Prolon TREE-COM Instruction Manual

INSTALLING
THE TREECOM
with Prolon
REV 7.5.0
PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
www.proloncontrols.com
1-877-977-6566
[e-mail]
17510 Rue Charles, Suite 100, Mirabel, QC, J7J 1X9

2
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
Table of Contents
PL-TREE-COM Principles........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
PL-TREE-COM installation scenarios ....................................................................................................................................................6
Single-Zone Unit Controllers with Digital Wall Sensor....................................................................................................................................................6
PL-VC2000 with Digital Wall Sensor.......................................................................................................................................................................................7
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (fully wireless network) ............................................................................................................8
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (wired/wireless - hybrid network) ........................................................................................9
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (wired/wireless - hybrid network) ..................................................................................... 10
PL-NC2000 connected to a group of Master PL-M2000 or PL-C1050 .................................................................................................................... 11
Measuring signal quality with NFC ....................................................................................................................................................12
Android.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
iOS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Low signal quality best practices .......................................................................................................................................................14

3
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-TREE-COM Principles
1. The Prolon PL-TREE-COM is a wireless communication device that transmits and receives Modbus RS485 data over radio frequency
communication (2.4GHz)
2. Its goal is to wirelessly extend, complement, or replace standard RS485 wired daisy-chains, where a physical connection would be
impractical or uneconomical. (Figure 1)
3. The TREE-COM modules communicate on dedicated wireless subnet "channels", where a unique "ROOT" module talks with one or
multiple "LEAF" units on the same channel.
3a) Channel identication is made through dipswitches. Up to 127 dierent channels may be created.
3b) All TREE-COM communicating on a given channel must be set with the same dispswitch channel number.
3c) These dipswitches are not to be mistaken with the controllers' Modbus address, they are for channel identication only.
(Figure 2)
3d) The "ROOT" module is always connected to a Modbus "Master" device, the "LEAF" always connect to "follower" devices.
Figure 2
PL-M2000-RTU
Modbus: 20
PL-TREE-COM
Channel: 1
ROOT
PL-TREE-COM
Channel: 1
LEAF
PL-VC2000
Modbus: 21
PL-VC2000
Modbus: 22
PL-TREE-COM
Channel: 1
LEAF
Figure 1
4. Each wireless segment must have one TREE-COM set as a "ROOT".
4a) The "ROOT"/"LEAF" function is activated using dipswitch number #8. (Figure 2)
4b) There can only be one "ROOT" on any given segment.
4c) The "ROOT" can have an unlimited amount of "LEAF" modules associated with it.
4d) The PL-TREE-COM, set as a "ROOT", communicates with all its "LEAF" modules

4
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
5. Operational range
5a) The PL-TREE-COM can be oriented in any direction when operating under 200ft of range.
5b) The PL-TREE-COM can cover distances up to 2500 ft when oriented properly. (Figure 3)
6. Weatherproof enclosures
Should a PL-TREE COM module need to be installed outdoors, we recommend installing it in a plastic or resin NEMA 4 type
enclosure, as any metal enclosure will act as a Faraday cage, therefore blocking radio signals.
Figure 3
2,500 ft
Figure 4
5c) The PL-TREE-COM radio wave pattern is directional, meaning the signal beam, while able to radiate everywhere, will travel
farther in one specic direction. The built-in antenna is aligned with its front cover (face with the lights and dipswitches). In
order to achieve maximum range, or communicate through complex building structure, both PL-TREE COM modules commu-
nicating together should have their faceplates facing each other. Signal quality (read at the "LEAF" module) must be at least
30% to achieve proper communication. (Figure 4)
NOTE: Aligning TREE-COM modules face to face is highly recommended for distances beyond 200 ft.
A signal quality
of at least 30% is
required for proper
communication

5
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
7. LEDS
The PL-TREE-COM comes equiped with ve LEDs to indicate device status. (Figure 5)
7a) HBEAT (BLUE): This LED simply indicates that the device is powered and operating. It should blink once every second, regardless
of RS485 or Wireless communication.
7b) CONN (BLUE)*: This LED indicates if other devices have been found on the same subnet as this device. If so, then the devices are
ready to share their RS485 information.
7c) ROOT (YELLOW): This LED indicates if this device has been set as a "ROOT" using dipswitch #8. When the LED is ON, this device
is set as the ROOT for its subnet. If the LED is o, it is instead a "LEAF".
7d) SND (RED): This LED indicates if data is being transmitted on the RS485 bus. Blinking occurs in quick short bursts.
7e) REC (GREEN): This LED indicates if data is being received from the RS485 bus. Blinking occurs in quick short bursts.
*Once a successful connection is established between a "ROOT" and one or more multiple "LEAF" devices, their individual
CONN blue lights will turn on. The connection process may take up to 7 minutes to complete.
Figure 5

6
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-TREE-COM installation scenarios
Single-Zone Unit Controllers with Digital Wall Sensor
The RTUS, HPS or FCU controllers can be connected to their respective wall sensor using the PL-TREE-COM device.
1. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the communicating wall sensor must be set as the "ROOT".
2. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the Single-Zone Unit Controller must be set as the "LEAF".
3. Both TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number
Figure 6 Figure 7
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-T1000
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-M2000-RTU
Modbus: 20
PL-T1000
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-C1050
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF

