Rae RAELink3 Mesh User Manual
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Rae RAELink3 Mesh User Manual

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RAELink3 Mesh
User's Guide
Rev. A
June 2012
P/N 029-4508-100

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  • Page 1 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Rev. A June 2012 P/N 029-4508-100...
  • Page 2 Part15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. © Copyright 2012 RAE Systems, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    12.8.1 Cable Setting ..............37 12.8.2 Simultaneous Mesh And Cable Operation ...... 37 12.9 Baudrate ................38 12.10 GPS Status ................ 38 12.11 GPS Coordinates Check ............ 39 12.12 Modem Configuration Menu ..........40 Connecting A RAELink3 Mesh Remote Via Cable ....41...
  • Page 4 GPS And Unobstructed Line Of Sight ........42 14.1 Cleaning The RAELink3 Mesh......... 43 14.2 Ordering Replacement Parts ..........43 14.3 Special Servicing Note ............43 Troubleshooting ................. 44 Technical Support ..............45 RAE Systems Contacts .............. 46...

  • Page 5: Regulatory Information

    This modem is certified to be used in Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations. WARNINGS Use only RAE Systems supplied charging adapter to charge the rechargeable battery pack inside the modem. Use only RAE Systems Lithium-Ion battery pack 029-3501-000 or alkaline battery pack, 029- 3502-000.
  • Page 6 Specifications Dimensions 4.73″ x 3.4″ x 1.85″ (120 mm x 86 mm x 48 mm) Weight 17.3 oz (490 g) Battery Rechargeable 7.4V Lithium-Ion battery pack Alkaline battery pack (7.5V, five alkaline batteries) LCD Display Backlit with icons and text Attachment Belt Clip Temperature -20 C to 55...
  • Page 7 Antenna Lock Caution: To reduce risk when operating in potentially explosive atmospheres, ensure the antenna is locked in place with set-screw to prevent inadvertent disconnection. Note: Antenna must be locked in place with set-screw...

  • Page 8: Standard Contents

    MultiRAE Series, etc., and a base station/computer for comprehensive monitoring. Up to eight monitors can connect to a RAELink3 Mesh in Remote mode at the same time, and up to 64 monitors equipped with RAELink3 Mesh units can be networked with a single Host.

  • Page 9: Configuration Options

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Configuration Options The RAELink3 Mesh can be configured to act in one of the following three modes: 1. Remote. The RAELink3 Mesh in Remote mode functions as a slave modem and communicates to a host modem or RAELink3 with the same network ID.

  • Page 10: Connection With Third-Party Devices

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Connection With Third-Party Devices The RAELink3 Mesh can be configured as a slave modem to communicate sensor data from select third-party monitors to a host modem with the same Network ID. Third-party monitors available to choose from include ChemRAE, DustTrak2, and AP4C.

  • Page 11: Key Features

    Long operating time from built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery • pack (up to 14 hours of continuous operation) Note: Up to nine monitors can connect to one RAELink3 Mesh using mesh-radio (8) and serial cable (1) connection.

  • Page 12: Specifications

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 4 Specifications Dimensions 4.73″ x 3.4″ x 1.85″ (120 mm x 86 mm x 48 mm) Weight 17.3 oz (490 g) Battery Rechargeable 7.4V/1650mAh Lithium- Ion battery pack Alkaline battery pack (7.5V, five alkaline batteries) Operating Time Up to 14 hours of continuous operation.

  • Page 13: Charging The Battery

    Charging Adapter. Follow this procedure to charge the instrument: 1. Align the Charging Adapter with the back of the RAELink3 Mesh (two guides match indents on the back of the Charging Adapter. 2. Slide the Charging Adapter onto the back of the RAELink3 Mesh.

  • Page 14: Detaching The Charging Adapter

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Detaching The Charging Adapter To detach the Charging Adapter, press in on the latch. While pressing the latch, slide the Charging Adapter down. Press latch Slide down Release while pressing Side view...

  • Page 15: Replacing The Li-Ion Battery

    1. Turn off the instrument. 2. Located on the rear of the instrument are three screws. Loosen all three screws, and lift the battery out of the RAELink3 Mesh. Remove the battery pack from the battery compartment by lifting it out.
  • Page 16 6. Set the alkaline battery adapter into the RAELink3 Mesh. 7. Tighten the three Philips screws. IMPORTANT! Alkaline batteries cannot be recharged. If you place the RAELink3 Mesh in its Charging Cradle, the alkaline batteries will not be recharged. Note: When replacing alkaline batteries, dispose of old ones properly.

