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LoNet 808 - Mini GSM/GPRS Plus GPS Breakout

This board based on the latest SIMCOM SIM808 GSM/GPS module, it offers cellular GSM and GPRS data along with GPS technology for satellite navigation.

The board features ultra-low power consumption in sleep mode, giving the project incredibly long standby times. Furthermore there's an onboard battery charging circuit that can be used with LiPo batteries.

The GPS receiver is incredibly sensitive with 22 tracking and 66 acquisition channels, and also supports assisted-GPS (A-GPS) for indoor localisation. The board is controlled by AT command via UART and supports 3.3V and 5V logical level. It comes with a mini GPS and GSM antenna, however a battery is optional.

The board uses the 2G (not 3G or LTE) GSM networks.

Features​

  • Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz

  • GPRS multi-slot class12 connectivity: max. 85.6kbps(down-load/up-load)

  • GPRS mobile station class B

  • Controlled by AT Command (3GPP TS 27.007, 27.005 and SIMCOM enhanced AT Commands)

  • Supports charging control for Li-Ion battery

  • Supports Real Time Clock

  • Supply voltage range 3.4V ~ 4.4V

  • Integrated GPS/CNSS and supports A-GPS

  • Supports 3.0V to 5.0V logic level

  • Low power consumption, 1mA in sleep mode

  • Supports GPS NMEA protocol

  • Compact size 27mm x 46mm x 10mm

  • Standard SIM Card

GPS Specifications​

  • Receiver channels: 22 tracking / 66 acquisition

  • Coarse/Acquisition code: GPS L1

  • Tracking sensitivity: -165dBm

  • Cold start time: 30s (typ.)

  • Hot start time: 1s (typ.)

  • Warm start time: 28s (typ.)

  • Horizontal position accuracy: < 2.5m CEP

  • Power consumption - Acquisition: 42mA

  • Power consumption - Continuous tracking: 24mA

  • Update rate: 5Hz

Interfaces​

① Power Button: this is the hard power switch for the module. When the module is power up, you can turn on or turn off the module by pressing the button for 2s.

② Li-ion Battery: this is power supply for the module, input voltage is from 3.4V to 4.4V. It uses the JST-2.0mm connector, that make it convenient to connect to 3.7V Li-Po Battery.

③ MicroUSB: the charging interface for Li-Ion battery, of input voltage range from 5V to 7V.

④ GSM Antenna: this is an uFL GSM antenna connector, just connect it to a GSM antenna for receiving GSM signal.

⑤ GPS Antenna: this is an uFL GPS antenna connector. You can connect either passive or active GPS antenna to it. Active GPS antenna runs at 2.8V voltage.

⑥ Net Indicator: Red LED, it will tell the what status is about the module linking to network.

⑦ Status Indicator: Green LED, it will tell whether the module is on, light when the module is running.

⑧ Breakout Pin: see Pin Definitions for more details.

⑨ SIM - Card Holder: SIM card holder for standard SIM card

⑩ Power Supply Pin: used for power soldering and testing.

Pin Definitions​

**Name** **I/O** **Description** **Note**
BAT I/0 Power input / output 3.4V - 4.4V DC
GND I/0 Power ground / logic ground
VIO I Logic level reference 2.8V - 5.0V DC
DTR I Sleep mode controlled pin Pull high for sleep mode
PWR O Power switch Active low in 2s
RI O Event/ message pin
TXD O Transmit data UART output from SIM808
RXD I Receive data UART Input to SIM808
RST I Reset pin Active low

Indicator LEDs​

**Indicator LEDs** **Status** **Behavior**
Operating Status (Green) Off SIM808 is not running
On SIM808 is running
Network Status (Red) Off SIM808 is not running
64ms on/ 800ms Off SIM808 not registered to the network
64ms On/ 3000ms Off SIM808 registered to the network
64ms On/ 300ms Off PPP GPRS communication is established

Accessories​

Besides the antenna, you may need the following accessories using with LoNet 808.

SIM-Card for GSM/GPRS Communication

3.7V Li-ion Battery for power supply

DC/DC Voltage Regulator for power supply

MicroUSB Cable for charging battery

USB to UART Tool for testing ATcommand on PC Solder Panel for charging battery

Usage​

Reference Circuit​

> Connect to MCU

> Connect to PC

Getting Started with AT Command​

// this sketch is used for testing LoNet with Arduino

// Connect VIO to +5V
// Connect GND to Ground
// Connect RX (data into SIM808) to Digital 11
// Connect TX (data out from SIM808) to Digital 10

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial mySerial(10, 11); // RX, TX

void setup()
{
    // Open serial communications and wait for port to open:
    Serial.begin(9600);
    mySerial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() // run over and over
{
    if (mySerial.available())
    Serial.write(mySerial.read());

    if (Serial.available())
    {
        while(Serial.available())
        {
            mySerial.write(Serial.read());
        }
        mySerial.println();
    }
}

Set Baud and Enable Charging Function​

It is recommended to execute this process when first time to use the module. In the Serial Monitor columns of following tables, input of AT commands are in back, module returns values are in orange.

Serial Monitor Description
AT OK Send command “AT” to synchronize baud rate. Serial port of module is by default set at auto-baud mode, and in this mode, it will not output any indications when the module is on.
AT+IPR=9600 OK Set baud rate at 9600bps, supports baud rate from 1200bps to 115200bps.
AT+ECHARGE=1 OK Send command “AT+ECHARGE=1” to enable battery charging function. By default the charging function is closed.
AT&W OK Save parameter setting.
AT+CPOWD=1 NORMAL POWER DOWNPower down the module.
RDY +CFUN: 1 GPS Ready +CPIN: READY Call Ready SMS ReadyTurn on the module again by the power button, it will response status about GPS and GSM.
AT+CBC +CBC: 1,96,4175 OKInquire charging status and remaining battery capacity.
AT+CSQ +CSQ: 14,0 OKInquire GSM signal quality.

Get location with GPS​

Serial Monitor Description
AT+CGPSPWR=1 OK Open GPS
AT+CGPSSTATUS? +CGPSSTATUS: Location Not Fix OK Read GPS fix status, “Location Not Fix” means that positioning is not successful. For the first time to start, it will take at least 30s. _**GPS must be tested by the window or outdoor.**_
AT+CGPSSTATUS? +CGPSSTATUS: Location 3D Fix OK GPS has fixed with 3D status.
AT+CGPSINF=0 +CGPSINF: 0,2234.931817,11357.122485, 92.461185,20141031041141.000, 88,12,0.000000,0.000000 Get the current GPS location information. Parameters formate: <mode>, <altitude>, <longitude>, <UTC time>, <TTFF>, <num>, <speed>, <course>
AT+CGPSOUT=32 OK $GPRMC,043326.000,A, 2234.9414,N,11357.1187,E, 0.000,143.69,311014,,,A*50 Read NMEA $GPRMC data, of which, “2234.9414 N, 11357.1187 E” is the location coordinates. For more details about NMEA sentences, [check this site](http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/nmea.htm).
AT+CGPSRST=0 OKReset GPS in Cold Start Mode.
AT+CGPSRST=1 OKReset GPS in Hot Start Mode.
AT+CGPSPWR=0 OKClose GPS.

Downloads​

Resources​

Tech Support & Product Discussion​

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