
The GSM / GPRS STAND ALONE MODEM
WAVECOM
SAM
2W User Guide
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
Contents
1. Overview
2. Safety Precautions
3. Radio frequency exposure - SAR
4. WEEE directive 2002/96/EC
5. Packaging
6. Functionality
a. General
b. The RJ45 connector
c. The Data cable
d. The SIM holder
e. The LED status
7. Operation
a. Preparation
b. Setting up
8. Electrical characteristics
a. Power supply
b. RF band
c. External antenna
d. Temperature
e. Conformity
9. A typical application - Remote meter reading
10. Trouble shooting
Appendix A : SAR calculations
Appendix B : SAR statement for CE-application

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
The Stand Alone modem, SAM, is designed to be a compact modem, easy to use for both mobile
and fixed machine to machine applications. It has an RJ45 socket for serial data and input power,
an FME male antenna connector, a SIM holder and an LED indicator.
The SAM is a Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS modem, capable of Circuit
Switched Data, Packet Switched data, SMS and Fax.
The RJ45 socket includes an RS232 serial port and input voltage signals. The LED is located
next to the SIM holder, which allows users to monitor the status of the modem in operation.
The SAM is controlled using a set of standard AT commands.
2. Safety Precautions
The following safety precautions must be observed whenever the SAM modem is in operation or
in service. Failure to comply with these precautions violates the safety standards of the design,
manufacture and intended use of the product
- Switch off the SAM modem :
In hospitals or places where medical equipments may be in use
In an aircraft
Refueling points
Explosive areas
- Restricted use of the SAM modem
Near any chemical plant
Near any Fuel depot
Areas with mobile phone warning sign
Respect national regulations on the use of cellular devices. Road safety always comes first
The SAM modem receives and transmit radio frequency energy while switched on, therefore
interference can occur if the SAM is near TVs, radios, PCs or any inadequately shielded
equipments.

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
3. Radio frequency exposure - SAR
The SAM2W modem is a low-power transceiver, similar to a typical handheld GSM/GPRS mobile
phone. When it is turned on, it will emit low-level radio frequency energy.
There are different guidelines and standards around the world that govern the permitted levels of
radio frequency exposure for general population. The levels include a safety margin to a human
body.
The Specific Absorption rate (SAR) is a measure of the rate at which radio frequency energy is
absorbed by the body when exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic field. The SAR value is
determined at the highest certified power level in the laboratory conditions, but the actual SAR
level of the transceiver while operating can be well below this value. This is because the
transceiver is designed to use minimum power to connect to the network.
The SAM2W modem is approved to use in applications where the antenna is placed more than
20cm from the body. Refer to the SAR calculations in the Appendix A.
For other applications, the integrator is responsible for the local SAR requirements.
4. WEEE directive 2002/96/EC, disposal of old electronic equipment
This symbol on the product indicates that this product shall not be treated as
household waste . It must be placed at an appropriate collection point for the recycling of
electrical and electronic equipments.
By ensuring the correct disposal of this equipment, it will help the environm
ent and human’s
health. The recycling will help to conserve the natural resources.

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
5. Packaging
The SAM package consists of :
- A SAM modem
- A data cable
- A one-page Specification of the SAM and its pinouts
- A SAM2W User Guide
The carton box diameter is 120mm x 95mm x 60mm
The Data cable is 2m long
The Label diameter is 50mm x 33mm

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
6. Functionality
a. General
The SAM modem is a Quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS modem. It consists of an
RJ45 connector for serial port and input power, an FME male antenna connector and a SIM
holder. The LED located near the SIM holder indicates the SAM operating status.
GSM/GPRS
ENGINE
Switching
Power
Supply
RS232
Serial Data
Interface
SIM Interface
RJ45
Socket
4-pin
MicroFIT
(optional)
LED Indicator Reset PADs

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
b. The RJ45 connector
Pin Signals Description
1 VIN Input voltage 5Vdc - 32Vdc
2 DCD Data Carrier Detect
3 DTR Data Terminal Ready
4 GND Common Ground
5 RXD Serial Data out of the SAM
6 TXD Serial Data into the SAM
7 RTS Ready to Send
8 CTS Clear to Send

