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Intab Tinytag Connect User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Intab Tinytag Connect

  • Page 1 Tinytag connect...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    1.5 Ethernet Receiver/LAN Logger Software Setup 1.6 Tinytag Connect Gateway Software Setup 1.7 Connecting to a System from Another Computer 1.8 Enabling the Tinytag Connect Navigation Pane 1.9 Radio Logger Setup 1.10 Using a Tinytag Connect Device 1.11 Logger Icons System Information 2.1 System Components...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Introduction This guide explains how to set up and run a Tinytag Connect system. It covers the installation of a system, an overview of how it works and then specific information on the different types of logger the system supports (radio and LAN connected products).

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    Getting Started...

  • Page 6: What You Need

    1.1 What you need To use a Tinytag Connect system you will require the following: • A copy of the Tinytag Explorer Connect software CD • A Tinytag Connect activation code (this can be found inside the front cover of this manual) • A Tinytag Connect device (Radio receiver, loggers and/or LAN logger) • Associated probes and cables • Associated power supplies (if required) You will also need a computer to run the system; it is recommended that the software be run on a server if possible.

  • Page 7: Software Installation & Setup

    1.2 Software Installation & Setup For information on system Requirements refer to the Appendix. Warning! To install Tinytag Explorer, you will need to have Windows Administrator Access rights on the server or computer you are using. • Place the Tinytag Explorer CD into the CD drive of your PC. The Tinytag Explorer Installer will run automatically after a few seconds and present you with a Welcome screen. If Tinytag Explorer Installer does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to your CD drive and double-click tinytag.msi.
  • Page 8 If you didn’t create a desktop icon when installing the software, you can start the software by going to: Start >> All Programs >> Tinytag Explorer >> Tinytag Explorer Activating Tinytag Explorer Connect The first time you run Tinytag Explorer you will be prompted to activate the software. Enter the activation code into the box provided and choose whether you want it to be applied to all the user accounts on the computer.

  • Page 9: Usb Receiver Hardware Installation

    When the installation is complete, plug the cable into the receiver and turn the receiver on. The receiver should then be located so that it is within range of one or more data loggers (an elevated position may help). Now go to Section 1.6: Tinytag Connect Gateway Software Setup 1.3 USB RECEIVER HARDWARE INSTALLATION...

  • Page 10: Ethernet Receiver/Lan Logger Hardware Setup

    1.4 Ethernet Receiver/LAN Logger Hardware Setup Ethernet receivers and LAN loggers are Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices. If a PoE plug-in injector is supplied, the device should be connected up using Ethernet cables (not supplied) as shown below: Once connected, turn the device on. Locate and make a note of the MAC address on the back of the device being installed, this will be needed later.

  • Page 11: Ethernet Receiver/Lan Logger Software Setup

    1.5 Ethernet Receiver/LAN Logger Software Setup To install a Tinytag Plus Radio Ethernet Receiver or LAN Logger: On the computer that will run the Master Gateway, install and activate the Tinytag Explorer Connect software, as previously described. Browse the Tinytag Explorer CD and locate the LAN folder Run the program VirtualCommPort.exe and follow the instructions in the onscreen prompts Run the program IPsetup.exe.
  • Page 12 Run the Virtual Comm Port software (this is called NB Virtual Comm Port and can be found on the Windows Start Menu under NetBurner NNDK) and click Add. Set Select serial port to COM100 (if installing more than one device, increment the port number for each successive device used).
  • Page 13 In the Remote host name/port fields type the IP address of the Ethernet device and the Listening network port number (as previously determined) and click Add and Apply. The device is now ready to use. 1.5 ETHERNET RECEIVER/LAN LOGGER SOFTWARE SETUP...

