

I got it off aliexpress in China. Hence no "official" vendor, so to speak... but the unit is not an engineering sample, but a commercial unit. I find Sierra attitude quite harsh, I have a paid for production product and they refuse to provide an updated firmware for it.

It is installed in a modified m.2 to USB3 unit (off The Wireless Haven) and I have tested it with WG1608+GoldenORB and with my Mikrotik RB3011 router. The issue is, it will not do CA properly, it is a firmware problem for sure.

Try the guys over at whirlpool. I think they have been adding support to the WG1608 firmware for it. One is using a modified sled as well.

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/ ... =-1#bottom

I posted there already, I guess the guy you're talking about it's me
I really would need someone with vendor access to the sierra wireless source site.
Or, patiently wait for them to post a firmware there which may mean one year waiting or so.
I have this gem of a modem and can't use it. I guess that's what you get when you buy on aliexpress....

How did you modify your sled to power it up? Can ya share?

I shared above. You need to feed 1.8v to PCIE_DIS to enable USB, and 3v to VBUS_SENSE. If you don't it will be PCIE only.
This is clearly stated in the documentation. I did not do the modification myself because to solder such tiny terminals special equipment and skills are required, so I had a friend do it for me.

Nice! Thanks for the picture too.

So the em9190 won't work in a 1608? I'm curious cause I'm planning on buying one or should I stay away?

it works if you do the mods I explained above
but stay away because sierra refuses to publish the firmware for them, mine has clearly an early firmware and performs very badly

So will only work with the mods? Not plug and play

correct. unless you have a PCIE slot . PCIE is default.

I've not tried, but I'm going to say, not at this time. The EM9190 doesn't yet work in anything I've found out about. At least not off the shelf

again DO NOT buy it until they publish a working firmware for it

10-4 boss I'll wait on purchasing a 5g modem . No 5 g where I live anywho. Been looking around for another em20-g but they are not sold anymore? Sorry didn't mean to go off topic or steal your thread.

EM20 will never be produced, replaced by EM160

Is the em160 better than the em20? Em160 is a cat 18 modem I believe and em20 is a cat 20 no?

correct but this is what quectel decideed it seems, EM20 will not receive firmware updates anymore and you can only buy it second hand now. I have one and is a decent modem, I am now waiting for the EM160 to arrive and compare the two.

Yea I have an EM20-g and it's a beast

I need another em20 since they aren't available what modem do u recommend?

EM160 is cool, but might need time to work up more support and get kinks out.

Some of us just like the latest newest coolest though