Components > Communication

This component is used to send and receive SMS messages via GSM/UMTS radio sticks.

The use of a GSM LAN modem is recommended.The ConiuGo GSM LAN modem LTE was tested. Here you can find the configuration guide.

In addition, the sticks HUAWEI Stick E303 and the 4G XS Stick P14weretested.
When using some sticks, a user must be logged on to the EisBaer SCADA server PC. This is the only way to ensure that the stick-specific software starts and makes it available as a COM port.

This is not necessarywhen using the HUAWEI Stick E303. Here, the component also works without a user login on the server PC.

The received SMS are automatically deleted on the stick! If there is no network connection or the hardware was not detected, the SMS is saved and only sent when there is a connection again (driver must be on).

In the event of faulty transmission, an attempt is made to send the SMS again every 5 minutes. This is limited to 60 attempts.

Data points of the component:

Name	Type	function
Debug Error	Output	Here the status outputs are output formatted. The output is used for diagnosis in case of faulty circuits. To display the text, it is recommended to use the display component protocol window with its input (signal). The diagnostic information is displayed there, linked to the [Signal] input of the log window.
Debug Info	Output	All operations of the driver are output here.
External notification request	Input	This data point can be linked to the fault message manager component. If faults are to be forwardedto theSMS component , a pseudo e-mail must be entered for the "To address". This has the following form: <Number>@local.sms Example: 0170123456789@local.sms
Dynamic	Folder	This folder contains the subfolders for the recipients and the channels.
- Channels	Folder	This folder contains the created channels. These have the following data points
- - Debug	Output	Here the status outputs are output formatted. The output is used for diagnosis in case of faulty circuits. To display the text, we recommend using the display component Value-dependent text with its value-display input. The diagnostic information is displayed there, linked to the [Signal] input of the log window.
- - Message	Input	Input for the text to be sent
- - Error sending Message	Output	Display whether the message has been sent or not. If true, the transfer failed.
- - Trigger	Input	Any command will trigger the channel. This can be set in the channel list. Any event: Any input signal at the trigger input sends an SMS with the content that was entered in "Text (send with trigger)". When ON or OFF: With a true or false at the trigger input, an SMS will be sent with the content entered at "Text (send at trigger)".
- - URL	Output	If a URL is recognized in the SMS, it is output here.
- - Value	Input	Value for the predefined text where a placeholder occurs formatted with {{ }}.
- Kontakte	Folder	The folder contains the stored contacts.
- - Message	Output	If a contact sends an SMS to the polar bear, the message will be displayed here.
- - URL	Output	If a URL is recognized in the SMS, it is output here.
Valid PIN	Output	If true, the PIN entry was valid.
Manufacturer info	Output	Indicates the manufacturer and the model name of the stick.
HW State	Output	Indicates whether communication with the stick is possible.
IMEI	Output	Returns the IMEI number of the SIM card.
Last Message (received)	Output	Output of the last received SMS with "Number -> Text"
Last Message (sent)	Output	Output of the last sent SMS with "day, date and time, channel name -> text"
Network-State	Output	Indicates whether the stick is logged in to a network
Network-State (enum)	Output	Returns a numeric code. Here the assignments are as follows: 0 = not logged in, no network search 1 = logged in the home network (sending and receiving possible) 2 = not logged in, network search 3 = not checked in, booking rejected 4 = status unknown 5 = logged in the foreign network
Send Error	Output	If the output is set to true, sending an SMS has failed.
Clear resend list	Input	Deletes the message list that results when the messages can not be sent.
Serial	Output	Returns the serial number of the stick.
Signal strength	Output	Specifies the reception strength in dB. See below.
Signal strength (secondary)	Output	Execution command reports the signal quality indicators according to the network (2G, 3G, 4G) on which the module is registered. See Additional info section below.
SIM PIN	Input	Differing from the set PIN (which is only transmitted when the component is started), a SIM PIN can be entered via "SIM PIN" (only valid temporarily).
Driver On/Off	Bidirectional	Turns the driver on or off
URL	Output	If a URL is recognized in the SMS, it is output here.

