New SMS module for SIM800/900/etc

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-24 by @gfwilliams

Hi!

Just an update to say that I've added a new module for SMS text messaging, to be found here: http://www.espruino.com/ATSMS

This works on most Espruino devices, and should work on most different types of GSM modem - but let me know if not!

For instance for Puck.js, I used D1 and D2:

// Connect to serial device
Serial1.setup(115200, { rx: D1, tx : D2 });
var ATSMS = require("ATSMS");
var sms = new ATSMS(Serial1);
//Use sms.at.debug(); here if you want debug messages

sms.init(function(err) {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log("Initialised!");

  sms.list("ALL", function(err,list) {
    if (err) throw err;
    if (list.length)
      console.log(list);
    else
      console.log("No Messages");
  });

  // and to send a message: 
  //sms.send('+441234567890','Hello world!', callback)
});

sms.on('message', function() {
  console.log("Got a message!");
});

Note that using the serial port on Puck.js causes it to keep the oscillator on so it can receive serial data. This uses a bunch of power, so it'd be worth trying to power your Puck.js from the 3.3v regulator on your GSM module (which they usually have).

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-24 by user79451

Will try to work with it, thanks!

Did you come across a serial command to power the GSM on and off, for a sim800?

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by @yerpj

As far as I know the SIM800/900 family can only be powered on and off with the PWRKEY pin.

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by @gfwilliams

As far as I can tell there isn't a way - there's some kind of 'sleep mode', but that may not be enough.

It's easy enough to wire that pin up to Espruino - and then I think you use digitalPulse(pwr_pin, 1, 2000) - the pin actually needs a pulse on it for ~2 seconds to wake/sleep the SIM800.

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

But shouldn't it be able to simply connect and disconnect the whole module like you would normally. And then turn it on when you need it? Would it always need a physical press of a button to get going? Must be some kind of hack to achieve that...

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by @gfwilliams

I'm not sure I understand?

The modules usually have a PWR pin - and Espruino/Puck.js can just pulse that with digitalPulse to turn the SIM800 on or off.

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

that is what i was thinking, then it uses zero. And for sending an sms, just turn it on first :)

Thanks again

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

maybe an AT command for turning on/off the cellular radio would have the same effect as far as power consumption is concerned, do you know if such an AT command exists?

Mind you my thinking isn't hindered by practical experience... AT commands maybe deal with just the network, not the inner workings of the module itself

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by @gfwilliams

I don't think there will be an AT command (except for sleep modes). It's serial, so you need a computer on the other end to listen for the serial data - hence the modem is never going to be able to shut down fully if you intend to wake it up with an AT command.

The PWR pin is just one extra wire though - bringing the total to 5. It's not that bad!

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

still waiting for my sim800L, just not seeing a power on the board, not all models seem to have that.

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by @gfwilliams

Do you have a link to the board that you ordered?

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIM800L-V2-0-5V-Wireless-Quad-Band-GSM-GPRS-Module-SMA-Antenna-UK-Seller-New-/201496725359

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-25 by user79451

would be happy to get another one if needed though.. if you know a more suitable one

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-26 by @gfwilliams

Ok, it looks from https://buyhere22.com/components/sim800-gsm-3.pdf like you can do:

sms.at.write("AT+POWD=1\r\n");

which will power down the SIM800 - then presumably you can pulse the Reset wire (which is on that breakout board) to reset it and start it back up again.

It's a bit more of a faff though.

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-26 by user79451

ok, will take some time to try this.

What a brilliant thing it is, best toy ever :)

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-28 by user79451

Is there a way to get the response back in the console when i send an AT command?

second,

The AT+POWD=1 command is problematic, it turns the phone off, but after ten seconds it automatically restarts.

Is there an easy way to 'physically' take the 5v off off the SIM800 controlled by the Puck? The Sim800 needs 5v with up to 2 amps so can't get power from the Puck itself right.

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-28 by @MaBecker

Is there an easy way to 'physically' take the 5v off off the SIM800 controlled by the Puck? The Sim800 needs 5v with up to 2 amps so can't get power from the Puck itself right.

you can use a mosfet to switch the Sim800 on and off, check this link:

http://www.espruino.com/mosfets

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-07-29 by user79451

perfect, going to try that.

Thanks!

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-07-31 by @gfwilliams

To get a response back, take a look at what I do in the module itself: https://github.com/espruino/EspruinoDocs/blob/master/modules/ATSMS.js#L111

You can use at.cmd - which sends a command and returns the response (or undefined if there was no response after a timeout)

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-08-06 by ferdinand

when you use a mosfet to swith the gsm module on and off, and you use a serial connection to control the gsm with Rx,Tx, V and GND, would it be possible to use the V and GND from the serial connection to also turn the gsm on?

Since they are on and off at the same time.. That would save you connections to the board

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-08-06 by ferdinand

I just realized that the serial connection doesn't need the 3V. It is just ground, Tx and Rx right?

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-08-07 by @gfwilliams

Yes, that's right - just the 3 wires. I'd still recommend using the AT POWD command to shut it off and then just use the RST wire to start it up - no mosfet required.

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-08-08 by ferdinand

sorry, how can i send any AT command?

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-08-08 by @gfwilliams

I mentioned a few posts ago: http://forum.espruino.com/conversations/308106/#13762713

[espruino-discuss2]

Posted at 2017-08-08 by ferdinand

ah sorry.

I see, it is the AT+CPOWD=1 or =0 command, it turns off the connection, but red light stays on on the phone, and after ten seconds or so the phone restarts and the connection comes back up.

[gfwilliams]

Posted at 2017-08-08 by @gfwilliams

I guess they must have wired the module up in such a way that the SIM800 can't turn itself off properly - realistically the RED LED is probably just wired across the power lines as well.

So yes, it looks like your only option is to turn the module on and off with an FET/similar - unless you bought a different module that had the power pin exposed - which might be an easy option?

Which microcontroller are you using? Puck.js isn't 5v tolerant, which can cause issues if you turn the module on and off by switching the actual voltage line (rather than GND). If you disconnect GND then the voltage on the data wires will rise to the voltage on the power lines (I guess that of a LiPo battery?) which will be too much for the microcontroller.

In that case you'd have to use something like a PFET to switch the positive voltage wire.