GSM Module (M2M)
Our company provides consultancy service to program, or build hardware around the GSM Modem as per customer needs. The most common application requires data logging for which we have dedicated servers, static IP address and all capability to build the desired application as per customer needs.
What is GSM Modem?
GSM modem is a device in which a SIM is inserted so that the device can communicate using GPRS, SMS or Phone call with other machines (like servers) or humans (making a phone call and sending an SMS to indicate an alarm).
Many companies offer GSM modem. These devices are available in the form of:
- OEM module from manufacturers like Simcom, Quectel, Sierra Wireless etc. Here the entire circuit board has to be built as per customer requirement with considerations like SIM insertion point, antenna, power supply requirements etc.
- Complete circuit board with OEM module loaded on top of it. It normally has RS232 or RS485 interface to communicate. In this case power supply, SIM insertion, antenna etc requirements are taken care of, but typically the downside is additional cost, large form factor and not fitting seamlessly into current project requirements.
GSM Modem from Neoteric Digital?
Our offering is way advanced than what if offered by other companies. In addition to providing the hardware in the form factor as required by the customer, we also provide an onboard microcontroller that we program as per customer requirements.
In order to exchange data between the GSM modem and a remote site, it requires very few AT commands to do. However, most of the time of the engineer of the product is spent making the communcation robust. Taking care of SIM in which recharge balance has reached zero, call drops, network disconnects, timeouts etc. In terms of code size, only 10% of the code is actually doing the communication, the rest 90% is there just to tolerate faults.
We realized the above problem very soon and hence our offering includes an industry standard, on board microcontroller that hides all problems of communications internally and the customer need to focus only on the specific application that they need to build. Further, providing server space, dedicated IP address, database connectivity etc. make developing for the GSM modem an expensive affair.