FAQ

Q: What are AT commands?

A: First of all, reading the V.250 standard (see link in README) will
give you a much better answer than anything I write here, so the following
is just written to give you an approximately idea of what AT commands are.
Please read the V.250 specification after finishing this file!

AT commands are named so because the two first characters (on a command
line) are the characters 'A' and 'T'. AT commands have been used to
configure and operate modems "since forever". One of the first and most
influencial modem manefacturers that created AT commands was Hayes, and
thus you might come across one or two odd references to Hayes commands
instead of AT commands.


Q: What are some examples of AT commands?

A:
To request manufacturer identification: AT+GMI
To start a voice call (to phone number 123...): ATD1234567890;
To end a call: ATH

Mobile phones also typically support commands to send/read SMS messages,
read/edit phonebook entries, query/change network operator, etc. See
the standards 27.005 and 27.007.


Q: What is the protocol sequence of executing an AT command?

A: The computer starts by sending an AT command to the modem. The modem
starts processing the command and might send back some text while doing
so. When the modem is finished processing the command it sends back a
"Final result code" to indicate that it is done. After the reception of
the Final result code, the computer can send another command.

Example:

AT+GMI                              // pc ------> modem
Magnificent Modem Maker             // modem ---> pc
                                    // modem ---> pc
OK                                  // modem ---> pc


Q: What are the different types of responses a modem can give?

A: Responses from the modem can be of three fundamental types:

1) Final result code: Indicates that the execution of the currently
running AT command is finished. Examples: OK and ERROR.

2) Intermediate result code or Information text: Responses related to a
command that comes before the final result code. Examples: CONNECT and
+CPBR.

3) Unsolicited result code: Responses that the modem issues independently
of any running AT command as response to certain events (in the
modem). Examples: RING and +CREG.


Q: What are the typical names of the serial port/modem device?

A: For a plain RS-232 serial port on the PC the names on Linux operating
systems are /dev/ttyS0 for the first one, counting up. On Windows the
corresponding name is COM1. This hardware interface was commonly used
for modems a decade ago and before, but is less common these days.

When connecting a mobile phone with a USB cable, it will (when
configured/asked to do so) provide two virtual serial interfaces. On
Linux these are named /dev/ttyACM0 and /dev/ttyACM1, or occationally
/dev/ttyUSB0 and /dev/ttyUSB1. On Windows these end up as COM<number>
where <number> is somewhere in the range 5 and upwards (possibly leaving
large gaps of unallocated com ports). You can most likely fingure out
what number from looking in the device manager.

If you try to run atinout within an Android phone, the device names (if
present) varies a bit depending on manefacturer. Possible options seems
to be /dev/smd0 or /dev/ttyGS0 most commonly, possibly also /dev/xmd-tty0,
/dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/SMD0 (most likely an incomplete list).