Advantech ICR-4233 LTE Advanced Industrial Router Hardware Manual

Product Introduction

The Advantech ICR-4233 router is a leading industrial router leveraging LTE Cat.6 technology for the EMEA and global markets. It delivers unparalleled data transfer speeds, minimal latency, and exceptional network reliability, making it ideal for demanding IoT applications across various industries, including energy, machine building, transaction management, smart cities, CCTV, and monitoring.

It supports high-speed data transfers up to 300 Mbps for downloads and 50 Mbps for uploads. All models feature GNSS geolocation with a reserved SMA connector. WiFi-equipped models offer dual-band WiFi 6/6E with 2x2 MU-MIMO antennas and Bluetooth V5.2 support.

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, two digital outputs, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion.

Key features include Low Power Mode, a hardware watchdog, secure web interface for configuration, two-factor authentication, IPv6 Dual Stack, DHCP, NAT, NAT-T, DynDNS, DNS proxy, VLAN, QoS, NTP, VRRP, SMS control, port forwarding, and connection backup. It supports various VPN protocols like IPSec, OpenVPN, GRE, L2TP, and PPTP for secure communication.

The router allows Linux scripts for automated tasks and supports up to four distinct profiles switchable via web interface, SMS, or digital input. Router Apps enhance functionality, accessible via the Advantech Router Apps webpage or public server. Compatibility with Advantech's remote device management platform, WebAccess/DMP, ensures devices remain updated and secure.

Hardware Overview

The ICR-4233 router's components are detailed below:

Front View Components

• GND Screw (M3): For proper grounding.
• LEDs: Status indicators.
• RST Button: Reboots the router or restores default settings.
• PWR (2-pin terminal): Power supply socket.
• ETH0, ETH1 (RJ45): 1 Gb Ethernet LAN interfaces.
• USB (USB-A): USB 3.0 host port.
• Serial & I/O (16-pin terminal): Two switchable RS232/RS485 interfaces, four digital inputs, and two digital outputs.
• GNSS, ANT, DIV (SMA female): Connectors for cellular module main and diversity antennas, and GNSS antenna.
• WIFI (RP-SMA female): Connectors for WiFi antennas. The right-hand side WiFi connector can also be used for a Bluetooth antenna.

Rear View Components

• Wall Clips: Standard accessories for wall mounting.
• SIM Slots (Mini SIM) & MicroSD Slot (microSD): Two Mini SIM card slots and one microSD card slot.
• DIN Clip: Standard accessory for DIN rail mounting.

Order Codes

The ICR-4233 router is available in two main configurations:

• ICR-4233: Includes LTE Cat.6 cellular module, two Gb Ethernet ports, GNSS, USB 3.0, microSD card slot, two switchable RS232/RS485 interfaces, four digital inputs, four digital outputs, and two SIM readers.
• ICR-4233W: Same as ICR-4233 but with added dual-band WiFi 6/6E.

Product Revisions

The product revision history is as follows:

• Rev. 1.0: Initial version (revision number not printed on labels).
• Rev. 1.1: Chassis features 7 SMA holes instead of 6.

The router's GUI can display the product revision under Status → General → System Information → Product Revision.

Package Contents

The standard package includes:

• Router (with pre-mounted wall clips and DIN rail clip): 1 pc
• 2-pin terminal block for power supply (installed on router): 1 pc
• 16-pin terminal block (installed on router): 1 pc
• Printed Quick Start Guide Leaflet: 1 pc

Product Dimensions

All dimensions are measured in millimeters.

Variant with Wall Mounting Clip

The router measures approximately 130 mm (width) x 90.3 mm (height) x 42.8 mm (depth) without clips. With the wall mounting holder, the total length is approximately 153.9 mm, and the height is 80 mm from the base to the top of the router, with an additional 10.2 mm for the clip extension.

Variant with DIN Rail Clip

The router measures approximately 130 mm (width) x 90.3 mm (height) x 42.8 mm (depth) without clips. With the DIN rail clip, the total height is approximately 99.6 mm, and the depth is 42.8 mm, with an additional 10.2 mm for the clip extension.

Mounting Recommendations

The router can be mounted on a flat surface, a wall using wall mounting clips, or a DIN rail (EN 60715 standard) with the metal DIN rail clip.

For switchboard installations, the router can be mounted to the switchboard to comply with EN 61439-1:2011 standards, avoiding immunity or EMC issues.

