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LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module

LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module

The LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module (Mini-PIM) provides wireless WAN support on the SRX300 Series and SRX550 High Memory Services Gateways. The Mini-PIM contains an integrated modem and operates over 3G and 4G networks. The Mini-PIM supports up to two SIM cards and can be installed in any of the Mini-PIM slots on the services gateways.

The Mini-PIM supports the following features:

  • Automatic switchover between service providers through dual SIMs

  • Storage support for multiple service provider and access point name (APN) profiles

  • LTE carrier aggregation

  • SIM lock and unlock capability

  • Always-on, dial-on-demand, and backup modes

  • Over-the-Air upgrade for modem firmware

Figure 1 shows the front panel of the LTE Mini-PIM.

Figure 1: LTE Mini-PIM Front PanelLTE Mini-PIM Front Panel

The LTE Mini-PIM ships with a SIM slot cover as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: LTE Mini-PIM Front Panel (with the SIM Slot Cover)LTE Mini-PIM Front Panel (with the SIM Slot Cover)

Table 1 lists the components on the front panel of the Mini-PIM.

Table 1: LTE Mini-PIM Front Panel Components

Component

Description

Antenna connectors

Two SubMiniature version A (SMA) connectors.

Mini-USB port

Mini-USB Type-B port for monitoring and troubleshooting.

SIM slots

Two slots, SIM1 and SIM2, for inserting the SIM cards. The LTE Mini-PIM supports mini, micro, and nano SIMs. The mini-SIM can be inserted directly in the SIM slot. To insert micro and nano SIMs, use the SIM adapters supplied with the Mini-PIM. The Mini-PIM is shipped with two SIM adapters.

CAUTION:

SIM cards are not hot-swappable. You must power off the services gateway before removing or inserting a SIM card.

LEDs

Indicate the status at a glance. For details on the LED indications, see LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module LEDs.
CAUTION:

The LTE Mini-PIM is not hot-swappable. You must power off the services gateway before removing or installing the Mini-PIM.

The LTE Mini-PIM supports two multi-band swivel-mount dipole antennas, which can be rotated 360 °. You can rotate the antennas and select the angle at which the signal strength is high. Table 2 lists the specifications for the antenna.

Table 2: Specifications for the LTE Mini-PIM Antenna

Specification

Value

Part number

EDA-2010-4G0R2-A2 (Vendor: MAG.LAYERS)

Operating frequency range

  • 704~960 MHz

  • 1710~2700 MHz

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)

5 (maximum)

Impedance

50 ohm

Radiation

Omnidirectional

Peak gain

  • 2.45 dBi (704~960 MHz)

  • 4.51 dBi (1710~2700 MHz)

Input power

1 W

Polarization

Linear, vertical

Operating temperature

–4° F (–20° C) to 149° F (65° C)

Connector type

SMA

Length

203 mm

The antenna is connected to the services gateway through the magnetic antenna base. Table 3 lists the specifications for the antenna base.

Table 3: Antenna Base Specifications

Specification

Value

Part number

BS-05SF-174-3M-0102 (Vendor: Chang Hong)

Cable length

3 m

Connector type

SMA

Dimensions (H x W x L)

29.50 mm x 73 mm x 73 mm

Table 4 provides a summary of the different models of the Mini-PIM.

Table 4: LTE Mini-PIM Models

Model

Mode

Operating Region

Frequency Band

SRX-MP-LTE-AE

  • LTE

  • HSPA+

  • North America

  • European Union

For LTE:

  • Bands 1 through 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 41

For 3G (HSPA+):

  • Bands 1 through 5, and 8

SRX-MP-LTE-AA

  • LTE

  • HSPA+

  • Asia

  • Australia

For LTE:

  • Bands 1,3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 21, 28, 38, 39, 40, and 41

For 3G (HSPA+):

  • Bands 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 19

The Mini-PIM can be configured in three modes:

  • Always-on—The Mini-PIM connects to the 3G/4G network after booting. The connection is always maintained, as long as there are no network or connectivity problems.

  • Dial-on-demand—The Mini-PIM initiates a connection when it receives traffic.

  • Backup—The Mini-PIM connects to the 3G/4G network when the primary connection fails.

The LTE Mini-PIM supports the following wireless standards:

  • FCC Part 2

  • FCC Part 22

  • FCC Part 24, Part 27 and Part 90

  • RSS 129 and RSS 133, RSS 130, RSS 199, and RSS 139

  • RSS 132 and RSS 133

  • EN 301 511 GSM

  • EN 301 908-1

  • EN 301 908-2

  • The Certification and Engineering Bureau of Industry Canada (IC)

  • Radio Equipment (RE) Directive of the European Union

  • GCF

  • CTIA-PTCRB

LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module LEDs

Figure 3 shows the LEDs on the LTE Mini-PIM.

