Hi, Tjaart

many thanks for your more exaustive answer. I have send EMAIL to your
colleague for pricing.


Ciao


Leonardo De Palo

-----Messaggio originale-----
Da: Tjaart van der Walt <tjaart@wasp.co.za>
A: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Data: marted“ 3 novembre 1998 14.28
Oggetto: Re: PIC & SMS GSM


cacciavite@bigfoot.com wrote:
>
> Hi PICer,
>
> I have been a request to send an SMS GSM when certain phisical fact
happens
> (alarms, door switch , ecc).
>
> This seems a perfect application for PIC, but I am now more confused about
> the best and cheap way to comunicate to the cellular phone.
>
> Do you know what is the best and cheap GSM telephone suited for this kind
of
> application??
>
> Thanks for your suggestion.

There are five ways to do it :
1) Open up a phone, hack the communication bus, and connect a PIC.
   Advantages : You can get a phone from your corner store
   Disadvantages : You violate the full type approval (FTA) required
   to operate on any GSM network. A phone is also way unstable,
   because it was designed to be switched off/on every day.
   This is guaranteed to get you into trouble.

2) Get a GSM modem with FTA and CE. Connect this to your PIC.
   Advantages : You get FTA, the full command set, and support.
   The modem is also cheaper than a phone. Some modems (like
   ours - grin) are designed to stay switched on. A PIC12C508
   on the board does some general housekeeping to protect you
   from runaway situations. You can use the modem's power
   supply (6V 1A) to power your application. You also get an
   application to help you get going with SMS. Mounting the
   device is also easier if you have real mounting holes!
   Disadvantages : You can't buy one in the corner store.

3) Buy a ready product with FTA, CE and system/database software
   that can do for you what you want.
   Advantages : We already have a proven GSM based product that
   has 4 inputs, 2 relay outputs, and 3 open collector outputs.
   (It's driven by a PIC16C77) You don't need any development.
   Disadvantages : You can't buy one in the corner store.

4) Buy a GSM development platform.
   Advantages : You get processor time to add your own functionality.
   Disadvantages : The development system is very expensive. There
   is an extremely steep learning curve. You are on your own with FTA.

5) Buy a GSM engine and connect it to your PIC.
   Advantages : You could save a few bucks per unit if you buy
   in bulk.
   Disadvantages : You have to get FTA (US$100 000 per design).
   You also have to buy a pile of them at a time to get any
   discount. You have to go through a steep learning curve to
   get your PCB design to work OK, and to pass CE.

We can help you with options 2,3, and 5 (>100k quantity).

For quantities 1-1000 option 2) is easier and cheaper to start off.
For quantities 1000-50000 option 3) may be better.
For quantities >50000, option 5 is best.

If you want to have a look at the modem, go to
http://www.wasp.co.za/~tjaart/gcomspecs.html

If you want more info on the ready-made product in Europe, you
could also have a look on our swedish partner's web page at
http://www.cellpt.com/

--
Friendly Regards          /"\
                          \ /
Tjaart van der Walt        X  ASCII RIBBON CAMPAIGN
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