Campbell CS-3G User manual

CS-3G
Digital Transceiver Kits
incorporating the COM111 modem
Revision: 4/19
Copyright © 2000 – 2019
Campbell Scientific

Guarantee
This equipment is guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship.
We will repair or replace products which prove to be defective during the
guarantee period as detailed on your invoice, provided they are returned to us
prepaid. The guarantee will not apply to:

Equipment which has been modified or altered in any way without the
written permission of Campbell Scientific

Batteries

Any product which has been subjected to misuse, neglect, acts of God or
damage in transit.
Campbell Scientific will return guaranteed equipment by surface carrier
prepaid. Campbell Scientific will not reimburse the claimant for costs incurred
in removing and/or reinstalling equipment. This guarantee and the Company’s
obligation thereunder is in lieu of all other guarantees, expressed or implied,
including those of suitability and fitness for a particular purpose. Campbell
Scientific is not liable for consequential damage.
Please inform us before returning equipment and obtain a Repair Reference
Number whether the repair is under guarantee or not. Please state the faults as
clearly as possible, and if the product is out of the guarantee period it should
be accompanied by a purchase order. Quotations for repairs can be given on
request. It is the policy of Campbell Scientific to protect the health of its
employees and provide a safe working environment, in support of this policy a
“Declaration of Hazardous Material and Decontamination” form will be
issued for completion.
When returning equipment, the Repair Reference Number must be clearly
marked on the outside of the package. Complete the “Declaration of
Hazardous Material and Decontamination” form and ensure a completed copy
is returned with your goods. Please note your Repair may not be processed if
you do not include a copy of this form and Campbell Scientific Ltd reserves
the right to return goods at the customers’ expense.
Note that goods sent air freight are subject to Customs clearance fees which
Campbell Scientific will charge to customers. In many cases, these charges are
greater than the cost of the repair.
Campbell Scientific Ltd,
80 Hathern Road,
Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9GX, UK
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.campbellsci.co.uk

PLEASE READ FIRST
About this manual
Some useful conversion factors:
Area: 1 in2(square inch) = 645 mm2
Length: 1 in. (inch) = 25.4 mm
1 ft (foot) = 304.8 mm
1 yard = 0.914 m
1 mile = 1.609 km
Mass: 1 oz. (ounce) = 28.35 g
1 lb (pound weight) = 0.454 kg
Pressure: 1 psi (lb/in2) = 68.95 mb
Volume: 1 UK pint = 568.3 ml
1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres
1 US gallon = 3.785 litres
Recycling information
At the end of this product’s life it should not be put in commercial or domestic refuse
but sent for recycling. Any batteries contained within the product or used during the
products life should be removed from the product and also be sent to an appropriate
recycling facility.
Campbell Scientific Ltd can advise on the recycling of the equipment and in some cases
arrange collection and the correct disposal of it, although charges may apply for some
items or territories.
For further advice or support, please contact Campbell Scientific Ltd, or your local agent.
Campbell Scientific Ltd, Campbell Park, 80 Hathern Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9GX, UK
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.campbellsci.co.uk

