Sutron XLink 500 Manual

XLink 2nd Generation
Models: XLink 500, XLink 100
Operations & Maintenance
Manual
Part No. 8800-1217 Rev 8.21.1
August 28, 2018

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Scope of Supply............................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1. Ordering Numbers ...................................................................................................................................8
2. General Safety Information........................................................................................................................... 11
3. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 12
3.1. XLink 500 ................................................................................................................................................13
3.2. XLink 100 ................................................................................................................................................14
3.3. Multi-function Button ............................................................................................................................15
3.4. Status LEDs .............................................................................................................................................15
3.5. RS-232 ....................................................................................................................................................15
3.6. USB Micro (OTG) ....................................................................................................................................16
3.7. USB Host.................................................................................................................................................16
3.8. XLINK-500 and XLINK-100 Left Terminal strip ........................................................................................17
3.9. XLINK-500 Right Terminal Strip ..............................................................................................................18
4. Installing XLink.............................................................................................................................................. 19
4.1. Attaching XLink 500 and 100..................................................................................................................19
4.2. Installing Option Cards ...........................................................................................................................20
4.3. Earth Ground Point ................................................................................................................................22
4.4. Connecting the Power Supply ................................................................................................................23
4.5. Connecting SDI-12 sensors.....................................................................................................................24
4.6. Connecting RS-485 Sensors....................................................................................................................25
4.7. Connecting Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge .................................................................................................25
4.8. Connecting Pulse Sensors ......................................................................................................................26
4.9. Connecting Frequency Sensors ..............................................................................................................27
4.10. Connecting 0-5V Analog Sensors ...........................................................................................................27
4.11. Connecting 4-20ma Analog Sensors.......................................................................................................28
4.12. Connecting Status Sensors .....................................................................................................................29
4.13. Connecting Potentiometer Sensors .......................................................................................................29

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 3
4.14. Connecting mV Sensors..........................................................................................................................30
4.15. Connecting Thermistors .........................................................................................................................30
4.16. Connecting Thermocouples ...................................................................................................................32
4.17. Connecting Strain Gauges ......................................................................................................................34
4.18. Programmable Excitation References ....................................................................................................34
4.19. Connecting Prop/Vane or Anemometer/Vane Wind Sensors................................................................34
4.20. Connecting Lufft Wind Sensors ..............................................................................................................36
4.21. Connecting Digital Outputs ....................................................................................................................36
4.22. Connecting Samplers Triggered by Stage...............................................................................................36
4.23. Connecting to the Switched Power ........................................................................................................37
4.24. Connecting Protected Power .................................................................................................................37
4.25. Connecting External Modems ................................................................................................................37
4.26. Connecting External Cell Modems .........................................................................................................38
5. Installing and Running LinkComm ................................................................................................................. 40
5.1. Installing the LinkComm mobile app......................................................................................................40
5.2. Installing the PC version of LinkComm ...................................................................................................40
5.3. Stations List View ...................................................................................................................................40
5.4. Main Menu.............................................................................................................................................45
5.5. Station View ...........................................................................................................................................47
5.6. Dashboard Tab .......................................................................................................................................50
5.7. Measurements Tab ................................................................................................................................52
5.8. Data Tab .................................................................................................................................................53
5.9. Telemetry Tab ........................................................................................................................................54
5.10. Scripts Tab ..............................................................................................................................................55
5.11. Other Setup Tab .....................................................................................................................................56
5.12. Diagnostics Tab ......................................................................................................................................57
5.13. Password Menu......................................................................................................................................60
5.14. Quick Status Dialog ................................................................................................................................61

