Milesight Featuring LoRaWAN WS201 User manual

Smart Fill Level Monitoring
Sensor
Featuring LoRaWAN®
WS201
User Guide

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Safety Precautions
Milesight will not shoulder responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from not following the
instructions of this operating guide.
The device must not be disassembled or remodeled in any way.
To ensure the security of your device, please change the device password during the initial
configuration. The default password is 123456.
Do not place the device close to objects with naked flames.
Do not place the device where the temperature is below/above the operating range.
Make sure electronic components do not drop out of the enclosure while opening.
When installing the battery, please install it accurately, and do not install the inverse or
wrong model.
The device must never be subjected to shocks or impacts.
Declaration of Conformity
WS201 conforms with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the CE, FCC,
and RoHS.
Copyright © 2011-2023 Milesight. All rights reserved.
All information in this guide is protected by copyright law. Whereby, no organization or individual
shall copy or reproduce the whole or part of this user guide by any means without written
authorization from Xiamen Milesight IoT Co., Ltd.
For assistance, please contact
Milesight technical support:
Email: [e-mail]
Support Portal: support.milesight-iot.com
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Address: Building C09, Software Park III,
Xiamen 361024, China
Revision History
Date
Doc Version
Description
March 17, 2023
V 1.0
Initial version

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Contents
1. Product Introduction......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Overview ..................................................................................................................................4
1.2. Features .................................................................................................................................. 4
2. Hardware Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Packing List .............................................................................................................................4
2.2. Hardware Overview ................................................................................................................ 5
2.3. Dimensions (mm) ...................................................................................................................5
2.4. Reset Button & LED Indicator Patterns ................................................................................. 5
3. Power Supply ..................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Operation Guide .................................................................................................................................6
4.1. NFC Configuration .................................................................................................................. 6
4.2. LoRaWAN Settings ................................................................................................................. 7
4.3. Basic Settings .......................................................................................................................10
4.4. Threshold Settings ............................................................................................................... 10
4.5. Maintenance ......................................................................................................................... 11
4.5.1. Upgrade ...................................................................................................................... 11
4.5.2. Backup ........................................................................................................................12
4.5.3. Reset to Factory Default ............................................................................................13
5. Installation ....................................................................................................................................... 14
6. Device Payload ................................................................................................................................ 15
6.1. Basic Information ................................................................................................................. 15
6.2. Sensor Data .......................................................................................................................... 15
6.3. Downlink Commands ........................................................................................................... 16

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1. Product Introduction
1.1. Overview
WS201 is a wireless fill-level monitoring sensor that securely monitors a small container’s fill
level, especially tissue boxes. Equip with the ToF technology with a high-focusing detecting
range, WS201 is best suited for close-range sensing applications with great accuracy. Its
ultra-low power consumption and standby mode ensure a durable battery life.
With a special structure design and damp-proof coating, WS201 can work stably in the metal
environment and multiple scenarios. Built-in NFC makes it more operable and easy to configure.
Compatible with Milesight LoRaWAN®gateway and IoT Cloud solution, users can know the
containers’ status and fill level in real-time and manage them effectively and remotely.
1.2. Features
High-focusing detection ranges from 1 to 55 cm with great accuracy based on
Time-of-Flight technology
Non-contact detection with wireless deployment
Allow reporting the remaining amount by percentage with pre-set alarm thresholds
Ultra-low power consumption with standby mode, ensuring a durable battery life
Easy to install with its ultra-compact size and equipped with NFC configuration
Highly adaptive to most tissue boxes with a stable signal
Damp-proof coating inside the device to ensure it works well in various bathrooms and
other scenarios
Function well with standard LoRaWAN®gateway and network servers
Compliant with Milesight IoT Cloud
2. Hardware Introduction
2.1. Packing List

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1 × WS201
Device
1 × CR2450
Battery
1 × 3M Tape
1 × Mirror
Cleaning Cloth
1 × Quick Start
Guide
If any of the above items are missing or damaged, please contact your sales representative.
2.2. Hardware Overview
2.3. Dimensions (mm)
2.4. Reset Button & LED Indicator Patterns
WS201 sensor equips with a reset button inside the device, please remove the cover for
emergency reset or reboot. Usually, users can use NFC to complete all steps.
Function
Action
LED Indicator
Reboot
Press and hold the reset button for more
than 3 seconds.
Blinks slowly
Reset to Factory
Default
Press and hold the button for more than
10 seconds.
Blinks quickly
Check
On/Off Status
Quickly press the reset button.
: Device is On.
Light Off: Device is Off.

