Disable cellular when not in use? Power Savings?

Sixfab Pico LTE
1

Is there any way programmatically to disable cellular to save power? I’m only uploading once and hour and would like to save power in between.

Thank you.

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2

I may have just solved it. I assume I can do the following:

at_command = “AT+QPOWD”
response = atcom.send_at_comm(at_command)

and then run picoLTE = PicoLTE() to reinitialize it before an upload. I’d like to get some confirmation that this is the correct method.

3

I haven’t tested that method. If you’re using MicroPython, the SDK has power_on() and power_off() functions in modules/base.py. That’s the method I have been using. However, it powers off the entire B95 unit.

I have a use-case where I’d like to continuously monitor the GPS, which should be lower power than the WWAN, but it seems like the B95 unit must be on and drawing full power in my testing. When I have tested, there is no difference in power consumption between the GPS and the WWAN running, but GPS is usually a lower-power device. GPS units typically consume 9 mA to 20 mA. Regardless of either the WWAN or GPS is on, it consumes 70 mA. Has anyone found a way to turn on the GPS and get lower than 70 mA? Does @cclontz’s suggested AT command work?

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4

It seems like you are trying to achieve lower power consumption while running the GPS on the Quectel BG95 module.

Based on your tests and the information provided, it’s important to note that: AT+QPOWD is used to power down the module entirely, including both WWAN and GPS functionality. When you send the command, the module will power off and the network will be deactivated. However, keep in mind that this command turns off the whole module, which is why you are not seeing the expected lower power consumption for GPS alone.

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5

Is there a way to power down just the WWAN?

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