OEM GSM/GPRS modems - FCC Pre-Certified - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 07:00:37 am
content: Does anyone have recommendations for a solid cellular modem for use in the US? I need a pre-certified solution, but strongly prefer an OEM module for size considerations and hopefully better power management than I could get off a brick.Also, any opinions on who to deal with for SIM cards and data plans?Thanks!

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 01:03:22 pm
content: Telit and SimCom are quite popular amongst hobby type boards.I have used Cinterion parts in the past and I have a Quectel board, UBLOX are quite good now also.In the USA, I guess you will need the CDMA variant?I don't know who does the wireless plans though, here in the UK there are several options.Perhaps one way you could find out is to contact someone who does say wireless CCTV (3G or 4G or something, not WiFi) and ask them who they use (make it sound like a genuine product enquiry), most will tell you as it's not a secret.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 03:34:08 pm
content: I'm really interested in a commercial solution - not bleeding edge - but something that's robust and I won't need to worry about it disappearing next year.

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 04:24:42 pm
content: Telit makes nice stuff, their support is good too.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 04:35:32 pm
content: All of the manufacturers I have listed have stuff that has been around for a while and if you speak to the distribution chain in your area then they will normally tell you at least that the product will be supported for the next 5 - 10 years etc.The smallest are between Cinterion and Ublox, then Telit then Quectel from memory, or it was when I was looking, Cinterion and Ublox have similar power consumption.SIMCOM stuff has been around a while, but sometimes procurement can be an issue, again, depends on your distribution line.

author: Spikee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 04:51:15 pm
content: Can't you use the popular SIM900 parts?http://wm.sim.com/producten.aspx?id=1019QuoteThey are also freaking cheap

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 07:45:16 pm
content: Thanks for the sources.Does anyone have experience with Multi-Tech? They seem to be the most common or at least the most available in the US?

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 08:10:26 pm
content: Note Cinterion is part of Gemalto M2M now, so will probably fade away.Just to add another into the mix, we use Sierra Wireless quite a lot and rarely have any problems with them.. I guess we have something like 300 in the field - these are mini-PCIe modems. These are in the UK, no idea what's available in the US.Note that quite often the bigger terminals are little more than a module housed in a box so not great deal of difference between them. If you can get hold of an AT reference guide or even better a Hardware manual you should get an idea of what's achievable including power management.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 10:09:20 pm
content: We used multi tech analog modems in the past, and they still work today, I think they are from the early to mid 90s!I have used Cinterion parts for the past few years and they were under the Gemalto wing then, guaranteed from 2012 till 2018, which is what we wanted, so I don't think they will "fade away", still widely available today as we use them.