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Solinst Remote Radio Link User Manual

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Solinst Remote Radio Link (RRL)
User Guide
November 6, 2018

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Summary of Contents for Solinst Remote Radio Link

  • Page 1 Solinst Remote Radio Link (RRL) User Guide November 6, 2018...
  • Page 2 © 2018 Solinst Canada Ltd. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. Solinst and Levelogger are registered trademarks of Solinst Canada Ltd. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 1 Introduction 1.1 RRL Compatibility 2 RRL Overview 2.1 RRL Stations 2.1.1 Installing Batteries 2.2 Connecting Dataloggers and Splitters 2.2.1 Connecting Leveloggers 2.2.2 Connecting LevelVent Dataloggers 2.2.3 Connecting AquaVent Dataloggers 2.2.4 Splitters 3 Solinst Telemetry Software 3.1 System Requirements...
  • Page 4 Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.2.1 View Compensated Data 7.2.2 Graphing Options 7.3 File Export 7.3.1 Export All Data...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    This manual focuses on configuration, programming, and installation of Remote Radio Link (RRL) Systems. It also discusses the various options to power the Systems. It includes instructions for installing and using Solinst Telemetry Software to set up data collection schedules, manage data, and perform remote diagnostic checks.

  • Page 6: Rrl Compatibility

    2.000 Table 1-2 Compatible Datalogger Firmware Versions It is also important to ensure you are using the most recent RRL firmware version, with the most recent Solinst Telemetry Software. To check this, go to https://www.solinst.com/downloads/ Note: To determine the current firmware version on an RRL unit, connect it to the PC with a RS232 cable and open the RRL Remote Utility.

  • Page 7: Rrl Overview

    (which uses cellular communication). See the STS Edge User Guide for more details. 2.1 RRL Stations All RRL Stations use the same hardware, and are programmed using a wizard in the Solinst Telemetry Software as a Home Station, Remote Station or Relay Station. As such, RRL Stations are interchangeable as required.
  • Page 8 Remote Radio Link User Guide Antenna External Power Connection RS232 Connection LED Activity Light Serial Number Datalogger Connections Figure 2-2 RRL Station A 900 MHz radio module is used in RRL Stations. RRL Stations come standard with six (6) 3.6V AA replaceable lithium batteries and antenna.

  • Page 9: Installing Batteries

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 2.1.1 Installing Batteries RRL Stations are shipped with separate batteries, which must be installed before programming the Station. Each RRL Station uses six (6) 3.6V AA replaceable lithium batteries. To install the batteries, follow the steps below: 1) Use a Phillips screwdriver to undo the four screws from the back of the RRL unit.

  • Page 10: Connecting Dataloggers And Splitters

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 2.2 Connecting Dataloggers and Splitters There are two connections for dataloggers on each RRL Station using Reader Cables. To connect the Reader Cables to the RRL Station, remove the black dust cap from the connection on the RRL Station,...

  • Page 11: Connecting Aquavent Dataloggers

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 2.2.3 Connecting AquaVent Dataloggers AquaVent dataloggers are connected to the station using a Reader Cable connected to an AquaVent Wellhead Connector Cable, which is connected to the Aquavent Wellhead (which is connected to the AquaVent Vented Cable and Datalogger).

  • Page 12: Solinst Telemetry Software

    The STS/RRL Communication Agent automatically installs with the STS/RRL Administrator. Note: Solinst Telemetry Software is also used to program STS Telemetry Systems. See separate User Guide for more information. Note: When installing the software, the STS Field Utility is also installed. This program is not required for setting up RRL Systems.

  • Page 13: Rrl Network Configuration

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 4 RRL Network Configuration To start the Solinst Telemetry Software, click on your desktop. 4.1 Software Administrator Window After the Software has been started, the Administrator window will open. From here you can create new RRL Networks, edit existing networks (remote updates), delete existing networks, set up barometric compensation, and open site data.
  • Page 14 Remote Radio Link User Guide Figure 4-2 Administrator Window - Station Information Note: When setting up your RRL Network, it is recommended you print each Station Information Screen for your records. • Last Update Time: Shows the last time the Home Station was contacted •...

