RIOT GroPoint Profile 2625-N-T Series User manual

GroPoint™Profile Multi Segment
Soil Moisture & Temperature
Profiling Probe
Models 2625-N-T-x, 2625-N-x, and 3060-x
OPERATION MANUAL
1 December 2020
V1.1

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RIOT Technology Corp. | #220–10114 McDonald Park Rd | North Saanich V8L5X8, BC Canada | +1.250.412.6642
www.riotwireless.com | www.gropoint.com
All Rights Reserved ©2020, RIOT Technology Corp.
Table of Contents
Overview........................................................................................................................... 4
Technology (TDT) .............................................................................................................. 4
GroPoint™ Profile Model Variations...................................................................................... 5
Probe Technology .............................................................................................................. 6
Wiring Connections ............................................................................................................ 7
Reading Methods ............................................................................................................... 7
Sensor Start Up Time / Measurement Time .......................................................................... 7
Important Things to Note ................................................................................................ 7
Basic SDI-12 Command List ................................................................................................ 8
How it Works ................................................................................................................. 8
Basic SDI-12 Command List............................................................................................. 8
Understanding the Basic Commands .................................................................................... 8
Query Address Command: ?! ........................................................................................... 8
Acknowledge Active Command: a!.................................................................................... 9
Send Identification String Command: aI! .......................................................................... 9
Change Address Command: aAb! ..................................................................................... 9
Start Measurement Command: aM! or aM1! or aM2! .........................................................10
Start Concurrent Measurement Command: aC!.................................................................10
Send Data Command: aD0! or aD! ..................................................................................10
Extended SDI-12 Command List .........................................................................................11
Overview ......................................................................................................................11
Extended SDI-12 Command List......................................................................................12
Extended Command Descriptions .......................................................................................13
Sensor Board Power Control: aXSc! .................................................................................13
Read/Write Operating Mode Setting: aXMn! .....................................................................13
Read/Write Coefficient/Scale Factor Setting: aXCn!...........................................................13
Additional Product Information...........................................................................................18
Specifications ................................................................................................................18
Ratings .........................................................................................................................18
Appendix A: Probe Installation / Extraction..........................................................................19
Summary ......................................................................................................................19
Sensor Installation Guidelines .........................................................................................20

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Need Help? Email [e-mail] or visit www.gropoint.com/support
RIOT Technology Corp. | #220–10114 McDonald Park Rd | North Saanich V8L5X8, BC Canada | +1.250.412.6642
www.riotwireless.com | www.gropoint.com
All Rights Reserved ©2020, RIOT Technology Corp.
Slide Hammer and Pilot Rod Installation Method...............................................................21
Auger Installation Method...............................................................................................22
Excavation Installation Method........................................................................................22
Removing the Sensor from the Soil .................................................................................22
Appendix B: Soil Specific Calibration Process .......................................................................23
Introduction ..................................................................................................................23
Overview ......................................................................................................................23
Equipment Required.......................................................................................................24
Procedure .....................................................................................................................25
Entering Coefficients into the Probe.................................................................................29
Appendix C: Determining Volumetric Moisture Content (Weight Method –In Laboratory) ........31
Procedure Overview.......................................................................................................31
Equipment Required.......................................................................................................31
Soil Sampling Ring Requirements ....................................................................................31
Sampling Ring calculation...............................................................................................31
Sampling Method...........................................................................................................31
Example Calculation.......................................................................................................34
Appendix D: Modbus Programming Manual .........................................................................35
Modbus Command Functions ..........................................................................................35
Data Values...................................................................................................................37
GPLP Modbus Register Lists............................................................................................37
Detailed Description of Holding Registers......................................................................40
Coil Registers ................................................................................................................42
Discrete Inputs..............................................................................................................42
Appendix E: Accessories ....................................................................................................43
Certificate of Compliance EU/Declaration of Conformity........................................................44
About GroPoint™ ...................................................................................................................45

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Need Help? Email [e-mail] or visit www.gropoint.com/support
RIOT Technology Corp. | #220–10114 McDonald Park Rd | North Saanich V8L5X8, BC Canada | +1.250.412.6642
www.riotwireless.com | www.gropoint.com
All Rights Reserved ©2020, RIOT Technology Corp.
Overview
The highly accurate GroPoint™Lite Multi-Segment Soil Moisture and Temperature Profiling
Probe (GPLP) provides cost effective soil moisture measurement over several depths using a
single probe, eliminating the need for multiple sensors placed at different depths and cumber-
some installations. GPLP can be deployed in irrigation sensitive zones, to enable full control of
precision irrigation needs, providing an understanding of water movement through the soil. Pro-
filing moisture measurement is ideal in a multitude of agricultural applications including vine-
yards, row crops, and orchards as well as silviculture and research to better manage irrigation
practices, increase plant/crop quality and yield, and reduce fertilizer run-off.
The sleek light weight design installs quickly with minimal soil disruption using a pilot rod and
slide hammer tool. Designed for vertical installation, the sensor takes measurements over multi-
ple soil layers, with each measurement zone providing the average volumetric soil moisture con-
tent over a 15 cm (6 inch) zone. The probe is attached to a 3-meter (9.8’) cable. Soil tempera-
ture measurements are also available.
Technology (TDT)
GroPoint™sensors and probes use Time Domain Transmissometry (TDT) and patented tech-
nology as the basis for its measurement. The patented technology employs a unique antenna
design that enables extremely accurate and repeatable measurements while maintaining a
highly cost-efficient electronics and mechanical design. TDT measures the time taken for an
electromagnetic wave to propagate (travel) along a given length of a transmission line in the
soil. Moisture in the soil changes the soil’s dielectric properties, so that the electromagnetic
wave travels at different rates in wet soil compared to dry soil. This allows for the accurate de-
termination of the soil moisture content.
GroPoint™TDT⁵profiling probes detect water as much as 5 centimetres (2 inches) from the
surface of the probe fins although, like all dielectric based sensors, moisture closest to the sur-
face of the probe has more influence on the readings than moisture further away, so that soil
closely surrounding the sensor will have a greater influence on the soil moisture reading than
the soil further away.

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Need Help? Email [e-mail] or visit www.gropoint.com/support
RIOT Technology Corp. | #220–10114 McDonald Park Rd | North Saanich V8L5X8, BC Canada | +1.250.412.6642
www.riotwireless.com | www.gropoint.com
All Rights Reserved ©2020, RIOT Technology Corp.
GroPoint™ Profile Model Variations
The GroPoint™ Profile sensor can be ordered with and without temperature sensors. The in-
formation in this manual covers material for sensors with temperature sensors. If you have or-
dered sensors without temperature sensors, the commands applicable to the temperature sen-
sor readings will be inactive. Model numbers of sensors are as follows:
2
3
4
5
6
8