Gemalto/Cinterion PLS62T modem LTE not working unless 3G is also available

Wireless and IoT RF and Wireless
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1

Our PLS62-T modems were sold using this tag line: “Multi-Band LTE Cat 1 with 2G / 3G Fallback for Seamless Global Connectivity”.

However, we are having issues when our modem is only registered LTE and 3G is NOT Available.

Here is our modem configuration and a simple test showing the issue we are having. Is there some other configuration setting(s) that will allow us to operate with only LTE?

Thank you,
Chris

========================
AT&V

ACTIVE PROFILE:

E0 Q0 V1 &C1 &D2 &S0 \Q3
S0:000 S3:013 S4:010 S5:008 S6:000 S7:060 S8:000 S10:002
+CMGF: 1
+CSDH: 0
+CNMI: 0,0,0,0,1
+ICF: 3
+IPR: 115200
+CMEE: 2
+CSMS: 0,1,1,1
+CREG: 0,3 <== not registered 3G
+CEREG: 0,1 <== Registered LTE
+COPS: 0,0,“T-Mobile”,7
+CGSMS: 1
OK

AT+CGATT?
+CGATT: 1
OK

AT^SXRAT?
^SXRAT: 5,3
OK

Manual SMS send showing results

AT+CMGF=1
OK

AT+CMGS=“2936”
This is a test

+CMS ERROR: MM No Service (out of coverage)

2

Hi Chris.

I am going to do a little research on this and will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks.
Curtis Johnson

3

Thank you. I really appreciate your help!
Chris

4

I’m sorry for the delay Chris. Here are some additional questions:

  1. How often is the issue occurring?
  2. Was it checked on other modules?
  3. What does simplest steps for reproduction look like?
  4. Is there a possibility to provide AT log (preferably with timestamps) Additionally, I need: Full firmware version: revision and a-revision (ATI1 response).

Curtis

5

Curtis,

Here is the configuration we are using and a simple command sequence showing the error I get when there is no 3G connection. If the modem has a registered 3G connection the simple test works.

We are using Twilio Programable Wireless SIMs.

From what I see on Twilio, it appears that my SMS message is sent via LTE when the modem has both an LTE and 3G connection.

Modem configuration Follows:

6

Hi Chris.

It seems the modem configuration wasn’t included. Can you attached that please?

Thanks.
Curtis

7

========================================================================
ATI1 <== This is the firmware that is loaded on each of our modems
Cinterion
PLS62-W
REVISION 02.010
A-REVISION 01.000.11

OK

========================================================================
Below is a snippet of code showing EXACLTY how I setup each modem.
Each command is executed “in order” and returns an “OK” before a modem is deployed

        string[] modem_config_cmds = {
                "ATI1",                                                // Display mode & Firmware
                "AT+COPS=2",                                   // Manually unregister from the Network .. Just in case it is already registered
                "AT&F",                                              // Restore the factory Default settings
                "AT&V",                                              // Show the current configuration
                "AT^SCFG=\"Userware/Autostart\",\"\",\"0\"",    // Turn off any factory installed program(s)   Specifically EZeye   AND sometimes the remote access
                "AT^SJAM=5",                                   // List running modem applications .. if found, we need to disable them
                "ATE0",                                              // Turn off echoing of commands entered
                "AT+CMGF=0",                                  // Turn on PDU mode for SMS messages (versus using TEXT mode)
                "AT+CNMI=0,0,0,0,1",                       // SMS UCR event message configuration
                "AT+IPR=115200",                             // Baud rate for serial interface
                "AT+CREG=0",                                  // Disable registration messages .. the PLC will poll for them
                "AT+COPS=4,0,\"T-Mobile\"",            // Try T-Mobile as Network/Operator before looking at other operators 
                "AT^SXRAT=5,3",                               // Use LTE and Fall back to GSM if LTE not available
                "AT+CMEE=2",                                   // Error message Format .. 2=Verbose strings
                "AT+CSMS=0",                                   // Select Message Service .. 0 seems to be the default for USA
                "AT+CGSMS=1",                                 // Select service for short messages 1 seems to be the default for USA
                "AT^SLED=2",                                     // Make the LED light blink when registered
                "AT^SCFG=\"GPRS/AutoAttach\",\"enabled\"",     // Might need this in the future
                "AT^SCFG=\"Tcp/WithURCs\",\"off\"",                   // Don't use IP
                "AT^SCFG=\"Userware/Watchdog\",\"1\"",            // Leave watchdog on to auto reboot modem if necessary
                "AT&W",                                                               // Persist this config .. so we can reboot it :)
                "AT+CFUN=1,1"                                                  // Restart the modem to full functionality using the new configuration
        };

========================================================================
Here are commands showing a configured modem followed by a simple SMS send command showing the error we get when a 3G connection is not available:

AT&V

ACTIVE PROFILE:

E0 Q0 V1 &C1 &D2 &S0 \Q3
S0:000 S3:013 S4:010 S5:008 S6:000 S7:060 S8:000 S10:002
+CMGF: 1
+CSDH: 0
+CNMI: 0,0,0,0,1
+ICF: 3
+IPR: 115200
+CMEE: 2
+CSMS: 0,1,1,1
+CREG: 0,3 <== not registered 3G
+CEREG: 0,1 <== Registered LTE
+COPS: 0,0,“T-Mobile”,7
+CGSMS: 1
OK

AT+CGATT?
+CGATT: 1
OK

AT^SXRAT?
^SXRAT: 5,3
OK

*** This is a simple manual SMS send showing the results I am receiving ***

AT+CMGF=1
OK

AT+CMGS=“2936”
This is a test

+CMS ERROR: MM No Service (out of coverage)

8

Modem Info Sent to Support 2022-03-02.txt (4.2 KB)

Please find the requested information attached
Chris

9

Curtis … do you think that you will be able to help me?

10

Hi Chris2, did you manage to solve it? I’m about the face the same issue.

11

Same with OTAP_IMPNG. We can no longer OTAP new code.
We solved the COPS issue by forcing LTE only. We previously allowed “auto”, which failed if 3G was not available for the session establishment. But we have not yet solved similar problem with OTAP