Geokon 8800-2-1A User manual

Instruction Manual
Model 8800 series
GeoNet Wireless
No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced, by any means, without the written consent of Geokon, Inc.
The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Geokon, Inc. assumes no responsibility
for errors, omissions or misinterpretation. The information herein is subject to change without notification.
Copyright © 2014-2018 by Geokon, Inc.
(Doc Rev N, 11/14/2018)

Warranty Statement
Geokon, Inc. warrants its products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, under
normal use and service for a period of 13 months from date of purchase. If the unit should
malfunction, it must be returned to the factory for evaluation, freight prepaid. Upon examination
by Geokon, if the unit is found to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no charge.
However, the WARRANTY is VOID if the unit shows evidence of having been tampered with
or shows evidence of being damaged as a result of excessive corrosion or current, heat, moisture
or vibration, improper specification, misapplication, misuse or other operating conditions outside
of Geokon’s control. Components which wear or which are damaged by misuse are not
warranted. This includes fuses and batteries.
Geokon manufactures scientific instruments whose misuse is potentially dangerous. The
instruments are intended to be installed and used only by qualified personnel. There are no
warranties except as stated herein. There are no other warranties, expressed or implied, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and of fitness for a particular
purpose. Geokon, Inc. is not responsible for any damages or losses caused to other equipment,
whether direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential which the purchaser may experience
as a result of the installation or use of the product. The buyer’s sole remedy for any breach of this
agreement by Geokon, Inc. or any breach of any warranty by Geokon, Inc. shall not exceed the
purchase price paid by the purchaser to Geokon, Inc. for the unit or units, or equipment directly
affected by such breach. Under no circumstances will Geokon reimburse the claimant for loss
incurred in removing and/or reinstalling equipment.
Every precaution for accuracy has been taken in the preparation of manuals and/or software,
however, Geokon, Inc. neither assumes responsibility for any omissions or errors that may
appear nor assumes liability for any damages or losses that result from the use of the products in
accordance with the information contained in the manual or software.

TABLE of CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 SENSOR NODE..................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 NETWORK SUPERVISOR ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.3 NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 2
2. NETWORK INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 ITEMS NEEDED.................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................................................ 4
2.3 CONNECTING SENSORS ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1 Cable Gland Models (8800-1-1_) .............................................................................................................. 5
2.3.2 10-pin Bulkhead Models (8800-1-2_) ........................................................................................................ 5
2.4 ANTENNA INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................... 5
2.5 BATTERY INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................................... 6
2.6 ACCESSORIES...................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.7 DEPLOYMENT MODE........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.8 STATUS BUTTON FUNCTIONALITY ...................................................................................................................... 8
2.8.1 Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.8.2 Supervisor .................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.8.3 Node ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
3. GEONET MULTIPLEXER..................................................................................................................................11
3.1 INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................................................11
3.1.1 Mounting the Multiplexer..........................................................................................................................11
3.1.2 Lightning Protection .................................................................................................................................12
3.2 CONNECTING TO THE NODE ...............................................................................................................................12
3.3 CONNECTING SENSORS ......................................................................................................................................12
3.3.1 10-pin Bulkhead Models (8800-8-2) .........................................................................................................12
3.3.2 Cable Gland Models (8800-8-1 and 8800-8-3).........................................................................................12
3.3.3 Determining Correct Wiring .....................................................................................................................13
3.4 SHARED CHANNELS ...........................................................................................................................................14
4. GEONET ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODES ..................................................................................................15
4.1 SENSOR WIRING.................................................................................................................................................15
4.2 TROUBLE SHOOTING ..........................................................................................................................................16
5. ADD ON MODULES FOR SUPERVISOR COMPATIBILITY WITH ETHER NET AND CELLULAR
MODEMS...................................................................................................................................................................17
5.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................17
5.2 INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................................................17
5.2.1 Setting up the 8800-2-4A (Cellular Modem Add-on) ................................................................................17
5.2.2 Setting up the 8800-2-4B (Ethernet Add-on).............................................................................................18
6. MAINTENANCE...................................................................................................................................................20
6.1 PREVENTING WATER FROM ENTERING THE ENCLOSURES..................................................................................20
6.2 BATTERY LIFE ...................................................................................................................................................20
6.3 REPLACING BATTERIES......................................................................................................................................21
7. TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX A. SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................................23
A.1DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................23
A.2 RADIO SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................................................................23
A.2.1 Models Utilizing 2.4 GHz Radios .............................................................................................................23
A.2.2 Models Utilizing 900 MHz Radios............................................................................................................23
A.3 8800-8 MULTIPLEXER SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................24