Safety
DANGER —MANY HAZARDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INSTALLING, USING, MAINTAINING, AND WORKING ON
OR AROUND TRIPODS, TOWERS, AND ANY ATTACHMENTS TO TRIPODS AND TOWERS SUCH AS SENSORS,
CROSSARMS, ENCLOSURES, ANTENNAS, ETC. FAILURE TO PROPERLY AND COMPLETELY ASSEMBLE,
INSTALL, OPERATE, USE, AND MAINTAIN TRIPODS, TOWERS, AND ATTACHMENTS, AND FAILURE TO HEED
WARNINGS, INCREASES THE RISK OF DEATH, ACCIDENT, SERIOUS INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND
PRODUCT FAILURE. TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID THESE HAZARDS. CHECK WITH YOUR
ORGANIZATION'S SAFETY COORDINATOR (OR POLICY) FOR PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY WORK.
Use tripods, towers, and attachments to tripods and towers only for purposes for which they are designed. Do not
exceed design limits. Be familiar and comply with all instructions provided in product manuals. Manuals are
available at www.campbellsci.eu or by telephoning [phone] (UK). You are responsible for conformance
with governing codes and regulations, including safety regulations, and the integrity and location of structures or land
to which towers, tripods, and any attachments are attached. Installation sites should be evaluated and approved by a
qualified engineer. If questions or concerns arise regarding installation, use, or maintenance of tripods, towers,
attachments, or electrical connections, consult with a licensed and qualified engineer or electrician.
General
•Prior to performing site or installation work, obtain required approvals and permits. Comply with all
governing structure-height regulations, such as those of the FAA in the USA.
•Use only qualified personnel for installation, use, and maintenance of tripods and towers, and any
attachments to tripods and towers. The use of licensed and qualified contractors is highly recommended.
•Read all applicable instructions carefully and understand procedures thoroughly before beginning work.
•Wear a hardhat and eye protection, and take other appropriate safety precautions while working on or
around tripods and towers.
•Do not climb tripods or towers at any time, and prohibit climbing by other persons. Take reasonable
precautions to secure tripod and tower sites from trespassers.
•Use only manufacturer recommended parts, materials, and tools.
Utility and Electrical
•You can be killed or sustain serious bodily injury if the tripod, tower, or attachments you are installing,
constructing, using, or maintaining, or a tool, stake, or anchor, come in contact with overhead or
underground utility lines.
•Maintain a distance of at least one-and-one-half times structure height, or 20 feet, or the distance
required by applicable law, whichever is greater, between overhead utility lines and the structure (tripod,
tower, attachments, or tools).
•Prior to performing site or installation work, inform all utility companies and have all underground utilities
marked.
•Comply with all electrical codes. Electrical equipment and related grounding devices should be installed
by a licensed and qualified electrician.
Elevated Work and Weather
•Exercise extreme caution when performing elevated work.
•Use appropriate equipment and safety practices.
•During installation and maintenance, keep tower and tripod sites clear of un-trained or non-essential
personnel. Take precautions to prevent elevated tools and objects from dropping.
•Do not perform any work in inclement weather, including wind, rain, snow, lightning, etc.
Maintenance
•Periodically (at least yearly) check for wear and damage, including corrosion, stress cracks, frayed cables,
loose cable clamps, cable tightness, etc. and take necessary corrective actions.
•Periodically (at least yearly) check electrical ground connections.
WHILE EVERY ATTEMPT IS MADE TO EMBODY THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF SAFETY IN ALL CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS, THE CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL RISK FROM ANY INJURY RESULTING FROM IMPROPER
INSTALLATION, USE, OR MAINTENANCE OF TRIPODS, TOWERS, OR ATTACHMENTS TO TRIPODS AND TOWERS
SUCH AS SENSORS, CROSSARMS, ENCLOSURES, ANTENNAS, ETC.