  • Page 14: Tinytag Connect Gateway Software Setup

    With the receiver or logger plugged into the computer or network, start Tinytag Explorer and go to Options and Communication Options. Next, click on the Tinytag Connect tab and select Use a Tinytag Connect Product, then select Direct connection to Tinytag Connect Device and click on the Configure Gateway button.
  • Page 15 You can enter multiple e-mail addresses by separating them with a semi-colon. You can set the system to send automatic e-mail reminders every 24 hours by checking the Send a reminder email every 24 hours box. Click Next 1.6 TINYTAG CONNECT GATEWAY SOFTWARE SETUP...
  • Page 16 Autostart gateway service when this computer is switched on box. This will automatically start the gateway service running, and maintain the network, in the event of an unexpected reboot. To start the radio service, check the Start it now box, then Finish.   1.6 TINYTAG CONNECT GATEWAY SOFTWARE SETUP...

  • Page 17: Connecting To A System From Another Computer

    To connect to an existing system from another computer, install Tinytag Explorer on the remote computer and go to Options and Communication Options. Select the Tinytag Connect tab, Use a Tinytag Connect Product and then Autodetect Gateway on LAN.

  • Page 18: Enabling The Tinytag Connect Navigation Pane

    1.8 Enabling the Tinytag Connect Navigation Panel On the Tinytag Explorer Connect toolbar you will now see a new drop-down menu. Select the Tinytag Connect Gateway option. A navigation panel will then appear on the left-hand side of the screen and after a few moments the receiver or any LAN logger(s) connected to the system will start listing.

  • Page 19: Radio Logger Setup

    1.9 Radio Logger Setup Once Tinytag Explorer has been installed and the receiver set up, data loggers can be turned on. To minimise the time necessary for the units to connect, start turning on the loggers closest to the receiver first and then work outwards. To turn a logger on, press and hold the switch on the unit until you see its LED light green.

  • Page 20: Using A Tinytag Connect Device

    1.10 Using a Tinytag Connect Device To work with a Connect device, right click on it and select an option from the menu that appears. Configure Use this to change a device’s settings Get Data Use this to view data from a device Current Readings Use this to view what a device is currently reading.

  • Page 21: Logger Icons

    *The device connected to the system is not being recognised, check you are running the latest version of the Tinytag Connect software. If in doubt, please contact your supplier or Gemini Technical Support (contact details can be found at the end of this manual).

  • Page 23: System Information

    System Information...

  • Page 24: System Components

    2.1 System Components Below is a key to the components used in the Tinytag Connect system that you will see in various places throughout this manual. Tinytag Radio Logger LAN Data Logger Tinytag Receiver   Tinytag Explorer Connect Tinytag Connect Gateway...

  • Page 25: System Overview

    2.2 System Overview Introduction A Tinytag Connect system can be made up of a combination of radio and/or LAN connected data loggers, but every system has the same core components; the Tinytag Connect Gateway, that manages the collection of data from the loggers; the Tinytag Explorer Connect software, which allows users to view the data and configure their loggers and the data loggers themselves (additionally, in radio systems, a receiver is required to forward data from loggers to the Connect Gateway).
  • Page 26 Tinytag Connect Gateway The Tinytag Connect Gateway is a Windows service which runs in the background on a computer. The Connect Gateway manages data from loggers connected to it and makes this data available for viewing in Tinytag Explorer. There are two types of Connect Gateway; a Master Gateway, which runs and manages a system, and a Slave Gateway, which is used to forward data from USB receivers or remote sites to a system’s Master...
  • Page 27 The Connect version of the Tinytag Explorer uses a different activation code from the standard version of the software to enable Connect functionality. This activation code adds a Tinytag Connect tab to the Options >> Communication Options dialog box which allows the user to configure the Tinytag Connect Gateway Service.
  • Page 28 Loggers Every Connect system requires at least one data logger to collect the actual data. Data loggers are electronic devices that record data using different types of sensors. By default, they transmit this data to the Connect Gateway as it is recorded, but they also hold a copy of the data locally in case problems arise.

