WTE MReX-SatLink User manual

MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
MReX-SatLink
LOW POWER SATELLITE IOT GATEWAY
User Manual
© WTE Limited, 0 3 – Christchurch New Zealand Page 1 of 53

MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................3
MReX-SatLink Features........................3
Safety Information...........................................4
Operation.........................................................8
Configuration...................................................9
Transmit Commands.................................11
*TX_FREQ..........................................11
*TX_PERIODIC..................................11
*TX_PWR............................................1
*TX_PROTO.......................................1
Receive Commands..................................13
*RX_FREQ..........................................13
*RX_BAUD.........................................13
*RX_MODE........................................14
*RX_RANGE......................................14
*CH_BUSY.........................................14
*RX_ENABLE....................................15
Base Commands.......................................16
*REBOOT............................................16
*CONFIG.............................................16
*SAVE..................................................16
*LIST...................................................16
*DEFAULTS........................................16
*VER....................................................17
*RSSI...................................................17
*LAB....................................................17
*RS4 _OPTS.....................................18
Store Forward Commands........................19
*STORE_FWD....................................19
Swarm Modem Commands...................... 0
*SWARM_OPTS................................. 0
*MODBUS...........................................
ASCII Protocol Commands...................... 3
*ASCII_OPTS..................................... 3
*ASCII_STATUS................................. 3
*ASCII_CMD...................................... 4
Protocols........................................................ 5
WT Protocol.............................................. 5
Support for Multiple Messages............ 6
Modbus RTU............................................. 8
Modbus Registers..................................... 9
Function Codes.................................... 9
Modbus Mapping Table.......................30
Minimum Operation Requirements.....31
Optional Robust System Operations....31
Optional Recovery Operations.............31
Optional Efficient Transmission Opera-
tions......................................................3
Examples..............................................3
ASCII Protocol.........................................33
POCSAG RX Message Queueing.............35
Installation.....................................................38
Cables Supplied........................................38
MReX-SatLink hardware..........................39
Internal Board...........................................39
Power Connection................................40
RS4 Serial Connection.....................40
Connecting to the MReX-SatLink............41
MReX SatLink Dimensions......................4
Antenna..........................................................44
Omni antenna............................................44
Directional antenna...................................44
Antenna Elevation.....................................44
Disclaimer......................................................47
Manufacturing marking and labels................48
Maintenance..................................................48
Product End Of Life......................................49
Product Warranty...........................................50
Specification..................................................51
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the MReX-SatLink.
The MReX-SatLink is a weatherproof solar powered satellite IoT gateway that shifts data using the
Swarm satellite constellation, owned by SpaceX.
The unit incorporates the Wireless Technologies MReX, which allows full time receiving of data
from a network of IoT sensors, or alternatively forward serial data bursts from third party devices
such as dataloggers.
Wired sensors can be directly connected via analog or digital input connections or through an
RS4 serial connection.
MReX-SatLink Features
•Simple integration with existing products, through either posting of ASCII-encoded serial
data or through the Modbus RTU protocol.
•Forwarding of received RF messages over the Swarm network with optional batching func-
tionality.
•MReX Output power up to 0 dBm and receiver sensitivity of -1 7 dBm (link to remote
sensors)
•“Polite” operation, checking the channel is clear before transmission.
•Acknowledges transmissions - clear LED indication of transmission success.
•Low operating frequency and modulation provides range coverage up to km in bush – and
greater than 15km line of sight with small elevation.
•Rapid installation.
•Directly integrates with all WTE radio products.
•Optionally sends POCSAG and proprietary data formats, giving many options over range,
performance and the final intended application.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Safety Information
Read these instructions carefully, and look at the equipment to become familiar with the device be-
fore trying to install, operate, or maintain it.
The following special messages may appear throughout this documentation or on the equipment to
warn of potential hazards or to call attention to information that clarifies or simplifies a procedure.