  • Page 15: Programming A Rrl Network (Software Wizard)

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 4.2 Programming a RRL Network (Software Wizard) Step 1: Create New Site Selecting “New” in the Administrator window main menu opens the Network Setup Screen. It will also open when the software is started for the first time. This is where you choose to set up an STS Site or RRL Network, which will start the software wizard.
  • Page 16 Remote Radio Link User Guide Figure 4-4 RRL Network Setup Screen • Radio Power: Selecting a lower power setting can reduce power consumption, however, the communication distance is directly proportional to the radio power. Choose 100 mW to maximize battery life. Choose 1W to maximize the communication distance.
  • Page 17 Remote Radio Link User Guide Report Rate and Report Duration are important if multiple RRL Stations will be reporting to one Home Station. Setting up a schedule will avoid conflicts that may occur if more than one RRL Station contacts the Home Station at the same time.

  • Page 18: Step 3: Configuration Progress

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Step 3: Configuration Progress Figure 4-5 RRL Software Wizard Transition Screen Step 3 is a transition screen. At this point you should connect the RRL Station you are about to program to the Home Station computer using an RS232 cable (#106811). This screen will identify that you are about to program the Home Station, a Relay Station or Remote Station.

  • Page 19: Step 4: Programming Your Rrl Station

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Step 4: Programming Your RRL Station In Step 4, enter the serial number of the RRL Station you are programming; the Location of the Station, i.e.: “Home Station”, “Well 1”, “Relay Station 2”; the Com Port being used to program the RRL Station; and the Sample Rate for that station (if different from the one set in Step 2).

  • Page 20: Step 5: Configuring Attached Dataloggers

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Step 5: Configuring Attached Dataloggers In this step you will select the number and types of dataloggers connected to the RRL Station. The connectors for dataloggers on the RRL Stations are identified as Right and Left. This assumes the RRL Station is facing with the black label towards you.

  • Page 21: Editing Datalogger Information

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Figure 4-9 Datalogger Information Window 4.2.1 Editing Datalogger Information The Datalogger Information window includes Datalogger Serial Number, Well Location, Altitude and Density Adjustment (Levelogger Gold models only), Sample Rate, and Memory Mode Selection. If you do not require independent logging, select and the RRL Station will only collect a real-time reading from the datalogger at the scheduled Sample Rate.
  • Page 22 Remote Radio Link User Guide • Sample Rate: Is linear. Linear refers to a set time interval between collection of readings. The default sample rate is set to 15 minutes. • Memory Mode Selection: There is a choice of Continuous Logging (wrap around) or Slate Logging.

  • Page 23: Setting Up Datalogger Measurement Parameters

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Setting Up Datalogger Measurement Parameters In the lower portion of the Datalogger Information screen is the window for setting channel parameters. The software will detect the available channels when the Datalogger Information settings are read.
  • Page 24 Remote Radio Link User Guide The Conductivity Channel includes the following parameters: • Identification describes the measurement parameter of the channel and has already been configured as ‘Conductivity’ .The Identification field will be the channel heading, data column heading and graph line name when viewing the data.
  • Page 25 Remote Radio Link User Guide Rainlogger Measurement Parameters: Note: You must program your Rainloggers in order to enter a Rainfall Cal Constant (the amount of rainfall per tip of the rain gauge), but you do not have to set them to record independently.

  • Page 26: Step 6: Confirm Station Settings

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Step 6: Confirm Station Settings In this step, select “Retrieve RRL Info”. This will apply all the settings to the RRL Station and retrieve information from that station to confirm it has been successfully programmed.
  • Page 27 Remote Radio Link User Guide Figure 4-14 Configuring a Relay Station Figure 4-15 Configuring a Remote Station Page 23...

  • Page 28: Step 7: Rrl Network Configuration Summary

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Step 7: RRL Network Configuration Summary Figure 4-16 RRL Network Configuration Summary After all settings have been programmed for each RRL Station in the network, Step 7 will display a summary of all the settings. You can print a copy of this summary for your records.

  • Page 29: Editing Rrl Networks

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 4.2.2 Editing RRL Networks Editing the Network Setup When you select a RRL Network from the list in the STS Administrator window, choosing “Edit Site Setup” will allow you to “Edit Network Setup” or “Add new Site to Network”.
  • Page 30 Remote Radio Link User Guide Figure 4-20 Editing a RRL Network - Step 2 Note: Figure 4-20 shows 4 steps. This is because the option to update each RRL Station through the serial port was selected. Steps 2 and 3 in this case are for connecting the two Remote RRL Stations in the network, to the PC and updating their settings.

