25.4. Example Demonstrating How to Use the +CMGS AT Command to Send SMS Text Messages in SMS Text Mode

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Now let's see a more detailed example that demonstrates how to use the +CMGS AT command to send SMS text messages in SMS text mode and how the +CMGS AT command should be used together with other AT commands.

Instructing the GSM/GPRS Modem or Mobile Phone to Operate in SMS Text Mode

First, enter the command line "AT+CMGF=1" in a terminal program (for example, HyperTerminal in Microsoft Windows) to instruct the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone to operate in SMS text mode. This step is necessary because the default mode is SMS PDU mode. Below shows the response returned from Nokia 6021 to HyperTerminal after the execution of the command line "AT+CMGF=1":

AT+CMGF=1
OK

The final result code OK indicates the +CMGF AT command was executed successfully. If the final result code ERROR is returned, it is likely that the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone does not support SMS text mode. To check whether the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone supports SMS text mode, enter the command line "AT+CMGF=?" in the terminal program. Here is the response returned from Nokia 6021 to HyperTerminal:

AT+CMGF=?
+CMGF: (0,1)

OK

The values in the parentheses indicate the modes that the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone can operate in. The value 0 represents SMS PDU mode and the value 1 represents SMS text mode. From the above response, we know that Nokia 6021 can operate in either SMS PDU mode or SMS text mode. See the section titled "Selecting the Operating Mode (AT+CMGF)" of this SMS tutorial if you want to learn further details about the +CMGF AT command.

Setting the SMSC Number to be Used to Send SMS Text Messages

Second, use the AT command +CSCA (command name in text: Service Centre Address) to set the SMSC number to be used to send SMS text messages. Usually the default setting is correct and you do not need to make any changes. Below demonstrates how to use the +CSCA AT command to set "+85290000000" as the SMSC number:

AT+CSCA="+85290000000"
OK

Detailed information about the +CSCA AT command can be found in the "Setting or Reading the Service Center Address / SMSC Address (AT+CSCA)" section of this SMS tutorial.

Sending Text Messages

Third, use the +CMGS AT command to send a text message to the SMSC. Suppose you want to send a text message to the mobile phone number +85291234567, you should enter something like this in a terminal program:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"

Then, press the Enter key of the keyboard to send a carriage return character to the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone. The GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone will send back a prompt formed by four characters. They are the carriage return character, the linefeed character, the ">" character and the space character. If all characters are to be displayed, the characters you have sent to and received from the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone so far are:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"<CR>
<CR><LF>><Space>

However, the carriage return character and linefeed character have special meanings to a terminal program. When a terminal program sees a carriage return character, it moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line. When it sees a linefeed character, it moves the cursor to the same position on the next line. So, here is what you will actually see in a terminal program such as HyperTerminal:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"
> 

If you want to cancel the send command at this point, press the Esc key on the keyboard. The GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone will then return the OK final result code. Here shows the response returned from Nokia 6021:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"
> 
  OK

Some mobile devices return a slightly different response. One example is Philips 598:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"
> 

OK

If you do not want to cancel the send command, enter the body of the SMS text message that you want to send from your computer / PC. Press Enter on the keyboard if you want to start a new line. When finished, press Ctrl+z on the keyboard. The GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone then attempts to send the SMS text message to the SMSC and returns a response to the computer / PC. Suppose the SMS text message is "It is easy to send text messages.". Below shows what you should see in a terminal program:

AT+CMGS="+85291234567"
> It is easy to send text messages.
+CMGS: 12

OK

The value in the information response, 12, is the message reference number allocated to the SMS text message. The final result code OK indicates the sending of the SMS text message was successful. If the execution of the +CMGS AT command fails, the GSM/GPRS modem or mobile phone will return either the final result code ERROR or +CMS ERROR.

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