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GSM and the stamp — Parallax Forums

GSM and the stamp

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-04-13 18:20 in General Discussion
Thanks Ashfaq, Kevin, and Mike!
All of your information has helped a tremendous amount.
I think I can get the project of the ground now.
I'm sure I'll be posting again when I run into trouble [noparse];)[/noparse]

Thanks again,

-- Kyle S.

Original Message
From: "M. E. M. Electronics" <memelectronics@e...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] GSM and the stamp


> Dear Kyle,
> The GSM network is growing fast as the need to transmit/receive data
over
> cell phones is increasing. The initial GSM network was Voice Stream, now
> T-Mobile. ATT and Verizon are following very close, but due to the cost
of
> modification to existing cell networks and the economy,, this is taking
> longer than expected. There are GSM modules that interface with GPS
modules
> and form their own "cell phone" transmission devices in Europe and are
> available here. Expensive. i have used them. The GSM module uses a SIMM
> card as the means to identify the cell's ESN and time paid for use. It
> slips into the phone like a credit card and a tiny module "chicklet" type
> SIMM is used in these modules. I have a SATCELL worldwide coverage phone
> that uses this same principle. Working on a similar project right now for
a
> school bus tracker device design that is the size of a match book and will
> incorporate a GSM module in phase II. Hope this helps
> mike m
>
Original Message
> From: KamaolaKid <KamaolaKid@g...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 2:36 AM
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] GSM and the stamp
>
>
> > I've been wanting to make a GPS tracking circuit for a while now, and I
> just
> > came
> > across the GPS vehicle tracking project with the stamp.
> > I can't believe that I haven't seen this before. I was planning on
using
> my
> > BS2 anyways!
> > The project I'm talking about is here:
> > http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/resources/custapps/app_gps_track.asp
> >
> > My only problem is that I don't fully understand the ins and outs of GSM
> > communication.
> > The project lists a Siemens GSM module, but there don't apear to be any
in
> > the USA.
> > Do we have GSM capability here? (sorry if I'm extremely ignorant!)
> > I have only found information for European applications.
> >
> > How does one go about using GSM? I got the impression that you need a
> > special card that
> > tracks your usage. Do I have to sign up for an account? Can I use my
> cell
> > phone provider (verizon)?
> >
> > _Any_ information would be extremely helpful.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > -- Kyle S.
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-04-13 07:36
    I've been wanting to make a GPS tracking circuit for a while now, and I just
    came
    across the GPS vehicle tracking project with the stamp.
    I can't believe that I haven't seen this before. I was planning on using my
    BS2 anyways!
    The project I'm talking about is here:
    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/resources/custapps/app_gps_track.asp

    My only problem is that I don't fully understand the ins and outs of GSM
    communication.
    The project lists a Siemens GSM module, but there don't apear to be any in
    the USA.
    Do we have GSM capability here? (sorry if I'm extremely ignorant!)
    I have only found information for European applications.

    How does one go about using GSM? I got the impression that you need a
    special card that
    tracks your usage. Do I have to sign up for an account? Can I use my cell
    phone provider (verizon)?

    _Any_ information would be extremely helpful.

    Thanks!

    -- Kyle S.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-04-13 11:39
    Hello!

    I am actually the author of that project/article! I am pleased to
    learn that it has generated some interest.

    I will try and help you with your questions:

    1. You don't necessarily have to use a Siemens module. Any GSM
    module with SMS capability via an extended set of AT commands can be
    used. You might want to look at modules made by Wavecom. I have not
    used them, I have heard good reports about them.

    2. I think that GSM is available in the US, but on a different
    frequency of 1900 MHz as compared with 900/1800 MHz here in England.
    But that does not matter at all,all this is completely tranparent to
    the user.

    3. Yes, you will need a separate account to be able to send SMS
    messages (unfortunately).

    Hope this helps.

    Best Regards

    Ashfaq


    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "KamaolaKid" <KamaolaKid@g...>
    wrote:
    > I've been wanting to make a GPS tracking circuit for a while now,
    and I just
    > came
    > across the GPS vehicle tracking project with the stamp.
    > I can't believe that I haven't seen this before. I was planning on
    using my
    > BS2 anyways!
    > The project I'm talking about is here:
    >
    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/resources/custapps/app_gps_track.as
    p
    >
    > My only problem is that I don't fully understand the ins and outs
    of GSM
    > communication.
    > The project lists a Siemens GSM module, but there don't apear to be
    any in
    > the USA.
    > Do we have GSM capability here? (sorry if I'm extremely ignorant!)
    > I have only found information for European applications.
    >
    > How does one go about using GSM? I got the impression that you
    need a
    > special card that
    > tracks your usage. Do I have to sign up for an account? Can I use
    my cell
    > phone provider (verizon)?
    >
    > _Any_ information would be extremely helpful.
    >
    > Thanks!
    >
    > -- Kyle S.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-04-13 14:48
    Hi All,
    GSM is available in the US from T-Mobile and AT&T.
    T-Mobile has been at it longer and at least in my area has better coverage
    than AT&T.
    The 'card' that you are referring to is a SIM card that you would get from
    your cell provider.
    It contains the info needed to get you onto the providers network and also
    has your cell phone number and some storage space for an address book.
    I think it's a great system since you can move between most GSM phones
    simply by switching the SIM card.
    SIM cards are available pre-paid (Pay up front) and post-paid (Monthly
    billed).
    SMS messaging included in these options varies from plan to plan.

