SIM7600 from SIMCOM provides a built-in GPS functionality. However, by default, GPS function is not enabled automatically. Here’s my approach to enable the GPS functionality of SIM7600 on IGT-30.

Before we start to send the command, make sure SIM7600 is well installed. Check the device folder and see the corresponding kernel devices presents. In my case on IGT-30, I could see /dev/ttyUSB0 to /dev/ttyUSB4. These might change if there’s other devices on you IGT-30.

To start GPS on SIM7600 manually, send the following AT command to /dev/ttyUSB2

AT+CGPS=1

For test, minicom is a good choice. You can type and send AT commands and see the response immediately. Otherwise, it’s equivalent to send the command using echo:

echo -n -e "AT+CGPS=1\x0d\x0a" > /dev/ttyUSB2

After GPS started, SIM7600 will automatically and continuously send NMEA sentences out via /dev/ttyUSB1.

It’s also possible that SIM7600 starts GPS automatically once power on. To enable the auto start of GPS, use the following AT command

AT+CGPSAUTO=1

If auto start is enabled, the SIM7600 installed in IGT-30D automatically send NMEA sentences to /dev/ttyUSB1 after the boot of IGT-30D completes. You can install services like gpsd to deal with the GPS services. For simply checking if GPS works or not, use the following command

cat /dev/ttyUSB1

If GPS is enabled successfully, you will see NMEA sentences dumped on the screen.