Intermediate
20 min

Break free from geographical boundaries with UG95 and PIC18F46K80

From the heart of Europe to the landscapes of Australia

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) with EasyPIC v8

Published Nov 01, 2023

Click board™

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia)

Dev Board

EasyPIC v8

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F46K80

Experience the power of global communication through our dual-band cellular solution, qualified for European and Australian UMTS frequency bands. From Europe to Australia, we keep you connected no matter where your journey takes you.

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

3G-EA Click is based on the UG95-E, an ultra-small UMTS/HSPA module with high-speed wireless connectivity from Quectel. This module is the main component of the Click board™, consisting of several internal blocks or sections, such as an antenna switching section, RF transceiver section, memory, power management, and most importantly - the cellular baseband processor. This section contains the logic necessary for managing the other sections and provides the interface to the host MCU. The Micro SIM card holder on the back of the click board™ is used to install a microSIM card. This device cannot be used without a valid SIM card, which allows connection to the cellular network. Both 1.8V and 3V SIM card types are supported. The Quectel UG95 offers the PCM interface used for digital audio. The MAX9860, a 16-bit mono audio voice CODEC IC from Analog Devices, provides the 3G-EA Click with voice communication. The MAX9860 IC uses

the PCM and I2C interfaces to communicate with the Quectel UG95 module. This IC provides a clean and audible analog interface for connecting the headset, with one audio output channel and one microphone input channel. The headset can be connected via the onboard 3.5mm audio jack. 3G-EA Click is also equipped with a micro-USB connector. It allows the module to be powered and configured by a personal computer (PC). Quectel offers a software suite that can be used with the 3G-EA click board. 3G-EA Click uses a standard 2-Wire UART interface to communicate with the host MCU with commonly used UART RX and TX. UART interface supports baud rates of 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400, 460800, and 921600bps, with the default setting to automatic baud rate detection, between 4800 and 115200. The UART interface can be used for data transmission, AT communication, or firmware upgrades. The 3G-EA Click offers full

hardware flow control over the UART RTS and CTS pins. As the UG95 is internally supplied by 1.8V, the 3G-EA Click uses the TXB0106, a 6-bit bidirectional level shifting and voltage translator from Texas Instruments. In addition, the 3G-EA Click has a ringing RI indicator and the PWK as a power key, which is used during the power-up sequence. The STA is a status pin used to signal the status of the device, in addition to the STAT LED. The other LED is TXD, which indicates the network status. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the I/O SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

EasyPIC v8 is a development board specially designed for the needs of rapid development of embedded applications. It supports many high pin count 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip, regardless of their number of pins, and a broad set of unique functions, such as the first-ever embedded debugger/programmer. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others, in one place. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology, EasyPIC v8 provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under any

circumstances at any time. Each part of the EasyPIC v8 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the advanced integrated CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module, which offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment, the board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an external 12V power supply, and a power source via the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector.

Communication options such as USB-UART, USB DEVICE, and CAN are also included, including the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, two display options (graphical and character-based LCD), and several different DIP sockets. These sockets cover a wide range of 8-bit PIC MCUs, from the smallest PIC MCU devices with only eight up to forty pins. EasyPIC v8 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.

EasyPIC v8 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

64

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

40

RAM (Bytes)

3648

You complete me!

Accessories

Rubber Antenna GSM/GPRS Right Angle is the perfect companion for all GSM Click boards™ in our extensive lineup. This specialized antenna is designed to optimize your wireless connectivity with impressive features. With a wide frequency range spanning 824-894/1710-1990MHz or 890-960/1710-1890MHz, it can handle various frequency bands, ensuring a seamless and reliable connection. The antenna boasts an impedance of 50 Ohms and a gain of 2dB, enhancing signal reception and transmission. Its 70/180MHz bandwidth provides flexibility for diverse applications. The vertical polarization further enhances its performance. With a maximum input power capacity of 50W, this antenna ensures robust communication even under demanding conditions. Measuring a compact 50mm in length and featuring an SMA male connector, the Rubber Antenna GSM/GPRS Right Angle is a versatile and compact solution for your wireless communication needs.

3G-EA Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Status Indicator
RA2
AN
Module Power-Up
RE1
RST
UART RTS
RE0
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
UART RI
RC0
PWM
UART CTS
RB0
INT
UART TX
RC6
TX
UART RX
RC7
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

3G-EA Click (for EU and Australia) Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the EasyPIC v8 as your development board.

