LTE wireless data communication module, data communication method and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and discloses an LTE wireless data communication module, a control method thereof and a data communication method. The module is integrated on the same circuit board and comprises a communication unit, a main control unit, a power management unit, an interface expansion unit and an antenna connection unit. A multi-mode wireless communication module is arranged in the communication unit; the main control unit is connected with and controls the communication unit through a UART interface. The interface expansion unit is integrated on the main control unit and provides at least one wired or wireless communication interface. And the main control unit is configured to automatically switch to the interface expansion unit for data transmission when the quality of the LTE communication link is lower than the preset threshold, so that the communication reliability is improved. The power supply management unit comprises a dynamic adjusting circuit with a voltage monitoring function and supplies power to each unit. The invention further provides a corresponding data communication method and a control method comprising link quality monitoring and switching and power consumption dynamic management, and miniaturization, high integration and intelligent management of the module are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, specifically to an LTE wireless data communication module based on the GM501 module, and also to a data communication method and control method for the LTE wireless data communication module. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, wireless data communication modules have become core components for remote connection and data transmission in various terminal devices. Among them, communication modules based on the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard are widely used in smart metering, asset tracking, industrial monitoring, smart home and other scenarios due to their high data transmission rate, wide network coverage and good mobility support.

[0003] Currently, there are various wireless communication modules based on the LTE Cat1 standard on the market, such as the GMS01 series modules launched by Quectel. These modules typically support LTE FDD / TDDCat1 communication standards and are compatible with 2G networks such as GSM / GPRS / EDGE as backup connections. They feature low power consumption, compact packaging, and rich peripheral interfaces (such as UART, USB, GPIO, etc.), making them suitable for IoT devices that do not have high data rate requirements but need to operate stably for a long time.

[0004] However, in practical applications, the existing technology still has the following problems:

[0005] Weak signal reception capability: In complex electromagnetic environments or areas at the edge of signal coverage, the module may experience unstable connections and data transmission interruptions. This can usually be improved by optimizing antenna gain (e.g., using antennas with a gain of 3dBi or higher) and optimizing the installation location, but this increases the complexity of system design and integration.

[0006] Power consumption control needs improvement: Although existing modules support low-power modes such as PSM (Power Saving Mode) and eDRX (extended Discontinuous Reception), the overall energy consumption is still high in scenarios with frequent wake-ups and continuous standby, which is not conducive to the long-term operation of battery-powered devices.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a wireless data communication module solution that can inherit the advantages of existing LTECat1 modules while further optimizing signal processing capabilities, enhancing power management, and achieving higher integration and reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention aims to provide an LTE wireless data communication module. Through highly integrated hardware design, intelligent link switching mechanism, dynamic power consumption management, and enhanced signal integrity and reliability design, the applicability, stability, and energy efficiency of the LTE wireless data communication module are improved. It has high integration and reliability, supports multi-link switching and intelligent power consumption management functions, and is suitable for IoT application scenarios with high requirements for reliability and battery life.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] In a first aspect, an LTE wireless data communication module is provided, comprising:

[0011] The communication unit has a built-in wireless communication module that supports multi-mode communication and GNSS multi-constellation positioning.

[0012] The main control unit, which is a microcontroller, is connected to the communication unit via a UART interface. It is used to control the communication unit through the AT command set and to handle network protocols and data exchange.

[0013] The power management unit provides voltage and current to the communication unit and the main control unit;

[0014] An interface expansion unit, integrated into the main control unit, includes at least one wired or wireless communication interface; the main control unit is configured to automatically switch to the interface expansion unit for data transmission when the quality of the LTE communication link through the wireless communication module is lower than a preset threshold.

[0015] The antenna connection unit, led out via a connector, is used to connect an external antenna;

[0016] The main control unit, communication unit, power management unit, interface expansion unit, and antenna connection unit are integrated on the same circuit board to form a complete pluggable communication module.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interface expansion unit includes:

[0018] The first UART interface is configured to RS-232 level and is used for communication with remote devices or host computers.

[0019] The second UART interface is configured to RS-232 level for local maintenance and debugging.

