sim800l-gsm-module 2.0.3

Raspberry Pi SIM800L GSM module

Raspberry Pi SIM800L, SIM800C and SIM800H GSM module

SIM800L GSM module library for Linux systems like the Raspberry Pi. This library was also successfully tested with SIM800C and should also support SIM800H.

This library driver interfaces with the SIM800L, SIM800C and SIM800H GSM module using AT commands over a serial connection. It allows sending, receiving and deleting SMS messages, as well as performing HTTP GET/POST requests, synching/updating the RTC and getting other information from the module. The interface can operate in TEXT, HEX, or PDU modes (default: PDU).

Specifically, it provides a simple interface for sending messages (send_sms()), automatically handling multipart messages when needed. It also offers a high-level method (read_next_message()) to retrieve the next available message, abstracting message type and intelligently aggregating multipart content. It includes a high-level function (http()) for sending HTTP GET or POST requests, returning status and data in text or binary form. In addition, almost 30 specialized methods are available, to query the extensive proprietary information exposed by the SIM800 module.

AT Protocol issues

This software manages SMS messaging and HTTP operations via the asyncronous serial communication of the SIM800 device, using its proprietary AT command protocol.

The AT command protocol is fundamentally inadequate for reliable and verifiable communication and presents intrinsic limitations when employed for robust operations. Originally designed for simple control of modems, the AT protocol is inherently textual and lacks the formal structure of communication protocols that utilize packetized data exchange.

One critical drawback lies in the nature of message formatting. AT commands are plain-text strings without explicit framing mechanisms. Unlike packet-based protocols, AT messages do not encapsulate data within headers that define payload length, type, or integrity information such as checksums or CRCs. Consequently, parsing and verifying the completeness and correctness of messages becomes error-prone.

Moreover, AT-based communication lacks a standardized state machine or signaling mechanisms to indicate distinct phases of a connection lifecycle. Commands that initiate, maintain, or terminate connections must be issued and interpreted in a predefined order, but the protocol itself does not return the transition between these states. This absence of inherent session management results in brittle implementations, where the client must continually probe the status of operations.

This deficiency becomes even more critical with vendor-specific instructions, which introduce proprietary connection setup sequences requiring polling or conditional branching based on context-sensitive responses, and may also include asynchronous "Unsolicited Result Codes" within the textual communication that needs special processing while managing the workflow. Without structured feedback or flags denoting session phases, the client application must rely on loosely coupled, often ambiguous responses to maintain protocol correctness.

Through an accurately tested heuristic approach, this software attempts to handle all supported operations via the AT protocol in the most robust manner possible, aiming to automatically recover from errors when feasible.

Setup

This module only installs on Linux (not on Windows).

Hw Requirements

• Linux system with a UART serial port, or Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS (this library has been tested with Buster and Bullseye).
• External power supply for the SIM800L (using the Raspberry Pi 5V power supply, a standard diode (1N4007) with voltage drop of about 0.6 volts and a 1 F capacitor might work).

Full information, installation notes, API reference and usage details at the sim800l-gsm-module GitHub repository.