Loadsensing LS-G6 Piconode User manual

Loadsensing LS-G6 Piconode
Configuring and operating the Loadsensing LS-G6 Piconode

Piconode
Piconode overview 2
Equipment 2
Piconode installation 2
Supports 2
Powering the Piconode 3
Piconode configuration 5
Step 1: Connect DLog Android application 5
Step 2: DLog main menu 6
Step 3: Sensor wiring and set up 7
Channel 1 for Full Wheatstone Bridge, Potentiometer/Ratiometric and Volt Single Ended 8
Channel 2- Thermistor 10
Channel 3 Pulse counter 11
Step 4: Sensors data 12
Step 5: Radio Network configuration 12
Radio Type 12
Radio off 12
LS Radio 14
Step 6: Radio Signal Coverage Test 17
Step 7: Test results interpretation 19
Safely closing the Piconode 22
Maintenance 22
Piconode Firmware Upgrade Procedure 22
Battery lifespan 23
Data Acquisition and storage 24
Pulse counter particularities - Engineering Units 24
Steps to reset the node configuration via Dlog app 24
Steps to reset the node configuration via Gateway configuration 25
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Piconode overview
The Worldsensing LS-G6-Piconode comprises a configurable single channel, a thermistor, and a pulse counter node.
It can be regarded as a simpler version of LS-G6-VOLT node, in the sense that it is compatible with sensors of
different analog signal output, such as full Wheatstone bridge, potentiometer/ratiometric, single-ended voltage
and thermistors, but with the novelty of being able to read potential-free (dry contact) pulses. The sensor’s voltage
excitation required to be compatible with the piconode is 5 VDV up to 70 mA. A distinctive feature of Piconode as
compared to LS-G6-VOLT and LS-G6 vibrating wire nodes is that it collects and transmits the internal temperature
at each reading, to an accuracy of 2 °C.
Unlike other LS-G6 nodes, the antenna in a piconode is located internally in the casing upper cover. The coverage
tests results prove that distances over five kilometres can be achieved in urban areas.
You can check the specifications of the piconode here: https://www.worldsensing.com/product/loadsensing/
Equipment
The Worldsensing LS-G6-Piconode is equipped with an internal antenna.
Other additional accessories can be supplied upon request. Here is a partial list, please inquire for other
accessories:
●USB-OTG configuration cable
●Batteries
●Sensor surge protection
●Mounting supports
Piconode installation
Supports
The Piconode can be mounted:
●On a wall - polycarbonate wall mounting brackets are available as additional accessories (refer to Figures 1, 2,
and 3)
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●On a raised horizontal surface - same mounting brackets as above
●Inside a manhole (with a plastic or metallic cover) - no special accessories are available for this mounting type.
See Annex 10 LS-G6 Dataloggers installation on manholes for further detail
Figure 1: Plan and section views of the mounting brackets (packs of four brackets and four screws)
Figure 2: Lateral view of mounting brackets - vertical and horizontal positions
Figure 3: Screw mounting dimensions
Powering the Piconode
The data logger arrives sealed and without batteries installed; however, it is possible to have it with the batteries
inserted upon request, in that case you should remove the non-conductive material that protects the terminals.
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In order to initialise the piconode, the user should follow these steps:
1. Open the data logger (using a 2-mm flat-head screwdriver). The batteries should be inserted into the
battery holder placed above the logical board (Figure 4). The internal antenna is internally attached to the
cover and is connected to the main board though a cable - be careful not to snap the cable while opening
the node
Figure 4: The Piconode can be opened making use of a 2-mm screwdriver
2. Insert one or two C-type batteries into the battery holders. Polarity is indicated (see Annex 4 for further
information on the batteries)
Figure 5: One or two batteries power the Piconode
Note: The device has reverse battery protection but it is not safe to keep batteries reversed in the data
logger for a long time.
Warning: Risk of explosion if the incorrect batteries are used. Dispose of batteries according to the
instructions. This equipment should be installed in restricted access areas.
3. The node does not have a switch (Figure 6), therefore the only way possible to use the node is with
batteries
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Figure 6: Unlike other LS-G6 nodes, there is no power switch in the Piconode
Piconode configuration
Ideally, this step of the process should be carried out in the same location in which the node is going to be installed.
This way, you can perform an on-site radio coverage test.
The node configuration process is done using the Worldsensing DLog app, which is compatible with any Android
device equipped with OTG technology (Lollipop 5.1 sdk or higher is required). WorldSensing has tested Motorola
Moto G4 and G5 and guarantees that they are able to configure and test all nodes. Battery usage may be required
as Android devices may not be able to power some sensors.
DLog starts up once the device has been connected to the node using the USB-OTG cable. Manual startup is not
necessary.
