Quectel SC696S Series: Multi-mode Smart LTE Module with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
The Quectel SC696S Series is a new generation of multi-mode Smart LTE Cat 4 modules featuring a built-in Linux OS. Based on the QCM6125 high-performance 64-bit octa-core processor with an integrated Adreno™ 610 GPU, it is designed for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications requiring high data rates and multimedia functions. The SC696S series is available in three variants: SC696S-EM, SC696S-NA, and SC696S-WF (which supports only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
The module supports Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology, utilizing multiple antennas on the same frequency band to minimize bit error rates and optimize data speed. It also includes a multi-constellation GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo, QZSS, and SBAS) for fast and accurate positioning.
A comprehensive set of interfaces, including LCM, camera, touch panel, UART, USB, I2C, I2S, and SPI, are integrated to extend its applicability across various M2M applications. These include smart cash registers, smart POS systems, tax control machines, smart safety devices, on-board equipment, high-end information acquisition systems, smart robots, smart homes, smart hardware, industrial smart handheld equipment, drones, audio and video recorders, smart interphones, smart wearables, vending machines, and logistics cabinets.
The module has physical dimensions of approximately 43 mm x 44 mm x 2.85 mm.
Key Features
- Exceptional system performance based on Qualcomm 64-bit octa-core ARM Kryo™ 260 processors
- Built-in Qualcomm high-performance Adreno™ 610 graphics engine
- Worldwide LTE, UMTS/HSPA+, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE coverage
- MIPI DSI support for resolutions up to 1920 × 1200 @ 60 fps or 1080 × 2520 @ 60 fps
- Supports a maximum of 6 cameras, with two concurrently working cameras
- Multi-constellation GNSS receiver for fast and accurate fixes in any environment
- Recording and playback of 4K videos @ 30 fps
Core Technologies:
- ARM Kryo™ 260 64-bit Processor (Octa-core)
- Qualcomm Adreno™ 610 GPU
- Yocto Linux (Kernel 4.14)
- LTE Cat 4 (Max. 150 Mbps UL / 50 Mbps DL)
- IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 5.0 (BR/EDR + BLE)
- GPS/ GLONASS/ BDS/ Galileo/ QZSS/ SBAS
- Powerful Multimedia Function
- LCC + LGA Package
Specifications
| Feature | SC696S-EM | SC696S-NA | SC696S-WF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region/Operator | Europe/India/Korea/South Asia/Latin America/Australia/South Africa | North America | Global |
| CPU | QCM6125 Kryo Gold: high-performance quad-core processor @ 2.0 GHz Kryo Silver: low-power quad-core processor @ 1.8 GHz | QCM6125 Kryo Gold: high-performance quad-core processor @ 2.0 GHz Kryo Silver: low-power quad-core processor @ 1.8 GHz | QCM6125 Kryo Gold: high-performance quad-core processor @ 2.0 GHz Kryo Silver: low-power quad-core processor @ 1.8 GHz |
| Memory | 2 GB LPDDR4X + 16 GB eMMC | 2 GB LPDDR4X + 16 GB eMMC | 2 GB LPDDR4X + 16 GB eMMC |
| OS | Linux (Kernel 4.14) | Linux (Kernel 4.14) | Linux (Kernel 4.14) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 43 x 44 x 2.85 | 43 x 44 x 2.85 | 43 x 44 x 2.85 |
| Package | LCC + LGA | LCC + LGA | LCC + LGA |
| Weight (g) | Approx. 12 | Approx. 12 | Approx. 12 |
| Temperature Range | -35 °C to +75 °C | -35 °C to +75 °C | -35 °C to +75 °C |
