Description

The WiFiX WG3526-P 4G LTE router has been a great choice for custom builds and applications.  The WiFiX WG3526-P is custom manufactured for The Wireless Haven to accommodate dual powering options–using its 12 volt 2.5A wall adapter, or its Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities.

For outdoor or remote installations, the WG3526-P may be powered using a 48 Volt 60W-100W Gigabit Power over Ethernet POE injector like our 48V 72W Gigabit PoE Injector into the WAN Ethernet port.  This is a powerful option for installing the WG3526-P (or just its PCB) inside one of our external outdoor antennas (with enclosure), an outdoor router enclosure, or in a remote area where power is not readily accessible.  This brings custom installations to a whole new level.

NOTE: In order to simplify the installation of  Mini PCI-E modems (or adapters for M.2 modems), our WiFiX WG3526-P routers are equipped with metal pillars (see picture below).  These pillars replace the normal four white plastic modem spacers–which can be problematic–and secures the modem tightly in place.

 

 

This metal pillars simplify installations of a Mini PCI-E modem as well as a Mini PCI-E to M.2 adapter when using M.2 modems.  No longer is it necessary to remove the router PCB from its case for installation of these components with the WiFiX WG3526-P.

Our WiFiX version of GoldenOrb firmware comes preinstalled on our WG3526-P to further simplify the build process.

NOTE: Cellular service providers may require activating a specific data plan to use on a cellular internet device.   The carriers are constantly updating and/or modifying existing cellular plans.   It is the customer’s sole responsibility to assure a compatible cellular plan is available prior to purchasing cellular related components.

The WiFiX WG3526-P routers were special equipped to better accommodate our customer’s needs.  The WG3526-P now includes:

• WiFiX version of GoldenOrb preinstalled (Updated 09-10-2021)
• 2 x U.FL to SMA Bulkhead Antenna Connector Pigtails (pre-installed)
• 2 x 4G LTE Antennas
• 2 x 2.4GHz Antennas
• 2 x 5GHz Antennas
• 12 Volt 2.5 Amp Power Adapter
• 48V PoE onboard (PCB) power module
• 2 x Screws to mount Mini PCI-E modem or M.2 adapter
• Wall mounts, screws and lags
• Cat5e Ethernet Cable

The WG3526-P requires a Standard (Full) sized SIM Card.  A SIM Card Adapter is generally required when using a Nano or Micro sized SIM card (i.e., from a phone or hotspot device) .

NOTE: The WG3526-P is a PoE version. It can be powered either via the included 110v to 12vdc wall power plug, or via 48V poe input at the WAN port.

MODEM SELECTIONS:

The most popular Sierra Wireless modems to use with the WG3526-P are the Sierra Wireless CAT7 EM7411 (with FirstNet Band14, Band 71, and band 66 support), the Sierra Wireless CAT12 EM7565, and the Sierra Wireless CAT12 EM7511 (which has the AT&T FirstNet Band 14).

The most popular Quectel modems to use the WG3526-P are the Quectel CAT6 EM06-A , the Quectel CAT12 EM12-G and the Quectel CAT20 EM20-G  modems.

 

The Sierra Wireless MC7455 modem is a Mini PCI-E modem and requires no additional hardware or pigtail cables to internally install in the WG3526-P.

The Sierra Wireless EM7455, EM7411 , EM7511, EM7565, and the Quectel EM06-A and EM12-G are M.2 form factor modems.

All M.2 form modems require a Mini PCI-E to M.2  Key B adapter (with or without optional SIM Card slot) to be used for internal modem installation in the WG3526-P.

The M.2 modems have MHF4 antenna connector ports and require one 5″ (or 8″) and one 10″ MHF4 to SMA Female Bulkhead pigtails (to replace the U.FL pigtails) to use with the WG3526-P.

Note:  The Telit LM960A18, as well as Quectel EM20G and EM160, modems are 4 x 4 MIMO modem which has four MHF4 modem connector ports (as opposed to two ports on the other 2 x 2 MIMO modems listed), and requires two additional pigtails for installation. We have a selection HERE

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1. The MC7455 is not recommended for Sprint Band 41 (unless provisioned via Sprint) as it may experience random disconnects.