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 4
6. Operating XLink ............................................................................................................................................ 62
6.1. Creating a New Station in LinkComm.....................................................................................................62
6.2. Connecting to a station in Your Station List ...........................................................................................62
6.3. Importing Setups From Another User Or Station...................................................................................62
6.4. Testing Measurements...........................................................................................................................62
6.5. Examine Measurements.........................................................................................................................62
6.6. Examine Transmissions ..........................................................................................................................63
6.7. Examine Transmission Data ...................................................................................................................63
6.8. Entering Manual Data ............................................................................................................................63
6.9. Calibrating Sensors.................................................................................................................................63
6.10. Configuring SDI-12 Sensors ....................................................................................................................63
6.11. Downloading Log Data ...........................................................................................................................63
6.12. Viewing/Clearing the Status...................................................................................................................64
6.13. Software Version....................................................................................................................................64
6.14. Setting Time ...........................................................................................................................................64
6.15. USB Thumb Drive (Flash Drive) Operation .............................................................................................65
7. Security......................................................................................................................................................... 67
7.1. Steps to Take to Protect your Station ....................................................................................................67
7.2. Password Protection ..............................................................................................................................67
8. Setup ............................................................................................................................................................ 70
9. Measurement Setup ..................................................................................................................................... 71
9.1. Sensor Setup ..........................................................................................................................................71
9.2. Schedule .................................................................................................................................................74
9.3. Configuration Settings............................................................................................................................77
9.4. Processing Settings.................................................................................................................................92
9.5. Alarm Settings ........................................................................................................................................95
9.6. Alarm Computation Details....................................................................................................................97
9.7. Logging Settings .....................................................................................................................................98
9.8. Transmission Data Content Settings ......................................................................................................99

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 5
9.9. Measurement Setup Defaults ..............................................................................................................101
9.10. Measurement Calibration ....................................................................................................................101
9.11. Multiple Measurements Using the Same Sensor .................................................................................101
10. Telemetry Setup ......................................................................................................................................... 103
10.2. Cell Setup .............................................................................................................................................105
10.3. Iridium Setup........................................................................................................................................109
10.4. Additional Telemetry Settings..............................................................................................................111
10.5. Telemetry Status ..................................................................................................................................113
11. Other Setup ................................................................................................................................................ 115
11.1. Wi-Fi .....................................................................................................................................................115
11.2. Log Daily Values ...................................................................................................................................116
11.3. Digital Output.......................................................................................................................................116
11.4. Cutoff ...................................................................................................................................................118
11.5. Iridium ..................................................................................................................................................118
11.6. Cell........................................................................................................................................................118
11.7. Log Download Format ..........................................................................................................................118
11.8. Modbus ................................................................................................................................................122
12. Telemetry ................................................................................................................................................... 123
12.1. Iridium Telemetry.................................................................................................................................123
12.2. Cellular Telemetry ................................................................................................................................126
12.3. Missing Data Retrieval..........................................................................................................................130
12.4. Retransmissions ...................................................................................................................................132
13. Logging ....................................................................................................................................................... 134
13.1. Downloading the Log ...........................................................................................................................134
13.2. Log Events ............................................................................................................................................135
13.3. Logged Time .........................................................................................................................................135
14. Errors .......................................................................................................................................................... 136
14.1. Clearing Errors......................................................................................................................................136
14.2. Measurement Errors ............................................................................................................................136

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 6
14.3. System Errors .......................................................................................................................................137
15. Transmission Data Formats......................................................................................................................... 139
15.1. Pseudobinary B Data Format ...............................................................................................................139
15.2. Pseudobinary C Data Format ...............................................................................................................141
15.3. Pseudobinary D Data Format ...............................................................................................................143
15.4. Six Bit Binary Encoded Format .............................................................................................................145
15.5. Pseudobinary over SMS .......................................................................................................................146
15.6. SHEF and SHEFFIX Data Format............................................................................................................146
15.7. Sutron Standard CSV ............................................................................................................................148
15.8. MIS .......................................................................................................................................................148
15.9. ASCII Column ........................................................................................................................................149
15.10. ASCII Sensor .........................................................................................................................................149
15.11. TCP/IP Session ......................................................................................................................................151
15.12. Iridium Telemetry Header ....................................................................................................................152
16. Command Line Interface............................................................................................................................. 155
16.1. Why Use Command Line? ....................................................................................................................155
16.2. About the Command Line Interface.....................................................................................................155
16.3. Status....................................................................................................................................................156
16.4. Setup ....................................................................................................................................................156
16.5. Measurements .....................................................................................................................................157
16.6. Recording .............................................................................................................................................158
16.7. Downloading the Log ...........................................................................................................................158
16.8. Machine-to-Machine Communication .................................................................................................159
16.9. Command Reference............................................................................................................................159
17.More about SDI-12...................................................................................................................................... 165
17.1. Overview ..............................................................................................................................................165
17.2. Wiring Guidelines .................................................................................................................................166
17.3. Connector.............................................................................................................................................166
17.4. Setup of SDI sensors.............................................................................................................................166

