Ranch systems Rs210 User manual

RS210 Wireless Networking Node

Reference Manual

April 2011

Rev. 1.7

CONTENTS

Warranty Coverage................................................................................................................................2

CHANGE L G.......................................................................................................................................3

.............................................................................................................................................................3

AB UT THIS GUIDE AND THER RES URCES................................................................................4

SYSTEM C MP NENTS.....................................................................................................................6

INSTALLING AN RS210 N DE.............................................................................................................9

P WER-UP.........................................................................................................................................10

EXTERNAL C NNECTI NS..............................................................................................................11

C NFIGURING THE RS210...............................................................................................................13

Sensor Configuration......................................................................................................................13

Mesh Node Configuration................................................................................................................13

C MMAND LINE C NTR L..............................................................................................................14

Command Line Instances................................................................................................................14

Using the Command Line ...............................................................................................................15

Command Reference......................................................................................................................15

FIRMWARE UPGRADES....................................................................................................................29

FURTHER HELP.................................................................................................................................30

Warranty Coverage.

Ranch Systems' warranty obligations are limited to the terms set forth below: Ranch Systems LLC ("RS") warrants

hardware products manufactured and sold by RS against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of WO (2)

YEARS from the date of original purchase. If a defect exists, at its option RS will (1) repair the product at no charge, (2)

exchange the product with a new product that is at least functionally equivalent to the original product, or (3) refund the

purchase price of the product. A replacement product/part assumes the remaining warranty of the original product or ninety

(90) days from the date of replacement or repair, whichever provides longer coverage. When a product or part is exchanged,

any replacement item becomes customer's property and the replaced item becomes RS's property. When a refund is given,

the defect product becomes RS's property.

It is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the Customer to determine the suitability of any and all products for the

Customer’s use. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF RANCH SYSTEMS BEYOND

THE WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION ABOVE. THIS EXCL SION MEANS THERE IS NO

IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND NO IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR ANY

PARTIC LAR P RPOSE. THIS EXCL SION ALSO MEANS THAT RANCH SYSTEMS GRANTS NO

IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING BY SAGE OF TRADE, CO RSE OF DEALING OR CO RSE OF

PERFORMANCE, AND NONE SHALL ARISE O T OF ANY SALE NDER THIS AGREEMENT OR O T OF

EITHER PARTIES' COND CT.

Obtaining Warranty Service.

o obtain warranty service Customer must deliver the product to the nearest wholly-owned Ranch Systems facility at

Customer's expense. Ranch Systems will return repaired product at Ranch Systems' expense by common carrier – such as

UPS or Fedex - to any return address within the United States as directed by customer. For return service outside the United

States, customer is responsible for costs in excess of the common carrier cost to ship to nearest major city inside the United

States.

Limited Liability.

Ranch Systems shall not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including, without limitation,

damages or harm to business, lost profits or lost revenues (however arising, including negligence), whether or not Ranch

Systems has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Ranch Systems shall not be liable for any damage that

Customer may suffer arising out of the use, or inability to use, the services or products provided hereunder. he liability of

Ranch Systems for any claim by any party arising out of or in connection with the services or products provided hereunder

shall not exceed the amount paid to Ranch Systems by Customer with respect to the sale of the specific product or services

cited in such claim. Customer shall indemnify and hold Ranch Systems harmless from and against any and all liabilities,

losses, damages, costs, expenses awarded against Customer in connection with any third party claim, action, or right of

action, at law or in equity, arising out of bodily injury, property damage, or any other damage or injury caused by

Customers use of the Ranch Systems Solution.

CHANGE LOG

Date Version Changes

2007-2009 1.0-1.3 Initial versions (RS200) without change log

09/01/09 1.4 Added change log. New RS210 model year.

03/24/10 1.5 Updates for new IP65 enclosure

02/01/11 1.6 Revised firmware update instructions (using RanchMgr)

04/19/11 1.7 Revised relay command (multi-relay syntax and RL200 support)

ABOUT THIS GUI E AN OTHER RESOURCES

This guide is intended as a technical reference manual for advanced uses of the RS210 wireless

networking node. It covers internal technical details typically needed when performing advanced

installation, troubleshooting or customer integration projects. It is written by engineers for engineers.

This document is N T intended or required reading for the end-users of a RanchMaster solution.

ther resources include:

✔The RanchMaster Installation Guide. This document describes the steps necessary to install a

RanchMaster system, including RS210 nodes.

