LTE MicroPython

PPP networking driver for SIMCom A76xx cellular modules over UART, as used on the Pimoroni Clipper and other SP/CE hosts.

It brings the module up, registers on the network, and hands MicroPython a network.PPP interface for standard socket networking.

Installing

Install with mip:

import mip
mip.install("github:pimoroni/lte-micropython/package.json")

Or with Thonny, via Tools -> Manage Packages, searching for lte-micropython.

Getting Started

from lte import LTE

lte = LTE(apn="your.apn.here")
lte.start_ppp()

LTE() resets the module and configures the UART. start_ppp() waits for the module, switches to a faster baud rate, registers on the network, and starts PPP. It returns the interface's ifconfig() tuple once connected.

Pass skip_reset=True to leave a running module untouched, or supply your own uart and reset_pin to override the SP/CE defaults (UART0, TX 32, RX 33, RESET 35).

Networking

Once start_ppp() returns, use socket as normal:

import socket

addr = socket.getaddrinfo("example.com", 80)[0][-1]
sock = socket.socket()
sock.connect(addr)
sock.send(b"GET / HTTP/1.0\r\nHost: example.com\r\n\r\n")
print(sock.recv(512))
sock.close()

Call stop_ppp() to drop the link and return the UART to command mode.

Status and Diagnostics

lte.signal_quality()   # RSSI in dBm, or None if unknown
lte.iccid()            # SIM ICCID
lte.status()           # (AT+CEREG?, AT+CGREG?) registration replies

The Netlight LED

Mirror the module's netlight onto an LED by passing netlight_led (a Pin or PWM-like object with .value()):

from machine import Pin
lte = LTE(apn="your.apn.here", netlight_led=Pin("LED", Pin.OUT))