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 7
17.5. Useful SDI commands ..........................................................................................................................166
17.6. SDI Clock Synchronization ....................................................................................................................167
18. Modbus ...................................................................................................................................................... 168
18.2. Modbus Hardware Interface ................................................................................................................169
18.3. Modbus Setup ......................................................................................................................................170
18.4. Modbus Slave Function Codes .............................................................................................................173
18.5. Sutron Function Codes .........................................................................................................................175
19. Scripts ......................................................................................................................................................... 180
19.1. Measurements and Scripts...................................................................................................................180
19.2. Transmission Formatting and Scripts ...................................................................................................183
19.3. Script Tasks...........................................................................................................................................184
19.4. Scripts Management ............................................................................................................................186
20. Appendix A –Specifications ........................................................................................................................ 188
21. Appendix B –Sutron Customer Service Policy ............................................................................................. 190
22. Appendix C –Commercial Warranty ........................................................................................................... 191
22.1. Sutron Manufactured Equipment ........................................................................................................191
22.2. Non-Sutron Manufactured Equipment ................................................................................................191
22.3. Repair and Return Policy ......................................................................................................................192
23. Appendix E –Approvals and Certifications.................................................................................................. 193
23.1. CE .........................................................................................................................................................193
23.2. Wi-Fi Module........................................................................................................................................194
23.3. IRIDIUM ................................................................................................................................................195
23.4. Cellular Compliance Information .........................................................................................................196
23.1. Notice ...................................................................................................................................................197
24. Appendix F - SIM Card Installation and Removal Instructions ..................................................................... 198

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 8
1. Scope of Supply
XLink 100
Site controller with the ability to collect, record, and transmit sensor data.
Includes the following:
Power supply connection
Earth ground connection
Solar panel connection
RS-485 port
One isolated switching power supply
Two digital inputs
One switched open collector output
SDI-12 port for connecting to sensors
USB host for thumb drives
USB device for connecting to a PC
RS-232 port
Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting to LinkComm
One million reading log capacity
Two status LEDs
One multifunction button with LED
One option port for connecting to optional modems
 Optional cellular modem
 Optional Iridium modem
1 quick start guide
XLink 500
Provides all the features of XLink 100, plus the following:
Two 0-5V analog inputs
Two differential analog inputs
One 4-20mA analog input
Two switching 2.5V reference voltage outputs
One isolated non-switching power supply
1.1. Ordering Numbers
Part #
Description
Basic (Logger only)
XLINK100-1
XLINK 100 no modem
XLINK100-1E
XLINK 100 no modem, NEMA 4-box
XLINK500-1
XLINK 500 no modem
XLINK500-1E
XLINK 500 no modem, NEMA 4-box

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 9
Global HSPA
XLINK100-C5-1
XLINK 100, HSPA
XLINK100-C5-1C
XLINK 100, HSPA, NEMA-4 box, internal antenna
XLINK100-C5-1E
XLINK 100, HSPA, NEMA-4 box, external antenna
XLINK500-C5-1
XLINK 500, HSPA
XLINK500-C5-1C
XLINK 500, HSPA, NEMA-4 box, internal antenna
XLINK500-C5-1E
XLINK 500, HSPA, NEMA-4 box, external antenna
Verizon LTE
XLINK100-C1-1
XLINK 100, Verizon LTE
XLINK100-C1-1C
XLINK 100, Verizon LTE, NEMA-4 box, internal antenna
XLINK100-C1-1E
XLINK 100, Verizon LTE, NEMA-4 box, external antenna
XLINK500-C1-1
XLINK 500, Verizon LTE
XLINK500-C1-1C
XLINK 500, Verizon LTE, NEMA-4 box, internal antenna
XLINK500-C1-1E
XLINK 500, Verizon LTE, NEMA-4 box, external antenna
Iridium
XLINK100-IR-1
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM
XLINK100-IR-1C
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM, NEMA-4 box,
internal antenna
XLINK100-IR-1E
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM, NEMA-4 box,
external antenna
XLINK500-IR-1
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM
XLINK500-IR-1C
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM, NEMA-4 box,
internal antenna
XLINK500-IR-1E
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM, NEMA-4 box,
external antenna
Iridium DOD (Restricted)
XLINK100-IRD-1
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM DOD
XLINK100-IRD-1C
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM DOD, NEMA-4 box,
internal antenna
XLINK100-IRD-1E
XLINK 100, IRIDIUM DOD, NEMA-4 box,
external antenna
XLINK500-IRD-1
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM DOD
XLINK500-IRD-1C
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM DOD, NEMA-4 box,
internal antenna
XLINK500-IRD-1E
XLINK 500, IRIDIUM DOD, NEMA-4 box,
external antenna
PLUGGABLE OPTIONS CARDS
IRIDIUM-MOD-1
Iridium telemetry pluggable modem card
IRIDIUM-MOD-1D
Iridium DOD (restricted) telemetry pluggable modem card
CELLULAR-MOD-1
Verizon LTE telemetry pluggable modem card