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
c. The Data cable
The data cable is 2m long. It consists of an RJ45 plug, a DB9-female connector and a 2-wire
input power.
5 4 3 2 1
9 8 7 6
DB9 Signals RJ45 Description
1 DCD 2 Data Carrier Detect
2 RXD 5 Serial Data out of the SAM
3 TXD 6 Serial Data into the SAM
4 DTR 3 Data Terminal Ready
5 GND 4 Common Ground
6 Not Used
7 RTS 7 Ready to Send
8 CTS 8 Clear to Send
9 Not used
1 RED wire : Input voltage from 5Vdc to 32Vdc
4 BLACK wire : Power Ground

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
The SIM holder
The SIM holder takes the 3V mini SIM card only. To insert the SIM card, remove the door by
sliding it back toward the end. Make sure the SIM card faces the right way as indicated on the
The LED status
The LED indication has the following status :
LED on steady : The SAM is on but not ready
LED flashes slowly : The SAM is on and ready
LED flashes rapidly : The SAM is in use
LED is off : No power

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
7. Operation
a. Preparation
Before power up the SAM, make sure the SIM card is inserted, the antenna is connected properly
and the data cable is in place.
The default factory setting for the SAM is :
- Terminal Data speed : 115200bps
- Data format : 1 start bit, 8 data bits and one stop bit, no parity
- Flow control : RTS/CTS hardware flow control
After the SAM is powered up, wait until the LED starts flashing before issuing any AT command.
b. Setting up
Use a PC with a terminal program (like Windows HyperTerminal) to set up the SAM for a
particular application. The following AT commands can be used as a guide. For the complete set
of AT commands, refer to the AT command manual.
The AT command to the SAM always starts with AT and ends with <CR> (Carriage Return). The
response from the SAM starts and ends with <LF><CR> (LineFeed+Carriage Return)
- SIM card related commands :
AT+CPIN? Ask SIM status
AT+CPIN=xxxx Enter SIM PIN xxxx
- Network related commands :
AT+CREG?
Check the SAM’s GSM network registration status
AT+CGREG?
Check the SAM’s GPRS network registration status
AT+CSQ
Check the SAM’s received signal strength
- Terminal data speed/format related commands :
AT+IPR=speed Set the terminal data speed (ex. =9600)
AT+ICF=x,y Set the data format
AT+IFC=a,b Set the local flow control option
- GSM data call related commands :
ATS0=2 Set to auto-answer incoming call after 2 rings
ATDn...nn Make an outgoing data call to number n...nn
ATA Answer the incoming call
- GPRS related commands
AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”APN”
Set the GPRS context 1
AT+CGQREQ Set up the quality of service
AT+CGATT GPRS attach/detach
AT+CGACT GPRS context activate/deactivate

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
11
c. How to :
- Send an SMS in text mode :
AT+CMGF=1 Set TEXT mode
AT+CSCA? Check Service centre address
AT+CMGS= Destination phone number
Enter text here, ends with <Control-Z> to send
+CMGS: 44 Text message is sent
OK
- Receive an SMS in Text mode
+CMTI: “SM”,4
Message received, stored in location 4
AT+CMGR=4 Command to read it
- Make an outgoing data call
ATDn...nn<cr> Make a data call to a data number
CONNECT 115200 Connected
Data transfer back and forth
+++ Back to command mode
ATH Hang up data call
- Receive a data call
RING Incoming call received
ATA Take it
CONNECT 115200 Call connected
NO CARRIER Call terminated
- Connect to GPRS (packet data) network
Use HyperTerminal to set this AT command :
AT+CGDCONT=1,”IP”,”APN”
Set Access Point Node
( Example AT+CG
DCONT=1,”IP”,”telstra.internet”)
Exit HyperTerminal
For Windows XP : Select Control Panel -> Select Phone/Modem options -> Add Standard
19200bps modem -> Set modem maximum port speed to 115200, select COM port.
In Windows Dial-up networking, create a new connection -> Select connect using the Standard
19200bps modem -> Configured to 115200, hardware flow control
Select phone number : *99**1#
Click Dial.

