Differences

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--- venus-os:gx-gsm [2019-10-03 22:01] – Line break added to prevent clipping krenzke
+++ 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
-[[venus-os:gx-gsm#accessory_antennas|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 100: / Line 103: @@
 | SIM wrong | Type of SIM is not supported |
-===== 6. Trouble shooting =====
+[[http://example.com|External Link]]===== 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.
+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.
 ^ Step   ^^ Details                                   ^
-| 1 | Check power  | Check that the blue LED is either lit continuous or blinking  |
+| 1 | 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 |
+| 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 |
@@ Line 115: / Line 118: @@
 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.
+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.
 This screenshot shows how all details look when everything is OK:
 {{:venus-os:gsm-settings-full.png?direct&480|}}
 ===== 7. 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]]
 ===== 8. Technical Data =====