Newton Scripts for Globetrotter Card Phone

Introduction

The Trotter PCMCIA card is an indispensible add-on for Newton users, due to its small form factor and moderate energy consumption. Other cards need to be removed after usage due to their size, which is not the case with the Trotter. Also, GPRS is a very cost-efficient way to use the Newt as a wireless terminal. For regular mail usage with message size filters appplied and server-side spam filtering, it is difficult to end up with hefty bills. (Variable cost is about 2EUR/Mb in Sweden.)

There are two ways of connecting the Newton MessagePad with the GlobeTrotter. The first one is to write a NIE script in the freeware program Internet Setup (part of Newton Internet Enabler). The second method is to write a regular modem script with the shareware application Modem Modifier. By using the second method, the phone functions of the Newton can be activated.

Credits to Cam Guhl for helping with the scripting and pointing me to the necessary drivers. Also, a bug thank you to Jan Füllemann at NovaMedia for HW support.

The full product description and pictures are to be found at NovaMedias pages and the PDF manual.

The NIE script

Problems were experienced with previous versions of the NIE script, but after some trial & error, I finally managed to make it work properly. The script will now be checked with other units, so that the reliability of the functions can be affirmed with various heap amounts and delay requirements. Please share your experiences with me so that i can update this page in order to cover various set-ups.

Below follows the current script for the MP2100; you will need to install NIE and add the script like a *serial* NIE setup. If you like, you can match the "Internet Setup" information in the "Owner Info" package with this script for smart location aware settings.

Setup Name: GPRS Option Globetrotter RC2
Protocol: PPP
Configuration: Server
User ID: **************
When closing, disconnect: after 5 minutes
Primary DNS/Name Server Address: ***.***.***.***
Alternate DNS/Name Server Address: ***.***.***.***
Domain Name: <**********.domain>

Login Script [15 Steps]

Send: "AT"
Pause: "1.2"
Send ¶
Wait For: "OK"

Send: "AT+CSQ"
Send ¶
Pause: "2"
Wait For: "OK"

Send: "AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","","" "
Send ¶
Wait For: "OK"
Send: "ATD*99#"
Pause: "1.2"
Send ¶
Wait For: "CONNECT"
Done

Advanced Settings
Port: Top PC Card
Baud Rate: 57600
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Hardware Flow Control: on

Logout Script is not necessary

Try to alter the script so that the delays will suit your Newton better, or exclude functions that were added by me - note that all functions/steps are not necessary.

(If you like tweaking, visit the page for alternative commands. If you are particularly inclined and willing to dig even deeper into this issue, there is also a full SDK with other parts and bits!)

The Modem Script

The phone functions of the GlobeTrotter function with NovaMedias FirstFone (FiFo) package, but the amplification is to low in order to be useful for regular use. In order to solve this problem and enable users to dial directly from the built-in Calls application, a regular modem script for use with a headset (Nokia item HDC-6D) was written. In order to compile a modem script, you will need a shareware application called Modem Modifier. Simply copy an existing script from your Newton and start enter your changes.

The fax functions (routing/receiving) of the Newton are not checked, but I assume it should work. Please report your experiences to me.

Modem Name: Globetrotter/Vodafone

Id The Modem: False
Use Hardware CD: False
Use Config String: False
Use Dial Options: False
Hangup at Disconnect: True
Supports Cellular: True

Supports EC: True
Supports LCS: False
Direct Connect Only: False

Connect Speeds: 9600 14400 19200 28800 38400 57600
Config. Speed: 115200
Command Timeout: 550
Max Chars. per Line: 140
Inter Command Delay: 5000

Modem Id String:

Config. String No EC: ATE0Q0X3W2+CLIR=2&C1&D2&K3S12=12S6=20S30=1S36=4S95=0S7=55
Config. String EC only: ATE0X4W2+CLIR=2&C1&D2&K3S12=12S6=20S30=1S36=4
Config. String EC and Fallback: ATE0X4W2+CLIR=2&C1&D2&K3S12=12S6=20S30=1S36=4
Config. String Cellular: ATE0X4W2+CLIR=2&C1&D2&K3S12=12S6=20S30=1S36=4
Config. String Direct Connect: ATE0X4W2+CLIR=2&C1&D2&K3&Q0S12=12S6=20S30=1S36=4

Happy scripting!