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
8.
a. Power supply :
GSM850/900 GSM1800/1800
Maximum Input current @ 5V 2.1A 1.88A
Power=33.10dBm GSM850/900
During 2Tx bursts @ Pcl5 @ 13.2V 1.4A 1.1A
Power=33.0dBm DCS1800/1900
During 2Tx bursts @ Pcl0 @ 32V 610mA 390mA
Average Input current @ 5V 500mA 390mA
Power=33.10dBm GSM850/900
Average 3Rx/2Tx @ Pcl5 @ 13.2V 400mA 160mA
Power=33.0dBm DCS1800/1900
Average 3Rx/2Tx @ Pcl0 @ 32V 95mA 80mA
Average input current in @ 5V 34mA 34mA
idle mode, where RF active
Modem synchronized with @ 13.2V 18mA 18mA
Network but there is no
communication @ 32V 9mA 9mA
b. RF band
EGSM900 DCS1800 GSM850 PCS1900
Tx Frequency 880-915MHz 1710-1785MHz 824-849MHz 1850-1910MHz
Rx Frequency 925-960MHz 1805-1880MHz 869-894MHz 1930-1990MHz
Rx sensitivity -104dBm -102dBm -104dBm -102dBm
Linear dynamic range 63dB 63dB 63dB 63dB
Co-channel rejection
≥9dBc
≥9dBc
≥9dBc
≥9dBc
Max Output Power 33dBm±2dB 30dBm±2dB 33dBm±2dB 30dBm±2dB
Min Output Power 5dBm±5dB 0dBm±5dB 5dBm±5dB 0dBm±5dB

t +61 3 9239 2000
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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
c.
following characteristics :
- Frequency range : Quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
-
Impedance : 50Ω
- VSWR : Rx Max = 1.5 : 1, Tz Max = 1.5 : 1
- Typical radiated Gain : 0dBi
d. Temperature :
- Operating temperature : -20ºC to +55ºC
- Storage temperature : -25ºC to 70ºC
e. Conformity :
- Safety standard : EN60950
- Efficient use of radio spectrum : EN301 419 (Ver 4.1.1)
EN301 511 (Ver 7.0.1)
- EMC : EN 301 489-1, EN301 489-7
- Global Certification Forum- Certification Criteria : GCF-CC 3.13
The recommended dual-band or quad-band antenna used with the SAM should have the

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
9.
In this application, the SAM2W modem is connected to an electricity meter, which is located at a
remote site, and the area is covered by the GSM/GPRS network.
At the office, the Operator is equipped with a computer, connected to a landline (PSTN) modem,
or another SAM2W modem.
To read the remote meter, the Operator uses the computer and the connected modem, and calls
the SAM2W at the remote site. The SAM2W modem will answer and provide a transparent data
path from the remote meter to the computer at the office.
After all data is read from the remote meter, the operator will instruct the computer to hang up the
call, which causes the remote SAM2W modem to terminate the call.
External antenna
GSM/GPRS
Network
OR
PSTN
Network
Configuration at the office
GSM/GPRS
External antenna
Network
At the remote site
PSTN
MODEM
SAM2w
MODEM

