Higher Sleep Mode Current (~12 mA) in BG95M3 (Rev. BG95M3LAR02A03) with Active PDP Context on 2G Network

IoT Modules LPWA Module
1

Hi Quectel Team,

I’m using BG95M3 (Revision: BG95M3LAR02A03) and testing the sleep mode in a 2G (GSM) network.

Setup & Observations:
Network: 2G (GSM)
PDP Context: Active (cannot be deactivated – project requirement)
Idle/Running Mode Current: ~50 mA
MAIN_DTR Pin State: High
Measured Sleep Current: ~12 mA
PWR LED: ON
NET_STATUS LED: Blinking (supports only mode 1 and 2, OFF not supported)

According to the BG95-M3 Low Power Design Guide (V1.0, Table 7), the typical GSM sleep current should be around 2–3 mA, but I’m measuring around 12 mA even though the module seems to enter sleep mode.

From the BG95-M3 Mini PCIe Hardware Design (V1.1), I understand that:

  • Sleep mode needs AT+QSCLK=1, DTR high/open, and USB suspend.
  • Active indicators (like NET_STATUS or PWR LED) can increase current consumption.

Could you please help clarify:

  1. Does an active PDP context prevent the module from entering full sleep in 2G mode?
  2. Could the NET_STATUS LED cause this ~12 mA current?
  3. Any AT commands or GPIO changes to minimize current while keeping PDP active?
  4. Any hardware tips (e.g., disabling LED_WWAN#) to improve power performance?

References:

  1. BG95-M3 Low Power Design Guide, V1.0 (Section 2.3.1, Table 7)
  2. BG95-M3 Mini PCIe Hardware Design, V1.1 (Section 3.4.1 Sleep Mode)

Thanks in advance for your help!

2

Hi @busadhruv
If there is no any data and TBF released, i think it should be enter sleep mode.
Are you testing on your device board or Quectel MINI pcie board? Have you send the HD design to us to double check?