    I have a Motorla T280 GSM phone that has both IRDA and serial/USB
    connectivity that I want to use in a future autonomous model airplane.
    It's still a pipe dream that I'm doing research on though.

    Hope this helps some,

    Kevin Lavigne


    Original Message
    From: "ashfaqjuna" <ashfaqjuna@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 6:39 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: GSM and the stamp


    > Hello!
    >
    > I am actually the author of that project/article! I am pleased to
    > learn that it has generated some interest.
    >
    > I will try and help you with your questions:
    >
    > 1. You don't necessarily have to use a Siemens module. Any GSM
    > module with SMS capability via an extended set of AT commands can be
    > used. You might want to look at modules made by Wavecom. I have not
    > used them, I have heard good reports about them.
    >
    > 2. I think that GSM is available in the US, but on a different
    > frequency of 1900 MHz as compared with 900/1800 MHz here in England.
    > But that does not matter at all,all this is completely tranparent to
    > the user.
    >
    > 3. Yes, you will need a separate account to be able to send SMS
    > messages (unfortunately).
    >
    > Hope this helps.
    >
    > Best Regards
    >
    > Ashfaq
    >
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "KamaolaKid" <KamaolaKid@g...>
    > wrote:
    > > I've been wanting to make a GPS tracking circuit for a while now,
    > and I just
    > > came
    > > across the GPS vehicle tracking project with the stamp.
    > > I can't believe that I haven't seen this before. I was planning on
    > using my
    > > BS2 anyways!
    > > The project I'm talking about is here:
    > >
    > http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/resources/custapps/app_gps_track.as
    > p
    > >
    > > My only problem is that I don't fully understand the ins and outs
    > of GSM
    > > communication.
    > > The project lists a Siemens GSM module, but there don't apear to be
    > any in
    > > the USA.
    > > Do we have GSM capability here? (sorry if I'm extremely ignorant!)
    > > I have only found information for European applications.
    > >
    > > How does one go about using GSM? I got the impression that you
    > need a
    > > special card that
    > > tracks your usage. Do I have to sign up for an account? Can I use
    > my cell
    > > phone provider (verizon)?
    > >
    > > _Any_ information would be extremely helpful.
    > >
    > > Thanks!
    > >
    > > -- Kyle S.
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-04-13 18:20
    Dear Kyle,
    The GSM network is growing fast as the need to transmit/receive data over
    cell phones is increasing. The initial GSM network was Voice Stream, now
    T-Mobile. ATT and Verizon are following very close, but due to the cost of
    modification to existing cell networks and the economy,, this is taking
    longer than expected. There are GSM modules that interface with GPS modules
    and form their own "cell phone" transmission devices in Europe and are
    available here. Expensive. i have used them. The GSM module uses a SIMM
    card as the means to identify the cell's ESN and time paid for use. It
    slips into the phone like a credit card and a tiny module "chicklet" type
    SIMM is used in these modules. I have a SATCELL worldwide coverage phone
    that uses this same principle. Working on a similar project right now for a
    school bus tracker device design that is the size of a match book and will
    incorporate a GSM module in phase II. Hope this helps
    mike m
    Original Message
    From: KamaolaKid <KamaolaKid@g...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 2:36 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] GSM and the stamp


    > I've been wanting to make a GPS tracking circuit for a while now, and I
    just
    > came
    > across the GPS vehicle tracking project with the stamp.
    > I can't believe that I haven't seen this before. I was planning on using
    my
    > BS2 anyways!
    > The project I'm talking about is here:
    > http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/resources/custapps/app_gps_track.asp
    >
    > My only problem is that I don't fully understand the ins and outs of GSM
    > communication.
    > The project lists a Siemens GSM module, but there don't apear to be any in
    > the USA.
    > Do we have GSM capability here? (sorry if I'm extremely ignorant!)
    > I have only found information for European applications.
    >
    > How does one go about using GSM? I got the impression that you need a
    > special card that
    > tracks your usage. Do I have to sign up for an account? Can I use my
    cell
    > phone provider (verizon)?
    >
    > _Any_ information would be extremely helpful.
    >
    > Thanks!
    >
    > -- Kyle S.
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
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