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Basics: Project 100a

Project name: Ai Thinker A9 GSM GPRS development board

Tags: A9, A9 GSM GPRS, A9 GSM GPRS development board, ai thinker, Ai Thinker, A9 pudding board, pudding board

Attachments: none

In this project, you needed these parts (Dear visitors. You can support our project buy clicking on the links of parts and buying them or donate us to keep this website alive. Thank you):

1. A9 GSM GPRS development board 1 pc

2. Micro USB cable 1 pc.

3. Micro SIM card 1 pc

4. Micro SD card with SD card adapter 1 pc

5. USB to TTL/Serial adaptor/converter 1 pc

General

We will learn about the A9 GSM GPRS development board and how to upload firmware to it.

Understanding the USB to TTL converter

You can read more about them here.

Understanding the A9 and A9G GSM GPRS development boards

A9

The A9 is a complete quad-band GSM / GPRS module in a compact design SMD package. Its stable performance, the appearance of compact, cost-effective, could meet the diverse needs of customers.

The A9 can be used in a wide range of IoT applications and is ideal for IoT applications for home automation, industrial wireless control, wearable electronics, wireless location sensing devices, wireless location system signals and other IoT applications. A9 SMD package, through the standard SMT equipment to achieve rapid production of products, especially for automation, large-scale, low-cost modern production methods for the convenience of a variety of Internet of Things hardware terminal applications. 

Features:

• Complete quad-band GSM / GPRS module, 800/900/ 1800/1900MHz
• SMD package for easy MP & testing
• Low power mode, average current 2mA or less
• Supports digital audio and analog audio, supports HR, FR, EFR, AMR voice coding
• Support voice calls and SMS messages
• Embedded network service protocol stack
• Support standard GSM07.07,07.05AT command and Anxin expandable command set
• Support PBCCH
• Supports firmware upgrade via serial port

Main specifications:

• A9/A9G size: 19.2*18.8*2.7mm (±0.2mm)
• Working temperature -30 ° C +80 ° C;
• Working voltage is 3.5V-4.2V, 4V power supply is recommended;
• Boot voltage > 3.5V;
• Low power average current is below 2ma;
• Support GSM/GPRS four frequency bands, including 850, 900, 1800, 1900MHZ;
• GPRS Class 10;
• Sensitivity <-105;
• Support voice calls;
• Support SMS SMS;
• GPIO level is 2.8V;
• Support GPRS data service, maximum data rate, download 85.6Kbps, upload 42.8Kbps;
• Support standard GSM07.07, 07.05 AT commands and Ai-Thinker extension commands;
• A9 supports 3 serial ports, one download serial port and one AT command port;
• A9G supports 3 serial ports, one download serial port and one GPS serial port;
• AT command supports standard AT and TCP/IP command ports;
• Support digital audio and analog audio, support HR, FR, EFR, AMR voice coding;

You can find the A9 product specification here and A9G -here.

A9Tracker related functions

(A9Tracker related functions, A9 module uses base station positioning function, A9G module can choose to set base station positioning function or GPS positioning function, upload current position information to WeChat or app regularly, when indoor positioning, because GPS signal is too weak, it is recommended Set to base station positioning function. Refer to the following documents for details:

WeChat: Anxin can use the public number guide

App: A9Tracker app guide

A9/A9G ten-minute docking machine Zhiyun created a tutorial of its own products.

Note: The prototype that Anxin can initially send to the customer (not purchased by Taobao) cannot use the above functions. The customer can send the IMEI value of the module to the sales. We solve this problem remotely.

A9G

The A9G is a complete quad-band GSM/GPRS+GPRS/GPS module. Compared with A7, A9G has higher integration and lower cost of core chip, which makes the whole solution more cost-effective. Convenient for a variety of IoT hardware terminal applications.