APPENDIX B. MODELS .........................................................................................................................................25
B.1 SUPERVISOR......................................................................................................................................................25
B.1.1 RS-232 (8800-2-1_ and 8800-4-1_)..........................................................................................................25
B.1.2 USB (8800-2-2_ and 8800-4-2_)..............................................................................................................25
B.2 NODE ................................................................................................................................................................25
B.2.1 Gland Seal (8800-1-1_ and 8800-3-1_)....................................................................................................25
B.2.2 Bulkhead (8800-1-2_ and 8800-3-2_) ......................................................................................................26
B.3 MULTIPLEXER ...................................................................................................................................................26
B.3.1 Gland Seal (8800-8-1 and 8800-8-3)........................................................................................................26
B.3.2 Bulkhead (8800-8-2).................................................................................................................................26
B.4 ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODES .........................................................................................................................27
B.4.1 Gland Seal (8800-5-1_ and 8800-6-1_)....................................................................................................27
B.4.2 Bulkhead (8800-5-2_ and 8800-6-2_) ......................................................................................................27
APPENDIX C. CONNECTOR PINOUTS ..............................................................................................................28
C.1 TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS.................................................................................................................28
C.1.1 Cable Gland, Models 8800-1-1_ and 8800-3-1_......................................................................................28
C.1.2 10-Pin Bulkhead, Models 8800-1-2_ and 8800-3-2_ ...............................................................................28
C.2 COMMUNICATION CONNECTIONS......................................................................................................................28
C.2.1 RS-232, Models 8800-2-1_ and 8800-4-1_ ..............................................................................................28
C.2.2 USB, Models 8800-2-2_ and 8800-4-2_...................................................................................................28
APPENDIX D. MODBUS .........................................................................................................................................29
D.1 PROTOCOL ........................................................................................................................................................29
D.2 SUPPORTED MODBUS COMMANDS....................................................................................................................29
D.3 CONNECTIONS SETTINGS ..................................................................................................................................29
D.4 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR GEONET..........................................................................................................29
D.5 SYSTEM INFO TABLE ........................................................................................................................................29
D.6 NODE TABLES ...................................................................................................................................................30
D.7 EXTENDED MEMORY ........................................................................................................................................31
D.8 CONVERSIONS...................................................................................................................................................33
D.8.1 Battery Voltage ........................................................................................................................................33
D.8.2 Board Temperature ..................................................................................................................................33
D.8.3 Thermistor................................................................................................................................................33
D.9 DATA TYPES .....................................................................................................................................................34
APPENDIX E. SENSEMETRICS MANAGEMENT PLATFORM.....................................................................35
E.1 CHANNEL CONFIGURATION...............................................................................................................................35
E.2 STATUS BUTTON ...............................................................................................................................................36
APPENDIX F. FIRMWARE UPGRADE ...............................................................................................................37
F.1 PROCEDURE.......................................................................................................................................................37
F.2 TROUBLESHOOTING...........................................................................................................................................40

