Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- venus-os:gx-gsm [2019-06-16 20:20] – [1. Introduction] mvader
+++ venus-os:gx-gsm [2019-10-03 22:01] – Line break added to prevent clipping krenzke
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
   * GSM900200100 - Active GPS Antenna for GX GSM
-See bottom of this manual for photos and specs of both optional antennas.
+[[venus-os:gx-gsm#accessory_antennas|See bottom of this manual for photos and specs of both optional antennas.]]
 ==== Compatibility ====
-The GX GSM can be used with any of the [[venus-os:start|GX Devices]], including:
+The GX GSM can be used with any of the [[venus-os:start|GX Devices]].
-  * Color Control GX
-  * Venus GX
-  * Octo GX
 The GX GSM requires Venus OS v2.22 or newer to be installed on the GX Device.
@@ Line 45: / Line 42: @@
 Mount the device and connect the antenna. Consider using the outdoor antenna when installing the GX GSM in a closed metal enclosure.
-Insert the SIM card. You will need to eject the SIM card tray with a pen or other pointy object. Be aware that the SIM card try sits slightly recessed inside the unit. Be sure to push it all the way in.
+Insert the SIM card. You will need to eject the SIM card tray with a pen or other pointy object. Be aware that the SIM card tray sits slightly recessed inside the unit. Be sure to push it all the way in.
-Connect the GX GSM to the Venus device with the supplied USB cable. Use a USB hub if all USB sockets are already in use.
+Connect the GX GSM to the GX-device with the supplied USB cable. Use a USB hub if all USB sockets are already in use.
 Connect DC power supply (8 to 70 VDC). A 1.4M wire is included, with M10 lugs and an inline fuse.
@@ Line 57: / Line 54: @@
 {{:venus-os:gsm-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
-When using a SIM card with its SIM-pin security disabled, the system will work without further configuration. Verify operation by .. ? (Check VRM Last log data?)
+When using a SIM card with its SIM-pin security disabled, the system will work without further configuration.
-Setting a SIM pin helps reducing the risk of the SIM card being stolen and used. Use a mobile phone to set the SIM pin, and there after configure it on the Venus device.
+Setting a SIM pin helps reducing the risk of the SIM card being stolen and used. Use a mobile phone to set the SIM pin, and there after configure it on the GX-device.
 Settings -> GSM modem -> PIN code
@@ Line 71: / Line 68: @@
 {{:venus-os:gsm-apn-config.png?direct&480|}}
-===== 4. Status =====
-GSM modem status can be checked at a glance by looking at the status bar.
-^ Icon ^ Details ^
+===== 4. GPS =====
-| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-signalstrength.png?nolink&27}}     | GSM modem is connected to network, but not to the internet (no data connection). Either on purpose, because an ethernet or WiFi connection is available. |
-| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-gsm-internet.png?nolink&48|}}      | GSM modem is properly configured, the 3G/E/etc icon reflects that the GSM modem internet connection is in use. |
-| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-gsm-plus-wifi.png?nolinkx&54|}}    | WiFi is available and its internet connection is in use. WiFi has priority over GSM. |
-| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-pin-required.png?nolink&27|}}      | SIM PIN code is required. |
-| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-roaming.png?nolink&27|}}           | Roaming, only informative. To use internet connection while roaming it needs to be enabled in \\ Settings -> GSM modem -> Allow roaming.|
-===== 6. GPS =====
 When the optional antenna is added; the position will be visible like this:
@@ Line 90: / Line 78: @@
-===== 5. Trouble shooting =====
+===== 5. Status =====
-^   ^ Step   ^  Details                                   ^
+==== Status Bar ====
-| 1 | Power  | Check that the blue LED is either lit continuous or blinking  |
+GSM modem status can be checked at a glance by looking at the status bar.
