 |
DroneCell with U.S. quarter for size reference. |
|---|
 |
DroneCell, back view. |
|---|
Overview
The DroneCell by Narobo is a GSM/GPRS quad-band cell phone that supports text messaging (SMS), phone calling, and Internet access (TCP/IP). These features allow the DroneCell to bring a new level of connectivity to your project. For example, your robot could ask your web server for new instructions then text you when it finishes its work. Note that cellular communication requires a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card with active cellular service (not included); if you already have a GSM cell phone with a SIM card, you can use that card to power the DroneCell. Your particular cellphone service plan might only allow you to use a subset of DroneCell’s features, and standard cellphone rates apply.
This cellphone module is controlled by a TTL-level (3.3-5V) serial interface using standard ASCII AT commands, which means it can be directly controlled by most microcontroller UART modules. The DroneCell’s pre-soldered header pins are spaced like a 10-pin DIP with 0.1" pin spacing, making it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1" perfboards.
Narobo provides a Getting Started Guide (93k pdf) and DroneCell AVR C libraries (485k zip) for controlling the DroneCell with an AVR. Please note that there is a error in the getting started guide: on page 4 where it says “AT+CGMS” it should say “AT+CMGS.”
Included with the DroneCell is one Duck antenna with SMA connector, and one SMA to U.FL adapter.
 |
Antenna and antenna adapter included with the DroneCell. |
|---|
Features
- LED indicator for both network status and power
- Compact: 1.9 x 1.9 x 0.7" (4.8 x 4.8 x 1.7 cm)
- Breadboard and 0.1" perfboard compatible
- 5-16V input voltage
- 3.3-5V TTL-serial UART
- Configurable serial baud rate (up to 115200 bps)
- Quad-band cellular connectivity
- Dial and receive phone calls (however, there is no microphone or speaker interface)
- Send and receive text messages
- Send to and receive data from any Internet-connected computer
- Send and receive data over TCP or UDP sockets
- Works anywhere with cellphone reception
- Cellular to server communication (GPRS) up to 86.5 kbps downlink
- Cellular to cellular communication (CSD) up to 14.4 kbps
 |
