SIMCom SIM8230G 5G RedCap

The SIMCOM SIM8230G-M2 is a 5G RedCap module based on 3GPP Release 17, designed for power-efficient mid-speed applications. It supports 5G SA (Standalone) mode and LTE Cat 4 fallback, with reduced bandwidth and lower complexity, making it ideal for IoT and industrial use cases

SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap

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Prerequisites

  • Monogoto SIM

  • SIMCom SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap cellular modem

  • Access to a private network

Connect the SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap to Monogoto

When connecting to the SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap modem, keep the AT Commands manual next to you to look up details about commands.

Connect to the modem, enter the command: AT and wait for the response: OK

When using Windows, install the driver using the disk or USB stick provided by Simcom.

Reset the modem to the factory default configuration:

Set the error reporting to verbose, resulting in more descriptive error messages (optional):

Check if the SIM card is attached and is not locked with a PIN, expected response: +CPIN: READY:

Query device information

Request the modem hardware version:

Request the modem firmware version:

response:

Request the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity):

Request the ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card ID), which is the identification number of the SIM card

Network mode preference.

Manually set the preference mode:

  • AT+CNMP=71 → Enables 5G NR along with LTE, UMTS, and GSM (multi-mode operation).

  • AT+CNMP=13 → Typically enables LTE/UMTS/GSM only (no 5G).

To test if the network is set correctly enter:

Expected response: +CNMP:71

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)

Manually set the IMS disable

Network Configuration

Manually set the network:

Monogoto's private LTE network is indicated with the MCCMNC code: 99974. To connect to the private LTE network, enter:

To test if the network is set correctly enter:

Expected response: +COPS: 0,0,"Monogoto5G 99974",11

11 indicates that the modem is using 5G SA.

Check the radio signal strength and signal quality:

Example response: +CSQ: 22,1

+CSQ returns 2 values separated by a comma. The first value represents the signal strength and provides a value between 0 and 31; a higher number indicates better signal strength. The second value represents the signal quality indicated by a value between 0 and 7, a lower value indicates better signal quality . If AT+CSQ returns 99,99, the signal is undetectable or unknown.

Network Activation

Set the APN to data.mono:

To test if the APN is set correctly, enter:

Expected response: +CGDCONT: 1,"IP","data.mono","0.0.0.0",0,0,0

Activate the PDP (packet data protocol) context:

Test if the PDP context is activated:

Expected response: +CGACT: 1,1

Request Serving Cell Information

Example response:

  • 99974 (the fourth value) indicates that the device being connected to Monogoto's Private LTE Network

  • 78 represents the cellular band the modem is currently using

Validate if your device received an IP address:

Expected response: +CGPADDR: 1,10.XXX.XX.XXX

Test the connection by sending a PING

A PING test can be performed to test if the modem has an active data connection with a mobile network.

When cellular modems are idle for a long period of time, cell towers might drop the data connection to save resources. Sending regular PINGs is a good method for testing the data connection, as well as for keeping the connection alive because the operator registers your device as being actively used.

Send 4 PINGs to IP address Google:

Example response:

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