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SIM900A GSM Module

The SIM900A is a readily available GSM/GPRS module,used in many mobile phones and PDA. The module can also be used for developing IOT (Internet of Things) and Embedded Applications. SIM900A is a dual-band GSM/GPRS engine that works on frequencies EGSM 900MHz and DCS 1800MHz. SIM900A features GPRS multi-slot class 10/ class 8 (optional) and supports the GPRS coding schemes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3 and CS-4.

 

SIM900A GSM Module Pinout Configuration

SIM900A is a 68 terminal device as shown in pin diagram. We will describe the function of each pin below.

Pin Number

Pin Name

Description

1

PWRKEY

Voltage input for PWRKEY.  PWRKEY should be pulled low to power on or power off the system.

The user should keep pressing the key for a short time when power on or power off the system because the system need margin time in order to assert the software.

2

PWRKEY_OUT

Connecting PWRKEY and PWRKEY_OUT for a short time then release also can power on or power off the module.

3

DTR

Data terminal Ready  [Serial port ]

4

RI

Ring indicator  [Serial port ]

5

DCD

Data carry detect  [Serial port ]

6

DSR

Data Set Ready  [Serial port ]

7

CTS

Clear to send [Serial port ]

8

RTS

Request to send [Serial port ]

9

TXD

Transmit data [Serial port ]

10

RXD

Receive data [Serial port ]

11

DISP _CLK

Clock for display [Display interface]

12

DISP_DATA

Display data output [Display interface]

13

DISP _D/C

Display data or command select [Display interface]

14

DISP _CS

Display Enable [Display interface]

15

VDD_EXT

2.8V output power supply

16

NRESET

External reset input

17,18,29,39,45,

46,53,54,58,59,

61,62,63,64,65

GND

Ground

19

MIC_P

Microphone Positive

20

MIC_N

Microphone Negative

21

SPK_P

Speaker Positive

22

SPK_N

Speaker Negative

23

LINEIN_R

Right Channel input [External line inputs are available to directly mix or multiplex externally generated analog signals such as polyphonic tones from an external melody IC or music generated by an FM tuner IC or module.]

24

LINEIN_L

 

Left Channel Input

25

ADC

General purpose analog to digital converter.

26

VRTC

Current input for RTC when the battery is not supplied for the system.

Current output for backup battery when the main battery is present and the backup battery is in low voltage state.

27

DBG_TXD

Transmit pin [Serial interface for debugging and firmware upgrade ]

28

DBG_RXD

Receive pin [Serial interface for debugging and firmware upgrade ]

30

SIM_VDD

Voltage supply for SIM card

31

SIM_DATA

SIM data output

32

SIM_CLK

SIM clock

33

SIM_RST

SIM reset

34

SIM_PRESENCE

SIM detect

35

PWM1

PWM Output

36

PWM2

PWM Output

37

SDA

Serial Data [I2C]

38

SCL

Serial Clock [I2C]

40,41,42,43,44

&

47,48,49,50,51

KBR0 to KBR4

&

KBC4 to KBC0

Keypad interface  [ROWS & COLUMNS]

52

NETLIGHT

Indicate net status

55,56,57

VBAT

Three VBAT pins are dedicated to connect the supply voltage. The power supply of SIM900A has to be a single voltage source of VBAT= 3.4V to 4.5V. It must be able to provide sufficient current in a transmit burst which typically rises to 2A.

60

RF_ANT

Antenna connection

66

STATUS

Indicate working status

67

GPIO 11

General Purpose Input/output

68

GPIO 12

General Purpose Input/output

 

Features and Specifications

  • Single supply voltage: 3.4V – 4.5V
  • Power saving mode: Typical power consumption in SLEEP mode is 1.5mA
  • Frequency bands:SIM900A Dual-band: EGSM900, DCS1800. The SIM900A can search the two frequency bands automatically. The frequency bands also can be set by AT command.
  • GSM class: Small MS
  • GPRS connectivity:GPRS multi-slot class 10 (default) , GPRS multi-slot class 8 (option)
  • Transmitting power: Class 4 (2W) at EGSM 900, Class 1 (1W) at DCS 1800
  • Operating Temperature: -30ºC to +80ºC
  • Storage Temperature: -5ºC to +90ºC
  • DATA GPRS: download transfer max is 85.6KBps, Upload transfer max 42.8KBps
  • Supports CSD, USSD, SMS, FAX
  • Supports MIC and Audio Input
  • Speaker Input
  • Features keypad interface
  • Features display interface
  • Features Real Time Clock
  • Supports UART interface
  • Supports single SIM card          
  • Firmware upgrade by debug port
  • Communication by using AT commands

 

Note: Complete technical details can be found in the SIM900A Datasheet linked at the bottom of this page.

 

Similar Modules

SIM800L, QUECTEL M95

 

We have also covered the comparison between SIM900A and SIM800L GSM Module

 

How to Use SIM900A Module

For understanding the usage of the module let us consider a simple application circuit as shown below.

SIM900A GSM Module Example Circuit Diagram

As Shown above, the communication with this module is done through UART or RS232 Interface. The data is sent to the module or received from the module through UART interface.

The module is typically connected to +4.0V standard power supply. It can work on +4.5V regulated power and any higher voltage may damage the module. And the power source should be able to deliver a peak current of 2A. The UART interface is established as shown in figure. All you need to do is connect RXD of module to TXD of Arduino and TXD is connected to RXD of ARDUINO. The ground of controller and module must be connected for voltage reference. Here AUDIO IN is connected to MIC and AUDIO OUT is connected to a speaker or headset. And at last we need to connect a working GSM SIM card to the module. On powering the module, the NETLIGHT LED will blink periodically to state successful connection.

After all connections are done,we need to write a program for the microcontroller to exchange data with module. Since data exchange sequence between controller and module is really complex we will use libraries prewritten for the module. You can download libraries for controller or module through their websites. Using these libraries makes the communication easy. All you need to do is download these libraries and call them in programs. Once the header file is included, you can use simple commands in the program to tell the controller to send or receive data. The controller sends the data to the module through UART Interface based on protocol setup in libraries. The module sends this data to another GSM user using cellular network. If the module receives any data from the cellular network (or another GSM user) it will transmit it to controller through UART serial communication.

This way we can use GSM900A module to establish cellular connection.

 

Applications

  • Cellular Communication
  • Robotics
  • Mobile Phone Accessories
  • Servers
  • Computer Peripherals
  • Automobile
  • USB Dongles

 

2D-Model and Dimensions

Measurements in millimeter.

SIM900A GSM Module DImensions

Component Datasheet

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