Assembly Instructions for Switchboard Mounting:

• When using whip antennas, maintain a minimum distance of 6 cm from cables and metal surfaces to avoid interference. An external antenna used outside the switchboard requires a lightning conductor.
• When mounting on sheet steel, consider using a cable antenna.
• Bundle all cables (power supply and data cables). The combined length should not exceed 1.5 m. If data cable length exceeds 1.5 m or runs towards the switchboard, install surge protectors.
• Do not bundle data cables with mains voltage cables (230 V/50 Hz or 120 V/60 Hz).
• Ensure sufficient space between connectors for cable handling.
• For proper router functionality, ground the grounding screw using an earth-bonding distribution frame.

Wall Mounting

The wall mounting clips are standard accessories. Two clips are pre-assembled and need to be rotated as shown in the manual's Figure 5 (rotated clips illustration). Each clip has two 5 mm diameter holes for screws. When attaching, tighten screws with a maximum torque of 0.4 Nm.

DIN Rail Mounting

The DIN rail clip allows mounting onto a DIN rail compliant with 60715 standards. The clip's default position is shown in the manual's Figure 6 (default clip position illustration) and can be rotated vertically if needed. When attaching, tighten screws with a maximum torque of 0.4 Nm.

To remove the router from the DIN rail, gently push down on the router to disengage the bottom part of the clip, then pivot the router away from the rail as shown in the manual's Figure 7 (removing router illustration).

Product Label

The product label provides essential information, including:

• P/N: ICR-4233W
• S/N: ACZ1100123456785 (example)
• MAC: 01:23:45:67:89:AB (example)
• IMEI: 123456789012345 (example)
• Power Rating: 9-48V ⎇ 1.5A MAX
• Manufacturer: Advantech Czech s.r.o., Sokolska 71, 56204 Usti nad Orlici, Czech Republic
• Certifications: CE, UKCA, E-mark (10R-06 14947)

First Use

Initial router configuration is performed via a web browser on a PC, enabling monitoring, configuration, and administration.

For detailed connection procedures, refer to the Configuration Manual [1], Chapter Introduction → Configuration Environments → Initial Web Configuration GUI Access.

SIM Card Slots

The router has two Mini SIM (2FF) slots (25.0 × 15.0 × 0.76 mm) located under a metal cover. Activated data-provisioned SIM cards are required for cellular communication. Two SIM cards can be installed simultaneously for switching functionality, supporting different Access Point Names (APNs).

Inserting/Removing SIM Cards: Unscrew and remove the SIM card cover. To remove an inserted SIM, gently press it into its slot until a click is heard, then release pressure for it to pop out. To insert a SIM, push it into the designated slot until it clicks into place. Replace the cover and secure with screws. If the SIM requires a PIN, enter it in the router's web interface (Administration → Unlock SIM Card).

Antenna Interfaces

The router features ANT and DIV SMA female connectors for main and diversity cellular antennas, and a GNSS SMA female connector for the GNSS antenna. RP-SMA female connectors labeled WIFI are for WiFi antennas on models supporting WiFi.

Bluetooth

The WiFi connector on the right-hand side is compatible with Bluetooth antennas. Bluetooth functionality is integrated through three components:

1. Kernel Support and Drivers: Integrated into the router's firmware.
2. Bluetooth Router App: Leverages the BlueZ Linux Bluetooth stack; requires download and installation for activation.
3. Node-RED Applications: For advanced Bluetooth functionalities, Node-RED and its Bluetooth node are available for installation.

Ethernet Interfaces

The router has two 1 Gb Ethernet LAN interfaces (ETH0 and ETH1) via RJ45 panel sockets. The pinout for the RJ45 socket is as follows:

Power Supply

The router is powered via a 2-pin terminal connector (pitch 3.5 mm), included as a standard accessory. The pinout is: Pin 1 for VCC(+) (Positive pole, +9 to +48 V DC) and Pin 2 for GND(-) (Negative pole).

The required power supply voltage is +9 V to +48 V DC. The router has built-in reversed polarity protection. All metal parts are interconnected with the negative pole of the power supply. For proper grounding, use the grounding screw (located on the side of the router, indicated by a ground symbol ⎇) with a maximum tightening torque of 1 Nm.

Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode (LPM) is recommended for applications requiring minimal power consumption, such as solar-powered systems. In LPM, the router enters a sleep state with very low power usage (15 mW). It can be awakened by a signal to the BIN1 input or after a predefined time. The lpm command can be used to activate LPM.

