Cellular & SMS Modems – 3G & 4G, with Serial Port or SMS I/O Control
Intelligent SMS Alarm Controllers and Serial Modems3G / 4G Cellular Modems – for SMS or Serial Comms
- An SMS Alarm Controller with digital or analog inputs? Click here to see SMS Alarm Controllers.
- A 3G/4G Serial Modem for sending data? Click here to see Serial Modems.
- A 3G/4G Router with Ethernet port or WiFi? Click here to go to the Cellular Routers page.
If you’re not sure what you need then please give us a call (phone number above). Or use the chat box, or send an email.
Note: Australian networks have shut down their GSM (2G) mobile networks since 2016-2017, so only 3G or 4G devices should be used from now on.
On this page:
Other related pages:
SMS I/O control modems
CYCON-1280-4G Smart SMS Controller 4G
Simple setup via SMS — Works on 4G & 3G Australian networks — Sends SMS alerts to multiple groups up to 16 recipients — 7 digital or dry contact inputs — Temperature sensor support — Relay output — Battery backup (optional)
The rugged design with integrated backup battery and wide temperature operation, makes it suitable for many industrial applications.
Typical applications include:
- Fire panel alerts for facility managers
- SMS alerts for equipment rooms – with power failure alerts powered by the optional backup battery
- Pump monitoring and control via SMS – see Sewer Pump Case Study
- Tank level monitoring
- Irrigation system alerts
Several key features make the CYCON-1280-4G an ideal choice:
- Easy configuration via SMS commands (text messages) or via serial port
- SMS Alarms from dry contacts, and power failure alerts
- One relay output controlled by SMS commands
- SMS Alarm allows up to 16 recipients per group, with 4 groups
- Customised SMS alarm messages for on & off
- Each input can be configured to alert a different recipient group
- Optional rechargeable backup battery gives power failure alerts and allows alarms to be sent even in an extended power outage
- Low power consumption makes it suitable for solar/battery applications
- 4G/3G module built-in ensures maximum coverage across Australia
- Supports 7-32V power, with vehicle ignition connection
More CYCON-1280 details (this site, opens in new tab)
PDF Data Sheet of CYCON-1280-4G (pdf file, opens in new tab)
CYCON-1280 Quick Start Guide – Temperature Sensor (pdf file, opens in new tab)
CYCON-1280 Quick Start Guide – Digital Inputs and Relay Output (pdf file, opens in new tab)
Why have 4 Recipient Groups?
The Recipient Groups feature is useful where you have different levels of escalation, or different working hours. For example you could connect your equipment to one input (or several inputs) of the CYCON-1280 via a timer switch that only operates Monday to Friday during business hours, and another input via a second timer switch that operates on the weekend or nights. Then you can have a different group of people alerted at those different time periods, according to their working hours.
Another application is if you have one recipient group for operations staff, and another group for management. Then you can set up the inputs and groups so that non-critical alarms go to the operations staff only, and critical alarms get sent to management as well.
ETM DeltaBlack 4G Intelligent Terminal – I/O, Alarms, Data Logging
(Ref P/N ETM26002M01-71610-KIT)
4G Intelligent Cellular Controller with 7x I/O (digital / analog / pulse), Relay output, SMS alarm & Control
The ETM DeltaBlack Intelligent terminal is designed for demanding industrial applications needing additional self monitoring functionality or I/Os for alarm, monitoring or data logging applications.
The units are very compact and come with screw terminals for the I/O connections and power input, plus a USB port for configuration via PC.
The units can send SMS or IP alarms based on the state of analogue or digital inputs,
log analogue or pulse inputs (data sent by IP), and monitor system information such as signal strength.
In addition the units can switch 1 relay output plus up to 6 of the inputs can be configured as digital outputs.
Configuration of the device is done via PC-based Configuration Tool software, with the device connected via USB cable.
Applications include:
- SMS alarm and control
- Pulse logging of rain gauges, water or electrical meters
- Automated meter reading
- ON/OFF control, eg irrigation pump
I/O’s:
- Total of 7 I/O channels plus 1 relay output.
