Chapter 2. Equipment Overview
Caution: A site survey must be carried out before installation to ensure there is sufficient signal strength to reach the base station. Such a survey can be carried out with a standard mobile phone handset and a SIM card from the same mobile service provider that will be used for the modem.
If there is a very weak or no mobile phone signal at the installation location then the GPT will not work.
2.1 Introduction
The Güralp GPT, also known as an ELP-0097, is a standalone mobile data access point; a modem that uses GSM, EDGE or UMTS to provide data access to the Internet via a mobile service provider such as Vodafone or T-Mobile. A customer-provided SIM card is required in order to connect to the mobile network. This can be a data-only SIM or a normal SIM with a data package.
The GPT is supplied in a waterproof Pelicase® with connectors for power, Ethernet and a stub antenna. If the modem is to be used inside a building, an external antenna can be provided.
Operation is simple: the digital output from any device is passed to a MikroTIK Routerboard 411U connected to a Sierra Wireless MC8790 GSM/UMTS modem for transmission to a base station infrastructure, installed and maintained by a mobile telecommunications provider.
2.2 Ports and Connections
Note: Refer to Appendix A - section 6.1 for information on connector pin-outs.
On the side of the device are three connectors:
a 4-pin connector for POWER
a 6 pin connector for Ethernet data input
a coaxial SMA socket for the modem antenna.
Inside the Pelicase® is a serial console connection used for configuring the device.
The SIM card is accessed by removing the top cover of the device.