GPRS Modem

A 1356
Instruction manual
Version 1.0, Code no. 20 751 831
Distributor:

Manufacturer:

METREL d.d.
Ljubljanska cesta 77
1354 Horjul
Slovenia

web site: http://www.metrel.si

e-mail: metrel@metrel.si

2010 METREL

Mark on your equipment certifies that this equipment meets the

requirements of the EU (European Union) concerning safety
and electromagnetic compatibility regulations.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means
without permission in writing from METREL.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Table of contents

Table of contents

1 WARNINGS..................................................................................................................4

2 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................5
2.1 REQUIREMENTS: ......................................................................................................5
2.2 COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLE......................................................................................5
3 INSTALLATION ...........................................................................................................7
3.1 OBTAINING SIM CARD AND ENABLING GPRS DATA TRANSFER.....................................7
3.2 INSTALLATION ON MEASUREMENT (REMOTE) SITE ........................................................7
3.2.1 Instrument and modem installation.................................................................7
3.2.2 GPRS modem settings...................................................................................8
3.3 INSTALLATION ON LOCAL SITE (OFFICE) ....................................................................10
3.3.1 Requirements...............................................................................................10
3.3.2 PowerView settings ......................................................................................10
3.4 REMOTE CONNECTION ............................................................................................12
3.4.1 Establishing connection................................................................................12
3.4.2 Downloading data.........................................................................................16
3.4.3 Real time scope ...........................................................................................18
3.4.4 Remote instrument configuration .................................................................19
4 MAINTENANCE .........................................................................................................24
4.1 INSPECTION ...........................................................................................................24
4.2 CLEANING .............................................................................................................24
4.3 SERVICE ...............................................................................................................24
4.4 POWERQ4 PLUS INSTRUMENT ERROR CODES ..........................................................24
5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................26

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Warnings

1 Warnings
To ensure a high level of operator's safety during using of GPRS modem the following warnings
have to be considered:

Be sure the use of this product is allowed in the country and in the
environment required.

The use of this product may be dangerous and has to be avoided where it
can interfere with other electronic devices in environments such as
hospitals, airports, etc.

Every module has to be equipped with a proper antenna with specific

characteristics. The antenna has to be installed with care in order to avoid
any interference with other electronic devices and has to guarantee a
minimum distance from the people (20 cm).
Consider all generally known precautions in order to avoid risk of electric
shock while dealing with electric installations!

The product has to be handled with care, avoiding any contact with the pins
because electrostatic discharges may damage the product itself. The same
cautions have to be taken for the SIM, checking carefully the instruction for
its use. Do not insert or remove the SIM when the product is in power saving
mode.

Do not use the device if any damage is noticed!

Only a competent, authorized person is allowed to carry out service
intervention!

If the GPRS modem is used in a manner not specified in this Instruction

manual, the provided protection can be impaired!

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Introduction

2 Introduction
Modem data transfer enables remote handling of the measuring instrument and its data.
If the measuring instrument has to be located on distant or hardly accessible place, the
GPRS modem is the only practical solution for fast access to the instrument.
Application described in this manual is based on Telit GT-863-PY GPRS modem. We
recommend preparing a test system for verification and training before performing
actual measurements at the remote place. GPRS standard set include:
- GPRS Modem Telit GT-863-PY
- USB/RS-232 cable
- Stub Antenna 54 mm
- 12V power supply adapter
Optional 5m antenna cable can be provided upon request.

2.1 Requirements:
Measurement (remote) site: Office (local) site:
- PowerQ4 Plus instrument - PowerView v2.0
- Instrument power supply - Internet connection (http web access)
- GPRS modem with power adapter - Open incoming port on office router
- SIM card with activated data transfer
- RS 232 - USB interface cable (A 1356)
- Modem power supply
- Antenna

2.2 Communication principle

PowerQ4 Plus instrument use GPRS modem for connecting PowerView through
internet. As mobile providers and companies frequently use firewalls to limit internet
traffic options, we use dedicated server called Metrel Server in order to avoid those
restriction. However, as is described in this document, user need to have open at leas
one incoming port. Communication is established in four steps:
1. User enters communication parameter (on remote site), and test:
a. modem, by calling modem number
b. test connection to Metrel server.
2. Users enter communication parameter on PowerView v2.0 (on local site) and
connect to Metrel server. Server save PowerView v2.0 parameters (IP address,
instrument Ser No., etc..)
3. User call GPRS modem number
4. Instrument connects to Metrel server. Server delegate communication
parameters for connect PowerView v2.0 directly.
5. Instrument connects to PowerView.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Introduction