  • Page 29: Gateway Configurations

    2.3 Gateway Configurations Introduction There are two types of Connect Gateway; a Master Gateway, which runs a system, and a Slave Gateway, which can be setup to forward data to a Master Gateway from another computer. Every system must have a Master Gateway, but Slave Gateways are optional and are generally used to make a system more flexible.
  • Page 30 Server NETWORK A Tinytag Connect Master Gateway is installed on a server, with a receiver for a radio network, or a number of LAN loggers, connected to it. The Connect Gateway then makes data available to other users on the same network for viewing in the Tinytag Explorer Connect software. This is the recommended configuration for a system because servers are usually on all of the time and they are also backed-up regularly, making the system more robust.
  • Page 31 Gateway (this should already be selected on new installations). This ensures that the Tinytag Connect Gateway will start running as soon as a computer is turned on; reducing the delay in fetching the data the gateway hasn’t downloaded. Enabling this option also ensures a Tinytag Connect system will start running again in the event of a power cut.

  • Page 32: Data Logging

    2.4 Data Logging No stopping Tinytag Connect data loggers will start logging as soon as they are switched on. They do not need to be ‘launched’. It is possible to change the configuration of a logger (logging interval, channels labels, groups, etc.) without stopping the logging process.

  • Page 33: Data Transmission

    2.5 Data Transmission Data Organisation Every measurement is written to memory and transmitted to the Connect Gateway as soon as it is taken. Every measurement transmission carries the logger serial number and a measurement sequence number, therefore it is impossible for measurements to be mixed up between devices or recorded in the wrong order.

  • Page 34: Alarm E-Mails

    2.6 Alarm E-Mails When configuring the system, alarm notification e-mails can be enabled. When an alarm is triggered, an e-mail will be sent to the address(es) provided during setup, detailing the logger and probe that triggered the alarm. If an alarm is configured, the logger samples the parameter every few seconds. If an alarm value is exceeded, an alarm indicator will be transmitted to the Connect Gateway immediately, and this will show up in Tinytag Explorer straight away.

  • Page 35: Exporting Data

    (instantaneous measurement means the last logged measurement received from the logger). Modbus may be a convenient option for software which uses Tinytag Connect loggers as part of an industrial process control or SCADA system.
  • Page 36 The following example was downloaded from: http://hostname:3927/Exports/all_readings/613756.csv The first few lines of this file is a header which consists of: • Various properties, name and value in the first two columns, for example ‘Serial’ and ‘Next Restart’. • A blank line. •...
  • Page 37 format (yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss), but may be presented differently in the program you use to open the file based on your Windows preferences. The second and subsequent columns contain measurements. Note: • Measurements are listed in time order. • If there is a gap because of a communications delay then measurements will be held back until the Connect Gateway has been able to fill the gap in.

  • Page 38: Modbus

    2.8 Modbus Properties and Registers The Modbus protocol provides read/write access to numbered 16-bit registers. Connect loggers natively use numbered properties which are somewhat similar to Modbus registers. The Connect Gateway automatically translates between these two systems. The translation primarily involves changing data types.
  • Page 39 file, and restarting. This may be necessary at sites where more than 254 devices have been used and decommissioned, because the unit identifiers will remain reserved for the decommissioned devices. Function Codes The Connect Gateway supports only Modbus function code 0x03: Read Holding Registers. 32-bit Values All values wider than 16 bits are mapped onto multiple 16 bit registers.
  • Page 40 Missing Properties The Connect Gateway will return an Illegal Data Address error code if the requested property has not been fetched, or is missing from the device. This should not happen under normal circumstances, but may occur if: • Requesting a register corresponding to a diagnostic/debugging property, and the Connect Gateway is not in a diagnostic mode.

  • Page 41: Power

    2.9 Power All Tinytag Radio and LAN data loggers and receivers are fitted with alkaline batteries that are widely available and cheap to replace. These batteries are either the main source of power for the device, or provide back-up power in the event of the devices primary power source going down. Radio Data Loggers Radio data loggers are battery powered devices with an option for being mains powered, through a plug-in power supply, if required.
  • Page 42 LAN Data Loggers and Ethernet Receiver Plus Radio Ethernet receivers and LAN data loggers are Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices. A plug-in PoE injector (part number ACS-0041) is supplied with all LAN data loggers and the Plus Radio Ethernet Receivers. If a number of LAN devices are going to be used, an Ethernet hub that provides PoE should be considered.
  • Page 43 Low battery warnings are not included in the systems e-mail alerts. The Effect of the Mesh Network (Radio Only) The battery life of radio loggers is typically 12 months in an average sized radio system (when loggers are set to record on the default ten minute logging interval they are supplied with). The effect on battery life of the mesh network primarily depends on the number of radio messages that a logger will hear.

