About SMS

Introduction

The Short Message Service (SMS) is part of the GSM specification and allows messages to be sent to and from GSM mobile networks worldwide. A single short message can contain up to 160 characters and consists of words, numbers, or an alphanumeric combination.

You can receive short messages through voice, data, and fax calls. SMS also provides delivery confirmation for short messages. Non-text messages can also be sent to carry 8-bit binary data. Messages using Unicode character sets, including Arabic and Chinese characters, can also be carried in SMS.

SMS is a store and forward service where a short message is sent via a Short Message Service Center (SMSC). An advantage of this is that the destination mobile device does not need to be on the network when the message is sent. If the device is not available, the SMSC retries delivery. Delivery usually takes only a few seconds from the SMSC to the mobile device.

SMS messages can be up to 140 octets or 160 characters in length and can carry information encoded in different ways. The most common coding scheme is the GSM default alphabet. This allows SMS to encode a simplified text alphabet using 7 bits per character.

More advanced applications typically use 8-bit data, where the SMSC makes no assumptions about the coding scheme and allows applications to use the full 140 octets as needed.

GSM modems

Auron Omni supports GSM modems to send and receive SMS messages. It supports a broad range of GSM modems that follow the ETSI GSM 07.05 guidelines. Modern GSM devices, including those from Nokia, Siemens, and Sony Ericsson, use a similar subset of the AT+C command set and are therefore also supported by Auron Omni. You can connect a GSM modem through one of the following interfaces:

• Serial port;
• USB interface;
• Bluetooth;
• Infrared;

Auron Omni supports TAPI drivers, such as Standard 9600 bps Modem, to simplify GSM modem configuration. Using TAPI, you can configure baud rate, initialization strings, and other settings through the standard Windows Control Panel.

HTTP Providers (SMS over HTTP)

Auron Omni supports HTTP compliant SMSC providers, where SMS messages are delivered to the SMS provider over HTTP. The provider then delivers the messages to mobile phones.

The HTTP SMS protocol is used to send SMS messages only. It allows a client, such as Auron Omni, to access the SMSC (Short Message Service Center) using HTTP to send messages. To connect Auron Omni with an HTTP compliant SMSC, an IP connection is established between both systems.

You need to sign up with an HTTP compliant SMS center before you can use their service. This usually requires a small sign up fee and a monthly fee for an SMS bundle.

Auron Omni provides free HTTP SMS messaging for a limited number of messages. You can connect to the Auron HTTP SMS gateway and send messages immediately after installation without needing to sign up with an SMSC first.

SMPP Providers

Auron Omni supports SMPP 3.4 compliant SMSC providers.

The SMPP protocol allows a client, such as Auron Omni, to access SMSC systems to send and receive SMS messages. To connect SMS Server with an SMPP compliant SMSC, an IP connection is established between both systems.

An SMSC provider usually offers multiple sites to ensure high availability. It also supports high volume and high throughput messaging.

You need to sign up with an SMPP compliant center before you can use their service. This usually requires a small sign up fee and a monthly fee for an SMS bundle.

Auron Omni provides free SMPP messaging for a limited number of messages. You can connect to the Auron SMPP SMS gateway and send and receive messages immediately after installation without needing to sign up with an SMSC first.