Antx Messenger 600 User manual

Messenger 600
User’s Guide
Version 1.0.0
May 13, 2020

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Table of Contents
1Description.............................................................................................................................6
1.1 Capabilities.....................................................................................................6
1.2 Monitoring .....................................................................................................6
1.3 Host Server Communications.........................................................................6
2Installation and Setup.............................................................................................................9
2.1 Installation Steps ............................................................................................9
2.2 Mounting the Equipment................................................................................9
2.3 Mounting the Antenna..................................................................................10
3LED States ...........................................................................................................................11
4Channels...............................................................................................................................14
4.1 Defined Channels......................................................................................... 14
4.2 Channel Data................................................................................................ 15
5Modbus ................................................................................................................................15
5.1 RTU Slave....................................................................................................15
5.2 RTU Master.................................................................................................. 15
6Debug Menu.........................................................................................................................16
6.1 Default Configuration and Sample Session.................................................. 17
7Configuration .......................................................................................................................18
7.1 Debug Configuration Commands.................................................................19
7.2 Site Configuration – Type 1.........................................................................22
7.3 Options Configuration – Type 2...................................................................23
7.4 CELL Configuration – Type 3 ..................................................................... 24
7.5 FTP Configuration – Type 4 ........................................................................26
7.6 Serial Port Configuration – Type 6 .............................................................. 27
7.7 Channel Configuration – Type 9..................................................................29
7.8 Report Flag Configuration – Type 12 ..........................................................34
7.9 Date/Time Configuration – Type 16 ............................................................36

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Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Messenger 600 DINrail Mount .......................................................................9
Copyright and Trademark Information
All Pages Copyright © 2020 Antx RemoteIQ LLC All Rights Reserved.
U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is
subject to restrictions as set forth in applicable laws and regulations. Use of the materials by the
Government constitutes acknowledgment of Antx' proprietary rights in them. This manual may
contain other proprietary notices and copyright information that should be observed.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described in this
document is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may
be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of those agreements. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or any
means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for any purpose other
than the purchaser’s personal use without the written permission of Antx RemoteIQ, LLC.

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Introduction
This User’s Manual describes installation and setup of the Antx Messenger 600
product.
The Messenger 600 is a cellular, cloud-based monitoring, alarm notification, and
telemetry platform. It supports monitoring and reporting of up to 600 data values from
the industry standard Modbus RTU serial protocol, and support of custom serial
communications to external devices.
Features
The hardware feature set of this platform includes:
•Messenger with LTE modem running on ATT or Verizon networks.
•12VDC battery backup
•120VAC to 12VDC power supply battery charger with main power fail signal
•RS485 port for Modbus RTU communication
•RS232 port for programming using the internal menu system
•Terminal blocks for field connections

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1Description
1.1 Capabilities
The Messenger is a highly configurable platform for remote monitoring and control
applications. Some of the capabilities are listed below.
•virtual real-time transfer of monitored conditions
•local computations from monitored conditions
•time stamping of monitored data and events
•battery backed historical data/event buffers
•automatic monitoring of max/min for analog values
•event and data logging
•telemetry of monitored conditions to host server based applications via cellular
•OTA programming and diagnostics
1.2 Monitoring
All monitored values can be transmitted via cellular to the RemoteIQ cloud-based
server. Monitored values are transmitted based on time or events. Notification events
are based on rules set by the user and each event can generate an immediate report.
Telemetry includes cellular connectivity and GPS for asset location.
The Messenger 600 reads values using the Modbus RTU protocol over an RS485 serial
connection. The user programs each of the 600 values that are to be read into
Messenger channels, which are numbered from 301 to 900.
1.3 Host Server Communications
The Messenger utilizes a proprietary protocol to send notifications and to receive OTA
commands from the RemoteIQ server. Each notification sent typically consists of
location, date/time, an event code, and associated data. An event code provides a
unique identifier to indicate the reason that notification is being sent – e.g. normal
scheduled update or an engine diagnostic message received. A description of the
protocol, format of messages, and definition of event codes is available on request
(reference protocol document “M09-PRTCLxxx”).
Some of the conditions on which notifications can be sent to the host server are listed
below:
•Any monitored value exceeding a pre-defined or user-defined limit
•Any diagnostic message received from the engine bus
•A digital input changing state (on/off)
•A digital output changing state

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•An analog input exceeding a user-defined delta for a user-defined period of
time
•A scheduled update
•System faults
•Power on or reset
1.3.1 Alarm Notification
The RemoteIQ backend provides notification to designated personnel via:
•Text message
•Email
•Voice
Each method allows the user to acknowledge the message received.
1.3.2 Event Codes
Every message sent by the Messenger 600 to a host-based server application is
triggered by an event. The event generates a message and the message contains an
Event Code. The Event Code uniquely identifies to the server the reason the message is
being sent. Some of the messages generated contain data, others serve as just
notification that a particular event has occurred. Protocol document “M09-PRTCLxxx”
contains a list of all event codes.
1.3.3 Positive Acknowledgement
The Messenger 600 is configured to require a message acknowledgement from the host
server providing complete end-to-end verified communication. Message
acknowledgement provides a verifiable mechanism that a message was delivered, even
during poor network conditions.
1.3.4 Store and Forward Data Queue
There are several scenarios where a message may not be deliverable – network down,
host server down, poor connectivity to name a few. In the event that a message cannot
be delivered, it is stored in memory and is continually re-sent until properly
acknowledged. This store and forward memory is non-volatile and remains intact
during power off.
1.3.5 Real-Time Clock (RTC)
The RTC is used to time stamp data records and events. All messages sent to the host
server contain a time stamp to provide a chronology of data/events to the end user. The
RTC is battery backed to provide time keeping during power off. If the RTC is
configured to be automatically set, the Messenger will set time after every power on

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and perform a time check every midnight. If the RTC time differs from actual time by
more than 30 seconds, the RTC is adjusted.
The RTC can be set in one of the following ways:
Method
Description
Automatic
via Cell
This is the default setting. The
Messenger will set the RTC from an
internet NIST time server.
Automatic
via GPS
The Messenger will set the RTC
from the date/time read from the GPS
module.
Manually
Set the time via the Debug port
through the Maintenance menu.
OTA/SMS
The RTC is set from an OTA config
command or an SMS config
command.
Configuration parameters in OPTIONS and CELL are used to define how the RTC is
set.
1.3.6 Packaging
The Messenger 600 comes mounted on a DINrail for easy mounting in panels or is
available in a NEMA 4X enclosure.

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2Installation and Setup
This section provides information on installing the Messenger and confirming its initial
operation.
It is recommended to read this entire chapter before starting installation.
2.1 Installation Steps
Installation consists of the following steps:
1. Unpack the Equipment.
2. Mount the Equipment.
The Messenger should be mounted in a vertical position to try and minimize
the chance of water entering through the antenna connections. The antenna
wires should have a service loop just below the antenna connectors.
3. Connect Main Power.
2.2 Mounting the Equipment
The Messenger 600 is shipped mounted to a DINrail as shown below.
Figure 1 - Messenger 600 DINrail Mount

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2.3 Mounting the Antenna
In general, the antenna should be mounted with an unobstructed view of the sky. The
GPS side works best when it can see the horizon. If the antenna is mounted outside and
may be subject to lightning, a surge arrestor can be inserted between the Messenger and
the antenna. If the antenna is mounted inside, it should be located near a window.
NOTE: Service loops should be provided for the antenna cabling, near the antenna
connections to minimize water ingress through the RF coax connections.