Figure 1: Schematic view on the remote measurements

Note: If modem communication is enabled, it is not possible to transfer data from the
instrument to the PC trough USB connection. To enable direct USB connection between
the instrument and PC, you should disable modem communication on the both ends: on
the PowerView v2.0 software and on the instrument.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

3 Installation
3.1 Obtaining SIM Card and enabling GPRS data transfer
Before measurement campaign, SIM card should be obtain from your mobile provider or
from local store. Ordinary prepaid SIM card can be used, but user has to be convinced
that data transfer is enabled or it can be enabled. Note that GPRS data transfer policy
differs from provider to provider. Some mobile providers enable data transfer by default,
other requires SMS with special code, and some require signed contract. We suggest
user to test SIM card, by putting it into mobile phone and trying Internet connection.

3.2 Installation on measurement (remote) site

3.2.1 Instrument and modem installation

Installation procedure on remote site starts by connecting PowerQ4 Plus instrument to
the grid or measurement point. As measurement campaign can last for days or weeks it
is necessary to assure reliable power supply to the instrument. Additionally fully charged
instrument batteries can provide power to the instrument during interrupts and blackouts
for more than 10 hours. After instrument installation, GPRS modem with inserted SIM
card should be connected to the instrument and to the power adapter. Green LED diode
(PWR) on modem indicates that power supply is present. Red LED diode (STATUS)
shows status of connection. After power on, it should slowly blink, which indicates that
modem is successfully connected to the network. All status indications are shown on
table bellow.
Table 1: Status (Red) LED indications
LED status Device Status
Permanently on Data transfer is active
Fast interrupt sequence No GPRS signal
(blinking period 0,5 sec, lights on for 1 sec)
Slow interrupt sequence Connected to the network
(blinking period 3 sec, lights on for 0.3 sec)
Permanently off Device off

USB

RS-232

Figure 2: Instrument and GPRS modem installation

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Note: Pay attention to install modem with antenna at the appropriate place with good
signal condition. If the nearer surrounding of measuring site is having a weak signal,
optional 5 m antenna cable can be used to establish better signal condition.

3.2.2 GPRS modem settings

In order to establish remote connection to the instrument through PowerView v2.0,
communication parameters should be configured. Figure bellow show
COMMUNICATION menu in GENERAL SETUP.

Figure 3: Communication menu

Following parameters should be entered in order to establish GPRS communication:

Table 2: GPRS parameters to be set

Enter GPRS modem phone number. Phone number
should be provided in international form:
Number: Required 00+<country code>+<area code>+<local number>.
For example UK mobile phone number +44 (07725) 123
456 should be written as: 00447725123456
Enter this parameter if it if your SIM card request.
Note: If you want disable PIN code on your SIM card, use
PIN: Optional your mobile phone. Inset SIM Card into phone and follow
procedure to disable PIN code, prescribed by your phone
or SIM vendor.
Enter number code (for example 3-digits). User need to
Secret key Required store this number, as will be asked later by PowerView,
during connection procedure
Username: Required Those parameters are provided by your local mobile
Password: Required provider, from which SIM card for GPRS modem was
bought. They are required by GPRS modem in order to
establish internet connection. You can also use web
APN: Required services to find the required parameters. Make sure to
write letters correctly. Some mobile providers use
parameters that are case-sensitive.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Table 3.3: Keys functions

INIT Start initialization of GPRS modem.
Change communication source (RS 232, USB)
Change communication speed from 2400 baud to 115200 baud for
RS232 and from 2400 baud to 921600 baud for USB.
Move cursor position during procedure of entering GPRS modem
parameters.
Cursor keys. Select parameter.
Switch between characters and numbers during procedure of entering
GPRS parameters.
Edit selected parameter of GPRS modem.

Back to the GENERAL SETUP menu screen.

After entering parameters user should connect PowerQ4 Plus and modem with attached
RS 232 USB interface cable (A 1356) and activate initialization (INIT) by pressing on
function key . New window will appear on screen and GPRS test will start.

Figure 4: GPRS TEST pop-up window Figure 5: GPRS TEST pop-up window
(At the beginning of initialization) (At the end of initialization)

Table 4: GPRS TEST parameters:

1. Testing PowerQ4 Plus instrument GPRS modem
connection.
Device Init
2. Testing GPRS connection

Server test Testing connection with Metrel server.

Testing GPRS modem ring.

