Vega Absolute NB-12 User manual

www.vega-absolute.ru
NB-IOT MODEM WITH 4-20 MA
INTERFACE
VEGA NB-12
User manual

Vega NB-12 / User Manual
2 Revision 03 – 02 March 2021
Document Information
Title NB-IoT modem with 4-20 mA interface Vega
NB-12
Document type Manual – Translation from Russian
Document number V02-SI11-01
Revision and date 03 - 02 March 2021
This document applies to the following products:
Product name
Type number
Vega NB Vega NB-12
Revision History
Revision Date Name Comments
01 24.10.2019 KEV The first release
02 14.07.2020 KEV Minor changes
03 02.03.2021 KEV
New parts “Pulse inputs settings”, “Mounting
recommendations”, we replace configurator
screenshots, new function of the pulse filtering, now
alarm inputs can operate in pulse mode, maximum
number of batteries is two

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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................................................4
1 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Device description ................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Comunication and data collection algorithm ..................................................................................................................5
Functional ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Marking ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2 SPECIFICATION .......................................................................................................................................................................7
3 OPERATION..............................................................................................................................................................................8
Contacts ...................................................................................................................................................................................8
Pulse inputs settings .............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Hall sensor .............................................................................................................................................................................11
Buttons ...................................................................................................................................................................................12
Indication ............................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Initial Startup .........................................................................................................................................................................14
Mounting recommendations ............................................................................................................................................. 14
Connecting via USB .............................................................................................................................................................15
4 VEGA NB-IoT CONFIGURATOR ......................................................................................................................................... 17
Interface of the application ................................................................................................................................................17
Connection to the device ...................................................................................................................................................18
“System” tab .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19
“Settings” tab .........................................................................................................................................................................20
“Vega NB-12” tab ..................................................................................................................................................................22
5 COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ........................................................................................................................................ 24
6 STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 27
7 CONTENT OF THE PACKAGE .............................................................................................................................................28
8 WARRANTY.............................................................................................................................................................................29

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INTRODUCTION
This manual is designated for Vega NB-12 modem with 4-20 mA interface (hereinafter
– the modem) manufactured by Vega-Absolute OOO and provides information on powering
and activation procedure, control commands and functions of the modem.
This manual is targeted at specialists familiar with installation work fundamentals of
electronic and electrical equipment.
The modem shall be installed and adjusted by qualified specialists in order to
ensure proper operation of the device
Vega-Absolute OOO reserves the right to make changes to the manual related to the
improvement of equipment and software, as well as to eliminate typos and inaccuracies,
without prior notice.

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1 DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
DEVICE DESCRIPTION
Vega NB-12 modem is designed for collecting readings from devices with current loop
interface 4-20 mA, with analog output, pulse output or 1-Wire interface, further accumulating
and transmitting of this information in NB-IoT network.
In addition, Vega NB-12 can be used as a security device – two additional inputs
operate in security mode, there is also Hall sensor.
The modem can be used for any sensors and industrial equipment with interface 4-20
mA or 1-Wire such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors.
The modem is may powered by one or two batteries with capacity 6400 mAh.
COMUNICATION AND DATA COLLECTION ALGORITHM
The readings collecting from the meter with a configurable period 5, 15, 30 minutes, 1,
2, 3, 4, 6, 12 or 24 hours. The readings stored in the device memory and transmitting during
the next communication session with the NB-IoT network.
The adjustable data transfer period can be equal to 5, 15, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
and 24 hours. Data transferring in random point in time during set period. At the next
communication session, the device starts sending accumulated packets with readings, from
the earliest to the latest.
The device operates with confirmation all the time and send the next packet only after
receiving a confirmation of the delivery of the previous one. If such confirmation was not
received, NB-12 completes the communication session until the next one according to the
schedule. Herewith, the device continues to collect data according to the data collection
period and store it in memory. Non-transmitted packets remain in the device memory until
the next communication session.
The internal clock is set automatically when device connected to the "Vega NB-IoT
Configurator" via USB.
FUNCTIONAL
Vega NB-12 modem has the following features:
oInterface ‘current loop’ 4-20 mA
oInterface 1-Wire for connecting temperature sensors (up to 10 pc)
oAnalog input for voltage measurement from 0 to 3 V
oTwo inputs operating in the «security» mode for connecting the external leakage and
safety sensors, etc. with ability to configure as pulse to count input pulses
oQueue of sending when delivery is not possible
oTime referencing of readings by internal clock (UTC)

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oExtra communication when current on the ‘current loop’ interface is out of specified
thresholds
oCommunication in case of security inputs or Hall sensor actuation
oMeasurement of temperature inside housing
oCharge measuring of the battery (%)
oAbility to filter the pulses by the duration
MARKING
Device marked with sticker that contain the next information:
oDevice model;
oIMEI;
oMonth and year of manufacture;
oQR-code containing IMEI for automatized count.
Sticker located in three places – on device case, in factory certificate and on the packing
box.

