eSIM with Quectel RM520N-GL in Linux (LPAC + ModemManager)?

IoT Modules 5G Module
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1

Hello,

I’m trying to use an eSIM with a RM520N-GL module in a Lenovo Thinkpad running GNU/Linux.

After updating the firmware of the modem (github. com/estkme-group/lpac/issues/182, sorry for the broken link I can only add one per post, just remove the extra space), I was able to use LPAC to download eSIMs. I used this command:

LPAC_APDU=at AT_DEVICE=/dev/wwan0at0 lpac profile download -a

However, later I cannot use this eSIM with ModemManager. I have opened an issue in ModemManager repo, but perhaps it’s a firmware issue.

Has anyone succeed installing and using eSIMs with this modem running Linux?

2

Dear @iyanmv
If install RM520N-GL to PC directly, it need to conact with Lenovo and check if they have any idea to implement it.

3

Dear @silvia,

I contacted Lenovo Premier Support before writing here. For reference, these is (the relevant part of) their response:

Sadly, we cannot provide support for those tools. So if any further help is needed, you need to contact the developers of the tool in question.

I think I have asked all the relevant parties (ModemManager, LPAC), and Quectel was the only missing. I suspect this could be a firmware bug, since the combo eSIM + LPAC + ModemManager seems to work with other devices, so that’s why I’m asking here, to see if any users have manage to make it work.

As I said, LPAC was not even able to fetch an eSIM with the firmware the device had when I bought it. Only after updating it, it started to work. Perhaps using an eSIM in GNU/Linux was not properly tested.

4

Dear @iyanmv
Sorry about this, we don’t have experience for this.
For firmware, due to this module is installed in PC, it need Lenovo to provide the firmware about this.

5

Do you mean that the ModemManager support LPAC and update the eSIM profile?

6

@silvia Yes, I’m not asking for firmware. I installed the latest one provided by Lenovo.

@Bean.Wang-Q I’m not sure I understand your question. My goal is to use an eSIM with this module. I successfully download the eSIM with LPAC after upgrading the firmware. Before upgrading this was not working. But at the moment, this eSIM profile doesn’t seem to work with ModemManager. I have provided more info and details in the issue report I linked above.

7

I’ve seen the log you provided in the Quectel RM520N-GL cannot connect when using eSIM (#954) · Issues · Mobile broadband connectivity / ModemManager · GitLab.
It seems that the Module with the eSIM is not registerred.
Just for test, maybe you can disable the ModemManager and just use the AT command to check the status of the module. And then Silvia can help you more. We do not have much experience with the ModemManager and Lenovo do not provide too much help fo the ModemManager either.

8

I will experiment with AT commands and write back here the results during the weekend. Thanks for the help!

9

@Bean.Wang-Q I have disabled ModemManager and tried a few AT commands with screen /dev/wwan0at0. Can you send me the what particular status you are interested in?