i
Contents
PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
the Adobe Acrobat® bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.
1. Introduction.................................................................1
2. Quick Start Guide .......................................................2
2.1 Setting up a system with a fixed IP address ..............................................2
2.2 Setting up a system with a dynamic IP address using the Konect
routing service or similar .......................................................................6
3. Specifications and general considerations..............7
3.1 Specifications............................................................................................7
3.2 Power use..................................................................................................7
3.3 Network coverage.....................................................................................8
4. Using GPRS and 3G IP communications..................8
4.1 Using GPRS and 3G IP communications introduction .............................8
4.2 Network contracts and costs for IP communications ..............................10
4.3 Modes of operation for IP communication .............................................11
4.3.1 Using systems with fixed IP addresses..........................................11
4.3.2 Using systems with dynamic IP addresses ....................................11
4.4 Minimising power use.............................................................................12
4.5 Sending configuration commands to the modem ....................................13
5. Using the COM111 for GSM dial-up ........................14
5.1 GSM dial-up principles...........................................................................14
5.2 GSM dial-up contracts and costs ............................................................14
5.3 GSM dial-up power use ..........................................................................15
5.4 Calling the logger in GSM dial-up mode when it is set-up for IP
comms.................................................................................................15
6. Installation of the COM111 modem.........................16
6.1 Configuring and fitting the SIM..............................................................16
6.2 Connection to a Datalogger.....................................................................16
6.2.1 Connection to a CS I/O Port .........................................................17
6.2.2 Connection to an RS232 Port........................................................17
6.3 Connecting power...................................................................................18
6.4 Selecting and connecting an antenna.......................................................18
6.4.1 Antenna supplied by Campbell Scientific.....................................20
7. Configuring the COM111 modem............................21
7.1 Using the Mobile Data Assistant Program for system configuration ......22
7.2 Mobile Data Assistant Program terminology..........................................23
7.3 Mobile Data Assistant advanced options................................................25
7.4 Changing the modem and logger settings without Mobile Data
Assistant...............................................................................................26

ii
8. Using Loggernet for GPRS communications.........27
8.1 Setting up to call a logger with a fixed IP address or when using
the Konect Routing Service .................................................................27
8.2 Setting up call-back in Loggernet...........................................................28
8.2.1 Setting up call-back in Loggernet Version 3.................................28
8.2.2 Setting up call-back in Loggernet Version 4.................................29
8.2.3 Keeping the connection open when calling-back..........................31
8.2.4 Firewall issues...............................................................................32
9. Using Loggernet for GSM dial-up............................33
9.1 Configuring a desk-top modem as a base station....................................33
9.2 Configuring the COM111 modem as a base station using Loggernet.....33
9.2.1 Extending the default time-outs ....................................................33
10. Preventing COM111 connection problems...........34
11. Fault finding............................................................35
11.1 General..................................................................................................35
11.2 The modem cannot be configured using the Mobile Data Assistant
package..............................................................................................36
11.3 GPRS/3G fault finding –when using the logger TCP/IP stack.............36
11.3.1 First stage fault finding.............................................................36
11.4 IP advanced fault finding......................................................................39
11.5 GPRS fault finding –when using the modem TCP/IP stack.................40
11.6 A base station fails to get a response from the logger with a modem
in GSM dial-up mode ........................................................................41
Table
1. COM111 Modem Power Supply Connections via a PSW12 switch.........18
Figures
1. Connecting the COM111 modem to a Datalogger using an SC-WMI......17
2. Low-gain, wideband antenna supplied by Campbell Scientific.................20
Appendices
A. Controlling the power use of the COM111
modem and methods of resetting the modem .........A-1
B. Useful configuration commands for the COM111 .....B-1
C. Configuring the COM111 using the datalogger
talk-thru mode............................................................C-1

iii
D. Using the COM111 in transparent GSM dial-up
mode..................................................................... D-1
E. Using the COM111 with the PIN security
feature enabled.................................................... E-1

1
CS-3G Digital Transceiver Kits
(including the COM111 modem)
This manual provides the details of how to use the CS-3G digital transceiver kits with
Campbell Scientific dataloggers. This version of the manual covers kits that use the
COM111 modem as the communication device.
1. Introduction
The CS-3G kits use the COM111 modem that is designed to allow transfer
of data across digital cellular phone networks. The COM111 modem is a
digital radio transceiver that works on GSM (known as “2G” or GPRS) and
European UTMS/HSPA+ (“3G”) networks.
The CS-3G kits include all the cables and antenna to allow easy use with
most Campbell Scientific dataloggers. This manual covers the CS-3G RS232
and CS-3G SDC kits which are primarily sold for IP communications.
A CS-3G kit are primarily designed for data transfer where data is
transferred using Internet protocols (IP, including TCP/IP and UDP), often
over the public internet. This protocol is supported either using the built-in
IP capability of some Campbell Scientific dataloggers or using a software
feature built into the modem that allows more basic loggers to communicate
using an IP connection, albeit with less functionality.
The modems can also be reconfigured to be used for “dial-up” or CSD
(circuit switched data) connections which are supported on some 2G
networks.
Before use the modems must be configured using a configuration tool called
the Mobile Data Assistant which is available for download free of charge
from http://www.campbellsci.co.uk/downloads with the use of a
programming cable this tool allows the modem to easily be reconfigured for
different functions or communication speeds.

