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Dell Latitude Rugged 12 (7202) - WWAN installation tutorial?
I received the subject tablet as a factory refurb a few days ago which is nicely optioned - except for omission of WWAN card during build configuration (sadly, confirmed by Service Tag). My primary objective buying this rugged tablet is as an additional navigation aid while driving remote 4WD trails. I installed U-Blox U-Center (V 8.23) control panel and have that running. So, position is being tracked but without Google Earth interface where cell signals are available (obviously, not in the backcountry).
Dell new order configs shows: "DW5808E Gobi5000 4G/LTE Wireless WAN Card for Verizon (Windows 8.1/10)", with Verizon being my service provider. From that, seems I can buy a WWAN card online from USA sellers for prox US $60 (vs US $186 factory installed), so cost for a mobile broadband card isn't an obstacle.
Questions:
1) Is there an online tutorial with images (or video) on how to disassemble the Rugged 12 tablet for access to install a WWAN card? Need to determine if this is a DYI or professionally done installation.
2) Are GPS antenna wires/terminals already in place, even when not factory-equipped with WWAN?
3) Is this specific card equivalent and compatible?:
"QUALCOMM 4G EM7355 SIERRA AIRPRIME 4G LTE WWAN NGFF MODULE CARD N7NEM7355 2NDHX"
Hoping for definitive replies. Thanks in advance for any help provided...
2deds
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February 15th, 2017 14:00
Hello
I have an experience of installing WWAN module into Dell Latitude Rugged 12 (7202). Here are the answers to your questions:
1. No, there isn't. But you can find the disassemble guide for 7204 on youtube. Also you can find the pictures of disassembled 7202 on ebay. It is pretty easy to disassemble the tablet. You just have to find all the screws on the back (pay attention to battery slots) and remove them. That is all! If you are accurate enough you can insert and connect the module without disconnecting the wires between the back case and the screen.
2. Yes, the wires are there and it is easy to locate the WWAN slot. You have to connect the antennas the way to match the colors of triangles on the WWAN board to the colors of antenna wires.
3. All EM Series Sierra Wireless Cards should work. EM7355 have max download rate 100Mbps. The most advanced model is EM7455 (Dell DW5811E). It will work almost all over the world including US and should be 3 times faster for downloading (in theory). The card can be easily found on ebay for about $100. It is better to buy the card made for DELL (DW5811E). The card made for Lenovo should also work, but you will have to change the device PID and reconfigure it.
Also you can upgrade the firmware of you WWAN Card to the latest release from source.sierrawireless.com according to your provider.
If you prefer to buy EM7355 for Verizon you can also reconfigure it with AT commands and reflash to use with other carrier.
Hope it helps
DELL-Jesse L
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January 12th, 2017 07:00
DD85541,
You can click the link below to download the online manuals for this system.
Manuals & documentation for your Latitude 7202 Rugged Tablet
http://dell.to/2jnmWIp
External Antenna
External Antenna Specifications
Item Description
External Antenna Dual RF pass-through capability (WWAN/WLAN)
I cannot verify if the "QUALCOMM 4G EM7355 SIERRA AIRPRIME 4G LTE WWAN NGFF MODULE CARD N7NEM7355 2NDHX" card will work in this unit. Dell has not tested the card.
DD85541
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January 12th, 2017 08:00
^^^ Jessie L, thanks for your reply which I do appreciate...
I reviewed all the listed document downloads before posting my questions but didn't find answers. As to the specific mobile broadband card, I'm willing to buy the appropriate part number directly from Dell if listed as an available part or accessory. The item I referenced was "best guess" extrapolation based-on Dell's online build configurator card description as well as viewing website catalog listings (in that case, Sierra Wireless).
Was hoping for definitive guidance here before ordering anything or opening up the Rugged 12 "blindly"...
DD85541
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February 16th, 2017 07:00
Wow, the definitive reply I was hoping for. Thanks so very much for sharing!
Since posting my question 5 weeks ago, I haven't proceeded further with ordering any WWAN card. Googling the generic topic of retrofitting revealed a comment that even with WWAN installed, it might not work if the motherboard Dell installed isn't configured or compatible for mobile broadband service.
I did view a youtube video on 7204 disassembly and I'm comfortable doing that. I also appreciate your mention of the specific Sierra WWAN model number optimal (as of current technology) for this particular application. Looks like I'm back on track. Thanks again...
DD85541
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May 12th, 2017 20:00
^^^ Your reply to my thread originally posted January 2017 prompted me to come back with updates...
I heeded advice posted by 2ded on 15Feb by ordering the specific Sierra WWAN mobile broadband card recommended. It was easy to partially disassemble by removing the back cover for access to the card slot. Rather than disassemble even further, I enlisted a friend for a "second set of hands" using supplemental lighting and small needlenose pliers to aid in attachment of antenna wires to the newly installed WWAN card without damaging anything. Polarity orientation was fairly obvious upon visual inspection, however I had googled specific color coding before disassembly.
This was eBay seller's description on specific card I bought:
Dell Sierra Wireless DW5811E EM7455 Qualcomm WWAN NGFF Card 3MDGK
All went well, so off to Verizon to get a SIM card and have the Rugged 12 tablet added to my account. I chose Verizon's recently offered 5GB data plan with unused rollover to following month (only), since no need at this point for their not-so-unlimited U-Plan. The Dell Rugged 12 is working like a champ wherever cell signal is in range.
LouisCyphre
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May 12th, 2017 20:00
Dell doesn't put the service manual for the 7202 online. I asked about it so I could upgrade the hard drive to a 512 GB since my refurb only came with a 128 GB.
normohmd
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May 10th, 2018 12:00
JosephGT2
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January 19th, 2024 15:47
Hi, Trying to install a wwan card into a dell 7214-rugged. I know that this is an older system so I figured installing intel DW5809e would be easy. The only issue that I'm having is configuration of the antenna,s. A picture with a wwan card already installed would help me out a lot. Thanks for any of your time to help with this. Joseph.S