Xeos Technologies Inc. Rover User Manual

Surface iridium satellite beacon with gps location
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Rover User Manual
Surface Iridium Satellite Beacon with GPS Location
Version 3.0
July 2019

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Summary of Contents for Xeos Technologies Inc. Rover

  • Page 1 Rover User Manual Surface Iridium Satellite Beacon with GPS Location Version 3.0 July 2019...
  • Page 2: Shipped From

    Phone (902) 444-7650 (902) 444-7651 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 support@xeostech.com Version History Version No. Date Description Oct 2013...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    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 ...........................
  • Page 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 .......................
  • Page 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 .............................
  • Page 6: General Description

    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.
  • Page 7: Preliminary Setup

    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...
  • Page 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.
  • Page 9: Quickstart

     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 place of the green.
  • Page 10: Understanding Position Information

    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.
  • Page 11: Global Positioning System

    Additional Models ROBY The ROBY model is a modified Rover unit, designed for surface tracking of oil spills. The ROBY incorporates a highly visible urethane foam float and user-configured watch circle functionality to keep track of spill movement.
  • Page 12: On/Off Modes

    LED Indicators The top of the Rover (and bottom of ROBY) use red and green LEDs to show their on/off status. It is also to be used as an indicator for when the magnetic switch is used to turn the device on/off.
  • Page 13: Messages From The Rover

    Current Cause of last power off Previous Cause of previous power off, not used in Rover Position Message Typical position messages are sent in compressed binary format (Message Type 10) to save on data usage and are parsed in XeosOnline. If XeosOnline is not used, GPS Text Short (Message Type 0) can be used to read position messages as P-Type.
  • Page 14: Ascii Position (Type P)

    Type of message (Position) 44.71441 Latitude of fix, decimal degrees -63.60495 Longitude of fix, decimal degrees SNR (Signal-to-noise ratio) of GPS Fix, higher is better Unloaded voltage of device at the time of GPS Fix Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 15: Status Change Message (Type S)

    Indicating the lat/long/radius below are the centre of the circle lat=47.57143 Latitude of installed watch circle lon=-53.56037 Longitude of installed watch circle rad=765m Radius of the watch circle in meters Sched hr = 0 Timing offset of Iridium/GPS sessions from UTC, set via $reporthour Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 16: Information Message (Type I)

    When the Rover is inverted, it enters Timer 2 and lets the user know it has inverted by sending a Stats message. The Rover does not recognize it has inverted until the device attempts a GPS session and requires the use of the antenna opposite of the one it used during the last session.
  • Page 17: Communicating With The Rover

    Communicating with the Rover There are 3 ways to communicate with the Rover: 1. Over-the-air with E-mail 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.
  • Page 18: 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 you can query the unit for the unlock code by sending $unlock to the device as a command.
  • Page 19: Sending Commands Using Xeosonline

    Xeos Beacon Android App. This method of communication requires no disassembly. The Bluetooth app allows for communication, configuration, logging and firmware updates. A detailed document on how to use the application can be found here. Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 20: Messages To The Rover

    Messages to the Rover Settings The $settings command will return a truncated list of important Rover settings aside from timers: Name Default Description GPS Settings (GPS) MxOn Maximum GPS session length in seconds MxPr Maximum GPS session length in poor conditions Temperature minimum 9.000...
  • Page 21: Lifetime Stats

    Successful GPS fix count GPS TTFF Average Time to first fix, in seconds High Temperature Not used with the Rover Low Temperature Not used by the Rover Stats The $stats command will return performance statistics recorded since the last power-up. The stats are like $statsl but exclude Power Cycle Count and Watchdog Reset Count.
  • Page 22: Timers

    Timers The Rover has a combination of preset behaviors and configurable parameters. Here is an outline of its normal/default behavior: Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 23: Rover/Roby Timer Intervals

    Rover/ROBY Timer Intervals The following are the parameters for each mode for the Rover and ROBY. ROVER Timer Min-Max 5m – 1d 5m – 1d ROBY Timer Min-Max 5m – 1d 5m – 1d Legend SBD (Iridium) transmission interval GPS acquisition interval T0 –...
  • Page 24: Changing The Timers

    The GPS and Iridium interval timers can be set independently of each other, but there are several things to keep in mind. The Rover has by default a limit of 12 GPS fixes per Iridium message and will retain a maximum of 24 unsent fixes (all fixes are saved in internal flash memory). This puts a practical limit on the ratio of GPS fixes to Iridium checks.
  • Page 25: Watch Circle

    Radius is set to meters Upon implementing the watch circle, the Rover will return an S-Type message (see below): Once the watch circle is set, the unit will operate normally until it approaches the watch circle radius, at which point the device will send a warning message. Once the device exits the watch circle radius, it will begin sending alarm messages with GPS coordinates every 10 minutes (Timer 2) until the unit re-enters the watch circle, the radius is expanded via command, or is turned off.
  • Page 26: Message Enable

