Xeos Technologies Inc. Rover User manual

Rover User Manual
Surface Iridium Satellite Beacon with GPS Location
Version 3.0
July 2019

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 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 Rover firmware build 4170. If you wish to acquire
the latest firmware for your device, contact [email protected]
Version History
Version No.
Date
Description
1.0
Oct 2013
Original Document
2.0
Jan 2015
Rewrite, added information on updating
2.5
Oct 2017
Document overhaul
2.6
Dec 2017
Standardized Commands and Bluetooth info
2.6.1
Jan 2018
Watch Circle information edits
2.6.2
Jan 2018
Fixed error in default timers of Timer 3
2.7
Feb 2018
Added further details to Bluetooth info (New BT update)
2.8
Apr 2018
Rewrote Understanding Position Information section
2.9
Aug 2018
Added changes for version 4170, encryption
3.0
July 2019
Overhaul; messages expanded, alarm mode tips, flash memory
Regular checks for the latest manual are suggested. Be sure to check Xeos Technologies’ manuals
page to compare versions and download the latest version.

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 3
Table of Contents
Shipped From.................................................................................................................................. 2
Contact Us....................................................................................................................................... 2
Specifics........................................................................................................................................... 2
Version History................................................................................................................................ 2
General Description ........................................................................................................................ 6
Theory of Operation........................................................................................................................ 6
Preliminary Setup............................................................................................................................ 7
Outside Diagram......................................................................................................................... 7
Setting up an Iridium Account.................................................................................................... 7
Quickstart........................................................................................................................................ 9
Before using the Rover............................................................................................................... 9
Power-Up.................................................................................................................................... 9
Battery Installation ................................................................................................................ 9
Magnet................................................................................................................................... 9
Confirm Transmission................................................................................................................. 9
Operation ................................................................................................................................... 9
Understanding Position Information ............................................................................................ 10
Iridium Doppler position .......................................................................................................... 10
Global Positioning System........................................................................................................ 11
Additional Models......................................................................................................................... 11
ROBY......................................................................................................................................... 11
On/Off Modes ............................................................................................................................... 12
Using the Magnet..................................................................................................................... 12
LED Indicators........................................................................................................................... 12
Messages From the Rover ............................................................................................................ 13
Version ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Position Message ..................................................................................................................... 13
Compressed Binary Position................................................................................................ 13
ASCII Position (Type P)......................................................................................................... 14
Status Change Message (Type S).............................................................................................. 15
Information Message (Type I) .................................................................................................. 16

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 4
Orientation Change Message................................................................................................... 16
Communicating with the Rover .................................................................................................... 17
Sending Commands via Email .................................................................................................. 17
Command Format................................................................................................................ 17
Command Structure ............................................................................................................ 17
The Unlock Code.................................................................................................................. 18
Sending the Command ........................................................................................................ 18
Sending Commands Using XeosOnline .................................................................................... 19
Setting up to Send ............................................................................................................... 19
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App..................................................................................................... 19
Messages to the Rover.................................................................................................................. 20
Settings..................................................................................................................................... 20
Lifetime Stats............................................................................................................................ 21
Stats.......................................................................................................................................... 21
Timers............................................................................................................................................ 22
Rover/ROBY Timer Intervals..................................................................................................... 23
Timer Command....................................................................................................................... 23
Changing the Timers............................................................................................................ 24
Watch Circle.................................................................................................................................. 25
Enabling the Watch Circle ........................................................................................................ 25
Setting the Watch Circle........................................................................................................... 25
Message Enable ............................................................................................................................ 26
Encryption ..................................................................................................................................... 27
Generating your Key................................................................................................................. 27
Enabling Encryption.................................................................................................................. 28
Setting Up Encryption on XeosOnline ...................................................................................... 28
Flash Memory ............................................................................................................................... 29
Dumping the Flash Memory..................................................................................................... 29
Deleting the Flash Memory...................................................................................................... 30
Other Commands.......................................................................................................................... 31
Testing the Rover .......................................................................................................................... 32
Before testing........................................................................................................................... 32
Testing ...................................................................................................................................... 32

