Paradox PCS200 Reference And Installation Manual

PCS200 Communicator Module
V2.2

Reference and Installation Manual

Warranty

For complete warranty information, please visit www.paradox.com/terms.
Your use of the Paradox product signifies your acceptance of all warranty
terms and conditions. PCS200, Magellan, Spectra SP, EVO, and WinLoad are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Paradox Ltd. or its affiliates in
Canada, the United States and/or other countries. For the latest product
approvals, such as UL and CE, please visit www.paradox.com.
© 2012 Paradox Ltd. All rights reserved. Specifications may change without
prior notice.

Patents

One or more of the following US patents may apply: 7046142, 6215399,
6111256, 6104319, 5920259, 5886632, 5721542, 5287111, and RE39406
and other pending patents may apply. Canadian and international patents
may also apply.

Page 3

Table of Contents

Introduction ....................................................................................................................5

Features ............................................................................................... 5

Included Items.......................................................................................... 6

Required/Optional Items .......................................................................... 6

Compatibility............................................................................................. 6

Overview ..........................................................................................................................7

System Components............................................................................ 7

LED Feedback ..................................................................................... 8

Specifications ........................................................................................ 9

Connections .................................................................................................................10

SIM Card Connection......................................................................... 10

GSM vs. GPRS Connections ............................................................. 11

VDMP3 Connection (Optional - GSM mode only).............................. 11

Installation ....................................................................................................................13

Wall-Mount Installation....................................................................... 13

Antenna Installation ............................................................................ 14

Antenna Extension Installation (Optional) .......................................... 14

Configuring the PCS200 .......................................................................................... 15

Modifying the Frequency Band .......................................................... 15

Bandwidth Saver Mode ...................................................................... 15

Configuring GSM Network Provider Information ................................ 16

Configuring WinLoad Access ............................................................. 16

Programming GSM Reporting Options .............................................. 17

Programming and Registering GPRS Reporting Options .................. 17

Troubles ............................................................................................. 18

Text message notification .................................................................. 19

SMS Language .................................................................................. 19

Arm/Disarm System via Text Message (GSM only)........................... 20

List of SMS Commands ..................................................................... 20

Upload/Download .....................................................................................................21

Public Network (GPRS mode only) .................................................... 21

Private Network.................................................................................. 21

Upgrading the Firmware..................................................................... 22

On-Site Firmware Upgrade .................................................................... 22

Remote Firmware Upgrade.................................................................... 22

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Module Supervision Options .................................................................................23

End User SMS Programming............................................................. 24

End User SMS Programming with Digiplex EVO ................................... 24

End User SMS Programming with MG/SP / E-Series ............................ 24

View GSM IP Information................................................................... 25

Viewing GSM IP Information with Digiplex EVO .................................... 26

Viewing GSM IP Information with MG/SP / E-Series ............................. 26

Pre-Defined Text Messages .................................................................................... 27

Alarm Messages ................................................................................ 27

Arming/Disarming Messages ............................................................. 28

Trouble Event Messages ................................................................... 29

Trouble Restore Messages ................................................................ 30

Index ...............................................................................................................................31

Notes ..............................................................................................................................33

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Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction

The PCS200 provides Paradox control panels with wireless communication
capabilities to report system events through a GPRS or GSM network to the
IPR512 GPRS/IP Monitoring Receiver.

The PCS200 can be configured to send system events to the
end-user via SMS, and can remotely upload/download with WinLoad software
via GPRS. All this is achieved via a simple 4-wire serial connection between
the control panel and the PCS200.

The PCS200 can be installed up to 2m (6 ft.) from the panel. The device’s
antenna can be installed up to 18m (60 ft.) from the reporting device using an
optional antenna cable extension, depending on the local signal strength.

Features

• Report events to the IPR512 GPRS/IP Monitoring Receiver via GPRS or
to a landline receiver via GSM

• Fast upload/download with WinLoad or NEware via a GPRS connection

• Firmware upgrades via GPRS, or directly on-site

• Report via text message (up to 16 cell phone numbers)

• Control panel communication supervision. When detected, the control
panel will generate a trouble as well as report it to the monitoring station
via landline

• End user can arm or disarm the system by sending a text message
(SMS) to the PCS200 - GSM mode

• Send pre-recorded voice messages to up to 8 phone numbers to report
alarms using the Paradox Plug-In Voice Module (VDMP3) - GSM mode

• Simple installation with 4-wire serial connection

• Module antenna can be installed up to 18m (60ft) from the module using
optional antenna cable extensions depending on the local signal
strength

• 128-bit (MD5) and 256-bit (AES) encryption - GPRS mode

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Introduction

Included Items

• Serial cable

• 4-Phillips screws (top cover)

• Antenna

• Removable power terminal

Required/Optional Items

• Active SIM card (required)

• Paradox Plug-In Voice Module VDMP3 (optional)

• Antenna extension (optional)

Compatibility

• EVO48 and EVO192 panels V2.02

• K641 and K641R keypads V1.51 or higher

• SP series V3.42 with K32LCD keypads V1.22

• E55 panels V3.0 (labels to be programmed via Winload)

• E65 panels V2.1 (labels to be programmed via Winload)

• MG series V4.0 or higher with K32LCD keypads V1.22 or higher

For latest updates visit paradox.com

Page 7

Overview

Chapter 2: Overview

This section provides an overview of the Paradox PCS200 Communicator
Module. It covers technical specifications, light-emitting diode (LED)
functionality, and an overview of the PCS200 system components.

