Xeos Apollo-X7 User manual

Apollo-X User Manual
SUBMERSIBLE IRIDIUM / GPS / LED FLASHER
Version 0.9
June 2023

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 2
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Specifics
This manual version is written with respect to Apollo-X firmware build 11203. If you wish to
acquire the latest firmware for your device, contact [e-mail]
The Apollo-X is the next generation and successor to the Apollo. For the manual of the original
Apollo, please see here.
Version History
Regular checks for the latest manual are suggested. Be sure to check Xeos Technologies’
manuals page to compare versions and download the latest version.
Version No.
Date
Description
0.9
June 2023
Preliminary document

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 3
Table of Contents
Overview......................................................................................................................................... 5
Preliminary Setup............................................................................................................................ 5
Outside Diagram......................................................................................................................... 5
Setting up an Iridium Account.................................................................................................... 6
Understanding Position Information .............................................................................................. 7
Iridium Doppler position ............................................................................................................ 7
Global Positioning System.......................................................................................................... 8
Apollo-X Models.............................................................................................................................. 9
Apollo-X Operation ....................................................................................................................... 10
Using the Magnets ................................................................................................................... 10
Operational Tips....................................................................................................................... 10
Installation................................................................................................................................ 10
Messages from the Apollo ............................................................................................................ 11
Version ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Unlock....................................................................................................................................... 11
Position Message ..................................................................................................................... 12
Compressed Binary Position (Type GC) ............................................................................... 12
ASCII Position (Type AG)...................................................................................................... 13
Default Message (Type DM)..................................................................................................... 13
Surfaced (Type SF).................................................................................................................... 14
Watch Circle Parameters (Type WC)........................................................................................ 15
Communicating with the Apollo-X................................................................................................ 16
Sending Commands Using XeosOnline .................................................................................... 16
Setting up to Send ............................................................................................................... 16
Sending Commands via Email .................................................................................................. 17
Command Format................................................................................................................ 17
The Unlock Code.................................................................................................................. 18
Sending the Command ........................................................................................................ 18
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App..................................................................................................... 18
The Apollo-X’s Scheduler .............................................................................................................. 19
Apollo-X Tasks .......................................................................................................................... 20

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 4
Apollo-X Timer Modes.............................................................................................................. 22
Default Timer Settings.............................................................................................................. 24
Timer Command....................................................................................................................... 25
Changing the Timers................................................................................................................. 25
Strobe LED..................................................................................................................................... 26
Strobe Number and Interval .................................................................................................... 26
Strobe Disabling ....................................................................................................................... 26
Other Strobe Features......................................................................................................... 27
Watch Circle.................................................................................................................................. 28
Setting the Watch Circle........................................................................................................... 28
Additional Watch Circle Information ....................................................................................... 28
The Apollo-X’s Sensors.................................................................................................................. 29
Water Sensing .......................................................................................................................... 29
Light Sensing............................................................................................................................. 29
Tilt Sensing ............................................................................................................................... 30
Bluetooth ...................................................................................................................................... 31
Commands Summary.................................................................................................................... 32
Maintenance................................................................................................................................. 33
Opening the Housing................................................................................................................ 33
Battery Options ........................................................................................................................ 33
Battery Replacement................................................................................................................ 34
O-Rings ..................................................................................................................................... 34
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................ 36
Appendix A: Apollo-X Remote Head ............................................................................................. 37
Appendix B: Technical Specifications............................................................................................ 38
Appendix C: Supplemental Messages........................................................................................... 40
System Information Message................................................................................................... 40
Switch Response....................................................................................................................... 40
Warranty, Support and Limited Liability....................................................................................... 41

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 5
Overview
The Apollo-X Submersible Iridium GPS-LED Flasher Mooring Location Beacon continuously
monitors for unplanned or accidental release of subsurface instrument moorings.
The Apollo-X makes use of the bi-directional, global, real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data
(SBD) network in combination with GPS position location and an ultra-bright LED flasher. The
Apollo-X’s tubular design allows it to be easily retrofitted into existing subsurface flotation
configurations, such as syntactic foam.
Inside the Apollo-X is a 9603 Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data core radio transceiver, a
specialized low power Xeos digital controller with GPS, ultra-bright LED, and battery package.
The Apollo-X is intended for subsurface deployments up to 11,000 meters below sea level. Xeos
Technologies Inc. (Xeos) manufactures other specific products for surface applications as well as
sub-surface applications at varying depths.
See www.xeostech.com for details or call [phone].
Preliminary Setup
Outside Diagram
The Apollo-X has several items of note to help identify a specific device. Shown below are key
sections of the Apollo-X.
1
The LED of the Apollo-X is located here. The titanium sections above and below the glass
must be shorted to trigger the water sense
2
The magnet switch for turning the Apollo-X on and off is located directly below the glass
3
The meeting point of the electronics head and battery chamber is torqued and should not
be opened. A sealing O-ring is installed here.
4
The 15-digit IMEI of the Apollo-X’s Iridium modem as well as factory serial number is
labelled on the battery tube. On the Apollo-X1, this is on the head.
5
A QR code is available to scan to download the manual. On the X1, this is on the head.
6
The bottom end cap contains a sealing O-ring and allows for battery installation