I/O Port Interfaces

The I/O interface connects to a 16-pin terminal block panel socket. It is not electrically isolated from the router. The pinout is:

• BIN0 (Pin 14): First digital input
• BIN1 (Pin 6): Second digital input
• BIN2 (Pin 15): Third digital input
• BIN3 (Pin 7): Fourth digital input
• BOUT0 (Pin 16): First digital output
• BOUT1 (Pin 8): Second digital output
• GND (Pins 5, 13): Ground (common negative pole)

The I/O user interface supports digital input processing and digital output control. The functional scheme involves digital inputs (max. 48V) and digital outputs (relay, max. 48V) with ESD protection. The power source for digital inputs/outputs must share a common ground with the router. The maximum digital output load is 500 mA at 48 V.

Serial Interfaces

The router has two independently switchable serial interfaces (RS232 or RS485) connected to the 16-pin terminal block panel socket. Switching is done via DIP switches located beneath a metal SIM cover.

RS232 Mode

If a DIP switch is in the upper position, the corresponding serial interface operates as RS232. Pinouts:

• First Serial Interface (RS232): Pin 1 (RXD - Received Data), Pin 2 (TXD - Transmit Data), Pin 3 (RTS - Request to Send), Pin 4 (CTS - Clear to Send), Pin 5 (GND - Ground).
• Second Serial Interface (RS232): Pin 9 (RXD - Received Data), Pin 10 (TXD - Transmit Data), Pin 11 (RTS - Request to Send), Pin 12 (CTS - Clear to Send), Pin 13 (GND - Ground).

RS485 Mode

If a DIP switch is in the down position, the corresponding serial interface operates as RS485. Pinouts:

• First Serial Interface (RS485): Pin 2 (D(+) - In/Out), Pin 1 (D(-) - In/Out), Pin 5 (GND - Ground).
• Second Serial Interface (RS485): Pin 10 (D(+) - In/Out), Pin 9 (D(-) - In/Out), Pin 13 (GND - Ground).

USB 3.0 Port

The router is equipped with a single USB 3.0 host port featuring a USB-A type socket. The pinout details are:

• VBUS (Pin 1): 5 V DC Power, 0.5 A
• D- (Pin 2): USB 2.0 differential pair -
• D+ (Pin 3): USB 2.0 differential pair +
• GND (Pin 4): Ground for power return
• StdA_SSRX- (Pin 5): SuperSpeed receiver differential pair -
• StdA_SSRX+ (Pin 6): SuperSpeed receiver differential pair +
• GND_DRAIN (Pin 7): Ground for signal return
• StdA_SSTX- (Pin 8): SuperSpeed transmitter differential pair -
• StdA_SSTX+ (Pin 9): SuperSpeed transmitter differential pair +

For detailed USB port configuration options, refer to the configuration manual [1], Chapter Configuration → USB Port.

MicroSD Card Reader

The microSD card reader is located under the SIM cover. It supports microSD memory cards with the following technical specifications:

• Supported technologies: SD, SDHC, SDXC
• Supported capacity: SDHC (up to 32 GB), SDXC (from 32 GB to 512 GB)
• Supported filesystems: vfat, ext2, ext3, ext4

Inserting/Removing MicroSD Card: To remove, use the protrusion on the SIM card cover to gently press the card into its slot until a click is heard, then release. To insert, push the card into the slot with the correct orientation until it clicks into place. Replace the SIM card cover.

Mounting MicroSD Card to the System: To access the microSD card, it must be mounted. Use the dmesg command to view recently connected devices and identify the microSD card entry (e.g., mmcblk0: p1). Then, use the mount command (e.g., mount /dev/mmcblk0p1 /mnt) to mount it to the mnt directory. For more information on file system operations, refer to the Ext4 Filesystem Utilities router app.

LED Status Indication

The router features status LEDs on its top side and on the ETH0/ETH1 connectors, providing information about its operational status:

• SIM1/SIM2: Green (active cellular connection), Red (issue: missing card or PIN not entered).
• WiFi: Green (AP or STA started), Green Brief off blinks (data transmission), Green Fast blinking (AP or STA error), Green Off (AP and STA disabled).
• SIG (Cellular Signal): Green (good), Orange (fair), Red (poor).
• USR (User-defined): Green (function is user-defined).
• DAT (Cellular Communication): Green Blinking (in progress).
• PWR (Power): Green (booting up), Green Blinking (booted up and ready), Green Fast blinking (firmware updating).
• TECH (Technology): Green (active SIM uses 4G), Orange (active SIM uses 3G).
• ETH0/ETH1 (Link Speed): Green On (1 Gbps bit rate), Green Off (100/10 Mbps bit rate).
• ETH0/ETH1 (Activity): Yellow On (network cable connected), Yellow Brief off blinks (data transmission), Yellow Off (network cable not connected).