 

Antenna Upgrades:

The WG3526-P stock cellular antennas may be upgraded to any of the following cellular antennas:

• 700-2700MHz Rectangular 3.5dBi-4dBi 4G LTE Omni Antenna with SMA Male Connectors (PAIR)
• 600-3800MHz Cellular Omni-Directional Paddle Antennas (SMA Connectors) PAIR
• 698-2700MHz Cradlepoint 3dBi 4G LTE Omni Antenna (PAIR)
• 700-2700MHz 5dBi Cellular Hotspot Omni-Directional Antennas (SMA Connectors) – Pair

A significant number of customers are upgrading the WG3526-P stock antennas with the Cisco LTE Omni Antenna Kit.

The Cisco antennas use TNC connectors (as opposed to SMA).  The WG3526-P antenna pigtail cables must be upgraded to match that of the modem’s antenna connector ports to install the Cisco antenna upgrade:

• The Mini PCI-E  modems (see above) require two U.FL to TNC Female Bulkhead connector pigtails, one 5 inch pigtail and one 10 inch pigtial to install the Cisco antenna kit.
• The M.2 modems (see above) require two MHF4 to TNC Female Bulkhead connector pigtails, one 5 inch pigtail and one 10 inch pigtail to install the Cisco antenna kit.

 

* Note: The two existing SMA connector cutouts in the WG3526-P router case must be enlarged/drilled to 15/32″ to accommodate the larger TNC bulkhead connectors.

 

Outdoor External Cellular antenna(s) may also be suitable to obtain adequate (and usable) cellular signals in rural and/or remote locations.

 

WG3526-P 4g LTE Tutorials:

See this LTE FIX IT tutorial for steps on building and configuring the router and modem.  Note that the WG3526-P comes with WiFiX version of GoldenOrb so this step can be ignored.

See this  LTE FIX IT tutorial for building the WG3526-P Router.

See THIS TUTORIAL for installing and configuring the WG3526-P inside our DM25x19 MIMO Antenna Enclosure. The process is similar for all of our outdoor enclosure antennas and enclosure units.

 

Hardware Overview:

The WG3526-P is equipped with the MT7621, the latest MediaTek processor. The MT7621 Wi-Fi SoC Dual-core CPU boasts a powerful clock frequency up to 880 MHz MIPS® 1004KEc™.

The new SoC includes proven hardware support for Network Address Translation (NAT), Quality of Service (QoS), SAMBA, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and others routing and tunneling applications. It is ideal for high performance 802.11ac, LTE CAT3/4/6 modems, hotspots, VPN routers, NAS, AC (Access Point Controller) and smart routers. Moreover, the MT7621A applies low-power technology and fits into the WG3526-P’s design with good power dissipation.

The router provides for five (5) Gigabit Auto MDI/MDIX Ethernet ports, a Mini PCI-E (mPCIe) slot for modems, a SIM card slot, a USB 3.0 port, a Micro SD card slot, and a SATA 3.0 slot.

 

Wireless (Wi-Fi) Overview:

The WiFi supports IEEE802.11 AC/N/G/B/A protocol with a maximum wireless rate of 1200 Mbps. It is equipped with four (4) removable 5dBi high gain Wi-Fi antennas for better coverage in large areas.

Note:  The WiFi capabilities on the WG3526-P routers may be less than optimal for providing WiFi to a family with multiple devices.  While some find it sufficient, home installations for family/multiple users/devices, may discover the WG3526-P is best used strictly as the modem/gateway (to provide the internet) and connected to a quality dual band (2.4/5GHz) WiFi router or Access Point to provide the WiFi component.  The WG3526-P would be then be connected (via an Ethernet cable) from one of the LAN ports on the WG3526-P to the WAN port on the WiFi router or Access Point.

 

Software Overview:

WiFiX version of GoldenOrb comes pre-installed on the WG3526-P which may be upgraded to a compatible openWRT based firmware of your choice.