Radio Bridge RBS301-AL-US User manual

Wireless Ambient Light Sensor
User Guide
VERSION 1.5
SEPTEMBER 2019

WIRELESS AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. QUICK START....................................................................................................................... 2
2. OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Sensor Overview ........................................................................................................................2
2.2. Revision History .........................................................................................................................3
2.3. Document Conventions ..............................................................................................................3
2.4. Part Numbers.............................................................................................................................3
3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................ 4
3.1. Absolute Maximum Ratings........................................................................................................4
4. BATTERY LIFE....................................................................................................................... 5
5. TEST MESSAGES .................................................................................................................. 6
6. MESSAGE PROTOCOL .......................................................................................................... 6
6.1. Common Messages.....................................................................................................................6
6.2. Uplink Messages ........................................................................................................................7
6.3. Downlink Messages....................................................................................................................7
6.3.1. Threshold Mode..................................................................................................................8
6.3.2. Report on Change Mode......................................................................................................9
6.3.3. Periodic Reports..................................................................................................................9
7. MECHANICAL DRAWINGS...................................................................................................11
7.1. INDOOR RBSX01 SENSORS...............................................................................................11
7.2. ARMORED OUTDOOR/INDUSTRIAL RBSX06 SENSORS ......................................................12
8. REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE........................................................................................13
8.1. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ..............................................................................13
8.2. Harmonized Commodity Description (HS Code).........................................................................13
8.3. Export Control Classification Number (ECCN).............................................................................13
9. CUSTOMER SUPPORT .........................................................................................................14
10. DISCLAIMERS...................................................................................................................14
11. LEGAL NOTICES ...............................................................................................................14
12. TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT .......................................................................................14

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1. QUICK START
To start using your sensor, simply go to:
https://console.radiobridge.com
From here you can register your device and immediately start receiving messages from the
sensor.
The sensor configuration, message monitoring, and setting up alerts is usually self-explanatory
through the user interface. For further explanations of any sensor features, you may refer to this
user guide
2. OVERVIEW
2.1. Sensor Overview
The wireless sensors designed and manufactured by Radio Bridge provide full sensor to cloud
solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The wireless ambient light sensor uses a
light sensor to detect lighting levels in a room. When the lighting level increases beyond or
drops below user defined thresholds, an alert is sent over the wireless network.
Features include:
•Built-in radio that talks directly with LoRaWAN wireless networks
•Two types of tamper detection: enclosure tamper and wall mount tamper
oEnclosure tamper detects if the packaging of the sensor itself is opened or broken
Available on the RBSx01, RBSx05, and RBSx06 sensors.
oWall mount tamper detects if the sensor has been removed from the wall or
mounting point. Available on the RBSx01 and RBSx05 sensors.
•200,000+ transmissions on a single battery and a 5-10 year battery life depending on usage.
See Battery section for more detail.
•Fully integrated internal antenna
•Over the air sensor configuration in the field
•Automatic low battery reporting and supervisory messages

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2.2. Revision History
Table 1 Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
1.0
April 2018
Initial release of the document
1.1
August 2018
Updated protocol definitions
1.2
October 2018
Regulatory and FCC
1.3
November 2018
Minute resolution for periodic reporting
1.4
March 2019
Add International Part Numbers
1.5
September 2019
Updated common sections
2.3. Document Conventions
Table 2 Document Conventions
Font / Icon
Meaning
Important notes
Warnings and cautions
2.4. Part Numbers
Table 3 Part Numbers
Part Number
Rating
Wireless
Region
RBS301-AL-US
Indoor
LoRaWAN
North America, South America
RBS301-AL-EU
Indoor
LoRaWAN
Europe
RBS301-AL-AU
Indoor
LoRaWAN
Australia, South America
RBS306-AL-US
Outdoor/Industrial
LoRaWAN
North America, South America
RBS306-AL-EU
Outdoor/Industrial
LoRaWAN
Europe

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3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
3.1. Absolute Maximum Ratings
Table 4 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter
Rating
Units
Operating ambient temperature
(indoor version)
-30 to +70
°C
Operating ambient temperature
(outdoor version)
-40 to +70
°C
Storage ambient temperature
-40 to +100
°C

