UniData Communication Systems Neon 2000 Series User manual

Manual
Neon 2000 Family
Neon Remote Terminals (NRT) &
Neon Remote Modules (NRM)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules in the U.S.A. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.
This equipment has been tested for compliance with European regulations as follows:
Application of Council Directive:
2004/108/EC
Standards to which Conformity is declared:
EN-61000-6-1:2001
EN-61000-4-2:1995
EN-61000-4-3:1995
EN-61000-4-4:1995
EN-61000-4-6:1996
ENV-50204:1995
Any changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer Unidata Pty Ltd could void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Revision History
File name / Revision Date Authors
Previous version BX 2004 RS/ JH
Unidata Manual - 2001 2002 NRT Issue 2.2 2007 AB/CB/JH/MS/KC
Unidata Manual - 2001 2002 NRT Issue 2.3 2008 AB/CB/JH/MS/KC
Unidata Manual - 2001 & 2002 NRT Issue 2.4.doc 2008 DM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Series Remote Terminals and Modules issue 3.0 2010 DM/MS/KC
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules issue 3.1 2010 DM/MS/KC
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules issue 4.0 25/09/2013 MP
Copyright © Unidata Pty Ltd 2000-2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any spoken or computer language, in any form or by any means. Electronic,
mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without prior written permission of Unidata Pty Ltd 40 Ladner St,
O’Connor Western Australia 6163.

Manual – Neon 2000 Family NRT & NRM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Contents 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0Neon Technology and Modules Overview........................................................................1
1.1Neon Remote Terminals and Modules................................................................................2
1.2Typical Neon Measurement System ...................................................................................3
1.3The Internet.........................................................................................................................3
1.4GSM ....................................................................................................................................3
1.5GPRS ..................................................................................................................................3
1.6Satellite Packet Data Service..............................................................................................3
1.7NRT/NRM Internal Architecture...........................................................................................4
2.0Summary of Neon Remote Terminals and Modules........................................................5
2.12011D Neon Metering Module - GSM.................................................................................5
2.22011D Neon Remote Module – GSM..................................................................................5
2.32014D Neon Remote Terminal – GSM...............................................................................6
2.42013D Neon Metering Module - NextG...............................................................................6
2.52013D Neon Remote Module – NextG ...............................................................................7
2.62016D Neon Remote Terminal – NextG.............................................................................7
2.72012D Neon Remote Module – Satellite.............................................................................8
2.82015D Neon Remote Terminal – Satellite...........................................................................8
2.92500A Neon Display Unit....................................................................................................9
3.0NRT/NRM Getting Started.................................................................................................10
3.1NRT/NRM Terrestrial.........................................................................................................10
3.2NRT/NRM Satellite............................................................................................................10
3.3NRT/NRM LED indicators .................................................................................................10
3.4Neon ( NRT) Display Unit..................................................................................................11
4.0NRT/NRM Terrestrial Setup and Test..............................................................................13
4.1Observing the Detailed status of an NRT/NRM using Starlog 4 Setup Software .............13
5.0NRT/NRM Satellite Setup and Test..................................................................................16
5.1NRT/NRM Satellite Site Installation...................................................................................16
5.2NRT/NRM Satellite Communications Parameters ............................................................16
5.3Installation Location and Coverage...................................................................................16
6.0NRT/NRM Power Requirements.......................................................................................18
6.1Internal Power ...................................................................................................................18
6.2External Power..................................................................................................................18
6.3Battery Life Table ..............................................................................................................18
7.0NRT/NRM Installation........................................................................................................19
7.1NRT/NRM Installation Kit ..................................................................................................19
7.2SIM Card Recommendations............................................................................................19
7.3Neon Setup Recommendations ........................................................................................20
7.4NRT/NRM Connections.....................................................................................................20
7.5Field Installation of an NRT in a Weatherproof Enclosure................................................20
8.0NRT/NRM Commissioning................................................................................................23
8.1NRT/NRM Powered On.....................................................................................................23
8.2NRT/NRM Initialised..........................................................................................................23
8.3NRT/NRM Initialisation......................................................................................................23
9.02001 SIM Card Installation................................................................................................25

