Falcon Hybrid User manual
HYBRID
INSTALLATION &
OPERATION MANUAL
V1.1 08 Jul 2021
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1. INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
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2.1 Reporting Options
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6
2.2 Interfaces
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2.3 Programming
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6
3. INSTALLATION 8
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6
2. FEATURES & FUNCTIONS
3.1 Falcon Hybrid Wiring
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8
3.1.1 Power Supply
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9
3.1.3 Check AC
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9
3.1.4 Dry Contact Inputs 10
3.1.5 Contact ID Inputs
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10
3.1.6 Serial Port
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11
3.2 Falcon Hybrid Installation
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12
3.3 GSM Connection and Signal Strength
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12
3.5 Selecting the Alarm Panel Serial Port Format
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14
3.6 Indicators and Controls 17
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6
2.4 Indicators & Controls
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6
3.1.7 Relay Outputs
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11
3.1.2 Radio Antenna
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9
3.4 Changing the Default SIM Card (Dual-SIM)
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13
APPENDIX A Serial Interface 22
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4.2 PC-based Programmer
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20
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4. PROGRAMMING 20
4.1 Onboard Push-Button
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20
APPENDIX B Programming Cable & Software 28
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The Falcon Hybrid is a highly-featured GSM and VHF-based unit
which is used for the secure transmission of alarm signals to a
control room.
The Falcon Hybrid will communicate via GPRS messages to the
control room. It will fail-over to VHF messages should the GSM
network fail, or should the device for any reason not be able to
successfully send the messages via GSM.
The Falcon Hybrid has a universal Contact ID interface to alarm
panels as well as a serial interface to some leading panels. It
also has seven dry contact input triggers which can be
programmed to send alarms.
In addition, the Falcon Hybrid has two dry-contact relay outputs
which can be used to command alarm panels and other devices.
These outputs can also be controlled via the MiFalcon mobile
application.
1. INTRODUCTION
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I6
2. FEATURES & FUNCTIONS
2.1 Reporting Options
§Global/dual SIM card operation for enhanced network
reliability
§GPRS reporting to a control room
§VHF radio reporting in the event of GSM failure and jamming
2.2 Interfaces
Ÿ7 Hardwired inputs with positive trip, negative trip or both
ŸDedicated AC Supply monitoring input
Ÿ2 onboard relay outputs which can be controlled by GPRS
ŸContact ID tip and ring telephone interface to all leading
control panels
ŸSerial alarm interface to leading control panels
ŸOver-the-air panel uploading and downloading on the Rhino
and Texecom Premier control panels through the serial
interface
2.3 Programming
ŸFull programming and software updating via a computer serial
port
ŸProgramming over-the-air via GPRS
2.4 Indicators and Controls
ŸStatus and error indication via 7-segment display
I Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual
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ŸSerial port selection via the onboard push-button
ŸIf the button is held down for more than 10 seconds, the
Falcon Hybrid will send an auto-test message on radio (to test
the VHF range). This is can be used to test the VHF link back
to the control room.
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I8
3. INSTALLATION
3.1 Falcon Hybrid Wiring
Connections to the Falcon Hybrid are shown below:
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3.1.1 Power Supply
The Falcon Hybrid must be connected to a stable 12V DC
(nominal 13.2V) power supply because the Falcon Hybrid draws
large currents (greater than 2A) from the power supply when it
transmits, it must be powered directly from the battery in the
alarm panel.
Use 1mm flex and NOT security cable to power the Falcon
Hybrid.
3.1.2 Radio Antenna
ŸThe Falcon Hybrid is supplied with a screw-in whip antenna
fitted with a PL259 antenna connector
ŸA dipole antenna is available if extra range is required
ŸKeep the antenna straight
ŸAlways mount the antenna vertically
ŸMount the unit as high as possible
ŸMount the unit (especially the antenna) 2m away from
electrical equipment and metal objects
3.1.3 Check AC
The Check AC (CAC) input detects the presence of the AC
supply and is used to check for AC power failure. The CAC line
should be connected to one of the transformer's SECONDARY
terminals. DO NOT connect this line to the mains.
The CAC input will detect AC voltages between 10 and 24V.
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I10
If the CAC line is not connected, the Falcon Hybrid should not
be programmed to send AC Failure or Restoral Signals.
The AC Failure and AC Restore signals have a programmable
delay (default set at 1 minute) in order to prevent false triggers.
3.1.4 Dry Contact Inputs
The dry contact inputs can be used to detect alarms generated
from the outputs of the alarm panel or from other sources.
If the external device generates the alarm by pulling the input to
ground (negative trigger), the pull-up jumper should be inserted
on the input of the Falcon Hybrid.
3.1.5 Contact ID Inputs
The Falcon Hybrid can 'intercept' signals sent by the alarm panel
on its telephone line (Contact ID) interface.
If the Contact ID interface is to be used, the alarm panel's TIP
and RING lines should be connected to the TIP and RING lines
on the Falcon Hybrid.
The alarm panel must be programmed to use its dialer, and the
option for reporting must be set to Contact ID. Refer to the
programming manual of the applicable alarm panel.
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3.1.6 Serial Port
The Falcon Hybrid can receive alarms from the following alarm
panels on its serial port:
Ÿ Rhino 816 and Rhino 68 alarm panels
Ÿ Texecom premier range (panel uploads and downloads can
also be done)
Ÿ Paradox SP & MG Series
Ÿ Pima
Ÿ IDS
Ÿ DSC Neo Series
Ÿ DSC PowerSeries
ŸSherlotronics MB4000
ŸRisco LightSYS 2
ŸOrisec
3.1.7 Relay Outputs
Two dry-contact relay outputs are available on the Falcon
Hybrid. These outputs can be commanded to turn on and off via
the GSM network. The outputs are rated at 24V AC or DC, up to
a maximum of 5A.
