GSM Commander GC0101 User Manual

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GC0101

User Manual for

Applicable to software package Version 7.48 and up

Last Edited 07 April 2021

Before Attempting to connect or operate this product, please read these instructions in its entirety

This manual is intended to provide detailed technical specifications and explanations, to the basic

user as well as the more technically-minded person. This manual is a live document, and will be

updated often with new information. Please insure that you have the latest version, by checking our

website at: https://www.gsmcommander.com.

Changelog:

JF April 2021 - I/O Fix and Update

JF September 2020 - Temp Fix and Update

DS 25 February 2020 - Some fixes and updates

DS 07 November 2018 - Fix errors and update content & Update GSM module info.

SJD 7 Apr 2014 – Document created.

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Page 1 GC0101 User Manual for Applicable to software package Version 7.48 and up Last Edited 07 April 2021 Before Attempting to connect or operate this product, please read these instructions in its entirety This manual is intended to provide detailed technical specifications and explanations, to the basic user as well as the more technically-minded person.
Page 2: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS Specifications....................4 System requirements..................4 Dimensions....................5 Installation....................6 Environment....................6 Power Supply....................6 USB Port....................6 SIM Card....................6 Antenna.....................7 Software Installation..................7 Mounting....................10 Optically - Isolated Digital Inputs..............10 Outputs....................12 Temperature Sensor..................13 Battery Input.....................13 Status LEDs....................14 Testing the Micro Commander.................16 Commissioning Mode..................17 Configuration VIA PC..................17 Basics......................17 Software Tabs....................18 Numbers Tab List A and B................19...
Page 3 GSM Commander setup software reports............40 Micro Commander setup software reports “Hardware not detected”......40 GSM Commander does not send any SMS messages / Error codes........41 Micro Commander does not display the Airtime value..........42 Micro Commander does not respond to Voice Calls..........42 Guarantee....................42...
Page 4: Specifications
1. SPECIFICATIONS Weight 80 grams Dimensions 125,5 x 72.1 x 27mm Power Supply 12-14V DC via DC Jack Power Consumption ~ 2.5W ~ 50mA at idle (no input or outputs active) Current Consumption Operating Temperature -10°C to +60°C Storage Temperature -20°C to +80°C Opto-isolated.
Page 6: Installation
4. INSTALLATION 4.1. Environment Due to the make-up of the Micro Commander and it's electronics, we STRONGLY advise that it not be installed in close proximity to a variable speed drive or any other electrically noisy equipment. DO NOT install the Micro Commander into a metal enclosure unless an antenna is mounted on the outside of the enclosure.
Page 7: Antenna
Before you install your SIM Card: Install the SIM card into a normal cellular phone • Verify that there is no SIM PIN enabled (The phone must not ask for a PIN when switched on with • this SIM card inside). If the phone does request a PIN, you need to enter the correct pin so that the phone can start, and then disable the SIM Card PIN.
Page 10: Mounting
4.7. Mounting The Micro Commander is housed in a very durable ABS casing which has 4 protruding tabs, which allows it to be mounted firmly to any surface by means of a screw. There is also a DIN-rail mounting kit available separately. Please note: The Micro Commander is not water- or weatherproof.
Page 11 You may need an input to activate when power is supplied from some other unit. A good example will be a burglar alarm that applies power to the wires going to the siren. In such a case, it will be a simple matter of connecting the positive wire to the +IN input, and the negative wire to the –IN input.
Page 12: Outputs
Here is a schematic of the input circuit used on the Micro Commander: Drawing power for external hardware from the power terminals on the input: One should not attempt to draw more than 50-100mA in total from the power terminals at the inputs on the Micro Commander.
Page 13: Temperature Sensor
Here are some examples of things you CAN directly switch on and off using the outputs on the Micro Commander: Gate motors and any other motor less than 500W • Mains Lights (energy savers, incandescents, halogens) (maximum 750W) • Here are some examples of things that you can NOT directly switch on and off using the outputs on the Micro Commander: Ovens, Heaters, kettles •...
Page 14: Status Leds
4.11. Status LEDs The Micro Commander has 2 LEDs to show the current status of the Micro Commander. The red LED, labelled “GSM”, shows the status of the internal GSM cellular engine, while the green LED, labelled “STATUS”, shows the status of the Micro Commander as a whole. The following table shows how one can determine the current status: GREEN LED (STATUS) Solid On...
Page 15 Applicable to units with SN:xxxxxx- xxxx: : GSM engine OFF ➢ on for 64ms, off for 800ms ➢ : GSM engine searching for network on for 64ms, off for 2000ms (1 short flash every 2 seconds) ➢ : GSM engine registered OK Applicable to units with SN:xxxxxx- xxxx: : GSM engine OFF...