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3. Power Supply
1. Insert your fingernail or other tools into the center groove and slide it towards the end, then
remove the back cover of the device.
2. Insert the battery into the battery slot with the positive facing up. After inserting, the device
will power on automatically.
3. Align the holes on the rear cover with the WS201, and reinstall the cover to the device.
4. Operation Guide
4.1. NFC Configuration
WS201 can be configured via NFC.
1. Download and install “Milesight ToolBox” App from Google Play or App Store.
2. Enable NFC on the smartphone and open “Milesight ToolBox” App.
3. Attach the smartphone with the NFC area to the device to read the basic information.
4. Basic information and settings of devices will be shown on ToolBox if it’s recognized
successfully. You can read and write the device by tapping the button on the App. Password
validation is required when configuring devices via an unused phone to ensure security. The
default password is 123456.

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Note:
1) Ensure the location of the smartphone NFC area and it’s recommended to take off the phone
case.
2) If the smartphone fails to read/write configurations via NFC, move it away and try again later.
3) WS201 can also be configured by a dedicated NFC reader provided by Milesight IoT.
4.2. LoRaWAN Settings
Go to Device > Setting > LoRaWAN Settings of ToolBox App to configure join type, App EUI, App
Key and other information. You can also keep all settings by default.
Parameters
Description
Device EUI
The device's unique ID can also be found on the label.

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App EUI
The default App EUI is 24E124C0002A0001.
Application Port
The port used for sending and receiving data, the default port is 85.
Join Type
OTAA and ABP modes are available.
Application Key
Appkey for OTAA mode, default is 5572404C696E6B4C6F52613230313823.
Device Address
DevAddr for ABP mode, default is the 5th to 12th digits of SN.
Network Session
Key
Nwkskey for ABP mode, default is 5572404C696E6B4C6F52613230313823.
Application
Session Key
Appskey for ABP mode, default is 5572404C696E6B4C6F52613230313823.
LoRaWAN Version
V1.0.2 and V1.0.3 are available.
Work Mode
It’s fixed as Class A.
RX2 Data Rate
RX2 data rate to receive downlinks.
RX2 Frequency
RX2 frequency to receive downlinks. Unit: Hz
Channel Mode
Select Standard-Channel mode or Single-Channel mode. When Single-Channel
mode is enabled, only one channel can be selected to send uplinks. Please
enable Single-Channel mode if you connect the device to DS7610 IoT Display.
Channel
Enable or disable the frequency to send uplinks.
If the frequency is one of CN470/AU915/US915, enter the index of the
channel that you want to enable and make them separated by commas.
Examples:
1, 40: Enabling Channel 1 and Channel 40
1-40: Enabling Channel 1 to Channel 40
1-40, 60: Enabling Channel 1 to Channel 40 and Channel 60
All: Enabling all channels
Null: Indicates that all channels are disabled

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Spread Factor
If ADR is disabled, the device will send data via this spread factor.
Confirmed Mode
If the device does not receive an ACK packet from the network server, it will
resend data once.
Rejoin Mode
Reporting interval ≤ 30 mins: the device will send a specific number of
LinkCheckReq MAC packets to the network server every 30 mins to validate
connectivity; if there is no response, the device will rejoin the network.
Reporting interval > 30 mins: the device will send a specific number of
LinkCheckReq MAC packets to the network server every reporting interval to
validate connectivity; if there is no response, the device will rejoin the
network.
Set the number of
packets sent
When rejoin mode is enabled, set the number of LinkCheckReq packets sent.
ADR Mode
Allow the network server to adjust datarate of the device. This only works
with Standard Channel Mode.
Tx Power
Transmit power of the device.
Note:
1) Please contact sales for the device EUI list if there are many units.
2) Please contact sales if you need random App keys before purchase.
3) Select OTAA mode if you use Milesight IoT Cloud to manage devices.
4) Only OTAA mode supports rejoin mode.

