Adcon A850 User manual

Base Station
Telemetry Gateway A850
User Guide
valid for A850 firmware release 1.0
SMART WIRELESS SOLUTIONS

ADC NO
TELEMETRY
ADCON TELEMETRY GMBH
INKUSTRASSE 24
A-3400 KLOSTERNEUBURG
AUSTRIA
TEL: +43 | 2243 | 38280-0
FAX: +43 | 2243 | 38280-6
http://www.adcon.athttp://www.adcon.at
2050 LYNDELL TERRACE
SUITE 120
CA-95616 DAVIS, USA
TEL: +1 | 530 | 753-1458
FAX: +1 | 530 | 753-1054
http://www.adcon.athttp://www.adcon.at
ADCON INTERNATIONAL INC
ENFIELD PLAZA SA 5058
PO BOX 605
ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA
TEL: +61 | 8 | 8260-4682
FAX: +61 | 8 | 8260-4685
http://www.adcon.athttp://www.adcon.at
ADCON AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
Proprietary Notice:
The Adcon logo, the A72x, A73x and A74x series, addIT™, addWAVE™, the A840 and A850
Telemetry Gateway, addVANTAGE®, and addVANTAGE Lite are trademarks or registered trade-
marks of Adcon Telemetry. All other registered names used throughout this publication are
trademarks of their respective owners.
Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in this publication may be repro-
duced in any material form except with the prior written permission of Adcon Telemetry.
This publication is intended only to assist the reader in the use of the product. Adcon Telemetry
shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of any information in this publica-
tion, or any error or omission in such information, or any incorrect use of the product.
Document Release: 1.2, September 2007
Copyright ©2001—2007 by Adcon Telemetry GmbH.
All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 3
Chapter 1. Introduction ________________________________________________ 13
Scope ________________________________________________________________ 13
Conventions ___________________________________________________________ 14
What is the A850 Telemetry Gateway? ____________________________________ 15
Adcon's Telemetry Network _____________________________________________ 18
What's new on the A850 ?_______________________________________________ 20
Chapter 2. System Setup _______________________________________________ 23
Package Contents ______________________________________________________ 23
Elements on A850 ______________________________________________________ 24
LED Indicator _______________________________________________________ 24
LEDs and LED patterns ____________________________________________ 24
Connectors _________________________________________________________ 25
Mains:___________________________________________________________ 25
Radio Modem (connection to A440): ________________________________ 25
Modem: _________________________________________________________ 26
Console:_________________________________________________________ 26
USB: ____________________________________________________________ 26
LAN: ____________________________________________________________ 26
Reset Button _____________________________________________________ 26
Installation ____________________________________________________________ 26
Installing the outdoor unit ____________________________________________ 29
Installing the indoor unit______________________________________________ 31
Initialize the base station _____________________________________________ 32
License of the Gateway ______________________________________________ 32
Connecting to the GUI _______________________________________________ 33
Starting of the Web Browser _______________________________________ 33
Login Procedure__________________________________________________ 38

CHAPTER
4
Principles of GUI operation ______________________________________________ 40
The main window ____________________________________________________ 40
Commands on the Menu Bar __________________________________________ 41
File Commands ___________________________________________________ 41
FileLogin ______________________________________________________ 41
FileLook and feel _______________________________________________ 42
FileExit ________________________________________________________ 43
EditUndo ______________________________________________________ 43
EditRedo ______________________________________________________ 44
Configuration Commands__________________________________________ 44
ConfigurationRefresh ____________________________________________ 44
ConfigurationLockLock Gateway ________________________________ 45
ConfigurationLockShow Lock___________________________________ 46
ConfigurationLockUnlock ______________________________________ 46
ConfigurationUpdate ____________________________________________ 47
ConfigurationRestore____________________________________________ 49
ConfigurationLoad ______________________________________________ 51
Tools Commands _________________________________________________ 53
Tools LicenseShow License _____________________________________ 53
Tools LicenseSet License _______________________________________ 54
Tools JobStart Job_____________________________________________ 54
Tools JobStop Job ____________________________________________ 56
Tools Time Configuration _________________________________________ 57
Tools CommunicationDirect Commands__________________________ 58
Tools CommunicationBroadcast _________________________________ 62
Tools Save System State__________________________________________ 65
Tools Search ____________________________________________________ 67
Tools Settings ___________________________________________________ 69
Commands on Tool Bar_______________________________________________ 71
Backup __________________________________________________________ 72
Restore __________________________________________________________ 72
Load ____________________________________________________________ 72
Save_____________________________________________________________ 72
Undo ____________________________________________________________ 72
Search ___________________________________________________________ 72
Main Window views __________________________________________________ 73
Tree view ________________________________________________________ 73