Page 16: Testing The Micro Commander
4.12. Testing the Micro Commander 4.12.1. Status Request The Micro Commander (even with a blank configuration) has a built-in test feature. If the Micro Commander receives “TEST GSMC” as an SMS message, it will reply to the number that sent the message, with the following text: DT=01/01/2017-12:00:00 <...
Page 17: Commissioning Mode
4.13. Commissioning Mode This function was introduced in version 7.46 of the the SmartSetup software. Commissioning Mode is basically a TESTING mode without needing physical triggers. This is ideal for workshop testing, before going live. Examples what you can do: Trigger the input without physically triggering it.
Page 18: Software Tabs
Follow these steps: Step 1: Insert SIM card(s) into unit (when unit is not powered up) Step 2: Connect Micro Commander to PC via the supplied USB cable Step 3: Connect power to the Micro Commander Step 4: Run the Utility Start Menu>...
Page 19: Numbers Tab List A And B
5.2.1. Numbers Tab List A and B This tab allows the user to program the Micro Commander with the numbers they wish the Micro Commander to communicate with and listen to. There is a list A and list B which allows one to save phone numbers to the device for further functionality.
Page 20: Status Tab
5.2.5. Status Tab This tab allows the user to monitor the status of Micro Commander (while connected to PC) with regards to: Active SIM ➢ GSM Status ➢ GPRS Status ➢ Power Status ➢ Current Battery Voltage (combination of battery & power supply voltage) ➢...
Page 21: Configuration Via Sms
6. CONFIGURATION VIA SMS The Micro Commander provides functionality to provide some configuration changes to be done via SMS message (from the administrator number only). Note that the unit cannot be setup by SMS only. A PC is still required to perform the initial setup. Thereafter, some simple changes to the setup may be done using SMS messages.
Page 22: Check Administrator Number
6.3. Check Administrator number This command can be sent from ANY number, and is useful to determine which number is the correct administrator number. ADMIN? The Micro Commander will reply with the administrator number in the reply message. 6.4. Check Airtime This command can be sent from ANY number, and is useful to check the amount of airtime remaining on the unit.
Page 23: Override Gprs Settings
6.8. Override GPRS Settings This set of commands allows you to override the GPRS settings that the Micro Commander may have been configured with and can only be sent from the administrator number. These override settings are volatile, which means their effect will not be retained after power has been recycled. To configure the Micro Commander to connect to the Airdrive 7.2 server via a South African network you must send: ADMIN GPRSSETUP.AIRDRIVE...
Page 24: Imei Number
6.12. IMEI Number If you need the IMEI number of the device, you can send the following command from the Administrator's phone / number. It will reply via SMS with the IMEI number. This is very useful if you need the IMEI number for our online, Airdrive platform, to add a new unit, for example. ADMIN IMEI Please note: This function only works with firmware versions 7.43 and above...
Page 25 same SMS. For example, if you have the following two statements: IF a Message is Received From Any number containing “Apple” is received from XYZ, then <ACTION> IF a Message is Received From Any number containing “eat” is received from XYZ, then <ACTION> These statements will both be triggered if “I eat an Apple”...
Page 26 The user is also able to specify a “Lockout Time” for this statement, which is the time that, after the statement has triggered, it will not allowed to trigger again until this time has elapsed. If the user selects a “Lockout Time” of zero, the statement will only trigger once (will trigger again when the trigger condition has changed and becomes true again, with the last two options being an exception).
Page 27 7.1.7. IF Temperature A statement containing this IF condition, will trigger if the temperature measured at the probe meets the specified requirements. The user can choose between the following four options: • Check if Above Threshold / Check if Below Threshold •...
Page 28 The user is able to specify a “Lockout Time” for this statement, which is the time that, after the statement has triggered, it will not allowed to trigger again until this time has elapsed. If the user selects a “Lockout Time” of zero, the statement will only trigger once (will trigger again when the voltage goes above and below “X”).
Page 29: Supported Then Actions
7.1.16. IF GSM Signal Strength A statement containing this IF condition, will trigger as soon as GSM signal strength meets the specified requirements. The user can choose between the following two options: • Above X • Below X Thus, if the user chooses “Below X”, then as soon as the GSM signal strength goes below the specified threshold, the statement will trigger.
Page 30 “ ”, it will either change the state of the selected output, meaning that it will active it if it Change State ➢ was de-activated and vice versa. 7.2.2. THEN Send Message A statement containing this Action, will send a message via SMS to each of up to 6 selected recipients or a message via Serial port or a message to our server.
Page 31 The user also has the option to insert special characters into the string to create more complex messages. See section 15 to find out more about the serial port. (See section 10) 7.2.3. THEN Place Voice Call A statement containing this Action, will place a voice call to each of up to 6 selected recipients. The user is able to specify the time to ring, the number of calls to make as well as the time between calls.
