Sierra Wireless MP 700 Series, Command Reference Manual

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2: Modem Basics 2
• GSM, GPRS, and
EDGE
• Modem modes, states,
and conditions
• State Transitions
• Modem Buffers
• Command Handling
• Responses and Result
Codes
• Response and Result
Framing
• GPS data format
This section provides the information required to:
• Establish a communications session with the modem that
will allow you to enter AT commands
• Understand the operating modes and states of the modem
and what causes the modem to transition between them
• Understand which commands are available during
connections and which are not
• Understand how the modem’s results and responses are
framed and change the framing where required
GSM, GPRS, and EDGE
The MP 700 Series GPS operates on GSM network technology.
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is a type of
wireless communications network designed for mobile phones
that is widely deployed throughout the world. GPRS (General
Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for
GSM Evolution) are add-on data services to GSM networks.
GPRS provides a maximum data transmission speed of
56 kbps while EDGE provides a maximum data transmission
speed of 216 kbps. The MP 750 GPS supports GPRS while the
MP 775 GPS supports GPRS and EDGE service.
GPRS service has been implemented on most GSM networks
but there are a few areas (mainly rural areas in Europe) with
GSM coverage but no GPRS service. EDGE is less widely
implemented. The MP 700 Series GPS modem is primarily
designed to provide GPRS/EDGE data connections but the
modem can also be configured (using the Fallback feature) to
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