NB-IoT / LTE-M Cellular Module Quectel BG77 – RAKwireless RAK5860

The RAKwireless RAK5860 adds cellular IoT connectivity to WisBlock solutions using the Quectel BG77, supporting LTE-M (Cat M1) and NB-IoT (Cat NB2). It is described as a modular, production-oriented building block that must be combined with a WisBlock Core and a Base module, and is designed to work with the RAK5005-O baseboard to bring cellular communication to the final application.

A key benefit is using cellular as a backhaul when your deployment sits outside Wi-Fi coverage or beyond LoRaWAN gateway reach. Depending on system design, it can be used as a bridge/gateway link to move data from local LoRa nodes over LTE. For positioning, the module offers optional GNSS, supporting both GPS and GLONASS.

Integration is straightforward using the Quectel AT command interface. In the WisBlock stack, the module connects to the core microcontroller via UART. For debugging and evaluation, a Micro-USB connector is used for sending AT commands, data transmission, and receiving GNSS NMEA output.

Hardware integration features include MHF/IPEX antenna connectors for external LTE and GNSS antennas, plus Nano SIM and eSIM options. The module also includes status indication LEDs. For battery-powered designs, WisBlock can fully power down the module to reduce system power consumption (system dependent).