Connecting a Raspberry Pi to a 4G cellular network opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to deploy your projects in remote locations without relying on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up a 4G connection on your Raspberry Pi, covering everything from hardware requirements to software configuration and troubleshooting tips. Let's dive in!

Why Use a 4G Cellular Network with Raspberry Pi?

Before we get started, let's explore the benefits of using a 4G cellular network with your Raspberry Pi:

• Remote Accessibility: 4G connectivity enables you to access your Raspberry Pi from anywhere with cellular coverage, making it ideal for remote monitoring, data logging, and control applications.
• Mobility: With 4G, your Raspberry Pi can be truly mobile, allowing you to track assets, monitor environmental conditions on the go, or create portable kiosks and digital signage.
• Backup Connectivity: 4G can serve as a backup connection for your Raspberry Pi in case your primary internet connection fails, ensuring continuous operation of critical applications.
• Rural Deployments: In areas where Wi-Fi or Ethernet is unavailable, 4G provides a reliable internet connection for your Raspberry Pi, enabling you to deploy projects in rural or remote locations.

Hardware Requirements

To connect your Raspberry Pi to a 4G cellular network, you'll need the following hardware:

1. Raspberry Pi: Any Raspberry Pi model with a USB port will work, but we recommend using a Raspberry Pi 4 for optimal performance.
2. 4G USB Dongle or HAT: You'll need a 4G USB dongle or HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) that is compatible with your Raspberry Pi. Make sure the dongle or HAT supports the cellular bands used in your region.
3. SIM Card: You'll need a SIM card from a mobile carrier with an active data plan. The SIM card should be compatible with the 4G dongle or HAT.
4. Antenna: Depending on the 4G dongle or HAT, you may need an external antenna to improve signal strength, especially in areas with weak cellular coverage.
5. Power Supply: Ensure you have a stable power supply for your Raspberry Pi, especially when using a 4G dongle or HAT, as they can draw significant power.

Selecting a 4G USB Dongle or HAT

When choosing a 4G USB dongle or HAT, consider the following factors:

• Compatibility: Ensure the dongle or HAT is compatible with your Raspberry Pi and the operating system you're using.
• Cellular Bands: Check that the dongle or HAT supports the cellular bands used by your mobile carrier in your region.
• Data Speed: Look for a dongle or HAT that supports high-speed data transfer for optimal performance.
• Antenna Connector: If you plan to use an external antenna, make sure the dongle or HAT has an antenna connector.
• Price: Compare prices from different vendors and choose a dongle or HAT that fits your budget.

Software Configuration

Once you have the necessary hardware, you'll need to configure the software on your Raspberry Pi to connect to the 4G cellular network. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Install the ModemManager Package:

   Open a terminal on your Raspberry Pi and run the following command to install the ModemManager package:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install modemmanager
   

   ModemManager is a software utility that manages mobile broadband (2G, 3G, 4G) devices.

2. Install the NetworkManager Package:

   Next, install the NetworkManager package, which provides a high-level interface for configuring network connections:

   sudo apt install network-manager
   

3. Configure the 4G Connection:

   Use the nmcli command-line tool to configure the 4G connection. First, find the name of your 4G modem:

   nmcli device status
   

   Look for a device with the type gsm or cdma. The device name will be something like ttyUSB2 or cdc-wdm0.

   Next, create a new connection profile for your 4G connection:

   sudo nmcli connection add type gsm ifname <device_name> con-name 4G-LTE apn <apn>
   

   Replace <device_name> with the name of your 4G modem and <apn> with the Access Point Name (APN) provided by your mobile carrier. You may also need to specify the username and password for the APN:

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   sudo nmcli connection modify 4G-LTE gsm.username <username> gsm.password <password>
   

4. Enable and Connect to the 4G Connection:

   Enable the 4G connection and connect to it:

   sudo nmcli radio wwan on
   sudo nmcli connection up 4G-LTE
   

5. Verify the Connection:

   Check if the Raspberry Pi is connected to the internet by pinging a website:

   ping google.com
   

   If you get a response, your Raspberry Pi is successfully connected to the 4G cellular network.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while setting up the 4G connection, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check the SIM Card: Make sure the SIM card is properly inserted into the 4G dongle or HAT and that it has an active data plan.
• Verify the APN: Double-check the APN settings with your mobile carrier and ensure they are correctly configured in the connection profile.
• Check Signal Strength: If the signal strength is weak, try moving the Raspberry Pi to a location with better cellular coverage or use an external antenna.
• Update ModemManager and NetworkManager: Ensure you have the latest versions of ModemManager and NetworkManager installed.
• Check USB Connection: If you're using a 4G USB dongle, try connecting it to a different USB port on the Raspberry Pi.
• Reboot the Raspberry Pi: Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve connectivity issues.
• Check dmesg Output: Use the dmesg command to view kernel messages, which may provide clues about the cause of the issue.

Advanced Configuration

Here are some advanced configuration options for your 4G connection:

Automatic Connection on Boot

To automatically connect to the 4G network when the Raspberry Pi boots up, create a systemd service file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/4g-connect.service

Add the following content to the file:

[Unit]
Description=Connect to 4G network
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/nmcli connection up 4G-LTE

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save the file and enable the service:

sudo systemctl enable 4g-connect.service
sudo systemctl start 4g-connect.service

Monitoring Data Usage

To monitor your data usage, you can use tools like vnstat or nethogs. These tools provide real-time and historical data usage statistics.

Using a Static IP Address

If you need to assign a static IP address to your Raspberry Pi when connected to the 4G network, you can configure it in the connection profile:

sudo nmcli connection modify 4G-LTE ipv4.method manual ipv4.addresses <ip_address>/<prefix> ipv4.gateway <gateway_ip> ipv4.dns <dns_server_ip>

Replace <ip_address>, <prefix>, <gateway_ip>, and <dns_server_ip> with the appropriate values.

Applications of Raspberry Pi with 4G

The combination of Raspberry Pi and 4G connectivity enables a wide range of applications, including:

• Remote Monitoring: Monitor environmental conditions, security cameras, or industrial equipment in remote locations.
• Asset Tracking: Track the location of vehicles, containers, or other assets in real-time.
• Mobile Hotspot: Create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot using the Raspberry Pi and 4G connection.
• Digital Signage: Deploy digital signage in areas without Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity.
• Remote Data Logging: Collect data from sensors in remote locations and transmit it to a central server.

Conclusion

Connecting your Raspberry Pi to a 4G cellular network is a great way to extend its capabilities and deploy it in remote or mobile environments. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a reliable 4G connection and unlock a world of possibilities for your Raspberry Pi projects. Remember to choose the right hardware, configure the software correctly, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With a little patience and persistence, you'll be able to harness the power of 4G connectivity on your Raspberry Pi. Happy tinkering!