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 6
Setting up an Iridium Account
Apollo-X 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.
Apollo-X 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, on the label of each device. Each modem has a unique IMEI
that must be registered with the Iridium service provider. Xeos Technologies is one such
provider, able to provide Iridium SBD data service and accounts. Please contact
[email protected] for more information. Each IMEI is capable of being associated with
up to five (5) unique email or IP addresses.
Apollo-X makes use of a simple and robust binary protocol as the default outgoing message
format. Any email application can be used to send and receive messages with the Apollo-X,
however, the messages from the Apollo-X in this format are not human-readable.
XeosOnline is a web-based monitoring system which allows users to view and manage
information from their Xeos beacons on a mapping system, as well as view the messages in a
human-readable format. Sending messages and changing configuration of your devices can also
be completed through this service. XeosOnline also allows for the creation of multiple kinds of
message forwarders which can forward specific (or all) messages to a group of email addresses
in a human-readable form.
See www.xeostech.com for more information.

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 7
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 Apollo-X, 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 incrementing serial number. Since the message in
the example is from an Iridium device, the MT number is
zero.

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 8
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 centre 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 XeosOnline system or situations where
the position information is sent in a plain-text format (XeosOnline message forwarder or using
the $gpstype command). This position information is accurate to within several meters of the
true position.

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 9
Apollo-X Models
Apollo-X7
The long tube variant of the Apollo-X is the standard model, equipping the largest power
supply by capacity and physical size.
While the Apollo-X7 operates in the same manner as the standard long-tube Apollo, this
model uses seven size D 1.5V alkaline batteries with a nominal voltage of 10.5V.
The Apollo-X7 has a depth rating of 11,000 meters.
Apollo-X3
The short tube variant of the Apollo, the Apollo-3 offers a shorter, lighter package for
easier mooring and has all of the capabilities of the standard version.
While the Apollo-X3 operates in the same manner as the Apollo-X7, this model
requires three Saft LSH20 size D 3.6V lithium batteries with a nominal voltage of
10.8V. It also has a different voltage threshold to account for its different battery
pack for low battery mode.
Like its larger counterpart, the Apollo-X3 has a depth rating of 11,000 meters.
Apollo-X1
The X1 is a miniature, low voltage version of the Apollo-X beacon. The X1 incorporates
all operational functionality of the Apollo-X7, but is certified to a depth of 6000m.
The smaller profile of the X1 requires one Saft LSH20 Size D 3.6V lithium battery.
Apollo-XRH
The Apollo-XRH is a remote head variant of the Apollo-X line, designed for easier
mooring and weight distribution. Apollo-XRHs operate in the same manner as the
standard Apollo-X, and can be ordered with long alkaline, or short lithium battery
tube.
Since the Apollo-XRH can also be powered externally using its included cable, it
can also be powered within the range of 6 to 28VDC.
See the Apollo-X Remote Head section for more details.

Apollo-X User Manual Version 0.9 10
Apollo-X Operation
Using the Magnets
The Apollo-X beacon is turned ON and OFF via the swiping of an external magnet under the
glass, and operation can be identified by viewing the LED through the top of the device.
To turn the Apollo-X ON, swipe the magnet against the bottom of the glass where labelling
indicates until the Apollo-X displays a dim LED, then a bright LED. A start-up sequence will then
display a repeating sequence from dim to bright, until the self-test period ends. The device is
then in operation.
Note: If a new LED sequence begins after turning the Apollo-X ON, this indicates a self-test
failure. See the section below on failure codes.
To turn the Apollo-X OFF, repeat the above procedure with the magnet; swipe the magnet
against the bottom of the glass where labelling indicates until the Apollo-X displays a bright
LED, followed by a dim LED.
ON/OFF Magnetic Switch
Operational Tips
•It is important to let all LEDs stop before initiating another action.
•Cycling power for any reason, such as using the magnetic switch or removing the bottom
end cap, will initiate start-up mode.
•The beacon requires a good view of the sky for any test. It is necessary that any tests be
done outside of a building, far from potential obstructions.
Installation
When installing the Apollo-X there are several factors that can influence performance.
•The Apollo-X’s head must be pointing toward the sky.
•Iridium and especially GPS performance may suffer if large angles of the horizon are
blocked, such as if the Apollo-X is next to a wall.
•Do not use conductive material at the top of the Apollo-X around the glass lens; this will
cause the water sensor to give improper readings.