mini-PCIe LTE for laptop

This is a logical continuation of the topic about miniPCIe WiMax controller .
Some time ago WiMax networks became history, and LTE triumphed in their place. However, the idea of ​​using an integrated module, instead of sticking out a whistle of a wireless connection, did not seem less attractive to me.
The choice of such devices is not very rich, and I settled on the Sierra MC7710, as there were messages on the forums about the success of its use with Russian LTE operators. The setup process was not at all trivial, and in addition it is not described anywhere from start to finish. Therefore, I am sure that this topic should take its place in the cache of search engines.

Sierra Wireless AirPrime MC7710 LTE / HSPA +

• LTE 800/900/1800/2100/2600 * MHz
• WCDMA 900/2100 MHz
• EDGE / GPRS / GSM 900/1800/1900

      full specifications

* LTE 2600 FDD, Band 7 (2500-2530 MHz / 2620-2650 MHz) is used by Yota and the virtual operators MegaFon and MTS.

I ordered my module on ebay for $ 260. Please note that these modules are often locked to a specific operator. As I understand it, DC-unlocker is not yet trained to unlock these models, so look for the unlocked version.
A little less than a month after the order, he was on my desk:



Three U.FL outputs are designed to connect three antennas: Internal 3G / LTE, GPS and external 3G / LTE.

Without putting things off in a long box, put the module where it should and connect the antennas:



The UMPC Samsung Q1UP disassembled in the photo, an internal 3G antenna is glued to the module, and the latter is ready to take its place in the miniPCIe connector.

C GPS so far things are complicated. I planned to connect the MMCX-f pigtail to IPX U.FL to this connector in order to put the MMCX connector on the case and connect the external GPS antenna that I have to it.
But unfortunately these pigtails have not reached me yet. So I plugged in a Wi-Fi film antenna, which you see in the image on the left (just to give it a try).
Looking ahead, I’ll say that GPS didn’t work for me predictably. Therefore, I’ll talk about GPS on this module another time when I have everything I need.
I connected the U.FL RP-SMA-f pigtail to the AUX connector to which later on will be traditionallyConnect Wi-Fi / WiMax antennas.

Then the fun begins.
You cannot download drivers and AirCard Watcher for this model on the Sierra Wireless website. Sierra Watcher utility allows you to configure the device, manually select a network, select your preferred range (2G / 3G / LTE), turn on GPS and much more. SierraWatcher also contains the necessary drivers. To find a suitable version of Watcher, I had to sweat pretty. To facilitate the task for the followers, I put in a convenient access file for the Sierra Watcher for the MC7710 .

To connect to Megafon LTE, I had to go through a small quest.

What you really need to do to connect to Megaphone LTE *

1. You need to get a special SIM card called U-SIM. Your SIM card should be exchanged for U-SIM at any subscriber service office for free.
2. You need to ask that you connect the tariff option Internet L 4G, Internet XL 4G or Internet XXL 4G. more about tariffs
3. And turned on LTE .

* If you already have a working LTE device with a Megafon SIM card, this does not concern you

Grunt

Theoretically, this can be done independently, through the Service Guide. But in practice, LTE will not work, because there is a certain option that allows you to register in the Megafon LTE network, but only Megafon employees in the service office or call center operators can turn it on. Practice has shown that in the subscription service, few people understand this issue. As a result, after I received U-SIM and connected the Internet XXL tariff option through the service guide, they assured me in the call center that I should work 4G, and I had been unsuccessfully fighting all day with drivers, Watchers and AT -commands. In the evening, when I arrived at the service office, I shared my problem and asked me to demonstrate that my SIM card can connect to LTE with at least some device. But the operator’s employee took my passport, went into the settings of my account in a megaphone, sighed sadly, He said that I didn’t have the same magic LTE option that you can’t turn it on yourself. After that, everything worked fine for me.

What you need to do to connect to Yota

1. You need to flash the modem with this thing: Yota firmware for the MC7710 .
2. Go to the place where Yota equipment is sold (a counter in a shopping center will do) and get a Yota SIM card.
3. To convince Yota employees to perform initial registration of the SIM card in the Yota network. (for this you need to access the Internet through this sim card from the official Yota device)

External Antenna

LTE without an external antenna is either not caught at all, or barely caught. Obviously my built-in 3G antenna is not at all suitable for the 2600 range, but the Planet 5dbi Wi-Fi antenna provides excellent speed.
Because, as drunken said , “Antennas for waffles ... have low efficiency, but work in a wide range.” And 2.6 GHz from 2.4 GHz is not so far :) Personally, I like the fact that I can experiment with antennas with a convenient coaxial connector and pleases the awesome look of my umpc . Those who don’t want such a thing sticking out of his laptop , a suitable solution would be to connect an internal Wi-Fi antenna to the aux connector, such as the one I connected to GPS.


I will not give tests with an external antenna and without it, because the difference looks like “it doesn’t work at all / how it works!”

Testing*

Carrier	Megaphone 3G (HSPA +)	Megaphone 4G (LTE)	Yota 4G (LTE)
Ping	78ms	36ms	35ms
Download	5.41Mbit	13.95Mbit	15.18Mbit
Upload	0.70Mbit	1.77Mbit	1.22Mbit

* was conducted using the site speedtest.net on Monday, February 11, at about 10 p.m. in the 5th district of the city of Zelenograd.

Windows Mobile Broadband

An excellent technology that allows you to use this modem without launching a native application, which in my opinion is not particularly esthetic. I am generally impressed when the hardware is controlled by the operating system, rather than the bells and whistles from its developers.
This technology is supported in Windows 7 and Windows 8. On the KDPV in the post title - a fragment of the Networks panel in Windows 8 that appears when you click on the wireless icon from the notification area:

Thanks

To everyone who contributed to the corresponding 50-page topic of the forum forum.ixbt.com , and especially vvevvevve , who prepared the firmware for Yota and helped me in a difficult situation.

UP.
For questions on installing the LTE adapter specifically on the Samsung Q1 Ultra (or if you have questions, but don’t have an account on the hub), please contact the relevant topic on forum.pasokon.ru.