✔Ranch Systems Internet Software: Getting Started Guide. This documents covers the basics of

using the Ranch Systems Internet software, and is the natural complement to the Installation

Guide.

✔n-line software help – each page in the on-line software contains help information right on the

page, indicated by the help icon ( ). Note, that these are typically beneath the visible area –

so you may need to scroll down to see them.

✔Ranch Systems staff – we are available to respond to your questions directly as time permits.

The best way to reach us and be sure of a comprehensive reply is to use email:

support @ranchsystems.com .

“There are 10 types of people in the World:

Those who nderstand binary, and those who don't.”

- Anonymous

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The following is a list of typical, compatible components in the RanchMaster family of products:

Weather Station A package of a Base Station and the most common weather

sensors.

Base Station A triple band wireless networking node. This is the main online link

for all nodes.

RM200 3 Analog Sensor Ports, 2 Digital Counting Ports, 1 Digital BUS

Port, 4 Relay Ports ( ptional).

RM210 4 Analog Sensor Ports, 2 Digital Counting Ports, 2 Serial Ports.

Expansion slot for either 4-way relay/valve controller or 2-way

DVR/RanchCam interface.

Wireless Node A two-way communications node

RS200 4 Analog Sensor Ports, 1 Digital BUS Port, 1 RS485 Serial Port, 3

Relay Ports ( ptional)

RS210 5 Analog Sensor Ports, 2 of which are digital capable, 2 Serial

Ports, 3 Relay Ports (PR version).

RSRF Node Transmit only node.

RS100 2 ports capable of simple analog or digital sensors.

Digital Temperature

Sensor Connects to a Digital BUS Port

NTC-based

Temperature Sensor

Connects to an Analog Sensor Port

Relative Humidity

Sensor Connects to an Analog Sensor Port

Wind Speed and

Direction Sensors Connects to a WSD Port, or two Analog Sensor Ports

Rain Gauge

Connects to a Digital Counter Port

OVERVIEW OF THE RS210 NO E

The RS210 is the latest in several generations of RanchMaster wireless networking nodes from Ranch

Systems LLC. The following diagram describes the overall architecture of a RanchMaster system, and

how the the RS210 fits in:

The RS210 nodes are seen on the left side and act as the “front line” in a RanchMaster system,

collecting data from sensors and controlling equipment such as irrigation valves.

More specifically an RS210 can perform the following functions:

1. It can collect data from 5 analog/digital ports, supporting a wide variety of sensors for

measure like temperature, RH, wind, rain, soil, water flow and pressure and many others.

2. It can communicate with advanced sensor equipment, such as multi-level soil probes, via the

RS-232 or RS-485 ports.

3. It can control irrigation valves via built-in 9V DC latching solenoid drivers. It can also control

any other equipment that can be controlled via low-voltage control signal (relay function),

such as a pump starter.

4. It communicates regularly with a base station, which acts as its gateway to the central server.

5. It provides a command-line interface via its RS-232 port, providing for convenient in-field

diagnostic and configuration.

6. It is capable of serving real-time Internet connections all the way back to the central server,

uniquely enabling remote access to its command line from a computer terminal anywhere.

7. Its built-in firmware is fully upgradeable in the field via RS-232, or via the base station from

the central server.

8. It provides for its own power via an integrated solar panel and built-in software configurable

solar charge controller

INSTALLING AN RS210 NO E

The mounting bracket provided with RS210 has an integral 3/4” metal conduit compression fitting, and

enables convenient low-cost installation using local materials, since 10 foot 3/4” galvanized conduit is

widely available.

In some situation, such as orchards, the node may need to be elevated higher than 10 feet, in which

case setting a 2” steel post in concrete is recommended, and a short piece of 3/4” conduit can then

easily be attached at the top with metal bands and support the RS210 node.

A detailed explanation of RS210 installation can be found in the RanchMaster Installation Guide.

Below are some images of typical installations.

Ill stration 1: RS210 monitoring a p mp

Illustration 2: Fleet of RS210 nodes on 10 foot

conduit attached to line posts

Illustration 4: RS200 node acting as

wireless valve controller Illustration 3: RS200 monitoring a

filter station

POWER-UP

The RS210 ships integrated with a bracket that holds the solar panel. The solar panel plug also acts

as a battery switch. This means that the unit is always off when the solar panel is disconnected, and

always on when the solar panel is connected – irrespective of whether there is sun on the panel or

not.

If you have ordered the wall charger, and you do not plan to deploy the RS210 immediately, it is a

good idea to start by plugging in the wall charger at this point and charging the node for 24 hours.