[0020] The third UART interface is directly connected to the communication unit and is used to transmit AT commands and data;

[0021] The fourth UART interface is reserved for firmware serial port download.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a monitoring unit, the monitoring unit comprising:

[0023] The hardware watchdog circuit has its reset output connected to the NRST pin of the main control unit.

[0024] At least one interrupt is activated and connected to the GPO pin of the main control unit to trigger a system interrupt;

[0025] Multiple status indicator lights are connected to the GP0 pin of the main control unit to indicate power, network, and operating status.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring unit further includes a hardware encryption chip, which is connected to the main control unit via an SPI interface and is used to encrypt and decrypt the load passing through the wireless communication module.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power management unit includes a dynamic voltage regulation circuit, wherein the main control unit dynamically adjusts the voltage supplied to the wireless communication module according to the working state of the wireless communication module; the dynamic voltage regulation circuit includes a discrete 4G module power supply circuit with a voltage monitoring circuit, the output of which is connected to the main control unit for real-time monitoring of the power supply voltage; the discrete 4G module power supply circuit is provided with independent test points for independent power supply debugging of the communication unit.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it also includes a SIM card interface circuit, which comprises a multi-stage TVS diode array and an RC filter network to enhance ESD protection and signal integrity of the SIM card signal.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna connection unit includes an antenna interface circuit. The antenna interface circuit has a matching network connected in parallel on the radio frequency signal path. The matching network consists of two parallel 0-ohm resistors as initial matching bits and multiple series 0-ohm resistors and capacitors as adjustable impedance matching elements.

[0030] Secondly, the present invention provides a data communication method based on the above-mentioned LTE wireless data communication module, comprising the following steps:

[0031] The main control unit receives data from external devices or sensors through the first UART interface;

[0032] The main control unit encapsulates or performs protocol conversion on the received data;

[0033] The main control unit sends AT commands and processed data to the communication unit through the second UART interface, driving the communication unit to send the data to the remote server through the LTE network.

[0034] The main control unit receives downlink data or GNSS positioning information from the communication unit via control or interruption, and outputs it through the corresponding interface.

[0035] Thirdly, the present invention provides a control method for the above-mentioned LTE wireless data communication module, comprising the following steps:

[0036] Monitor the signal quality parameters of the LTE communication link of the wireless communication module;

[0037] The signal quality parameters are compared with a preset threshold.

[0038] When the signal quality parameter is lower than the preset threshold, the main control unit is controlled to switch the data communication path from the wireless communication module to the interface expansion unit.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a power consumption management step is also included:

[0040] The system identifies whether the wireless communication module is in an active state, an idle state, or a deep sleep state.

[0041] Based on the identified state, the main control unit controls the dynamic voltage regulation circuit to output a voltage value that matches the state to the wireless communication module.

[0042] This invention's LTE wireless data communication module, through the systematic coupling and intelligent collaboration of various technical features, constructs an adaptive, highly reliable, and easily integrated core module for IoT communication. Through intelligent scheduling by the main control unit, it achieves an organic unity of multiple dimensions, including communication reliability, energy efficiency, system security, and maintainability. Specific technical effects are as follows:

[0043] 1. Achieve intelligent self-healing of communication links to ensure service continuity and high availability.

[0044] Collaboration mechanism: Through the linkage of interface expansion unit, multiple standard communication interfaces and monitoring unit, the module has the ability to autonomously perceive, make decisions and switch.

[0045] Technical Benefits: When the main control unit determines, through real-time monitoring (such as signal quality detection) that the LTE wireless link quality is below a preset threshold, the system can seamlessly and automatically switch to a backup wired communication interface (such as RS-232 or Ethernet) for data transmission. This process is ensured by a hardware watchdog circuit, guaranteeing system stability and achieving a "hot switch" of the communication link. This ensures continuous and uninterrupted transmission of critical data (such as industrial control commands and emergency alarm information) in scenarios with unstable or interrupted signals, such as tunnels, basements, and remote areas, significantly improving the communication robustness and service availability of terminal devices in complex environments.

[0046] 2. Achieve refined management across all operating conditions, significantly optimizing system energy consumption and battery life.

[0047] Collaborative Mechanism: The power-saving mode of the low-power GM501 module, the dynamic voltage regulation circuit, and the power management algorithm embedded in the main control unit work together in a deep collaborative manner.

