How to Manage eSIM Profile with Quectel EC200U and T4SIM-200M Using ModemManager?

IoT Modules LTE Standard Module
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1

I am working on a project where the Quectel EC200U modem is integrated with a T4SIM-200M (eSIM chip). In my schematic design, the T4SIM-200M’s pins (CLK, DATA, RST) are connected to the corresponding pins of the modem.

I am using ModemManager (Version 1.20.6) to manage the modem, which is integrated into the system via Yocto.

Here is the output when I run mmcli:


root@machine:~# mmcli -m 0
  --------------------------------
  General  |                 path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/Modem/0
           |            device id: -----------------------------
  --------------------------------
  Hardware |         manufacturer: Quectel
           |                model: EC200U
           |    firmware revision: EC200UEUAAR03A03M08
           |            supported: gsm-umts
           |              current: gsm-umts
           |         equipment id: -------------------
  --------------------------------
  System   |               device: /sys/devices/platform/soc@0/4c200000.usb/ci_hdrc.1/usb1/1-1/1-1.3
           |              drivers: option, cdc_ether
           |               plugin: quectel
           |         primary port: ttyUSB5
           |                ports: ttyUSB0 (at), ttyUSB5 (at), ttyUSB6 (at), usb0 (net)
  --------------------------------
  Status   |       unlock retries: sim-pin (3), sim-puk (10), sim-pin2 (3), sim-puk2 (10)
           |                state: disabled
           |          power state: on
  --------------------------------
  Modes    |            supported: allowed: any; preferred: none
           |              current: allowed: any; preferred: none
  --------------------------------
  IP       |            supported: ipv4, ipv6, ipv4v6
  --------------------------------
  3GPP     |                 imei: -----------------------
  --------------------------------
  3GPP EPS | ue mode of operation: csps-2
  --------------------------------
  SIM      |     primary sim path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/SIM/0
root@machine:~# mmcli -m 0 --sim 0
  -------------------------------
  General    |              path: /org/freedesktop/ModemManager1/SIM/0
  -------------------------------
  Properties |            active: yes
             |              imsi: 204047650<----->
             |             iccid: 89444<----->
             |       operator id: 20404
             |     operator name: 1GLOBAL
root@machine:~#

Observations:

  • I can detect the eSIM card using mmcli and the ICCID matches the number printed on the chip.
  • When I connect the modem to a physical SIM, it works successfully as the hardware also supports physical SIM cards.
  • However, I am unable to manage the eSIM card using ModemManager. Specifically, there is no option in mmcli to download or configure the eSIM profile.

Questions:

  1. Is there a way to download or configure my eSIM profile using ModemManager?
  2. What steps are needed to download and configure an eSIM profile onto my device?
  3. Does any version of ModemManager support eSIM profile management, or is it limited at this stage?

I would appreciate any insights or suggestions regarding working with eSIMs in this setup. Thank you!

2

Hi，
As far I know, modemmange does not support to manage/configure an eSIM.

3

@Saheer_Kottakkadan

  1. ModemManager cannot manage eSIM profiles and overall does not have eUICC related functionality.
  2. I am guessing you mean the ST4SIM-200M. This is an M2M chip closely integrated with Truphone operator. You cannot just download a profile onto it, like you do with your eSIM-enabled phone, even using relevant software. All operations are done using Truphone dashboard but overall this kind of chip is very difficult to operate, it works only in supported areas and even then many people reported they couldn’t activate it.