Alternatively, you may insert the solar panel immediately, which will prompt the RS210 to boot. In this

case make sure that the node is placed outside with the solar panel facing South within reasonable

time. The node can run several days, possibly weeks, without sun.

If you are a reseller or EM customer you might find it handy for bench/lab use to have a special

power plug, which only contains the necessary short for RS210 nodes to start. To obtain, please

contact Ranch Systems directly.

If you received a system of RM210 and RS210 nodes pre-configured, there is little you need to do to

complete the installation except place the nodes and sensors in the field. As soon as the nodes are

on, they will be picked up by a correctly configured base station within 10-15 minutes.

EXTERNAL CONNECTIONS

You will find the following connectors on the bottom off your RS210 node:

Ill stration 5: RS210 Connectors

The ports are numbered from the lower left corner in the picture (Port 1). Port 2 is immediately above

Port 1, and Port 3 is bottom-most in second column, etc. In the picture above, the relay/valve ports are

capped, since the model is an RS210-S. An RS210-PR would have relay ports in place of these

caps.

1. Sensor port 1

(analog/digital)

2. Sensor port 2

(analog/digital)

3. Sensor port 3

(analog/digital)

4. Sensor port 4

(analog/digital)

5. Sensor port 5

(digital/XBUS/RG)

6. Dual serial port (RS-232

and RS-485)

7. Relay 1 (RS210-PR

nodes only)

8. Relay 2 (RS210-PR

nodes only)

9. Relay 3 (RS210-PR

nodes only)

10. Solar/power port

The pin-out of these ports are as follows:

N TE: These are seen from the wire-side of the plugs that fit into the box. If you are looking at the

connectors on the box itself, these drawings show the configuration from the outside looking in.

Pinout Description Manufacturer and Part

Number for plugs

Solar Panel, AC Adapter.

Small Size for 1 Watt Supply, +V >= 12 VDC

Large Size for 10 Watt Supply, +V >= 14.4 VDC

Two GND Pins are connected in the plug to act as

the power switch

Conxall # 16282-2SG-315

Analog Sensor, Digital Counter, Digital BUS

+V = 5.0 VDC

Analog Signal = 0 – 5 VDC

Counter Signal = 5 VDC Pulse

BUS Signal = 1-Wire® Bus

Conxall # 16282-3PG-315

Relays

Power utput: 1 = +V ; 2 = GND

DC Latching : 1 = -V ; 2 = +V

Switch N. . : 1,2 = Contact Closure

Conxall # 16282-2SG-315

RS485 Serial (only available on RS210 as adapter cable

into 8 pin dual serial port)

+V = 9.0 VDC

Conxall # 6282-4PG-3DC

RS232 Serial (only available on RS210 as adapter cable

into 8 pin dual serial port)

+V = 9.0 VDC

Conxall # 6282-6SG-3DC

RS485/RS232 Serial (RS210 nodes only)

+V = 9.0 VDC

Conxall # 6282-8SG-3DC

Power utput

+V = 12.0 VDC

Conxall # 16282-2PG-315

Plugs can be ordered from RanchSystems, or online from Digikey or Allied Electronics.

Note that the last 3 digits of Conxall numbers refer to cap style and grommet size, which may be substituted.

CONFIGURING THE RS210

The RS210 has a large number of configurable parameters that may be modified depending on the

tasks envisioned for the unit once deployed in the field.

While the RS210 ships from factory with default settings for most of these parameters, at least a few

will always need to be configured by the installer.

The complete list of configurations can be found in the description of the C NFIGSET command in

the command line chapter, however, below we review some of the most common types of settings and

when to use.

Sensor Configuration

The most common configuration type is sensor configuration. For each port on the RS210 a specific

sensor type may be configured. Before installation or when changing attached sensors, these settings

must be adjusted accordingly. Please refer to the description of the C NFIGSET P RT command in

the command line section.

For example, if an RS210 node is deployed with a temperature sensor in port 1 and RH sensor in port

2, these two commands will suffice:

configset port 1 25

configset port 2 91

Where 25 and 91 are the relevant sensor types (see C NFIGET P RT command).

Mesh Node Configuration

The second most common configuration is the mesh node configuration. This consists in pairing up

the settings of the base station and all the nodes coordinated by that base. n the RS210 nodes it is

important to set the ID of the base station using the “configset base xxx” command (see C NFIGSET

command line section). Conversely, the base station must be configured to talk to the nodes, using the

MESH command (see the RM210 reference manual).