Ring Test User needs to call GPRS modem

(a phone number shown on screen) in order to verify that
GPRS modem can be called.
Shows GPRS modem receive signal strength in dBm:
> -51 dBm: excellent signal reception
Signal strength
-51 -100 dBm: good signal reception
-100 -113 dBm: weak signal reception

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

If INIT procedure finished successfully, instrument and modem are ready for
connection. Otherwise, see section 4.4 for error list and troubleshooting instructions.

3.3 Installation on local site (office)

3.3.1 Requirements
In order to access remotely to the instrument, PC software PowerView v2.0 should be
configured properly (See PowerView v2.0 manual for instructions how to install to your
PC). PowerView v2.0 similar to P2P programs (Torrent, eMule, etc) require open
incoming TCP port on your firewall, which point to your computer local IP. We suggest
port number 7789, but otherwise any port can be used. Please contact your network
administrator for port opening on your firewall. Open incoming port number should be
entered into PowerView v2.0 OptionsConnection form, for Connection Type:
TCP/IP (remote) as shown on figure bellow. Options window can also be opened by
pressing icon in toolbar. Confirm your choice with Apply and Ok.

Figure 6: PowerView v2.0 remote connection settings

If your company has simple network policy with uPnP (Universal Plug and Play) router,
PowerView v2.0 will be able to configure your network automatically, by selecting
Enable uPnP option. It that case, by pressing button Test uPnP PowerView v2.0 will
open given port for you.

3.3.2 PowerView settings

Press on Remote in toolbar in order to open remote connection settings, as
shown on figure bellow.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 7: PowerView v2.0 remote connection settings form

User need to fill following data into form:

Table 5: Instrument selection form parameters

Serial Number: Required Enter PowerQ4 Plus serial number
Enter GPRS modem phone number. Phone
number should be provided in international
form:
Phone Number: Required 00+<country code>+<area code>+<local
number>. For example UK mobile phone
number +44 (07725) 123 456 should be
written as: 00447725123456
Enter number code which was entered in
Secret Key: Required
instrument GPRS settings as: Secret Key.
Description: Optional Enter instrument description

By pressing +Add button, user can add another instrument configuration. X Delete
button is used to remove selected instrument configuration from the list. Connection
procedure will begin, by pressing on button.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

3.4 Remote connection

3.4.1 Establishing connection

After entering PowerView v2.0 remote settings and pressing on Connect button,
Remote Connection window will appear (shown bellow).

3. Server Instrument
connection status
2. Server Powerview
connection status

Port number

1. Powerview
LAN conncetion

4. PowerView Instrument
connection status

Figure 8: PowerView v2.0 remote connection monitor

This window is used for monitoring and troubleshooting remote instrument connection.
Remote connection can be divided into 4 steps.

Step 1: PowerView v2.0 connection to Local Area Network (LAN)

After entering Connection PowerView v2.0 will try to establish internet connection
automatically. PowerView v2.0 in order to establish connection, require http connection
to the internet. If connection was successful, a green icon and CONNECTED status
will appear between Your Computer and Router/Proxy/ISP icons, as shown on figure
above. In case of ERROR, please ask your network administrator to provide PowerView
v2.0 http access to the internet.

Step 2: PowerView connection to Metrel Server

After establishing internet connection in Step 1, PowerView will contact Metrel Server,
and then Metrel Server will try to contact PowerView v2.0 over Port number shown on

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

the screen. PowerView v2.0 requires that this incoming port is open on your router or
firewall. If Metrel Server connection to PowerView v2.0 was successful, a green icon
and CONNECTED status will appear between Metrel Server and Router/Proxy/ISP
icons, as shown on figure bellow. In case of ERROR, please ask your network
administrator to open incoming connection to selected port number..You can also use
web services for checking incoming port status, such as: http://www.canyouseeme.org/
or http://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/.

Figure 9: PowerView v2.0 connection to LAN and Metrel Server established (Step 1 &
2)

Note: Step 1 and Step 2 are automatically executed, after entering Remote Connection.

Step 3: Remote Instrument connection to Metrel Server

After the PowerView v2.0 successful connection to the Metrel Server, please call your
GPRS modem number. Modem will answer within few rings only, and they will actually
trigger Remote Instrument connection to Metrel Server.

Call modem phone number. GPRS modem should break your phone call after
few rings.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

If Remote Instrument connection to Metrel Server was successful, a green icon and
CONNECTED status will appear between Metrel Server and Remote Instrument
icons, as shown on figure bellow. In case of ERROR or WAITING status, try to call
modem again, after few minutes.