System Components

1) SIM card slot (supports standard GSM provider SIM cards)

2) System LEDs (refer to “LED Feedback” on page 7)

3) Antenna cable connector

4) Mounting holes - used to mount the PCS200 to a wall or similar type
surface

5) Aluminum enclosure

6) Bandwidth selection switch

7) Serial cable connector - used to connect the PCS200 to a Paradox
control panel

8) Audio jack (GSM mode only)

LED Feedback

2

8

7

4

6

1

3

5

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Overview

The following table provides a description of the PCS200 Communicator
Module LEDs.

RX Flashing green: receiving data

TX Flashing green: transmitting data

Error Red: module is not communicating with control panel.

LED will be lit on power-up until a connection has been
established.

N/A Future use

SIM Card
Error

Red: SIM card is not present or communication cannot
be established via the SIM card

Signal
Strength

Indicates the quality of the signal
1 LED lit: weak signal
3 LEDs lit: strong signal

GPRS Green: established a GPRS connection on the GSM

network
Flashing green: transmitting GPRS data

GSM Green: connected to the GSM network

Page 9

Overview

Specifications

The following table describes the technical specifications of the PCS200
Communicator Module.

Power Class 4 (2W) @ 850/900 MHz

Class 2 (1W) @ 1800/1900 MHz

Antenna
Bandwidth

70 / 80 / 140 / 170 MHz

Antenna Gain <3dBi; impedance 50 ohm

Input power >2W peak power

Power Input 12 Vdc (from control panel)

Consumption 80 mA Standby, max 600 mA during GPRS/GSM

transmission

Dimensions 12.2cm X 10.2cm X 4.8cm (4.8in X 4.0in X 1.9in)

Operating
Temperature

0ºC to 50ºC (32ºF to 122ºF)

Encryption 128-bit (MD5 and RC4) or 256-bit (AES)

SMS Protocol 8-bit (IRA:ITU-T.50) or 16-bit (UCS2 ISO/IEC10646)

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Connections

Chapter 3: Connections

The following sections guide you through the steps required to connect the
PCS200 prior to mounting the unit.

SIM Card Connection

The PCS200 connects to your Paradox control panel providing wireless
communication capabilities to report system events to a monitoring station.
The PCS200 supports standard GSM provider SIM cards. The SIM card
contains all your cellular telephone account information. In order to activate
your SIM card, you must contact your local GSM network provider.

Note: Prior to setting up your PCS200, it is important that the Personal
Identification Number (PIN) of the SIM card be disabled. Refer to your cellular
phone’s manual for more information on how to disable the PIN.

To install the SIM card:

1) Remove the front cover of the PCS200 Module. If the cover is not
installed, proceed to Step 2.

2) Slide the SIM card tray towards the bottom to unlock it, and then flip the
SIM card tray open towards you, as shown in Figure 1.
Note: Open the SIM card tray slowly to avoid damage to the tray.

3) Slide the SIM card into the tray with the cut-off corner towards the
bottom left. Close the SIM card tray and slide the tray up to lock it into
place.

Figure 1

+ -

1

2

3

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Connections

GSM vs. GPRS Connections

The PCS200 is connected directly from the serial cable connector located on
the bottom of the unit to the Paradox control panel using the provided serial
cable.

Note: GSM and GPRS reporting cannot be conducted simultaneously. To
switch reporting methods, connect the serial cable to the control panel’s Serial
or Ebus connector and then scan the module. Refer to your Paradox control
panel documentation for more information on scanning modules.

Figure 2

VDMP3 Connection (Optional - GSM mode only)

The Paradox Voice Module (VDMP3) can send pre-recorded voice messages
on up to 8 phone numbers to report alarms via the GSM cell phone network.
This is done by mounting the VDMP3 directly on the PCS200 Communicator
Module, enabling the VDMP3 to dial out using the GSM cell phone network.
With the VDMP3 mounted onto the PCS200, the end user can also arm/
disarm, request system status, and control PGMs from any telephone.

Note: When using the VDMP3, certain programming options must be
configured. Refer to the control panel programming guide for more
information.

DIALER EBUS

for GPRS Reporting

for GSM Reporting

SERIAL

Paradox Control Panel

PCS200

SIM Card

Up to 2m ( 6ft.)

SERIAL (UART)

Serial Cable

Connector

VDMP3

DIALER

EBUS

Serial Cable

Page 12

Connections

If the VDMP3 module is installed and the GSM network reception is weak, the
volume setting can be adjusted to help improve the VDMP3’s response to
keys pressed on a telephone. The default volume is 85; this allows for best
communication. Valid range values are between 85 to 100, anything outside
of this range will reset the command to 85. To adjust the GSM volume the
following SMS command must be sent:

P[admin].VOLOUT.[volume value]
e.g., Padmin.VOLOUT.95

Where [admin] is the PCS200 default password (if the password has been
changed, enter in the new password) and [volume value] is the new volume
level. The PCS200 will receive the SMS message and then adjust the volume
setting accordingly.