- Each I/O channel can be configured in various ways:
- Digital Inputs: I/O 1 thru 7: LL<0.5V, HL>2.5V, Max Input ±50VDC – support dry contact or digital lo/hi signal
- Digital Outputs: I/O’s 2 thru 7: LL 0V, HL 3V, 0.1mA (please enquire for a suitable Relay Board to convert these outputs)
- Pulse Inputs (for logging): I/O’s 1, 2, 3, 4
- Analog Inputs: I/O’s 2, 3, 4, 5: switchable 0‐2.5VDC or 4-20mA
- Analog Inputs: I/O’s 6, 7: switchable 0-2.5VDC or 0-30V DC
- Switched Power for external sensors: dedicated 5V and 16V outputs
Logging Capability (note this requires a server to receive data via TCP/IP):
- Approx Logging Capacity: 3000/n (where n is the number of inputs logged)
- Minimum Log Interval: 1 minute
- Available Log Types: Analogue 0‐2500mV (scalable), Pulse (Count), Pulse (Frequency)
Progammable Sleep Mode Available
Power Supply: +6VDC to +35VDC
Dimensions: 136 x 87 x 30mm Weight: 250g
Global Cellular Support:
LTE (4G): Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 28
UMTS (3G): Bands 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 19
Antenna Connector: SMA for external antenna
ETM26002M01-71610-KIT: DeltaBlack intelligent cellular terminal set: $1967+GST (02/2024)
Set includes:
- DeltaBlack SMS Controller Module, with 7x I/Os Digital or Analogue, Pulse, SMS Alarm
- Antenna, Mag Base 4G FME F 3m
- USB cable
- Configuration software
- Technical support from ESIS
Serial modems
ETM Purple2 4G Industrial Serial Modem
Designed for Automated Metering
The ETM Purple product family is designed for use with a variety of energy meters in order to provide a robust communication channel for meter data to back office systems. The Purple modem has a compact design and will fit inside the most common electrical meters present on the market.
Telstra™ Approved & Supports all Australian networks
With 700MHz Band 28 the ETM Purple2 4G AUS is approved for use by Telstra™ on their 4GX network, giving maximum coverage, and will also work with Optus’s 4G Plus network and Vodafone 4G.
Interfaces
- Serial RS232 and DC power: Connected via a single 8 -Pin RJ45 connector. A cable adaptor to break this out to DB9 serial and RJ12 for DC power is supplied in the “kit”.
- Mini-USB socket that can be used for debugging/status informationwhen operating in JET mode, or as a serial connection for “AT” commands to the cellular module. To use the USB port with Windows, a driver is required, which you can download from here: USB Driver for ETM Purple ELS61 .
- Two antenna connections, FME M on 110mm (approx.) cable are provided for a main and diversity antenna.
EWO Web Office
With the ETM WEB Office (EWO) support, parameters like signal strength, GSM base station, cell, temperatures etc. can be remotely monitored via a powerful WEB based interface.
JET Code – Intelligent Operation
The ETM Purple2 4G industrial serial modem can have JET code loaded which provides functionality such as; Threaded Tunnel, Serial to Server, TCP Server, and status logging. These functions can make the unit an ideal communications solution for legacy serial equipment and or applications that might have used CSD (circuit switched data).
RS485
For larger projects the ETM Purple can be supplied with RS485/422 communication ports (MOQ applies).
Last Gasp – Power Failure Alarming
Special versions of the unit are available that can provide power failure alarms (“last gasp”) by utilizing super capacitors to allow sending of an alarm after a power failure.
Technical Specifications:
| Model: | ETM-Purple2 3G PB | ETM-Purple2 4G AUS |
| Module: | Cinterion EHS6 | Cinterion ELS61-AUS |
| Cellular Connectivity: | 3G / 2G | 3G / 4G |
| EWO support: | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency: | ||
| – GSM | 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | N/A |
| – UMTS | 800/850/900/1900/2100 MHz | 850/900/2100 MHz |
| – LTE | N/A | 1800, 850, 900, 700 MHz |
| Bands 3, 5, 8, 28 | ||
| Data transmission: | ||
| – LTE / 4G | No | LTE Cat.1 |
| DL: max. 10.2 Mbps, UL: max. 5.2 Mbps | ||
| HSDPA | DL: max 7.2Mbit/s UL: max 5.76 Mbit/s | DL: max 7.2Mbit/s UL: max 5.76 Mbit/s |
| EDGE | Class 12 | Class 12 |
| GPRS | Class 12 | Class 12 |
| CSD | Yes | Not Applicable |
| SMS | Yes | Yes |
| TCP/IP | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions: | 72x52x23 mm | |
| Weight: | 70 g | |
| Power Supply: | 5-35VDC (Minimum 7V for Last Gasp versions) | |
| Power consumption: | 400 mA (rated), <250mA (transmitting), <35mA (idle), <0.7mA (sleep) | |
| Operating temp: | -30°C to +70°C | |
| Antenna: | FME M | |
| RS232:: | serial connector (RJ45) | |
| Power: | RJ45 or power over USB (minimum 7V needed for last gasp versions) | |
| USB: | USB 2.0 | |
* Only valid for variants with last gasp fitted ** JET Mode is embedded JavaTM code providing special operational functionality such as TCP Tunnel and Serial to Server Modes, ***The EWO support (ETM Web Office) make it possible to remotely monitor the quality of service. Parameters like signal strenght, cell, LAC etc are automaticly sent to EWO at a regular basis.