Figure 3: LTE Mini-PIM LEDsLTE Mini-PIM LEDs

Table 5 lists the LEDs on the LTE Mini-PIM and their indications.

Table 5: LTE Mini-PIM LED States

LED

Description

SIG (Received Signal Strength Indicator)

Solid green (one bar)—Low signal strength (<= –99 dBm).

Solid green (two bars)—Low signal strength (from –98 dBm to –87 dBm).

Solid green (three bars)—Low signal strength (from –86 dBm to –76 dBm).

Solid green (four bars)—High signal strength (>= –75 dBm).

Unlit—No signal

3G

Solid green—3G connection is established.

Blinking green—Connecting to a 3G network.

LTE

Solid green—LTE connection is established.

Blinking green—Connecting to an LTE network.

SIM1

Solid green—SIM1 is active.

SIM2

Solid green—SIM2 is active.
Note:

If all the LEDs are blinking, it indicates that firmware updates are in progress. Do not power off the services gateway before the updates complete.

LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module Hardware Specifications

Table 6 provides the hardware specifications for the LTE Mini-PIM.

Table 6: LTE Mini-PIM Hardware Specifications

Description

Value

Dimensions (H x W x L)

0.80 in. x 3.75 in. x 5.9 in.(2.0 cm x 9.5 cm x 14.5 cm)

Weight

0.23 lb (0.106 kg)

Connector type

SMA

Form factor

Mini-PIM

Environmental operating temperature

32° F through 104° F (0° C through 40° C)

Storage temperature

-40° F through 158° F (-40° C through 70° C)

Relative humidity

5% to 90% noncondensing

LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module Installation and Configuration

Installing the LTE Mini-PIM

The LTE Mini-PIM can be installed in any of the Mini-PIM slots on the services gateway.

Note:

You can install only one LTE Mini-PIM in a services gateway.

To install the LTE Mini-PIM in a services gateway:

  1. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to the grounding point on the back of the services gateway.
  2. Power off the services gateway by briefly pressing the Power button on the front panel. Wait for the Power LED to turn off before proceeding. Disconnect the services gateway from the power source.
  3. Remove the blank Mini-PIM installed on the services gateway:

    1. Loosen the screws on the faceplate of the blank Mini-PIM.

    2. Grasp the screws on each side and remove the blank Mini-PIM.

  4. Remove the LTE Mini-PIM from the electrostatic bag.
  5. Grasp the screws on each side of the Mini-PIM faceplate and align the notches in the connector at the rear of the Mini-PIM with the notches in the Mini-PIM slot in the services gateway.
    CAUTION:

    Slide the Mini-PIM straight into the slot to avoid damaging the components on the Mini-PIM.

  6. Slide the Mini-PIM in until it lodges firmly in the services gateway. See Figure 4.
    Figure 4: Installing the LTE Mini-PIMInstalling the LTE Mini-PIM
  7. Using a 1/8-in. (3-mm) flat-blade (–) screwdriver, tighten the screws on each side of the Mini-PIM faceplate.
  8. Remove the SIM slot cover. Insert the SIM card into the SIM slot, SIM 1.

    You can use the other slot, SIM 2, for installing a secondary or backup SIM.

    Note:

    When you insert SIM cards into the respective slots, make sure to orient the cards correctly. Insert SIM1 into its slot with the connector side (SIM card chip) facing down and the notch on the left. Insert SIM2 into its slot with the connector side facing up and the notch on the right. See Figure 5.

    Figure 5: Inserting the SIM CardInserting the SIM Card

    To remove a SIM card from its slot, press the edge of the card projecting out of the slot.

  9. Replace the cover over the SIM slots.
  10. Attach the antennas to the antenna base. Connect the cables from each antenna base to the SMA connectors on the Mini-PIM. See Figure 6.
    Figure 6: Attaching the AntennasAttaching the Antennas

    The antenna base is magnetic and can be attached to the rack directly, if the rack is metallic. Else, you can mount the antenna base on the rack using the mounting brackets. See Figure 7.

    Figure 7: Mounting the Antennas on a RackMounting the Antennas on a Rack
    Note:

    For SRX320 Services Gateways, which can be mounted on a wall, the antennas can be mounted as shown in Figure 8.

    Figure 8: Mounting the Antennas on a WallMounting the Antennas on a Wall
  11. Power on the services gateway.

