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TCS help on line: Features common to all TCS products
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Starting up
Startup connecting to a PC
If you choose to setup the TCS with a direct PC connection, you do not need SIM card with
data number and you need only to connect a cable to the serial interface and then you can
access the TCS using Hyperterminal or XTalk or any other terminal software.
Please note that not all TCS devices have a RS232 port. Some have a TTL port and need a level shifter.
Besides this not all have the same speed or other serial port specifications.
In details:
products with RS232 port
products with TTL port (need level shifter)
We provide on special order the cables for all TCS products. You can build them by yourself
(at your risk) if you like.
You may also install our free TCS Commander application, that will allow easy connection
to the TCS and complete SMS gateway features.
Starting the unit with a SIM and data connection
The easiests way to start with a SIM is to remove the PIN code from it (do it
putting it into a phone). Otherwise you must have programmed the PIN code
for that SIM into the TCS unit.
You should start without a SIM whenever you want to program a PIN code into
the TCS for the first time.
Once you have inserted a SIM without a PIN code or you have programmed the PIN code
into the TCS you will be able to use the unit and program it remotely by means of a data connection.
If you have a SIM card with DATA capability you will always be able to reconfigure your
TCS unit from a remote site.
The best solution to connect to a TCS unit is to use another TCS unit (TCS 3.5, MINI, or MICRO) attached
to a PC or at least use a GSM modem. This is better for speed and reliability and most of the times also cost.
Anyway it is possible to call a GSM module, like the TCS, using a standard PC modem.
It may happen anyway that, due to improper configuration done by the GSM operator,
this option is not possible and when trying a call, a busy signal is detected.
If this happens to you, please contact your GSM operator and tell them the problem
and hopefully they should be able to change the network configuration for that number.
If you buy an extra TCS 3.5, MINI or MICRO and keep it connected to the COM1 or COM2 of your PC
you may use it to control remotely all your TCS boards.
Another way is to use a GSM communicator with terminal software in it and call a TCS in data mode.
Any other handheld device like Ipaq or similar with terminal software is also a convenient way
to do it.
Another convenient solution is a Laptop with bluetooth or IR port that connects
with Zterm or Hyperterminal or similar (or TCS-Commander) using a normal phone as a modem.
If you need clarification on this regard, please contact us.
Note: SIM cards can have 3 Numbers: VOICE, DATA and FAX. This means that
if you have a SIM card whose voice number is 2345678, it should have a DATA number
that is different.
People who sell SIM cards usually do not know the difference and so they will say
that even a SIM with only a number can send data. This can be true, the problem
is that it cannot be called with a data call.
You do not need a FAX number , but most of the time it is included.
Note: in the TCS MINI there is the possibility of dual Gate Open function
and one uses the fax number.
Consult your operator(s) for more details and actually try to find which is
the one with best performance and cost.
Sometimes a SIM with a DATA number may cost more. This means that the operator
charges you more to be able to receive a data call. In fact most SIMs can always place
a data call even if they can't receive it. IN this case we suggest that you use the
#CLB (CallBack) function of the TCS 3.5 to ask the remote unit to place the DATA call.
Recently operators are offering DATA only SIMs that also work well, unless you
need what we call Voice Functions (gate opener, DTMF etc.).
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