Xeos Technologies Inc. OSKER User manual

OSKER User Manual
IRIDIUM SURFACE TRACKING SYSTEM
Version 2.2
April 2018

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 2
Shipped From
Contact Us
Email
[email protected]
Phone
[phone]
Fax
[phone]
Website
www.xeostech.com
Specifics
This manual version is written with respect to OSKER firmware build 3629. If you wish to acquire
the latest firmware for your device, contact [email protected]
Version History
Version No.
Date
Description
1.0
Nov 2015
Initial document
2.0
Jun 2017
Updated magnet switch details
2.1
Apr 2018
Re-formatting, standardized commands
2.2
Apr 2018
Rewrote Understanding Position Information Section
Xeos Technologies Inc.
36 Topple Dr.
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada
B3B 1L6

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 3
Table of Contents
Shipped From.................................................................................................................................. 2
Contact Us....................................................................................................................................... 2
Specifics........................................................................................................................................... 2
Version History................................................................................................................................ 2
General Description ........................................................................................................................ 5
Operating Instructions .................................................................................................................... 5
Quickstart ................................................................................................................................... 5
Setting up an Iridium Account.................................................................................................... 5
Using the Magnets ..................................................................................................................... 6
Installation and Maintenance......................................................................................................... 7
Pre-deployment Storage ............................................................................................................ 7
Power Consumption and Battery Life ................................................................................... 7
Communicating with the OSKER..................................................................................................... 7
Sending Commands via Email ......................................................................................................... 7
Command Format ...................................................................................................................... 7
Command Structure ................................................................................................................... 8
The Unlock Code ........................................................................................................................ 8
Sending a Command .................................................................................................................. 9
Sending Commands Using XeosOnline ........................................................................................... 9
Setting up to Send ...................................................................................................................... 9
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App ......................................................................................................... 11
Requirements........................................................................................................................... 11
Turning on Bluetooth ............................................................................................................... 11
Connecting ............................................................................................................................... 12
Status Page............................................................................................................................... 13
Configuration Page................................................................................................................... 14
Terminal Page........................................................................................................................... 15
Firmware Update Page............................................................................................................. 16
Understanding Position Information ............................................................................................ 17
Iridium Doppler position .......................................................................................................... 17
Global Positioning System........................................................................................................ 18

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 4
The OSKER’s Timers ...................................................................................................................... 18
Timer Types .............................................................................................................................. 18
SBD....................................................................................................................................... 18
GPS....................................................................................................................................... 18
OSKER Timer Modes................................................................................................................. 19
Start-up Mode ..................................................................................................................... 19
Normal Mode....................................................................................................................... 19
Alarm Mode......................................................................................................................... 19
No-GPS-Fix Mode................................................................................................................. 19
Default Settings ........................................................................................................................ 19
Changing the Timers................................................................................................................. 20
Additional Settings & Commands ................................................................................................. 20
Watch Circle.................................................................................................................................. 20
Enabling the Watch Circle ........................................................................................................ 20
Setting the Watch Circle........................................................................................................... 21
Example: .............................................................................................................................. 21
Additional Settings and Commands.............................................................................................. 21
Settings..................................................................................................................................... 21
Version ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Timer ........................................................................................................................................ 23
Lifetime Stats............................................................................................................................ 23
Stats.......................................................................................................................................... 24
Message Enable........................................................................................................................ 24
Other Commands ..................................................................................................................... 25
Appendix A: Technical Specification ............................................................................................. 26
Appendix B: Engineering Diagrams............................................................................................... 27
Warranty, Support and Limited Liability....................................................................................... 28

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 5
General Description
Reliable, continuous information from the ocean’s surface can be difficult to gather. The OSKER
provides global communications via the Iridium satellite system in a small, rugged package with
sophisticated on-board programming.
The OSKER makes use of the bi-directional, global, real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data
(SBD) network in combination with GPS position location. Inside the OSKER is a 9603 Iridium
Satellite Short Burst Data core radio transceiver, a specialized low power Xeos digital controller
with GPS, and hard-wired battery package.
When deployed in a group, the OSKERs provide accurate real time tracking over an area of the
surface, mapping currents, oil spills, or other phenomenon. Users can set the Watch Circle with
a radius of up to 15km to get automatic notification if any of the units travel outside of a
designated area.
See www.xeostech.com for details or call [phone].
Operating Instructions
Quickstart
There are only a few steps required to begin using the OSKER:
1. Contact Xeos Technologies to provision the OSKER and set-up a XeosOnline account.
Make sure to have the OSKER’s IMEI on hand.
2. Turn the OSKER on with a magnet
3. Deploy the OSKER in a location with a clear view of the sky
Setting up an Iridium Account
OSKER makes use of the Iridium Satellite Systems Short Burst Data (SBD) service for the 9603
transceiver. This service is a global (including the Polar Regions), two-way, real-time and email-
based data delivery service with a maximum outbound (from beacon) message size of 340 bytes
and a maximum inbound (to beacon) message size of 270 bytes.
OSKER end users must set up an approved data delivery account with their preferred service
provider. This can only be done once Xeos has provided the user with an International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Each 9603 modem has a unique IMEI that must be registered
with the preferred service provider. For a list of service providers in your area please contact
Iridium for recommendations. Xeos Technologies is also able to provide Iridium SBD data service
and accounts. Please contact [e-mail] for more information.
Each IMEI number is capable of being associated with up to five (5) unique email addresses (this
may vary between service providers). When registering an IMEI number, please provide the
service provider with a temporary Xeos testing account email address.
This account is: [email protected]