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
a. The modem does not respond to AT command
-
Check power supply : The input voltage must be from 5Vdc to 30Vdc. The supply current
must be capable of 1.7A @ 5Vdc
-
Check the serial data cable : Make sure the serial data cable is configured correctly
according to the diagram on section 6.c above
-
Check that the terminal program on your PC is configured correctly : communication port,
data speed, data format, flow control.
-
Check that there is no conflict on the selected serial communication port.
b.
The modem always returns “ERROR” to AT commands
Issue AT+CMEE=1 to modem and check the returned error code. The following table indicates
some common errors :
Error code Error meaning Hint
0 Modem failure Call technical support
3 Operation not allowed
4 Operation not supported
10 SIM not inserted Check SIM card, clean contacts
11 SIM PIN required Enter SIM PIN
12 SIM PUK required Call the network operator
13 SIM failure Check the SIM validity
16 Incorrect password
17 SIM PIN2 required
18 SIM PUK2 required
26 Dialed number exceeds 20 digits
30 No network service
See other error codes in the AT command manual
c.
The modems always returns “NO CARRIER” when making an outgoing call.
After the modems returns “NO CARRIER”, issue AT+CEER to check the error code.
Error code Error meaning Hint
1 Unallocated phone number
16 Normal call clearing
17 Called party busy
18 No response from the called party
19 Called party alerting, no answer
21 Call rejected
22 Number changed
31 Normal, unspecified
50 Requested facility not subscribed Check with the network
68 ACM ≥ Max ACM No credit on prepaid SIM
252 Call barring on outgoing calls
253 Call barring on incoming calls
See other error codes in the AT command manual.

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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
d.
-
Check the antenna : proper connection, correct 50
Ω type, correct frequency range
850/900/1800/1900MHz.
-
Check Rx signal strength : Use AT+CSQ to check the Rx signal strength. General rule of
thumb, signal greater than 12 is sufficient.
e. Care and maintenance
The GSM modem is an advanced piece of engineering equipment and should be treated with
care. The suggestion below will help to prolong the modem’s life:
-
Do not expose the modem to extreme temperature and/or high humidity.
-
Do not attempt to disassemble the modem. There is no serviceable part inside.
-
The modem is not water-proof
-
Handling the modem with care
-
Do not operate the modem next to any magnetic media such as computer disks, credit
cards… The magnetic information may be affected by the RF.
-
The modem is not a toy, please keep out of reach of children. Use authorized service centres
only.

t +61 3 9239 2000
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e
.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
APPENDIX A : SAR CALCULATIONS FOR THE SAM2W
a. Norminal antenna gain
b. Maximum antenna gain
Tx Frequency in MHz
EGSM-900 DCS-1800
Min Max Min Max
880 915 1710 1785
Max power density
S=f/200 (W/m²)
4.400 4.575 8.550 8.925
Power to the antenna (W) 2 2 1 1
Norminal antenna gain dB 0 0 0 0
Norminal antenna gain G 1 1 1 1
Distance from the antenna
to POI : R=[(PG/4πS)]½
19.02cm 18.65cm 9.65cm 9.44cm
Tx Frequency in MHz
EGSM-900 DCS-1800
Min Max Min Max
880 915 1710 1785
Max power density
S=f/200 (W/m²)
4.400 4.575 8.550 8.925
Power to the antenna (W) 2 2 1 1
Norminal antenna gain dB 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Norminal antenna gain G 1.122 1.122 1.122 1.122
Distance from the antenna
to POI : R=[(PG/4πS)]½
20.15cm 19.76cm 10.22cm 10.00cm

t +61 3 9239 2000
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.intercel.com.au
Toll free number for
Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd
257 Grange Road
Findon, South Australia 5023
Phone: (+61) 08 8243 3500
Fax: (+61) 08 8243 3501
Email: office@wavecom.com.au
Website: www.wavecom.com.au
Appendix B
SAR STATEMENT FOR THE SAM2W
CE-CERTIFICATION APLLICATION
To whom it may concern
The SAM2W is a GSM/GPRS modem, that sends/receives data over the GSM/GPRS network.
This modem is designed for Machine-to-Machine applications. This modem does not have an
integral antenna.
Depending on customers’ requests, the SAM2W modem may/may not be supplied with an
antenna. In the cases of customers wanting to acquire the antennas themselves, the antenna
specification is included in the User Guide.
A typical application will require the SAM2W to be connected to an external dual-band
900/1800MHz antenna , as described in the User Guide.
Based on the standards EN50385 and EN50383, a minimum safety operating distance has been
calculated and stated in the User Guide
Safety distance requirement :
The SAM2W modem should NOT be operated when a person is within 203mm (8 inches) of the
modem.
On behalf of Wavecom
Sang Vu
Technical Director