5G LTE expansion card

Creators & Developers Expansion Card
43

I know this is an old thread, but somebody asked above if there was a use case for a internal modem vs a hotspt; I have once stayed in an airbnb that didn’t have wifi, and for some reason, my mifi (hotspot device) was unable to get a signal, but my laptop’s internal modem WAS able to get a signal, with the same sim.

I get that it’s a bit of an edge case but by the same token, if you don’t have a mifi and you’re working on the road, can a mobile phone provide both a hotspot and be used for calls at the same time?

44

I’d also add that as far as I can tell, it’s going to be much easier to wait for an m.2 antenna that has bt, wifi and 5G, and just use the existing slot, and find a way to route the additional antenna along with the existing ones than it will be to spend engineering resources trying to fit a 5G modem and antenna into an expansion card, thereby using an additional slot as well.

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45

Wouldn’t it just make more sense to get Framework to add the antennas for LTE/5G built into the laptops, and leave an open PCIe based port on future motherboard designs, and allow it as an option? I just can’t see a module based LTE/5G device having practical antenna, or having some way to route out to the module without seriously altering the method in place now to work with existing modules.

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46

Not having LTE (neither onboard nor as an expansion card) was the reason I did not order a framework today. Definitely need it. Been using Lenovo for a while now, but not as flexible as framework.

Hope it will be available soon.

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47

Absolutely @Greg_Smith1 - it seems to me that taking advantage of the large size of a laptop frame is part of the reason my Lenovo with 4G is reliably 6x faster than using my phone as a hotspot on the same exact Verizon network.

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48

I’m new to this wireless world. But would having a antenna built into the framework laptop give a better performance of a 5G component compared to a small one that fits inside the expansion module?

49

Depends on where you place it. Having the antenna in the expansion module could block signals due to the top case being made out of metal (assuming the expansion module is 3D printed plastic) but would function nonetheless.

Having actual antenna(e) on for example the top cover would help if not placed under the display assembly / cover, as again this is made of metal.

The best thing I can think of is to do something like this.

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Or have coaxial connectors on the module and adding those big auxiliary connectors you’ve probably seen in those long range FPV plane videos. :grin:

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50

Having an SMA connector is a game changer, you can drop an antenna outside the windows and get a better signal.

I’m looking to buy an LTE-A router with an SMA connector just to do this. Of course, I would prefer a framework expansion card if such thing is possible!

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51

@nrp I’m looking for a modem expansion card compatible with Bell Canada Ontario LTE Advanced frequencies to provide network redundancy to a Bitcoin/Lightning/Radix Validation node, I’m hoping to repurpose my Gen11 frame.work mobo for this purchase after I upgrade.

52

You do not need to post it to three different threads, one was enough.

53

I think there is often a forgetfulness that you can convert USB-A to USB-C. With that in mind, you can basically replace the USB-A head on a 5G USB Card with a USB-C head.

Something like this: Amazon.com

They would use the same pins, and you’d only need to route power.

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54

I’m sorry if i’m being dumb or something but could you replace the Wifi/Bluetooth m.2 card and put an LTE module in there? (using the already installed antennas)

55

wrong antenna, it might work but it will be far from optimal, if the connector even fits. Antennae are specific to the frequenc(ies) they’re designed for

56

Ohh alright, so if picked up like an antenna that works with it it could theoretically work?

57

if the card is keyed correctly for the socket it may well work, LTE/5g modems to my knowledge use the USB lines, which bluetooth also uses.

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58

One potential issue I’ve seen is that most m.2 aftermarket LTE modules I’ve seen are m.2 3042 size, which is an odd size and definitely larger than the m.2 2230 WiFi card. As in, 30mm x 42mm, vs. 22 mm x 30 mm.

59

Snap dragon have announced an m.2 form factor 5G modem based on their X65 andX62 modems. Not sure if it would fit in the space for the wifi card.

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60

Could you link this? It seems like Framework’s wifi card uses a B+M m.2 slot?

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61

I’ve been keeping an eye on the framework for a while now, the thing that would tip the scales for me to upgrade from my (now a few years old) X1 carbon would be a modem expansion card. I like everything else about the framework, this connectivity option (especially in the form of a swappable expansion card!) would be a game changer.

I hope someone is able to materialize this, I’m encouraged by some of the recent updates on this thread! Thanks everyone who is providing constructive ideas, I’m rooting for someone with the means to make this happen to take an interest in it, and for something to come out of it!

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