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Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Contents 2
10.02011, 2013, 2014, 2016 SIM Card Installation..................................................................28
11.0Battery Testing..................................................................................................................30
11.1Battery Check....................................................................................................................30
11.2Battery Replacement.........................................................................................................30
12.0Attaching an External Power Supply ..............................................................................31
13.0NRT/NRM Terrestrial External Antenna ..........................................................................32
14.0NRT/NRM Satellite Antenna Information.........................................................................33
14.1Mounting Antennas On-Site..............................................................................................33
14.2Modem Antenna Specifications.........................................................................................33
14.3Antenna Dimensions and Weight......................................................................................34
14.4Antenna Depiction.............................................................................................................34
14.5Antenna Cable Specifications ...........................................................................................35
14.6Calculating Antenna Cable Length....................................................................................37
14.7Mounting Antennas at the Field Site .................................................................................37
15.0Appendix A – 2001, 2002 Connections ...........................................................................38
16.0Appendix B – 2014D, 2015D, 2016D 25 Way Signal Connector Connections .............39
17.0Appendix C – 2011D, 2012D, 2013D, 2014D, 2015D, 2016D 9 Way RS232 Connector
Connections ......................................................................................................................40
18.0Appendix D – 2103D Field Termination Strip Connections...........................................41
19.0Appendix E – 2011D Neon Metering Module - GSM Signal Connections ....................43
20.0Appendix F – 2012D Neon Satellite Module Signal Connections.................................45
21.0Appendix G – 2013D Neon Metering Module - Next G...................................................47
22.0Appendix H – 2001, 2002 to Laptop Computer Cable Connections .............................49
23.0Appendix I – 2011D, 2012D, 2013D, 2014D, 2015D, 2016D to Laptop Computer Cable
Connections ......................................................................................................................50
24.0Appendix J – 2001, 2002 Ancillary Logger Connections...............................................51
24.1Ancillary Logger Setup......................................................................................................51
24.2Ancillary Logger Cable......................................................................................................51
24.32602A Data Cable Details.................................................................................................52
25.0Appendix K – 2011D, 2012D, 2013D, 2014D, 2015D, 2016D...........................................53
25.1Ancillary Logger Setup......................................................................................................53
25.22602B-1 Ancillary Logger Data Cable Details - Starlogger...............................................54
25.32602B-2 Ancillary Logger Data Cable Details - Micrologger.............................................54
26.0Appendix L – Summary of 2000 Family Model Numbers ..............................................55

Manual – Neon 2000 Family NRT & NRM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Contents 3
References
This manual should be read in conjunction with the associated Starlog 4 User Manual which
describes the setting up of logging schemes for NRT/NRM terminals as well as all other Unidata
Data loggers.
This manual should also be read in conjunction with the Neon Server Documentation which is in
paper / PDF form and is also available as help screens within the Neon Server system.
The NRT/NRM Terminal User Manual, the Starlog 4 User Manual and the Neon Server User &
Administrator Documentation form part documentation suite for the overall Neon System.

Manual – Neon 2000 Family NRT & NRM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Page 1
1.0 NEON TECHNOLOGY AND MODULES OVERVIEW
Neon is a system for collecting measurements from field instruments and transmitting the
measurements to a central system for data recording, analysis, reporting and data transfer
to other external systems.
The Neon system also provides facilities for data collection, analysis, reporting and field
measurement equipment and management within specified areas as defined by the
system. Examples of this include country wide access, regional access and different
access levels according to the rights and privileges of users, e.g. supervisor level,
manager level, coordinator level and read only user level. The Neon System is suited to a
range of uses such as environmental monitoring of remote instrumentation and automated
industrial and utility metering.
The Neon system may be offered on a system basis, with the customer purchasing the
server and a software license from Unidata, or is can be provided on an application
service basis where the customer pays a service fee for Unidata to run the application on
a Unidata central server.
Overview of the Neon System

Manual – Neon 2000 Family NRT & NRM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Page 2
1.1 Neon Remote Terminals and Modules
There is a range of different Neon Remote Terminals and Modules available and the
details of these different models are detailed within this manual. While the models may be
different, and the interfaces available in various models are different, the basic operation
of all Neon Terminals and Modules is the same
Neon Remote Modules and Terminals
Typical Water Level Monitoring and / Flood
Warning Station (GPRS/CDMA Type)
Client
Internet
123
Water
Float
Weight
W/L
Instrument &
Data Logger
NRT
GSM/CDMA Base Station
Typical Water Level Monitoring and / Flood
Warning Station (GPRS/CDMA Type)
Client
Internet
123
Water
Float
Weight
W/L
Instrument &
Data Logger
NRT
GSM/CDMA Base Station
Typical Neon Measurement System

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Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Page 3
1.2 Typical Neon Measurement System
The figure above is an example of a Neon installation showing an NRT/NRM connected to
a Water Level Instrument. Every day the NRT/NRM will send, via GPRS to the Neon
server, a “packet” of information containing the data in raw format. The Neon server
extracts the raw data from the packet. The data is then stored on a secure server until the
client accesses the data using a standard Web Browser.
1.3 The Internet
The Internet provides the transport mechanism between the Neon Servers and the
telecommunication provider gateways. This means that NRT/NRM units can be used
anywhere in the world.
1.4 GSM
GSM (Global System Mobile) is a cell phone standard in most of the world. GSM provides
the “backbone” upon which GPRS, voice and data communication travel.
1.5 GPRS
GPRS is an IP-enabled cellular solution for urban communications. The power
requirements are low and the GPRS electronics are fully integrated within the NRT/NRM.
GPRS communications are generally available wherever GSM communications are
available.
By this means a logger or field instrument connected to a GPRS-enabled communications
device (such as a Neon NRT/NRM) can deliver data to any Internet connected computer.
GPRS provides an always-connected service – i.e. there is no dial up required. Typically
the user pays for data use and not for time.
1.6 Satellite Packet Data Service
There are several low earth orbit and equatorial orbit packet data service providers. The
NRT/NRM Satellite uses the Globalstar system which is provides a service very similar to
the Cellular based GSM GPRS service over the Globalstar Satellite network

