Monnit Alta Site Survey Tool User manual

Remote Monitoring for Business
ALTA®Site Survey Tool
USER GUIDE

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Remote Monitoring for Business
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Signal Test 
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PAGE II
ALTA Site Survey Tool Technical Specifications
Power pack Two replaceable AAA alkaline batteries
Supply voltage 2.0 - 3.8 VDC | Low battery displays if voltage < 2.6 VDC
Current consumption 0.8 µA (sleep mode), 0.7 µA (RTC sleep), 170 µA (MCU idle),
2.5 mA (MCU active), 7.61 mA (radio RX mode),
22.6 mA (radio TX mode)
Battery life 200 hours of active testing
Operating temperature range -18°C to 55°C (0°F to 130°F) using alkaline
-40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F) using lithium
Operating humidity range 5 to 85% RH (non-condensing)
Altitude range (non-pressurized environments) Operating: -15.2 to 1,982 m (-50 to 6,500 ft)
Storage: -15.2 to 3,048 m (-50 to 10,000 ft)
Wireless protocol ALTA Proprietary Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Wireless transmission power 50 mW (900MHz), 25 mW (868 MHz), 10 mW (433 MHz)
Wireless antenna type 1/2-wave dipole with RP-SMA connector
Wireless range 1,200+ ft non-line-of-sight (365+ m)*
Security Encrypt-RF®(256-bit key exchange and AES-128 CTR)
Enclosure IP-67 enclosure, 76.6 x 123.6 x 20 mm (3.0 x 4.9 x 0.79 inch)
Weight 5.5 oz (155 g)
Certifications 900 MHz product:
FCC ID: ZTL-G2SC1; IC: 9794A-G2SC1.
868 and 433 MHz products:
ETSI EN 300 220 V3.2.1 (2018-06); ETSI EN 301 489-3 V2.2.0. (2021-11)
All products tested and comply with:
Device Dimensions
*Actual range may vary depending on the environment.
The larger articulated antenna is adipole configuration and emulates the behavior of our industrial sensors with their external
antenna.If you plan to buy and install ALTAindustrial sensors,connect the dipole antenna to the ALTASite Survey Tool.
The smaller antennais amonopole configuration and emulatesour commercial sensor with the wire antennasfound on the
ALTAcompact coin cell and enterprise (AAbattery) sensors. Please connect this antenna if you plan to deploy any of the ALTA
commercial sensors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE III
QUICK START GUIDE I
DATA SHEET II
I. ABOUT THE ALTA SITE SURVEY TOOL 1
II. UNDERSTANDING YOUR DATA 1
III. USING THE SITE SURVEY TOOL 2
ADD THE DEVICE TO IMONNIT 2
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES 2
BUTTON FUNCTIONS 3
TEST FAILURES 3
IV. SENSOR OVERVIEW IN IMONNIT 4
MENU SYSTEM 4
DETAILS VIEW 4
READINGS VIEW 5
SENSOR STATE 5
SETTINGS VIEW 6
V. MONNIT DATA SECURITY 7
VI. SUPPORT 8
VII. WARRANTY INFORMATION 8
VIII. CERTIFICATIONS 9
IX. USER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS 11
CAUTION SYMBOL EXPLANATION
The following caution symbol appears on the product. This symbol indicates caution and a
potential risk of danger. Carefully read the warning attached with each symbol.

PAGE 1
The ALTA®Site Survey Tool helps you plan the placement of ALTA Wireless Sensors by measuring the strength and
quality of the radio frequency (RF) signal from an ALTA Gateway. With the Site Survey Tool in hand, you can assess
every square foot of your facility or site for the ideal locations to install your sensors. After a quick signal test, the tool?s
LCD reports the average TRUESIGNAL?and Pass, Poor, or Fail based on your preferred signal reliability setting. The
TRUESIGNAL is calculated from the wireless signal strength and the amount of wireless interference measured at the
test location. This data will help you optimize data communications throughout your Internet of Things (IoT) network.
The iMonnit dashboards also present the data points related to your testing. You can configure the tool?s customizable
test settings and review an advanced reading log online at iMonnit.com. Choose your signal reliability
settings? Mission-Critical, Strong, or Functional? according to your environment, use case, and how frequently and
reliably your sensors need to send data. (See signal reliability settings explanations below.)
I. ABOUT THE ALTA SITE SURVEY TOOL
STRONG RELIABILITY
FUNCTIONAL RELIABILITY
MISSION-CRITICAL RELIABILITY
WHAT IS TRUESIGNALTM?
Optimizes deliverability over range.
Balances deliverability and range.
Optimizes range over deliverability.1
II. UNDERSTANDING YOUR DATA
0% 60% 100%
0% 40% 100%
0% 20% 100%
On activation of the Site Survey Tool, or when the
FIND Gateway button is pressed, the tool will start
searching for the nearest authorized gateway. After
connecting to a gateway, the Gateway ID will scroll
across the screen and iMonnit will record this event in
the data history.
On completion of a Signal Test, the device displays
Pass, Poor, or Fail, and then displays the Average
TRUESIGNAL percentage. Additionally, in iMonnit, the
same results are recorded in the data history.
If the tool is configured in iMonnit to Show Advanced Data, then
additional data points become available for viewing:
- Average Signal Margin (in decibels)
- Signal Quality presents the number of packets sent and
received.
HISTORICAL DATA AVAILABLE IN iMONNIT
*How many packets and results are averaged per Signal Test depends on configurations. See the iMonnit Settings View for more information.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
TRUESIGNAL is a simple scale created by Monnit to express the amount of usable signal at a test location, as calculated
from the measured wireless signal strength and background interference. The result is expressed in percent and is
directly correlated to your selected Reliability Setting, with Pass corresponding to the percentages in green, Poor to the
percentages in yellow, and Fail to the percentages in red for the various reliability settings depicted below.
1. Changes in the environment may affect the timeliness of data delivery when the TRUESIGNALTM is below 20%
(Data reported in iMonnit)
(Data reported in iMonnit)
(Data reported in iMonnit)