Your chosen wireless carrier or infrastructure may not offer support for all described functionality – please contact us for technical qualification.
Data sheet on ETM Purple2 4G Industrial Serial Modem (pdf file, opens in new tab)
ETM29001M03-SET ETM Purple2 4G Intelligent Serial Tri-Mode Terminal, 4G (B3, B5, B8, B28) and 3G (B5/850Mhz), serial/USB: $579+GST (06/2020)
Set Includes:
- ETM Purple2 4G Modem
- Mains Adaptor with RJ12 plug
- Cable adaptor RJ45 to RS232 DB9F (Serial DCE) + RJ12 Female (DC Power)
- Antenna: Omni, low gain, Magnetic Base, 3m RG174 Cable FME F
To use the USB port with Windows, a driver is required, which you can download from here: USB Driver for ETM Purple ELS61
NTC-100 4G Industrial IOT Serial Modem, LTE Cat M1 / NB1
Connected to machines using a configurable serial interface, the NTC-100 supports both LTE category NB-IoT and M1 technologies to provide the needed connectivity to Industrial IoT applications that require small amounts of data transfer and extended coverage.
Featuring a compact robust industrial design, the NTC-100 is designed for space-constrained installations and long-term deployment in challenging environments.
Note that the Telstra 4G/LTE network already supports LTE Cat. M1 using existing SIM cards.
Global Industrial IOT Serial Modem
The NTC-100 integrates a dual technology module using standardised LTE category NB-IoT and category M1, to guarantee 4G LTE network support and provide reliable, “always on”, low speed connectivity. With support for a wide range of frequency bands and regulatory compliance in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand and North America, the NTC-100 is suitable for industrial IoT deployment worldwide.
Improved Coverage
The NTC-100 is perfect for indoor applications as well as applications at the network fringe, utilising either NB-IoT or M1 capabilities for improved signal penetration and reach, extending the cellular connectivity to building basements and remote rural areas.
Industrial Grade
The robust NTC-100 features a ruggedized industrial housing and components specifically selected to endure harsh industrial environments, including severe vibrations and extreme temperatures, to ensure reliable connectivity in the toughest remote and isolated climates.
Remote Management via SMS
Featuring remote management capabilities to query status information, run advanced diagnostics, troubleshoot and execute commands via SMS, the NTC-100 automated layer of self-monitoring ensures a quick response to events requiring human intervention.
Features:
- Cat-M1 and Cat-NB1 support perfect for transmitting the small amounts of data, providing low power wide area connectivity even in hard to reach areas
- Powerful cellular connectivity supporting 4G LTE
- A 10-pin NANO-fit connector providing a serial interface (RS232 / RS485 / RS422)
- Advanced diagnostics and control to query status information, configure a device and execute various commands via SMS
- Firmware upgrade over the air
- Industrial grade design with wall mount option
- Supports various operating modes including standard “AT” command mode, PAD mode for transparently connecting a serial device to a TCP or UDP stream, and Netcomm command mode with enhanced command set.
Data and full specs for NTC-100 (pdf file, opens in new tab)
NTC-100-SET Kit of NTC-100 4G LTE Cat M1/NB1 Industrial IoT Serial Modem, supports Telstra IoT network (LTE Cat M1) for long range coverage at low speeds and low power consumption, with RS-232/422/485 port and USB port.
Set includes:
- NTC-100 4G Serial IoT Modem,
- Y-cable for serial port and DC power input, DIN rail bracket,
- PSU-0004 mains adaptor,
- NANT-00001 tube antenna,
- 2m DB9 serial extension cable
Optional pre-configuration by Esis to suit customer requirements – please enquire
Also available: RJ45 cable to connect directly to EDMI power meters
Modem Information
Hayes command set: click here (modemhelp.net) or here (Wiki) Rockwell chipset commands (RC56D/RC336D & LD): click here (.pdf file 492KB)
To enter command mode: wait 3 seconds +++ wait 3 seconds, then AT commands can follow.