CHAPTER 5
Table view _______________________________________________________ 74
Popup Context Menu ________________________________________________ 75
Detail window_______________________________________________________ 77
Web Interface__________________________________________________________ 78
Home ______________________________________________________________ 78
Credits and Licenses _________________________________________________ 80
GPL________________________________________________________________ 80
LGPL_______________________________________________________________ 81
ASL ________________________________________________________________ 82
Tools_______________________________________________________________ 83
Debugging tools _________________________________________________ 85
Configuration tools _______________________________________________ 85
Firmware tools ___________________________________________________ 86

CHAPTER
6
Chapter 3. Configuring the Gateway ____________________________________ 87
PPP Dialup __________________________________________________________ 89
Job scheduling ___________________________________________________ 93
Job status________________________________________________________ 95
Job dependent settings ___________________________________________ 95
Primary Account __________________________________________________ 96
Secondary Account _______________________________________________ 97
Dynamic DNS _______________________________________________________ 98
Job scheduling __________________________________________________ 101
Job status_______________________________________________________ 103
Job dependent settings __________________________________________ 103
Primary Server ___________________________________________________ 104
Secondary Server ________________________________________________ 105
SSH Tunnel ________________________________________________________ 105
Job scheduling __________________________________________________ 108
Job status_______________________________________________________ 110
Job dependent settings __________________________________________ 110
Primary Server ___________________________________________________ 111
Secondary Server ________________________________________________ 112
Notification Sending ________________________________________________ 112
Job scheduling __________________________________________________ 115
Job status_______________________________________________________ 117
Primary Server ___________________________________________________ 117
Secondary Server ________________________________________________ 119
NTP_______________________________________________________________ 119
Job scheduling __________________________________________________ 122
Job status_______________________________________________________ 124
Job dependent settings __________________________________________ 124
Primary Server ___________________________________________________ 125
Secondary Server ________________________________________________ 125
Dialup Modem _____________________________________________________ 126
Dialup Parameter ________________________________________________ 130
Dialup status ____________________________________________________ 132
Job dependent settings __________________________________________ 132
________________________________________________________________ 132
PPP parameter___________________________________________________ 132
Wireless Modems ___________________________________________________ 133

CHAPTER 7
Device parameter________________________________________________ 137
Modem status___________________________________________________ 138
Radio parameter_________________________________________________ 139
Modem-Type dependent settings__________________________________ 140
GPRS Modems _____________________________________________________ 141
Configuration ___________________________________________________ 144
State ___________________________________________________________ 144
Users _____________________________________________________________ 145
Configuration ___________________________________________________ 148
State ___________________________________________________________ 149
Operating System __________________________________________________ 150
Flush interval____________________________________________________ 152
Notifications ____________________________________________________ 152
Last times events ________________________________________________ 153
Networking ________________________________________________________ 153
Ethernet Settings ________________________________________________ 156
Console Settings ________________________________________________ 157
DHCP Settings __________________________________________________ 158
Primary DNS Server ______________________________________________ 158
Secondary DNS Server ___________________________________________ 159
Gateway Detail_____________________________________________________ 159
Configuration ___________________________________________________ 162
State ___________________________________________________________ 163
Chapter 4. Using the Gateway _________________________________________ 165
Sensor Connections ___________________________________________________ 165
Analog Input_______________________________________________________ 168
Pulse Counter______________________________________________________ 168
Digital I/O _________________________________________________________ 168
Internal Input ______________________________________________________ 168
Logical Channels and Output Channels _______________________________ 169
SDI-12 Bus ________________________________________________________ 169
Actuator Connections _______________________________________________ 170

CHAPTER
8
Sensor Type Configuration ______________________________________________ 170
Adding Custom Sensors _____________________________________________ 170
Sensor Tables ______________________________________________________ 171
Sensor Types _______________________________________________________ 174
Analog sensor types ________________________________________________ 176
Common settings ________________________________________________ 178
Analog sensor settings ___________________________________________ 179
Analog sensor sampling methods __________________________________ 180
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 181
Counter sensor types________________________________________________ 182
Common settings ________________________________________________ 184
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 185
Digital sensor types _________________________________________________ 186
Common settings ________________________________________________ 188
Digital sensor settings ____________________________________________ 189
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 190
Internal sensor types ________________________________________________ 191
Common settings ________________________________________________ 192
Internal sensor settings ___________________________________________ 193
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 194
LC sensor types ____________________________________________________ 195
Common settings ________________________________________________ 197
Sensor settings __________________________________________________ 198
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 198
OC sensor types ____________________________________________________ 199
Common settings ________________________________________________ 201
Output settings __________________________________________________ 202
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 202
SDI sensor types ____________________________________________________ 203
Common settings ________________________________________________ 205
SDI sensor settings _______________________________________________ 206
Conversion settings ______________________________________________ 206
Combo Sensor Types________________________________________________ 207
Sensor types ____________________________________________________ 210