!This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to a potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
!WARNING
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
!CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury
NOTICE
NOTICE is used to address practices not related to physical injury.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
!WARNING
LOSS OF CONTROL
•The designer of any control scheme must consider the potential failure modes of control paths and,
for certain critical control functions, provide a means to achieve a safe state during and after a path
failure. Examples of critical control functions are emergency stop and over travel stop.
•Separate or redundant control paths must be provided for critical control functions.
•System control paths may include communication links. Consideration must be given to the implic-
ations of anticipated transmission delays or failures of the link.
Failure to ollow these instructions can result in death or serious injury
!WARNING
To comply with both FCC RF Exposure requirements in section 1.1310 of the FCC Rules and
EN50383, antennas used with this device must be installed to provide a separation distance of at
least 8 cm from all persons to satisfy RF exposure compliance.
DO NOT:
•Operate the transmitter when someone is within 8cm of the antenna. EN50383 regulatory
limits have deemed that 8cm is a safe clearance distance from this product while operating
at full power.
•Operate the transmitter unless all RF connectors are secure and any open connectors are
properly terminated.
•Use within 15cm of sensitive electronic devices and medical equipment while operating at
full power.
•Operate the equipment near electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere. All
equipment must be properly grounded for safe operations.
!WARNING
THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT INTENDED FOR MAINS VOLTAGES
•The MReX was NOT designed to operate and/or be connected directly to live main voltages. The
MReX must be connected to a certified, suitably rated low voltage DC supply.
Failure to ollow these instructions can result in death or serious injury
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
NOTICE
HAZARD OF EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
•This product is not chemical resistant, detergent, alcohol, aerosol sprays, and/or petroleum products may
damage the front panel. Clean using a soft cloth moistened in water.
•The radio can be damaged if there is any potential difference between the chassis-ground, Serial
signal ground, power (-) input, or antenna coaxial shield. Before connecting any wiring, ensure
that all components are earthed to a common ground point.
•The antenna port will be damaged if signals greater than 13 dBm are injected/received.
•Do not connect any other transmitter to the RF connector or share the antenna with any other
device.
•Extreme Heat or High temperatures can damage MReX components. DO NOT expose or oper-
ate the unit in extreme heat (above 65 degrees Celsius).
•Although this product is designed to be rugged, it will not survive excessive shock or vibration
abuse.
•When antennas are co-located on a community (shared) site the correct site engineering must be
performed to ensure that RF exposure limits are met.
NOTICE
CARE REQUIRED WHEN TRANSPORTING
Safety and care must be taken when transporting, handling, installing and/or replacing radio equip-
ment.
•Packaging should be adequate to ensure connectors are not damaged
•Store and handle the radio equipment in dry, clean safe environment
•Handle the equipment with care
•Care when stacking boxes must be taken to not damage part of the radio, such as connect-
ors.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
FCC NOTICE
This device complies with Part 15. 47 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference and
. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device must be operated as supplied by the equipment supplier. Any changes or modifications
made to the device without the written consent of the equipment supplier may void the user’s au-
thority to operate the device.
End user products that have this device embedded must be installed by experienced radio and an-
tenna personnel, or supplied with non-standard antenna connectors, and antennas available from
vendors specified by the equipment supplier. Please contact the equipment supplier for end user
antenna and connector recommendations.
Exposure to RF energy is an important safety consideration. The FCC has adopted a safety stand-
ard for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC regulated
equipment as a result of its actions in General Docket 79-144 on March 13 1996.
This equipment complies with the FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a
minimum distance of 11cm between the radiator and any part of your body
NOTICE
This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this product must not be
disposed of with other waste.
Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a
designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help
conserve natural resources and help ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human
health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equip-
ment for recycling, contact the dealer from whom you originally purchased the product.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Operation
When power is applied to the MReX-SatLink, there is a start-up period of 6 seconds before the mo-
dem is checked for queued messages to transmit.
On startup the following string is transmitted out the RS4 serial connection:
WTE-SATLINK vXX.XX – vXX.XX\r\n
where XX can be a variable number.
If there are no messages queued, the MReX will move to a low power state of operation and power
down the modem. The unit will wake on receiving serial commands, when receiving remote sensor
messages or on input change events.
