Overview
The Arduino MKR GSM 1400 takes advantage of the cellular network as a means to communicate. The GSM / 3G network is the one that covers the highes percentage of the world's surface, making this connectivity option very attractive when no other connectivity options exist. Whether you are looking at building a gateway to your own remote sensor network, or if you need a single device sending a text message when an event happens at the other side of the country, the MKR GSM 1400 will help you to quickly implement a solution to accommodate your needs.
The board's main processor is a low power Arm® Cortex®-M0 32-bit SAMD21, like in the other boards within the Arduino MKR family. The GSM / 3G connectivity is performed with a module from u-blox, the SARA-U201, a low power chipset operating in the de different bands of the cellular range (GSM 850 MHz, E-GSM 1900 MHz, DCS 1800 MHz, PCS 1900 MHz). On top of those, secure communication is ensured through the Microchip® ECC508 crypto chip. Besides that, you can find a battery charger, and a connector for an external antenna.
GSM and Arduino IoT Cloud
At Arduino we have made connecting to a GSM network as easy as getting an LED to blink. You can set or receive calls, send and receive text messages, and access data networks to exchange data with different types of servers. You can even create your own server operating on the GPRS data network! The specific set of examples we provide for the MKR GSM 1400 can be consulted at the MKRGSM library reference page.
It is also possible to connect your board to different Cloud services, Arduino's own among others. Here some examples on how to get the MKR GSM 1400 to connect to:
- Arduino's own IoT Cloud: Arduino's IoT Cloud is a simple and fast way to ensure secure communication for all of your connected Things. Check it out here
- Blynk: a simple project from our community connecting to Blynk to operate your board from a phone to remote control two different relays
- Google IoT Cloud: here an example of sending data to Google's IoT Cloud using MQTT and JSON
- SORACOM Air IoT: a specific case using SORACOM's platform on how to connect to send and graph data from a temperature sensor
- GSM Location + Google Maps: the following example shows how to localize your board by sending an SMS that will obtain the board's location from the GSM infrastructure
- Google Spreadsheets via Arduino IoT Cloud: collect data from an industrial sensor, send it over the Arduino IoT Cloud via cellular network and from there to a GSheet using webhooks, this example will show you how to do it
Ensuring Connectivity
The default option for the MKR GSM 1400 does NOT include a SIM card, you can hook up the board to any operator of your choice. However, if you are interested in a world-wide coverage option for your solution, at Arduino we have created the Arduino SIM - MKR GSM bundle. The package which includes the exclusive Arduino SIM card will get your board online from (almost) anywhere in the world and connect to the Arduino IoT Cloud (only). It is also possible to purchase the SIM card separately.
The Arduino SIM sends data only to the Arduino IoT Cloud. In this way, we provide you with a secure communication channel from device to dashboard. Once data reaches the Arduino IoT Cloud, it is possible to bridge it to other platforms and services via webhooks or the Arduino IoT API.
Battery Power
Its USB port can be used to supply power (5V) to the board. It has a Li-Po charging circuit that allows the board to run on battery power or an external 5 volt source, charging the Li-Po battery while running on external power. Switching from one source to the other is done automatically.
Communication over cellular networks, requires current peaks above the maximum a USB port can provide. While the port reaches 500mA, a typical GSM handshake (when the board boots and registers on a network provider) could easily reach a 2A peak. Therefore it is recommended to either provide a source with a higher current limit over Vin, or having a LiPo battery of, at least, 2500 mAh.
Related Boards
If you are still deciding about the right wireless protocol for your solution, Arduino's MKR family has some alternatives to offer:
- MKR FOX 1200: for your EU solutions on Sigfox infrastructure. Visit its product page here.
- MKR WAN 1310: if you want to experiment with either LoRa® or LoRaWAN™. Read more here. We have also a LoRa® gateway if you are thiking of building your own infrastructure.
- MKR NB 1500: if your solution is designed around Narrowband IoT. Read more about it here.
Getting Started
The Getting Started section contains all the information you need to configure your board, use the Arduino Software (IDE), and start tinkering with coding and electronics. If you want to know more about Arduino’s MKRGSM API, check this reference page.
Arduino IoT Cloud Compatible
Use your MKR board on Arduino's IoT Cloud, a simple and fast way to ensure secure communication for all of your connected Things.
