Sixfab 5G Raspberry Pi 5 Kit Featuring Quectel RM502Q-AE M.2 Module

The New Sixfab 5G HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 features a Raspberry Pi HAT powered by the Quectel RM502Q-AE 5G Sub-6GHz M.2 module for global use (excluding China). Additionally, the HAT features a unique internal antenna designed by SixFab for Sub-6 frequency bands and comes with a USB 3.0 bridge connector.

The Quectel RM502Q-AE is a versatile 5G module for Internet of Things or Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) applications. It supports 5G Sub-6 GHz frequencies and can transmit high-speed data with downlink rates up to 5 Gbps and uplink rates up to 650 Mbps. Its M.2 form factor and support for MIMO technology make it a powerful choice for applications like industrial routers, PDAs, and rugged tablet applications.

The Quectel module used in this HAT has support for GNSS, but the company decided to deactivate this feature instead they chose to utilize the USB 3.0 port on the Raspberry Pi for connection. This can be due to the lack of documentation available for the new PCIe connector for RPi 5.

The company indicates that the module is not exclusive to the Raspberry Pi 5; since it communicates via USB, it is also compatible with NVIDIA Jetson Nano, Beaglebone, Asus Tinkerboard, NXP i.MX 8 devkits, and regular Windows and Linux PCs, drivers for which are available on their website.

Seeing the design of this board I initially thought that the GPIOs on the RPi would be free to use, but after going through the documentation it was clear that some of the GPIO pins are used to control a fan, turn on/off HAT, select the SIM, access the user button-the user LED and power LED, and some other features.

Key Features of the Sixfab 5G Modem Kit for Raspberry Pi 5

• Sixfab 5G Modem HAT for Raspberry Pi 5:
  • Includes M.2 socket for 5G module.
  • Nano SIM card holder and embedded SIM support.
  • USB 3.0 port and 40-pin GPIO header for Raspberry Pi 5 SBC connection.
  • User button for easy interaction.
  • Status, power, and user (GPIO21) LED indicators.
  • EEPROM for Raspberry Pi HAT compliance.
  • 2-pin fan connector for cooling.
  • Power supply through 5V USB Type-C port (on HAT).
  • Dimensions: 88.1 x 57.7 x 21.7 mm.
  • Approvals (FCC, IC, CE, UKCA) are in progress.
• Quectel RM502Q-AE M.2 Module:
  • Supports 5G NR: 3GPP Release 15 NSA/SA operation, Sub-6 GHz.
  • LTE Category: DL Cat 20/ UL Cat 18.
  • Maximum data rates:
    • 5G SA Sub-6: Up to 4.2 Gbps (DL)/450 Mbps (UL).
    • 5G NSA Sub-6: Up to 5 Gbps (DL)/650 Mbps (UL).
  • Host interfaces: USB 3.1 or PCIe 3.0.
  • Dimensions: 52 x 30.0 × 2.3 mm.
  • Weight: 8.4 grams.
• Additional Components:
  • Extra tall 40-pin GPIO stacking header.
  • Power supply: 5.1V 3.0A DC adapter with universal plugs.
  • Plastic spacer kit.

The Sixfab 5G modem kit for Raspberry Pi 5, although compact, remains a high-cost option. The module kit can be purchased for $450 on the company’s website.

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