  • Page 17: User Interface

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide User Interface The instrument’s user interface consists of the display and three keys. The keys are: MODE The LCD display provides visual feedback that includes the reading, time, battery condition, and other functions. Display N/- key...

  • Page 18: Backlight

    Radio Signal Strength Indicates signal strength in network. GPS Satellite Shows number of GPS satellites that RAELink3 Mesh is receiving data from. (It must see 3 satellites for proper mapping in ProRAE Guardian. Battery Charge Indicates battery level via bar graph.

  • Page 19: Operating The Raelink3 Mesh

    Before operating any RAELink3 Mesh modems in the field, test them to make sure they are properly configured for your network. Each RAELink3 Mesh must have the proper network ID so that it is compatible with the RAELink3 wireless monitoring system.

  • Page 20: Host Mode

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Host Mode This mode designates the RAELink3 Mesh as Host (master) in a network. It can simultaneously communicate with numerous Remotes and Repeaters. Note: There can only be one Host in a network. It is typically connected to a computer (PC) running ProRAE Guardian software for monitoring.

  • Page 21: Repeater Mode

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Remote Mode is designed so that a RAELink3 Mesh modem can be used as a drop-in replacement for an existing RAELink or RAELink2 modem without modification. Repeater Mode In Repeater mode, the modem functions as a repeater. It does not interpret or process the data that passes through it.

  • Page 22: Turning The Raelink3 Mesh On

    0RTR Two status lines are shown below the icons. The first line indicates the Network ID, followed by the mode in which the RAELink3 Mesh is configured (Remote, Repeater, or Host). The second line shows how many instruments are linked to the RAELink3 Mesh through the mesh radio (shown as STD), as well as how many are connected through the unit (indicated as RTR).

  • Page 23: Turning The Raelink3 Mesh Off

    Configuring The RAELink3 Mesh The RAELink3 Mesh modem is a programmable “smart” modem that can be configured to operate in Host, Repeater, or Remote Modes. These options are selected in Programming Mode, along with other...

  • Page 24: Accessing Programming Mode

    Mesh Radio Power on/off. All configurations are performed using the three front-panel keys and the display. A RAELink3 Mesh in Remote mode must have the same Network ID as the RAELink-series modem being used as a Host. In addition, Each...

  • Page 25: Setting The Network Id

    Network ID. RAELink3 Mesh modems come from the factory programmed to a unique random network ID, or programmed to match an existing system as specified by the customer. To enable a different Network ID, the number must be set to a value between 1 and 4095, except 255.
  • Page 26 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide If you save the Network ID, you see this display as it saves: Network ID: 1234 Saving... When it is done, the display returns to the Set Network ID screen, showing the new Network ID: Network ID: 1234 Change? If you want to change the Network ID, repeat the procedure.

  • Page 27: Setting The Operation Mode

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 12.3 Setting The Operation Mode The Operation Mode determines whether the RAELink3 Mesh operates as a Host, Remote, or Repeater. In addition, under “Remote” are sub-modes for Mesh and Cable connection with local devices such as the ChemRAE, AP4C, DustTrak2, and other cable- connectable point-to-point RAE Systems monitors.

  • Page 28: Setting The Unit Id

    Guardian. (ProRAE Guardian shows the unit ID number, and any monitors connected to that RAELink3 Mesh show up with a unit ID that is equal to the unit ID of the RAELink3 Mesh followed by a dash and the radio serial number of the gas monitor; for example, RAELink3 Mesh with Unit ID 1, then ToxiRAE Pro with Unit ID of 1-xxxx.)
  • Page 29 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Press [Y/+] if you want to change the Unit ID. When changing the Unit ID, the cursor flashes on the selected digit, highlighting it and indicating that you can change it: Unit ID: 01 1. Press [Y/+] to increase the number or [N/-] to decrease the number.
  • Page 30 Example: To connect a ChemRAE via cable and a MultiRAE via mesh radio communications to the same RAELink3 Mesh, in Remote settings, select “Cable: ChemRAE.” Then press [Y/+]. Note: If one of the two channels (Cable or Mesh) is not connected to...
  • Page 31 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide Here is an example of the connections that should be made when multiple devices are used with each RAELink3 Mesh: RAELink3 (Host) ToxiRAE Mesh Radio Cable ChemRAE Connection Connection RAELink3 RAELink3 Mesh Mesh (Remote) (Remote) Mesh Radio...