-| 2 | USB    | The modem must be connected to USB, and visible in the Settings -> GSM modem menu |
-| 3 | Simcard | If enabled, PIN code must be configured in Settings -> GSM modem -> PIN |
-| 4 | Signal strength | 1 bar for VRM logging, 2/3 bars for remote console |
-| 5 | Network | Check that a network name is visible. If it is not, contact your simcard provider and/or insert the simcard in a phone to double check its operation.|
-You also need to remember that an outdoor antenna typically increases received signal by 15 dB to 25 dB.  (verify)
+^ Icon ^ Details ^
+| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-signalstrength.png?nolink&27}}     | GSM modem is connected to network, but not to the internet (no data connection).\\ Either on purpose, because an ethernet or WiFi connection is available.  |
+| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-gsm-internet.png?nolink&48|}}      | GSM modem is properly configured, the 3G/E/etc icon reflects that the GSM modem internet connection is in use.  |
+| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-gsm-plus-wifi.png?nolinkx&54|}}    | WiFi is available and its internet connection is in use. WiFi has priority over GSM.  |
+| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-pin-required.png?nolink&27|}}      | SIM PIN code is required.  |
+| {{:venus-os:gsm-status-roaming.png?nolink&27|}}           | Roaming, only informative. To use internet connection while roaming it needs to be enabled in \\ Settings -> GSM modem -> Allow roaming. |
-===== 6. Supported Frequencies (2G/3G) =====
+==== SIM Status ====
+^ Status ^ Description ^
+| Ready | SIM card is installed properly and registered to the network |
+| SIM not inserted | SIM card is missing or not inserted properly. SIM tray might hang out a little. |
+| PIN required | SIM card requires 4 digit PIN for unlock. |
+| PUK required | SIM is locked due to wrong PIN inputs. 8 digit PUK is required to release the lock state. |
+| SIM failure | SIM does not respond - might be broken |
+| SIM busy | SIM is in busy state |
+| SIM wrong | Type of SIM is not supported |
+===== 6. Trouble shooting =====
+Whilst usually working well, in case the modem does not connect to the internet it can one of many reasons. Carefully go through each step of this trouble shooting guide, starting at the first.
+^ Step   ^^ Details                                   ^
+| 1 | Check power  | Check that the blue LED is either lit continuous or blinking  |
+| 2 | Check USB connection   | The modem must be connected to USB, and visible in the Settings -> GSM modem menu |
+| 3 | Simcard status | Check the SIM Status in the menu, it must show "Ready". It will show "SIM not inserted", or "PIN required", or "PUK required" and more related errors when there is a problem. Please refer to the [[venus-os:gx-gsm#sim_status|SIM Status list]] for details. |
+| 4 | Signal strength | 1 bar minimum for VRM logging, 2 or 3 bars are necessary for a working remote console |
+| 5 | Carrier registration | Check that a name of a Cellular provider is visible in the "Carrier" field. If it is not, check signal strength and otherwise contact your simcard provider and/or insert the simcard in a phone to double check its operation and subscription status. |
+| 6 | Internet connection | Verify that the Internet shows "Online". Reasons for the system to not go "Online" whilst properly registered on the Network are:\\ 1) APN not configured, contact the network operator for details.\\ 2) The network is a different one than the home network (ie. roaming), and the setting to permit Roaming is disabled.\\ 3) Signal strength is strong enough to register on the network, but not to open the data connection to the internet. |
+| 7 | Connection to VRM Portal | Verify that the VRM Portal menu shows a recent last connection time. See Settings -> VRM Portal. For more details, see [[https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start#trouble_shooting_data_logging|the VRM Connection troubleshooting chapter of the GX Manual]]. |
+An [[venus-os:gx-gsm#accessory_antennas|outdoor antenna]] typically increases received signal by 15 dB to 25 dB.
+Note that when the GX Device is already connected to Ethernet or WiFi, these have priority over the cellular connection. Even when the available Ethernet  or WiFi connection does **not** have a good connection to the internet. There is **no** automatic detection in place which in such case switches over to the GX GSM. In more technical language: when the cellular data connection is active, it is configured with a high routing metric. This way, the Linux kernel prioritises Ethernet or Wifi when these are available.
+This screenshot shows how all details look when everything is OK:
+{{:venus-os:gsm-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
+===== 7. Supported Frequencies (2G/3G) =====
   * 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band)
   * 3G (UMTS/HSPA+): 900/2100 MHz (Dual-Band)
-Please notice: In Northern America 1900 MHz is the most common frequency for 3G, which is unsupported for the current version of GX GSM.
+==== Regional Coverage Information ====
+Northern America: 1900 MHz is the most common frequency for 3G, which is unsupported for the current version of GX GSM.
+Australia: The 900MHz 3G frequency in remote areas is typically provided by Optus. Telstra's rural 3G network operates at 850MHz which is not supported with the current version of GX GSM. Both Telstra and Optus operate 2100Mhz networks in urban areas, and are supported.
 In case of uncertainty please double-check: [[https://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html|GSM World Coverage Map]]
-===== 7. Technical Data =====
+===== 8. Technical Data =====
 ^ Outer dimensions (LxWxH) | 106x42.5x22 mm ([[https://www.victronenergy.de/upload/documents/GX-GSM-Dimensions.pdf|Drawing]]) |
@@ Line 119: / Line 142: @@
 ^ SIM card | Regular Mini SIM |
-===== 8. Accessory / Antennas =====
+===== 9. Accessory / Antennas =====
 ==== Outdoor 2G and 3G GSM Antenna ====
 {{:venus-os:gsm900100100.png?nolink&250 |}}