PAGE 2
III. USING THE SITE SURVEY TOOL
INSTALLING/REPLACING BATTERIES
The tool is powered by two replaceable AAA-sized batteries (preinstalled at the time of purchase). The typical battery life
is rated for 200 hours of activity. To replace batteries in the device, start by removing the four screws, then remove the
battery door. Next, insert fresh AAA batteries in the carriage. Then, replace the battery door and screws.
Complete the process by opening up iMonnit and selecting Sensors from the main navigation menu. Next, verify that
iMonnit shows the Site Survey Tool has a full-battery level.
Important: The battery door must be correctly re-installed to
ensure the device remains waterproof.
WARNING: ONLY install new alkaline batteries from the same manufacturer.
NOTE: When the Site Survey Tool is low on battery, the battery symbol will be displayed on the
screen.
In the Networks screen, click the Add Device to Network
button and follow the instructions to add devices to your
account. When prompted to choose how you will use your
sensor, select the desired Reliability Settings for auto
configuration. The options are Mission-Critical, Strong
(default),and Functional reliability.
Auto configuration will set up your Site Survey Tool with the
following defaults:
- Signal Test Duration of 10 seconds
- Auto Shutoff Time of 5 minutes
- Do not show full data
More information on these settings can be found in the
iMonnit Settings View section (page 6).
ADD THE DEVICE TO iMONNIT
NOTE: There is a gasket
that sits in the groves
around the battery coffin.
This gasket must be put
back before reattaching
the lid.

ON / OFF: Press and hold for
three seconds to turn the device
on or off.
FIND GATEWAY: A short press
after the device is on shows the
connected gateway on the LCD.
SIGNAL TEST:
BUTTON FUNCTIONS:
After the tool connects to a
gateway and displays rdy, press
the Signal Test button to begin
the TRUESIGNAL assessment.
Press and hold the Find Gateway button for three seconds to power the device:
a. The LCD will flash and the device starts searching for the nearest authorized gateway.
b. After connecting, the Gateway ID scrolls across the screen twice.
c. The screen will show rdy, indicating the tool is waiting for the next button press.
If the Gateway ID on the LCD is not the gateway you want to connect to:
a. Move closer to the desired gateway.
b. Confirm the gateway is on the same network in your account.
c. Press the Utility button on your gateway to confirm the gateway has downloaded the latest wireless
sensor list.
d. Press the Find Gateway button to start searching for the nearest authorized gateway.
After connecting, the Gateway ID scrolls across the screen twice. The screen will show rdy, indicating the tool is
waiting for the next button press.
NOTE:If your ALTA Gateway setting On Aware Messages is set to Wait for the Heartbeat, you need to switch or
toggle the setting to Trigger Heartbeat. This will ensure the Site Survey Tool can send the data immediately to iMonnit
through the gateway.
Press the Signal Test button to begin scanning the RF environment and measure the TRUESIGNAL?.
a. The screen starts flashing the TRUESIGNAL measured.
i. The result will be a number if the scan was successful
ii. The result will be a dash "-" if the scan wasn't successful
b. When the test is complete, the device displays Pass, Poor, or Fail, and then displays the average
TRUESIGNAL percentage.
c. These results will show twice before the screen displays rdy.
d. The device is now ready for the next signal test.
USING YOUR ALTA SITE SURVEY TOOL:
PAGE 3
Any button press overrides what the device is doing. All readings are stored in iMonnit.
WHAT TO DO WHEN EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF TESTING FAILURES:
While surveying your area, there can be times when the tool will experience poor signal quality even when the
TRUESIGNALis considered passing. This can be caused by deliberate or random noise sources. In this situation,
please do the following.
1. Retest to confirm your results. More data is always better.
2. Move closer to your gateway and retest. If the signal quality improves, continue testing and moving to identify
poor signal locations.
3. If the signal quality does not improve, identify and turn off extra ALTA Sensors in your area. ALTA devices that
are frequently communicating may unintentionally cause the tool to report communication failures.
All data is logged by the tool until the data is successfully delivered to the gateway.