With "Text (send on trigger)", a predefined text can be sent on triggering. If "With channel name prefix" is activated, the channel name is also sent. Values at the data point "Value" can be taken over in the channel if the placeholder is formatted with {{ }}. Example: {{#0.0°C}}

Properties:

Name	Standard	function
Service-Configuration	COM1 ...	Here the hardware is configured.
Contacts	0	Opens the editor for creating the contacts.
Channels	0	Opens the editor for creating defined messages as channels.
Driver On/Off		Turns the driver on or off

Service Configuration

Opens the editor for configuring the hardware.

Here, the COM port and the BAUD rate for communication with the stick must be set. For the two tested sticks, the BAUD rate is 9600. The correct COM port can be taken from the Windows device manager. It should be noted that depending on the stick and software several virtual COM ports are created. The correct port for the

HUAWEI Stick is "HUAWEI Mobile Connect - 3G PC UI Interface" and for the

4G stick "Device-Application Interface".

Attention:

•In order to set up the COM ports, the respective software must be installed, as the required drivers are also installed. The latest software from the Internet should always be used. If necessary, the APN for the provider used must be entered in the manufacturer's software.

•In order for the polar bear to be able to communicate with the sticks, the COM port must not be occupied by the manufacturer's software

•This software must be closed beforehand. Usually the software is started automatically when the stick is plugged in - this must either be prevented by suitable measures or the software must be terminated manually.

•The character § cannot be transmitted. An undercut is inserted for this purpose. Furthermore, care must be taken not to use ß.

contacts

Here the recipients are defined. For this purpose, any name and the associated telephone number can be entered. If you want to receive SMS from a number, then make sure that the number is entered here exactly as sent by the telephone - in particular, this also applies to the country code. It is also advisable to enter the number of the provider here. Messages about account balance or data volume are usually also sent via SMS.

channels

For a send channel, an associated receiver and a send trigger must be specified. Transmit trigger refers to the data point "Trigger" in the created channel. With "Text (send with trigger)" a predefined text can be sent on triggering. If "With channel name prefix" is activated, the channel name will be sent as well.

Send SMS to the EisBaer

If an SMS is sent to the EisBaer, the message is output at the output of the stored receiver. The output is made via the data point "Message" of the contact.

Additional info for signal strength

Signal strength:

approximate rating:

-89 dBm or better: 4 bars (very good)

-99 dBm to -108 dBm: 3 bars

-109 dBm to -118 dBm: 2 bars

-119 dBm to -128 dBm: 1 bar

-129 dBm or worse: No bar (no reception)

2G Networks Signal strength (secondary)

Values:

0 : less than 0.2%

1 : 0.2% to 0.4%

2 : 0.4% to 0.8%

3 : 0.8% to 1.6%

4 : 1.6% to 3.2%

5 : 3.2% to 6.4%

6 : 6.4% to 12.8%

7 : more than 12.8%

99 : not known or not detectable

3G Networks Signal strength

Values:

0 : -115 (or less) ÷ -112 dBm

1÷31 : -111 ÷ -51 dBm

31 : -50 ÷ -25 (or grater) dBm

99 : not known or not detectable

Signal strength (secondary)

Values:

8 : -24 (or less) dB

7 : -23,5 ... -21 dB

6 : -20,5 ... -18 dB

5 : -17,5 ... -15 dB

4 : -14,5 ... -12 dB

3 : -11,5 ... -9 dB

2 : -8,5 ... -6 dB

0 : -5,5 ... 0 dB

4G Networks

Signal strength

Values:

0 : -113 (or less) dBm

1 : -111 dBm

2÷30 : -109 ... -53 dBm

31 : -51 (or greater) dBm

Signal strength (secondary)

Values:

0 : -4 ... -3 dB

1 : -6 ... -5 dB

2 : -8 ... -7 dB

3 : -10 ... -9 dB

4 : -13 ... -11 dB

5 : -15 ... -14 dB

6 : -17 ... -16 dB

7 : -19 ... -18 dB

99 : not known or not detectable