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Cell Network Checking: understand GSM Module and connectivity outputs from SerialPort Utility
Cell Network Checking: understand GSM Module and connectivity outputs from SerialPort Utility

How to interpret GSM module connectivity on station and in SerialPortUtility

Updated over a year ago

The GSM module is how the station connects over a cellular network to the Brick Network (see image below showing a highlighted SIM card being inserted (chip facing you, chamfered edge in the top-left) and has three lights on it.

  • First light is solid: it confirms that the GSM module is powered

  • Second light blinking: confirms that the GSM module has a cell connection

  • Third light is solid: confirms the SIM card is being read correctly

When running Serial Port Utility on the station, and you send the 'debug' command (see Serial Port Utility guide), the station will return information like an IMEI number, it will also included a '+ICCID:' number which confirms that the the SIM is successfully being read.

Understand debug:2 SerialPort Log

IMEI but No ICCID?

Reason: Then no sim has been recognized. Incorrectly placed.

Quick solution:

  • Change SIM

How to troubleshoot:

  • Check so you have a simcard inserted

  • Check so it's correctly inserted

  • Check so the sim is Active. How to check if Active?

    • Insert the sim in another station, it's Active if it connects

    • If it doesn't connect, then we can assume it's inactive. Ask Brick HQ.

  • If you have an active simcard correctly inserted, then it out and put a small piece of tape on the backside of the sim. This makes the sim thicker and solves the issue.

OK +CGREG: 2,[0-9]

If the log spam

OK
+CGREG: 2,0

then the sim is ok inserted, but it's not getting a connection.

Reasons:

  • SIM is Termined, cannot be used

  • Antenna not correctly attached

  • No reception

Quick Solution:

  • Check so you have reception on your phone. If 2 or less our of 4 bars then reception could be the reason. Move it and restart

  • If good reception: Change sim, preferably to one that's been active in another station

How to troubleshoot:

  • If the issues remains (debug:2 spamming the log below) after moving to better reception location and with an Active sim, then we can suspect an antenna issue.

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