Figure 10: Remote instrument connection to Metrel Server established (Step 3)

Step 4: Remote Instrument connection to PowerView v2.0

After first three steps were successfully finished, PowerQ4 Plus instrument will
automatically connect to the PowerView v2.0 and try to establish connection, within few
minutes.
If Remote Instrument connection to PowerView v2.0 was successful, a green icon and
CONNECTED status will appear between Router/Proxy/ISP and Remote
Instrument icons, as shown on figure bellow. You can now close this window and
proceed to remote instrument access described in following sections.
In case of ERROR or WAITING status, try to call modem again, or press
Disconnect/Connect button to start remote connection procedure again.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 11: Remote instrument connection to PowerView v2.0 established (Step 4)

While the data is refreshed, the Remote button is displayed in green, to indicate that the
connection is active, as shown bellow. If it is displayed in orange color, it means that the
communication was broken and it should be reinitialized by user.

Figure 12: Active connection indication

Remote connection screen can be also accessed through Windows tray bar, by clicking
on icon. This is particularly useful to reconnect instrument and PowerView v2.0, after
network failure.

Figure 13: Remote connection icon

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

3.4.2 Downloading data

If remote connection settings are correct and Remote Instrument is connected to
PowerView v2.0, you are ready to download. Open the download window by pressing
F5, or by clicking on the button in the toolbar, or by selecting Download
from Tools menu.
Download window will be displayed, and PowerView v2.0 will immediately try to connect
to the instrument, detect the instrument model and firmware version.

Figure 14: Detection of the instrument type

After a moment, instrument type should be detected, or you will receive an error
message with the appropriate explanation. If you cant connect, please check your
connection settings.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 15: Downloading a list of records

When the instrument model is detected, PowerView v2.0 will download a list of records
from the instrument. You can select any records from the list by simply selecting them.
Selected records entries will have a green background.

Before downloading, you can also define a destination site node for each record. Each
entry in a list contains a drop-down list of sites in all currently open documents in
PowerView v2.0. If you don't have any documents open, all records will be downloaded
to a new site and saved into a new file.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 16: Selecting records from a list for download

Figure above show example were first two records are select. To start download, click
on the Start downloading button.

Immediately after download, a new document window will be shown in PowerView v2.0,
with the selected records placed inside a new site node. A backup PowerView v2.0 file
is always created at this point, compressed into a *.zip file and saved inside your
MyDocuments/Metrel/PowerView/PQData folder. This backup copy is made every time
a file is created or opened, to make sure that you can recover all your downloaded data
in case of accidental delete or change. However, note that records that were not
selected in the Download window, are not downloaded and therefore not saved to disk,
so check that all relevant records are downloaded before deleting them from the
instrument.

3.4.3 Real time scope

If remote connection settings are correct and remote instrument is connected to
PowerView v2.0, click the button to open the Real time scope window. A
new document window will be opened, as shown on the picture below.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 17: Remote Online window, with several channels selected

The figure above shows an online window, with several channels selected. While online
view is active, data are automatically updated. Updating speed will depend on your
connection speed, and each new update is initiated as soon as the previous one has
been downloaded, to ensure fastest possible refresh rate. While Real time scope is
active, button is displayed in green, to indicate that the connection is
active.

Depending on your connection speed, it may take a few seconds until the instrument is
detected and first online scope is downloaded. All tree nodes will be completely
expanded when the first record is shown, to enable easier channel selection. You may
also notice that the downloaded record node will not be located within a site node, like
in other records, but rather placed in a special instrument node. However, this record
can be moved to any other node, or saved.
To close the online view, click the button again, or close the online
window.

3.4.4 Remote instrument configuration

Instrument configuration tool helps you to change instrument settings, manage
recording settings, start or stop recordings and manage instrument memory remotely. In
order to begin, select Remote instrument configuration in PowerView v2.0 Tools
menu. A form shown on figure bellow should pop up on the screen.
Note: Remote connection procedure described in 3.4.1 should be performed
successfully before starting remote instrument configuration.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 18: Remote Instrument Configuration form

Please click on the Read Settings button in order to receive current instrument
settings. Additionally user can click on the DEBUG LOG button in order to see
communication protocol between PowerView v2.0 and the instrument. After retrieving
data from the remote instrument, form should be filled with data, as shown on figure
bellow.
User can now change instrument settings in the same manner as on the instrument. For
description of particular settings, see PowerQ4 Plus manual. Changed parameters, will
be sent back to the instrument by clicking on the Write Settings button.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 19: Remote Instrument Configuration after retrieving instrument data

In order to remotely control instrument recorders, please click on the Recorder tab, as
shown on figure bellow. User can select any of the instrument recorders and configure
accompanying parameters. For description of particular recorder settings, see PowerQ4
Plus manual. Changed parameters, will be sent back to the instrument by clicking on
the Write Settings button.
By pressing on Trigger/Save Waveform button, user can capture waveform and all the
signatures in given moment (snapshot), in the same manner, as by pressing a
HoldSave button on the instrument (see PowerQ4 Plus manual).