Page 32: Multiple Actions To A Single If Condition
A statement containing this Action, will save all current statuses to memory, including all variable values & current status of outputs. If the Recall Device Status on startup (See sec 6.2.4) is enabled, it will recall the latest saved status when the unit initiates a restart. Please note: If an output is temporarily activated by your setup, and the reset occurs during the the time it happens to be active, the output will be re-activated on startup, but will remain active.
Page 33: Variables
\+ - Own number ➢ 10. VARIABLES The Micro Commander are only available in our GSM Commander models: GC-0641 and GC-1281. Free feel to speak to our Sales team, regarding features and prices. 11. TIMED OPERATIONS The Micro Commander supports time constraints, which can be setup for any statement. Time constraints will prevent a statement from triggering outside of the preselected times and days of the week.
Page 34: Prepaid Airtime Voucher Loading
12. PREPAID AIRTIME VOUCHER LOADING If using a prepaid SIM card, it is recommended that prepaid airtime be topped up via an ATM or via your bank's Internet banking portal. If your network or bank does not support this, you can purchase a normal airtime voucher and remotely send the voucher number to the Micro Commander, which will in turn send the voucher number to the network to top up the airtime.
Page 35: Low Power / Battery Operation
Screen 2: The loader utility will now show this screen, which means the firmware is being updated. The green LED, labelled “STATUS” on the Micro Commander, will start flashing. On completion the loader utility will close and the unit will start up automatically or if you so wish you can disconnect the power.
Page 36: Special Settings
15. SPECIAL SETTINGS Special setting can be found in SmartSetup software. This enabled or disable advanced functions on the Micro Commander. Some function is explained below. New functions will be added from time to time. Please click on the What is this? Button for up to date descriptions You just enter the characters in the special setting box.
Page 37: Application Examples
16. APPLICATION EXAMPLES 16.1. Example 1: Periodic message In this example we discuss the use of periodic messages to ensure that your Micro Commander produces a billable event on the network on a regular basis. If you use a prepaid SIM card, the network will de-activate your SIM-card if it has not been used for some time (See Section 6.4).
Page 38: Example 3: Control An Appliance
16.3. Example 3: Control an appliance In this example we need to switch a 220V light bulb on or off via a suitable SMS message from a specific number listed on the Micro Commander. Hardware: We connect light bulb to a 220V power source via the output 1 contact on the Micro Commander, exactly as described in section 6.9 Configuration: Using the setup software, we create a behaviour statement that will read as follows:...
Page 39: Example 5: Contact To Contact Relay
16.6. Example 5: Contact to Contact relay In a few instances it may be necessary to transmit the status of a contact to a remote point. Let us use an alarm as example. If the alarm at your home sounds, you may want a warning light to switch on in a remote location and a voice call to be placed to a specified number.
Page 40: Troubleshooting
17. TROUBLESHOOTING 17.1. Micro Commander setup software reports “Could not initialize the internal module”(Also shown by the green Status LED flickering at a vary fast rate) This is a problem state, and may be caused by a supply voltage that is too low. (The supply must be in the range 10..24V).
Page 41: Gsm Commander Does Not Send Any Sms Messages / Error Codes
Step 2: Select “Device Manager”. This will open the device manager window as below: Double Click on “Universal Serial Bus(USB) controllers” In the list of USB controllers, you should see an item called “Micro Commander”. If this item is not present, the drivers are not installed correctly. To install your drivers, go to C:\Program Files\Micro Commander V7\drivers\drv_install and run “GSMC_USBXpressInstaller.exe or run “Reinstall drivers”...
Page 42: Micro Commander Does Not Display The Airtime Value
17.4. Micro Commander does not display the Airtime value Cause 1: Incorrect operator selection You may have chosen the incorrect operator settings under the “SETTINGS TAB” in the software interface. If your operator is not in the list, then choose “Other” and define the airtime checking and please call me numbers respectively (If available).
Page 43: Disclaimer / Important Notice
19. DISCLAIMER / IMPORTANT NOTICE Herein, “the Company” will mean: Polygon Technologies CC, its directors, members, employees and agents. Much effort has been made to ensure the contents of this manual are complete and without errors. Nonetheless, the Company cannot be held liable for any damages directly or indirectly resulting from any errors in this manual.
Page 44: Manufacturer Contact Details
20. MANUFACTURER CONTACT DETAILS Polygon Technologies may be contacted at: Email: Info@gsmcommander.com Web: https://gsmcommander.com Telephone: +27 (0) 21 9817062 Fax: +27 (0) 86 6823310 Postal Address: PO Box 1655 Brackenfell 7561 South Africa © Polygon Technologies. All rights reserved Page 44...

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