Setting up GSM modem (v2.0.1 - v2.2.5)

GSM modem is used to send sms-notifications and to receive sms-commands.

Configuring GSM modem

Before GSM modem can be used, you have to fill in the fields in the GSM modem properties window.  Go to "GSM Modem" → "Edit" → "Edit GSM modem":

• Name – the name of GSM modem, "GSM Modem" by default; 

• PIN – PIN code of SIM card.  This field can be empty if PIN code is deactivated on SIM card; 

• SMS Center – the number of SMS centre.   At connection the number is read from the SIM card.  After editing the changes are saved on SIM card;

• Allowed numbers – the list of numbers that are allowed to send SMS commands.  SMS commands from any other number will not be executed. The number must begin with a "+".

Fields describing the status of GSM modem:

• IMEI – unique number that identifies the GSM modem;

• State – the state of GSM modem;

  
  

  • not connected – GSM modem is not connected;

  • low – GSM modem is initiating or  disconnecting; 

  • normal – GSM modem is ready to send SMS;

  • warning – occurence of a one-time error that does not affect the overall operation of the GSM modem;

  • alarm – occurence of error that does not allow further operation of GSM modem.

• Network status – network status:

  
  

  • registered in Operator – registered in network  Operator;

  • registered – registered in network;

  • not registered – not registered in home network;

  • registration denied – registration in home network is denied.

• GSM status – general status of GSM modem:

  
  

  • not found – GSM modem is not found; 

  • found, not ready – GSM modem is found but is not ready for operation;

  • found, ready – GSM modem is found and is ready for operation.  In addition, this field shows errors that occur during operation of GSM modem e.g.error sending SMS.

• Signal strength – the level of signal, values range from 0% to 100%.

To save the settings press "Save".  In order to avoid repeating the procedure every time you connect monitoring system, the settings should be saved in the flash memory of the system.  Go to " System menu" → "Save settings to flash".

SMS notifications

To add recipient of SMS notification go to "Add"→"Add Mailer SMS":

• Name – name of notification.  Can be random ( name, recipients position etc.) , "SMS" by default;

• Phone number – the recipients phone number.  The number must begin with a  "+". 

• Message – the text of the message, can be in any language.  The length of the message which contains latin characters is max 160, cyrillic characters - 70.  If the length of the message exceeds this limit the SMS is split into several parts.  In addition, this field allows you to edit macros (1%-7%) which insert the real values of the variables instead of the text. 

To send a test message press "Send sms".  The macros in the message text will be displayed in its original form (% ..). To save the notification properties, click "Save". 

After filling in the properties of notification , you must specify the event, at occurence of which SMS notification  will be sent. To do this, go to "Preferences" → "Logic schemes"→ "Add" and specify the conditions for sending SMS notifications. 

For each new recipient you have to repeat the procedure of adding SMS notification.   

Before messages are sent they are queued up,  which means you do not have to wait until the previous message is sent.  The information on all SMS sent is displayed in the log of monitoring system.

If an error occurs while sending a message, the log displays "SMS send error" and indicates the error number.  The most common error is 515 (Ps busy), which can occur when:

• not enough credit on the SIM card; 

• wrong SMS centre number;

• low signal level ( less than 15%) in the home network;

• wrong SMS format ( the number must begin with a "+") or the number is invalid.

If these points do not cover your case, try to reboot the system.  In addition, try to send SMS from your mobile phone, make sure the SMS centre number is the same.

SMS commands

SMS-commands are used for remote control of monitoring system. Using these commands, you can read the state and the measured values of sensors, control  relays or outlets. Phone numbers from which the SMS commands will be sent, should be added to the list of allowed numbers in the modem properties ( Right click on modem icon "Edit GSM modem" → "Allowed numbers").  In response to each SMS-command,  a response SMS will be sent.  In case of an error, an SMS will be sent with information about the error and an example of command. An SMS can contain only one command for only one element.

Command: reading sensor (relay, outlet) parameters

Function. get [id] or get [name], where id – number of the element, name – name of the element. Field "get" is not case sensitive, both can be used Get, GET.  Field "name" is case sensitive.

Description.  This command checks the state of the sensor or relay (outlet) and sends response SMS to the phone, from which the command was sent.

Examples.

• “get 1034” - to obtain information about the sensor with number 1034;

• ”Get Analog-1” - to obtain information about the state of the element with the name of Analog-1;

• “GET Relay-2” - to obtain information about the state of the element with the name of Relay-2.
    
  See section "Macros in the notification text" in Setting up GSM modem (v2.0.1 - v2.2.5) for further information.
  

Command: setting state of relay/outlet

  Function. set [id] [state] or set [name] [state], where id – number of the element, name – name of the element, state – state to which relay/outlet switches. Field "set" and "state" are not case-sensitive. Field "name" is case-sensitive.  Field "state" can be in the following states:  on – switch on, off – switch off.

 Description. This command switches the relay ( outlet) in accordance with state parameter. In response it sends an sms notification to the phone number, from which the command was received,  with result of the command.

 Examples.

• “set 1004 on” - switch on relay with number 1004;

• ”Set Relay-1 on” - switch on relay with name Relay-1;

• “SET Relay-2 Off” - switch off relay with name Relay-1;

• “set 1005 OFF” - switch off relay with number 1005.

Command: setting impulse of relay/outlet

 Function. set [id] [name] pulse [duration], where id – number of the element, name – name of the element, duration – duration of delay in seconds. Field "name" is case sensitive.  The range of values for field "duration" is from 1 to 120.  

 Description. This command switches the relay ( outlet) two times with a temporary delay specified as a "duration" parameter in seconds.  

Examples.

• “set 1004 pulse 15” - pulse is sent to the relay with number 1004 with delay time of 15 sec;

• “SET Relay-1 PULSE 110” - pulse is sent to the delay with name Relay-1 with delay of 110 sec;

• “set Relay-2 pulse 10” - pulse is sent to the relay with name Relay-2 with delay of 10 sec.

For errors related to GSM modem, leave comments on this page.  Please indicate the firmware version of your monitoring system ( "System menu" → "About this system" → "Firmware version"). 

Sending SMS from PC

You can use an external program to send SMS directly from your PC.  An example of such program and example of code in C can be found here:

http://sky-control.com:8090/download/attachments/1966111/920_sms.zip?version=1&modificationDate=1340695719493

The zip file Adobe AIR contains application and an example of code in C.  To follow the example please use the following command in console:

gcc -O2 -o sendsms sendsms.c

To send SMS you can use a free software such as cURL:

Script example of sending SMS

developer notes: linkchange