Other manuals and information links

• CSDK_Github open source information;
• C_SDK Development Kit;
• GPRS firmware release and GPRS Series Module Upgrade Guide;
• GPS firmware release and GPS Series Module Upgrade Guide;
• A6/A9/A9G User Manual (A9/A9G hardware design can refer to A9G development board schematic);
• AT instruction set and AT Command series;
• A9/A9G STM32 driver;
• A6/A9/A9G hardware information;
• Serial debugging tool;
• FAQ;
• GPRS quantity production considerations;
• Guoke micro original factory information - GK9501 related information;
• A9G development board: Pudding series development board - A9G development board information;
• A9 development board: Pudding series development board - A9 development board information.

Signals and connections of the USB to TTL converter

 You can read more about them here.

Signals and connections of the A9 GSM GPRS Development board

A9 chip pinout:

A9G chip pinout:

I2C2_SCL - I2C2 clock pin

I2C2_SDA - I2C2 data pin

SD_D3 - SD serial data pin

SD_D2 - SD serial data pin

SD_D1 - SD serial data pin

SD_D0 - SD serial data pin

SD_CMD - SD command pin

SD_CLK - SD clock pin

PWRKEY - the power button gives the pin a Low signal on

VBAT - lithium battery pin, connect external power supply to this pin 3.5V-4.2V, the max supply current should be not less than 2A

SPK_P - Speaker positive (+) pin

SPK_N - Speaker negative (-) pin

ADC0 - ADC 0 pin (max. input 1.8V)

ADC1 - ADC 1 pin (max. input 1.8V)

VUSB - USB power supply pin (external power supply)

RESET - Module hardware reset pin. When this pin used the LOW level is <0.05V and the current is around 70 mA. Must use NMOS tube control and ground can not have leakage when it is working normally, otherwise it will cause the module to be unstable and difficult to register to the network.

LCD_CS -LCD  CS pin

LCD_RST - LCD reset pin

LCD-DIO - LCD DIO pin

LCD_SDC - LCD SDC pin

LCD_SCK  - LCD SCK pin

IO29 - special function pin. After the module is working normally with the AT command, pull the pin LOW to enter the shutdown mode.

IO26 - General purpose IO pin. Do not add a pull-up resistor, the level can not be HIGH at power-on. Remark: it is low-power indicator pin - if there is data, SMS, or wake-up call it will be a 50 ms pulse.

IO27 - General purpose IO pin. Do not add a pull-up resistor, the level can not be HIGH at power-on. Remark: the default is 0 as the network status indicator.

GPS_RF - The GPS antena pin can be connected to antenna. If the circuit is connected to the PCB please pay attention to the 50 Ohm trace on the PCB (valid for A9G only)

GND - ground pin

IO28 -General purpose IO pin. Do not add a pull-up resistor, the level can not be HIGH at power-on. Remark: default as GPS status indicator IO pin.

IO30 -General purpose IO pin.

IO25 - General purpose IO pin. Low-power pin and when LOW signal enters to low-power mode.

MIC_N - Microphone negative (-) pin

MIC_P - Microphone positive (+) pin

USB_N - USB D- pin

USB_P - USB D+ pin

HST_TXD - firmware upload pin (transmit pin). pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

HST_RXD - firmware upload pin (receive pin). pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

SM0_DIO - SIM card data pin

VSIM0 - SIM card power supply pin

SM0_CLK - SIM card clock pin

SM0_RST - SIM card reset pin

VIO - Output 3V. Remarks: If it's not in use will be left floating, The load drive current does not exceed 10 mA.

GPRS_RF - the antenna pin can be connected to the antenna. If the circuit is connected to the PCB pay attentian to the 50 Ohm trace on the PCB.

(A9) UART2_RTS - UART2 serial port RTS pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

(A9G) GPS_RTS - GPS serial port RTS pin

(A9) UART2_CTS - UART2 serial port CTS pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

(A9G) GPS_CTS - GPS serial port CTS pin

(A9) UART2_RXD - UART2 serial port RXD (receive) pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

(A9G) GPS_TXD - GPS serial port TXD (transmit) pin

(A9) UART2_TXD - UART2 serial port TXD (transmit) pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

(A9G) GPS_RXD - GPS serial port RXD (receive) pin

Notes on pins 47, 48, 49, 50:

For A9 pin 47,48,49,50 - UART2

For A9 pin 49 is UART2_RXD, pin 50 is UART2_TXD

For A9G pin 47,48,49,50 - GPS 

For A9G pin 49 is GPS_TXD, pin50 is GPS_RXD

The float control functions of A9 and A9G are temporary not supported.