Do not connect the relay outputs to the mains supply.
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I12
3.2 Falcon Hybrid Installation
Software version
Connect the Falcon Hybrid to the 12V supply, observing polarity.
On start-up, the Falcon Hybrid will display its software and
hardware versions, e.g.
3.3 GSM Connection and Signal Strength
The performance of the Falcon Hybrid depends on the quality of
its connection to the GSM network.
The Falcon Hybrid will send alarms quicker and more reliably if it
has a strong connection to the GSM service provider.
When the Falcon Hybrid has powered up, it will start connecting
to the network, displaying its status as it initialises and connects
(see section 3.5 - Indicators and Controls).
When the Falcon Hybrid has connected to the GSM network, it
will display the network priority of the network (Global) or the
sim (Dual sim) it is connected to and the signal strength of the
connection.
For the software version 4.21 and
hardware version b
I Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual
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Example:
If an adequate signal strength is not obtained:
ŸMove the Falcon Hybrid to a more suitable location
ŸFit the Falcon Hybrid with a higher gain antenna (available
from FSK)
Global sim:
Connected on network with priority 1;
signal strength 6
Dual sim:
Connected on sim 1; signal strength 6
The minimum signal strength required for good remote connectivity
is 5.
3.4 Changing the Default SIM Card (Applicable to dual SIM Falcon
Hybrids only)
The Falcon Hybrid has the option of changing the default SIM
card to be used. The default SIM card should be changed to the
one with the highest signal strength.
To do so:
ŸBriefly press the push-button until the Falcon Hybrid swaps
SIM cards and restarts using the new SIM card
ŸWait until the Falcon Hybrid has re-connected to the GSM
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I14
3.5 Selecting the Alarm Panel Serial Port Format
The alarm panel serial port can be selected via the onboard
push-button (as well as the PC-based programming software).
The following serial port formats are available:
Ÿ Rhino 816 and Rhino 68 alarm panels
ŸTexecom premier range (panel uploads and downloads can
also be done)
Ÿ Paradox SP & MG Series
Ÿ Pima
Ÿ IDS
Ÿ DSC Neo Series
ŸSherlotronics Mb4000
Ÿ DSC PowerSeries
ŸIDS805 FSK Key-Bus
ŸRisco LightSYS 2
ŸOrisec
Refer to Appendix A
ŸIf the Falcon Hybrid displays an error message (E1 or E4), the
selected SIM card is not working and the other one should be
selected
ŸThe minimum signal strength required is 5. Lower than this
signal strength will make it difficult to access the Falcon
Hybrid remotely
I Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual
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To change the serial port format:
ŸRemove the power from the Falcon Hybrid
ŸHold down the push-button and re-apply the power
ŸRelease the button then push the button to cycle through the
panel serial port settings until the correct serial port is
displayed
ŸLeave the button for 15 seconds. The Falcon Hybrid will
remember the new serial port format.
DISPLAY SERIAL FORMAT
Pima Hunter Pro
F
Texecom Premier
t
P
Rhino
Paradox
r
i IDS
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I16
d DSC Neo Series
S Sherlotronics
DISPLAY SERIAL FORMAT
b DSC PowerSeries
EIDS805 FSK Key-bus
Risco LightSYS 2
A
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Orisec
O
3.6 Indicators and Controls
The Falcon Hybrid has a seven segment display which indicates
the current operating status:
DESCRIPTIONCHARACTER FLASHED STATUS
The communicator is
starting the GSM
modem
Initialising
i
Restarting
r
The communicator is
connecting to the GSM
network
The is communicator
re-starting the GSM
modem
Connected
c (lower case) Connecting
The communicator is
connected to the GSM
network and is ready
to send alarms
C (upper case)
Connecting
to server Sending GPRS alarms
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I18
C d
Discon-
necting
from server
All alarms sent,
disconnecting from the
server
DESCRIPTIONCHARACTER FLASHED STATUS
Falcon Hybrid Errors
If the Falcon Hybrid detects an error it will flash the error code
on the 7-segment display.
DESCRIPTIONCHARACTER FLASHED STATUS
E1 SIM card not
found
The communicator
has not detected a
SIM card which
it has been
programmed to
use
The communicator
cannot connect to
the server to send
the alarms
Connection to
server has failed
E4
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Diagnostics of Error Codes
ERROR
STATE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION
The SIM card is damaged
Make sure that the chip SIM
is not damaged. If it is
damaged, return the unit to
the manufacturer to be
repaired.
No SIM card
Server
connection
failed
The communicator cannot
connect to the server to route
the GPRS message to the
control room
Make sure that the
programming of the Server
GPRS settings are correct.
The GSM network may
be experiencing technical
problems. Contact the
manufacturer.
Falcon Hybrid Installation and Operation Manual I20
4. PROGRAMMING
4.1 Onboard Push-Button
The onboard push-button is used to:
Ÿchange the operation of the serial port (select the alarm
panel). Refer to Section 3.4
ŸSelect the programming mode
ŸTest the VHF radio (hold down for more than 10 seconds)
ŸSelect the default sim (only applicable to dual sim Falcon
Hybrids)
4.2 PC-based Programmer
Falcon Hybrid configuration software utility is a Windows-based
programmer which is used as the primary means of
programming the Falcon Hybrid.
The Falcon Hybrid programmer requires a PC running Windows
XP or above, with an available COM Port (a USB to serial
adapter can also be used). The FSK USB programming cable is
required to program the Falcon Hybrid (see Appendix B).
To program the unit:
Ÿ Push and hold down the push-button for more than 7 seconds
Ÿ The display will now show Pr to indicate that it is in
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Table of contents