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1.7 NRT/NRM Internal Architecture
The NRT/NRM Internal architecture is shown below. It contains two discrete sections,
A LOGGER section where the terminal connects to the field transducers and the logging
scheme, scan rates and diagnostics are managed.
The Starlog 4 support software allows a user to generate a logger scheme which defines
transducer information, logging scan rates, logger interval etc and various engineering unit
definitions. These files are called, for example the LDR and KBD files.
A COMMUNICATOR section which deals with communications to the server. This section
contains, for example, a scheduler component and the modem component, either a
Cellular Network modem or a Satellite Network modem. In the communicator section
functions such as the reporting interval, the number of communications attempt per
communications session etc are managed.
The Starlog 4 support software allows a user to generate a configuration file for the
Communicator section, called an FPO file in which the user sets the required
communications parameters.

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2.0 SUMMARY OF NEON REMOTE TERMINALS AND MODULES
There are many different models of Neon Remote Terminals and Modules. The main
models are summarised below and a full list of all models is included in the Appendix of
this manual.
2.1 2011D Neon Metering Module - GSM
The 2011D NMM GSM is a small self-contained unit in a
compact case which connects to sensors in the field,
collects readings from those sensors, and transmits the
collected data to a central server via a cellular telephone
network.
The Neon central server system is provided on a Neon Data Service basis and on a Neon
Client System basis and provides a central computer system to monitor and receive data
from many NMM units in the field.
The 2011D NMM GSM terminal is designed to automate collection of remote data from
environmental monitoring, industrial measurements, and utility metering via GSM/GPRS
cellular networks from any location within the cellular network coverage area.
Fully bi-directional communications are possible via the Neon server. Data can be
collected directly and the 2011D NMM GSM can be programmed from any internet
connection.
The 2011D NMM GSM supports integrated logging or automated collection of data from
an external data logger.
Its built-in modem supports packet data, and SMS communications. It has long battery life
and low operating costs through use of advanced microcontroller technology.
2.2 2011D Neon Remote Module – GSM
The 2011D NRM GSM is a small self-contained unit in a
compact case which connects to sensors in the field,
collects readings from those sensors, and transmits the
collected data to a central server via a cellular telephone
network.
The 2011D NRM GSM has a small LCD display and buttons to check signal strength and
perform limited functions including initialization.
The Neon central server system is provided on a Neon Data Service basis and on a Neon
Client System basis and provides a central computer system to monitor and receive data
from many NRM units in the field.
The 2011D NRM GSM terminal is designed to automate collection of remote data from
environmental monitoring, industrial measurements, and utility metering via GSM/GPRS
cellular networks from any location within the cellular network coverage area.
Fully bi-directional communications are possible via the Neon server. Data can be
collected directly and the 2011D NRM GSM can be programmed from any internet
connection.

Manual – Neon 2000 Family NRT & NRM
Unidata Manual - Neon 2000 Family Remote Terminals and Modules Issue 4.0.docx Page 6
The 2011D NRM GSM supports integrated logging or automated collection of data from
an external data logger.
Its built-in modem supports packet data, and SMS communications. It has long battery life
and low operating costs through use of advanced microcontroller technology.
2.3 2014D Neon Remote Terminal – GSM
The 2014D NRT GSM is a small self-contained unit which
connects to sensors in the field, collects readings from
those sensors, and transmits the collected data to a central
server via a cellular telephone network.
The Neon central server system is provided on a Neon
Data Service basis and on a Neon Client System basis and
provides a central computer system to monitor and receive
data from many NRT units in the field.
The 2014D NRT GSM terminal s designed to automate collection of remote data from
environmental monitoring, industrial measurements, and utility metering via GSM/GPRS
cellular networks from any location within the cellular network coverage area.
Fully bi-directional communications are possible via the Neon server. Data can be
collected directly and the 2014D NRT GSM can be programmed from any internet
connection.
The 2014D NRT GSM supports integrated logging or automated collection of data from an
external data logger.
Inputs include analog, digital and SDI 12 data logger interface standard. There is also
Modbus support, a partial implementation of the Modbus protocol which allows for extract
data (get) and place data (put) from/to a specific register within the Modbus RTU on an
RS485 connection. Further details are available on request.
2.4 2013D Neon Metering Module - NextG
The 2013D NMM NextG is a small self-contained unit in a
compact case which connects to sensors in the field,
collects readings from those sensors, and transmits the
collected data to a central server via a cellular telephone
network.
The Neon central server system is provided on a Neon Data Service basis and on a Neon
Client System basis and provides a central computer system to monitor and receive data
from many NMM units in the field.
The 2013D NMM NextG terminal is designed to automate collection of remote data from
environmental monitoring, industrial measurements, and utility metering via NextG/GPRS
cellular networks from any location within the cellular network coverage area.
Fully bi-directional communications are possible via the Neon server. Data can be
collected directly and the 2013D NMM NextG can be programmed from any internet
connection.