BG95 EVB Introduction

Supported Module List

• BG95-M1
• BG95-M3
• BG95-M8

Feature List

Overview

• The QuecPython_BG95_EVB is a compact and portable "pocket-sized" EVB specifically designed for QuecPython.

• The main board is equipped with a BG95 series module and a Type-C interface. You can easily develop the EVB with just a USB Type-C cable.

• The EVB is also equipped with an expansion board that supports light sensors, UV sensors, VOC sensors, nine-axis sensors, and temperature and humidity sensors.

• The EVB is compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero, and the expansion board for Raspberry Pi Zero can be directly used on the QuecPython_BG95_EVB.

Description

The main components and interface layout of the EVB are shown in the following figure.

Resource Download

• BG95_Board_Sch

EVB Resources

EVB Interface

8 Pin Assignment

• 1 & 2: Automatic power-on.
• 3 & 4: connect VDD_EXT to provide power for external circuit. For power consumption measurement, VDD_EXT needs to be disconnected.
• 5 & 6: Turn on the DC-DC converter to provide power to the module.
• 7 & 8: Enable active power supply for GNSS.

40 Pin Assignment

The main pin layout of the EVB is shown in the figure below.

Note
For more information about QuecPython_BG95_EVB, please visit https://python.quectel.com/en/resource-download?cid=5&pid=238.

EVB Configuration

The peripheral pin assignments are detailed as follows.

On-board LED indicators:

• SIM_CHK: The SIM_CHK indicator lights up when a SIM card is inserted into the card slot.
• NET: Network indicator.
• PSM: Sleep mode indicator.
• PWM: PWM function indicator.
• PWR: Power indicator.

Refer to the silkscreen below the module in the EVB front figure (The module side) above for LED indicator locations.

Quick Start Guide

Hardware Preparation

• Step 1: Required Items

  • Development board
  • USB-C cable (A-to-C)
  • Windows 10 PC
  • Nano-SIM card
  • 4G antenna

• Step 2: Antenna & SIM Installation

  • Attach the provided antenna to the MAIN antenna port.
  • Insert the SIM card into the Nano-SIM slot.

• Step 3: Connect the Board

  • Power the board via USB-C.

• Step 4: Power On

  • Press and hold PWK until the power indicator light on the mainboard (labeled as POW) lights up.
  • If you short-circuited PWK_ON, there's no need to press PWK; the board will power on automatically.

  If the PWR indicator is constantly on, the EVB is successfully turned on.

Driver Installation

1. Download the QuecPython USB Driver from QuecPython Official Drivers.
2. Extract and run setup.exe or setup.bat.
3. Verify installation in Device Manager (look for "Quectel USB" ports). Ignore unrelated devices like "Mobile ECM Network Adapter."

Tool Installation

1. QPYcom: Download from QuecPython Tools. Extract and use directly.
2. VSCode Plugin: Search for "QuecPython" in the Visual Studio Code marketplace.

Firmware Burning

1. Firmware Download: Get the latest QuecPython firmware for BG95 from QuecPython Firmware Page.

2. Burning Steps:

   • Open QPYcom, select the USB REPL port, and create a new project.

   • Choose the .bin firmware file (BG95 requires .mbn format for older versions).

   • Set mode to "Download FW" and click Download.

   • For BG95, enable DM serial port before burning.

REPL Debugging

1. Connect via QPYcom and open the REPL interface.
2. Test with print("Hello World!").

First Script Development

Writing a Script

Create helloworld.py:

print("Hello World!")

File Transfer

• Method 1: Drag-and-drop files via QPYcom’s GUI.

• Method 2: Use the "Download Script" feature in QPYcom.

Running Scripts

Execute via REPL:

import example
example.exec("/usr/helloworld.py")

Stopping Program Execution

How to stop a running program. The following methods are provided according to the type of the running script file:

Low Power Consumption Testing Guide

The BG95 module supports multiple operating modes, each with distinct power consumption characteristics. The common operating modes are as follows:

ACTIVE: The module is engaged in LTE data transmission, GSM calls, or executing RTOS logic. Power consumption varies significantly depending on specific tasks and network communication standards, as both CPU power usage and RF power levels differ across scenarios.

IDLE: The module is in an idle state with hardware fully powered and RTOS running, but no active threads. It resumes operation immediately upon task initiation or incoming network activity. ECX00U series modules reduce clock frequency in IDLE mode, entering a light sleep state (disabling high-speed clocks while keeping the CPU active).

Sleep: Sleep mode requires the module to be idle with autosleep enabled. In this mode, RTOS pauses, clock frequency slows, and peripheral controllers (UART, SPI, etc.) are powered down, retaining only essential interrupt controllers to minimize power consumption.

PSM: PSM (Power Saving Mode) is a 3GPP-defined low-power mode where the module periodically wakes to perform tasks and remains in PSM sleep otherwise. During PSM sleep, behavior and power consumption resemble a powered-off state.

Power Off: The module is fully powered down, with baseband chips and peripheral controllers disabled (PMIC remains active). It can be awakened via Powerkey or RTC alarm.

Test Preparation

• Step 1: Hardware Setup

  Prepare the following components before starting:

  1. Development Board
  2. USB Cable (USB-A to USB-TypeC)
  3. PC (Windows 10)
  4. SIM Card
  5. 4G Antenna
  6. Power Monitor Mini

• Step 2: Antenna & SIM Card Installation

  Install the provided antenna into the MAIN antenna socket and insert the SIM card into the development board's SIM slot.

• Step 3: Board Connection

  Connect the development board's Type-C port to the PC using a USB Type-C cable. Attach the power monitor's positive lead to MODULE_EN's Vbat (refer to BG95 User Guide) and the negative lead to the module's GND. Connection diagram:

  

  Important!
  Remove all jumper caps during measurements to avoid external interference.

Power Consumption Measurement

Power-Off Current

With the board connected via USB Type-C, power off the module by disabling USB_VBus (set USB switch to "off" on the board's rear). Measure the current while the module is inactive (output pins pulled low/floating). Average current remains stable at microampere levels.

Idle Current

After power-off measurement, press and hold Powerkey to boot the module (default: IDLE mode). The module remains idle with RTOS running but no active threads, ready to resume instantly for tasks or calls.

Sleep Current

With autosleep enabled during idle, the module enters sleep mode by deactivating non-essential IP cores (peripherals/interrupts) and reducing clock frequency.

1. Re-enable USB_VBus.

2. Open QPYcom Tool and execute:

   import pm
   pm.autosleep(1)  # Enable autosleep
   

   

3. Disable USB_VBus again (switch to "off").
   API Reference | Details

4. Sleep current shows periodic spikes:

   

PSM Current

To enable PSM:

1. Request PSM from the base station (via ATTACH/TA_UPDATER with timer parameters).
   • Note: Base station determines final timer values.
2. Once ACT timer expires in IDLE, the module shuts down CPU/RF (partial power-off), retaining wake-up sources (ACT/TAU timers, PSM_INT).

Steps:

1. Enable USB_VBus.

2. PSM Guide | API. In QPYcom:

   pm.set_psm_time(tau_uint,tau_time,act_uint,act_time)   # Configure PSM
   

   

3. Disable USB_VBus.

4. PSM baseline current (µA-level, similar to power-off):

   

Notes:

• Confirm carrier support for PSM and configure compatible network standards (this test uses catM).
• Additional guidance.