[0048] Technical Benefits: The main control unit comprehensively manages communication behavior and power supply strategies. When the device is in standby mode, it controls the GM501 to enter deep sleep mode (PSM / eDRX) while dynamically lowering the supply voltage to a sustaining voltage. When data transmission is required, power supply and communication are quickly restored. This integrated hardware and software energy efficiency management enables the module to achieve optimal energy efficiency under different operating conditions, including intermittent small data reporting and sudden large data transmission. For battery-powered IoT devices (such as smart meters and trackers), it can extend battery life by more than 30%, reducing maintenance frequency and costs.

[0049] 3. Build end-to-end integrated protection to improve hardware reliability throughout its entire lifecycle.

[0050] Collaborative mechanism: The high-reliability SIM card interface circuit, adjustable antenna matching network and high-density integrated PCB are combined to form a system-level reliability design from chip to antenna.

[0051] Technical effects:

[0052] Digital-side protection: A multi-level TVS diode array and RC filter network provide strong ESD protection for the SIM card interface, ensuring stable operation of the SIM card during insertion / removal and in harsh electrical environments.

[0053] RF-side optimization: The adjustable antenna matching network achieves precise impedance matching of the antenna through parallel and series 0Ω resistors and capacitors, optimizes the VSWR, and improves signal transmission and reception efficiency and consistency.

[0054] Integration Advantages: All high-reliability designs are integrated into a single module, shortening critical signal paths and reducing failure points and signal loss introduced by external connectors and cables. This not only improves the module's mean time between failures (MTBF) but also significantly reduces the professional requirements for high-frequency radio frequency and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in the design and manufacturing of end products, ensuring consistent quality across batches of products.

[0055] 4. Establish a seamless and secure transmission system to ensure data confidentiality and integrity.

[0056] Collaboration Mechanism: The hardware encryption chip and the intelligent link switching mechanism work together to decouple the security policy from the physical link.

[0057] Technical Benefits: Data encryption is performed by an independent hardware encryption chip, independent of any specific communication link. Regardless of whether data is transmitted via an LTE wireless link or a backup wired link, encryption is completed before transmission, and decryption occurs upon reception, ensuring uninterrupted encryption and consistent policy. This eliminates potential "security vacuums" during communication link switching, establishing end-to-end, unified security protection across the entire path. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data (such as payment information and privacy data) in complex network environments, meeting the needs of high-security applications in finance, government, and other sectors.

[0058] 5. Establishing an agile support architecture throughout the entire process significantly reduces total development and maintenance costs.

[0059] Collaborative Mechanism: Modular pluggable design, rich debugging and testing interfaces, and remote maintenance capabilities support each other, covering the entire lifecycle of R&D, production, and operation and maintenance.

[0060] Technical effects:

[0061] For developers: We provide plug-and-play communication solutions and standard interfaces, enabling them to focus on upper-layer application development and shorten product development cycles.

[0062] For manufacturers: Independent power supply test points and multi-channel debugging UART interfaces facilitate modular functional testing and rapid fault diagnosis, improving production efficiency and yield.

[0063] For operators: The modular design supports rapid on-site replacement; combined with FOTA capabilities and reserved interfaces, it supports remote firmware upgrades and fault repair, reducing on-site maintenance costs.

[0064] This synergistic effect ultimately significantly reduced the total cost of ownership of a product from concept to obsolescence, enhancing its market competitiveness.

[0065] In summary, this invention, through the aforementioned systematic collaboration, elevates a communication module into an "intelligent communication and data processing node." It not only provides a stable, secure, low-power, and easily integrated connection core for a wide range of IoT applications (such as smart cities, industrial internet, and smart agriculture), but also contributes to building more robust and efficient digital infrastructure through its high reliability and maintainability. Attached Figure Description

[0066] Figure 1 This is a complete drawing of the LTE wireless data communication module of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 2 This is a functional diagram of the MCU main chip of this invention;

[0068] Figure 3 This is the schematic diagram of the MCU main chip of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the SIM card portion of the present invention;

[0070] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the radio frequency part of the present invention;

[0071] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the LTE module of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0072] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0073] I. Explanation of descriptive terms used in this invention

[0074] The embodiments provided in conjunction with the technical solutions of this invention are intended to make the invention more thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated in this invention, the relative arrangements of components described in these embodiments should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as a limitation on the technical solutions of this invention.