7
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-VC2000 with Digital Wall Sensor
The PL-VC2000 or C1050 VAV controllers can be connected to a digital wall sensor (T1000, T500,T200) using a PL-TREE-COM. (Figure 8)
**Important** A PL-RS wall sensor CANNOT be connected using a PL-TREE-COM.
1. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the communicating wall sensor NEEDS to be set as the "ROOT". (INT port)
2. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the VAV controller must be set as the "LEAF". (INT port)
3. Both TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number.
Figure 8
PL-T1000
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF

8
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-M2000-RTU
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-C1050
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
Figure 9
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (fully wireless network)
Zone Controllers (VC2000, C1050-VAV, T1100) can be connected wirelessly to a Master Unit Controller such as a PL-M2000-HP or RTU
or a PL-C1050-RTU or HP.
1. Each controller must have its own dedicated PL-TREE-COM device
2. The PL-TREE-COM connected to each Zone Controller must be in set as the "LEAF". (NET Port)
3. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the Master Controller must be set as the "ROOT". (NET Port)
4. All PL-TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number.

9
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (wired/wireless - hybrid network)
Example 1
It is possible to create hybrid networks, where wireless communication supports and complements wired daisy-chains. In this situation,
a PL-TREE-COM will be added to the daisy-chain to gap the link between the Master and all its zones. (Figure 10)
1. The PL-TREE-COM on the M2000 Master's side must be connected in the NET port and be set as the "ROOT".
2. The zones Network PL-TREE-COM can be inserted anywhere in the daisy chain of the Zones. This device must be set as the "LEAF".
3. Both TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number.
Figure 10
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-VC2000
PL-M2000-RTU
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT

10
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-VC2000
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-VC2000
PL-VC2000
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-VC2000PL-M2000-RTU
Figure 11
Example 2
A wired communication network can be spliced and re-united using TREE-COM modules, regardless of their location within a Prolon
network. (Figure 11)
1. The TREE-COM that is hardwired to the Modbus Master (PL-M2000-RTU) must be set in "ROOT" mode
2. The TREE-COM hardwired to the follower controllers must be set to "LEAF" mode.
3. TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number.
4. The TREE-COM modules will act like a virtual segment of wire.
Master Controller with multiple Zone Controllers (wired/wireless - hybrid network)

11
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
PL-NC2000 connected to a group of Master PL-M2000 or PL-C1050
The communication network between any Master Controller and the PL-NC2000 can be connected wirelessly using the PL-TREE-COM.
(Figure 12)
1. The PL-TREE-COM connected to the PL-NC2000 via the RS-485 OUT port must be set as the "ROOT".
2. The PL-TREE-COM connected to individual PL-M2000, or PL-C1050 via the INT communication port must be set as the "LEAF".
3. All PL-TREE-COM modules must have their dipswitches set for the same channel number.
PL-C1050
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-M2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
PL-NC2000
PL-TREE-COM
ROOT
PL-M2000
PL-TREE-COM
LEAF
Figure 12

12
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
Measuring signal quality with NFC
1. The incoming signal quality from a "ROOT" must be measured at a "LEAF" device, using the Prolon Focus app on a mobile device with
NFC capabilities.
2. A measurement only becomes possible once a connection has been established with the "ROOT" module.
3. Measuring a "ROOT" module using NFC will not yield signal quality, but rather number of associated "LEAF" modules it is able to
communicate with.
4. To use this feature, the NFC function must rst be enabled on the mobile device.
5. The NFC reading may take a few seconds to display.
Android
Once on the settings page, hold your phone (back of the phone) close to the face of a powered-up PL-TREE-COM device.
Note: We recommend that you remove any casing from your mobile device if you are experiencing trouble connecting.
1. To access NFC, tap on the
vertical ellopsis icon at the
top right of the screen.
2. Tap on "Settings". 3. Approach and hold the
back of the mobile device
very near the powered up
TREE-COM module.
4. Once detected, a popup
will show you the infor-
mation about the TREE-
COM found. Tap OK to go
back to the settings.
Figure 13

13
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
iOS
Note: We recommend that you remove any casing from your mobile device should you experience trouble connecting.
1. To scan the TREE-COM,
tap on the settings icon in
the left bottom corner.
2. Tap on "Scan PL-TREE-
COM".
3. When ready to detect,
approach and hold the
back of the mobile device
very near the powered up
TREE-COM module.
4. Once detected, a popup
will show you the infor-
mation about the TREE-
COM found. Tap OK to go
back to the settings.

14
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
Low signal quality best practices
A signal quality of 30% to 60% is considered low quality. To communicate succesfully with signals in this range, it is best to increase
the number of retries in Focus (PC) or mobile app to 10 or 20 attempts, so to reduce the likelyhood of failure. Here is the procedure:
1. Click on “Project” on the top left of your Focus screen.
2. Click on “Setup”.

15
REV 7.5.0 / PL-INSTL-TREECOM-EN
REV 7.5.0
PL-INSTL-TREE-COM-EN
© Copyright 2022 Prolon. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be photocopied or reproduced by any means, or translated to another language without prior written
consent of Prolon. All specications are nominal and may change as design improvements are introduced. Prolon shall not be liable for
damages resulting from misapplication or misuse of its products. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
3. Click on “Connection".
4. Enter the desired Retry number.