I'm designing an embedded system that will require a cellular modem (3G). I never used one but the designs I came across with they all use a SIM card slot. I understand that this may be convenient but isn't there a way to avoid it? Why and how? What are the challenges of storing the information stored in a SIM card in any other kind of memory such as the internal memory of a microcontroller?
Thanks
The cellular modem is designed to interface with the SIM card, using the SIM card signal levels and protocols, primarily to provide cellular-phone features - i.e., ability to switch SIM cards for different users / accounts, secure identification, secure SMS storage, association of saved data to account, etc.
Because the SIM is a secure storage device, as far as I know, it is required by design, and cannot be replaced with any other storage type.
That said, it is possible to source surface-mount SIM devices (called MIM) for permanent installation instead of the 2FF or similar "cards" which require a socket. However, these are difficult to source in small quantities. But the short answer is, yes, you need one, and no, there is no way around it.
If this is a problem, then look into the other wireless services and technologies available in your area. Or consider, if you have several of these devices, could they just "RF link" to each other using any standard RF transceiver module and relay information to only one device with the desired capability? This may be far easier to implement than a creating a "cellphone from scratch."
A few manufacturers are now making SIM on chip parts, sometimes known as MIM (Machine Identification Modules). Have a look at http://www.gemalto.com/m2m/solutions/mim
