LILYGO T-SIM7080G S3

Overview

The LILYGO T-SIM7080G S3 is a cellular IoT development board combining the ESP32-S3 microcontroller with the SIMCom SIM7080G multi-band NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1 module. It is specifically designed for M2M (machine-to-machine) applications including utility metering, asset tracking, remote monitoring, and e-health devices.

The SIM7080G modem provides low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) connectivity through both NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1 protocols, supporting global frequency bands for worldwide deployment. In Power Saving Mode (PSM), the board consumes only 2.5mA, making it highly suitable for battery-operated remote IoT devices that need to operate for extended periods.

The board also features a QWIIC connector (configured for UART, not I2C) and a camera connector for expanded functionality. The ESP32-S3 handles local processing, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity, while the SIM7080G manages cellular communication through AT commands.

Firmware Compatibility

• Arduino: Supported via the Espressif Arduino core. Use the TinyGSM or LILYGO sample libraries for cellular AT command communication.
• ESP-IDF: Native Espressif framework with full feature access.
• MicroPython: Supported via ESP32-S3 MicroPython port.

Sample code and AT command examples are available in the GitHub repository.

Flashing Guide

1. Connect the board via USB-C cable to your computer.
2. If the port is not recognized, hold BOOT and press RESET to enter download mode.
3. Select ESP32S3 Dev Module in Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
4. Flash the firmware using your preferred tool.
5. Insert a nano SIM card into the SIM card slot before powering up for cellular operations.
6. Use AT commands via serial to communicate with the SIM7080G module.