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GSM/GPRS & GPS modem with SIM900/SIM908 module

By on April 6, 2012

Allows you to create data connections on the GSM network through a standard USB interface.

The cellular modems, particularly USB-stick ones, are now at very affordable prices, however they’re limited: they are explicitly designed for Internet connections, so you cannot use it as a normal modem and so implement, for example, a point to point data communications with them. The GSM modems that allow this are quite rare, and so we create and offer you one: it is a device for PC with an USB interface with “voice” functions: there is a jack for a speaker and one for microphone.

The circuit is made simple by the adoption of a mobile phone module of Simcom SIM908 and SIM900 of the SIMCom. The USB connection is implemented with the aid of a converter TTL / USB type FT782M. Our modem is ideal to perform data links without access to the GPRS network or in any case to the Internet and allows, for example, the use in point-to-point mode, locators GPS / GSM or GSM only so as to obtain instantly data positioning and follow moves on live. In short, it allows direct data connection with another modem or mobile phone provided of a modem, but without going through the web: connections are made directly to the GSM data channel.

 

Wiring diagram

The circuit consists in a Simcom module and a few discrete active and passive electronic components; the conversion interface from TTL to USB is a small module that applies to USB contacts and connects to RX and TX cell module.

The connector carries power supply (Vcc, contacts 17 and 19 – GND, contacts 18 and 20) in addition to the power-on signal (PWR), and all signals and serial communication lines to and from the GSM module.

The ON/OFF line is connected to a R/C circuit that, at power of the entire circuit, considering that C11 is discharged puts it to hte logical zero; this condition leaves the transistor T2 of the mobile phone module interdict and maintains logical 1 to the PWR Contact of the SIM900/SIM908. When the capacitor is charged enough to saturate the T2 transistor, these places at the bottom level the PWR line of the GSM and turn on the mobile phone.

 

There are two contacts for the microphone (differential input) and two contacts for the speaker: pins 19, 20, 21, 22, which correspond respectively to MIC1P and MIC1N (positive and negative) and SPK1N and SPK1P (respectively negative and positive of the speaker).

The antenna of the GSM module is connected directly on the PCB of the cell on a special type of miniature coaxial MMCX connector.

The main power is provided by the 5 volts coming from USB, the absorption of the mobile phone module does not exceed the granted limit (500 mA) from this type of connection.

C1 and C2 filter the voltage and D1 and D2 subtract about 1.4 volts, because SIM900/SIM908 work with a maximum of 4 volts, filtered by C3 and C4 to reduce noise (note the resistor R1, which discharges such capacitor when the circuit is private of supply).

Light emitting diodes LD1 and LD2 are used to monitor data traffic, respectively, received on the RX line and sent from the TX.

 

Bill of materials

R1: 330 ohm
R2: 47 ohm
R3: 47 ohm
R4: 4,7 kohm
R5: 56 kohm

C1: 100 nF
C2: 470 µF 16 VL
C3: 100 nF
C4: 470 µF 16 VL
C5: 47 pF
C6: 47 pF
C7: 47 pF
C8: 47 pF
C9: 47 pF
C10: 47 pF
C11: 220 µF 16 VL

D1: 1N5819
D2: 1N4007

GSM: GSM (FT900M or FT971)

LD1: LED 3 mm red
LD2: LED 3 mm yellow
LD3: LED 3 mm green

USB: TTL/USB (FT782M)

female strip 2×10 via 2 mm
Jack  3,5mm (2 pz.)

Use of the modem

To use our modem first must install a virtual serial port loading on the computer FT232RL drivers, downloadable for free from www.ftdichip.com .Once the drivers are installed, connect the modem, with USB/mini-USB cable, and wait while it is found and the drivers are actually installed.

After that, you can already use the product by opening a terminal window (Windows Hyper Terminal is fine …) you can handle the modem by issuing the AT commands for the SIM900/SIM908.

The communication session from a terminal must be opened on the virtual COM assigned by the operating system with the following parameters: speed 115.200 bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, hardware flow control disabled.

 After starting the communication session with Hyper Terminal, the screen shows all the time diagnostic information and other data coming from the SIM900/SIM908 modem; into the screen you can give appropriate commands, perhaps starting with a reset (ATZ). You can also do a simple test first, giving the command ATD NNNNNNNNN where NNNNNNNNN is the number to dial, putting the number of mobile phone with a modem and pressing Enter, you will see soon the phone’s display the incoming data message.If you give the command ATD NNNNNNNNN followed by ; the call will be on a normal mode (vocals) and the called phone display will show only the incoming call alert.

Related posts:

  1. Localizer with SIM908 module
  2. GSM Module – SIM900
  3. Small Breakout for SIM900 GSM Module
  4. GSM Remote Control – GSM Module
  5. GSM localizer without GPS – Part 3
    GSM/GPRS Module

About Boris Landoni

Boris Landoni is the technical manager of Open-Electronics.org. Skilled in the GSM field, embraces the Open Source philosophy and its projects are available to the community.