Reset Functions

The RST button has multiple functions, including rebooting the router or restoring default settings. It can be pressed using a narrow screwdriver or a small tool. For more details, refer to the configuration manual [1], Chapter Introduction → Device → Reset.

Basic Parameters

• Temperature Range: Operating -40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F), Storage -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F).
• Humidity: Operating/Storage 5 to 95% relative humidity non-condensing.
• Altitude: Operating 2000 m / 70 kPa.
• Degree of Protection: IP30.
• Supply Voltage: 9-48 V DC.
• Battery for RTC: CR1225.
• Consumption (non-WiFi / WiFi version): Idle 4.2 W / 4.3 W, Average 5.9 W / 6.8 W, Maximum 11.6 W / 12.2 W, LPM mode 15 mW.
• Dimensions of Device (w/o clips): 130 x 90 x 43 mm (5.12" × 3.54" × 1.39").
• DIN Rail Clip Specification: DIN 35 mm, EN 60715.
• Total Weight (non-WiFi / WiFi): 505 g (1.11 lbs) / 515 g (1.14 lbs).

Standards and Regulations

• Radio: EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-2, EN 301 908-13, EN 303 413, EN 300 328, EN 301 893, EN 303 687.
• EMC: EN 301 489-1, EN 301 489-17, EN 301 489-19, EN 301 489-52, EN 61000-6-2, EN 61000-6-3, EN 55032, EN 61000-4-2, EN 61000-4-3, EN 61000-4-4, EN 61000-4-5, EN 61000-4-6.
• Safety: IEC 62368-1, IEC 62311.
• Mechanical: EN 60529, EN 60068-2-27, EN 60068-2-64.
• Climatic: EN 60068-2-2, EN 60068-2-1, EN 60068-2-14, EN 60068-2-78.
• Transportation: E-Mark (E8), homologation number: 10R - 06 14947.
• National: CE, UKCA compliant.
• Environmental: REACH, RoHS3 and WEEE compliant.

Type Tests and Environmental Conditions

• ESD (EN 61000-4-2): Enclosure contact ± 6 kV (crit. A).
• RF field AM modulated (EN 61000-4-3): Enclosure 20 V/m (80-1000 MHz), 10 V/m (1-6 GHz).
• Fast transient (EN 61000-4-4): Signal ports ± 1 kV (crit. A), Power ports ± 2 kV (crit. A), Ethernet ports ± 1 kV (crit. A).
• Surge (EN 61000-4-5): Ethernet ports ± 1 kV (crit. A), shielded cab. ± 1 kV (crit. A), Power ports ± 1 kV (crit. A).
• RF conducted (EN 61000-4-6): All ports 10 V/m (0.15-80 MHz).
• Radiated emission (EN 55032): Enclosure Class B.
• Conducted emission (EN 55032): Signal ports Class B, Power ports Class B, Ethernet ports Class B.
• Dry heat (EN 60068-2-2): Test Bb, storage +85°C, operation +75°C.
• Cold (EN 60068-2-1): Test Ab, storage -40°C, operation -40°C.
• Damp heat (EN 60068-2-78): 95% rel. humidity (+40°C).
• Dry heat, cyclic (EN 60068-2-30): +55°C / +25°C, rel. humidity 95%, 12h - 12h.
• Thermal shock/temp. variation (EN 60068-2-14): Test Nb, -40°C/+75°C, 3h/3h, 2 cycles, 3 K/min.
• Degrees of protection (EN 60529): IP30.
• Vibration, broadband random (EN 60068-2-64): Spectrum A.3 cat 1, breakpoints A.6 cat 1.
• Shock (EN 60068-2-27): 50 m/s², 11 ms, half sine, 10 in each dir.

Parameters of Cellular Module

• Antenna: Connector type SMA (ANT + DIV), Input impedance 50 Ω, VSWR ≤ 2, Input power > 28 dBm, Antenna gain < 3.6 dBi, Antenna isolation > 25 dB, Antenna correlation coefficient < 0.5.
• LTE Parameters: 3GPP R12, Supported modulations (64QAM, 16QAM and QPSK DL/UL), Supported FDD bands (B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B20, B28, B32), Supported TDD bands (B38, B40, B41), Bandwidth 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz, Peak bit rates 300 Mbps (DL), 50 Mbps (UL) @ 2 × 2 MIMO, Power class 3 (23dBm ± 2 dBm).
• WCDMA Parameters: Support 3GPP R9/DC-HSDPA/HSPA+/HSDPA/HSUPA/WCDMA, Supported modulations (64QAM, 16QAM and QPSK), Supported bands (B1, B3, B5, B8), Peak bit rates 42 Mbps (DL), 5.76 Mbps (UL), Power class 3 (23.5 dBm ± 2 dBm).