To set a modem to answer after 2 rings: ATS0=2 Save this with AT&W
For technical reasons, a Telstra SIM card is recommended for use in Australia, with a “Data” number.
There are two kinds of ‘phone numbers: Voice, and Data.
To be able to receive data calls on the GSM modem you need a “Data” number.
With a Voice number, outward data calls can be made, but the GSM modem will not answer incoming data calls.
GSM modems can be dialled up (and data transmitted) from a normal modem on a land line, provided that the SIM cards in the GSM modems are data enabled.
If you are having modem problems, output the active profile (current settings) using AT&V. Email this to us (see top of page),
or print and fax it to Esis Pty Ltd, fax 02 9481 7420.
GPRS(General Packet Radio Service)
These GSM modems have GPRS capability. Subscribers log in and remain online.
User pays for the actual data transmitted, not for the time connected.
Its packet structure corresponds to the IP protocol. GPRS helps transmit large amounts of data in a very short time via mobile access.
Applications such as mobile Internet, fast e-mail transmission and e-commerce now make real economic sense.
With GPRS, when the modem connects, the network generally allocates an IP address dynamically to the modem, which is then used until it disconnects.
For GPRS the networks charge according to data packets sent, not according to how long the modem is connected.
UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System www.umtsinfo.co.uk (new tab)
The goal of the third generation UMTS standard is to unify fixed line telephony, internet, mobile, and network technologies into one global roaming capable standard.
UMTS is the third generation (3G) of mobile telecommunications technology. It is the latest commercially available technology that mobile phones, PDAs, and smart phones are using today. With this development, internet access (email and web browsing), video calling and messaging, and text messaging (SMS) are now possible along with traditional phone tasks.
Difference Between GSM, UMTS, 4G UMTS and EDGE
http://www.differencebetween.net/technology/difference-between-gsm-and-umts/#ixzz1C0cK1Scq (new tab)
GSM networks support 14.4kbits/s, or 28.8kbits/s.
Common belief is that UMTS can support 2Mbit/s, although its actually a maximum of 1920kbits/s, even then this is a very generous figure, most users should expect performance of 384kbits/s, this is due to distance, and load on the network.
Unlike GSM, UMTS is mainly based on CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) scheme and now combines it with TDMA. With countries that support it, it may have set different spectrum, thus interoperability may not work fully when moving from one nation to another nation with drastically different spectrum.
UMTS is not compatible with GSM, but UMTS phones which are currently sold are dual mode, which means they can work on GSM as well as UMTS. If a user wants to make a call, but is out of a UMTS area, the device can use GSM. Even if this happens while on a call, the phone can be switched over to the GSM network, completely uninterrupted, transparently to the end user.
Although the newer wave of 3G phones can be used on both networks, GSM phones can’t be used on UMTS networks.
4G In 4G UMTS, data must download at a rate of 100 megabytes per second in mobile devices and at 1 gigabyte per second for electronics connected to a local wireless access hub.
Both 3G UMTS and 4G UMTS require the simultaneous transfer of voice and data, which was a requirement first established during the switch from second generation to third protocol. 3G UMTS and 4G UMTS can both transfer information using the same infrastructure.
EDGE: Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). UMTS and EDGE are competing mobile communication technologies. These are both third generation (3G) communication technologies with new features and capabilities over GSM. Generally, these systems differ mainly in speed and the way that users access the networks that transmit radio signals. Typically, the maximum data rate for EDGE is 236 kilobits per second (kbps).
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G
RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances – EU Directive 2002/95/EC: restriction on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical or electronic equipment sold or used in the European Union after July 1, 2006. These hazardous substances include: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
GPRS enables continuous flows of IP data packets over the system for such applications as Web browsing and file transfer.
GPRS differs from GSM’s short messaging service (GSM-SMS) which is limited to messages of 160 bytes in length
Obsolete Products
ETM9140‐4G/3G Intelligent Terminal – IO, Alarms, Data Logging – see ETM Delta Black, or CYCON-1280-4G
ETM9350-1 2G Terminal, ETM9400-1 3G WCDMA / UMTS / HSDPA / NextG Modem (replaced by ETM9440-1 and ETM Purple2 4G)
ETM9910-1 Terminal, ETM9570-1 2G Intelligent Terminal, ETM9140-1 3G intelligent cellular terminal with I/O (replaced by ETM9140-4G/3G)
NTC-3000 Netcomm Serial Modem (replaced by NTC-100)
Falcom Tango 864 or Tango864 – DISCONTINUED
Tango864 is similar to the Tango55 below, except with a different GSM module inside.