Differences

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

--- venus-os:gx-gsm [2019-10-03 13:46] – [6. Supported Frequencies (2G/3G)] guy_stewart
+++ venus-os:gx-gsm [2020-06-24 13:53] – [1.4 When to use a mobile router instead] mvader
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ===== 1. Introduction =====
-The GX GSM is an accessory for [[venus-os:start|GX-devices]]. It is a cellular modem; providing a mobile internet for the system and connection to Victron Remote Management (VRM).
+==== 1.1 Product description ====
-It requires a SIM card of the [[https://socialcompare.com/en/comparison/sim-card-format-and-size-comparison|Mini-SIM format]]; and connects to the [[venus-os:start|GX-device]] with a (supplied) 1m USB cable.
+The GX GSM is an accessory for [[venus-os:start|GX-devices]]. It is a cellular 2G and 3G modem; providing a mobile internet for the system and connection to [[https://vrm.victronenergy.com|Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal]].
+It requires a SIM card of the [[https://socialcompare.com/en/comparison/sim-card-format-and-size-comparison|Mini-SIM format]]; and connects to the [[venus-os:start|GX-device]] with an included 1m USB cable.
 See also the [[https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/gx-gsm|GX GSM Product Page]].
@@ Line 15: / Line 17: @@
 {{youtube>645QrB7bmvY}}
-=== Antennas and accessories ===
+==== 1.2 Antennas and accessories ====
 GSM: A small indoor GSM antenna is included. As an option we also sell an outdoor GSM antenna:
@@ Line 25: / Line 27: @@
   * 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 antennas.]]
-==== Compatibility ====
+==== 1.3 Compatibility ====
 The GX GSM can be used with any of the [[venus-os:start|GX Devices]].
 The GX GSM requires Venus OS v2.22 or newer to be installed on the GX Device.
-==== When to use a mobile router instead ====
-The GX GSM only provides an internet connection for the [[venus-os:start|GX-device]]: there is no option to share the internet to laptops, phones, or other devices.
+==== 1.4 When to use a mobile router instead ====
+The GX GSM provides an internet connection for the [[venus-os:start|GX-device]] only. There is no option to share the internet to laptops, phones, or other devices.
 For installations where more devices need internet, such as a yacht or RV, consider installing a mobile router instead. [[https://www.victronenergy.com/live/ccgx:start#internet_connectivity|More information here.]]
@@ Line 68: / Line 71: @@
 {{:venus-os:gsm-apn-config.png?direct&480|}}
-===== 4. Status =====
+===== 4. GPS =====
+When the optional antenna is added; the position will be visible like this:
+{{:venus-os:gps-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
+Also the position is sent to the [[https://professional.victronenergy.com|VRM Portal]].
+===== 5. Status =====
+==== Status Bar ====
 GSM modem status can be checked at a glance by looking at the status bar.
 ^ 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-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.  |
@@ Line 78: / Line 93: @@
 | {{: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 =====
+==== 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 |
-When the optional antenna is added; the position will be visible like this:
+[[http://example.com|External Link]]===== 6. Trouble shooting =====
-{{:venus-os:gps-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
+There are many reasons for modem internet connection to not work. Carefully go through each step of this trouble shooting guide. Make sure to start at the first step. When asking for help, make sure to mention each step taken and the result.
-Also the position is sent to the [[https://professional.victronenergy.com|VRM Portal]].
+^ Step   ^^ Details                                   ^
+| 1 | Power  | Check that the blue LED is either lit continuous or blinking  |
+| 2 | 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.
-===== 5. Trouble shooting =====
+Note that Ethernet and WiFi connections 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.
-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.
+This screenshot shows how all details look when everything is OK:
-^ Step   ^^ Details                                   ^
+{{:venus-os:gsm-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
-| 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. |
-| 4 | Signal strength | 1 bar minimum for VRM logging, 2 or 3 bars are necessary for a working remote console |
-| 5 | Network registration | Check that a network name is visible. 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. 4) The GX Device is already connected to Ethernet or WiFi: they have priority over the cellular connection.  |
-| 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 outdoor antenna typically increases received signal by 15 dB to 25 dB.
+===== 7. Supported Frequencies (2G/3G) =====
-===== 6. Supported Frequencies (2G/3G) =====
+==== 7.1 Available models & their supported frequency bands ====
+GSM100100100 - GX GSM 900/2100:
   * 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band)
   * 3G (UMTS/HSPA+): 900/2100 MHz (Dual-Band)
+  * The used GSM module is a Simcom SIM5360E.
-==== Regional Coverage Information ====
+GSM100200100 - GX GSM 850/1900:
+  * 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE): 850/900/1800/1900 MHz (Quad-Band) - same between both models.
+  * 3G (UMTS/HSPA+): 850/1900 MHz (Dual-Band)
+  * The used GSM module is the Simcom SIM5360A.
+  * Expected in first stock in 2020 Q3. And only short lived; since its successor, the GX LTE 4G, having 2G/3G and also 4G support is also coming soon.
-Northern America: 1900 MHz is the most common frequency for 3G, which is unsupported for the current version of GX GSM.
+==== 7.2 Notes regarding regional coverage ====
+USA, Mexico, Canada and most of South America: 1900 MHz is the most common frequency for 3G, which is unsupported for the current version of GX GSM. But a second model is coming in 2020, see above.
 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 124: / Line 157: @@
 ^ SIM card | Regular Mini SIM |
-===== 8. Accessory / Antennas =====
+===== 9. Accessory / Antennas =====
 ==== Outdoor 2G and 3G GSM Antenna ====
 {{:venus-os:gsm900100100.png?nolink&250 |}}