# 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](https://3922449203-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FTsYtfFtm5xPlDUWW7Jbd%2FSIM8230G%205G%20RedCap.png?alt=media\&token=ffca06fc-dc49-475f-a743-697c2e73752c)

### Quick Navigation

* [Connect the SIMCom ](#connect-the-lm960-to-monogoto)[SIM230G-M2 5G ReadCap to Monogoto](#connect-the-lm960-to-monogoto)
* [Network Configuration](#network-configuration)
* [Network Activation](#network-activation)
* [Useful Links](#useful-links)

### Prerequisites

* Monogoto SIM
* SIMCom SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap cellular modem
* Access to a private network

## Connect the SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap to Monogoto

{% hint style="info" %}
When connecting to the SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap modem, keep the [**AT Commands manual** ](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FOWHKEm71IpiHAIq0tEFD%2FSIM8230%20Series_AT%20Command%20Manual_V1.00.pdf?alt=media\&token=f730b7c4-9536-49b0-9213-6f8663ef200c)next to you to look up details about commands.
{% endhint %}

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

{% hint style="info" %}
When using Windows, [install the driver ](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FrcHDAtVOltljQTaaJlNz%2FSIM8230%205G%20RedCap%20Windows%20drivers.zip?alt=media\&token=656e715b-2980-47c4-9e77-98c761c0afb1)using the disk or USB stick provided by Simcom.
{% endhint %}

**Reset the modem** to the factory default configuration:

```bash
AT+CFUN=1,1
```

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

```bash
AT+CMEE=2
```

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

```bash
AT+CPIN?
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you receive an error, the SIM may not be inserted properly or the SIM is protected with a PIN. By default, Monogoto SIMs are not PIN protected.
{% endhint %}

### Query device information

Request the modem **hardware version**:

```
AT+CGMM
```

Request the modem **firmware version**:

```bash
AT+CGMR
```

response:

```
+CGMR: 2310B02X35M22A-M2
```

Request the **IMSI** (International Mobile Subscriber Identity):

```
AT+CIMI
```

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

```bash
AT+ICCID
```

### **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:

```
AT+CNMP?
```

Expected response: `+CNMP:71` 

### **IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)** 

**Manually set the IMS disable** 

```
AT+CNV=0
```

### 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:

```
AT+COPS=1,2,"99974",11
```

To **test** if the network is set correctly enter:

```
AT+COPS?
```

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:**

```bash
AT+CSQ
```

Example response: `+CSQ: 22,1`

{% hint style="info" %}
`+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.
{% endhint %}

### Network Activation

**Set the APN to** `data.mono`:

```
AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","data.mono"
```

To **test** if the APN is set correctly, enter:

```
AT+CGDCONT?
```

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

**Activate the PDP (packet data protocol) context:**

```
AT+CGACT=1,1
```

**Test** if the PDP context is activated:

```
AT+CGACT?
```

Expected response: `+CGACT: 1,1`

#### Request Serving Cell Information

```
AT+CPSI?
```

Example response:

```
+CPSI: NR5G_SA,Online,999-74,0x2,16385,5,NR5G_BAND78,638592,-690,-110,39
```

* `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**:

```bash
AT+CGPADDR
```

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

### Test the connection by sending a PING <a href="#test-the-connection-by-sending-a-ping" id="test-the-connection-by-sending-a-ping"></a>

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`:

```
at+cping="www.google.com",1,4,64,1000,10000,255
```

Example response:

```
+CPING: 1,142.250.75.164,64,23,255
+CPING: 1,142.250.75.164,64,27,255
+CPING: 1,142.250.75.164,64,17,255
+CPING: 1,142.250.75.164,64,16,255
```

{% hint style="success" %}
Do you see an IP address? **Congratulations!** 🎉 **You’ve successfully connected the SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap modem to Monogoto.** \
Have a look at the **Things** logs in the [**Monogoto Console**](https://console.monogoto.io/) to find more details about the established connection.
{% endhint %}

## Useful Links

* [SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap AT Commands](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FOWHKEm71IpiHAIq0tEFD%2FSIM8230%20Series_AT%20Command%20Manual_V1.00.pdf?alt=media\&token=f730b7c4-9536-49b0-9213-6f8663ef200c)
* [SIMCom product page](https://www.simcom.com/product/SIM8230G-M2.html)
* [SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap User Guidelines Manual](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2FIVvcMo2KqmC96IQyYMsO%2FSIM8230-M2-EVB_User_Guidelines_Manual_V1.00_EVB_Version_V1.01.pdf?alt=media\&token=4266f317-9437-4a61-8acb-b6c8891e0b81)
* [SIM8230G-M2 5G RedCap Product Description](https://files.gitbook.com/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M0mPxGpottOEfcucXOR%2Fuploads%2F65BArx5KvWbBQH5Xpgph%2FSIM8230G-M2_SPEC_20240829.pdf?alt=media\&token=52460c9e-e7e7-4d31-abc8-6564ebd1290e)