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 10
CELLULAR-MOD-5
HSPA telemetry pluggable modem card
OTHER
8111-1113-1
Externally mounted RF coaxial lightning arrestor to be used on a NEMA-4
enclosure variant (3 ft type N male –N male cable included)

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 11
2. General Safety Information
Read this manual before using product for the first time. Become familiar with the
installation and operation of the unit and its accessories.
Make sure that the unit is protected against moisture (NEMA 4, IP 66 or better).
Operate only with approved antenna connected.
Protect the line of the battery supply voltage with a safety fuse (10A/fast).
Before connecting the power supply, check that all wires are properly attached to the
screw terminal strips.
Do not open unit. There are no user serviceable parts inside.
Have a defective unit checked and repaired by the Sutron repair center. Do not attempt
to repair units yourself.
Symbol
Description
Direct current.
Protective earth ground. Connect to an earth ground electrode for lightning
protection of internal components.
Digital ground. Attach digital sensor ground to this terminal. Batteries and solar
panel negative terminals are also connected to this terminal.
Signal ground. Attach analog sensor ground to this terminal.
Chassis ground.
Shock hazard.
Do not dispose in trash.

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 12
3. Introduction
Sutron’s XLink products are site controllers with optional built-in modems. These products are
designed to collect, store, and transmit sensor data. The devices have been designed for
hydrometry, meteorology, and environmental monitoring. Two models are available: XLink 500
and XLink 100.
XLink can:
Make measurements from sensors monitoring the environment
Perform special calculations
Record data into non-volatile memory
Transmit data to automated receiving systems.
XLink offers several means of telemetry:
Cellular modem (different models available suitable to the region)
Iridium modem
This family of XLink products builds upon its predecessors. New enhancements:
Expanded measurements from 16 to 32
Improved analog accuracy & additional channels (XLink 500 only)
Python programming (XLink 500 only)
Interchangeable modems
Expanded log from 120,000 to 1,000,000 readings, expandable to 1,000,000,000
readings (32 GB) via internal SDHC card

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 13
3.1. XLink 500
The figure below shows the connections provided by the XLink 500:
Power/Battery
Status LED
USB to PC
Option Card
Slot
RS232 to PC
Wi-Fi button
1 terminal block
Earth Ground
SPI/I2C expansion
port
USB Host
Micro SD slot
Solar Panel input
1 terminal block

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 14
3.2. XLink 100
The figure below shows the connections provided by the XLink 100.
Power/Battery
Status LED
USB to PC
Option Card
Slot
RS232 to PC
Wi-Fi button
Earth Ground
SPI/I2C expansion
port
USB Host
1 terminal block

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 15
3.3. Multi-function Button
There is a multi-function button installed on the front.
Briefly pressing this button will turn on the Wi-Fi.
The multi-function button may be used to reboot the unit. If the button is held down for
5 seconds, the red LED will come on. Keep holding the button until the red LED turns off
in order to reboot.
3.4. Status LEDs
The status LEDs give information on how the unit is operating. The LED are multi-colored. The
following table describes the different colors and states of the LED.
Description
Left/Top LED
Right/Bottom LED
Button
Unit is operating
properly
Green blink every 5
seconds
Unit has a Setup or
operating error
Red blink every 3
seconds
Multi-function
button pressed
Fast flashing blue
Wi-Fi turned on but
no one connected
Blue blink every 3
sec
Active Wi-Fi
Connection
Solid Blue
Transmitting
Solid Blue
Power Fail
Imminent
Red flash 9Hz
Unit is in Test
mode
Green blink every
second
Red blink every
second
3.5. RS-232
The RS-232 connection is a standard DB9-F connection for serial communications to a PC or other
device. The RS-232 port has a default baud rate of 9,600 (No parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, HW
flow control) but other baud rates are supported.
DTR must be asserted to talk to the unit via RS-232.
Please note that the unit will NOT go into low power mode if DTR is asserted.
The RS-232 port may be used for connecting to a PC for setup, maintenance, and
troubleshooting. However, the micro USB port provides higher throughput and is the
recommended communication method.
The port may also be used for collecting data from Modbus sensors.