FIGURES
FIGURE 1-SINGLE CHANNEL NODE .............................................................................................................................. 1
FIGURE 2-NETWORK SUPERVISOR ............................................................................................................................... 1
FIGURE 3-CLUSTER TREE NETWORK TOPOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 2
FIGURE 4-WORKING AROUND OBSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................................................ 2
FIGURE 5-FRESNEL ZONE............................................................................................................................................. 3
FIGURE 6-CHANNEL SELECT SWITCH........................................................................................................................... 4
FIGURE 7-TERMINAL CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................................................ 5
FIGURE 8-BATTERY SELECT SWITCH ........................................................................................................................... 6
FIGURE 9-BATTERY DETAIL......................................................................................................................................... 6
FIGURE 10 -INSTALLATION ORDER ............................................................................................................................... 7
FIGURE 11 -BUTTON LOGIC (SUPERVISOR)................................................................................................................... 9
FIGURE 12 -BUTTON LOGIC (NODE) ............................................................................................................................10
FIGURE 13 -NODE WITH MULTIPLEXER........................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 14 -SAMPLE WIRING .......................................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 15 -DIP SWITCH SETTINGS .............................................................................................................................14
FIGURE 16 -6150E ADDRESSABLE MEMS AND ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODE ...........................................................15
FIGURE 17 -ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODE WITH 6150E INSTALLED ............................................................................16
FIGURE 18 –NPORT CONFIGURATION ..........................................................................................................................18
FIGURE 19 –UPDATE FIELDS........................................................................................................................................19
FIGURE 20 –ENTER IP ADDRESS FOLLOWED BY “:4001” .............................................................................................19
FIGURE 21 -EXTERNAL FLASH READ FLOW DIAGRAM ................................................................................................32
FIGURE 22 -EXAMPLE NETWORK CONFIGURATION .....................................................................................................35
FIGURE 23 -CHANNEL SETTING FOR SENSEMETRICS COMPATIBILITY MODE...............................................................35
FIGURE 24 -BATTERY SELECTOR SWITCH IN OFF POSITION ........................................................................................37
FIGURE 25 -J1 CONNECTOR DETAIL ............................................................................................................................37
FIGURE 26 -UPGRADE CABLE DETAIL .........................................................................................................................38
FIGURE 27 -CHANNEL SELECTOR SWITCH ...................................................................................................................38
FIGURE 28 -UPDATE PROGRESS ...................................................................................................................................39
TABLES
TABLE 1-CHANNEL SELECTION ................................................................................................................................... 4
TABLE 2-SENSOR WIRING ............................................................................................................................................ 5
TABLE 3-LED INDICATOR MEANING ........................................................................................................................... 8
TABLE 4-STANDARD SINGLE GAGE WIRING ...............................................................................................................13
TABLE 5-ADDRESSABLE SENSOR WIRING...................................................................................................................16
TABLE 6-BATTERY LIFE..............................................................................................................................................20
TABLE 7-DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................................................23
TABLE 8-2.4 GHZ MODELS.........................................................................................................................................23
TABLE 9-900 MHZ MODELS .......................................................................................................................................23
TABLE 10 -MULTIPLEXER SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................24
TABLE 11 -RS-232 SUPERVISOR MODELS ...................................................................................................................25
TABLE 12 -USB SUPERVISOR MODELS........................................................................................................................25
TABLE 13 -GLAND SEAL NODE MODELS .....................................................................................................................26
TABLE 14 -10-PIN BULKHEAD NODE MODELS ............................................................................................................26
TABLE 15 -GLAND SEAL MULTIPLEXER MODELS........................................................................................................26
TABLE 16 -10-PIN BULKHEAD MULTIPLEXER MODELS ...............................................................................................26
TABLE 17 -GLAND SEAL ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODE MODELS................................................................................27
TABLE 18 -5-PIN BULKHEAD ADDRESSABLE SENSOR NODE MODELS .........................................................................27
TABLE 19 -TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS (GLAND SEAL) .................................................................................28
TABLE 20 -TRANSDUCER CABLE CONNECTIONS (10-PIN BULKHEAD).........................................................................28
TABLE 21 -COMMUNICATION CONNECTIONS (RS-232) ...............................................................................................28
TABLE 22 -COMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIONS (USB)..................................................................................................28
TABLE 23 -SYSTEM INFO AND SETTINGS .....................................................................................................................30
TABLE 24 -NODE TABLE DETAIL .................................................................................................................................30
TABLE 25 -CHANNEL DETAIL (SINGLE CHANNEL NODE) ............................................................................................31
TABLE 26 -DATA ARRAY DETAILS (EXT MEMORY) ...................................................................................................32

