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Cellular

The Cellular feature provides mobile network connectivity for AppBlocks devices through 4G LTE, 3G, or 2G cellular modems. This enables internet access in locations without WiFi infrastructure.

Overview​

Cellular connectivity is ideal for:

  • Remote locations without WiFi
  • Mobile and vehicle-based applications
  • Backup connectivity when WiFi fails
  • Wide-area IoT deployments
  • Industrial outdoor installations

Configuration​

Configure cellular connection with these properties:

  • APN: Access Point Name from your carrier
  • Username: APN authentication username (if required)
  • Password: APN authentication password (if required)
  • PIN: SIM card PIN code (if enabled)

SIM Card Setup​

Before using cellular connectivity:

  1. Insert activated SIM card with data plan
  2. Note the APN settings from your carrier
  3. Disable SIM PIN or configure PIN in settings
  4. Verify carrier coverage in deployment area

Connection Failover​

Configure automatic failover between WiFi and Cellular:

  • Primary: WiFi, Backup: Cellular
  • Primary: Cellular, Backup: WiFi
  • Load balancing between connections

Use the On Network Changed block to handle connection changes in your application.

Power Considerations​

Cellular modems consume more power than WiFi:

  • Plan for adequate power supply
  • Implement data batching to reduce active time

Linking to Settings​

Cellular properties can be linked to settings, allowing:

  • Multi-region deployments with different carriers
  • Field configuration without firmware updates
  • Secure credential management

Signal Strength​

Monitor cellular signal strength:

  • RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
  • Connection quality indicators
  • Network registration status

Poor signal can cause:

  • Connection failures
  • Slow data transfer
  • Increased power consumption
  • WiFi: Wireless LAN connectivity
  • Network: General network configuration
  • MQTT: Cloud messaging
  • SNTP: Time synchronization

SMS Support​

Some cellular modems support SMS messaging:

  • Send SMS notifications
  • Receive SMS commands
  • Use as backup control channel

Use the SMS Send and SMS Receive blocks for SMS functionality.

Use Cases​

Common cellular deployment scenarios:

  • Agricultural monitoring in remote farms
  • Vehicle tracking and fleet management
  • Remote environmental monitoring
  • Pipeline and utility monitoring
  • Backup connectivity for critical systems

Troubleshooting​

Common cellular issues:

  • Cannot connect: Verify APN settings and SIM activation
  • No data: Check data plan and carrier account status
  • Intermittent connection: Check signal strength and antenna
  • High latency: Normal for cellular, consider application design

See Also​