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 6
This temporary email testing account can be deleted or replaced at any time after delivery of the
OSKER. Once the SBD account has been activated, please contact your Xeos representative and
confirm this.
OSKER makes use of a simple and robust binary email protocol as the default outgoing message
format. Any email application can be used to send and receive messages to or from the OSKER,
however, these messages are not human-readable. XeosOnline is a web-based monitoring
system which allows users to view and manage information from the OSKER on a mapping
system, as well as view the messages in a human-readable format. XeosOnline allows the creation
of multiple kinds of message forwarders which can forward certain (or all) messages to a group
of email addresses in a human-readable form.
Sending messages and changing configuration can be completed through XeosOnline. See
www.xeostech.com or your account manager for more information.
Using the Magnets
A magnet is used to operate the OSKER. possible actions include:
Checking the OSKER’s status
Turning the OSKER on or off
The OSKER’s magnetic switch is located adjacent to the magnet slot on the side of the enclosure.
To check the status of the OSKER, hold a magnet up to the top of the OSKER.
No light indicates that the OSKER is off.
A solid Green LED indicates that the OSKER is on.
To turn the OSKER off, return the magnet that was attached to the OSKER to its place along the
side of the enclosure.
Note: It is important to let all LEDs stop illuminating before initiating another action.
Note: Cycling power for any reason, for example by using the switch to turn OFF/ON, will
initiate the Startup Alarm Mode.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 7
Installation and Maintenance
Pre-deployment Storage
The OSKER is shipped in an off state to preserve battery power. The unit’s batteries cannot be
changed, so turning it off after any test is necessary to preserve battery life.
Power Consumption and Battery Life
The OSKER has an internal battery pack hard-wired into the unit. With the magnetic switch
opened when the magnet is present, no current flows to the OSKER, effectively allowing the shelf
life of the unit to equal that of the battery pack itself (up to 10 years if new).
Current Draw
Typical sleep current
<100µA
Iridium Transmission current
36 mA (approx. 30 sec duration)
GPS Acquisition current
15 mA (max. 1 min duration)
Above is the amount of current the device will draw between GPS checks and Iridium
transmissions. The device has a life time of up to 2 years deployment (Lithium batteries) when
taking a position and transmitting every 3 hours.
Communicating with the OSKER
There are 3 ways to communicate with the OSKER:
1. Over-the-air with Email SBD messages
2. Over-the-air with XeosOnline
3. Locally with Bluetooth
Sending Commands via Email
To receive commands from the Iridium network, the device in use must have a clear view of the
sky. If the device is unable to communicate with the Iridium network, commands will remain
queued for five days.
Command Format
CREATING THE FILE
To create an SBD command, open a new file in a text editor (ex. Notepad) and save it using the
.sbd extension. Make sure the Save as type option is set to All Files to achieve this.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 8
Command Structure
Commands must be structured in the following way:
1. Each command MUST have a dollar sign ($) before each command.
2. The device’s unlock code in the following format: $unlock XXXXX
where XXXXX is the unit’s five digit unlock code.
3. A list of commands, one command per line.
The Unlock Code
SBD commands without an unlock code will be ignored by devices that require it. These devices
include the Apollo, XMI, Onyx, Rover, and OSKER. The unlock code is generated by the device
itself and can be retrieved from XeosOnline, or can be queried by sending $unlock to the device
as a command. The device will respond by sharing the 5-digit code with its provisioned
destinations.
Navigate to your unit on XeosOnline and click on the Message Log Tab. You will see the unlock
code in the most recent outgoing messages.
Once XeosOnline has a device’s unlock code, all outgoing commands will have the code added at
the beginning of the message.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 9
Sending a Command
To send your .sbd command, create a new email message with the following fields:
To
[email protected]
Subject
Your device’s IMEI
Body
Empty
Attachments
Your .sbd file
A confirmation will be immediately returned from the Iridium Gateway from the address
[email protected] indicating that your message is now in the message queue. It will
be delivered to the device during its next Iridium check.
Commands can be sent from any email address, but responses will be returned only to email
addresses on the unit’s forwarding list.
Sending Commands Using XeosOnline
Before using XeosOnline make sure that your account has been set up and your device added to
your organization. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Setting up to Send
Navigate to the Send Command window.
From the Home Tab, choose
File > Send
Select the units you wish to target with commands and move them
over to the right-hand target list using the -> button. Type your
command(s) into the command box and press send.
Remember to include the dollar sign ($) ahead of each command and enter each command on a
separate line.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 10
Outgoing messages will appear in the Message Log for the commanded device.