| Operating Temperature | -35 °C to +75 °C | -35 °C to +75 °C | -35 °C to +75 °C |
| Frequency Bands | |||
| LTE-FDD | B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28 | B2/4/5/7/12/13/14/17/25/26/66/71 | - |
| LTE-TDD | B38/39/40/41 (200 MHz) | B41 (200 MHz) | - |
| WCDMA | B1/2/4/5/8 | - | - |
| EVDO/CDMA | Quad-band | - | - |
| GSM | Quad-band | - | - |
| WLAN | 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR/ 3.0/ 4.1 LE/ 4.2 BLE/ 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR/ 3.0/ 4.1 LE/ 4.2 BLE/ 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR/ 3.0/ 4.1 LE/ 4.2 BLE/ 5.0 LE |
| GNSS | GPS/ GLONASS/ BDS/ Galileo/ QZSS/ SBAS | GPS/ GLONASS/ BDS/ Galileo/ QZSS/ SBAS | - |
| Certifications | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Carrier | Europe: CE* Australia/New Zealand: RCM* UK: UKCA* Global: GCF* | America: Verizon*/ AT&T* | - |
| Regulatory | RoHS/ REACH | America: FCC* Canada: IC* Global: GCF* North America: PTCRB* | Europe: CE* Australia/New Zealand: RCM* America: FCC* Canada: IC* South Korea: KC* |
| Others | RoHS/ REACH | RoHS/ REACH | RoHS/ REACH |
| Data Rates | |||
| LTE-FDD (Mbps) | 150 (DL)/ 50 (UL) | 150 (DL)/ 50 (UL) | - |
| LTE-TDD (Mbps) | 130 (DL)/ 30 (UL) | 130 (DL)/ 30 (UL) | - |
| DC-HSPA+ (Mbps) | 42 (DL)/ 5.76 (UL) | - | - |
| WCDMA (kbps) | 384 (DL)/ 384 (UL) | - | - |
| EDGE (kbps) | 296 (DL)/ 236.8 (UL) | - | - |
| GPRS (kbps) | 107 (DL)/ 85.6 (UL) | - | - |
| Enhanced Features | |||
| 3GPP E-UTRA Bandwidth | 1.4/3/5/10/15/20 MHz | 1.4/3/5/10/15/20 MHz | - |
| Rx-diversity | |||
| DL MIMO 2×2 | • | • | - |
| (U)SIM Card Detection | • | • | • |
| Dual-SIM Dual-Standby | • | • | • |
| Firmware Upgrade via USB | • | • | • |
| Firmware Upgrade OTA | • | • | • |
Notes:
• : supported
-: not supported
*: planning/under development
Interfaces
| LCM | 4-lane MIPI DSI, supports up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 fps or 1080 x 2520 @ 60 fps |
| Camera | 3 groups of 4-lane MIPI CSI, up to 2.1 Gbps per lane. Each group of 4-lane can be divided into (2-lane + 1-lane), supports up to 6 cameras, supports 2 concurrently working cameras. Dual-ISP, supports up to (16 MP + 16 MP) or up to 24 MP. |
| Touch Panel | Capacitive touch panel |
| Video | Encode: 4K @ 30 fps; HEVC/H.264/VP8 Decode: 4K @ 30 fps; HEVC/H.264/ VP8/VP9, 1080P @ 30 fps MPEG-2 |
| USB | × 1, supports USB 3.1 Type-C interface, compatible with USB 2.0 |
| DP | × 1, supports up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 fps, currently DP is only compatible with USB 2.0 |
| (U)SIM | × 2, supports 1.8/2.95 V (U)SIM cards; supports (U)SIM card hot swap detection and dual-SIM dual-standby |
| SD Card | × 1, SD 3.0, supports 4-bit SDIO |
| ADC | × 2, general-purpose ADC interface |
| UART | × 3 Debug UART: 2-wire serial port, specialized for debugging use UART03: 2-wire serial port UART00: 4-wire serial port, supports RTS and CTS hardware flow control with maximum data rate of 4 Mbps |
| I2C | × 2 |
| SPI | × 2 |
| I2S | × 1 |
| PWRKEY | 1.8 V, internally pulled up |
| GPIO | × 20 |
| Antenna | × 4, Main, Rx-diversity, GNSS, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas respectively (SC696S-WF: × 1, Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth antenna) |
Electrical Features
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.55-4.4 V, typ. 3.8 V |
| Power Consumption (Typical) | 100 μA @ power off; 5.5 mA @ sleep mode |