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  • mostafa

    Dear Sir/madam

    We’re a software development company from iran
    and we plan to develop arealtime positioning system
    using personal GPS trackers.
    Please inform us if your personal tracker devices
    support GPRS communication , and if so,we appreciate
    your contribution on providing us with the necessary
    technical information or documentation.

    Best regards
    Mostafa Ghassemi

    • Hassan S

      Dear Mostafa, My name is Hassan.
      We usually do projects related to GPS tracking and remote monitoring using GPRS.
      My skype ID is : hassanshirazi53
      Please connect with me for more information

  • http://www.open-electronics.org Boris Landoni

    Hi,
    our system uses the SimCom modules:
    http://wm.sim.com/producten.aspx?id=1019
    http://wm.sim.com/producten.aspx?id=1024
    This modules have teh GPRS functions

  • Gundeep

    Hi, I’m trying to connect two computers using GSM to establish a data call for serial data transmission. I’m also using SIM900 module on a shield, connected to the computers using FTDI cable.

    When I try to initiate a data call it says “No Carrier” but when I initiate a voice call it connects easily. I can even send sms without any problems.

    Do I need to change any settings in the module for the data call?

    Regards

  • http://www.open-electronics.org Boris Landoni

    To do a Data call you have to write :
    ATD 3452454658

    without ;
    If you write

    ATD 3452454658;
    you make a voice call.

    Also you ave to wait the phrase CONNECTED 9600 (if I remember correctly :-/ )

  • Gundeep

    hey Boris!

    I tried that, with a semi-colon, it makes a voice call but without one, it just replies “No Carrier”.

    Did you change any other setting for the SIM900 module?
    Could it be because of the SIM Card? Is the one you are using a normal SIM card? Did you activate any special plans/settings from your service provider?

    Thanks & regards,

  • joon

    Hi Boris !
    I’m also using SIM900 module to design a gsm/gprs modem.
    The power supply is from USB (5V-500mA),as your circuit on this site,i use 2 Diots 1n5819 and 1n4007 to get 4V output.
    Now is the problem :
    +When power plugs in,power led is bright,status led is bright,netlight led is blink fast…but after 10 seconds,netlight led turns to be black and it continues blinking fast,status led is too,i understand it’s now in reset mode because it cant find any phone networks.I’ve checked my schematic and no problem can be found,so maybe the problem is current.
    +Sim900 need 2000mA to active GSM mode,but USB current ‘s just 500mA so i think that’s problem ?
    Can you explain my problem ? Any solution for that ?
    Thanks !

  • http://www.open-electronics.org Boris Landoni

    Hi, I’m using some big capacitor to give the right current. The USB give no more 500mA but the capacitors control the spike.

  • http://www.gonzobrains.com Jeff Gonzales

    Can you take off the USB adapter and use serial directly?

  • http://www.open-electronics.org Boris Landoni

    You have to use a RS233/TTL converter, like the MAX232

  • R 396

    My notes for others:

    Link to product: http://store.open-electronics.org/GSM_GPRS_GPS_modem

    Need to buy small breakout for SIM900 GSM module (or other), USB to serial converter and antenna. (all on the shop)

    I received instructions in Italian. The USB to Serial sheet points to selecting 5V or 3.3V for the TX/RX lines. I found it worked with 5V which as shown in the diagram on the supplied (italian) instruction was the centre and left connections to bridge.

    I found the “modem” capability this circuit provides is provided by the GSM chip and is Circuit Switched Data http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_Switched_Data
    so you should CHECK YOUR OPERATOR supports this before buying.

    CSD is not always supported and often requires activation. Although wikipedia says otherwise, I believe CSD will be phased out over the coming years.

    http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/documentation/tutorials/arduino-gprs-gsm-quadband-sim900 is a good reference for the same GSM chip so commands etc are the same. It is important 0D 0A (carriage return and line feed are at the end of your AT commands. (most terminal programs add them auto)

    Hope this helps someone, these are purely my experiences. I’ve little actual knowledge.

    • BorisLandoni

      Thank you

      • Rowell

        sir,

        do u have a code for sending an SMS and also to make a call for SIM908???

        • BorisLandoni

          You have to see the AT command.
          IE to make call ATD xxxxxxx;

      • Rowell

        i had already the GMS-GPRS-GPS Arduino SHield… I buy last month here…

  • ms

    How accurate can the gprs code get? Meaning, is it only down to the cell tower.

    • BorisLandoni

      Whato do you mean?

  • http://www.facebook.com/zeratool Zera Tool

    Sir,

    Can this be plugged in a linux pc?

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