frejus
Hi guys, I came here and registered because I saw the excellent youtube video about the dronecell and the APM. I would like to do the same, as to me this is way safer than the 3DR 433 modems I am using which are pretty bad quality. First, trouble is I do not see a dronecell available any longer from 3DR Second, I am missing some necessary steps to dial in from MP into the dronecell. - connect the lapop to the phone modem - write two notepad files, one for a function, and the other one to run it with a slow loop - Run MP and connect though UDP to the APM Is that correct ? I do not understand how you make it that MP runs those two text files when starting ? Thank you very much for your patience
Sinamics
Hi Frejus and welcome. Dronecell are out of stock at 3dr, but you could just buy another board. Search google for sim900 or sim900d (same chip as in Dronecell). You could basically just hook up your laptop with Terminal program and write the AT comands manually "AT V1 E1 X1 S0=0" // Set error response and do not pickup on ring "AT+CREG=2" // Set various notice messages and parameters "AT+CMEE=2" "AT+CR=1" "AT+CRC=1" "AT+CSNS=4" "AT+CSMINS=1" "AT+CSCLK=0" "AT+CIURC=1" "AT+CGEREP=2" "AT+CIPMUX=0" "AT+CIPMODE=1" "AT+CIPCCFG=8,15,15,0" "AT+CMUX=0,0,4,127,10,3,30,10,2" "AT+CSTT=\"internet.public\"" //Set you APN "AT+CIICR" //open GPRS "AT+CIFSR" // Get local IP address EDIT #1 "AT+CIPSERVER=1,1234" //Start the TCP server, listening port:1234 ONLY FOR TCP. Not used when UDP "AT+CIPSTART=\"UDP\",\"\",\"14550\"" // Start the UDP server and when modem has contected you could just connect TX/RX from your APM to sim900 and start your stream to e.g mission planner. Mission Planner does not run any text files, i think you are refer to APM software code?? If you want blind connection, you could add those AT commands to software.
frejus
That is fantastic, thank you very much ! Will definitely give it a try and let you know the outcome.
frejus
Quick one please ; I am going through the web chasing for a SIM900, but they all look different to each other, and even more to yours on the video. Would it be like that one : http://www.robotshop.com/eu/fr/module-gprs-gsm-sim900-itead.html or rather like that one : http://www.amazon.fr/SainSmart-Compatible-SIM900-Arduino-1900MHz/dp/B006CHEY6Q/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1422960567&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=sim900 Any advice highly appreciated :-)
Sinamics
Posted By: frejus Quick one please ; I am going through the web chasing for a SIM900, but they all look different to each other, and even more to yours on the video. Would it be like that one : http://www.robotshop.com/eu/fr/module-gprs-gsm-sim900-itead.html or rather like that one : http://www.amazon.fr/SainSmart-Compatible-SIM900-Arduino-1900MHz/dp/B006CHEY6Q/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1422960567&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=sim900 Any advice highly appreciated :-) This one will definitely work: :) http://www.robotshop.com/eu/fr/module-gprs-gsm-sim900-itead.html
frejus
OK, ordered, thank you
frejus
Great, I received the SIM900, but I must do something wrong as it does not seem to talk to my PC. Aaargh :-) 1- I made a step-down 12v => 5v 3A from 3S lipo, 2- I made a FTDI cable USB => 4 plugs, connected power to SIM900 (vcc, ground t, rx) 3- I connected the SIM900 to the 5v step-down from an independant LIPO, and I obtain a fixed red light from the center of the shield I guess now I have to connect it to FTDI / USB cable to enter the list of commands you kindly rquested. I use Hyperterminal which I already use with FTDI cable for bluetooth module settings, cable works fine 4- I switched the SIM900 on => Fixed green light + flashing green light 5- I am running Hyperterminal with admin rights, and change settings to 9600 6- I send AT command from hyperterminal but not OK, no confirmation Oups... :-)
Sinamics
Hi You need to connect tx/rx & ground from USB ftdi cable and power the board from your lipo at 5v. The default baud rate may vary from board to board. Try all the diffrent baud rates. Also check if tx/rx are correct. Sim900 TX -> RX ftdi Sim900 RX -> TX ftdi Also check your device manager if FTDI cable are correct installed. Do you see any characters from your sim900 in terminal program?
frejus
Thx for your help mate, i know you do not have to so that is greatly appreciated :-) Do you mean I should connect ground, tx and rx from USB/ FTDI and VCC 5V from step-dow ? It won't work. Should I connect together the grounds of both USB / FTDI cable and step-down ? Yes I have Tx => Rx and Rx => Tx No character whatsoever in Notepad. I have downloaded a utility program from rhydolabs to check if modem is found, but it is not found.
Sinamics
No problem m8. You need to share ground, if not the communication will not work. So yes. connect ground from FTDI and your lipo together.
frejus
Hey, got it communicating (AT => OK) as I plugged the whole thing from the usb only, power included, and nothing from the step-down... Shall I enter all the commands you suggested (copy / paste one by one) then disconnect then move to APM ?
Sinamics
Type the following lines. Line by line. Verify that you receive OK from the board on each line. AT V1 E1 X1 S0=0 // Set error response and do not pickup on ring AT+CREG=2 // Set various notice messages and parameters AT+CMEE=2 AT+CR=1 AT+CRC=1 AT+CSNS=4 AT+CSMINS=1 AT+CSCLK=0 AT+CIURC=1 AT+CGEREP=2 AT+CIPMUX=0 AT+CIPMODE=1 AT+CIPCCFG=8,15,15,0" AT+CMUX=0,0,4,127,10,3,30,10,2 AT+CSTT=\"internet.public\""); //set APN AT+CIICR //open GPRS AT+CIFSR // Get local IP address AT+CIPSTART=\"UDP\",\"YOUR_GCS_IP_OR_DYNDNS\",\"14550\""); // Start the UDP server at port 14550 Change the last line to match your GCS IP address. Also, your APN may vary from mine. I was using internet.public You need to check with your cell vendor which one you should use. Someone also just use internet as APN.
Sinamics
When you successfully got the all lines into the sim900, you could just remove the FTDI cable and connect the APM tx/rx to it. Then you should have the connection ok.
frejus
Thanks Too good to be true, last lines not allowed, it seems that I can not access GPRS (CME error, access prohibited, or GPRS services not allowed) There is maybe an AT command to activate GPRS ?
Sinamics
This line? AT+CIPSTART=\"UDP\",\"YOUR_GCS_IP_OR_DYNDNS\",\"14550\""); The bellow will open GPRS AT+CIICR //open GPRS
frejus
The bellow will open GPRS AT+CIICR //open GPRS Unfortunately it does not, it answers : CME ERROR : operation not allowed
Sinamics
Maybe you are using wrong APN, and therefore not allowed to open GPRS.
Sinamics
Posted By: frejus The bellow will open GPRS AT+CIICR //open GPRS Unfortunately it does not, it answers : CME ERROR : operation not allowed check with your cell vendor which APN you should use. This is most probably APN issue.-
frejus
Also a problem here : AT+CIPCCFG=8,15,15,0 Same error msg Will call the provider. I want to make that work, and thanks to you, I am very close :-)
Sinamics
try increase last numbers a little. AT+CIPCCFG=8,25,25,0