  • Page 32: Mesh Radio Power Control

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 12.5 Mesh Radio Power Control The onboard mesh radio connection can be turned on or off. The Mesh Radio Power Control screen is shown here: Mesh Power: On Turn Off? Press [Y/+] to change the on/off status, or press [N/-] to skip to next menu screen, Set Unit ID.

  • Page 33: Pan Id

    Remote mode must be programmed with the same Pan ID (Personal Network Identifier) to ensure communication compatibility. When RAELink3 Mesh is configured as a Remote, the Set PAN ID menu screen looks like this: PAN ID: 630 Change? Press [Y/+] if you want to change the PAN ID.

  • Page 34: Channel

    RAE Systems to correspond with the wireless modem. Check the label on your RAELink3 Mesh if you are unsure of the frequency. These are the frequencies and channels: 900 MHz: Channel 0 (channel cannot be changed) 2.4 GHz: Channels 11 through 26...
  • Page 35 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide In Programming Mode, the Channel screen is shown like this, indicating the currently used channel: Channel: 3 Change? Press [Y/+] if you want to change the channel. The first digit is highlighted: Channel: 3 1. Press [Y/+] to increase the number or [N/-] to decrease the number.
  • Page 36 RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide If you have input a channel number that is not valid for the radio module, the screen tells you that it is not a valid choice: Channel: 3 Invalid Input! The screen then changes to the first Channel screen, where you can input a valid Channel number by pressing [Y/+], or advancing to the Cable setting by pressing [N/-].

  • Page 37: Cable Menu In Remote Mode

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 12.8 Cable Menu In Remote Mode When the RAELink3 Mesh is in Remote mode, it allows settings for Cable connection with a RAE Systems monitor or some third-party monitors such as the ProEngin AP4C and TSI DustTrak2. Cable...
  • Page 38 Cable = RAE PTP. When Remote Mode is selected, this screen is shown: OP Mode: Remote Change? Press [N/-] to keep the RAELink3 Mesh in Remote Mode and to advance to the Cable menu. The screen looks like this: Cable: Bypass RAE PTP? •...

  • Page 39: Cable Setting

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 12.8.1 Cable Setting If a cable is used to connect a monitor to a RAELink3 Mesh in Remote Mode, you must make sure the correct setting is selected for proper operation. Cable: Bypass Change? • Press [Y/+] if you want to change to another Cable setting in the list.

  • Page 40: Baudrate

    12.9 Baudrate Baudrate sets the speed of the data transfer between an instrument and the RAELink3 Mesh, if they are connected via cable. To ensure data is transferred efficiently, make sure the baud rate is set to its default (19200) or that the baud rate of the instrument and the RAELink3 Mesh match.

  • Page 41: Gps Coordinates Check

    RAELink3 Mesh User’s Guide 12.11 GPS Coordinates Check Check the RAELink3 Mesh’s GPS location in this menu screen. If you want to have the coordinates checked and shown in the display, press [Y/+]. If not, press [N/-] to skip to the next menu screen.

  • Page 42: Modem Configuration Menu

    Do not enter and change any parameters in this menu unless directed to do so by authorized technical support personnel. Note: The RAELink3 Mesh must be connected to a computer with a cable, and a HyperTerminal program must be running.

  • Page 43: Connecting A Raelink3 Mesh Remote Via Cable

    Remote Via Cable Connect a portable gas monitor (PGM) such as a ppbRAE Plus, MiniRAE 2000, or MultiRAE Plus to the RAELink3 Mesh configured as a Remote using the optional Portable Coiled Cable (part number 400-0189-000). • Connect the serial cable’s 4-pin circular connector to the monitor.

  • Page 44: Gps And Unobstructed Line Of Sight

    GPS receiver can “see,” the more accurate and reliable the positioning. For a GPS-equipped RAELink3 Mesh (or any other GPS device) to work properly, it must have a direct line of sight to a satellite, meaning it will not work well (if at all) indoors. Although radio...

  • Page 45: Cleaning The Raelink3 Mesh

    Occasional cleaning with a soft cloth is recommended. Do not use detergents or chemicals. Visually inspect the contacts on the rear of the RAELink3 Mesh, on the battery, and on the Charging Adapter to make sure they are clean. If they are not, wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. Never use solvents, abrasives, or cleaners.

  • Page 46: Troubleshooting

    • Check PAN ID, Channel, and Op Mode on the RAELink3 Mesh. RAELink3 Mesh is not • Make sure GPS is turned on. picking up satellites to • Make sure the RAELink3 Mesh has an load a map in ProRAE unobstructed view of the sky. Guardian.

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