GSM Shield Sim900a PDF
GSM Shield Sim900a PDF
GSM Shield Sim900a PDF
GSM SHIELD
COMPATIBLE WITH ARDUINO
GSM SHIELD USING SIMCOMM
(SIM900A)
Contents
1 Description ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 SIM900 ........................................................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Features ...................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 Specifications for Fax ................................................................................................................ 6
1.4 Specifications for SMS via GSM/GPRS .................................................................................... 6
1.5 Software features ...................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Enhanced version has following features .............................................................................. 7
Applications ............................................................................................................................... 8
GSM Shield
1
Description:
The GSM shield by Arduino is used to send/ receive messages and make/receive calls just like a
mobile phone by using a SIM card by a network provider. We can do this by plugging the GSM shield
into the Arduino board and then plugging in a SIM card from an operator that offers GPRS coverage.
The shield employs the use of a radio modem by SIMComm. We can communicate easily with the
shield using the AT commands. The GSM library contains many methods of communication with the
shield.
This GSM Modem can work with any GSM network operator SIM card just like a mobile phone with
its own unique phone number. Advantage of using this modem will be that its RS232 port can be used
to communicate and develop embedded applications. Applications like SMS Control, data transfer,
remote control and logging can be developed easily using this.
The modem can either be connected to PC serial port directly or to any microcontroller through
MAX232. It can be used to send/receive SMS and make/receive voice calls. It can also be used in
GPRS mode to connect to internet and run many applications for data logging and control. In GPRS
mode you can also connect to any remote FTP server and upload files for data logging
This GSM modem is a highly flexible plug and play quad band SIM900A GSM modem for direct and
easy integration to RS232 applications. It Supports features like Voice, SMS, Data/Fax, GPRS and
integrated TCP/IP stack.
To be connected to a cellular network, the shield requires a SIM card provided by a network
provider.
Most recent revision of the board makes the connection of the shield with the Arduino Uno board by
connecting its TX to pin 0 of Arduino and pin 1 of Arduino to RX of shield.
For different components of the GSM shield, consult figure 1 and figure 2:
FIGURE 1
ANTENNA
DB9
CONNECTOR
ARDUINO CONNECTING
PORT
GSM
SIM900
BUZZER
DC JACK
SIM SLOT
SIM JACK
JACK FOR
HEADSET
FIGURE 2
1.1
SIM900A:
This is an ultra compact and reliable wireless module. The SIM900A is a complete Dual-band
GSM/GPRS solution in a SMT module which can be embedded in the customer applications allowing
you to benefit from small dimensions and cost-effective solutions. Featuring an industry-standard
interface, the SIM900A delivers GSM/GPRS 900/1800MHz performance for voice, SMS, Data, and
Fax in a small form factor and with low power consumption. With a tiny configuration of 24mm x
5
1.2
1.3
1.4
Features:
Dual-Band 900/ 1800 MHz
GPRS multi-slot class 10/8
GPRS mobile station class B
Compliant to GSM phase 2/2+
Class 4 (2 W @900 MHz)
Class 1 (1 W @ 1800MHz)
Dimensions: 24*24*3 mm
Weight: 3.4g
Control via AT commands (GSM 07.07, 07.05 and SIMCOM enhanced AT Commands)
SIM application toolkit
Supply voltage range: 3.1- 4.8V
Low power consumption: 1.5mA(sleep mode)
Operation temperature: -40 C to +85C
1.5
Software features:
1.6
FOTA
MMS
Embedded AT
1.7
1.8
Compatibility:
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
The board should be powered with an external power supply that can provide current between 700mA
and 1000mA. Powering an Arduino and the GSM shield from a USB connection is not recommended,
as USB cannot provide the required current when the modem is in heavy use.
So instead we have to use 12V adapter.
The modem can pull up to 2A of current at peak usage, which can occur during data transmission.
APPLICATIONS:
ON BOARD INDICATORS:
The shield contains a number of status LEDS:
ON: It shows that the shield is getting power and is switched on.
NET: This LED blinks when the modem is communicating with the radio network.
NETWORK LED:
The Network LED indicates the various states of the GSM module i.e. POWER ON, NETWORK
REGISTERATION and GPRS CONNECTIVITY. When the modem is powered up, this
NETWORK LED will blink every second. After the Modem registers in the network (it takes 10-60
seconds), this LED will blink in step of 3 seconds at slow rate. At this stage we can start using the
modem for our application. This shows that the modem is registered with the network.
RECEIVING A MESSAGE:
For reading SMS in the text mode:
10
First we connect our Arduino Uno to the Computer or Laptop to see which COM port will be
used to burn the program from the computer or laptop. This also provides power to the Arduino
Uno
Next we supply power to the GSM shield (supply only 12V to the GSM shield from the power
jack using the adapter) which is going to be used for our program
For GSM programs, only 2 pins, RX and TX are to be used mainly. So we require only these
two pins of the Arduino Uno. These pins are pins 0 and 1 of the Arduino Uno
Next burn the required program in The Arduino Uno using the software
Then connect the GSM shield to Arduino such that RX, TX of the shield is connected to the
TX, RX of the Arduino Uno.