  • Page 44: Troubleshooting

    2.10 Troubleshooting Tinytag Explorer Status Bar Flashes Red (Connect Gateway Status: Not Connected) The connection between Tinytag Explorer and the Connect Gateway has been broken. Click on the Status Bar and press the Connect button. This may be either a computer network connection or a software connection within the same computer.

  • Page 45: Radio

    Radio...

  • Page 46: Radio Specification

    3.1 Radio Specification Different radio frequencies are used for different countries: 869.8MHz Used in the EU. Devices using this frequency can be identified by their part number ending –A. Older part numbers which do not have a single letter part number suffix also use this frequency.

  • Page 47: Positioning & Mounting Instructions

    3.2 Positioning & Mounting Antenna Orientation Ideally the antenna should be oriented vertically. Most of the energy is emitted perpendicular to the antenna. Ultra Radio products can be wall mounted or placed flat on a surface, such as a shelf or a table top. They should be oriented as shown below, and not with the logger and antenna both mounted vertically.
  • Page 48 Plus Radio Mounting Points The logger can be wall mounted or placed on its back on a flat surface, such as a shelf. The logger’s back-plate has mounting holes, as shown. Ultra Radio Mounting Bracket If wall mounting an Ultra Radio data logger, remove the two indicated screws from the rear of the logger and use them to screw the mounting clip onto the back of the logger.

  • Page 49: Installation

    3.3 Installation Introduction This section describes best practice for installing a radio system. Note that deviating from this process will not cause any significant problems; at worst it may take a little longer for all the loggers to connect to the system. Receiver First The first step in setting up a system should be placing the receiver.
  • Page 50 Distance Order Power up the remaining loggers, starting with those closest to the receiver – this order will minimise the time necessary for them all to connect. In most cases these loggers should establish a preliminary place in the mesh and connect within a few minutes, otherwise the full meshing process will allow them to connect after 30 minutes.

  • Page 51: System Configurations

    3.4 System Configurations Mesh Network All devices in a radio system participate in a mesh network. Tinytag Radio System Components Key Tinytag Radio Logger Tinytag Receiver Tinytag Connect Gateway OBSTACLE Tinytag Explorer Connect Obstacle Communication Route Alternative Communication Route Out of Range LOCAL RECORDING Mesh networks are ideally suited to data logging because they have the following characteristics: 1.
  • Page 52 Several advantages are unique to the Tinytag Radio mesh network: 1. All devices are capable of meshing. Some mesh network systems from other vendors differentiate between “mesh routing hubs” (which are often mains powered, and may need to be placed with some care) and non-meshing “transmitters”.

  • Page 53: Receiver Configurations

    3.5 Receiver Configurations Most installation will only need the one receiver, but in some cases multiple receivers might be a benefit. Receivers can be connected directly to the computer running either type of gateway in two ways; either across a network, using an Ethernet connected receiver, or directly, using a USB cable. The default configuration of the Connect Gateway will automatically scan all com ports to find any receivers attached to the system, but if Ethernet receivers are being used it is best to specify these manually.
  • Page 54 Receiver Configurations There is a minor difference to the behaviour of a receiver depending on whether it is connected to Master or Slave Gateway. A receiver that loses contact with the Master Gateway (maybe because the computer has shut down) will continue to maintain the mesh network centred on that receiver. This ensures that the mesh is ready for use as soon as the computer running the Connect Gateway reboots.

