GSM Playground - GSM Shield for Arduino

The GSM Playground is sold out. We are working on an updated version with GE863-GPS.

GSM Playground - GSM Shield for Arduino

Description: GSM Playground is a GSM Shield designed for Arduino based boards (Arduino Duemilanove, Arduino MEGA, Seeeduino Mega...). It is built on a well known and reliable GSM/GPRS Module GE-863 QUAD from Telit. This Module is pretty small so it is placed directly on the Shield printed circuit board. The GSM Playground offers next to the GSM capabilities lots of other features like recognizing of DTMF signal, measuring of ambient temperature and others. It will show you the way how there is possible to use GSM network in your application built on the great Arduino board.

The GSM Playground can be used for:

• Security devices - listening of protected area, scanning of sensors, controlling of door lock or klaxon, measurement of ambient temperature, remote controlling of other devices using SMS or DTMF signal, remote shouting at a burglar using embedded amplifier..:-)
• Domestic automation - remote opening of doors or gates using DTMF or just a call, switching of lights or sauna, controlling of heating, handsfree voice communication with somebody at home, emergency controlling of a house water inlet, full duplex baby sitter device working around the world..:-)
• General M2M applications - the GSM Playground can be used also for wireless GSM/GPRS Machine to Machine application or M2A (Machine to Arduino) communication if you like :-). Furthermore the GSM Playground and related Arduino board can be supplied and operate just from the 3,7V LiPol battery connected to Shield. It means that you can use it for remote sensing or controlling of your application, robot from anywhere you want!                                

Features:

Embedded GSM/GPRS Module GE-863 QUAD features a Quad-Band GPRS Class 10 (GSM 850, 900, DCS 1800, PCS1900 MHz) as well as extended temperature range and RF Sensitivity. It is soldered directly on the bottom side of the Shield PCB using the through hole technique. This method is more reliable for development boards and allows accessing of all module signals. The module is equipped with the chipset V3 (firmware 6.04.104).

Power supply for GSM Module is able to handle high ripple current (2A) when the GSM Module is active. It is designed with Micrel MIC29302. The Shield is powered from an Arduino board so it can be powered either directly from USB or from an adaptor through Arduino board. The setting of supply path is automatic. A large capacitor is used for voltage filtration so that you can easily supply the board directly from USB (guaranteed for calls and CSD data). We recommend to use an AC-DC adaptor or LiPol battery for GPRS connection.

Connector for 3,7V LiPol battery and Charging circuit – it is possible to connect 3,7V LiPol battery so that it can be used for supplying power to the GSM Module and also to the Arduino board. The battery is charged during normal operation of the GSM Shield from USB or adaptor with a current of 200mA. Battery operation can be selected from a switch. This feature is also helpful if the computer is not able to deliver the current required by the GSM module (during class 10 GPRS connection). It is recommended to use 3,7V LiPol battery with capacity from 500mAh to 1000mAh with a JST connector. An appropriate battery is 1000mAh LiPol battery or 860mAh LiPol battery.

Electret Microphone – the mike feature is based on a sensitive electret microphone that offers together with other circuits and particular PCB layout the clear sound. Even the GSM noise is quite aggressive but there is no typical GSM noise in the microphone path at all.

800mW Fully-Differential Audio Amplifier with connector – the Shield has a connector for loudspeaker 8Ω so you can use it together with embedded microphone as a handsfree phone. The chosen power amplifier (TPA6203A1) is especially suitable for noisy GSM environment so the sound is completely clear and free of any typical tdn-tdn-tdn :-). We provide suitable Loudspeaker or Mini Loudspeaker  - both are equipped by appropriate connector.

Embedded DTMF Receiver – this feature allows controlling of any other function of GSM Playground using of an ordinary phone. DTMF circuit (based on Holtek HT9170) is able to recognize up to 16 different signals (buttons on your mobile phone) and transfer this information to Arduino board for other evaluation. It is possible to control just a relay but also increase a volume of loudspeaker or mute the microphone using this feature.

Electrodynamic Buzzer – embedded buzzer (85dB) can be used as a simple ringer if the loudspeaker is not used. It is possible to choose from up to 32 ring tones that are stored in the GSM Module.

ON/OFF Button – there is a button for turning ON and OFF of the module. It is possible to do the same directly from the Arduino board. The reset signal of the GSM module is connected to the Arduino. This feature can help to improve a reliability of the whole application.

Enhanced serial communication – this feature can help you to develop your Arduino application faster and better. There is a switch for controlling of the way of serial communication. In the first position you can communicate from PC terminal software directly to the GSM Module. This is very useful for trying and learning of the GSM Module AT commands. The second position switches to communication between Arduino - PC and Arduino - GSM Module. In this position the Arduino board can communicate with PC application as we are used to but also with the GSM module. Important! There is no need to remove ATMEGA microcontroller if the board is used as a GSM gateway (communication PC - GSM Module).

Back up capacitor for time and alarm features – the adjustment of time can be quite annoying so there is a back up capacitor 0,22F on the PCB. It is able to backup Real Time Clock embedded in the GSM Module for minimally 24 hours. The GSM Module offers also Alarm related functions – Alarm signal can wake up an Arduino board in desired time by a reset, then the board can do something (send SMS) and go sleep again...

Temperature Sensor – built in temperature sensor LM61BIM3 allows measuring of the temperature from −25°C to +85°C with accuracy ±2.0°C at 25°C. The LM61's output voltage is linearly proportional to Celsius (Centigrade) temperature (+10 mV/°C) and it makes it very easy to use.

User Button and User LED – this simple user interface can be used for different purpose (e.g. make a call, send a SMS, indicate a call...).

User Connector – this connector offers 4 digital inputs or outputs and several supplying voltages so it can be easily used to make your application more versatile.

Standard SMA Connector for GSM antenna – there is a right angle SMA female connector soldered on the PCB so the connection of antenna can be very simple. This Quad-band Antenna is suitable because it is pretty small.

Embedded SIM card holder – the quality SIM card holder equipped with the contact for safe removing of SIM card is soldered directly on the Shield PCB.

Stackable feature – GSM Playground accepts prototype shields or other boards with Arduino compatible interface. The GSM Shield uses digital pins 0 to 9 but the pins 6,7,8 and 9 can be also used for other purpose (they can be switched to high impedance). The GSM Playground is compatible with Arduino Ethernet Shield. 

PCB Layout is made with a special care of well grounding and noises elimination even though it is still only cheap two layer PCB.

Creative Commons Attribution – the whole project is released under Share Alike 3.0 License

Dimensions: 53,5 x 74 mm

References:

The GSM Playground is described at HW Cooking sites.