GSM / GPRS Signal Strength Testing for Remote and Telemetry Applications

Modern data loggers and remote telemetry products for information gathering is often fitted with GSM or GPRS cellular equipment. This enables information collected to be sent wirelessly via the cellular networks, which offers a low cost, reliable communications means, which is densely rolled out across Europe and other major parts of the world. The main problem facing installers and suppliers of this equipment is ensuring a reliable cellular signal is available in the vicinity of the site so that information can be transmitted or received as cellular connectivity can be patchy when used in buildings or in remote areas.



The GSM / GPRS Signal Strength Tester / Meter SWGPRS023 is designed to meet the needs of installers or engineers who are unsure of the remote sites GSM or GPRS signal coverage or which cellular network operator performs best in a given area. The SWGPRS023 is a handheld device housing in a protective rubber sleeve with a total weight of 210 grams. It is fully featured with built in software and includes battery, removable antenna and a 42mm display screen with backlight. It is operated by a 4 arrow and on/off keypad which allows the operation of the main menu. It is as simple to operate as a basic mobile phone.



How? The Signal Strength Tester / Meter is fitted with a GSM/GPRS radio engine (commonly used in mobile phones) which enables operation on the 4 worldwide GSM/GPRS operating frequencies. These frequencies are recognised as 850, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz. 900 and 1800MHz are used predominantly throughout Europe, the Middle East, African and Asia. 850 and 1900MHz are predominantly used in the Americas and in parts of Japan.



The SWGPRS023 Signal Tester / Meter can be used with or without a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The SIM card allows connection to a cellular network operator so that information can be sent by voice, data or text. However as no information is sent but only received by the Signal Tester / Meter, it is mostly used without a SIM card as it allows the user to view all networks available within the area of test.



The Signal Tester / Meter allows a survey to be carried out by the installer or engineer and will display the results via the display and record them to the on board memory. The information displayed is user configurable as either basic or advanced information detailing information about each cellsite detected by the Signal Tester / Meter. This allows up to 14 different network and setup parameters to be interrogated including: Signal Strength as a percentage, GSM frequency, Cellular ID of site, Network Operator name, Bit Error Rate (BER) for determining interference levels, dBm, Local Area Code and Absolute Radio Frequency Channel number.



The Signal Tester / Meter is supplied with a removable Quad Band GSM/GPRS antenna fitted with an SMA male connector. This allows the signal tester to be used to position and test third party GSM/GPRS antennas by measuring and displaying the radio signal strength received by the connected antenna. Additionally, the levels of interference may be measured and sources of interference identified.



The Signal Tester / Meter is supplied with a Lithium Ion battery allowing up to 12 hours usage and a U.K mains charger which plugs directly into the Signal Tester / Meter. The charger will recharge a flat battery within 6 hours. Also supplied with the SWGPRS023 Signal Tester / Meter kit is a rubber, protective sleeve and manual.



All in all, this is a very useful piece of kit for determining which network to use when installing GSM or GPRS equipment. It is standard issued equipment to many installation engineers at companies such as utilities for metering or remote sites where it is not practical for site engineers to be easily available.




SWGPRS023 GSM/GPRS Signal Strength Tester

The SWGPRS023 is a radio analyser for use with GSM and GPRS radio equipment. Popular as a test tool by engineers and installers looking to get the optimum site for their cellular antennas, it is ideal for surveying a proposed site for a suitable radio signal, with or without a SIM card fitted via its integrated display.

• Quad Band - Detects all worldwide GSM/GPRS operating frequencies (850, 900, 1800, 1900MHz)


• Allows detailed interrogation of cellsites detected i.e frequency, operator, cell ID


• Ready to use out of the box - no additional programming required


• 1.75inch display for easy viewing of menus and site survey results


• Works with or without SIM card


• Up to 12 hours between charges and auto shut off feature


• Includes options list to change language to Spanish or French. Default is English


• Meets CE0168 European Radio Communication standards


• Designed and Manufactured in the U.K

The signal strength tester antenna is removable from its SMA bulkhead base. This can allow it to be used to qualify different antennas with the appropriate mating connectors

The SWGPRS023 is supplied with a built in battery allowing remote operation for up to 12 hours. It comes with a ruggedised outer case and is supplied complete with direct mounted quad band antenna, UK mains charger and full documentation.

