Radio Bridge RBS306-US10M-US User manual

Wireless Ultrasonic Level Sensor
User Guide
VERSION 1.5
SEPTEMBER 2019

WIRELESS ULTRASONIC LEVEL 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. MOUNTING......................................................................................................................... 4
5. BATTERY LIFE....................................................................................................................... 5
6. TEST MESSAGES .................................................................................................................. 6
7. MESSAGE PROTOCOL .......................................................................................................... 6
7.1. Common Messages.....................................................................................................................6
7.2. Uplink Messages ........................................................................................................................7
7.3. Downlink Messages....................................................................................................................8
7.3.1. Threshold Mode..................................................................................................................8
7.3.2. Report on Change Mode......................................................................................................9
7.3.3. Hold Time .........................................................................................................................10
7.3.4. Periodic Reports................................................................................................................11
8. MECHANICAL DRAWINGS...................................................................................................12
8.1. ARMORED OUTDOOR/INDUSTRIAL RBSX06 SENSORS ......................................................12
9. REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE........................................................................................14
9.1. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ..............................................................................14
9.2. Harmonized Commodity Description (HS Code).........................................................................14
9.3. Export Control Classification Number (ECCN).............................................................................14
10. CUSTOMER SUPPORT ......................................................................................................15
11. DISCLAIMERS...................................................................................................................15
12. LEGAL NOTICES ...............................................................................................................15
13. TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHT .......................................................................................15

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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 ultrasonic level sensor provides high
accuracy ultrasonic proximity detection and ranging in air. If the measured distance rises
above or falls below the configured 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
February 2019
Initial release of the document
1.1
March 2019
Add International Part Numbers
1.2
May 2019
Updated mechanical drawings
1.3
July 2019
Replaced 5 meter product with 10 meter
1.4
August 2019
Added hold time feature, mounting instructions,
and updated mechanical drawings
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
RBS306-US10M-US
Outdoor/Industrial
LoRaWAN
North America, South America
RBS306-US10M-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
-40 to +70
°C
Storage ambient temperature
-40 to +100
°C
4. MOUNTING
The ultrasonic sensor can measure distances between 500mm to 10m and the sensor must
be mounted such that the required distances are within that range. Distances outside of that
range will result in incorrect measurements. This includes distances that are too close (less
than 500mm) as well as too far (greater than 10m).
The sensor must also be mounted such that it is perpendicular to a flat surface. Mounting the
sensor at an angle to the surface or using a surface that is not flat may result in incorrect
measurements. Flat surfaces also include the surface of a liquid.
The ultrasonic sensor must be mounted perpendicular to a flat surface
and at a distance between 500mm and 10m

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5. 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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6. 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.
7. 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.
7.1. 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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7.2. Uplink Messages
The uplink message (sensor to web application) specific to the sensor is defined in following
table. The common uplink messages are not included in this section (see common messages
document).
Table 5 Uplink Message 0x10: Ultrasonic Level Detection Event
Byte
Description
0
Ultrasonic Level Event Payload (see Ultrasonic Level Event
Payload Definitions)
1
Current distance in millimeters, upper byte (0-9999)
2
Current distance in millimeters, lower byte
The distance can range between 0-9999 millimeters, so two bytes are needed to represent
the distance. For example, if a distance is 642mm, it would be reported as 0x02 and 0x82 in
bytes 1 and 2 respectively.
The ultrasonic level event is defined in the following table.
Table 6 Ultrasonic Level Event Payload Definitions
Event Payload
Description
0x00
Periodic report
0x01
Distance has risen above upper threshold
0x02
Distance has fallen below lower threshold
0x03
Report on change increase
0x04
Report on change decrease

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The current distance field in the ultrasonic level event uplink message is the current distance
measurement in millimeters with a range of 0-9999 (0-10 meters). The distance is
automatically calibrated by the device.
7.3. Downlink Messages
The downlink message (web application to sensor) specific to the sensor configuration is
defined in following table. The common downlink messages are not included in this section
(see common messages document).
Table 7 Downlink Configuration Message 0x10
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.
7.3.1. 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.
Byte
Description
0
0x00 (Threshold mode)
1
Periodic reporting in 1 minute or 1 hour intervals. Default is 0 (disabled)
2
Hold time in 1 second or 1 minute intervals
3
Lower distance threshold in mm, upper byte. Default 100mm
4
Lower distance threshold in mm, lower byte

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Table 8
Downlink
Configuration
Message for
Threshold
Mode
The upper and lower distance thresholds are unsigned values with units of one
millimeter. Note that if the configuration settings exceed the maximum ratings on the
sensor, the sensor may not report an event.
Periodic reporting and hold time are described in the sections below.
7.3.2. 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 1 minute or 1 hour intervals. Default is 0 (disabled)
2
Hold time in 1 second or 1 minute intervals
3
Distance increase in mm, upper byte
4
Distance increase, lower byte
5
Distance decrease in mm, upper byte
6
Distance decrease in mm, lower byte
If the distance increase or decrease are non-zero, then the sensor will send an alert any
time the distance changes by the specified amount. For example, if the distance
increase and decrease are set to 5mm, then an alert is sent every time the distance
5
Upper distance threshold in mm, upper byte. Default 1,000mm
6
Upper distance threshold in mm, lower byte