CS-3G Digital Transceiver Kits (including the COM111 modem)
2
2. Quick Start Guide
The COM111 modem is primarily used for IP communications, for use in
dial-up (GSM/CSD) mode see Section 5.
This quick start section is split into two sections showing two common modes
of operation. You will need the modem with its SIM card, a power supply,
aerial and the programming cable (supplied in the CS-3G kits). You may
also need a serial to USB convertor.
2.1 Setting up a system with a fixed IP address
This section covers systems which have a network service with a fixed IP
address.
Make sure you have a data enabled SIM with the security PIN disabled and
enabled for data use. To insert the SIM card eject the card tray from the end
of the modem by pushing in the button with a small screwdriver or pen. Put
the SIM card in the small card tray taking care the angled corner of the card
matches the moulding in the tray. The gold plated contacts of the card
should be uppermost and remain so when the card tray is pushed back into
the modem.
1. Now the modem and logger should be setup using the Mobile Data
Assistant package. To do this you require a modem programming cable
(a grey 9 to 15 way serial cable), plus a USB-Serial convertor if needed,
a cable to allow communication with the data logger and a power
supply to power the modem and logger. (Please note setup via the
USB connector built into the modem is not supported.)
2. Install the Mobile Data Assistant package and start it running. You will
be presented with a screen like that shown below.

Using with Campbell Scientific Dataloggers
3
3. Connect the modem to the PC using the programming cable (use a
serial to USB convertor if necessary). Connect the modem to a nominal
12V DC supply (the data logger supply can be used if available).
4. When using the MDA for the first time select the com ports on your PC
to which you intend connecting the data logger and modem you are
going to setup (they can be the same if the devices are swapped at the
appropriate steps in the process). Also set the baud rate, which would
normally be 115200, except for the CR200X and older loggers which
communicate at 9600 baud. If you are connecting to a data logger via
it’s built in USB port the logger will need to be powered on and
connected to the PC for it to appear in the COM port list.
5. Now select the “Setup modem”option, then select the data logger you
are going to use, then the modem type (select COM111). You will
then be prompted if you want to make a GSM (dial-up) or GPRS/2G/3G
(data) connection, select the latter. Then you will be asked for the type
of IP connection. For the CR300, CR6, CR800, CR1000 and CR3000
select “Logger IP Stack”(this indicates you will use the TCP/IP
functionality built into the logger operating system, often known as a
“software stack”).
6. Now select the method of connection control –select “Logger
Listening”, for the CR200X and older loggers select “Modem
Listening” option.
7. At this point you will be asked for detail of the connection you are
going to use with this screen:
This screen varies with logger type. A data logger port option will be
shown if different connections are possible so you can select the port on
the logger the COM111 will be connected to using the drop down
option list. Select RS232 for a direct connection to the RS232 serial
port on the logger or one of the CS I/O SDC options to match the
configuration of an SC105 if used, normally set to SDC7. Other options