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4.3. Basic Settings
Go to Device > Setting > General Settings to change the reporting interval, etc.
Parameters
Description
Reporting Interval
Reporting interval of transmitting data to the network server. Range:
60~1080 mins; Default: 1080 mins
Hibernate Mode
Enable or disable hibernate mode. When the feature is enabled, the device
will hibernate during the hibernate period and the sensor will not detect
distance and not reports.
Hibernate Period
Set the time period and repeated frequency of hibernate mode.
Change Password
Change the password for ToolBox app or software to read/write this
device.
4.4. Threshold Settings
Go to Device > Settings > Threshold Settings to enable the threshold settings. When the
difference between Tissue Box Depth and Distance is smaller than the Remaining Amount Alarm

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Value, WS201 will report the alarm.
Parameters
Description
Tissue Box Depth
The distance value from the bottom of the container to the sensor.
Range: 1.0~55.0cm
Remaining Amount
Set the threshold condition. Remaining Amount Alarm Value =
Tissue Box Depth * Alarm Threshold
Alarm Threshold
Set the value of alarm threshold, the default value is 30% and two
alarm thresholds are the most. Range: the integer from 0 to 100.
Collecting Interval
Collecting interval of ToF sensor detecting the distance. Default:
30min; Range: 1~1080min
Alarm Dismiss Report
When the remaining amount changes from outside the threshold to
within the threshold, a alarm dismiss packet will be reported.
4.5. Maintenance
4.5.1. Upgrade
1. Download firmware from Milesight website to your smartphone.

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2. Open Toolbox App, go to Device > Maintenance and click Browse to import firmware and
upgrade the device.
Note:
1) Operation on ToolBox is not supported during a firmware upgrade.
2) Only the Android version of ToolBox supports the upgrade feature.
4.5.2. Backup
WS201 supports configuration backup for easy and quick device configuration in bulk. Backup is
allowed only for devices with the same model and LoRaWAN®frequency band.
1. Go to Template page on the App and save the current settings as a template. You can also
edit the template file.
2. Select one template file saved in the smartphone and click Write, then attach the smartphone
to another device to write the configuration.

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Note: Slide the template item left to edit or delete the template. Click the template to edit the
configurations.
4.5.3. Reset to Factory Default
Please select one of the following methods to reset the device:
Via Hardware: Hold on the reset button (internal) for more than 10s.
Via ToolBox App: Go to Device > Maintenance to click Reset, then attach the smartphone with
NFC area to the device to complete the reset.

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5. Installation
Paste 3M tape to the back of WS201, then remove the protective layer and place it on a flat surface.
Installation Note
In order to provide the best data transmission, please ensure the device is within the signal range of
the LoRaWAN®gateway and keep it away from metal objects and obstacles.
Avoid strong light, like direct sunlight or IR LED, in the detection area.
Do not install the device close to glass or mirror.
After installation, please remove the protective film.
Do not touch the lens of the sensor directly to avoid leaving the fingerprint on it.
The detecting performance will be affected if there’s dust on the lens. Please use the mirror
cleaning cloth to clean the lens if needed.
The device must be placed in a horizontal position on the top of the objects so that it has a clear
path to the object.
Prevent the device from water.