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 16
Python scripts may use the RS232 port in order to drive displays, send data to modems, or
communicate with other devices.
3.6. USB Micro (OTG)
The USB OTG port is the primary port for connecting to a PC. The USB port is a micro-B and
compatible with a standard micro-B to Type A male USB cable that works with most PC’s. The
primary use of the connection is to allow the PC to setup, maintain and troubleshoot the unit.
The PC will typically run LinkComm software to configure the unit.
3.7. USB Host
The USB Host connection provides a simple way to download sensor data or update the firmware
in the unit using a USB flash drive (aka USB thumb drive). Plugging in a flash drive will
automatically download all logged data since the last download and store the log on the flash
drive. It will also store station setup and status on the flash drive.
It is possible to change station setup, upgrade firmware, and execute a batch file via a flash drive.
Please see section USB THUMB DRIVE for details.

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 17
3.8. XLINK-500 and XLINK-100 Left Terminal strip
XLINK-500 has two terminal strips to provide the connections for sensors and outputs. XLINK-100
has only one terminal strip on left side.
The table below describes the purpose of each connection on the left terminal strip for XLINK-
500 and XLINK-100
Description
Note
1
GND
Main Battery/Power Ground
2
9-20VDC
Main Battery/Power
3
GND
Solar panel -
4
+ Solar (20 W max)
Solar Panel +
5
RS485 A
SDI-12 over RS-485, Modbus over RS-485
6
RS485 B
SDI-12 over RS-485, Modbus over RS-485
7
Ground
Ground
8
+SW POWER
Switched Main Power (9-20VDC) (turned on
during warm-up and analog sensor
measurement)
9
Ground
Ground
10
WS/DIG IN 1
Wind Speed or Digital Input 1
11
Ground
Ground for sensor
12
TB/DIG IN 2
Tipping Bucket or Digital Input 2
13
DOUT
Digital Output (open collector, turned on
manually, with alarms, or via equations)
14
Ground
Ground
15
SDI-12 PWR
Isolated Main Power (9-20VDC) to SDI-12
sensors (500 ma max)
16
SDI-12 DATA
SDI-12 Data

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 18
3.9. XLINK-500 Right Terminal Strip
The table below describes the purpose of each connection on the right terminal strip on XLINK-
500. No connections except for Earth Ground are available on XLINK-100
Description
Note
32
Analog Ground
Analog ground
31
0-5V A
Voltage input for sensors with 0-5V output
30
Analog Ground
Analog ground
29
0-5V B
Voltage input for sensors with 0-5V output
28
Diff C+
Differential voltage input for bridge type sensors
27
Diff C-
Differential voltage input for bridge type sensors
26
Analog Ground
Analog ground
25
VREF
2.5V output (turned on during warm-up and analog
sensor measurement)
24
Diff D+
Differential voltage input for bridge type sensors
23
Diff D-
Differential voltage input for bridge type sensors
22
Analog Ground
Analog ground
21
VREF
2.5V output (turned on during warm-up and analog
sensor measurement)
20
4-20mA
4-20mA input
19
GND
18
PROT +12V
Isolated main power, 0.75
17
GND
Earth Ground
Attach via a heavy gauge (4 to 10 AWG) wire to
earth ground rod driven 6 feet into earth.

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 19
4. Installing XLink
4.1. Attaching XLink 500 and 100
Requirements of the intended installation site are:
Sufficient protection from moisture for an IP 41 device.
Proper space for the electrical cables
Temperature range -40C to +70C.
Space for installation using the mounting ears
Earth ground point
Closed control cabinet or fire protection cabinet if the power supply is not a low power
source 12-20VDC.
The dimensions are shown in inches in the figure below along with the locations of the mounting
ears.

XLINK 500/100 Operations & Maintenance Manual page # 20
4.2. Installing Option Cards
An XLink may be ordered with either a Cell or Iridium card from the factory which will be
preinstalled into the unit. If you choose to change the card in your unit, you will need to do the
following.
The image below shows the option card.
1. Remove power from the unit and disconnect USB cable.
2. Remove the 2 screws holding the option card in place.
3. Note that CELLULAR cards may need a SIM card installed on the modem before you install
the card. You will also need the IMEI number on the modem to activate your data plan.
Duplicate stickers containing the IMEI number are sent for you to attach to the outside of
the unit for future.