  • Page 55: Mesh Network Behaviour

    3.6 Mesh Network Behaviour Switching On a Device When a device is first switched on it will send new measurements downstream as soon as it has any radio contact with another device. If there is a mesh established this should happen within a few minutes.
  • Page 56 (a) Good – plenty of redundant routing options for all devices. (b) Not Good – the red logger has only one place to send its data, so everything upstream of there (to the right) will not be reliable. 3.6 MESH NETWORK BEHAVIOUR...
  • Page 57 (c) Modifying the position of the red logger, so it has more than one place to send its data, will improve the range and therefore the reliability of the communications. In some cases it can be beneficial to add or move a device to improve redundancy: 1.
  • Page 58 2. In some cases it is not possible to provide a clean radio path for loggers that are physically close to each other, perhaps because they are at ground level on an undulating ground. In this case it may be possible to elevate a small fraction of the loggers so that they can overlook the others.

  • Page 59: Radio Configuration

    3.7 Radio Configuration Adjusting the Radio Range This section details how the Radio Range can be adjusted for each logger in the mesh network by changing the values of the parameters in the Radio Configuration program. Reducing the radio range can be beneficial when there are 20 or more loggers within range of each other, as this situation can make the mesh network less robust.
  • Page 60 Reducing the range in this way will have an effect on the mesh network connections established by the loggers. In some circumstances the mesh can be less robust for loggers which are within range of more than 20 other loggers. Reducing the range can also increase battery lifetime.
  • Page 61 Very Fast Logging Intervals Normally loggers will transmit every measurement as it is taken. If the logging interval is faster than 2 minutes then multiple measurements are sent in a burst. This batching process avoids radio congestion, and maximises capacity. The Replication Timebase Parameter can be changed to adjust the interval between measurement transmissions.

  • Page 62: Led Flash Patterns

    3.8 LED Flash Patterns With the exception of the Ethernet radio receiver, Tinytag Radio loggers and receivers have a single LED indicator that shows the current status of the unit: Action Status/Operation No Indicators Device is powered off Red flash every 4 The device is powered on seconds and has a problem.

  • Page 63: Ethernet/Lan

    Ethernet/LAN...
  • Page 64 4.1 Mounting Points LAN loggers can be wall mounted or placed on its back on a flat surface, such as a shelf. The logger’s back-plate has mounting holes, as shown.   4.1 MOUNTING POINTS...

  • Page 65: Alarms

    4.2 Alarms Introduction In addition to the status LED on the front of the logger (see section 4.3, LED Flash Patterns), LAN data loggers have a built-in sounder and an external connection that changes state when the logger’s alarms are active. The external connection can be used to trigger devices such as an SMS Dialler or a purpose built indicator (light and/or sound etc.).
  • Page 66 Indicator Wire an indicator (sound and/or light) between Power (brown) and Signal (white). The indicator must have a suitable supply voltage rating. SMS Dialler Wire Signal (white) to an active-low input and Ground (green) to the Ground reference. Polarity is important! If the input does not have a pull-up then one should be provided between Signal (white) and Power (brown).

  • Page 67: Led Flash Patterns

    4.3 LED Flash Patterns Ethernet Radio Receivers and LAN data loggers have two status LEDs; one to show the status of the device’s Ethernet connection (yellow/blue) and the second to show the status of the unit (green/red). Action Status/Operation No Indicators Device is powered off Red flash every 4 The device is powered on...

  • Page 68: Appendix

    Appendix a) System Requirements Tinytag Connect Gateway Service The system requirements for running the Tinytag Connect Gateway Service are shown below. Note that additional requirements apply if you are running Tinytag Explorer Connect on the same computer (see below). Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 (x86 and x64 bits versions)

  • Page 69: Software Licence

    The recommended options above should give the user ample performance to run other applications at the same time as Tinytag Explorer Connect.   b) Software Licence Tinytag Explorer is supplied under a site licence which means that it can be installed on as many computers as the customer wishes at a given location (additional copies of the software are required for each additional site the software is used at).
  • Page 72 Intab Interface-Teknik AB Gjutarevägen 1 443 61 Stenkullen SWEDEN +46 (0)302-246 00 info@intab.se www.intab.se...

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