Xeos Rover-X User manual

Rover-X User Manual
Surface Iridium Satellite Beacon with GPS Location
Version 1.0
January 2023

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 2
Shipped From
Contact Us
Email
[email protected]
Phone
[phone]
Fax
[phone]
Website
https://xeostech.com/
Specifics
This manual version is written with respect to Rover-X firmware build 11743. If you wish to
acquire the latest firmware for your device, contact [email protected]
Version History
Version No.
Date
Description
1.0
Jan 2024
Original Document
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-X User Manual Version 1.0 3
Table of Contents
Overview......................................................................................................................................... 5
Preliminary Setup............................................................................................................................ 5
Outside Diagram......................................................................................................................... 5
Setting up an Iridium Account.................................................................................................... 6
Quickstart........................................................................................................................................ 7
Rover-X Operation .......................................................................................................................... 8
Using the Magnetic Switch......................................................................................................... 8
Operational Tips......................................................................................................................... 8
Installation.................................................................................................................................. 8
Messages from the Rover ............................................................................................................... 9
Version ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Unlock......................................................................................................................................... 9
Position Message ..................................................................................................................... 10
Compressed Binary Position (Type GC) ............................................................................... 10
ASCII Position (Type AG)...................................................................................................... 11
Default Message (Type DM)..................................................................................................... 11
Watch Circle Parameters (Type WC)........................................................................................ 12
Communicating with the Rover-X................................................................................................. 13
Sending Commands Using XeosOnline .................................................................................... 13
Setting up to Send ............................................................................................................... 13
Sending Commands via Email .................................................................................................. 14
Command Format................................................................................................................ 14
The Unlock Code.................................................................................................................. 15
Sending the Command ........................................................................................................ 15
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App..................................................................................................... 15
The Rover-X’s Scheduler ............................................................................................................... 16
Rover-X Tasks ........................................................................................................................... 17
Rover-X Timer Modes............................................................................................................... 18
Default Timer Settings.............................................................................................................. 19
Timer Command....................................................................................................................... 20
Changing the Timers................................................................................................................. 20

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 4
Watch Circle.................................................................................................................................. 21
The Rover-X’s Sensors................................................................................................................... 22
Tilt Sensing ............................................................................................................................... 22
Bluetooth ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Commands Summary.................................................................................................................... 23
Deployment of the Rover.............................................................................................................. 23
Maintenance................................................................................................................................. 24
Batteries ................................................................................................................................... 24
Choosing Batteries............................................................................................................... 24
Adding/Replacing Batteries................................................................................................. 24
O-Rings ..................................................................................................................................... 25
Recovery and Storage .............................................................................................................. 26
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................ 27
Self-Test Failure Codes.................................................................................................................. 29
Appendix A: Technical Specifications ........................................................................................... 30
Appendix B: Supplemental Messages........................................................................................... 31
System Information Message................................................................................................... 31
Switch Response....................................................................................................................... 31
Appendix C: Engineering Diagram ................................................................................................ 32
Appendix D: Raw Iridium Information.......................................................................................... 33
Iridium Doppler position .......................................................................................................... 33
Global Positioning System........................................................................................................ 34
Warranty, Support and Limited Liability....................................................................................... 35

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 5
Overview
The Rover-X Surface Iridium satellite mooring location beacon is intended for providing regular
location information on high value assets at the surface, drifting or moored.
Rover-X makes use of the bi-directional, global, real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data
(SBD) network in combination with GPS position location. Rover-X’s sleek tubular design and
internal dual Iridium/GPS antennas located at each end 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-X is a 9603 Iridium satellite Short Burst Data core radio transceiver, a
specialized low power Xeos digital controller with GPS and Iridium hardware. After being
activated, the Rover-X is deployed at the surface and begins sending location messages as per
the user settings. The internal battery pack provides over 1500 messages.
Rover-X 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.
See xeostech.com for details or call [phone].
Preliminary Setup
Outside Diagram
1
The LEDS of the Rover-X are located here. LEDs illuminate on magnet contact, power-up
and Bluetooth connection
2
The top Iridium and GPS antennae of the Rover-X are located here
3
The magnet switch for turning the Rover-X on and off is located behind the label
4
The 15-digit IMEI of the Rover-X’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-X. This is where the device is
opened to install batteries
7
The bottom Iridium and GPS antennae of the Rover-X are located here, used when
inverted

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 6
Setting up an Iridium Account
Rover-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.
Rover-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.
Rover-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 Rover-X,
however, the messages from the Rover-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 xeostech.com for more information.