[0075] In this invention, when directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "bottom," and "top" are used, they are defined relative to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. These or other directional terms should not be construed as restrictive terms.

[0076] In this invention, the terms "a," "an," "an," "the," and similar words used do not indicate quantity limitations and can represent singular or plural. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and any variations thereof used in this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., used in this invention are merely to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of objects.

[0077] In this invention, when a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device. When a specific device is described as being connected to other devices, the specific device may be directly connected to the other devices without an intermediary device, or it may be not directly connected to the other devices but have an intermediary device.

[0078] Furthermore, this invention does not discuss in detail the technologies and equipment known to those skilled in the art, but where appropriate, such technologies and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0079] II. The core technical problem to be solved by the technical solution of this application

[0080] The existing LTECat1 wireless communication modules face two main problems in IoT applications: insufficient signal reception capability and the need to improve power consumption control.

[0081] Regarding signal reception, the module is prone to problems such as unstable connection and data transmission interruption in complex electromagnetic environments or at the edge of network coverage. Although these issues can be mitigated by optimizing antenna design (such as using high-gain antennas) and improving installation layout, this increases the complexity of system design and integration, making it difficult to fundamentally guarantee reliable communication under harsh conditions.

[0082] In terms of power consumption, although existing modules support low-power technologies such as PSM and eDRX, overall energy consumption remains high in typical IoT scenarios that require frequent wake-ups and long standby times. This limits the battery life of battery-powered devices and is not conducive to the long-term stable operation of power-sensitive applications.

[0083] Therefore, it is urgent to further enhance signal processing capabilities, optimize power management mechanisms, and improve integration and reliability while retaining the advantages of existing modules.

[0084] III. Based on the above problems, the present invention specifically provides a technical solution to solve the above problems, which is described below in conjunction with the appendix of the present invention. Figures 1-6 The technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail and specifically through preferred embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0085] Example 1

[0086] like Figure 1 As shown, the LTE wireless data communication module provided in this embodiment mainly includes the following units:

[0087] Communication unit: It adopts Quectel's GM501 LTE Cat1 wireless communication module, which supports LTE FDD / TDDCat1, GSM / GPRS / EDGE multi-mode communication and has built-in multi-constellation GNSS positioning (GPS / GLONASS / BeiDou / Galileo).

[0088] Main control unit: It adopts an STM32F207VCT6 microcontroller, which is connected to the GM501 module through a UART interface (the third UART in this embodiment) to send AT commands, control the communication process, process the TCP / IP protocol stack and data exchange.

[0089] Power Management Unit: Includes a dynamic voltage regulation circuit (TPS63020) and a discrete 4G module power supply circuit. This unit provides stable and adjustable voltage and current to the GM501 module, STM32 main control chip, and other peripheral circuits.

[0090] Dynamic voltage regulation circuit: The TPS63020 chip is used, and its enable and feedback terminals are connected to the GPIO and ADC pins of the STM32. The STM32 can adjust the output voltage of the TPS63020 (range: 3.3V-4.2V, in 50mV steps) through I²C according to the working state of the GM501 (active / idle / sleep).

[0091] The discrete 4G module power supply circuit provides an independent 3.8V power rail for the GM501. The circuit includes a test point TP1 (for independent power supply debugging) and a voltage monitoring circuit (which is connected to the STM32's ADC pin after voltage division).

[0092] Interface expansion unit: Integrated into STM32F207VCT6, including:

[0093] The first UART interface (UART1) is configured to RS-232 level and is converted by the MAX3232 chip for communication with remote devices or host computers;

[0094] The second UART interface (UART2) is also configured to RS-232 level for local maintenance and debugging.

[0095] The third UART interface (UART3) is directly connected to the GM501 module and is used to transmit AT commands and uplink and downlink data;

[0096] The fourth UART interface (UART4) is reserved for firmware serial port download;

[0097] An Ethernet interface (ETH) is connected to the PHY chip (LAN8720) via an RMII interface to provide a backup link for the wired network;

[0098] Multiple GPIO pins are used to connect external sensors or control devices.