PAGE 4
IV. SENSOR OVERVIEW IN iMONNIT
Select Sensors from the main navigation menu in iMonnit. Then select the Site Survey Tool to access the Sensor
Overview page and configure the tool's settings.
MENU SYSTEM
A. Sensors? See a list of all sensors and other devices on your network.
B. Details? View a dashboard of device KPIs, readings, charts, and notes.
C. Readings? Get a listing of recent device readings or messages.
D. Actions? Review specific device Actions. (Not applicable to the Site Survey Tool)
E. Settings? Configure reliability and other key settings for the tool.
Directly under the top horizontal tabbed menu bar is an overview of the Site Survey Tool. You can see the signal
strength and the battery level of the selected device. A colored dot in the left corner of the device icon denotes its status.
- Green indicates the tool is checking in and is within user-defined safe parameters.
- Red indicates the device has met or exceeded a user-defined threshold or triggered event.
- Gray indicates that no readings are being recorded, rendering the tool inactive.
- Yellow indicates that the reading is outdated, due to perhaps a missed Heartbeat check-in.
A. The Sensor Overview section is at the top of every
page. This will consistently display the present reading,
signal strength, battery level, and status of the device.
B. The Readings section shows the most recent data
received by the sensor or tool.
C. This graph charts any changes throughout a set date
range. To change the date range displayed in the graph,
navigate up to the top of the Readings Chart section on the
right-hand corner to change the date range.
D. The Notes section is available to add comments, or
observations about a specific data point.
DETAILS VIEW
The Details View will be the first page you see upon selecting
the sensor or device you want to modify.
A
B
C
D
A B C D E

PAGE 5
Select the Readings tab within the top horizontal menu bar to view the Site Survey Tool's data history as
time-stamped data.
- On the far right of the Sensor History Data is a cloud icon . Selecting this icon will export an Excel file of the
tool's data into your downloads folder.
The data file will have the following fields:
- Message ID: Unique identifier of the message in the database.
- Sensor ID: If data from multiple sensors is exported, you can distinguish between the sensors using this number
? even if the names are the same.
- Sensor Name: The name you gave the sensor or device.
- Date: The date the message was transmitted from the sensor or tool.
- Value: Data presented with transformations applied, but without additional labels.
- Formatted Value: Data transformed and presented as it is shown in iMonnit.
- Raw Data: Raw data as it is stored from the sensor or device.
- Sensor State: Binary field represented as an integer containing information about the state of the sensor or tool
when the message was transmitted. (See Sensor State explained below.)
- Alert Sent: Boolean indicating if this reading triggered a notification sent from the system.
- Signal Strength: Strength of communication signal between the sensor or tool and the gateway, shown as
percentage value.
- Voltage: Actual voltage measured at the sensor or device battery used to calculate battery percentage, similar to
Received Signal. You can use one or the other or both if they help you.
This value is an integer encoded with various forms of information. For the Site Survey Tool, there are only two reported
states:
- When this device connects to a gateway, the Sensor State has the value of 18.
- Otherwise, the Sensor State will have the value of 2, indicating the message was delivered with urgent delivery.
READINGS VIEW
SENSOR STATE
Note: Make sure you have the date range correct in the From and To text boxes. This
will be the previous day by default. Only the first 2,500 entries in the selected date
range will be exported.

PAGE 6
A. The Sensor Name is a unique name you give the tool
to easily identify it in a list and in any notifications
B. The Signal Test Duration is a value in seconds that
determines the duration of a signal test. The duration is
based on the time you press the Signal Test button to the
end of test and the result shows on the LCD and reports to
the gateway. This also controls the number of intermediate
results averaged over the course of the test.
C. Signal Reliability Level allows you to select the
PASS/POOR threshold point.
- Mission-Critical?Optimizes deliverability over
range.
- Strong?Balances deliverability and range.
- Functional?Optimizes range over deliverability.
D. Auto Shutoff Time is a value in minutes that
determines how long the device will stay on after the last
button press or signal test completion. After this time, the
device will shut down to save battery life.
E. Show Full Data Value Default: OFF, only shows the
basic data. If set to ON, additional advanced data will be
shown:
- Average Signal Margin (in decibels)
- Signal Quality presents the number of packets
sent and received.
To edit the operational settings for the Site Survey Tool, choose the Sensor option in the main navigation menu, and then
select the Settings tab to access the configuration page.
Finish by selecting the Save button.
Note: Be sure to select the Save button anytime you make a change to any of the tool's parameters. All
changes made to the settings will be downloaded to the tool on the next Heartbeat (check-in). Once a
change has been made and saved, you will not be able to edit that tool's configuration again until it has
downloaded the new setting.
A
B
C
E
D
SETTINGS VIEW