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6. Device Payload
All data are based on the following format (HEX), the Data field should follow little-endian:
Channel1
Type1
Data1
Channel2
Type2
Data2
Channel 3
...
1 Byte
1 Byte
N Bytes
1 Byte
1 Byte
M Bytes
1 Byte
...
For decoder examples please find files on https://github.com/Milesight-IoT/SensorDecoders.
6.1. Basic Information
WS201 reports basic information about the sensor every time it joins the network.
Channel
Type
Description
ff
01(Protocol Version)
01=>V1
09 (Hardware Version)
01 40 => V1.4
0a (Software Version)
01 14 => V1.14
0b (Power On)
Device is on
0f (Device Type)
00: Class A, 01: Class B, 02: Class C
16 (Device SN)
16 digits
Example:
ff0bff ff0101 ff166983c52121810000 ff090100 ff0a0101 ff0f00
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
ff
0b
(Power On)
ff
(Reserved)
ff
01
(Protocol Version)
01 (V1)
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
ff
16
(Device SN)
6983c52121
810000
ff
09
(Hardware version)
0100
(V1.0)
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
ff
0a
(Software
version)
0101
(V1.1)
ff
0f
(Device Type)
00
(Class A)
6.2. Sensor Data
WS201 reports sensor data according to reporting interval (1080 mins by default).
Channel
Type
Description
01
75 (Battery Level)
UINT8, Unit: %
03
82 (Distance)
INT16, Unit: mm
04
d6 (Remaining )
UINT8
Note: if the threshold setting is disabled, the

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device will report this as FF.
Example:
1. Periodic Packet
017564 03821b00 04d62e
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
01
75
(Battery)
64 => 100%
03
82
(Distance)
1b 00 => 00 1b
=> 27mm
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
04
d6
(Remaining
Amount)
2e => 46%
2. Threshold Alarm Packet
03821800 04d614
Channel
Type
Value
Channel
Type
Value
03
82
(Distance)
18 00 => 00 18
=> 24mm
04
d6
(Remaining
Amount)
14 => 20%
6.3. Downlink Commands
WS201 supports downlink commands to configure the device. The application port is 85 by
default.
Channel
Type
Description
ff
10 (Reboot)
ff (Reserved)
03 (Set Reporting Interval)
2 Bytes, unit: s
02 (Set Collecting Interval)
2 Bytes, unit: s
06 (Set Threshold Alarm)
9 Bytes,
CTRL(1B)+0000(2B)+Max(2B)+00000000(4B)
CTRL:
Bit2~Bit0=000
Bit5~Bit3: Alarm Threshold
001=Alarm Threshold 1
010=Alarm Threshold 2
Bit6:
0=disable the Alarm Threshold
1=enable the Alarm Threshold

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Bit7:
0=disable alarm dismiss report
1=enable alarm dismiss report
76 (Set Tissue Box Depth )
2 Bytes, unit: mm
75 (Set Hibernate Period)
6 Bytes,
Enable(1B)+Start_Time(2B)+Over_Time(2B)+
Week_Day(1B)
Week_Day: CTRL
Bit0=1
Bit7~Bit1: Sunday~Monday
Example:
1. Set reporting interval as 70 minutes.
2. Reboot the device.
3. Enable alarm threshold 1, enable alarm dismiss report and set the value of alarm threshold 1
to 50%.
4. Set Tissue Box Depth as 500mm.
ff76 f401
ff036810
Channel
Type
Value
ff
03 (Set Reporting Interval)
68 10 => 10 68 = 4200s = 70 minutes
ff10ff
Channel
Type
Value
ff
10 (Reboot)
ff (Reserved)
ff06 c8 0000 3200 00000000
Channel
Type
Value
ff
06 (Set Threshold Alarm)
CTRL = c8 = 11 001 000
11= enable alarm dismiss report and
enable alarm threshold
001 = Alarm Threshold 1
32 00 => 00 32 => 50%

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Channel
Type
Value
ff
76 (Set Tissue Box Depth)
f4 01=> 01 f4 => 500mm
5. Enable hibernate mode and set the time period as 8:00-21:00 from Monday to Sunday.
-END-
ff75 01 e001 ec04 ff
Channel
Type
Value
ff
75 (Set Hibernate Period)
01=> Enable hibernate mode
e0 01 => 01 e0 = 480 minutes = 8 hours
= 8:00
ec 04 => 04 ec = 1260minutes =21 hours
= 21:00
ff = 1111 1111 = Enable hibernate mode
from Monday to Sunday