Qualcomm Gobi 2000

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Revision as of 21:42, 21 August 2010 by Carlos.vita (Talk | contribs) (→‎Firmware)
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Qualcomm Gobi 2000

This is a Qualcomm WWAN Adapter that is installed in a Mini-PCI Express slot

NOTE!
Specific versions of this card may come pre-configured for a certain carrier (AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone UK)

Features

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Gobi 2000
  • USB ID: 05c6:9204 (loader)
  • USB ID: 05c6:9205 (modem)
  • EV-DO/CDMA (800 & 1900Mhz)
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850, 900, 1800 & 1900MHz)
  • HSPA/UMTS (800, 850, 900, 1900 & 2100MHz)
  • GPS, AGPS
  • Up to 7.2Mbps download, 5.76Mbps upload (HSPA/UMTS)
  • Up to 3.1Mbps download, 1.8Mbps upload (EV-DO)
Qualcomm Gobi 2000 WWAN Adapter

Lenovo Partnumbers

  • ThinkPad AT&T® Gobi 2000 Broadband Option 78Y1398
  • ThinkPad Gobi 2000 Broadband Option 78Y1399

Firmware

The firmware for this device is not publicly downloadable and currently must be obtained from a windows installation. The firmware consists of 3 parts:

  • amss.mbn (firmware stage 1)
  • apps.mbn (firmware stage 2)
  • UQCN.mbn (formware stage 3) - includes configuration and carrier specific settings)

Default location for the firmware can be found in the following directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\QUALCOMM\Images\Lenovo

MD5 SUM of known firmware files:

  • 84d002b0ef003cde6c95826bfbf067fe /lib/firmware/gobi/amss.mbn (STAGE 1, tested with UK T510, O2 SIM)
  • d7496085f1af3d1bfdf0fa60c3222766 /lib/firmware/gobi/apps.mbn (STAGE 2, tested with UK T510, O2 SIM)
  • 1aa5727b034dd1f371a3412d5800c1a3 /lib/firmware/gobi/UQCN.mbn (STAGE 3, UMTS unlocked, tested with UK T510, O2 SIM)

I am experimenting on an alternative way, described on the discussion page. Sebi 15:08, 15 March 2010 (UTC)

The method you describe on the talk page is in fact the same method I used to obtain these files mentioned above. We should complete the table on the talk page with information and MD5 sums for all 12 firmware options, and place it on this page, along with instructions for both methods to obtain the files. Catphish

I can confirm that the method works from the discussion page --Aneiser 16:22, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

Firmware loader

The firmware for this device must be loaded prior to using the device. The firmware loading interface is exposed over USB as id 05c6:9204 which can be accessed as a character (TTYUSB) device under Linux using the qcserial driver (modified to include correct USB IDs). The firmware can be loaded using the gobi_loader application [1].

NOTE!
Adding the correct USB IDs to the qcserial driver is NOT sufficient since the Gobi 2000 is NOT supported even in kernel 2.6.34. There are patches on the gobi_loader home page mentioned above.
NOTE!
gobi_loader stopped working with kernel 2.6.32. There are patches on the gobi_loader home page mentioned above.
NOTE!
It works with ArchLinux using kernel 2.6.35.2 and gobi-loader 0.7. Just copy the three firmware files to /lib/firmware/gobi

Modem

After firmware is loaded, the modem is exposed over USB as id 05c6:9205 which can be accessed as a character (TTYUSB) device under Linux using the qcserial (modified to include correct USB IDs). Normal dial-up software can be used to create a 3G connection.

Carrier specific configurations

Each device is intended to be used with a specific carrier, and is shipped with firmware to support that carrier. Notebooks are often also shipped with a pre-installed SIM. Other carriers may work by loading a different firmware version. The 'generic UMTS' stage 3 firmware is known to with with O2, an unsupported UK carrier. See above for a list of known firmware files.

NOTE!
It may be illegal or a breach of contract in various countries to bypass a carrier lock

Links

ThinkPads this device may be found in

AT&T service contract may be required

Verizon service contract may be required

Gobi 2000 WWAN upgradable

NOTE!
not every ThinkPad listed here can actually be upgraded
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