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.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 11
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App
Select Xeos products can be configured locally using the Xeos Beacon App. This method of
communication requires no disassembly.
Requirements
Using the App with your beacon has a few prerequisites:
A Xeos beacon with Bluetooth-enabled firmware. These products are the Apollo, Rover,
OSKER, and XMI.
An Android Smartphone compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy devices.
The Xeos Beacon Android App.
Turning on Bluetooth
Before attempting to connect to your Xeos device, make sure it is powered on and Bluetooth
functionality is enabled. The latter can be done in one of two ways:
Power cycle the device with a magnet or temporary battery cap removal
Send the device the following command over Iridium: $btpwr 1

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 12
Connecting
When the Xeos Beacon App is first opened, the user is presented with the Connection Page.
The App will list the name of any Bluetooth-enabled device within range. By default, the
Bluetooth name will be its IMEI number, but it may have been changed to its serial number at
the factory. Tap your device’s name to connect.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 13
Status Page
When you first connect to the device, the App will default to the Status Page
The Status Page shows all relevant information regarding the current state of your OSKER,
including:
Current firmware and hardware information
Detailed battery information
GPS statistics since the last power-up, with most recent SNR Level
Iridium RSSI strength of latest Iridium session
Note: Only the Rover displays the graphical battery display since it is only designed to be powered
at one voltage level. The Apollo and XMI models are capable of other voltage configurations.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 14
Configuration Page
Tap the Interval List for a drop-down menu of timings. Your selection will set the Normal mode
timings for the GPS and Iridium reporting. Once you have selected an item from the list, the App
will update the OSKER and report back with a Configuration Synchronized message.
Note: Changing timer intervals using the configuration tab is restricted to Normal Mode only
and will set both GPS and Iridium to the same intervals. If you wish to have different intervals
for GPS and Iridium on the same timer mode, use the app to choose the Iridium interval, and
then change the GPS interval via Iridium command.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 15
Terminal Page
The Terminal Page functions identically to a serial connection to the beacon. Commands can be
typed at the bottom of the page. Tap Send to transmit the command.
Auto-Scroll can be disabled by tapping the diagnostic output. You can review what is currently
outputting from the device by swiping through the log.
Output from the Terminal page can be saved to your device in the form of a text file by tapping
the diagnostic output and tapping Save Output. The saved file will appear in your Downloads
directory.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 16
Firmware Update Page
The Xeos Beacon App can upgrade your Bluetooth device with the offered firmware if your
Beacon does not possess the latest production build.
The application will compare your version to the offered version and ask if you wish to update if
they do not match.
If a firmware update is available for your device, you can upgrade your unit by pressing the
Update button. The App will upload a new firmware image at 500 bytes per second. Once the
upload is complete, reset the device. The device will perform a firmware upgrade on its next
power-up.
If the update is interrupted for any reason, simply restart the process.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 17
Understanding Position Information
There are two types of position information which will be sent via the Iridium Gateway.
Iridium Doppler position
The Iridium Gateway calculates the Iridium transceivers’ position on earth when it receives a
transmission, using Doppler technology. As a result, it is often very inaccurate. This location is
only visible to users getting emails directly from the device, as opposed to emails forwarded by
XeosOnline. An example of a “raw” Iridium message via email is below and will always have the
IMEI of the device in the subject line, regardless of its name on XeosOnline.
[email protected]
All messages from Iridium devices come from this address.
MOMSN: 5866
Mobile Originating Message Serial Number; each individual
message has its own incrementing serial number. A mobile
originating message is one that comes from the Iridium
device.
MTMSN: 0
Mobile Terminating Message Serial Number; like the MOMSN,
messages to Iridium devices (like commands) also have an

