Overview

For the vast majority of SIM cards and networks globally, Digital Matter devices will automatically connect to the network once a valid SIM card is inserted and the device is powered on.

For devices with private APNs or other specific requirements configuring the APN may be required to get online. For our 2G and global range this can be done over the air by sending an SMS message to the phone number associated with the SIM card.

For Cat-M1/NB-IoT devices, because the modem only deals with the data-component of cellular signals the device needs to be connected to the internet in order to receive an SMS message. As this is a chicken-and-egg situation, a physical DM Link cable connected to a laptop is the best option for establishing a connection. 

Once a device is online further configuration is done over the air via Device Manager. An SMS message will only be received when the GSM modem is powered on. When the device is in its low power “sleep” mode the GSM modem is off. Cycle the external power or toggle the ignition line to initiate a wakeup and server connection attempt.

Sending SMS Messages to Devices

SMS commands can be typically sent via one of the below methods,

1. Use a Mobile Phone and SMS message the MSIDN

MSISDN stands for Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number. It is a unique identifier assigned to each mobile device in a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network. It is the SIM cards ‘phone number’

Your SIM provider will generally display the MSISDN for your SIM card in your online SIM portal. You can look up the ICCID of your SIM card to find its MSISDN.

2. Use your SIM portal

Most SIM portals allow you to send an SMS message via the SIM portal, for an example in Jasper see below. This is generally the simplest and most commonly used method. 

Many portals will even offer API functionality to facilitate sending messages in bulk. 

3. Digital Matter SMS App:

The commands below can easily be sent from a common cellular phone to the SIM card in the device. The Digital Matter SMS App provides an alternative to using your phone. The app is a windows based executable. Users will need to create a Clickatell account.

4. SMS Providers 

Options such as Twilio can be used to generate SMS messages programmatically. 

Format

The SMS text must start with the following symbols (pound, asterisk, comma)

#*,

The SMS text command takes the following generic form of a command followed by a variable list of comma separated parameters:

#*,<command>

String values are not contained in quotation marks. Example:

#*,RESET

Set the APN

#*,APN,<apn name>,<user name>,<password>

LTE-M/NB-IoT Devices

Warning!

Please refer to the 4G APN article to understand the different process regarding the APN SMS commands

The format for the SMS is: (hash Asterisk comma 4GINIT comma APN comma RAT)

#*,4GINIT,<apn name>,<RAT number>

Generic

Where RAT stands for Radio Access Technology. The RAT is set using the following key:

0 - Automatic	(use Cat-M1 and NB-IoT). This is the default setting, but doesn't work in some cases.
1 - Cat-M1 only	Restricts 4G bands to only CAT-M1(recommended)
2 - NB-IoT only	Restricts 4G bands to only NB-IoT

If the APN details are omitted then the default APN and RAT will be saved to the SIM card. The default APN is a blank APN. And the default RAT is 0 (M1 and NB1)

In the Device Logs it will show the command has been received, understood and saved. You can also check your SIM portal to see if it has been saved.

Examples of 4G APN commands

 #*,4GINIT,telstra.internet
 #*,4GINIT,APN,RAT
 #*,4GINIT,apnOnly
 #*,4GINIT

 

 

#*,APN,<apn name>,<user name>,<password>

SERVER

This command allows you to set the details of the server that the device will connect to. The format is:

#*,SERVER,<server URL>,<port number>

If <server URL>,<port number> are omitted then the default OEM Server details will be used.

Examples:

#*,SERVER 
#*,SERVER,s0.oemserver.com,8964

DSERVER

This command allows you to set the details of the third party ('data') server that the device will connect to. The format is:

#*,DSERVER,<server URL>,<port number>

If <server URL>,<port number> are omitted, then the third party server will be cleared.

Examples:

#*,DSERVER

#*,DSERVER,remora.my.server.com,8966

OEM

If the device is using a third party ('data') server, then this SMS will trigger a connection to Device Manager for configuration, after completing a session with the 'data server'. If the device is not using a third party server, this command does nothing.

#*,OEM

RESET

this command will cause the device to restart as soon as it is disconnected from the server. This does not cause any parameter changes. The format is:

#*,RESET

POSITION

This command will cause the device to SMS the last recorded GPS location. 

Older Devices

The format is:

#*,<number to reply to>,POSITION

Example:

#*,+278212345678,POSITION

Newer Devices

The format is:

#*,POSITION,<number to reply to>

#*,POSITION,+27821234567

Please note:

• The device will only read the SMS during modem activity, usually at the end of an upload.
• The SIM card in your unit must be able send and receive text messages.
• Include the country code in the cellphone number - eg +27 for South Africa

Result:

G50

The older G50 device uses a different format to what has been described above. Please contact Digital Matter Support for more information.