TRY THE ARDUINO IOT CLOUD FOR FREE
*The MKR GSM 1400 requires a SIM card to connect to the cloud, as it communicates over the mobile networks.
Need Help?
Check the Arduino Forum for questions about the Arduino Language, or how to make your own Projects with Arduino. Need any help with your board please get in touch with the official Arduino User Support as explained in our Contact Us page.
Warranty
You can find here your board warranty information.
Tech specs
The Arduino MKR GSM 1400 is based on the SAMD21 microcontroller.
| Microcontroller | SAMD21 Cortex®-M0+ 32bit low power ARM MCU (datasheet) |
| Radio module | u-blox SARA-U201 (datasheet) |
| Secure Element | ATECC508 (datasheet) |
| Board Power Supply (USB/VIN) | 5V |
| Supported Battery | Li-Po Single Cell, 3.7V, 2500mAh Minimum |
| Circuit Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 8 |
| PWM Pins | 13 (0 .. 8, 10, 12, 18 / A3, 19 / A4) |
| UART | 1 |
| SPI | 1 |
| I2C | 1 |
| Analog Input Pins | 7 (ADC 8/10/12 bit) |
| Analog Output Pins | 1 (DAC 10 bit) |
| External Interrupts | 8 (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16 / A1, 17 / A2) |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 7 mA |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (internal) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| EEPROM | no |
| Clock Speed | 32.768 kHz (RTC), 48 MHz |
| LED_BUILTIN | 6 |
| Full-Speed USB Device and embedded Host | |
| Antenna gain | 2dB (bundled antenna at the Arduino Store) |
| Carrier frequency | GSM 850 MHz, E-GSM 1900 MHz, DCS 1800 MHz, PCS 1900 MHz |
| Working region | Global |
| SIM Card | MicroSIM (not included with the board) |
| Length | 67.64 mm |
| Width | 25 mm |
| Weight | 32 gr. |
Conformities
Documentation
OSH: Schematics
The MKR GSM 1400 is open-source hardware! You can build your own board using the following files:
EAGLE FILES IN .ZIP SCHEMATICS IN .PDF FRITZING IN .FZPZ
Pinout Diagram
Download the full pinout diagram as PDF here.
Interactive Board Viewer
Additional I2C Port
The MKR GSM 1400 has an additional connector meant as an extension of the I2C bus. It's a small form factor 5-pin connector with 1.0 mm pitch. The mechanical details of the connector can be found in the connector's datasheet.
The I2C port, also referred to as the Eslov self-identification port within Arduino, comes with: SDA, SCL, GND, +5V, and an extra digital pin meant to send an alarm to the otherwise plain I2C devices connected to it. The pinout is shown in the following image:
If you are interested in designing your own modules for Arduino boards with this expansion port, the connector we suggest using is code: SHR-05V-S-B, also in the picture.
Learn more
Get Inspired
FAQs
Antenna
When purchased at the Arduino Store, the MKR GSM 1400 comes bundled with an antenna that can be attached to the board using the existing micro UFL connector. It is possible to use other antennas using the appropriate pigtail.
When purchasing a different antenna than the one provided (or when making your own), please check that it is tuned for the frequency band in use in the GSM / 3G range. Also avoid placing your antenna in parallel to a ground plane like a large metallic surface.
Batteries, Pins and board LEDs
- Battery capacity: Rechargeable Li-Ion, or Li-Po. Please make sure the battery connector suits your battery.
- Battery connector: The connector is of type JST S2B-PH-SM4-TB(LF)(SN). Mating connector is JST PHR-2.
- Vin: This pin can be used to power the board with a regulated 5V source. If the power is fed through this pin, the USB power source is disconnected. This is the only way you can supply 5v (range is 5V to maximum 6V) to the board not using USB. This pin is an INPUT.
- 5V: This pin outputs 5V from the board when powered from the USB connector or from the VIN pin of the board. It is unregulated and the voltage is taken directly from the inputs.
- VCC: This pin outputs 3.3V through the on-board voltage regulator. This voltage is 3.3V if USB or VIN is used.
- LED ON: This LED is connected to the 5V input from either USB or VIN. It is not connected to the battery power, thus minimizing the impact on battery usage. It is therefore normal to have the board properly running on battery power without the LED ON being lit.
- Onboard LED: On MKR GSM 1400 the onboard LED is connected to D6.