Kickstarter: CELLv1.0

This page is provided for historical reference.  Please visit the CELLv1.0 page via the following link:

•  Success:   The SparqEE CELLv1.0 was launched as a Kickstarter Project and was SUCCESSFULLY FUNDED!
• Pre-order:   Contact us and we’ll let you know when pre-ordering is setup or when it’s available from the distributor. We’re still working on it!
• Forum:   Check out the Forum for details and discussion!

CELLv1.0

Kickstarter: Cellular made easy (Arduino/Pi/+). A tiny Cellular development board that gives you Wireless Worldwide. That means internet to anything anywhere!

View our successful Kickstarter here!

Important Facts

• The CELLv1.0 uses a 2G+3G chipset, which means it will use 3G primarily worldwide and only fall back to 2G if 3G is unavailable.
• Question: Why are 2G (GSM/GPRS) devices less expensive? Answer: some 2G only systems are less, BUT, here’s the backstory: We chose to provide both 2G and 3G because AT&T is dropping their 2G service in 2017 (TMobile coverage is much more limited than AT&T and the CDMA technology Verizon and Sprint use isn’t prevalent elsewhere in the world). With the CELLv1.0 you get the best of both worlds – 2G, which is the most prevalent worldwide technology, while still providing full cellular coverage in the US using 3G. So if you want a device that works across the world for decades to come, go with the CELLv1.0!
• The CELLv1.0 is the smallest module on the market, the least expensive 2/3G device out there, and the easiest to use!

What Is It?

The CELLv1.0 is an easy-to-use cellular development kit. Add it to your Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or any other project you have to instantly add wireless communications capable of operating anywhere in the world!

SUPER EASY TO USE!

Check out the Arduino and Raspberry Pi Shields to see just how easy it is to connect the CELLv1.0 to your Arduino and Raspberry Pi!

If you’re not using a shield, all you need are 4 connections – RX, TX, GND, and Vref so you can use your 3.3V or 5V system.  Use the USB cable we supply for power and voilà!

The Ecosystem

SparqEE helps you every step of the way with the CELLv1.0 to easily get your data from Your Device, through The Cloud, and back out to Your Smartphone or Computer!

Open Forum and Website for help, details, code, everything!

• Easy, Open Source Hardware: Schematics, Layouts,
• Easy, Open Source Software: Device, Server, Smartphone
• Easy RESTful commands

SIM CARD:

In order to communicate over a cellular network, you’ll also need a SIM card. SIM cards aren’t as painful as they used to be. With the CELLv1.0 you can use any SIM, here are some suggestions:

• Straight from your phone: For development, just take it out of your phone and pop it in
• Pre-paid: You can purchase a prepaid SIM from any retailer – like Target and Wal-Mart
• SparqEE: We’ve contracted with a worldwide SIM provider for this project, so SIMs from us are not only the lowest cost you’ll find, but they work anywhere in the world (ex. the SIM we’re using for our Keychain Tracker costs $3.62/month… not bad right?). They’ll be available through our website.

WHY THE CELLv1.0?

• In the beginning… as we were working on one of our projects we realized we needed to add cellular
• We looked for a dev board… turns out they’re all really expensive, complicated, and not usable in final products because of their large size
• We saw HUGE costs and difficulties… finding reasonably priced chips, choosing a company, picking a module, finding the right SIM, setting up a contracts, validating coverage, dealing with certifications, etc

In the end, we realized that we could minimize the pain for everybody and make cellular as ubiquitous in the development community as Bluetooth and WiFi, eliminating all difficulties! We are providing a free server to communicate with and even open sourcing everything – the schematics, Eagle files, designs, software, breakouts, etc.

THE 2 PIECE DESIGN

The Cellular and Jumper parts snap together with a standard connector. The header pins on the jumper are used in your development and fit in a breadboard or using jumper wires.  The Cellular portion can be used alone on your final product too – all you need is the standard connectors (which we’ll give you the specs, Eagle files, and part numbers for).

CELLULAR BOARD:

The Cellular Board is certified and has everything you need to pop it into your projects as a standalone module – a Cellular chip, power supply, and SIM holder

JUMPER BOARD:

The Jumper Board makes everything a breeze for development – it includes level shifters for whatever voltage levels you’re using (ex. 3.3V, 5V, or other)

SPECS

GENERAL

• Data (TCP/UDP)
• SMS ready
• Serial interface
• USB 2.0 interface
• Coverage: AT&T in US, 3G and GSM/GPRS Worldwide

TECHNICAL

• Input Voltage: 3.7-5V (Jumper powered from included USB cable or header pins)
• Current Required: <5mA standby, <75mA average working (w/o services), <500mA average working, max 2.3A
• WCDMA/HSDPA 2100/1900/900MHz
• 384Kbps, DL3.6Mbps HSDPA
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• Serial (UART, From Cellular Board is 1.8V, From Jumper board is any voltage (ex. 3.3V, 5V))
• USB 2.0 interface (power, USART, and modem)
• Windows, Linux, Android drivers available from ZTE
• Weight:
  • Both boards: 0.80oz, 22.68g
  • Bottom “jumper board”: 0.30oz, 8.50g
  • Top “cellular board” w/ SIM: 0.50oz, 14.17g
  • Top “cellular board” w/o SIM: 0.40oz, 11.34oz
• Size: 36x42x7mm (plugged into socket)