EasyPIC v8 front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
MCU DIP 40 hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
EasyPIC v8 Access DIPMB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto DIP image step 7 hardware assembly
Necto image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "FLASH" button initiates the build process, and programs it on the created setup.

2. After the programming is completed, click on the Tools icon in the upper-right panel, and select the UART Terminal.

3. After opening the UART Terminal tab, first check the baud rate setting in the Options menu (default is 115200). If this parameter is correct, activate the terminal by clicking the "CONNECT" button.

4. Now terminal status changes from Disconnected to Connected in green, and the data is displayed in the Received data field.

UART_Application_Output

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for 3G-EA Click driver.

Key functions:

  • c3gea_set_sim_apn - This function sets APN for sim card

  • c3gea_send_sms_text - This function sends text message to a phone number

  • c3gea_send_sms_pdu - This function sends text message to a phone number in PDU mode

Open Source

Code example

This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief 3G-EA Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example reads and processes data from 3G-EA click.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Initializes the driver and powers up the module, then sets default configuration 
 * for connecting the device to network.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Waits for device to connect to network and then sends a desired SMS to the selected phone number
 * approximately every 30 seconds.
 * 
 * ## Additional Function
 * - static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void )
 * - static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag )
 * - static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void )
 * - static void c3gea_check_connection( void )
 * - static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void )
 * - static err_t c3gea_process ( void )
 * 
 * @note 
 * In order for the example to work, user needs to set the phone number to which he wants 
 * to send an SMS, and also will need to set an APN and SMSC (required for PDU mode only) of entered SIM card.
 * Enter valid data for the following macros: SIM_APN, SIM_SMSC and PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE.
 * E.g. 
    SIM_APN "vipmobile"
    SIM_SMSC "+381610401"
    PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE "+38169999999"
 *
 * @author Stefan Ilic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "c3gea.h"
#include "string.h"

#define APP_OK                               0
#define APP_ERROR_DRIVER                    -1
#define APP_ERROR_OVERFLOW                  -2
#define APP_ERROR_TIMEOUT                   -3

#define RSP_OK                              "OK"
#define RSP_ERROR                           "ERROR"

#define SIM_APN                             ""  // Set valid SIM APN
#define SIM_SMSC                            ""  // Set valid SMS Service Center Address - only in PDU mode
#define PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE             ""  // Set Phone number to message
#define MESSAGE_CONTENT                     "3G-EA click board - demo example."   // Message content 

#define PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE                 256

#define WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION                 0
#define CONNECTED_TO_NETWORK                1

static c3gea_t c3gea;
static log_t logger;

static char app_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
static int32_t app_buf_len = 0;
static int32_t app_buf_cnt = 0;

static uint8_t app_connection_status        = WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION;

static err_t app_error_flag;

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA clearing application buffer.
 * @details This function clears memory of application buffer and reset it's length and counter.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA data reading function.
 * @details This function reads data from device and concatenates data to application buffer.
 *
 * @return @li @c  0 - Read some data.
 *         @li @c -1 - Nothing is read.
 *         @li @c -2 - Application buffer overflow.
 *
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t c3gea_process ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA check for errors.
 * @details This function checks for different types of errors and logs them on UART.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA logs application buffer.
 * @details This function logs data from application buffer.
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA response check.
 * @details This function checks for response and returns the status of response.
 * 
 * @return application status.
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void );

/**
 * @brief 3G-EA check connection.
 * @details This function checks connection to the network and 
 *          logs that status to UART.
 * 
 * @note None.
 */
static void c3gea_check_connection( void );

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS


void application_init ( void ) {
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    c3gea_cfg_t c3gea_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.

    c3gea_cfg_setup( &c3gea_cfg );
    C3GEA_MAP_MIKROBUS( c3gea_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    c3gea_init( &c3gea, &c3gea_cfg );

    c3gea_module_power( &c3gea, C3GEA_MODULE_POWER_ON );
    
    // dummy read
    c3gea_process( );
    c3gea_clear_app_buf( );
    
