EHS5-E: Suddenly no response from RS232 line. | Thales IoT Developer Community
February 1, 2017 - 4:20pm, 5297 views
Hi
Our Device:
ATI
Cinterion
EHS5-E
REVISION 02.000
I have the problem here, that I suddenly receive no response from the Module.
Example:
I send an SMS over Serial RS232 with the following AT commands:
PC: AT+CREG?
Module: +CREG: 0,1 OK
PC: AT+CMGS="0123456789"<CR>
Module: <CR><LF>>
PC: 1234 #000<CTRL-Z>
Module: <CR><LF>+CMGS: 232<CR><LF><CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>
PC: ATH0<CR>
Module: <CR><LF>OK<CR><LF>
Then, 5s later, I send again the exact message, and I get immediately after the Prompt > an Error from the Module:
PC: AT+CMGS="0123456789"<CR>
Module: <CR><LF>> <CR><LF>ERROR<CR><LF>
Module: <CR><LF>+CMGS: 233<CR><LF>
The Response +CMGS: 233 is the last signal from the Module, after this, it's not responding anymore to AT-Commands. I have to restart the Module to get it working again.
We use this modules in a few installations with exactly the same software who talks to the module, but only on on this system we have this problems.
- Firmware is the same like on the other working modules
- Module already changed
- Serial-Port on the PC changed
What could produce this issue? Can I read somewhere a diagnostic log?
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards, Stef
Hello,
As I understand you correctly the problem exists only with the one PC or other machine which is connected to the module and you already have tried more than one module. And you are using RS232 and not USB.
So far it looks for me more like the problem with the PC rather than with the module. I'd try to connect some RS232 tracer and check what's really sent on the interface.
Is the scenario always the same that it happens when the SMS is being sent? How frequently does it happen? Have you tried to connect the module to other PC and check if it replies?
Please also check ATI1 reply for the complete firmware version.
Regards,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej
The traces I wrote in my post are from a RS232 tracer (RS-232 ComProbe II from frontline test equipment). If you like, I can try to upload the important part in a textfile.
I don't know if the scenario is alwasy exactly the same, but our customer tells us that he has to restart the module multiple ***** per week. It always happens when an SMS is being sent.
ATI1 output:
Cinterion EHS5-E REVISION 02.000 A-REVISION 00.000.15
What differs from other installations is, that we use there an inhouse GSM antenna. But this does not explain me, why the module does not respond anymore to AT-commands and we have to restart it.
Hello,
This log that you have pasted looks quite unusual as there's ERROR and than +CMGS: as if the SMS was sent. If you have more logs you could share them also.
So is it only one device that is failing? Actually more than one module but one PC and other hardware as I understand. Have you tried to connect the device to other PC before restarting to check if it replies?
There's one more thing that I can think of now - the power supply - have you tried to change it?
Regards,
Bartłomiej
Hello
At the moment I don't have more logs. I will share if I have more. I cannot reproduce the problem in my office and we replaced already the module with a new one inclusive serial-cable and power supply.
We will try to connect the device to another computer if it fails again. It's not so easy, because we're not always on site and sometimes the customer just restarts the device without telling us that the problem occurred again.
Regards
Stef
Hi Bartłomiej
We had this issue again on the 31. of March. The logs show exactly the same, again an ERROR and then <CR><LF><CR><LF>+CMGS: 206<CR><LF>, after this no AT responses until modem-restart.
Meanwhile we know that we have a weak GSM signal, so we will try to place a better antenna. Perhaps this problem occurs with bad GSM signals.
Hello,
It can be hard to debug this problem as it only reproduces in the customer premises from time to time.
And how about the hardware that is used with the module - is it your proprietary hardware? What else is the solution used for besides sending the SMS messages? As this happens during the network activity (SMS) while signal is weak the potential cause could be the insufficient power source. Maybe there's a significant voltage drop which causes this state.
Regards,
Bartłomiej
No, it's no proprietary hardware. We use an assembled PC with standard-components. The Mainboard is an Intel S1200BTLR with an onboard RS232 Serial Port where the module is connected. We use the module only for sending SMS. As power-source we use a limatronic AC/DC adapter with 12V 1.5A DC output.
We plan to add an external antenna for better signal and see if this solves our problem.
Regards
Stef
Hello,
I'm more interested in the hardware that the module is connected to - the bare module must be mounted on some board, inside some terminal. What is the hardware - is it the terminal from Gemalto or some other provider, could you paste a picture?
Thanks,
Bartłomiej
Hi Bartłomiej
The module is in the hardware from telic.de (formerly cepag ag) and not gemalto (see link). I'm sorry, I didn't mention that. I will also try to contact their support, maybe they can help me.
http://www.telic.de/Load/Telemetry/M2M_Terminals/HT63_E/EN_UserManual_HT63-E.pdf
Hello,
I think that it's a good idea to contact them because the problem may also exist in their hardware and they will be able to do some tests. If they come to the conclusion that the EHS5 module is to blame here they will be able to report this to the Gemalto support.
I think that you could also try to reproduce this problem on your desk for example simulating the weak signal by removing the antenna or placing the device to some kind of shield box.
Best regards,
Bartłomiej