The whole configuration process shouldn’t take more than five minutes and, from then, the node will start taking
readings and sending data to the gateway (once the gateway is already up and running).
Step 1: Connect DLog Android application
Download the app onto your Android device from the download website.
Connect your device to the node using the USB-OTG cable (see the Accessories list). Make sure the battery or
batteries are correctly inserted. The app will automatically appear and display a message (Figure 7) requesting that
the date and time of the node be set (it will take them from the mobile phone or tablet in use, Figure 8),
afterwards, the node’s basic information will appear (Figure 9).
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Figures 7, 8 and 9: in sequence, showing the first Dlog steps to set up a Piconode through Dlog app.
Step 2: DLog main menu
1. Node info - Contains basic information about the node, such as version, ID, or temperature
2. Sensors data - Access to real time sensor readings and downloaded data stored in the node
3. Node Configuration - Access this menu to configure the node
a. Change node ID - this is optional and allows you to change the node ID and use a different
number
b. Set the date and time - this information will be taken from the mobile phone or the laptop in use
c. Setup wizard - sensor and radio configuration
d. To access node configuration, on the main menu go to Node configuration and then select Setup
Wizard
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Figures 10 and 11: Main configuration menu and Node configuration setting options, respectively
4. Factory Reset - this option resets the configuration parameters and removes all stored data. It is designed
to allow the node to be used in different sites. We do not recommend using it for other purposes unless
suggested by Worldsensing Technical Support
5. Installation tools - this node does not have any installation tool implemented yet
Step 3: Sensor wiring and set up
Wiring can be connected once the Setup Wizard in the Android Configuration app has been initialized, which is
when the wiring schemes appear. There are three channels from which to choose. A wiring diagram shows up on
the phone or tablet used for configuration for each one of the options selected as shown below.
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Figures 12 and 13: Three channels of the Piconode and Channel 1 options (sensor types), respectively
Channel 1 for Full Wheatstone Bridge, Potentiometer/Ratiometric and Volt Single Ended
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Figures 14, 15 and 16: Full Wheatstone bridge, Potentiometer/Ratiometric and Volt Single Ended sensors wiring diagram,
respectively
Full Wheatstone Bridge, Potentiometer/Ratiometric and Volt Single Ended are three types of signal output
compatible with Piconodes, along with Thermistors and Pulse Counters, As shown in the above images, all three
types of sensors are powered at 5 V dc through the Piconode. This is the maximum voltage the Piconode can
supply. This aspect is key to knowing if a sensor is compatible with the Piconode.
Figure 17: Available warm-up times
For each one of these types of sensors, a warm-up time has to be set. The value set by default, if not changed, is 5
ms. Other allowed values are 50 ms, 100 ms, 300 ms , 500 ms, 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, and 5 s. The user should refer to the
sensor’s manual to check which value is necessary or else contact the sensor supplier to get that information.
In case of sampling at a high rate, high values of warm-up time are automatically disabled. The user has to consider
that the higher the warm-up time, the higher will be the battery consumption. This is important in estimating the
battery lifespan.
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Channel 2- Thermistor
Figures 18 and 19: Wiring diagram for a thermistor and available warm up times, respectively
When connecting a thermistor, a warm-up time has to be entered (refer to the above explanation on warm-up time
for Channel 1).
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Channel 3 Pulse counter
Figure 20: Wiring diagram for a pulse counter
Sensors with potential-free (dry contact) pulses output are usually furnished with two cables, these two cables are
interchangeable and have to be connected one to the PC (power connection) terminal and the other one to the
AGND (grounding).
The Piconode can read a pulse rate of up to 50 Hz, its measuring range is 0 to 2 MOhms, and it has a memory
capacity of 4.294.967.296 pulses that can be accumulated. Once memory capacity is exceeded, the Piconode will
start counting over from zero.
Notes:
1. Since LS-G6-PICO has two battery cells and not much space is left, its socket is removable, thereby
facilitating the wiring of the sensor to which to connect
2. In any case, the customer should also refer to the sensor’s manual to see the wiring scheme of the sensor
3. All three channels can be used together
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Step 4: Sensors data
After enabling the channel or channels to use and selecting the interface type (if applicable), the next screen
displays the sensor’s data as shown in the images below.
Figures 21 and 22: Potentiometer’s data in Channel 1 and Full Wheatstone Bridge, Thermistor, and Pulse counter data in
Channel 1, 2 and 3, respectively
Step 5: Radio Network configuration
At this stage, several parameters need to be specified.
Radio Type
There are two types of radio from which to choose, namely, Radio off and LS radio (Figure 23). The former is meant
to work in standalone, this is with the Piconode collecting data from the sensor or sensors it has connected but
without having deployed a gateway to transfer the data. LS radio (Loadsensing radio) refers to having a node
(Piconode in this case) and a gateway.