    Message Enable The Rover has several message types that can be enabled for GPS and event messages. At factory defaults, the Rover will send compressed binary GPS (not human readable) and plain text event (surface and battery) messages. These message formats can be changed using the $msgenable command.
  • Page 27: Encryption

    Encryption The Rover has some security features enabled by default, such as an unlock codes for receiving commands. As of build 4170, users can also enable end-to-end 256 bit AES encryption between their device and XeosOnline for an additional layer of security.
  • Page 28: Enabling Encryption

    1. Log in to XeosOnline and click on the Admin button at the top of the screen. 2. Ensure that your organization is selected in the Organization List 3. Find your device and click the edit device button 4. Enter the Rover’s passphrase into the appropriate text boxes and press Save Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 29: Flash Memory

    Dumping the Flash Memory  Connect to the Rover using the Bluetooth App for Android. If The device does not appear as advertising on the main page do one of the following:  Power cycle the device with a magnet or temporary battery removal ...
  • Page 30: Deleting The Flash Memory

    Deleting the Flash Memory The Rover’s memory does not automatically erase. While the Rover can hold several thousand GPS positions it is prudent to clear the flash memory after extended deployments. To delete the flash records, send the command: $flasheraseuserdata The deleting process can take up to 30 seconds, after which the device will reset.
  • Page 31: Other Commands

    Other Commands Below is a list of other commands that can be sent via Iridium or Bluetooth to acquire additional information, or configure the Rover. Remember to add the $ symbol ahead of any commands. Iridium or Bluetooth Command Parameters...
  • Page 32: Testing The Rover

    1) Place the device upright in a location outside that has as much of the sky visible as possible; buildings and other tall objects can impede a beacon’s ability to transmit. 2) The following messages are to be expected from the Rover after turning on within five minutes: a.
  • Page 33: Response To Commands

    Iridium session after inversion. The beginning of this message is below: etc… The Rover should be left in this orientation to allow the Rover to send several GPS fixes with its bottom antenna. The same expectations in quality should be expected from the bottom antenna as with the top.
  • Page 34: Example

    After inversion an Orientation Change message was sent on the next transmission interval. All GPS SNRs from the top and bottom of the Rover were at or above 38 as expected for successful test in the Location Log.
  • Page 35: Maintenance

     Slide the new batteries into each column with respect to its labelling for correct orientation The Rover may beep to indicate changes in the battery voltage as it can start as final batteries are installed. Once all the batteries have been replaced, the Rover will stop beeping. The enclosure pieces can be reassembled, taking care to inspect and seat the O-Rings first.
  • Page 36: O-Rings

    O-Rings O-rings are critical to the waterproof nature of the Rover. O-rings should be visually inspected to make sure they are properly seated in the groove and to ensure there is no visible damage to the O-ring. If the O-rings pass visual inspection and have been deployed for 2 months or less, the O-rings do not need to be replaced.
  • Page 37: Removing The Roby Float

    3. After both braces have been removed, the float can be slid off the ROBY. Recovery and Storage Once, the Rover is recovered, it is important that it be stored and maintained properly for future deployments. As soon as possible after the Rover is recovered, all batteries should be removed and discarded.
  • Page 38: Appendix A: Part Sourcing Summary

    Lubrication should be used each time the O-Ring is removed and reseated Procedure: Squeeze a thin layer of lube onto the O-Ring. Gently spread the lube around the O-Ring until it is completely coated. Follow instructions for seating the O-Ring Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 39 Firmware updates can be uploaded via Bluetooth. Alternative method using Micro-USB on device (requires disassembly) Procedure: A detailed instruction and procedure will accompany each firmware release. Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 40: Appendix B: Technical Specifications

    48 Channel SiRFstarIV, GSD4e GPS chip Iridium Hardware 9603 Modem Environmental Operating Temperature -40° C +60° C (-40° F to 140° F) Storage Temperature -40° C to +85° C (-40° F to +185° F) *Specifications subject to change without notice. Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 41: Appendix C: Sample Power Consumption Patterns

    1 day 1287 days 1580 days 3 years, 6.31 mths 4 years, 3.94 mths Calculations subject to change without notice. Xeos conducts ongoing battery life and power consumption tests to provide more accurate information to customers. Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 42: Appendix D: Engineering Diagram

    Appendix D: Engineering Diagram Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 43: Appendix E: Gps Text Long

    Number of seconds device has been in this mode (In-circle or out of circle, whatever the status is at this time) RSSI (Iridium signal strength) 13018 Battery Voltage 71458 On-second, seconds since power-up/last reset Temperature, Degrees C Movement Counter Rover User Manual Version 3.0...
  • Page 44: Warranty, Support And Limited Liability

    Warranty, Support and Limited Liability Xeos Technologies Inc. warranties the Rover Beacon to be free of defects in material or manufacturing for a period of one year following delivery. Liability is limited to repair or replacement of the defective part and will be done free of charge.

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