CS-3G Digital Transceiver Kits (including the COM111 modem)
4
are shown for some loggers, e.g. control ports and the CR6 RS232/CPI
port but these need cables not supplied in the CS-3G kits.
For all logger types you then need to fill in the APN name provided by
your SIM card provider, a user ID and password associated with the
APN (although these are sometimes blank) and the port the logger will
listen on for its normal Pakbus communications traffic, the default
being 6785.
There is also a setting labelled “Modem mode” that allows you to select
whether to fix the mode to operate in GPRS (2G) or 3G modes which
can be useful if there is an intermittent or poor 3G service or if you
want to switch to GSM dial-up mode routinely as that mode of
operation is only supported in 2G mode. Normally this setting can be
left in Auto mode where the modem will connect to whichever service
is available, with preference for 3G services.
If shown leave the idle time and reset time settings at the defaults of 10
and 60 for now.
When you click on Next you will be shown a screen asking you to
connect the COM111 and install the SIM card so the modem can be
configured.
8. Now click on Apply Setup. The program will then send the required
settings to the modem to configure it. At the end of this process, which
takes a minute or so, the program should report it has setup the modem
correctly. Then click on “Done”.
For some of the options previously selected you will now be prompted
if you wish to setup the data logger to suit. This process will load the
APN username and password into the logger and configure its
communication ports. If not already done, select the port the data logger
is connected to on your PC. Click continue and after short delay it

Using with Campbell Scientific Dataloggers
5
should report it has been successful. If so click done and exit the
program.
Note that with version 4.0 on of the MDA program you are given the
option to save both the modem and logger setup to a file, which is
useful if setting up multiple loggers with the same setting. You can
load the setup when the program is first started.
9. Now connect the modem to the data logger either with the supplied
cable if using the RS232 connection, or via one of the interfaces if
connecting to the CS I/O port.
10. Install the aerial supplied as high as possible on your mounting
structure and away from any vertical metal poles. Route the cable into
the enclosure and connect it to the aerial socket on the COM111 modem
labelled “GSM” –this may involve use of a coaxial adaptor (supplied if
needed).
11. Connect the power supply to the COM111 modem, by connecting the
red/black power lead either directly to the outlet of the power supply, if
powering the device continuously, or to a suitable power switch –see
Section 5.3 below. It is best to connect the power as close as possible
to the battery rather than to terminals on the data logger if possible.
12. Turn on the power to the data logger and COM111 modem. The status
LED on the end of the modem, near the SIM socket should come on
continuously initially. After a period of about 15 seconds the LED will
start to flash briefly every 2-3 seconds. When the LED starts to flash it
indicates that the modem has registered on the phone network
successfully. Note the frequency of flashing will vary depending on the
power state of the modem and whether data is being transferred.
Start-up your PC and run PC400, Loggernet or your chosen communications
program. Set up an IPPort connection to the data logger, following the
instructions for your software package to do this. Enter the IP address
relevant to the SIM card and the port number to match the one you entered in
step 5 above. If the IP address is a public address you should then be able to
make a test connection to the logger using the connect tool in the program
being used. If the IP address is fixed, but private, you may have to open a
VPN connection to the private network, following details from your SIM
provider, before attempting to make the connection to the data logger.
If the connection does not work you can reconnect the modem to the PC and
use the diagnostics tool in the Mobile Data Assistant to check the network
connection and signal strength. Please also refer to the fault finding section
in this manual.
The COM111 includes features to prevent it locking up
and going offline. However, there are still some rare
events, e.g. voltage surges or network reconfiguration
from which it may not automatically recover. For the
highest reliability it is therefore advisable to include code
within your data logger program to reset the modem at
regular intervals. Please refer to Section 9 of this manual
for more details of how to do this.
CAUTION

CS-3G Digital Transceiver Kits (including the COM111 modem)
6
It is advisable to make sure you are running the latest
operating system in the data logger before deploying a system
to ensure you have all the latest IP related features in the data
logger and to ensure best reliability.
2.2 Setting up a system with a dynamic IP address using the
Konect routing service or similar
This section covers systems which have a service which has a dynamic IP
address where the logger is to be contacted via a router service on the
internet.
The setup procedure is the same as steps 1-5 above. At step 6 select the
option for a Konect/Dynamic connection rather than the Listen option.
This screen will appear.
Follow the instructions in step 7 above to fill in the fields described there.
For the Konect router option you also need to fill in the fields labelled
Konect Address and Konect Port with the details provided to you when you
sign up for the Konect routing service. The Konect address will be a URL
such as “gatewayrtr.konectgds.com”
Then click on Next and you will be shown a screen asking you to connect
the COM111 and install the SIM card so it can be configured.
Now follow steps 8-11 from the section above.
When setting up the PC software to call out to the logger, select an IPPort as
the root connection device and enter the Konect router URL in the Internet
IP field, followed by the Konect port details you were provided when you
signed up for the service. (For the above example this would be
NOTE