[0099] Antenna connection unit: Includes three U.FL connectors (J1: LTE main antenna, J2: LTE diversity antenna (optional), J3: GNSS antenna). A π-type matching network is connected in parallel on each RF path, and this network includes:

[0100] Two parallel 0-ohm resistors (R1, R2) serve as the initial matching bit.

[0101] Multiple series-connected 0-ohm resistors and capacitors / inductors (such as C1, C2, L1) serve as adjustable impedance matching elements, allowing adaptation to different antenna impedances by replacing component values ​​(e.g., replacing the 0-ohm resistor with an inductor of a specific value).

[0102] Monitoring Unit:

[0103] The hardware watchdog circuit (MAX706) has its reset output (RST) connected to the NRST pin of the STM32.

[0104] A hardware interrupt button (SW1) is connected to the STM32's GPIO pin (PA0) to trigger a system interrupt;

[0105] Four status indicator lights (LED1 to LED4) are connected to the GPIO pins of the STM32 to indicate power, network status, data transmission and fault status.

[0106] The hardware encryption chip (ATECC608A) connects to the STM32 via the SPI interface and is used to encrypt and decrypt data transmitted through the GM501 module.

[0107] SIM card interface circuit: adopts a high-reliability design, including a multi-stage TVS diode array (SMBJ5.0A) and an RC filter network.

[0108] The multi-stage TVS diode array (SMBJ5.0A) is used for ESD protection of the SIM_CLK, SIM_DATA, and SIM_RST signals. The RC filter network (R=100Ω, C=100pF) is used to filter out high-frequency noise and supports 2FF / 3FF / 4FF SIM card sockets and eSIM chip pads.

[0109] Auxiliary circuits include an ADC acquisition circuit (for monitoring the power supply voltage), a reset button, and an SWD download interface.

[0110] All of the above units are integrated on the same four-layer PCB circuit board, with an overall size of 50mm×40mm, forming a complete pluggable communication module.

[0111] The operation process of the LTE wireless data communication module in this embodiment is as follows:

[0112] Based on the descriptions of the above-mentioned unit modules, the working principle, communication process, and control method of this invention will be further elaborated below:

[0113] After the module in this embodiment is powered on, its working process fully embodies the data communication method and control method described in this invention.

[0114] Step 1: System Initialization and Monitoring Startup

[0115] After the power management unit is powered on, the main control unit (STM32F207) starts up and initializes all peripheral interfaces. The hardware watchdog circuit begins to operate. The main control unit sends an initialization command sequence, such as "AT", to the communication unit (GM501) through the third UART interface, enabling it to complete network registration and GNSS module preparation.

[0116] Step 2: Uplink Data Communication Process

[0117] Data reception: External sensors or devices send the collected data (such as temperature and humidity readings) to the main control unit through the first UART interface (configured to RS-232 level).

[0118] Data processing: The main control unit performs protocol encapsulation or conversion processing on the received raw data. For example, it packages it into application layer data packets conforming to the MQTT or HTTP protocol, or adds header information such as timestamps and device IDs.

[0119] Data transmission: The main control unit sends specific AT commands (such as "AT+QISEND") and processed data payloads to the GM501 module via the third UART interface. After receiving the commands and data, the GM501 module transmits them to the designated remote server through the established LTE network (such as a TCP connection).

[0120] Step 3: Downlink Data and Information Reception

[0121] The main control unit receives information from the GM501 module via polling or interrupt methods:

[0122] Polling method: The main control unit periodically sends query commands such as "AT+QIRD" through the third UART interface to check for downlink data or new GNSS positioning information (NMEA statement) from the server.

[0123] Interrupt mode: Configure the GM501 module to use UART hardware flow control (RTS / CTS) or connect its specific indicator pin (such as RI) to the external interrupt pin of the main control unit. When data arrives, the GM501 actively triggers an interrupt, and the main control unit reads the data in the interrupt service routine.

[0124] The received downlink data or GNSS information is parsed by the main control unit and then output to the external host device or display screen through the first UART interface or other corresponding interfaces (such as SPI, I2C).