When a valid serial or radio message has been received, power is applied to the satellite modem.
If the satellite modem is off or initialising, up to 8 messages will be queued in the MReX processor.
When able, queued messages will be shifted to the modem for transmission. The modem may not
actually transmit for several hours depending on satellite position.
When the modem has transmitted all queued messages, the modem will be powered down, and the
MReX-SatLink will return to its normal low power mode of operation. If the configured maximum
awake time has passed without transmission, the MReX-SatLink will return to it’s normal low
power mode for the configured sleep time before waking up and attempting to transmit again.
Note: All messages queued for transmission over the Swarm network are appended with a single
byte that represents a sequence number from 0- 55. This can be used to track any potential failures
to transmit. This sequence number is reset on system startup and when 55 messages have been
queued for transmission.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Configuration
In order to configure, connect to the unit RS4 serial port. Parameters can be changed using any
common serial terminal program. A free serial terminal program that also allows saving and load-
ing of configuration files can be downloaded from wte.co.nz/tools.html
Start-up operation is always at 9600:8-N-1.
All configuration commands always start with the asterisk ‘*’ character.
All messages that do not start with the * character are processed by the protocol decoder.
All messages (except Modbus RTU) are terminated by a Carriage Return character, shown in this
manual as <CR>
All commands that accept a value, can have that value read back by using the ‘?’ suffix. E.g.
*TX_FREQ?
Returns
*TX_FREQ=460000000 (for example)
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Figure 1: WTE Serial Terminal

MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
There are some commands that support multiple entries (such as the same command but for differ-
ent ranges). In this case the question mark can be followed by the parameter to be interrogated. E.g.
*RX_RANGE?< R>
Returns (lists all ranges)
*RX_RANGE=1:8,2000000
*RX_RANGE=2:0,0
*RX_RANGE=3:0,0
*RX_RANGE=4:0,0
To find the first range only, usage would be:
*RX_RANGE?1< R>
Returns
*RX_RANGE=1:8,2000000
Note: It is a good practice to restart the unit after changing configuration. This can be achieved by
removing power to the unit or sending the *REBOOT< R> command.
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Transmit Commands
Transmit commands relate only to the MReX transceiver, and do not affect operation of the satellite
link.
TX_FREQ
*TX_FREQ specifies the transmit frequency of the MReX transceiver in Hz e.g.
*TX_FREQ=458600000< R>
TX_PERIODIC
*TX_PERIODIC allows a periodic message to be transmitted. This could be used as a “heartbeat”
to confirm that the system is continuing to operate as expected.
*TX_PERIODI =TT,MMMM< R>
where:
TT is the time in seconds between transmissions (0- 55. 0 disables the feature).
MMMM is the periodic message to transmit (up to 50 characters). E.g.
*TX_PERIODI =10,WT1234560A10 Test_Message< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
TX_PWR
*TX_PWR set the Transmitter Power Output levels. Levels value ranges from 0 to 1 7. Use the
following graph to determine the transmitter level value to configure. Note that settings above 80
will have very little effect on output power.
Output Tx Power vs Set Level
Set Level
Examples :
Setting MReX to transmit at 10mW (10dBm ± dBm):
*TX_PWR=20< R>
Setting MReX to transmit at 50mW (17dBm ± dBm):
*TX_PWR=55< R>
Setting MReX to transmit at 100mW ( 0dBm ± dBm):
*TX_PWR=80< R>
TX_PROTO
*TX_PROTO selects the format in which the unit will accept messages for transmission over the
Swarm network. This setting applies to the RS4 connection and to periodic messages.
*TX_PROTO=PPPP< R>
Where:
PPPP is the protocol to be used, either ASCII or MODBUS, e.g.
*TX_PROTO=MODBUS< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Receive Commands
Receive commands relate only to the MReX transceiver, and do not affect operation of the satellite
link.
RX_FREQ
*RX_FREQ specifies the receive frequency in Hz (range limited to the variant of product) e.g.