Parameters of GNSS

• GNSS Systems: GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo.
• Antenna: Connector type SMA, Input impedance 50 Ω, Frequency range 1559 MHz – 1609 MHz, Polarization direction right-circular or linear polarization, VSWR < 2:1, Power mode passive antenna only, Passive antenna gain > 0 dBi.
• Sensitivity: Cold start 39 dB-Hz, Acquisition -145 dBm, Tracking -156 dBm.
• TTFF (Time To First Fix): Cold start 40 s, Warm start 35 s, Hot start 3 s.
• Static Accuracy: Nominal accuracy 3 m.

Parameters of WiFi

• Short Description: WiFi 6/6E 2x2 MU-MIMO.
• Supported Standards: IEEE 802.11ax/ac/a/b/g/n (2T2R), DBDC (Dual-band, Dual-concurrent).
• Antenna Connectors: 2x2 MU-MIMO.
• Access Point: Up to 15 clients.
• Data Rate: Up to 450 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz, up to 950 Mbps @ 5 GHz, up to 950 Mbps @ 6 GHz. Specific rates for 802.11b (up to 11 Mbps), 802.11a/g (up to 54 Mbps), 802.11n (MCS0 15), 802.11ac (MCS0 9), 802.11ax (MCS0 13).
• Frequency Ranges: 2.412 – 2.484 GHz, 5.150 – 5.850 GHz, 5.925 – 7.125 GHz.
• Spectrum Widths: 20/40 MHz @ 2.4 GHz, 20/40/80/160 MHz @ 5/6 GHz.
• Modulation: 802.11b (DSSS), 802.11g/n/a/ac (OFDM), 802.11ax (OFDMA) with various QAMs.
• Type of Device: Access point (AP), Station (STA), Multi-role (AP & STA).
• Security - Standards: WPA, WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X.
• Security - Encryption: WEP, TKIP, AES.
• TX Power: Max. 19 dBm @ 2.4 GHz, max. 19 dBm @ 5 GHz, max. 13.5 dBm @ 6 GHz.

Parameters of Bluetooth

• Bluetooth Standards: V5.2, V5.1, V5.0, V4.2, V4.1, V4.0LE, V3.0, V2.1+EDR.
• Antenna: Shared with right RP-SMA connector.
• Frequency Range: 2.412GHz – 2.484GHz.
• Data Rate: 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps and Up to 3 Mbps.
• Modulation: Header (GFSK), Payload 2M (π/4-DQPSK), Payload 3M (8-DPSK).
• Receive Sensitivity: <0.1% BR, BER at -70 dBm.
• Output Power: ≤ +14dBm.

Parameters of I/O Ports

Electrical characteristics of the digital input:

• Logical 1: 3 V, 0.5 mA (Off)
• Logical 0: 5 V, 0.8 mA (On)
• Logical 0: 12 V, 1.6 mA (On)
• Logical 0: 48 V, 3.4 mA (On)

The maximum digital output load is 500 mA at 48 V.

Parameters of Serial Interfaces

Supported parameters for RS232 and RS485 interfaces:

• Baudrate: 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, 230400.
• Data Bits: 5, 6, 7, 8.
• Parity: none, even, odd.
• Stop Bits: 1, 2.
• Flow Control: none, hardware.

System Configuration

• CPU Architecture: Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53.
• CPU Frequency: 1.6 GHz.
• CPU Power: 2.3 DMIPS/MHz.
• Flash Memory: 8 GB eMMC (2.18 GB for Router Apps, 474 MB for customer data, 231 MB for system extensions; remaining space reserved for system).
• RAM Size: 1 GB.
• Watchdog: HW watchdog.
• RTC: Battery backup RTC.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0.
• SIM Slots: 2× SIM (Mini SIM – 2FF), 1× Chip SIM (MFF2) (not assembled by default).

Customer Support for Europe

Customer Support for NAM (North America)

Customer Support for Asia

Related Documents

Product-related documents and applications can be obtained on the Advantech Engineering Portal at https://icr.advantech.com/download. This includes the ICR-4[12]00 Configuration Manual.