The ICP-GSMSER board from Inova Computers is a highly integrated yet easy-to-use dual-band GSM/GPRS (900 MHz/1800 MHz) 3U CompactPCI board for mobile or stationary industrial applications. Since all communication is made via radio link, the usual copper cabling linking devices is no longer necessary. Hence, this 3U CompactPCI board forms the optimal base for universal, high-performance telemetric applications in those areas where cable laying is either impossible or economically unsuitable.

The combination of a PCI-to-serial controller and the latest highly integrated and compact base module from Wavecom, have resulted in a superior communications board packed with GSM/GPRS functions for accurate positioning and time control. The ICP-GSMSER board is software compatible to the AT command set according to GSM 07.05 and GSM 07.07, and access is gained through software application code administering an additional COM port without blocking the CPU’s own serial COM 1 and COM 2 ports. All popular operating systems are supported including Microsoft XP (Embedded), Linux and VxWorks. The format of the GPS receiver position and time data is in accordance with the NMEA-0183 protocol and GPS timing, with atomic clock accuracy, is available completely free-of-charge. By utilizing the board’s optional TCP/IP stack, combined with other widely used IT communication protocols, integration of the ICP-GSMSER is possible in a variety of advanced applications. An integrated SIM socket supports all 3V SIM cards and is particularly shock and vibration resistant for harsh industrial climates.

Besides the two internal serial channels for GSM/GPRS and GPS communication, the ICP-GSMSER also has an external serial channel that can be configured for practically any communication standard. Currently, support is provided for the most popular bi-directional RS232, RS485, RS422, TTY and IBIS functions. The physical interface is through the usual stable 9-pin D-Sub interface.

It is the optimized, low noise design of the 16-channel GPS receiver that guarantees minimal signal dispersion and is responsible for its particularly high sensitivity of –140 dBm and equally impressive accuracy (2,5m CEP@50%, 5m SEP@50%). The pre-amplifier (LNA) of the GPS antenna is supplied with a separate ‘phantom’ 5V or 3.3V supply, which is monitored electronically and interrupts the power immediately when overloaded or short-circuited.

The operational status of the major elements such as the phantom voltage, antenna connection, or environmental temperature may be addressed through AT commands and output to the front-panel LEDs.

Typical applications that benefit from using the ICP-GSMSER are in the field of machine maintenance, mobile instrumentation, production data acquisition, control systems, information systems and emergency systems. The standard board is suitable for operational environments between 0°C and +70°C, however, for more severe environments, the board is also available for operational temperatures between –40°C and +85°C. This temperature range, combined with the board’s inherent stability, make it useful in a variety of open-air, automotive and rolling stock applications.

The ICP-GSMSER is available worldwide through the usual Inova sales offices or distribution channels. The price for a single unit is EUR 480.0 and additional technical information may be retrieved from the Inova homepage – www.inova-computers.de/icpgsmser.php