[0125] Step 4: Communication Link Quality Monitoring and Automatic Handover Control

[0126] Monitoring: The main control unit periodically (e.g., every 10 seconds) sends a signal quality query command (such as "AT+QCSQ") to the GM501 module through the third UART interface to obtain key parameters such as the reference received power (RSRP) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the LTE communication link.

[0127] Comparison: The main control unit maintains a preset signal quality threshold (e.g., RSRP < -110 dBm, for 3 consecutive cycles). The real-time acquired RSRP value is compared with the preset threshold.

[0128] Switching: When the signal quality parameter is determined to be below a preset threshold, the main control unit executes switching logic: it stops sending new data to the GM501 via the third UART and instead directs the data stream to be sent to the redundant communication interface in the interface expansion unit, which in this embodiment is the Ethernet (ETH) interface. The main control unit starts the built-in Ethernet protocol stack and sends the data to the same remote server or backup server via a wired network, thereby ensuring uninterrupted communication. When the LTE signal quality is detected to recover to above the threshold, the main control unit can control the data stream to switch back to the GM501 module.

[0129] Step 5: Dynamic Power Management Control

[0130] Status identification: The main control unit identifies the status of the wireless communication module in real time by parsing the status report returned by the GM501 module (such as the query result of "AT+QSCLK") or monitoring data flow activity: active state (currently sending and receiving data), idle state (attached to the network but no data activity) or deep sleep state (PSM).

[0131] Dynamic voltage regulation: Based on the identified state, the main control unit controls the dynamic voltage regulation circuit (TPS63020) in the power management unit via I²C or GPIO:

[0132] When the module is in the active state, the control circuit outputs the nominal voltage (e.g., 3.8V) to ensure RF performance.

[0133] When the module is idle, the control circuit will reduce the output voltage appropriately (e.g., 3.5V) to reduce static power consumption.

[0134] When the module enters deep sleep mode (PSM), the control circuit reduces the voltage to the minimum voltage required to maintain basic functions (such as 3.0V) to achieve extreme power saving.

[0135] By outputting a voltage value that matches the status, fine-grained management of the power consumption of the communication unit is achieved.

[0136] Through the above structure and workflow, this embodiment achieves the following beneficial effects:

[0137] High-reliability communication: Equipped with dual-link backup of LTE and wired network, automatically switching when the network signal is weak to ensure uninterrupted communication.

[0138] Low power consumption operation: Through dynamic voltage regulation and status recognition, the module's standby and operating power consumption is significantly reduced.

[0139] Strong anti-interference and security: Signal integrity and data security are enhanced through antenna matching network, TVS protection circuit and hardware encryption chip.

[0140] High integration and ease of use: All functional units are integrated into a single board, providing rich interfaces and supporting plug-and-play, which greatly reduces development difficulty and cost.

[0141] Flexible and adjustable: The antenna matching network is adjustable to adapt to various antenna environments; the SIM card circuit supports multiple SIM card types, ensuring strong compatibility.

[0142] In summary, this embodiment not only achieves miniaturization and high reliability of the module through hardware integration, but also makes the module an "intelligent" communication node through the aforementioned integrated data communication method, intelligent link switching control method, and dynamic power consumption management method. It can automatically adapt to changes in the network environment, seamlessly activating backup links when LTE signals are weak to ensure high communication availability; it can accurately identify the operating conditions of the communication module and dynamically adjust power supply to maximize energy efficiency; and it provides flexible and reliable uplink and downlink data processing flows. These methodological innovations combined with hardware innovations constitute the complete technical solution of this invention for addressing the problems of weak signal and high power consumption in existing technologies.

[0143] Example 2

[0144] The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is:

[0145] Main control unit model change: The GD32F407VET6 microcontroller is adopted. Its pins are compatible with the STM32F207VCT6, but the main frequency is higher (168MHz) and the built-in SRAM is larger, making it suitable for processing more complex protocol stacks and data streams.

[0146] Power management unit structure optimization: The dynamic voltage regulation circuit is replaced with the TPS63031 chip, which has a stronger output current capability (up to 2A), higher integration, and fewer external components.

[0147] Enhanced Interface Expansion Unit: In addition to retaining all UART interfaces, an SPI interface (SPI2) has been added, which is specifically used to connect to high-speed external memory (W25Q128Flash chip) for caching temporary data or storing logs.