CHAPTER 9
Logs _________________________________________________________________ 211
Call Journal________________________________________________________ 212
Poll Journal ________________________________________________________ 213
System Log ________________________________________________________ 214
Log types_______________________________________________________ 215
Log types Buttons _______________________________________________ 216
System Log Windows ____________________________________________ 217
System log Buttons ______________________________________________ 217

CHAPTER
10
RTU Network Configuration _____________________________________________ 218
Definition of RTU Groups ____________________________________________ 218
Definition of RTUs __________________________________________________ 222
RTU Context Menu_______________________________________________ 222
RTU Configuration __________________________________________________ 225
RTU - Data ______________________________________________________ 226
RTU - State Information ___________________________________________ 232
RTU - Routing ___________________________________________________ 237
RTU Administration _________________________________________________ 241
Copy RTU_______________________________________________________ 242
Replace RTU ____________________________________________________ 244
Convert RTU ____________________________________________________ 246
Sensor Administration _______________________________________________ 249
Connect sensors _________________________________________________ 250
RTU Data Management______________________________________________ 256
Get data ________________________________________________________ 256
Set data ________________________________________________________ 259
Configure _______________________________________________________ 260
Refresh data_____________________________________________________ 262
Erase data ______________________________________________________ 263
RTU Status Management ____________________________________________ 263
Ping RTU________________________________________________________ 263
RTU Communication Management____________________________________ 265
Configure Poll/Ping ______________________________________________ 265
Change Frequencies _____________________________________________ 268
RTU Logs __________________________________________________________ 269
Call journal______________________________________________________ 269
Poll journal ______________________________________________________ 270
RTU Printing _______________________________________________________ 270
IO Port Configuration _______________________________________________ 271
IO Port Context Menu ____________________________________________ 271
Sensor Configuration ________________________________________________ 272
Sensor Context Menu ____________________________________________ 272
Sensor details ______________________________________________________ 274
Common details _________________________________________________ 275
Special sensor settings____________________________________________ 276
Calibration ______________________________________________________ 278

CHAPTER 11
Newest slot _____________________________________________________ 278
Requests _______________________________________________________ 279
Replace sensor _____________________________________________________ 280
Chapter 5. Console Commands ________________________________________ 283
Establishing Console Connection________________________________________ 284
Console Commands details_____________________________________________ 292
Console Login _____________________________________________________ 293
Upgrade the gateway _______________________________________________ 296
Configuration ______________________________________________________ 298
Configuration Quick setup ________________________________________ 298
Configuration Expert setup _______________________________________ 300
Backup the Gateway Configuration ________________________________ 302
Restore the gateway configuration _________________________________ 305
Erase the gateway configuration___________________________________ 307
Encryption_________________________________________________________ 308
HTTPD Encryption _______________________________________________ 308
SSHD Encryption ________________________________________________ 310
Show the Java archive key ________________________________________ 312
Set date and time __________________________________________________ 312
Licensing __________________________________________________________ 313
Debugging ________________________________________________________ 314
Callback PPP server _________________________________________________ 314
Who am I?_________________________________________________________ 315
Operating-system shell______________________________________________ 316
Exit _______________________________________________________________ 317
Chapter 6. Appendix _________________________________________________ 319
Technical Data ________________________________________________________ 319
Glossary______________________________________________________________ 319
Free and Open-Source Software ________________________________________ 319