UART1_RTS - AT serial port RTS pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

UART1_CTS - AT serial port CTS pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

UART1_RXD - AT commands serial port RXD (receive) pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

UART1_TXD - AT commands serial port TXD (transmit) pin. pin level 2.8V, compatible with 3V3 (5V not compatible)

1. AT communication

2. Unploading firmware

Step by Step instruction

1. Configuring the A9 development board with USB to TTL converter

For using this USB to UART Converter you need a software tool. Most of the development tools like MikroC Pro, Arduino has a UART Tool along with it. You can use different software tools: Terminal, USR-TCP232-Test V1.4, AiThinker_Serial_Tool_V1.2.3, coolterm, sscom3.2 , KiTTY, putty,tera term, Access port and so on. We recommend you to use AiThinker_Serial_Tool_V1.2.3 or sscom3.2, as you can save your AT commands and it's very easy to use.

1. Do wiring.
2. 
3. Attach GSM/GPRS antenna to A9 GSM GPRS development board.
4. Insert a valid unlocked Micro SIM card to SIM card slot of A9 GSM GPRS development board.
5. Insert the Micro CD card to Micro SD card slot.
6. Plug your USB to TTL converter into your PC USB port.
7. You can power up A9 GSM GPRS development board Lithium Ion battery V_BAT (3.5-4.2VDC) or use power supply from USB to TTL converter. 
8. Press  PWR button for 2 seconds. Status indication (blue LED) will be ON. 
9. Open AiThinker Serial Tool V1.2.3 program. Set the baud rate 115200, data bits 8, parity bits none, stop bits one. Click on Open Serial button.
10. First you need to check if AT commands are working - enter "AT" and click on Send button.This would print "OK" which signifies of working connection and operation of the module.
11. Requests TA serial number identification. Enter "AT+GSN" and press Send button. Returns "868715030062008 OK" . IMEI 868715030062008
12. Checks fixed local rate. Enter "AT+IPR?" and press Send button. Returns "+IPR: 115200 OK" /115200 bps/
13. Requests TA model identification. Enter "AT+GMM" and press Send button. Returns "A9/A9G OK".
14. Requests TA revision identification. Enter "AT+GMR" and press Send button. Returns "V02.02.20180825R OK". This is the firmware version.
15. Requests TA manufacturer identification. Enter "AT+GMI" and press Send button. Returns "Ai_Thinker_Co._Ltd. OK".
16. Requests manufacturer specific information about the TA. Enter "ATI" and press Send button. Returns "Ai_Thinker_Co._Ltd. A9/A9G V02.02.20180825R OK".
17. Reboots the module. Enter "AT+RST=1" and press Send button.
18. 
19. 
    
20. Call Control Commands. If you call the cell number of Micro Sim Card then message RING will be shown. 1) Answer a call. Enter "ATA" and press Send button. Returns "+CIEV: "CALL",1 CONNECT"; 2) Make a call. Enter number to call "ATD+37163055289" and press Send button. Returns "ATD+37163055289 OK +CIEV: "CALL",1 +CIEV: "SOUNDER",1 "; 3) Disconnect existing call. Enter "ATH" and press Send button. Returns "+CIEV: "CALL",0 OK";4) Insert the headset into the headphone/earphone jack, enter "AT+SNFS=0" and press Send button to enable them. Returns "OK" ("AT+SNFS=1" used for loudspeaker selection).
21. 
22. SMS Commands. If you send SMS, for example, with Test word to A9 GSM GPRS development board you will get this info "+CIEV: "MESSAGE",1 +CMT: ,23 07917360990511F5040B917360257375F300009111326154448004D4F29C0E". 1) Select SMS message format Enter "AT+CMGF=1" and press Send button. Returns "OK". This is to read and write SMS messages as strings instead of hexadecimal characters. If we send mesaage Test now the reply will be - "+CIEV: "MESSAGE",1 +CMT: "+37145678925",,"2019/11/23,16:47:20+02" Test"
    2) Send SMS message. Enter "AT+CMGS=”+37145678925”"  and press Enter button. Replace the above phone number with your own cell phone number. The modem will respond with: > You can now type the message text and send the message using the - key combination: TEST After some seconds the modem will respond with the message ID of the message, indicating that the message was sent correctly:  "+CMGS: 62". The message will arrive on the mobile phone shortly.
23. Check the list of all AT commands here.