Using with Campbell Scientific Dataloggers
7
pathwayrtr.konectgds.com:32105) You should then be able to connect to
the logger as normal.
Please note that each logger connecting to the same port of the Konect router
must have a unique Pakbus address which, if not the default of 1, must be set
using the Device Configuration program. Please also take note of the
warnings cautions and notes at the end of the section above.
3. Specifications and general considerations
3.1 Specifications
The COM111 specifications are:
Input Power Supply voltage and current:
5-32V DC (capable of supplying up to 400 mA continuously and
2A spikes)
System Power Consumption:
Typical: (modem only) 5 mA in ‘standby’ mode (GSM)
<400 mA on-line, transmitting (typically 100-200 mA)
~ 20-30 mA when online in GPRS/3G mode.
Frequencies supported:
Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
900/2100 HSDPA (3G) for Europe and Asia
Modem serial port speed:
9600 baud for older dataloggers and the CR200X.
115 kbaud for GPRS/3G use with newer loggers.
Physical: (module only)
Operating Temperature: -30°C to +65°C
Humidity: Up to 90%, non-condensing
The specifications for the interface devices included in the kit, e.g. the
SC105, are given in their respective manuals.
3.2 Power use
As can be seen from above the additional power use of using a COM111
connected to a datalogging system may not be insignificant and can vary
from nothing, when powered off, to several hundred mA when the modem is
fully powered and sending data at high speed to a distant base station. Even
when not communicating, if the modem is left powered on, its power use can

CS-3G Digital Transceiver Kits (including the COM111 modem)
8
vary from 5 up to 20 mA. The logger and interfaces to the modem also
consume additional current when the modem is active.
Because the power use can be relatively high compared to the quiescent
power use of most Campbell dataloggers careful consideration must be made
of the likely power use versus the available power on site when running a
remote system.
Please see the relevant sections below under the IP and GSM dial-up
sections to see ways of minimising the power use.
3.3 Network coverage
One of the main advantages of using a cell phone network is being able to
set up a communications link to a data logger virtually anywhere without
installing land or telephone lines. However, this only applies if a suitable
network covers your installation site.
Within the Europe the coverage of many networks is good in most areas.
However, coverage in remote areas can still be quite poor and sometimes only
2G coverage is available. Unless coverage is known to be good at the proposed
site, we strongly recommended that you test the coverage using a standard
handset (on the same network as the COM111 modem is to be used) to
measure the exact signal strength. Make sure the phone is reporting good
signal strength with the correct type of data connection available, noting some
networks will switch to another network for voice only when there is no signal
on the providers network. The COM111 does not work on 4G networks.
Even areas shown as having good coverage on network maps
can have ‘holes’ due to local interference or other technical
reasons, so site testing is recommended.
In areas of normal signal strength the COM111 modem can be used with a
small, low gain, wideband antenna (as supplied in the CS-3G package).
However, if the signal strength is marginal it may be possible to improve
reception using a raised and/or a higher gain antenna. Poor quality reception
will normally lead to breaks in communication or result in the PC software
having to make multiple requests to ensure uncorrupted data is collected.
This will not usually lead to data loss or corruption, but may result in longer
calls and thus higher call charges.
The network provider will be able to offer advice on coverage problems.
Campbell Scientific can also offer further advice on suitable antennae to suit
the application.
4. Using GPRS and 3G IP communications
This section discusses the principles of using the COM111 for GPRS and 3G
data transfer in more detail.
4.1 Using GPRS and 3G IP communications introduction
In recent years GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) on 2G networks
(GSM/Edge) and 3G (UTMS) services have become a standard for “always-
NOTE