CHAPTER
12
Third-party Software ___________________________________________________ 321
hermit 1.2 - ARM bootloader ______________________________________ 321
linux 2.4 - Operating system kernel_________________________________ 321
glibc 2.1.6 - GNU C Library________________________________________ 322
zlib - General purpose compression library __________________________ 322
expat - XML parser library _________________________________________ 322
libmodem - Modem handling library _______________________________ 322
md5 - Message digest algorithm ___________________________________ 323
ghttpd - GazTek HTTP daemon ____________________________________ 323
tinylogin - Login program _________________________________________ 323
snarf - HTTP download utility ______________________________________ 323
putsms - SMS sending utility_______________________________________ 324
ppp - Point-to-Point protocol daemon ______________________________ 324
ntpclient - Network Time Protocol client ____________________________ 324
mini_sendmail - send mails to an SMTP server _______________________ 325
busybox - UNIX commandline utilities ______________________________ 325
bash - command line interpreter ___________________________________ 325
cu - Taylor UUCP _________________________________________________ 326
isc-dhcpd - ISC DHCP daemon ____________________________________ 326
wu-ftpd - File transfer protocol daemon_____________________________ 327
gdbserver - server stub of the GNU debugger _______________________ 327
procps - The /proc file system utilites and library _____________________ 327
sash - Stand-alone shell ___________________________________________ 327
telnetd _________________________________________________________ 327
License texts __________________________________________________________ 328
WU-FTPD Software License __________________________________________ 328
GPL-v2 ____________________________________________________________ 330
LGPL-v2 ___________________________________________________________ 338
mini_sendmail ______________________________________________________ 350
glibc ______________________________________________________________ 351

CHAPTER 1
Scope
13
Chapter 1. Introduction
Scope
This manual describes the A850 Telemetry Gateway and its use as
a Base Station of an Adcon Telemetry Network. Aside of the pro-
prietary Base Station configuration consisting in an A850 Teleme-
try Gateway combined with an A440 Wireless Modem (“Adcon
Wireless Telemetry Network”), also Base Station configurations
using different means of communications between the Gateway
and the other components of the Adcon Telemetry Network are
covered.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
14
Conventions
The following conventions apply to this documentation:
Italics Indicates that the text formatted that way represents a
variable which must be substituted for something spe-
cific, in accordance with an appropriate explanation.
Otherwise, Italics can also be used just to emphasize
certain words or letters.
Bold Indicates special emphasis of the text, but also menu
names and items in a window.
fixed font Indicates either system messages or characters you
must type in.
FileSave Indicates a menu selection. The example at hand
means that you have to select at first the File menu
and then the Save option.
Note Indicates information of interest. Notes appear after
the information they apply to.
 CAUTION Indicates that you may get unexpected results if you
don’t follow the instructions. Cautions appear
before the information they apply to.
 WARNING Indicates danger to yourself or damage to the device if
you don’t follow the instructions. Warnings appear
before the information they apply to.
<value> Indicates a required input parameter.
[value] Indicates an optional input parameter.

CHAPTER 1
What is the A850 Telemetry Gateway?
15
What is the A850 Telemetry Gateway?
The A850 Telemetry Gateway is a low-power, battery-backed
device that acts as an interface between an Adcon Telemetry Net-
work and one or more hosts running addVANTAGE or similar data
acquisition software. The capabilities of the A850 allow to manage
up to 1000 Adcon RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units), depending on
the version used. In combination with Adcon's Transceiver Module
(Wireless Modem) A440, the A850 constitutes the Base Station of
an Adcon Wireless Telemetry Network.
The A850 Telemetry Gateway provides the following functions to
the user:
• Gateway: the A850 routes data, commands and events
between different physical networks (GSM, POTS, LAN,
Internet, Adcon Radio Network),
• Protocol converter: the A850 translates data and commands
between different protocols (Adcon RTU command line,
addUPI),
• Temporary storage: the A850 provides a short-term data
buffer for actual and historical data,
• Monitor and debugger: the A850 provides monitoring and
debugging capability for the Adcon Radio Network.
The data of the RTUs will be automatically acquired, buffered and
forwarded through an Ethernet interface or a modem to one or
more PCs for analysis and further utilization.
Thereby, the remote data acquisition (polling) of RTUs can be
achieved through
• Wireless Modems A440,
• Telephone Modems,
• GSM Modems or
• TCP connections from GPRS Units.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
16
The forwarding of the data from the A850 to the data assessment
PC is achieved either through
• Ethernet or
• Telephone Modem.
For data communication from and to an A850, private (LAN, VPN)
or public means for data communications (e.g. the Internet) can be
used.
The Gateway is based on a powerful 32 bit ARM processor running
the Linux operating system. It has 256 MB Compact Flash acting as
a hard disk and 64 MB RAM.
The Compact Flash data storage device of the A850 with its capa-
city of 256 MB allows to buffer data sampled from 1000 stations for
14 days. The built-in rechargeable battery maintains the function of
the A850 also in case of temporary outages of the primary power
source for up to approximately 24 hours (the achievable time of
operation without mains power depends on the number of RTUs
the Gateway has to poll), preventing any data loss. The central unit
is prepared for future software updates and can be upgraded on
location. The communication with the Wireless Modem A440
mounted e.g. on a roof will be ensured by a serial RS-485 connec-
tion. This connection uses a cable which is by default 30 m long
and easy to lay. Upon request, special low-attenuation cables of up
to 90 m can be provided by Adcon.
The A440 Wireless Modem is a low-power, narrow-band data
transceiver operating in the 70 cm band. It implements Adcon's
low-speed radio protocol and is therefore compatible with all
Adcon RTUs. In addition, the A440 modem supports a high-speed
wireless protocol that will be used by future Adcon devices. The
A440 has an 8 bit Flash-based microcontroller and can also be
updated in the field. The A440 is delivered in an IP-65/67 enclo-
sure.