*RX_FREQ=460000000< R>
RX_BAUD
*RX_BAUD specifies the baud rate and channel width of the receiver.
This includes the baud rate plus the channel width:
51 _ 5 indicates 51 baud with 5kHz channel spacing ( level GFSK).
1 00_ 5 indicates 1 00 baud with 5kHz channel spacing ( level GFSK).
Accepts: 512_25, 1200_25
Where:
Typical usage:
*RX_BAUD=512_25< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
RX_MODE
*RX_MODE specifies the transport method of the receiver (how the information is received over
the air).
•POSCAG_A must be used in order to receive alphanumeric messages.
•POSCAG_N must be used in order to receive numeric messages.
•WTE_EN must be used in order to receive 8 bit characters (POSCAG_A transmits 7 bit
characters only).
Accepts POSCAG_A, POCSAG_N, and WTE_EN e.g.
*RX_MODE=POS AG_A< R>
RX_RANGE
*RX_RANGE specifies up to 4 CAP RX ranges for decoding. Messages received with CAP codes
not allowed on the RX_RANGE will be discarded by the receiver.
*RX_RANGE=N:LLLLLLL,HHHHHHH (where N is the range between 1 and 4, LLLLLLL is the
lowest cap code to match, HHHHHHH is the highest). E.g.
*RX_RANGE=1:8,200< R>
CH_BUSY
*CH_BUSY Sets the channel busy level for the configured channel.
*CH_BUSY=BB
Where:
BB is the signal level from 0 to -130 (in dBm).
In this example the channel will be considered “busy” if signal strength is above -100dBm.
Typical usage:
* H_BUSY=-100< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
RX_ENABLE
*RX_ENABLE configures the MReX radio receiver. Setting to 0 disables the receiver (<50uA op-
erating current). Setting to 1 enables the receiver and allows configuration commands at any time
(approx 18mA operating current). Setting to 3 enables the ultra low current receiver mode (< 00uA
operating current). By default the receiver is disabled.
Typical Usage:
RX_ENABLE=3< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Base Commands
REBOOT
*REBOOT forces the unit to immediately restart.
Usage:
*REBOOT< R>
CONFIG
*CONFIG displays current configuration.
* ONFIG< R>
SAVE
*SAVE saves all configuration settings (all config changes are restored on start-up).
Usage:
*SAVE < R>
LIST
*LIST displays all available commands. This command also lists many specific field names that
need to be used with listed commands.
Usage:
*LIST< R>
DEFAULTS
*DEFAULTS forces to reset temporary to factory default settings. The user must issue the
*SAVE< R> command in order to write these default settings to internal memory.
Usage:
*DEFAULTS< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
VER
*VER sends the MReX sign on message back to the user. This is useful to determine the model and
serial number of the unit.
Usage:
*VER< R>
RSSI
*RSSI returns the MReX receiver signal strength in -dBm. (returns between 0 and -130).
Usage:
*RSSI< R>
LAB
Set the unit in transmit mode, it can be configured to transmit carrier only or modulated. This fea-
ture together with the *RSSI command are useful when antenna alignment is necessary.
*LAB syntax:
*LAB=x,y< R>
Where:
x is used to:
1 – Enable Carrier only,
– Enable Carrier with random modulation,
0 – Disable Carrier
y is the time in seconds which the MReX will be transmitting for.
Example carrier only for 60 seconds:
*LAB=1< R>
Example carrier only for 20 seconds:
*LAB=1,20< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
RS422_OPTS
*RS422_OPTS configures the baud rate and sleep behaviour of the RS4 connection. This allows
for low power operation to be enabled/disabled. When disabled, no leading character is required to
wake the device from sleep. When enabled, a leading character is required to precede any serial
communication to the device and overall current consumption is reduced by 1.6mA when not act-
ively sending or receiving serial data. By default, baud rate is 9600 and low power serial is disabled.
Usage:
*RS422_OPTS=A,B< R>
Where:
A is the desired baud rate for the RS4 connection. Available rates are 1 00, 400, 4800,
9600, 19 00, 38400, 57600, 115 00 baud.