For example, if an RS210 node is deployed with a base station with id 610, the following commands

will suffice:

configset base 610

reboot

Reboot is required for correct reconfiguration of built-in radio system.

COMMAN LINE CONTROL

The advanced user will appreciate the capability to communicate with the RS210 through its command

line shell, which is reminiscent of a Linux-style command shell.

The command line is most often use for configuration, but sometimes also for data monitoring and

debugging field issues.

For the maximum flexibility, the RS210 offers access to the command-line shell in several different

ways.

Command Line Instances

The RS210 units support the following distinct command line instances:

RS-232

This command line option consists of plugging a cable between a laptop/PC and the RS-232 serial

port (port 6), and using your favorite terminal software such as HyperTerminal.

Configure the terminal software to 9600 N 8 1 (hardware flow control optional), and power cycle the

RS210 nodes by removing and re-inserting solar panel plug. You will see a prompt to press the P key

for access the command line. If P is not pressed, the node continues to start up, and command line is

no longer available.

A special USB cable and adapter is available from Ranch System to make the connection.

RS- 85

This command line option is completely similar to RS-232, except it uses the RS-485 port in port 6 and

the terminal setting must be 4800 N 8 1.

A special USB cable and adapter is available from Ranch System to make the connection.

MESH NETWORKING

A command line instance is available over the 802.15 networking, which will enable you to talk to any

node in range, much like a base station would do . You will need a mesh network modem that plugs

into your laptop/PC via USB (contact Ranch Systems support).

You will need to setup special parameters in the Modem Configuration of the software provided with

modem. Specifically you will need to configure as follows:

1. Set the 802.15 modem DL parm to the RS210 unit ID (in hex), e.g. FA0 for 2000.

2. Set the MY parm to the id of the base (in hex), e.g. 262 for 610.

3. Set the CE parameter to 1 = "coordinator".

4. Set the SP parameter to 64 (hex).

5. Now type the “#” sign, followed by the base id (e.g. #610) and then CR.

6. You should then receive the command line prompt from the RS210 node.

BASE STATION

It is possible to conveniently use the base station to act as a modem to talk to all the nodes within

range. In this case you simply connect to the RM210 base station using any mechanism described in

the RM210 reference manual, and then use the C NNECT command to jump to any RS210 node of

choice.

For example, when logged into the base station with ID 610, you would type as follows:

connect 000

And shortly thereafter the prompt from RS210 unit 4000 would appear. nce done talking with the

node, you type QUIT and you will be back at the base station prompt.

ONLINE TERMINAL SERVER

Perhaps the most powerful and versatile instance of the command line is available via the Ranch

Systems Terminal Server Software. This software makes it possible to connect by command line to an

RM210 base station in real-time from a desktop anywhere in the World.

nce you are have accessed the RM210 command prompt via the terminal server, you can use the

C NNECT command described above to talk to individual nodes.

This option provides a very powerful tool for remote management of a Ranch Systems deployment.

Please see the RM210 reference manual for instruction on connecting via terminal server.

Using the Command Line

Immediately upon connection to a command line instance you will see the command line prompt, like

this:

You will notice that the prompt contains the unit ID.

At this point you may simply execute commands according the command reference.

To terminate the instance, type “quit”.

Command Reference

The following commands are available:

A C

Syntax: adc

Description: Reads and displays the current voltage from all ports equipped with an A/D converter.

For RS210, ports 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have A/D converters. Additionally, this command will

show internal battery voltage and temperature as A/D values.

Example: 1984>adc

Port 00, ADC ch17 = 2.35V (0788)

Port 01, ADC ch10 = 2.42V (07c1)

Port 02, ADC ch11 = 0.33V (0113)

Port 03, ADC ch12 = 0.26V (00db)

Port 04, ADC ch13 = 0.26V (00d7)

Port 05, ADC ch14 = 0.30V (00fa)

Port 06, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

Port 07, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

Port 08, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

Port 09, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

Port 10, ADC ch20 = 10.87V (03a5)

Port 11, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

Port 12, ADC ch00 = 0.00V (0000)

ASYNC

Syntax: async <portno>

Description: The async command applies voltage to specified port and prints the resulting data on

signal line interpreted as 1200 baud TTL asynchronous serial data.

This command is especially helpful for debugging the Decagon 5TE sensors, which use

this form of communication.

BATT

Syntax: batt

Description: Displays the voltage level of the internal battery, as well as the current current draw in

mA (milli-Ampere). A negative current draw means that the battery is currently being

charged.

N TE: Current measurement is a new feature as of 2010 model year.

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