Configuring the LTE Mini-PIM

Note:

If a services gateway with factory-default settings is powered on with the LTE Mini-PIM installed in slot 1, the dialer interface is triggered to dial automatically. This functionality is applicable only if the Mini-PIM is installed in slot 1. If the Mini-PIM is installed in any other slot, then you will need to manually configure the cl-slot-number/0/0 interface to be associated with the dialer interface.

To configure the Mini-PIM:

  1. Configure the dialer pool:

    user@host# set interfaces cl-slot-number/0/0 dialer-options pool number priority number

  2. Configure the profile:

    user@host# request modem wireless create-profile profile-id profile-id access-point-name l3vpn.corp authentication-method chap sip-user-id user@myvpn.net sip-password password

  3. Activate the SIM:

    user@host# set interfaces cl-slot-number/0/0 act-sim sim-slot-number

  4. Select the profile and configure the radio access type for the SIM card:

    user@host# set interfaces cl-slot-number/0/0 cellular-options sim sim-slot-number profile-id profile-id

    user@host# set interfaces cl-slot-number/0/0 cellular-options sim sim-slot-number radio-access automatic

    Note:

    If a SIM card is installed in the second slot, then select the profile and configure the radio access type for the secondary SIM card as well.

  5. Configure the dialer interface:

    • Always-on mode:

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet6 negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options pool dialer-pool-number

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options dial-string dial-number

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options always-on

    • Dial-on-demand mode:

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet6 negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet filter dialer dialer-filter-name

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options pool dialer-pool-number

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options dial-string dial-number

    • Backup mode:

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 family inet6 negotiate-address

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options pool dialer-pool-number

      user@host# set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options dial-string dial-number

      user@host# set interfaces interface-name unit 0 backup-options interface dl0.0

Configuring a Static Route on the Dialer Interface

A static route enables the dialer interface to forward packets to a specific destination other than the default route. Static routes are manually configured and entered into the routing table. You can configure a static route on the dialer interface by using the set interfaces dl0 unit 0 dialer-options route destination-ip-address command.

After you configure a static route, make sure that the route appears in the routing table of the device by using the show route command. Note that the static route appears in the routing table only after the LTE Mini-PIM is connected to the network.

Sample output:

Firmware Upgrade on the LTE Mini-Physical Interface Module

Mini-PIM Firmware Upgrade Using the CLI

To upgrade the firmware on the Mini-PIM, using the CLI:

Note:

When you upgrade the firmware on the Mini-PIM, the modem firmware is also upgraded.

  1. Identify the currently installed firmware (jfirmware) version:

    user@host > show system firmware

    Note:

    Ensure that you upgrade the firmware on the Mini-PIM to the latest version.

    The Current version field in the output displays the firmware version that is currently installed on the Mini-PIM. If there is a newer version of the firmware at https://www.juniper.net/support/downloads/?p=junos-srx#sw, then proceed to the next step to download the latest firmware.

  2. Download the appropriate firmware version from https://www.juniper.net/support/downloads/?p=junos-srx#sw:

    user@host > request system software add /var/tmp/jfirmware-<version>-signed.tgz

    Note:

    Ensure that the Junos OS version installed on the device is the same as the firmware version or later. To know the Junos OS version, issue the show version command.

  3. Ensure that the latest firmware version is downloaded to the Mini-PIM by verifying the Available version field. The Available version field should list the latest firmware version that was downloaded in Step 2.

    user@host > show system firmware

  4. Upgrade the firmware on the device:

    user@host > request system firmware upgrade pic fpc-slot <fpc-slot-number>

  5. Verify that the firmware is upgraded successfully. The status should show OK.

  6. Reboot the device after the firmware is upgraded. Note that if you issue the show system firmware command after the reboot, the Current Version field shows the latest firmware version and the Available Version field shows zero(0).

Modem Firmware Upgrade Through Over-the-Air (OTA)

Over-the-Air (OTA) firmware upgrade enables automatic and timely upgrade of modem firmware when new firmware versions are available. The OTA upgrade can be enabled or disabled on the 4G/LTE Mini-PIM. OTA is disabled by default.

  1. Enable OTA upgrade status on the LTE Mini-PIM:

    user@host > request modem wireless fota enable

  2. Initiate the firmware upgrade:

    user@host > request modem wireless upgrade cl-slot number/0/0

  3. Verify the firmware upgrade status:

    user@host > show modem wireless firmware cl-slot number/0/0

  4. Check the LTE Mini-PIM connection status:

    user@host > show modem wireless network cl-slot number/0/0