After the huge success of the ESP8266 IOT modules , the AI-THINKER company now introduces the new GSM Module A6.In near future this module will be available at half the price of SIM900.
This is mini GSM / GPRS core development board based on GPRS A6 module. It supports dual-band GSM/GPRS network, available for GPRS and SMS message data remote transmission.
The board features compact size and low current consumption. With power saving technique, the current consumption is as low as 3mA in sleep mode.
Features:
– Working frequency: quad-band network, 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz
– Working voltage: 4.5~5.5V DC (On-board voltage regulator circuit supply power for A6 module)
– Working current: maximum of 2A
– Sleep current: 5mA
– Onboard Micro SIM card holder, you can install Micro SIM card
– Onboard Micro USB interface for external power supply
– Communication Interface: TTL serial port
– Baud rate: 115200bps and it can also be set by AT command.
– Interface logic voltage: 3.3V
– Make and answer phone calls using a headset and electret microphone.
– Send and receive SMS messages.
– Send and receive GPRS data (TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.) .
PIN DETAILS OF A6 GSM :
To test the module we make use of an USB-TTL module built on CP2102 .
The connections between A6 GSM & CP2102 module are :
A6 GSM USB-TTL Board
———- ————
UART_TXD —> Rx
UART_RXD —> Tx
GND –> GND
The A6 GSM can be powered up with a cell phone charger for which a mini usb socket is provided at the back side.Its advisable to use 5v 2Amp adapter.
Insert a valid SIM to the SIM holder seen at the bottom side of the module.
Connect the USB-TTL board to the PC & open the Device Manager to note the COM port alloted.
Open the TERMINAL Software & select this port .Select baud rate as 115200 & click connect.
The GSM module takes around 10 secs to boot up & finally you get CREG 1.
Now you can type in AT commands.The GSM A6 module requires a Carriage Return after every AT command .You can tick mark the CR found at the bottom right of Terminal before sending any command.Or you can make use of the SET MACROS function .Here you store the AT commands followed by $ sign & then 0D .
The $ sign is to Append & the 0D is the ASCII for Carriage Return.
AT commands are stored in M1,M2,M3,… as shown in screen shot above.
Now if you click on M1 , AT command is sent with CR & you get OK response.
Clicking M2 will send ATDxxxx to dial a number . The semicolon after the number is not a must as in SIM900.
ATH disconnects the call.
To send SMS
AT+CMGF=1 to set the TEXT Mode
AT+CMGS=”phone_no.”
Now you get a > symbol & the module waits for you to type in the message.
After typing the test message a CTRL+Z is to be sent .This is done by appending 1A which is the ASCII for the CTRL+Z
Watch this demo video :
http://www.alselectro.com/gsm-a6-board.html
http://www.alselectro.com/gsm-a6-full-kit-with-lcd—keypad.html
Thank you and this helps a lot as I was struggling to connect to A6. Works perfectly!
Glad it helped you.Another useful tip is to provide a RESET for A6.The Reset pin is 6th down from Antenna side of A6.Assign a digital pin as Output in Arduino.Connect this pin to RST of A6 through a Mosfet.The idea is to provide GND momentarily to RST while starting.This will assure A6 perfectly working on every power up.
Which Mosfet have you used? Thanks for your help!
Sir can you please tell me the best power supply to use for a6 ! do you have any name?
hi, I have a problem when I sent a command I am getting that doesn’t make sense like for AT I get ”]w”