Radio off
Only the Sampling Rate parameter needs to be indicated (see figure 24).
The message shown specifies that:
●LS Radio - is to be selected for systems working with the original gateway architecture (dataserver
embedded in the gateway)
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●MultiGW - Multi Gateway is to be selected for systems working with the multi gateway architecture
(external dataserver) - currently the Piconode is not developed to work with the MultiGW new
architecture
After selecting the desired sampling rate and clicking on the Next button the setup is finished (figure 25).
Figures 23 and 24: Two options under radio type and radio off settings for standalone Piconodes
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Figure 25: End of the test
LS Radio
This is the radio type to select when the Piconode is meant to send the data to a Gateway:
frequency
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Figure 26: LS Radio type
Sampling Rate
Choose the desired reading frequency from the drop-down menu (see Figure 27). The highest possible sampling
rate is limited by the network size, and vice versa. Smaller networks can read up to every 30 seconds and frequency
is progressively reduced on bigger networks. DLog will show the available sampling rates according to the network
size chosen in the previous step.
For more information regarding network size limitations, see the Tables, Number of nodes, Sampling rate, and Slot
time chapters in the LS-G6 Gateway User Guide.
Network Configuration - Region
The Region is another parameter the user has to select according to the country in which the gateway and nodes
are deployed (Figure 28). This region has to match the radio configuration set in the gateway to be used for the
network (Figure 29).
Figures 27 and 28: Sampling rate options respectively and region under Network Configuration
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Figure 29: Radio Configuration settings of the gateway
Network Configuration - Network Size
The network size (Figure 30) is the number of nodes (data loggers and Loadsensing wireless sensors). We strongly
recommend initially setting it to the final number of nodes that the wireless network will have since this parameter
determines the available sampling rates. Large networks do not allow selection of high sampling rates.
For more information, please check the Radio specification chapter in the Gateway User Guide.
Correct configuration of these two parameters (network size and sensor sampling rate) is crucial to prevent data
transmission collisions, which translates to data loss on the gateway. For more information, please check the Radio
specification chapter in the Gateway User Guide.
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Figures 30 and 31: Network size and network ID and password parameters, respectively
Edit network ID and password
This tab (Figure 31) needs to be activated (by swiping the button to the right) to enable radio communication
between the nodes and the gateway. The user has to type the corresponding ID of the network and the password.
Advanced options
See the Radio specification chapter of the Gateway User Guide or Annex 01: LS G6 Gateway Radio Specifications
v1.8 for more details on radio models and settings.
Bear in mind that DLog saves and maintains Radio settings to simplify configuration of all the nodes in a network.
To modify these settings, Radio must be enabled again.
Step 6: Radio Signal Coverage Test
This is the final step in node configuration. DLog performs a signal coverage test to check the quality of
communication with the gateway. The gateway must have been previously connected and configured.
This test will check for correct connectivity between the data logger and the gateway. The data logger will send
some test packages. The Android app will then check on the gateway (using the Internet connection) for the
reception of these packets. Hence, the test will check for:
●Correct gateway operation and communication
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●Correct radio configuration of both the gateway and data logger (including matching region and
ID/password configurations)
●Quality of the signal received by the gateway from the data logger
Online Coverage Test
By clicking the Next button, DLog will run an Online Coverage test. For the results of this test to be immediately
displayed on the Android device, the gateway and the Android device must also be connected to the Internet.
In order to perform an Online Coverage test, the gateway serial number and remote access password must be
provided to the DLog app (Figure 32). The remote access password is used to protect the gateway from access via
the local network or the Internet. It is different from the radio network password even though it is set to the same
value by default unless it is changed by the user on the gateway interface (credentials at Gateway Information
Sheet). It takes about two minutes for the coverage test to be performed (Figure 33).
When doing the Radio signal coverage test, the position of the Android device is saved (if you gave the app
permission to access the GPS data) and a security token number identifies each test.
Figures 32 and 33: Gateway ID and password are needed to perform a radio coverage test, it takes two minutes to be completed
Offline Coverage Test
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If the gateway and/or the Android device are not connected to the Internet during the test, the Online Coverage
test will fail and you will need to perform an Offline Coverage test. In this mode, however, the results of the test
cannot be displayed on the Android device. The security token number (Figure 34) identifies each test. Write down
the token number along with a description of where and under what conditions the test was taken. Check the
results of the coverage test on the gateway web interface (under Network → Signal coverage test map →
Download all tests of this network in a .csv format).
Figure 34: Token number generated out of an offline radio coverage test
Step 7: Test results interpretation
The results displayed are listed for each Spreading Factor (SF) (Figures 35 and 36). The SF represents a way of
modulating data. The lower the SF number is, the shorter the message; thus, more messages can be sent on the
network.
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