CHAPTER 1
What is the A850 Telemetry Gateway?
17
 WARNING This manual is valid only for release 1.0 of the
Gateway's firmware. You can verify that you have the appropriate
firmware by logging onto the web page of the A850 via your
internet browser. The following should be displayed on the
bottom of the web page of the A850:
Release 1.0, © 2007 Adcon Telemetry GmbH
All trademarks mentioned here are registered with
their respective owners.
If firmware upgrades will become available in the future, you will
be able to download a new image file from Adcon's web site
(http://www.adcon.at) to your local PC or to get the new firmware
on a data storage device from Adcon's technical support. In any
case, as first step, you will have to make the new firmware
available in form of an image or on a data storage device on your
local PC and then to upgrade your A850 by transferring the new
firmware from your local PC to your A850 by either uploading the
software, proceeding as described in detail in chapter 2, “Web
Interface”, “Tools”, “Firmware Tools”, “Upload an A850 firmware
image stored as local file” or, alternatively, by downloading the
software from your PC to your A850 as described in chapter 5,
“Configuration”, “Upgrade your A850 Gateway".
However, as firmware upgrades may have various impacts on the
function of the upgraded device, we strongly recommend that you
first check on Adcon's web site or by contacting Adcon's technical
support which effects you would have to expect from an upgrade
before you perform it. Depending on the nature of an upgrade,
this documentation may remain valid or may require also changes.
Thus, Adcon cannot be held responsible for possible impacts of
firmware upgrades made without appropriate precautions and
accompanying measures.
Note: for USA: THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE
FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDI-
TION THAT THIS DEVICE DOES NOT CAUSE HARMFUL
INTERFERENCE.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
18
Adcon's Telemetry Network
The A850 represents the link between the various RTUs and the
PC(s) used for evaluating the sensor data and for transmitting con-
trol commands, respectively.
.
Figure 1. Schematics of a Remote Telemetry Network
To build a Remote Telemetry Network you need the following:
• one or more Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) A720, A723,
A731, A732, A733, A733GSM or A740,

CHAPTER 1
Adcon's Telemetry Network
19
• an A850 Base Station,
• data acquisition and control software, such as Adcon's
addVANTAGE Pro 5 software,
• appropriate means of communications to access your Remote
Telemetry Units, e.g. an Adcon Wireless Modem A440 or
other means of communications, depending on the types of
RTUs you are using. Specifically, if you use the A733GSM, you
either need a telephone line with external modem or an
external GSM modem such as the WorldCom M1206.
Note: For additional information about the RTUs and the addVAN-
TAGE software, consult the respective user manuals.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
20
What's new on the A850 ?
The A850 is the successor of the well proven A840 Gateway and
offers the following new features:
• USB device support : USB based devices are supported as
long as they conform to the USB standards for the storage or
communication device classes. The device types that can be
used are
• USB to RS-232 adapters or
• USB modems.
Note: A list of supported devices will be provided with the Firm-
ware release notes. Devices not listed may work, but Adcon
advises not to try as such attempts and possible damage
resulting from it would be at the user’s sole and own risk.
• Multiple modem support: The A850 support more than one
modem. For every modem, the user can configure
• a V110 mode whitelist which tells the A850 for which
phone number the digital V110 mode is supported (V110
mode is supported by most GSM and ISDN networks,
but not by POTS (analog) phone networks),
• whether the modem should answer incoming calls (and
after which number of rings).
Note: A list of supported modems will be provided with the firm-
ware release notes. Devices not listed may work, but Adcon
advises not to try as such attempts and possible damage
resulting from it would be at the user’s sole and own risk.
• Protocol support: The A850 supports encrypted network
protocols, namely
• SSH as replacement for TELNET,
• HTTPS as replacement for HTTP.
Note: The unencrypted protocols is still be supported, however it
is highly recommended not to use them when accessing the
A850 over public (insecure) networks (especially the inter-
net).