Geokon 8800 User manual

Product Tutorial

Installing GeoNet Networks

Topics Covered in this Tutorial
Initial Set Up
Powering the Network
Network Considerations
Connecting Sensors to Nodes
Final Steps

Initial Setup

Begin with the Network
Supervisor and one Node
The Node and Supervisor
should be in close proximity
during setup
Getting Started

Complete the following with the
Supervisor and the Node:
1. Remove the rubber cap from the
antenna mount
2. Position the antenna on the mount
3. Thread the antenna onto the
mount by rotating the antenna
clockwise until finger tight
Attach the Antennae

1. Using a Phillips head screwdriver,
loosen the cover screws by turning
them counterclockwise
2. Remove the covers from both units
Remove the Covers

Complete the following with the
Supervisor and the Node:
1. Align the positive (+) side of the
D cell batteries with the left side
of the battery holder
2. Push the batteries straight down
into the holder
Install the Batteries

Powering the Network

1. Power the Supervisor first, by
moving the battery selector
switch to ALKALINE or
LITHIUM, depending on the
type of batteries installed
(The green LED on the side of
the unit will flash twice,
indicating it has power)
2. Power the Node in the same
manner as the Supervisor
Power the Devices

The Node will connect to the
Supervisor within 20 seconds
The red LED on the Supervisor
and the green LED on the Node
will begin to flash simultaneously
The Network Supervisor and
one Node is the minimal working
Network size
The Node will not collect data until the Network time has
been set using the Agent software program
(Refer to the Agent software tutorial or the
Agent instruction manual for more information)
Joining the Network

Additional Nodes can be added
to the Network for the next 60
minutes, while the Supervisor is in
“deployment mode”
If a Node does not join the
Network within 20 seconds of
power up, it is out of range, on the
wrong channel, or the Supervisor
has left deployment mode
The amount of time the Supervisor
will stay in deployment mode can
be changed using the Agent
software program
Adding More Nodes

Network Considerations

Nodes collect data from
sensors and forward the data
to the Supervisor
When installing Nodes, start
with those closest to the
Supervisor and work outwards
Place the Supervisor in the
center of the Network
wherever possible
Network Considerations

GeoNet devices can only
communicate with other
devices that are within
range of their radio signal
Radio ranges vary by model
and can be affected by the
radio environment and
obstructions
(See the GeoNet instruction
manual for complete radio
specifications)
Network Considerations (Continued)

Nodes can communicate with
the Supervisor over greater
distances and work around
obstacles by using other
Nodes as repeaters
Each transmission from Node
to Node or Node to Supervisor
is known as a “Hop”
Up to four Hops can be made
between a Node and the
Supervisor
Network Considerations (Continued)

GeoNet automatically
minimizes the number of
hops each Node uses by
bypassing Nodes which are
not needed as repeaters
Network Considerations (Continued)

Obstructions between,
around, or near GeoNet
devices can cause reflections
of the radio signal
Reflected radio signals can
cause GeoNet devices to
malfunction
For optimum performance,
create as much space as
possible between the straight
line radio path and any
obstructions (especially
metallic objects)
Network Considerations (Continued)

Connecting Sensors to Nodes

A
B
Depending on the model of the Node, sensors are connected by
either a bulkhead connector (A) or bare leads (B)
Connecting Sensors to Nodes