Siretta Antennas, the Berkshire, UK based specialist of antenna and cabling for industrial wireless applications have released a 3G/GPRS signal strength meter designed for installation and development engineers working on cellular applications.

Named SW3G023, the 3G/GPRS signal meter is designed as a pocket sized, affordable test tool for engineers and installers engaged with M2M applications, cellular data and computing devices. SW3G023 provides key ID and performance information on all European cellsites operating on 900, 1800 or 2100MHz, with or without a SIM card fitted.

Users requiring GPRS data functionality in their end equipment also benefit from a GPRS PDP context test feature. This ensures a data installation is using a GPRS network as opposed to standard 14,400bps data rates on the GSM network.

Robustly built and ready to go out of the box, SW3G023 is supplied with a protective case, and removable, flexible antenna. Test information is reported on a 42mm widescreen OLED display. Surveys provide vital information for up to 99 cellsites including; Cell ID, network operator, operating frequency and signal strengths in percentage, CSQ and dBm form. A monitor feature also allows for real time interrogation of selected cellsites.

Measuring just 135x78x33mm and using the latest Lithium Polymer battery technology enabling a life of up to 24 hours between charges, SW3G023 builds on the success of the GSM/GPRS signal tester which is field proven via its many users worldwide.

David Taylor, Business Manager of Siretta Antennas comments "Our latest Signal Tester is an invaluable tool for clients working on European 3G or GPRS/GSM equipment either in the lab or on site. Many useful features for interrogating the cellular networks are packed into this tool and we have ensured it is built to an affordable cost, retailing at sub £300.00".

SW3G023 is supplied in kit form and includes; Tester, rugged enclosure, removable antenna, U.K mains charger and documentation disk. Universal chargers and alternative antennas fitted with an SMA male connector are available at additional cost.

For further information, please contact Siretta on +44 118 976 9014 or by emailing info@siretta.co.uk

About Siretta: Siretta Antennas is an operating division of Sequoia Technology Ltd who are a technology
solutions company based in Reading, United Kingdom. Siretta Antennas, design, manufacture and
distribute Industrial Antennas, RF cable assemblies and RF test equipment and supply to customers serving
the M2M and Wireless telemetry markets.

GSM Signal Strength Tester - Pocket sized test unit for engineers Now with French and Spanish language options!

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Image is for illustrative purposes only.

Datasheets

Quad Band GSM/GPRS Signal strength tester

Further information about the SWGPRS023 may be available here at our main website

Measuring physycal parameters, such as tempereture, pressure, displacement etc. in challenging environments that may suffer from electromagnetic or microwave interference is generally solved using Fibre Optic sensors. Besides being extremely accurate, the advantages of fibre optic are: very high precision, intrinsically safe electrically, minimally invasive (nano technology), immunity to radio frequencies, electromagnetic interferences and microwave radiation.



Sensors using Fibre Optics for their measurement in general use two types of techniques. Fabry-Perrot and Fibre Brag.



Fibry-Perot Sensors:


Working on the principal of light reflection between two reflecting surfaces, Fabry-Perot sensor solutions measure temperature, pressure, refractive index, strain, displacement, force & load. In simple terms a light source is injected and guided into a multimide optical fibre. This light is then bounced through two reflecting surfaces a large number of times until it reaches the sensing tip. Light escaped during this process is encoded, providing the measurement for the physical parameter.



Fibre-Bragg Sensors:

In Fibre-Bragg thechnology the sensor measurement is done through periodically altered refractive index to filter certain wavelengths, using this information to decode the sensor measurement.


Sensors based on Fibre-Bragg optical technology, allow sensors measuring temperature, pressure, displacement and so on, to be placed into hazardous environments. Light, transmitted along the fibre, carries the sensor information to a special signal conditioner and data aquisition system at the other end of the fibre.
The main advantage of Fiber-Bragg technology is that it allows multiple sensors to be connected to the same single piece of fibre in a daisychain style, with each sensor sending its measurement information at a predefined optical bandwidth. Fibre-Bragg optical sensors are therefore well suited to situations where multiple points of measurement are required, but in large structures such as bridges, tunnels, tall buildings and other civil engineering projects where it is important to be aware of key physical parameters either as the structure is being built, or afterwards on an ongoing basis.


Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors offer intrinsic multiplexing capability that allows the concatenation of a large number of transducers in a single optical fibre, being truly suitable for remote sensing since it is possible to locate them far away up to 10 km from the measurement unit. In addition, they are totally immune to EMI and RFI and carry no risk of current leakage or ignition. These characteristics make Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors particularly suitable for difficult-to-reach hazardous locations and large scale sensing networks.



The products are used in different applications such as:
Medical market:

patient monitoring in MRI

intravascular blood pressure monitoring

intracranial pressure monitoring

intrauterine pressure monitoring

cardiac guidewire-mounted pressure monitoring

sensors used can be either standard or disposable. Disposable fibre optic sensors are used to meet regulatory requirements such as: cleaning validation and to avoid the spread of infection / cross-contamination in equipment or to operators.



Aerospace & defence market:

high-speed temperature characterization for electro-explosive devices (EED)

Process control market:

refractive index, temperature, pressure and strain measurement for industrial
environment

Energy market:

hot spot winding temperature monitoring of electrical power transformer



More information about Fibre Optic Sensors

Today we have many ways to communicate with each other but few are as convenient and simple as the SMS (Short Message Service). Thanks to this technology every person with a mobile phone can communicate via this simple and low cost service. SMS like all technology is evolving and it's not just for teenagers sending text-speak to discuss the day's events, it has many business applications as well. The one I'd like to discuss today is remote monitoring.



Environmental conditions can cause all sorts of adverse situations; servers and computer equipment disagree with hot temperature, power loss, leaks or floods. Fridge/Freezers can warm-up from lack of power or an open door, even the wrong temperature or humidity in a farmyard hen coop can cause serious problems. This is where remote monitoring can save the day, using SMS you can be notified of a situation as it happens or even be warned before the situation is critical.



Below are some products which are simple and relatively speaking low-cost solutions that can provide you with the latest environmental information for your application.



First every one of these products requires a GSM Modem, The Sensormetrix GSM starter pack is a great way to make GSM integration really easy. This pack includes a GSM Modem, a power supply, antenna, serial cable and a CD containing all the documentation. It couldn't be simpler, just connect to one of the monitoring devices below via the RS232 cable and "hey presto" you'll have SMS alerts for your environmental monitoring system.



The HWg-Tg11 is a GSM thermometer with temperature logger by storing temperature values in its internal Flash memory (every 15 minutes) and e-mails stored data (every 4 hours) over GPRS. Can also send an alert via SMS, email or ring a phone if the temperature goes outside the set "safe" parameters.



The Poseidon 3262 is a great websensor for medium sized server rooms or monitoring areas in a lab. The user can attach up to 6 temperature or humidity sensors over a total distance of 30 metres. Standalone this unit can send email or SNMP alerts, but when connected to the Sensormetrix GSM modem it'll send SMS alerts if the temperature or humidity go outside the set "safe" parameters. This device is very simple to set-up via its built-in web page.



All the same features as the 3262 but if you require more sensors plus relay inputs and RS232 outputs then the Poseidon 2250 is the ultimate solution. This unit has capacity to have 36 sensors for Voltage, Current Temperature, Humidity, Air Flow, Motion, Smoke, Water Leak, Vibration, Door Contact, Energy consumption. Plus 3 dry contact inputs and 2 outputs to control relays which allow you to not only remotely monitor but remotely control devices.



Another option available is the G-series datalogger from Comet systems. It's designed to be installed in the driver's cabin and is powered from the vehicles cigarette lighter. The G Series range allows recorded temperature data to be printed on delivery for proof of environment during transportation of the goods. This device also conforms to TÜV SÜD certified to EN 12830, Class 1 and EN 13486, Class 1 for the transport of food. With an option to add a GSM modem this device can also send readings back to HQ to keep track on the environmental data.



It's worth mentioning these products are being used in many other environments other than Server Rooms, examples being Zoos, Warehouses, Laboratories, Museums and many NHS applications. We hope from reading this you'll see there really is no reason why you should leave such a valuable part of your business unprotected. With these systems you could save your business from a very costly accident, plus by using SMS alerts you can be notified anywhere in the world of a problem arising on your site.

Sequoia has been involved in electronics technology since 1986. Always at the cutting edge of components and design helping customers design in components and subsystems to their end equipment. Continuing the theme of selling electronic technology Sequoia has added additional strands of complex components and related products such as sensors and antennas dedicated to additional customer bases.