[0148] Antenna matching network upgrade: The fixed capacitors in the adjustable matching network are replaced with an adjustable capacitor array (PE64904), which is controlled by the main controller via the I²C bus.

[0149] The main control unit, GD32F407VET6, connects to the GM501 module via UART3. Its enhanced computing power allows for the simultaneous execution of more complex network protocols and local data processing algorithms.

[0150] Power Management Unit: The TPS63031 chip is controlled by the main controller via the I²C interface. It can dynamically adjust the output voltage more precisely (in 10mV steps) based on the real-time current requirements reported by the GM501 module. A current sampling resistor (10mΩ) and an operational amplifier circuit are added next to the test point (TP1) of the 4G module power supply circuit, and the current information can be read by the main controller.

[0151] Interface expansion unit: The newly added SPI2 interface is connected to a 128Mbit SPIFlash chip (W25Q128). The main controller can first buffer the data to be sent here and automatically retransmit it after the network is restored, realizing the "breakpoint resume" function.

[0152] Antenna connection unit: The adjustable capacitor array in the matching network is controlled by the main controller via the I²C bus, and the antenna impedance can be automatically tuned in software based on the antenna standing wave ratio (VSWR) feedback.

[0153] The workflow of this embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, but the following functions are added:

[0154] When the main controller detects a deterioration in LTE signal quality, in addition to switching the communication link, it will also write real-time data to the SPIFlash cache.

[0155] The main controller periodically reads the status of the adjustable capacitor array via I²C and automatically optimizes the matching parameters based on the pre-stored algorithm.

[0156] Improved technical performance:

[0157] Performance and Reliability: Enhanced main control performance and the addition of SPIFlash enable the module to better handle high-concurrency, high-data-volume IoT scenarios, while the breakpoint resume function significantly improves the reliability of data transmission.

[0158] More refined power consumption control: Based on I²C, fine voltage regulation and current monitoring further reduce overall power consumption by approximately 8% compared to Example 1.

[0159] Enhanced antenna adaptability: The software-adjustable matching network allows the module to optimize antenna performance remotely after installation, eliminating the hassle of hardware replacement and making it particularly suitable for deployment scenarios with unpredictable antenna environments.

[0160] Building upon the method described in Embodiment 1, this embodiment employs a more powerful GD32F407 main controller and SPI Flash cache. During data communication, it can incorporate a local compression algorithm into the data encapsulation processing step and utilizes SPI Flash to implement reliable queue management for "send-acknowledge-erase," further improving the efficiency and reliability of large-volume data transmission. When executing the link switching control method, faster processing speeds allow for more frequent signal quality sampling (e.g., once per second) and more complex switching decision algorithms (e.g., combining historical signal trend prediction). Dynamic power management, thanks to the use of a digitally adjustable power supply (TPS63031), achieves more precise and smooth voltage regulation.

[0161] Example 3

[0162] This embodiment focuses on applications with extremely small size and ultra-low power consumption. The main differences are as follows:

[0163] Core communication unit replacement: The GM501 is replaced with a Quectel EG915N module. The EG915N is an LTE CatM1 / NB-IoT module, designed for ultra-low power consumption and low data rate deep coverage IoT scenarios, and is smaller in size (16mm×18mm).

[0164] Simplified main control unit: It adopts the STM32L431CBT6 low-power microcontroller, with the operating frequency reduced to 80MHz, but it has an ultra-low power operation mode.

[0165] Highly integrated structure: The separate Ethernet interface (ETH) has been eliminated, and the interface expansion unit retains only the necessary UART and GPIO. The circuit board adopts a six-layer blind and buried via design, reducing the size to 30mm × 25mm.

[0166] Simplified power supply solution: The power management unit uses a highly integrated PMIC chip (DA9230) to provide power to the entire system and integrates battery charging management functions.

[0167] Communication Unit: The EG915N module connects to the main controller via UART, and its unique eDRX and PSM modes can be precisely controlled by the main controller. When the network signal is extremely weak, it can switch to NB-IoT mode to achieve deep coverage.