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 7
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-X automatically turns on once all batteries are installed. The device
must be turned off via magnet or battery removal.
Magnet
•Swipe the magnet along the SWIPE ON/OFF HERE label horizontally until
the GREEN LED on the top of the device is shown. 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 power-up messages then one position
every 10 minutes at default settings within 5 minutes of power-up
for one hour.
•Confirm that these messages are being received via 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-X OFF using the same magnet method as turning ON, with the RED LED
in place of the green.

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 8
Rover-X Operation
Using the Magnetic Switch
The Rover-X beacon is turned ON and OFF using a magnet swiped
near an internal magnetic reed switch, and operation can be
identified by viewing the LED through the top of the Rover-X.
To turn on the Rover-X, swipe the magnet along the SWIPE ON/OFF
HERE label horizontally until the GREEN LED on the top of the device
is shown. The green LED will flash again while the device completes power-up. The green LED
also flashes when a Bluetooth connection is established.
Note: If a new LED sequence begins using the red LED after turning the Rover-X on and the
device beeps repeatedly, this indicates a self-test failure. See the section below on failure
codes.
To turn the Rover-X OFF, repeat the above procedure until the red LED is shown.
At any time, the magnet can be placed against the location of the reed switch once to see
which mode the beacon is currently in; green for on, red for off.
Operational Tips
•It is important to let all LEDs stop illuminating before initiating another action.
•Cycling power for any reason, for example by using the magnetic switch to turn OFF/ON or
by removing battery power, will initiate the Startup 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 Rover-X there are several factors that can influence performance.
•The top or bottom of the Rover-X must be pointing toward the sky; white is top.
•Iridium and especially GPS performance may suffer if large angles of the horizon are
blocked, such as if the Rover-X is next to a wall.

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 9
Messages from the Rover
There are several messages sent from the Rover-X, depending on setup and conditions. Below
are examples of the most common messages.
Version
The Version message has a summary of the firmware and hardware revision of the device. It
also displays reset information and the IMEI of the device.
Powerup: true, Ascii: Rover-X v1.0-11743. dev:4 Hw:7.1.1 SN=1000
IMEI:300434061233400 Reset Count: 15 Latest Reset Reason: 1
Version
Firmware Version
Product; Major, minor, build of firmware
Hw
Hardware revision, set during assembly
SN
The unit’s serial number
IMEI
The unique number of the device’s Iridium modem
Reset Count
The number of resets since device was built
Latest Reset Reason
Cause of last reset
Unlock
The Rover-X uses unlock codes as a security measure to prevent unauthorized commands. The
Rover-X sends this code automatically in the first Iridium session to keep the user, and
XeosOnline, up to date on this code. Remember that messages are only sent to destinations
that are allowed to receive them.
Any commands which do not include a valid unlock code as the first line will be ignored by the
Rover, but will prompt the unit to reply with a valid unlock code to all provisioned addresses.
See below for more details on the Unlock Code.
Unlock Code: 19235

Rover-X User Manual Version 1.0 10
Position Message
Typical position messages are sent in compressed binary format (Type GC) to save on data
usage and are parsed in XeosOnline. If XeosOnline is not used, ASCII GPS (Type AG) can be used
to read position messages as plain text.
Compressed Binary Position (Type GC)
The default format for positions is compressed to save on Iridium data usage. This binary
format is parsed into a readable format by XeosOnline, placing its full contents in the Message
and Location Logs.
The binary format is stackable and can hold more than one position per Iridium transmission. In
this situation, all recorded positions will be displayed in the Location Log in table form, while
the latest position will be displayed in the Message Log.
Timestamp: 2023-06-20T12:00:35.001Z, Voltage Unloaded: 3.54, BatteryV:
2.62, Mode: Normal, Device Temperature (°C): -63, Message Type: GC,
Latitude: 44.714099,
Longitude: -63.604563, SNR: 45, Bearing: 0, Speed: .2880, HDOP: 24.4
Compressed Position
Timestamp
Date and time in UTC of the latest position reading
Voltage Unloaded
Voltage measurement taken before powering the Iridium modem
BatteryV
Loaded voltage of the power supply; minimum battery voltage
observed during the previous Iridium task
Mode
The timer in the scheduler used when the message was
transmitted
Device Temperature
Temperature read before transmission (not used)
Message Type
Displays the message format being transmitted
Latitude
Latitude of fix, decimal degrees
Longitude
Longitude of fix, decimal degrees
SNR
SNR (Signal-to-noise ratio) of GPS Fix, higher is better
Bearing
Direction of movement determined by device to the nearest 22.5°
Speed
Speed measurement in kilometers per hour
HDOP
Horizontal Dilution of Precision
Each compressed message is 23 bytes in size, with an additional 10 bytes added for each
additional “stacked” position.