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 18
incrementing serial number. Since the message in the
example is from an Iridium device, the MT number is zero.
Time of Session (UTC)
The time the message arrived at the Iridium Gateway
Session Status
Each message will have a code determined by how well the
message was received; codes 00, 01 and 02 are acceptable
and will always have their code name (ex. Transfer OK) next to
this number.
Message Size (bytes)
The size of the actual message sent by the Iridium device,
which is in the attachment in the email.
*Unit Location
The Doppler position of the device as estimated by Iridium’s
network. It is NOT the GPS position measured by the device.
*CEPradius = 2
The numerical value of how accurate the above position is;
with a value of 2, This means that using the Lat/Long that the
body has supplied, Iridium is 80% confident (always 80%) that
the device sending the message is within a circle, 2 kilometers
in radius, with the Lat/Long given as the center of that circle.
The higher the CEPradius value, the larger the circle and
therefore the less accurate that position.
*These items can be enabled/disabled by your Iridium provider if desired.
Global Positioning System
Location information generated by the device itself is embedded in the SBD attachment sent via
the Iridium Gateway and can only be seen through the Xeos Online system or situations where
the position information is sent in a plain-text format (XeosOnline message forwarder or using
the $msgenable command). This position information is accurate to within several feet of the
true position.
The OSKER’s Timers
Timer Types
SBD
The OSKER will communicate with the Iridium Gateway based on this interval. If the OSKER
successfully registers with the Iridium Satellite Constellation, it will send any messages queued
for transmission. Once this is finished and the queued outgoing messages have been
implemented, the OSKER will receive any queued commands from the Iridium Gateway.
GPS
The OSKER will communicate with the GPS network and get a location fix based on this interval.
Any successful GPS fixes will be queued for the next Iridium transmission. The OSKER’s clock will
also be set and adjusted based on the GPS network. The GPS interval will execute before the SBD
interval if they are scheduled for the same time.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 19
OSKER Timer Modes
Start-up Mode
Start-up mode (Timer 1) will begin when the OSKER is turned on via magnet removal, or if the
OSKER is reset by an SBD command. This mode will last for one hour, after which the OSKER will
enter Normal mode.
Normal Mode
Once Start-up mode has finished, the OSKER will enter Normal mode (Timer 0). This is the default
timer mode of the OSKER and will be used if no other modes apply. At default settings, the OSKER
will transmit 1 GPS fix every 10 minutes. If no other modes are engaged, the OSKER will continue
in normal mode until its batteries are depleted or the unit powered off.
Alarm Mode
If a watch circle has been set, the OSKER will enter Alarm Mode (Timer 2) when it exits the set
radius. While in alarm mode, the OSKER will send information pertaining to the Watch Circle with
each message, such as distance from center and the duration in minutes that the device has been
in that mode.
No-GPS-Fix Mode
If the OSKER is unable to get a GPS fix, it will enter a slower timer mode to conserve battery
power. This mode uses Timer 4 and will only be activated after multiple GPS failures.
Default Settings
Timer
T0
<T1>
T2
T3
T4
Min-Max
SBD
10m
10m
10m
1d
3h
5m –1d
GPS
10m
10m
10m
1d
3h
5m –1d
Legend
SBD
SBD (Iridium) transmission interval
GPS
GPS acquisition interval
T0 –T7
Timer number
<T#>
Timer currently in use
#s/m/h/d
Interval in seconds/minutes/hours/days
Min
Minimum allowed interval for this timer
Max
Maximum allowed interval for this timer
Timers
Timer 0
Normal
Used if none of the following modes are triggered
Timer 1
Start-up
Used for the first hour after the unit is powered on
Timer 2
Alarm
Used once the unit is inverted
Timer 3
Low Battery
Used when there is a low battery
Timer 4
No GPS Fix
Used when the GPS module fails to acquire a fix
The default timer settings of the OSKER are suitable for most use cases.

OSKER User Manual Version 2.2 20
Changing the Timers
The length of the OSKER’s various modes cannot be altered. Start-up mode is fixed at 1 hour.
However, the Iridium and GPS intervals can be changed to suit the user’s requirements.
The GPS and Iridium interval timers can be set independently of each other, but there are several
things to keep in mind. The OSKER has a limit of 24 GPS fixes per Iridium message and will retain
a maximum of 40 unsent fixes. This puts a practical limit on the ratio of GPS fixes to Iridium
checks.
Regardless the method being used to communicate with the OSKER, timer commands are always
the same format:
$timer SYSTEM TIMER-MODE INTERVAL
Typed out as:
$timer SBD 02h
Command
Timer
Mode
Interval
Example 1
$timer
GPS
0
1h
Example 2
$timer
SBD
0
6h
Example 1 would change the GPS interval of Normal mode to every hour, while Example 2 would
change the SBD message interval to 6 hours. After sending the commands from both Example 1
and Example 2, the user would receive 1 message every 6 hours containing 6 GPS fixes. These
messages would be sent at approx. 00:00 UTC, 06:00 UTC, 12:00 UTC and 18:00 UTC.
Additional Settings & Commands
There are several commands that can be sent to the OSKER, in addition to changing timers.
Modifying these settings will affect the performance of the OSKER. The following is a summary
of remote commands.
Watch Circle
The watch circle functionality allows users to monitor the position of their mooring by receiving
alarm messages when it exits a user-defined circle. This feature aids in the recovery of moorings
that could break free from their planned position.
Recognition of a watch circle exit is tied to the GPS interval of the device in Normal Mode (Timer
0); once a GPS position is logged that shows the device is outside the circle, the device
immediately transitions to Alarm Mode (Timer 2) and transmits according to Alarm Mode timer
intervals.
Enabling the Watch Circle
The watch circle is disabled by default, but can be enabled by the following command:
$WCenable 1