[0168] The main control unit, STM32L431, is in Stop2 low-power mode most of the time, maintained only by the RTC and watchdog timer. Data acquisition is woken up by an external sensor interrupt, and after processing, it immediately drives the EG915N to send data, then quickly returns to sleep mode.

[0169] Interface expansion unit: Only two UARTs are retained (one for external communication and one for module communication) and four GPIOs. The function of switching to a backup communication link is achieved by configuring one of the GPIOs as an analog serial port (software UART) and connecting it to a reserved Sub-1GHz wireless module (SI4463) as a local wireless relay backup in extreme cases.

[0170] Antenna unit: Onboard ceramic antenna design is adopted to save space. The matching network is pre-tuned for the characteristics of ceramic antenna and a set of 0-ohm resistors is reserved as the final fine-tuning bit.

[0171] Workflow and Technical Effects

[0172] (a) Workflow optimized for low power consumption:

[0173] The main controller is in a deep sleep state most of the time (current < 5μA).

[0174] After being woken up by an external interrupt, it quickly collects data, encrypts it, and sends it through the EG915N.

[0175] After the transmission is completed, the EG915N is immediately commanded to enter PSM mode, and the main controller itself also enters hibernation.

[0176] When the LTECatM1 signal is completely lost, the main controller can send data to the nearest relay node through the Sub-1GHz module via the serial port simulated by GPIO.

[0177] (II) Technical Effects:

[0178] Extreme miniaturization and low power consumption: The overall size and sleep current are greatly reduced, making it particularly suitable for battery-powered embedded sensing devices that require no maintenance for several years.

[0179] Deep coverage and cost optimization: The CatM1 / NB-IoT module reduces module costs and network fees while maintaining wireless connectivity, and provides stronger penetration and coverage capabilities.

[0180] Flexible backup communication: Through GPIO software simulation and Sub-1GHz backup link, data can still be transmitted through a short-range wireless self-organizing network even in extreme wireless signal shielding environments.

[0181] This embodiment demonstrates the method under extreme optimization conditions. Its data communication method primarily handles small data packets and low-frequency reporting services. The "redundant communication interface unit" in the link switching control method is specifically defined here as a Sub-1GHz wireless module connected via a software-simulated serial port (GPIO). When the main control unit detects a complete loss of the LTE Cat M1 / NB-IoT signal, it can control the switch to this backup wireless link for short-range relay. Its dynamic power management method is the most effective. The main control unit (STM32L431) itself has extremely strong low-power management capabilities. Combined with precise control of the EG915N module's PSM state and fine adjustment of the PMIC, it achieves a microampere-level overall average current, perfectly meeting the needs of unattended, long-term deployed IoT terminals.

[0182] In summary, the three embodiments described above, ranging from standard and enhanced to miniaturized, not only demonstrate the diversity and scalability of the hardware configuration of this invention, but also, through detailed descriptions of their workflows, specifically illustrate the implementation methods of the protected data communication and control methods on different hardware carriers. These methods thereby drive the hardware modules to exert their intelligent, reliable, and efficient characteristics. The embodiments demonstrate that the technical solution of this invention possesses high industrial applicability, effectively solves the problems existing in the prior art, and brings about significant technological progress.

[0183] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0184] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them; when the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

Claims

1. An LTE wireless data communication module, characterized by The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

2. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 1, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

3. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 1, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

4. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 3, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

5. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 1, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

6. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 1, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

7. The LTE wireless data communication module of claim 1, wherein, The application relates to a plug-in communication module.

8. A data communication method for an LTE wireless data communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. The application relates to a plug-in communication module. 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9. A control method for the LTE wireless data communication module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: Monitoring the signal quality parameter of the LTE communication link of the wireless communication module; Comparing the signal quality parameter with a preset threshold value; When the signal quality parameter is lower than the preset threshold value, the main control unit is controlled to switch the data communication path from the wireless communication module to the redundant communication interface unit.

10. The control method of the LTE wireless data communication module according to claim 9, characterized by, Further comprising a power consumption management step: Identifying that the wireless communication module is in an active state, an idle state or a deep sleep state; According to the identified state, the main control unit controls the dynamic voltage regulation circuit to output a voltage value matched with the state to the wireless communication module.

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