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2 SPECIFICATION
Main
Analog inputs
1
Interfaces
1-Wire, current loop 4-20 mA
Security/pulse inputs 2
USB-port
micro-USB, type B
Operating temperatures
-40…+85 °С
Built-in temperature sensor yes
Hall sensor yes
Quantity of black box records
up to 100 000
Cellular communications
Supported Cellular Standards LTE Cat NB1
Data transfer protocol MQTT
Battery Life 1 year if the data transferring once a day
LTE NB-IoT antenna type external
Power
Built-in battery
6400 mAh (one or two, depending on
delivery conditions)
Case
Housing dimensions
95 х 95 х 50 mm
Ingress protection rating
IP67

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3 OPERATION
CONTACTS
Description of contacts assignment is in table below. When connecting a radio modem
to external devices with pulse outputs, consider the circuit design of its pulse inputs.
Contact PCB designation Description
1
GND
Ground
2
ALARM1
Security/pulse input 1
3
GND
Ground
4 ALARM2 Security/pulse input 2
5 GND Ground
6 A_INPUT Analog input
7 GND Ground
8
ONE_WIRE
1-Wire
9
CL+
4-20 mA «+»
10 CL- 4-20 mA «-»
There are two security inputs on the boars which allows to connect circuits with the
following types of NO contacts:
- reed switch;
- mechanical pushbutton;
Circuit design of the pulse inputs

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- open-collector output.
The device monitors status changes on the security inputs and when the security input
triggers, the device is activated and sends an alarm message to the network. The trigger
mechanism is configured through the program "Vega NB-IoT Configurator".
Security inputs can operate as pulse.
Equipment with NAMUR pulse output is not supported
CL+ and CL- contacts are used for connecting an external sensor with 4-20 mA
interface. Scheme for connecting is shown on the picture below.
PULSE INPUTS SETTINGS
When you connect the modem to metering devices with a pulse output, it is necessary
to consider the features of the pulse of a specific type of metering device: bounce, minimum
pulse and pause duration. To do this, it is necessary to record the characteristics of the pulse
with an oscilloscope or obtain information from the manufacturer of the meter.
The modem has a special software pulse filter. The filter is represented by two settings
for each pulse input (see section 4, “Settings” tab). Consider the features of filtering settings for
different pulse outputs.
1) Mechanical pulse output
Usually, the mechanical pulse output in metering devices is implemented on a reed
switch, but it can also be a button or other mechanics. The main problem with such outputs is
contact bounce. At a moment of falling and rising, there are many additional impulses that need
to be no considered in the calculation. In addition, the pulse duration floats and depends on
the current flow rate of the meter. For correct counting, it is necessary to determine the
minimum useful pulse duration and the minimum pause between useful pulses (all that is less
is bounce). The obtained values must be set in the modem settings.

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The minimum useful pulse duration is the pulse duration that the meter produces at the
maximum flow rate (the maximum flow rate is indicated in the meter's passport). This duration
does not include bounce time. The minimum pause duration can be set equal to the minimum
pulse width, or longer if necessary. Usually, the pause between pulses is an order of magnitude
higher.
2) 2) Electronic pulse output
The electronic pulse output has no bounce (open collector output). This output usually
has a fixed pulse width. For the modem to fix the pulse, it is necessary to set in the settings the
minimum pulse duration less than the actual pulse duration issued by the meter.

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HALL SENSOR
The device has Hall sensor which located on the board edge on the bottom side. When
the magnet is brought up the sensor triggered, and the device can form the alarm message
which immediately transmitted to the server.