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 5
Power-up and Batteries....................................................................................................... 32
Transmission........................................................................................................................ 32
Response to commands ...................................................................................................... 33
Inverted Messaging ............................................................................................................. 33
Example .................................................................................................................................... 34
Deployment of the Rover.............................................................................................................. 34
Maintenance ................................................................................................................................. 35
Batteries ................................................................................................................................... 35
Choosing Batteries............................................................................................................... 35
Adding/Replacing Batteries ................................................................................................. 35
O-Rings ..................................................................................................................................... 36
Removing the ROBY float ......................................................................................................... 37
Recovery and Storage .............................................................................................................. 37
Appendix A: Part Sourcing Summary............................................................................................ 38
Appendix B: Technical Specifications............................................................................................ 40
Appendix C: Sample Power Consumption Patterns...................................................................... 41
Appendix D: Engineering Diagram ................................................................................................ 42
Appendix E: GPS Text Long ........................................................................................................... 43
Warranty, Support and Limited Liability....................................................................................... 44

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 6
General Description
The Rover Surface Iridium satellite mooring location beacon continuously monitors location for
mobile surface assets and/or instrument moorings. Rover makes use of the bi-directional, global,
real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data (SBD) network in combination with GPS position
location. Rover’s sleek tubular design and internal dual Iridium/GPS antennas located at each end
cap allow it to be easily retrofitted into a variety of surface mounts. Even surface installations
which capsize may be able to transmit location information.
Inside the Rover is a 9603 Iridium satellite Short Burst Data core radio transceiver, a specialized
low power Xeos digital controller with GPS and Iridium hardware.
Rover is intended for surface deployments and should not be deployed in situations which exceed
100m in depth. Xeos Technologies Inc. (Xeos) manufactures other specific products for either
surface, or subsurface applications to depths of 11,000m.
Theory of Operation
The Rover is intended for providing regular location information on high value assets at the
surface, drifting or moored. After being activated, the Rover is deployed at the surface and begins
sending location messages as per the user settings. The internal battery pack provides over 1500
messages.
Operators can communicate with the surface deployed Rover via Iridium using email commands.
Status information can be obtained, including the health of the GPS system and battery voltage.
Timings are settable, and the default is one message every 3 hours. If you need to make a change
to settings, the Rover will receive the command to change the timing the next time it checks for
messages, as much as 3 hours after the command is sent.
The Rover will continue to send position messages based on the timings, until it is manually
turned off or the battery pack drops below the minimum voltage requirement of 7V.
Due to the location of dual Iridium/GPS antennas at both ends of the enclosure, the Rover will
continue to try and send position messages, even when inverted or capsized.

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 7
Preliminary Setup
Outside Diagram
1
The LEDS of the Rover are located here. LEDs illuminate on magnet contact, power-up
and Bluetooth connection
2
The top Iridium and GPS antennae of the Rover are located here
3
The magnet switch for turning the Rover on and off is located behind the label
4
The 15-digit IMEI of the Rover’s Iridium modem and factory serial number is displayed
5
A QR code is available to scan to download the manual on new devices
6
Two sealing O-rings are located in the middle of the Rover. This is where the device is
opened to install batteries
7
The bottom Iridium and GPS antennae of the Rover are located here, used when inverted
Setting up an Iridium Account
Rover 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.
Rover 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]
This temporary email testing account can be deleted or replaced at any time after delivery of the
Rover. Once the SBD account has been activated, please contact your Xeos representative and
confirm this.

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 8
Rover 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 Rover,
however, the messages from the Rover in this format are not human-readable. XeosOnline is a
web-based monitoring system which allows users to view and manage information from the
Rover on a mapping system, as well as view the messages in a human-readable format.
XeosOnline also allows for 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.

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 9
Quickstart
Before using the Rover
Ensure the IMEI of your device is activated through your chosen Iridium
provider and intended message recipients are added to its account ahead
of deployment.
Power-Up
Battery Installation
The Rover automatically turns on once all batteries are installed. The device must
be turned off via magnet or battery removal.
Magnet
Swipe the magnet slowly along the “SWIPE ON/OFF HERE”label
horizontally until the flashing GREEN LED on the top of the device remains
solid. The green LED will flash again while the device completes power-
up.
Confirm Transmission
Turn the device on and place it outside in view of as much of the
sky as possible.
The unit will transmit a power-up message, and transmit one GPS
fix every 10 minutes at default settings within 5 minutes of
power-up for one hour.
Confirm that these messages are being received by your email
and/or XeosOnline.
Operation
When deploying the unit, power it up by swiping the magnet.
Once the unit is confirmed to be on, it is ready to be deployed.
Turn the Rover OFF using the same magnet method as turning ON, with the RED LED in
place of the green.

Rover User Manual Version 3.0 10
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 Rover, as opposed to emails forwarded by
Xeos Online. 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
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