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 20: Remote Recorder configuration

By clicking on Start Recorder button, instrument will start selected recorder in the
same manner as would user start recorder directly on instrument. Recorder Stopped
status message will be changed into Recording Active as shown on figure bellow.
Additionally PowerView v2.0 will disable changing parameters during recording. If
manual triggering for particular recording (inrush, waveform or transient) is selected, it
can be triggered remotely by clicking on Trigger/Save Waveform button. Recording
can be terminated, by pressing on Stop Recorder button, or will automatically finish,
after conditions are met, for example after given period of time or after event capturing.
By pressing on Read Settings button, user can receive instrument status in any
moment.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Installation

Figure 21: Recording in progress

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Maintenance

4 Maintenance
4.1 Inspection
To maintain operator safety and ensure reliability of the GPRS modem is good practice to
inspect it on a regular basis. Check that the enclosure and optional connection are without
defects such as scratches or breaks.

4.2 Cleaning
Use a soft cloth moistened with soapy water or alcohol to clean the surface of a device and
leave it to dry totally before using it.

Warning:

Do not spill cleaning liquid over the device!

4.3 Service
For repairs under or out of warranty time please contact your distributor for further information.

4.4 PowerQ4 Plus instrument error codes

Table 6: PowerQ4 plus instrument error codes
Error
Error description Possible Solution
number
Instrument didn't respond Check cable connection between
1 during initialisation instrument and modem.
procedure (INIT) Check modem power supply
Unsuccessful conclusion Check cable connection between
(close) of communication instrument and modem.
2, 3
link with Metrel server or Restart INIT procedure on instrument
PowerView v2.0 Power OFF/ON modem
Check cable connection between
4 Modem soft reset error
instrument and modem.
Last command echo disable Check cable connection between
5
error instrument and modem.
Check cable connection between
6 Command interface error
instrument and modem.
Instrument modem set Check cable connection between
7
speed error instrument and modem.
RS-232 XON/XOFF flow Check cable connection between
8
control set error. instrument and modem.
Enabling card insert Check cable connection between
9
detection error instrument and modem.

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Maintenance

Error
Error description Possible Solution
number
Insert SIM card
10 SIM card is not inserted Check cable connection between
instrument and modem.
PIN authorisation status Check cable connection between
11
unknown instrument and modem.
Check PIN.
Check cable connection between
instrument and modem.
12 PIN authorisation error
If error repeats, remove PIN
authorisation, by using your mobile
phone (PUK number is required)
PDP (Packet Data Protocol) Check cable connection between
13
error instrument and modem.
Check APN name, username,
14 Username error
password
Check APN name, username,
15 Password error
password
Check cable connection between
16 Timeout error
instrument and modem.
Check cable connection between
17 Socket timeout error
instrument and modem.
Server socket connection Check cable connection between
19
error instrument and modem.
Metrel server is down, please try later.
Instrument is not able to establish
internet connection due to:
1. Week GPRS signal (check using
Server socket connection
20 INIT procedure)
error
> -51 dBm: excellent signal reception
-51 -100 dBm: good signal reception
-100 -113 dBm: weak signal
reception
21 Metrel server ping error Metrel server is down, please try later
Client query error on Metrel Check cable connection between
22
server instrument and modem.
GPRS modem initialisation
30 Repeat INIT procedure
(INIT) procedure abortion

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Technical specifications

5 Technical Specifications
Dimensions 107 mm L x 64 mm W x 33 mm H
Weight 135 g
USB/RS-232 Cable length 2m
Power Supply 12 V DC / 1.2 A
Power consumption 110 mA @ 12 V
Output power Class 4 (2W) @ 850/900 MHz
Class 1 (1W) @ 1800/1900 MHz
Output connector Antenna connector SMA-F 50 Ohm
Antenna Stub antenna, angled, 54 mm, SMA male, 900/1800 MHz
Data transfer GPRS Class 10
Status indicators Green led: Power supply
Red led: Connection status. See Table 1 for details.
Operating temperature -20 0C 70 0C
Storage temperature -30 0C 85 0C
Mounting Two side holes for M3 screws
Connector RS-232 female

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Technical specifications

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A 1356 GPRS Modem Technical specifications

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