Low-cost 3G modems target Internet of Things applications

Solid State Supplies has announced availability of a new low-cost 3G modem from Sierra Wireless. The GL8200 is a serial RS232 modem from the compact GL family of wireless modems, which offer a small footprint with durable form factor that integrates easily into existing products. The benefits of the GL Series are that they are simple, quick to deploy and are supported by AirVantage® cloud services to enable them to be used to build powerful Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The AirLink GL Series is one of Sierra Wireless’ smallest platforms for connecting products or developing powerful M2M applications. It plugs into any IoT system and quickly provides 3G connectivity. Designed with industrial specifications to operate in harsh ruggedised conditions, the GL8200 offers penta-band 3G with quad-band 2G fall back, and is among the world’s smallest ready-to-go cellular modems, says the company. The AirLink GL8200 allows users to connect to a wireless network by plugging in a microfit cable and an RF antenna. The plug-and-play capability means that all users need to do to start building applications is to insert the SIM card, connect the antenna to the FME RF connector, plug in the power supply and switch it on. The SIM interface controls both 1.8V and 3V SIM cards. Designed using the AirPrime HL8548 embedded module, specific communication features of the modem include data connectivity on GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA and HSUPA networks with 3G/HSPA connectivity over the 850/900/1900/2100MHz frequency bands, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity over 850/900/1800/1900MHz bands. The modem is also GPRS/EDGE Class 33 capable. The GL8200 also provides a range of other features including modem status LED indicator, low-power modes, full compliance with GSM 11.11 recommendations, TCP-IP stack, and a secure mounting mechanism using removable screws. The GL8200 is supported by: a user manual, AirVantage starter guide, AT commands guide and other documentation resources; firmware and other software resources; and an active GL Series community development forum.