1
1. INTRODUCTION
GeoNet is a low power, wireless, data acquisition network, designed to efficiently collect data
from many points. GeoNet is especially beneficial in geographically challenging locations where
a wired infrastructure would be expensive, if not impossible. The system consists of a Network
Supervisor, Sensor Nodes, and Agent Software. (For information regarding the installation and
use of Agent Software, please see the appropriate product manual.)
Features:
•Worldwide operation at 2.4 GHz or select countries at 900 MHz
•Up to 100 Nodes per network (Fewer with the use of GeoNet multiplexers, see Section 3.)
•12 channels available
•Each Node is capable of storing more than one million data arrays
•Operates with alkaline or lithium batteries
1.1 Sensor Node
Sensor Nodes collect battery and temperature data and will read any of
Geokon’s vibrating wire sensors. Each Node can read one sensor by
itself, or up to eight sensors when connected to a GeoNet Multiplexer.
Nodes ship with the following accessories:
•One 2.1 dBi omnidirectional antenna (For other antenna possibilities,
please contact Geokon technical support.)
•Two D cell batteries
•Four desiccant packs
1.2 Network Supervisor
The Supervisor controls the network and is the aggregator of all data
collected by the sensor Nodes. While the Supervisor is similar to the
Nodes in that it will read battery and temperature data, it does not
accommodate a vibrating wire sensor. Data stored by the Supervisor
may be collected by using Agent software or any other Modbus
master. (For information regarding the use of Modbus with GeoNet
hardware please see Appendix D.)
Supervisors ship with the following accessories:
•Two D cell batteries
•Set of two screwdrivers, one Phillips Head and one Flat Head
•Four desiccant packs
•One firmware upgrade cable
•One RS-232 or USB communications cable (depending on the
model purchased)
•One 2.1 dBi omnidirectional antenna (For other antenna
possibilities, please contact Geokon technical support.)
Figure 1 - Single Channel Node
Figure 2 - Network Supervisor

2
1.3 Network Considerations
GeoNet uses network technology that is self-configuring and self-healing. Data from the Nodes
is either sent directly to the Supervisor, or it arrives via communication between the Nodes. This
effectively creates a cluster tree topology. Figure 3 illustrates this concept.
Figure 3 - Cluster Tree Network Topology
Each transmission from Node to Supervisor or Node to Node is considered one “hop”. Examples
of hops are shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Up to four hops can be made between a Node and
the Supervisor. With the ability to hop comes the ability for the Supervisor to communicate with
Nodes that have not established direct radio communication. Figure 4 shows how GeoNet
devices can operate around buildings or other barriers using hops.
Figure 4 - Working Around Obstructions

3
When using GeoNet it is important to take into consideration the radio environment, and to
understand the effect that obstructions have on radio signals. Obstructions between two antennas
can cause reflections of the transmitted signal. When these reflections arrive at the receiving
antenna, they may be in or out of phase with the signal that took a straight-line path. This
reflected signal may act as constructive or destructive interference with the received signal. For
optimum performance, Geokon recommends creating as much vertical space as possible between
the straight-line path and obstacles, including the ground. Figure 5 illustrates what is known as
the Fresnel zone.
Figure 5 - Fresnel Zone
If GeoNet is deployed to a site and communication cannot be established, it may be necessary to
elevate the devices, or to move them to a location where a radio link can be established. This
may require extending the readout cable of the attached sensors.

4
2. NETWORK INSTALLATION
2.1 Items Needed
To install a network, begin with the Supervisor and at least one Node that is within radio range
of the Supervisor.
2.2 Channel Configuration
Channels allow multiple networks to coexist in the same area. All devices are set to
communicate on channel one from the factory and do not need to be altered if operating a single
network in a given area. However, if multiple networks are within radio of one another then the
devices of each network must be set to different channels.
To set the channel on a Node or Supervisor:
1) Open the device by unscrewing the four captive screws on the front of the enclosure. Make
sure that no dirt, water or other contaminants are allowed to enter the enclosure.
2) Set the channel select dipswitch (shown in Figure 6) to any of the 12 valid positions listed in
Table 1.
3) Devices will only communicate with others that have been set to the same channel.
To prevent erratic behavior, there can be only one Supervisor on a particular channel. A
Supervisor with the same channel setting cannot be within radio range of any of the units of
another network.
Modbus
Address
and
Channel
1
2
3
4
1
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
2
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
3
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
4
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
5
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
6
ON
OFF
ON
OFF
7
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
8
ON
ON
ON
OFF
9
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
10
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
11
OFF
ON
OFF
ON
12
ON
ON
OFF
ON
13*
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
*
Sensemetrics Thread compatibility
mode, not for use with supervisor. See
Appendix E for more information.
Figure 6 - Channel Select Switch
Table 1 - Channel Selection