B is used to:
0 = Disable low power serial operation
1 = Enable low power serial operation
Typical usage:
*RS422_OPTS=9600,1< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Store Forward Commands
Store forward operation is used to listen to transmissions in the area, decode the messages and re-
transmit again to provide greater coverage than would normally be possible. This is an optional li-
censed feature.
Note: In order to forward messages the decoded message CAP codes must fall within the con-
figured CAP ranges.
STORE_FWD
Configures the store forward operation, this command uses parameters as follows:
*STORE_FWD=XX,YY< R>
Where:
XX is the Store Forward Operation
YY is the Duplicate Reject Operation
Store Forward Operation:
Setting to 0 disables the feature. The non zero value set is the delay in 100ms steps after each trans-
mission. This delay allows time for any downstream forwarding equipment to clear the message.
Max store forward delay is 4 seconds. All messages are immediately queued for transmission, and
up to 5 messages may be retransmitted after the store forward delay.
Duplicate Reject Operation:
Setting to 0 disables the feature, otherwise this is the number of seconds to reject identical messages
for up to 40 seconds. Duplicate rejection operates only on messages decoded for forwarding. This
means that receiving of duplicate messages is not prevented (nor the transmission of same messages
resulting from a protocol command), but when used as part of a simple store forward system re-
queueing of messages can be controlled. Duplicate reject only tests the previous 5 messages in the
historic transmit queue.
For example, to configure to use a second clearing delay after each transmission and 10 second
message duplicate reject:
*STORE_FWD=20,10< R>
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MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware
Swarm Modem Commands
Swarm Modem commands allow control over modem operating parameters, in particular dealing
with power savings.
Normally a Swarm modem message is sent in around 1- hours, however depending on satellite po-
sition, it is possible for up to 4 hours to pass before a message can be transmitted. If the antenna is
damaged or other factors are at play preventing messages being sent, the modem can possibly be
powered for extended periods, potentially depleting its battery. The following options give the user
control over the behaviour of the unit to manage battery usage during unexpected conditions.
Through the MODBUS command, Modbus added messages can be configured to auto delete from
the message queue if they could not be transmitted.
SWARM_OPTS
*SWARM_OPTS specifies Swarm modem control options
*SWARM_OPTS=AA,BB,CC,DD,E<CR>
Where:
AA = Is the Shutdown duration in seconds. Should the Swarm modem fail to transmit its
queued messages (after being on for the Awake duration), the modem will enter a low power
state for this entire duration. If at any time a new message is added to the Swarm message
queue, the shutdown duration will be cancelled, and the modem will be powered up immedi-
ately and attempt a transmission. Default value is 1600 (6 hours).
BB = Is the Sleep duration is seconds. If set to greater than 0, the Swarm modem will cycle
between it’s sleep mode and awake mode while in it’s active state. The awake time is always
60 seconds after acquiring a valid timestamp. Setting the sleep time to it’s maximum value
of 40 seconds (4 minutes) will give a minimum waking duty cycle of 0%. This allows for
further power saving while the unit is active, but will prevent transmission while the unit is
asleep and will require some time on wakeup to re-acquire a valid timestamp. Default value
is 0 (unit does not sleep while active).
CC = Is the Awake duration in seconds. This is maximum duration that the modem will re-
main on waiting for a message to be transmitted. If a message cannot be transmitted within
this period, the modem will be held in a low power state for the Shutdown period before at-
tempting the transmission again. Default value is 1600 (6 hours). A value of less than
15000 is not recommended. A value of 0 is legitimate, and will result in the modem remain-
ing powered indefinitely.
DD = Reserved for future use.
E = 0 to disable batching of messages queued using POCSAG RX or ASCII protocol, 1 to
enable. When batching of messages is enabled, queued messages are appended to a growing
partial message. If the appended partial message passes the threshold of 131 characters, the
Swarm modem will be powered on and the message queued. If the newly queued message
will make the existing partial message too long for transmission, the existing partial message
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