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4. BATTERY LIFE
The sensor uses a lithium non-rechargeable battery and is capable of 200,000+ total messages
depending on the wireless standard and usage. For an accurate estimate of battery life, please
refer to the “Sensor Battery Estimator.xlsx” spreadsheet on the Radio Bridge website. This
spreadsheet combines usage information such as average number of messages per day and
estimates the battery life for a particular sensor.
The power required for a message transmission is much greater than the “sleep current” (the
power consumed when the sensor is inactive) for high power radio technologies such as
LoRaWAN. This means thatthe battery life for most sensors is primarily dependent on the number
of transmissions per day.
Different battery types will deplete over time with different voltage profiles. For instance, a
lithium battery will maintain a relatively high voltage for the life of the battery and then
experience a rapid drop near the end, whereas an alkaline battery will experience a more gradual
reduction in voltage over time. Radio Bridge sensors are shipped with lithium batteries, and these
are recommended when the battery needs to be eventually replaced.
Temperature also plays a role in battery life. The battery life estimates in the online spreadsheet
assume room temperature, but temperatures close to the maximum and minimum ratings will
have a negative impact on battery life. For example, battery voltage tends to be lower in cold
temperatures and the internal circuitry needs a certain minimum voltage to operate properly
before it will shut down. Thus, battery life will tend to be shorter when running the sensor in cold
environments.
The battery voltage is reported by the supervisory messages as well as a low battery indicator.
See the section on Message Protocol for more detail.
Refer to the spreadsheet “Sensor Battery Estimator.xlsx” on the Radio Bridge
website for specific battery life estimates.
Battery voltage will be lower in cold temperatures and thus battery life
will be reduced in cold environments.

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5. TEST MESSAGES
The sensor can be triggered to send test messages by placing a magnet next to the side of the
sensor. The location of the magnet is indicated by the triangular notch on the side of RBSx01
and RBSx05 sensors. RBSx04 sensors do not have this capability. There is a small magnetic Hall
effect sensor that will detect the presence of a magnet and send a message. This can be used for
diagnostic purposes to ensure the sensor is within range and connected to the network.
6. MESSAGE PROTOCOL
This section defines the protocol and message definitions for the sensor.
If the standard Radio Bridge console (console.radiobridge.com) is not used, refer to this section
to decode the sensor data and configure the sensor through downlink messages.
Radio Bridge provides a web-based console at console.radiobridge.com
to configure and monitor sensors. Usage of this console is highly
recommended for most customers rather than implementing the
protocols defined in this section.
6.1. Common Messages
There are common messages across all wireless sensors that are defined in the document
“Common Sensor Messages” which is available on the Radio Bridge website.
Common messages include basic error messages, tamper, supervisory, and downlink ack. It is
important to refer to that document prior to decoding the messages defined in this section.
Refer to the document “Common Sensor Messages” for definitions of all
common messages. Common messages are not defined in this document.

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6.2. Uplink Messages
The uplink message (sensor to web application) specific to the RBS101-AL is defined in
following table. The common uplink messages are not included in this section (see common
messages document).
Table 5 Uplink Message 0x0B: Ambient Light Event
Byte
Description
0
Ambient Light Event Payload (see Ambient Light Event
Payload Definitions)
1
Current ambient light measurement (scale 0-255)
The ambient light event is defined in the following table.
Table 6 Ambient Light Event Payload Definitions
Event Payload
Description
0x00
Periodic report
0x01
Ambient light has risen above upper threshold
0x02
Ambient light has fallen below lower threshold
0x03
Report on change increase
0x04
Report on change decrease
The current ambient light field in the ambient light event uplink message is the current
measurement on a scale of 0-255.
6.3. Downlink Messages
The downlink message (web application to sensor) specific to the RBS101-AL configuration is
defined in following table. The common downlink messages are not included in this section
(see common messages document).

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Table 7 Downlink Configuration Message 0x0B
Byte
Description
0
Mode: 0x00 for Threshold, or 0x01 for Report on Change
1-6
Defined by Mode (See Mode sections)
The mode byte selects one of two modes: threshold based alerts or report-on-change alerts.
The remainder of the payload (bytes 1-6) are determined by the mode selected and defined
in the next two sections.
6.3.1. Threshold Mode
Threshold mode is set when byte 0 of the payload is set to 0x00. The remainder of the
payload is defined in the following table.
Table 8 Downlink Configuration Message for Threshold Mode
Byte
Description
0
0x00 (Threshold mode)
1
Periodic reporting minute or hour intervals. Default is 0 (disabled)
2
Restoral margin (bits 3:0 only).
3
Lower ambient light threshold.
4
Upper ambient light threshold.
The upper and lower ambient light thresholds are unsigned values and should fall on the
scale 0-255.
The Restoral Margin is used for the upper and lower thresholds and requires the
ambient light value to cross back over the threshold a certain amount before a new
event is reported. This prevents excessive event messages if the ambient light is at or
near the threshold.
For example, consider an upper light threshold set at 100 and the restoral margin set at
5. If the ambient light initially exceeds 100 then an event is generated and a message is
sent to the network. The ambient light must now drop to 95 and then exceed 100
before another event is reported.

