Introduction

In this article, we will learn how to send data to a MySQL database using the SIM800l module and an Arduino board. This setup can be useful for a variety of applications, such as remote monitoring systems or IoT devices. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to create your own data transfer system using these components.

Required Components

Before we get started, let’s make sure we have all the necessary components:

• Arduino board
• SIM800l module
• USB cable
• Jumper cables
• Basic electronic components (such as resistors and capacitors)

Setting up the SIM800l module

The first step is to set up the SIM800l module. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Connect the SIM800l module to a power source (such as a battery or power supply).
2. Connect the antenna to the module.
3. Insert a SIM card into the module.
4. Connect the module to your computer using a USB to TTL converter.
5. Install the necessary drivers for the module.
6. Test the module by sending and receiving SMS messages.

Setting up the Arduino board

Next, let’s set up the Arduino board:

1. Connect the Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Install the Arduino IDE software on your computer.
3. Configure the IDE for your specific Arduino board.
4. Test the board by uploading a basic sketch (such as the Blink sketch).

Connecting SIM800l and Arduino

Now that both components are set up, we can connect them together:

1. Connect the VCC pin of the SIM800l module to the 5V pin on the Arduino board.
2. Connect the GND pin of the SIM800l module to the GND pin on the Arduino board.
3. Connect the TX pin of the SIM800l module to the RX pin on the Arduino board.
4. Connect the RX pin of the SIM800l module to the TX pin on the Arduino board.

Coding for SIM800l and Arduino

With the components connected, we can now write the code that will allow us to send data to the MySQL database. Here’s what the code should look like:

“`arduino
// Include the SoftwareSerial library
#include

// Define the RX and TX pins for the SIM800l module
SoftwareSerial sim800l(10, 11); // RX, TX

void setup() {
// Initialize the serial communication for the Arduino board
Serial.begin(9600);

// Initialize the serial communication for the SIM800l module
sim800l.begin(9600);

// Let the SIM800l module know which serial port to listen to
sim800l.print(“AT+CNMI=2,2,0,0,0\r\n”);
}

void loop() {
// Read any incoming data from the serial port of the SIM800l module
if (sim800l.available()) {
char c = sim800l.read();
Serial.write(c);
}

// Send a test message to the MySQL database
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPINIT”);
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPPARA=\”CID\”,1″);
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPPARA=\”URL\”,\”http://example.com/test.php?data=test\””);
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPACTION=0”);
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPREAD”);
sim800l.println(“AT+HTTPTERM”);

// Wait for 30 seconds before sending another message
delay(30000);
}
“`

Creating a MySQL Database

Now that the code is written, we need to create a MySQL database to store the data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to your web hosting account or local server.
2. Create a new database.
3. Create a table within the database to store the data.
4. Make note of the database name, table name, username, and password.

Writing the PHP script for data transfer

With the database set up, we can now write a PHP script that will receive the data from the SIM800l module and store it in the database. Here’s what the script should look like:

“`php
<?php
// Connect to the MySQL database
$conn = mysqli_connect(“localhost”, “username”, “password”, “database”);

// Check for errors
if (mysqli_connect_errno()) {
echo “Failed to connect to MySQL: ” . mysqli_connect_error();
exit();
}

// Get the data from the SIM800l module
$data = $_GET[‘data’];

// Insert the data into the database
$sql = “INSERT INTO tablename (columnname) VALUES (‘$data’)”;
if (!mysqli_query($conn, $sql)) {
echo “Error: ” . $sql . ”
” . mysqli_error($conn);
exit();
}

// Close the database connection
mysqli_close($conn);
?>
“`

Testing the setup

With everything set up and the code written, it’s time to test the system. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Upload the Arduino sketch to the Arduino board.
2. Upload the PHP script to your web server or local server.
3. Connect the SIM800l module to a power source and turn it on.
4. Wait for the SIM800l module to send data to the MySQL database (this should happen every 30 seconds).
5. Check the database to make sure the data was stored correctly.

Troubleshooting tips

If you run into issues, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Double-check your connections to make sure everything is properly connected.
• Check the serial monitor for error messages.
• Make sure your web hosting account or local server is configured correctly.
• Check your PHP script for errors.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to send data to a MySQL database using the SIM800l module and an Arduino board. This setup can be used for a variety of applications and is a great way to get started with remote monitoring systems or IoT devices. Happy building!