    // AT
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_AT );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check( );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // ATI - product information
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_ATI );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CGMR - firmware version
    c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CGMR );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CMEE - Report Mobile Equipment Error
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CMEE, "2" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // COPS - deregister from network
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_COPS, "2" );
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CGDCONT - set sim apn
    c3gea_set_sim_apn( &c3gea, SIM_APN );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CFUN - full funtionality
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CFUN, "1" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // COPS - automatic mode
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_COPS, "0" );
    Delay_ms( 4000 );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    // CREG - network registration status
    c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CREG, "1" );
    app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
    c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
    app_connection_status = WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION;
    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    Delay_ms( 5000 );
}

void application_task ( void ) {
     if ( app_connection_status == WAIT_FOR_CONNECTION ) {
        // CREG - network registration status
        c3gea_send_cmd_check( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CREG );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 500 );
        
        // CSQ - signal quality
        c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CSQ );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 3000 );
    } else {
        log_info( &logger, "CONNECTED TO NETWORK" );
        
        // SMS message format - PDU mode
        c3gea_send_cmd_with_parameter( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_CMGF, "0" );
        app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
        c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
        Delay_ms( 3000 );
        
        for( ; ; ) {   
            log_printf( &logger, "> Sending message to phone number...\r\n" );
            c3gea_send_sms_pdu ( &c3gea, SIM_SMSC, PHONE_NUMBER_TO_MESSAGE, MESSAGE_CONTENT );
            app_error_flag = c3gea_rsp_check(  );
            c3gea_error_check( app_error_flag );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
            Delay_ms( 10000 );
        }
    }
}

void main ( void ) {
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; ) {
        application_task( );
    }
}

static void c3gea_clear_app_buf ( void ) {
    memset( app_buf, 0, app_buf_len );
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
}

static err_t c3gea_process ( void ) {
    err_t return_flag = APP_ERROR_DRIVER;
    int32_t rx_size;
    char rx_buff[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
    
    rx_size = c3gea_generic_read( &c3gea, rx_buff, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );

    if ( rx_size > 0 ) { 
        int32_t buf_cnt = 0;
        return_flag = APP_OK;

        if ( app_buf_len + rx_size >= PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ) {
            c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
            return_flag = APP_ERROR_OVERFLOW;
        } else {
            buf_cnt = app_buf_len;
            app_buf_len += rx_size;
        }

        for ( int32_t rx_cnt = 0; rx_cnt < rx_size; rx_cnt++ ) {
            if ( rx_buff[ rx_cnt ] != 0 ) {
                app_buf[ ( buf_cnt + rx_cnt ) ] = rx_buff[ rx_cnt ];
            } else {
                app_buf_len--;
                buf_cnt--;
            }
        }
    } 

    return return_flag;
}

static err_t c3gea_rsp_check ( void ) {
    uint16_t timeout_cnt = 0;
    uint32_t timeout = 100000;
    
    err_t error_flag = c3gea_process(  );
    
    if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
        return error_flag;
    }
    
    while ( ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_OK ) == 0 ) && ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_ERROR ) == 0 ) ) {
        error_flag = c3gea_process(  );
        if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
            return error_flag;
        }
        
        timeout_cnt++;
        if ( timeout_cnt > timeout ) {
            while ( ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_OK ) == 0 ) && ( strstr( app_buf, RSP_ERROR ) == 0 ) ) {
                c3gea_send_cmd( &c3gea, C3GEA_CMD_AT );
                c3gea_process(  );
                Delay_ms( 100 );
            }
            c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
            return APP_ERROR_TIMEOUT;
        }
        
        Delay_ms( 1 );
    }
    
    c3gea_check_connection();
    
    c3gea_log_app_buf();
    
    return APP_OK;
}

static void c3gea_error_check( err_t error_flag ) {
    if ( ( error_flag != 0 ) && ( error_flag != -1 ) ) {
        switch ( error_flag ) {
            case -2:
                log_error( &logger, " Overflow!" );
                break;
            case -3:
                log_error( &logger, " Timeout!" );
                break;
            default:
                break;
        }
    }
}

static void c3gea_log_app_buf ( void ) {
    for ( int32_t buf_cnt = 0; buf_cnt < app_buf_len; buf_cnt++ ) {
        log_printf( &logger, "%c", app_buf[ buf_cnt ] );
    }
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n-----------------------------------\r\n" );
    
    c3gea_clear_app_buf(  );
}

static void c3gea_check_connection( void ) {
    #define CONNECTED "+CREG: 1,1"
    
    if ( strstr( app_buf, CONNECTED ) != 0 ) {
        app_connection_status = CONNECTED_TO_NETWORK;
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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