need help for GPS tracking through GPRS

I think I will stick to the PCB.
Coz if I use mobile, it'll seem that I didn't do much with it.
We get points for more work. But I really hope it'll finish in time.

I found this in of the edaboard forums.
Is it possible to juz use this gerber, for my project?
Like, can I just print this out for my pcb?
Just wondering.

I'm from Malaysia.. I ordered mine from Excelpoint Malaysia (directly go to their office). They also has offices in Australia, China/Hong Kong, India, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. I think you can order from them thru e-mail. Just give them the exact part number.
http://www.excelpoint.com/contact.html
http://www.excelpoint.com/contact_info.html for enquiry

hope this helps u

pachinko27

Indeed it helps a lot but I'm thinking buying the SIM508 instead because it has an evaluation board sold on www.soselectronic.com for 42 euros.

ExperimenterUK, as you referred this website, do you think they are ok and we can order to them? (they have quite low prices, and they are they only ones to sold the 508 module + EVB).

I found this in of the edaboard forums.
Is it possible to juz use this gerber, for my project?
Like, can I just print this out for my pcb?
Just wondering.

VioletRock

Whoever is making the PCB should be able to create it from a Gerber file.
Unfortunately, what you have is not the full file, just a picture of its output.
The link given leads nowhere so we will need to keep looking.

I think I will stick to the PCB.
Coz if I use mobile, it'll seem that I didn't do much with it.
We get points for more work. But I really hope it'll finish in time.

VioletRock

Well even using a mobile there is a lot of software to co-ordinate,
and quite a bit of hardware.
I think you'll earn your points

Why not develop both. The mobile and SIM 300 will use very much the same software.
You should be able to connect either to your PIC board.
A mobile will make testing easier and give you a backup plan if the SIM300
is not ready in time.

ExperimenterUK, as you referred this website, do you think they are ok and we can order to them? (they have quite low prices, and they are they only ones to sold the 508 module + EVB).

mutonic

Sorry I have no idea about the site, I just came across it while
researching the SIM300

So if I wanted to practice communicating with the modem through my phone, what do I do? How do I connect it to the PC?

Do I have to download the hyperterminal software or anything?

Indeed you need hyperterminal and the right cable. But communicating with a phone is not that simple. It largely depends on the model of phone you have.

As i understood, it must support AT Commands and you have to find a way to send commands through the phone-cable. Most of the phones now don't use serial port anymore but usb instead.
I'll try to see if I can send AT commands to my phone through USB.

Finally, I'm thinking at building my own PCB for the module, mainly to learn and also lower the price of the system.

So if I wanted to practice communicating with the modem through my phone, what do I do? How do I connect it to the PC?

Do I have to download the hyperterminal software or anything?

VioletRock

Many types of Windows include Hyperterminal, if not there are free versions on the net.

As mutonic said the details of connecting depend on your phone.
As an example ...
for an Ericcson T290 you buy a connecting cable few a few dollars.
This plugs into a USB port on the PC and connects to the phone.

If the USB driver installs properly!!! you can use Hyperterminal.
Type "AT" and the phone replies "OK".
Then you can use standard commands to send SMS messages.

Most modern phones will work this way.
Later you can modify the cable (best to buy two).. to connect the phone to the Pic.
Some modern phones may not be suitable to connect to the PIC,
which is why buying an older one may be better.


I notice that the Microchip compiler only supports the 18 series devices.
If you want to use a 16 series device you will need a compiler from another source.
There are a few, and often they have a free, limited version.

You will need to actually "burn" the code into the chip, have you thought about that yet.

Later you can modify the cable (best to buy two).. to connect the phone to the Pic.
Some modern phones may not be suitable to connect to the PIC,
which is why buying an older one may be better.

ExperimenterUK

Are you sure it could actually works to simply modify the usb cable?
I thought the uC had to support usb, and have phone's usb driver on it?

Are you sure it could actually works to simply modify the usb cable?
I thought the uC had to support usb, and have phone's usb driver on it?

mutonic

It depends on the phone.

Some output a simple serial signal at 3.3 volts.
The USB cable converts to USB to connect to the PC.
For these phones you just cut off the USB side and use the phone connector.

If the phone outputs a USB signal at it's connector, it won't work.

what name do i search for in theneagle cad library for the sim300 schematic design?

if you are good at cad design you can make footprint for SIM300 yourself, you need hardware manual of SIM300 for that.

For your help here is eagle footprint library for SIM300CZ module.
http://my.opera.com/lunatic/blog/2009/07/06/sim300cz-library-for-eagle