Manuals+

Advantech ICR-4233 LTE Advanced Industrial Router Hardware Manual

1. Product Overview

1.1 Product Introduction

The Advantech ICR-4233 router is a leading industrial router leveraging LTE Cat.6 technology, optimized for EMEA and other global markets with similar frequency spectrums. It delivers high data transfer speeds, low latency, and exceptional network reliability, making it ideal for 4G/LTE data transfers in various industrial applications. These include energy market solutions (oil/gas distribution, EV charging), remote access for machine builders, transaction management (kiosks, lottery, ticketing), smart city initiatives, CCTV surveillance, and general monitoring. The router supports download speeds up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps, suitable for demanding IoT applications in industrial routers, gateways, digital signage, industrial PCs, and tablets. All models feature GNSS geolocation with a dedicated SMA connector. WiFi-equipped models offer dual-band WiFi 6/6E with 2x2 MU-MIMO antennas and Bluetooth V5.2. Housed in a robust metal enclosure, the router includes two SIM card slots for cellular connection redundancy, two 1Gb Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 socket, dual switchable RS232/RS485 interfaces, four digital inputs, and two digital outputs. A microSD card slot is available for storage expansion. Key features include a Low Power Mode, a hardware watchdog for automated monitoring and restarts, and additional diagnostic functionalities. Router configuration is managed via a secure web interface, providing detailed insights into settings, statuses, signal strength, and logs. Basic features encompass two-factor authentication, IPv6 Dual Stack, DHCP, NAT, NAT-T, DynDNS, DNS proxy, VLAN, QoS, NTP, VRRP, SMS control, port forwarding, and connection backup. Various VPN protocols like IPSec, OpenVPN, GRE, L2TP, and PPTP ensure secure communication. The router supports Linux scripts for automated tasks and allows up to four distinct profiles switchable via web interface, SMS, or digital input. Router Apps enhance functionality through custom software, accessible on the Advantech Router Apps webpage, and can be installed/updated directly from the router web interface using an Advantech public server. Compatibility with Advantech's WebAccess/DMP and WebAccess/VPN platforms enables extensive device management and monitoring, ensuring devices remain current and secure.

1.2 Usage Examples

Cellular Internet Access

This scenario illustrates how the cellular router enables a local LAN to access the Internet via the cellular network. This functionality is unique to cellular routers, unlike LAN routers without a cellular interface. The setup involves a configured router connected to a local LAN via Ethernet, which then connects to a mobile network and another router to access the Internet. Connections can be via cable or wireless.

Backup for Internet Access

This example demonstrates how a cellular router's Internet access can be backed up. Backup options include PPPoE, Ethernet wired connections, or WiFi. The setup shows a configured router connected to a LAN via Ethernet, with backup connections (Ethernet or WiFi) to other routers that provide Internet access via a mobile network. Connections can be via cable or wireless.

VPN Networks Interconnection

This example highlights the creation of a secure VPN tunnel to interconnect a configured Advantech router with a remote network router over the Internet. The configured router connects to the Internet using the cellular network. The setup involves a configured router connected to a LAN via Ethernet, connecting to a mobile network and then to the Internet. A VPN tunnel is established from the Internet to another router connected to a remote LAN via Ethernet.

Serial Gateway

This example shows how the Advantech router provides access to a PLC device connected serially to the router. The PLC device can be controlled from a remote local network, such as one running a SCADA system, over the entire Internet network. This functionality is exclusive to routers with a serial interface. The setup involves a configured router connected to a PLC via RS232/RS485. The router connects to the Internet, allowing a SCADA system on a remote LAN (connected via Ethernet to a router) to control the PLC. Connections can be via cable or wireless.

1.3 Hardware Overview

This section describes all components of the router case.

Router Hardware Overview: Front View

The front view of the ICR-4233 router features several connectors and indicators:

Router Hardware Overview: Rear View

The rear view of the ICR-4233 router includes mounting features and card slots:

1.4 Order Codes

Order codeConfiguration
ICR-4233LTE Cat.6 cellular module, two Gb ETH, GNSS, USB 3.0, microSD card slot, two RS232/RS485 (switchable), four digital inputs, four digital outputs, two SIM readers
ICR-4233WLTE Cat.6 cellular module, two Gb ETH, GNSS, dual-band WiFi 6/6E, USB 3.0, microSD card slot, two RS232/RS485 (switchable), four digital inputs, two digital outputs, two SIM readers

1.5 Package Contents

The standard package for the router includes the following items:

1.6 Product Dimensions

All router dimensions are measured in millimeters.

Variant with Wall Mounting Clip

The router with wall mounting clips has approximate dimensions of 142.9 mm (width) x 90.3 mm (height) x 42.8 mm (depth). The wall mounting holder extends the depth to 64 mm and includes mounting holes with a diameter of 5.00 mm. The overall length with the holder is 153.9 mm.

Variant with DIN Rail Clip

The router with a DIN rail clip has approximate dimensions of 130 mm (width) x 99.6 mm (height) x 42.8 mm (depth). The DIN rail clip extends the depth to 65 mm. The overall length with the clip is 130 mm.

1.7 Mounting Recommendations

The router can be mounted on a flat surface, on a wall using wall mounting clips (refer to Chapter 1.8), or on a DIN rail EN 60715 with the metal DIN rail clip (refer to Chapter 1.9). For most switchboard applications, two environments are common: non-public industrial (low voltage, high interference) and public (low voltage, no high interference). In both cases, mounting the router to a switchboard can eliminate immunity examination or EMC issues per EN 61439-1:2011 standards.