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The restoral margins are unsigned values (1-15) and if it is set to 0, the feature is
disabled.
Periodic reporting is described in the section Periodic Reports.
6.3.2. Report on Change Mode
Report on Change mode is set when byte 0 of the payload is set to 0x01. The remainder
of the payload is defined in the following table.
Table 9 Downlink Configuration Message for Report on Change Mode
Byte
Description
0
0x01 (Report on Change mode)
1
Periodic reporting in minute or hour intervals. Default is 0 (disabled)
2
Not used
3
Ambient light increase
4
Ambient light decrease
If the ambient light increase or decrease are non-zero, then the sensor will send an alert
any time the ambient light changes by the specified amount. For example, if the
ambient light increase and decrease are set to 5 (just a relative measurement, no units
on these values), then an alert is sent every time the ambient light changes by 5 from
the last report. The ambient light increase and decrease are unsigned values.
Periodic reporting is described in the section Periodic Reports.
6.3.3. Periodic Reports
The ambient light sensor can also send periodic updates, and this is defined in byte 1 of
both modes. A setting of 0 will disable periodic reporting. The period is defined in 1 hour
increments when the most significant bit is 0, and it is defined in 1 minute increments
when the most significant bit is 1 as shown in the following table.

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Table 10 Period Bye (byte 1) from Downlink Configuration Message
Bit 7
Bits 6:0
0
Period defined in hours (1-127 hours)
1
Period defined in minutes (1-127 minutes)
For example, to receive a report every 4 hours, byte 1 would be set to 0x04. To receive a
periodic report every 15 minutes, byte 1 would be set to 0x8f.
Note that prior to firmware version 1.3, only hourly reporting is available. The
firmware version can be found in the reset message and is logged on the Radio Bridge
console.
Periodic reporting is not recommended as it will increase data service
fees and significantly reduce battery life. Wherever possible, use
thresholds or report-on-change only.

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7. MECHANICAL DRAWINGS
The mechanical drawings provided in this section are for the main body of the sensor. All
dimensions are inches unless otherwise noted.
7.1. INDOOR RBSX01 SENSORS

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7.2. ARMORED OUTDOOR/INDUSTRIAL RBSX06 SENSORS

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8. REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE
8.1. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Per FCC 15.19(a)(3) and (a)(4) This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Per FCC 15.21, Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Radio Bridge could void
authority to operate the devices.
Sigfox RBS101, RBS104, and RBS105 sensors FCC ID: 2APNUSFM10R2
LoRaWAN RBS301, RBS304, and RBS305 sensors FCC ID: 2APNUCMABZ
LoRaWAN RBS306 sensors: This device contains FCC IAU792U13A16858
This device contains equipment certified under IC: 125A-0055
8.2. Harmonized Commodity Description (HS Code)
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as
“Harmonized System” or simply “HS” is a multipurpose international product nomenclature
developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
HS Code: 8531.90
8.3. Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
ECCNs are five character alpha-numeric designations used on the Commerce Control List (CCL)
to identify dual-use items for export control purposes. An ECCN categorizes items based on the
nature of the product, i.e. type of commodity, software, or technology and its respective
technical parameters.
ECCN: 5a992.c

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9. CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Radio Bridge offers free technical support at:
https://support.radiobridge.com
Radio Bridge also offers technical support plans and service packages to help our customers get
the most out of their Radio Bridge products.
10. DISCLAIMERS
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Radio Bridge. Radio Bridge provides this document “as is,” without
warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties
of fitness or merchantability for a particular purpose. Radio Bridge may make improvements
and/or changes in this manual or in the product(s) and/or the software described in this manual
at any time.
11. LEGAL NOTICES
See the Legal Notices section of the website for up to date information on Radio Bridge’s
warranty, returns policy, privacy statement, terms of sale, and terms of service.
12. TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT
Radio Bridge™, SubGig®, Armored Sensor™ and BridgeBee® are trademarks of Radio Bridge Inc in
the United States.
© 2019 Radio Bridge Inc. All rights reserved