The M.2 WWAN module requires to be integrated with a host system in order to be functional and provisioned with connectivity via a service provider (MNO or MVNO) SIM card.
The ingredients in the host device include M.2 WWAN module Hardware, Antenna, Firmware, Host OS Driver & Application/Service.
In order to get a proper overview, these are the key areas:
(1) The host interface (hardware/firmware/OS software) that exposes to the end user & integrator.
(2) Services: Cellular connectivity, Telephony services, SIM, Positioning technologies.
(3) Internals of the Hardware, Firmware, Host OS Driver Structures.
System
Level Architecture: An End-to-end Logical View
Hardware Application Interface (Electrical)
|
Power |
Control |
Data |
SIM |
RF |
|
+ Power Supply + Ground |
+ Power ON/OFF + Reset + Wireless Disable (Airplane mode) + Wake on Wireless + LED Indicator + M.2 Card Configuration (CONFIG) |
+ PCIe + USB |
+ USIM + eSIM |
+ Dynamic Power Reduction + Antenna Tuner + In-Device Coexistence |
The M.2 Electrical Interface (PINOUT) is accessible by the Host Integrator (e.g., PC OEM). Of all the 75 PINs on the M.2 connector, they can be categorized into five functional PINOUTs: (1) Power, (2) Control, (3) Data, (4) SIM, (5) RF.
(1) The Power and (2) Control PINs are the interface to the Host motherboard (Power PINs connect to the host PMIC) and can be configured and manipulated via the motherboard's BIOS or EC in a strictly secure manner. In the BIOS setup, the options of selecting "WWAN Enable/Disable" & "GNSS Enable/Disable" are available to the end user with no further permission on other functions.
(3) The Data PINs are the IPC interface to the Host OS where the WWAN device driver is loaded, and the device ports are enumerated.
(4) The SIM PINs are the electrical interface to the SIM card.
(5) The RF PINs are the controllable interface to the host system proximity sensor, antenna tuner, WiFi/BT coexistence PIN.
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