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SIM868 Mini DB

Basic Overview #

The SIM868 Mini DB Is a compact and integrated module designed specifically to be used on products and save a lot of time handling GSM & GNSS power, RF circuits and etc. The SIM868 EVB (Evaluation Board) exposes the SIM868 module, a complete Quad‑Band GSM/GPRS cellular module with integrated GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/BDS) in an easy‑to‑use board form. The EVB presents the module’s LCC+LGA form factor and standard interfaces (UART, USB2.0, GPIO, etc.) on accessible connectors and test points, so you can prototype, integrate, and validate cellular + satellite‑navigation functions quickly without custom PCB development.

Feature List #

  • Frequency Bands: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  • GPRS multi-slot class 12(default)
  • GPRS multi-slot class 1~12 (option)
  • Dimensions: 17.6*15.7*2.3mm
  • Weight: 1.3±0.1g
  • Supply voltage: 3.4 ~ 4.4V
  • Operation temperature:-40℃ ~85℃
  • Compliant GSM phase 2/2+: Class 4 (2W @ 850/900MHz)
  • Compliant GSM phase 2/2+: Class 1 (1W @ 1800/1900MHz)
  • Control via AT commands (3GPP TS 27.007, 27.005 & SIMCom enhanced AT Commands)
  • Low power consumption
  • GPRS mobile station class B

MiniDB Features #

1- Compatible with BreadBoard

2- On Board 2A Switching Regulator

3- On Board NanoSIM(4FF) socket

4- BT Antenna on board

5- GNSS active antenna circuit

 

Development Board Configuration #

The detailed assignment of the peripheral interfaces on the Development board is as follows:

NO. Name Silkscreen Comment
1 Sim card case J1 4FF SIM Card 12.3 × 8 mm
2 External Bluetooth Antenna BT ANT Johanson Bluetooth Antenna
3 External GNSS Antenna GSM ANT UFL ANTENNA
4 External GSM Antenna GNSS ANT UFL ANTENNA
5 10pin P1-P2 Header 2.54 mm
6 USB USB PORT USB interface for debugging and firmware upgrades
7 Jumper R8, R3 Short to connect internal GPS to internal UART module
The Development board has 2 functional indication LEDs, as follows:

  • D1: NETLIGHT
  • D2: Power indication LED
EICUT SIM868 Mini DB — annotated layout with SIM slot, GNSS/GSM antennas, Bluetooth pad, USB test point, GPS-to-UART jumpers, dual 10-pin headers.
Top view: SIM slot, BT antenna, external GNSS & GSM U.FL, USB test point, GPS↔UART jumpers, two 10-pin headers.

Development Board Dimensions #

EICUT SIM868 Mini DB — dimensions 36.5×26.2 mm with GNSS/GSM antenna offsets and SIM spacing.
Dimensioned top view: board 36.5×26.2 mm; GSM ANT 31 mm; BT ANT 5.4 mm; SIM slot 14 mm (7 mm margins).

Development Board Interfaces #

The main pin placement of the Development board is shown in the following figure:

EICUT SIM868 Mini DB pinout—audio MIC/MICN, SPK±, ADC, RI/CTS; GPS TX/RX; UART UTX/URX & TX/RX; DTR/DCD/RTS; VRTC; +5/GND.
Pins labeled: audio I/O, ADC, RI/CTS; GPS TX/RX; UART UTX/URX & TX/RX; DTR/DCD/RTS; VRTC; +5V/GND.

 

SIM868 Mini DB P1-P2 #

NO. Name Silkscreen Comment
P1-1 Request to send RTS You can use it as an output and input.
P1-2 VRTC VRTC Power supply for RTC when VBAT is not supplied for the system. Charging for backup battery or golden capacitor when VBAT is applied. For the allowed voltage and current values for this pin, see the bottom of the table.
P1-3 RXD RX Receive data
P1-4 TXD TX Transmit data
P1-5 DCD DCD Digital output
P1-6 DTR DTR Digital input
P1-7 GPS-TX GPSTX Transmit data
P1-8 GPS-RX GPSRX Receive data
P1-9 UART-TX U TX Transmit data
P1-10 UART-RX U RX Receive data
P2-1 Ground GND
P2-2 CTS CTS Clear to send
P2-3 RI RI Ring indication
P2-4 ADC0 ADC General purpose analog to digital converter. Vmax=2.8V, Vmin=0V
P2-5 SPK1P SPP Channel 1 positive voice output
P2-6 SPK1N SPN Channel 1 negative voice output
P2-7 MICN MICN Negative voice input
P2-8 MICP MICP Positive voice input
P2-9 Ground GND
P2-10 Power +5 Main power supply of module. Make sure that supply sufficient current in a transmitting burst typically rises to 1.6A. Vmax=4.8V, Vmin=5.5V

 

VRTC pin voltage: VImax=3.3V, VImin=1.5V, VInorm=2.8V

VOmax=3V, VOmin=2V, VOnorm=2.8V IOmax=2mA Iin≈10uA

Hint: make sure the power supply voltage is stable. The board to power up and turn on automatically without the need for a turn-off function.

Resource Download #

FAQ #

What is the SIM868 Mini DB used for?
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The SIM868 Mini DB is a compact evaluation and development board for the SIM868 module that combines Quad-Band 2G GSM/GPRS + GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/BDS) + Bluetooth in a breadboard-friendly form factor, ideal for rapid prototyping and final product integration.

What frequency bands does it support?
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Full Quad-Band: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz – works worldwide on 2G networks.

How to power the SIM868 Mini DB?
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Connect 5V to the +5 pin (P2-10) or via USB port. Onboard 2A switching regulator converts it to the required 3.4–4.4 V for the module. Peak current can reach 1.6–2 A during GSM bursts.

Does it have onboard antennas?
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Yes – Johanson Bluetooth chip antenna is onboard. External U.FL connectors are provided for GSM and GNSS active antennas (highly recommended for best performance).

How to communicate with the module?
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Use the main UART (TX/RX) pins (P1-3 & P1-4) or USB port (appears as virtual COM port). Full AT command control via 3GPP TS 27.007/27.005 + SIMCom enhanced commands.

How to access GNSS (GPS) data?
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Two options:
• Use separate GPS UART (GPSTX/GPSRX – P1-7 & P1-8)
• Short jumpers R8 & R3 to route GPS NMEA data to the main UART.

What do the LEDs indicate?
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D1 (NETLIGHT): Network status (64 ms ON/800 ms OFF = searching, 64 ms ON/3000 ms OFF = registered)
D2: Power indication (ON when module is powered)

Does it support voice calls and audio?
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Yes – differential MICP/MICN and SPK1P/SPK1N pins are available on the header for connecting a microphone and speaker.

What are the board dimensions?
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Compact size: 36.5 × 26.2 mm – perfect for breadboard use and embedding into final products.

What is the operating temperature range?
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Industrial grade: −40 °C to +85 °C operation.

Updated on November 19, 2025

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