2. Uploading the firmware

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

Before doing firmware update:

• Follow the steps as described above. Check your module firmware version. Enter “AT+GMR” and press Send button.  
• Always make sure that you have your firmware version on hands so you can restore previous version if next firmware version is bad.
• Read all information about firmware update available on Web.
• Just think if you realy need to do it as it is a risk to damage the module!!!
• If you decided to do it make sure that the next firmware version which you are planing to upload is not older than existing.
• Firmware download link: GPRS firmware release. 

GPRS firmware releases:

Note: A9/A9G are different modules, but the same version of firmware is used.

A9/A9G Factory default version updated on 25 August 2018 - ai-thinker_a9g_at_v02.02.20180825r.7z

A9/A9G Development version updated on 11 October 2018 - ai-thinker_a9_a9g_at_v02.02.20181011r.7z

1. Do wiring for firmware update. Use the USB-TTL converter to connect the download serial port of the GPRS series module to your PC USB port. GPRS series modules generally have two serial ports, one AT serial port and one download serial port. We will use the HST_TXD, HST_RXD pin to upload the firmware.
2. 
3. Attach GSM/GPRS antenna to A9 GSM GPRS development board.
4. Insert a valid unlocked Micro SIM card to SIM card slot of A9 GSM GPRS development board.
5. Insert the Micro CD card to Micro SD card slot.
6. Plug your USB to TTL converter into your PC USB port.
7. You can power up A9 GSM GPRS development board Lithium Ion battery V_BAT (3.5-4.2VDC) or use power supply from USB to TTL converter. 
8. Press  PWR button for 2 seconds. Status indication (blue LED) will be ON. 
9. Download the firmware for example we have factory default version of firmware so we change it to development version - ai-thinker_a9_a9g_at_v02.02.20181011r.7z , firmware burning tool here.
10. Unzip the firmware and firmware burning tool v2.1.7 ZIP packages and double-click on fpupgrade.exe file.
11. 
12. Click on the button to select the firmware to be downloaded. Click on Open button.
13. 
14. Click on Start button. The software will automatically detect the serial port for download.
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. Click on Exit button. Congrats!!!You did it. Let's check the version of firmware in your A9 GSM GPRS development board now.
19. Unplug the USB to TTL converter from your PC USB port and do wiring for AT communication.
20. Attach GSM/GPRS antenna to A9 GSM GPRS development board.
21. Insert a valid unlocked Micro SIM card to SIM card slot of A9 GSM GPRS development board.
22. Insert the Micro CD card to Micro SD card slot.
23. Plug your USB to TTL converter into your PC USB port.
24. You can power up A9 GSM GPRS development board Lithium Ion battery V_BAT (3.5-4.2VDC) or use power supply from USB to TTL converter. 
25. Press  PWR button for 2 seconds. Status indication (blue LED) will be ON. 
26. Open AiThinker Serial Tool V1.2.3 program. Set the baud rate 115200, data bits 8, parity bits none, stop bits one. Click on Open Serial button.
27. First you need to check if AT commands are working - enter "AT" and click on Send button.This would print "OK" which signifies of working connection and operation of the module.
28. Requests TA revision identification. Enter "AT+GMR" and press Send button. Returns "V02.02.20181011R OK". This is the firmware version.
29. 

Summary

We have learnt about the A9 GSM GPRS development board and how to upload firmware to it.

Libraries

• None

Script

• None