What to select Sim or Telit?

hmmpic · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 314 Location: Denmark

I want to know if any have comment to which GSM module to use for simple SMS controlling.
There are 2 major choice SIM900 or a similar Telit module.
The main difference is that Telit have a Python compiler embedded, this mean the PIC will only be used for for logic controlling.
The SIM module is more simple, PIC must here have all the controlling function. When sending a SMS all text and AT function must be including at the PIC side.
Another parameter is the SIM module is cheap, about 20€. The Telit is about 60€.

Any comment?

ckielstra · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 3680 Location: The Netherlands

I never heard of the SIM brand. Do you have more info? possibly a link?

A modem brand I have good experience with is Wavecom (now Sierra) and have used Siemens in the past as well. These modems are not cheap, but older models can be found on eBay for competing prices. For example the Wavecom Q2686 is there for $21 (unused). These quad band modems contain a fast ARM9 processor with several MB's for you to download your precompiled C++/C-program. Why use a PIC if the modem has a processor at least 10 times faster with Mb's of memory instead of kb's? Cool

The Siemens TC45T is a nice modem in compact housing, programmable in Java.

What is the best choice for you depends on many factors that you have to decide on yourself.
- Is it for hobby or professional use?
- Is time to market important or do you want to have fun learning a new device?
- Is it only a one time project, or are you expecting to sell thousands?
- How much time can you spend?
- Do you want to program in C/C++, Python, Java?
- etc.

For the low volume projects the time you spend will be more expensive than a little more spent on the hardware.

hmmpic · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 314 Location: Denmark

Hello and thanks for the nice reply.

SIM is just www.sim.com

At first it's a prototype, and after that about 50 pcs. Ebay is not a issue I want components I can reorder for about 2-3 years.

It's not important if the module run user programs in Java, c or python.

But the module must be low cost, because end price is important.

I will check out your suggestion. Thanks.