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Connecting GSM modems to PLCs

The advantages of connecting a low cost GSM modem to a programmable controller
application are many.

The advantages of connecting a low cost GSM modem to a programmable controller

application are many: alarm messages can be sent to a nominated mobile or fax
number, diagnostic information can be retrieved upon ringing the GSM modem
number or for extra security a coded text message can be sent, which the PLC will
check before releasing information. Whatever the requirements the operator knows he
can be contacted by the PLC when situations arise - ideal for those critical unmanned
locations. Communication to the modem from the PLC is by serial RS232 interface
and the protocol used is by AT commands, the standard way of communicating with a
modem.

The PLC must be capable of transmitting ASCII codes in order to achieve this.

Two minutes after power up (to allow time for the GSM to register with its network)
the PLC will send a ATZ reset to the modem.

This will be resent every 2 minutes until an OK prompt has been received from the
modem.

The PLC then sets up the modem for text mode and for incoming SMS reports via the
AT+CMGF and AT+CNMI commands.

An alarm situation will be arranged to trigger a transmit message to the modem which
is sent in two parts.

The first part is an AT+CMGS command which includes the telephone number of the
receiving mobile or, if a prefix code is used a nominated fax number.

The second part is triggered when a < prompt is received from the modem signifying
it is ready.

This second message contains the actual SMS text which could also contain live PLC
register data.

This could be data signifying for example piece part counts or analog
temperature/pressure values etc If the modem's own telephone number is rung from
an outside source a RING prompt is sent to the PLC.

If the PLC recognizes this it will respond with an AT+CMGS command as above and
send its data.

If security of this information is of concern then an SMS text message can be sent to
the modem containing a code or password known only to the user.
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These text messages are stored sequentially in the modem in a number of memory
locations.

Upon receiving a text message a +CMTI prompt from the modem identifies which
memory location the new message is stored in.

The PLC will then respond with a CMGR command which reads and stores the whole
message in its data registers.

The PLC checks this data using its standard compare instructions to see if a valid
password has been sent and if so, release its information using an AT+CMGS
command as described above.

The last thing the PLC is required to do is to clear out the text message stored in the
last memory location by send an AT+CMGD command to the modem with its
memory location number.

By putting the required programme in the PLC, any action can be triggered by a
coded incoming text message.

The PLC and therefore the machine it is controlling could even be turned off if the
user has not paid his bill!