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BUTTONS
There are two buttons on the board which can help you to manage the device. Buttons
are described in the table below.
Action Result
RESET
Short pressing Device reloading
INIT
Pressing for 1 second Registration at the network
Pressing for 2 seconds Data transmitting
Pressing for 3 seconds LTE-modem switching off
Pressing for 4 seconds To form record to the black box
When you hold down the button, the red LED starts flashing once a second, which will
help you to find out the duration of pressing. Pressing for 1 second corresponds to one flash
of the LED, pressing for 2 seconds corresponds to two and so on.
INIT button
RESET button
INIT button
RESET button

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INDICATION
There are two LEDs on the board: red and blue. Blue LED VD19 shows LTE-modem state,
and red LED VD18 – the device state.
LED signal
Meaning
LTE-modem
Short flash every three
seconds Device search the network
Short flash every
second
Device successfully registered and it is
in the network
Two short flashes every
one second Device transmits data to the network
No light LTE-modem switched off
Device
Short flash every
second Battery charge is lower than 5%
Short flash every five
seconds Device in the ‘Operation’ mode
No light Device in the ‘Sleep’ mode or switched
off
LEDs location oh
the board

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INITIAL STARTUP
Firstly, it is necessary to install SIM into slot on the board and set up the data transmitting
with “Vega NB-IoT Configurator” (See part 4).
Vega NB-12 modem powered by the one or two batteries which comes with1. There are
equivalent connectors located on the board. After battery connection to one of connectors,
the device loaded and switched to the ‘Sleep’ mode until the communication session according
with the schedule.
If you need to test the data transmitting, then press and hold the INIT button for the 2
seconds.
MOUNTING RECOMMENDATIONS
When you connect the pulse output of the metering device to the counting input of the
modem, it is recommended to use braided shielding wires, and to install the metering device
with the modem away from sources of radio interference. It is recommended to use a two-
wire screened wire. The shield is connected on the side of the pulse counter to its ground.
1 wire – the signal from the pulse output is connected to the terminal COUNT/ALARM
2 wire – ground, connects to terminal GND
Shield – connects to terminal GND
1The number of included batteries depending on the delivery conditions
Location of the SIM
slot on the board (if
there is)
Location of the
battery connectors
on the board

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CONNECTING VIA USB
The modem with 4-20 mA interface can be adjusted with the "Vega NB-IoT
Configurator" application through the USB connection (See part 4).
Before connecting the device to the computer for the first time, you must install the
driver for the COM port stsw-stm32102, which can be downloaded from iotvega.com. After
running the executable file VCP_V1.4.0_Setup.exe, the installer window will appear:
In this window, you need to click Next, then Install, and then the installation will begin.
When the installation is completed successfully, the following screen appears:

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After pressing Finish the driver is ready for operation, - it is possible to connect the
modem with 4-20 mA interface via USB.

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4 VEGA NB-IOT CONFIGURATOR
The "Vega NB-IoT Configurator" application (hereinafter referred to as the configurator)
is intended for setting up the device via USB.
INTERFACE OF THE APPLICATION
The "Vega NB-IoT Configurator" application does not require the special installation.
When the executable file is launched, the window for working with the application appears.
The menu on the left allows you to select the device model, connect to the device or
disconnect from it, and update firmware.
The application window contains three tabs – System, Settings and device manage.

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CONNECTION TO THE DEVICE
For the connection to the device, perform the following steps:
1. Connect the USB cable to the device.
2. Start the "Vega NB-IoT Configurator" application.
3. Click the "Connect" button in the menu on the left.
The application automatically recognizes the type of device, and the device selection
menu becomes inactive.
To read the settings from the device, you need to click the "Get settings" button, until
this point the application will display the default settings or from the last connected device.
After making the necessary changes to the settings, you should click the "Apply settings"
button and only then disconnect from the device with the "Disconnect" button. Also, the
application allows to save settings into a file after what you can load it from that file on other
similar devices for speed up the debugging process.

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“SYSTEM” TAB
The "System" tab displays information about the device, about modem, and SIM.
Device info - the configurator reads information about the device model, its firmware
and automatically corrects the device's time when connected to it. In that block you can find
out the number of records in the black box and the number of packets sent by the device.
Modem info – in that block information about LTE-modem is displayed.
SIM – identifiers of the SIM card (SIM chip).

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“SETTINGS” TAB
The " Settings" tab allows to configure various parameters of the network connection
and device operation.
Connection settings – a group of parameters set up the data collection and transmitting.
Used frequency bands for NB-IoT devices connection can be different for different
cellular operators. You can ask the operator about used band or select all the bands.
Network registration timeout – it is a period after which the modem will switch to the
‘Sleep” mode when registration waiting. For battery economy it is better to set minimal period
for which the device can registered in the network in the specific covering conditions.
Cellular operator can give you APN or set it by default if the field is empty.
Time zone set up for the data collection period which is equal to the device time (UTC)
plus time zone. Transmission period is always use UTC time regardless of the time zone setting.