Tutorial: How to test connectivity with your PC to your GSM Device or Cell / Mobile Phone

To test if your GSM device, phone or modem can work with SMSDemon or other programs on your PC, follow these steps using the Windows Hyperterminal program.

Requirements

• GSM Modem or Cell / Mobile Phone (some models may require an active SIM card)
  See here for some example models. As nearly all Siemens phones accept AT commands direct, we recommend using those. For Nokia phones, you may need to load the Nokia Data Suite to load the necessary driver to talk with your PC.
• Data Cable or IrDA (with driver) - make sure its compatible
• Spare COM Port
• Windows Operating System (with standard Hyperterminal program)

1. Connect device to the PC

Connect the cable to the device and the RS232 (9 pin) to one of the COM ports (eg: COM port 1) as pictured below. Ensure there is power to the device. For infrared connections (IrDA), you will need to check that the IrDA port is mapped to a serial port (COM4 is commonly used by IrDA).

2. Start Hyperterminal

Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> Communications >> Hyperterminal

3. Configure Hyperterminal

Enter a name for the connection, such as Connection Test.

4. Configure COM Port

If your device is connected to COM port 1, select COM1.

5. Configure Port Settings

You may need to check the individual settings of your device as it needs to be EXACT to get a connection. For standard cell / mobile phones connected through a data cable, the baud rate is generally 19200 bits per second. However the newer models have multiple bit rates which can be set through the phone.

6. Test Connection

Test the connection by sending AT to the phone (type in AT and hit enter). If the repsonse is OK, your device is connected! If you cannot get any response or are unable to issue any commands, check your settings (baud rate combinations) and also check another port.

7. Network Connection

You can test whether your SIM card is currently connected to the mobile network by sending the command AT+CPEG?. A response such as +CREG: 0,1 OK means that the SIM card is connected.