  • Page 31: Editing Rrl Stations

    Remote Radio Link User Guide Editing RRL Stations When you select a specific RRL Station from the list in the STS Administrator window, choosing “Edit Site Setup” will allow you to edit the settings for that RRL Station. Figure 4-21 Editing a RRL Station Note: Selecting “Delete”...

  • Page 32: Barometric Compensation

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 4.3 Barometric Compensation Submersed Leveloggers measure total or absolute pressure (water column equivalent + barometric pressure). In order to accurately determine the true changes in water level only, Levelogger data must be barometrically compensated. Compensation simply involves subtraction of the barometric reading from the corresponding Levelogger reading.

  • Page 33: Communication Agent

    Log files for each RRL Station are automatically saved on your Home Station PC, and can be retrieved from the following location: <C:\Program Files\Solinst\STS_Gold\log> If a station is stopped, when started again, the data will be appended to the same log file. At any time, clicking the Save icon will save a log file of all RRL Stations on your Home Station PC for record or for diagnostic purposes.
  • Page 34 Remote Radio Link User Guide The Site Report Time tab lists each RRL Station by serial number and shows the next time it is scheduled to report to the Home Station. If there is a communication conflict and the Remote Station does not report when scheduled, a timeout message will be shown in the Communication Agent Messages.

  • Page 35: Rrl Remote Utility

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 5 RRL Remote Utility The RRL Remote Utility provides a convenient way to communicate with programmed RRL Stations in your office or in the field, as well as perform diagnostic checks and firmware updates. Figure 5-1 RRL Remote Utility To open the RRL Remote Utility, click on your desktop.
  • Page 36 Remote Radio Link User Guide The Remote Utility has the following functions: • Radio Communication Test: Click “Radio Test” to initiate the test. If the communication between the RRL Station and the Home Station is successful, the “Home Station Communication Test Passed”...

  • Page 37: Self Test

    If any of these tests fail, then a report should be created and sent to Solinst Technical Support. To execute this function, select “Self Test”. Figure 5-4 RRL Station Self Test...

  • Page 38: Firmware Upgrade Instructions

    “Retrieve Info” to display the settings, including firmware version, from the RRL Station. To update the firmware in your RRL Station, go to the Solinst Website at: https://www.solinst.com/downloads/ where you can obtain a link to the RRL firmware update file that is contained within a Zip Archive. Ensure you unzip the archive to access the *.ssf firmware file.

  • Page 39: Rrl Station Hardware Setup

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 6 RRL Station Hardware Setup RRL Stations come standard with a built-in 900 MHz radio module. Also standard is a 6" half wave (2.1 dBi) antenna, six (6) 3.6V AA lithium batteries, and dust caps to protect connections when not in use.

  • Page 40: Power Sources And Antennas

    RRL Home Stations and Relay Stations require an external power supply. Remote Stations may also require an external power supply, depending on your Sample and Report Rates and site needs. Solinst supplies a cable for connecting to an AC power source and a cable to connect to a user-supplied 12V battery or solar panel.
  • Page 41 RRL Stations can be powered by: 1. External AC (mains) power. Simply use the Solinst supplied adaptor cable (pt#109720 - North American) shown in Figure 6-3 to connect the RRL to an AC power source. The adaptor has input from 90 - 246VAC.
  • Page 42 Remote Radio Link User Guide 2. Using the Solinst-supplied Solar/12 Volt Cable Assembly (pt# 109452), shown in Figure 6-5, to connect to a user-supplied external 12V lead-acid battery (minimum 60 Amp-hour). See connection diagram in Figure 6-6. Note: The external 12V battery should have a minimum 60 Amp-hour rating. It is recommended you have a higher Amp-hour rating if you have a high report rate, or if your station is in a very remote location and you are not able to replace the battery easily.
  • Page 43 Remote Radio Link User Guide 4. Using the Solar/12 Volt Cable Assembly (pt# 109452) to connect to an external user-supplied 12V lead- acid battery (minimum 12 Amp-hour rating), trickle charged with a Solar Panel (minimum 15 W with a regulator for 12V). See connection diagram in Figure 6-8.

  • Page 44: Solar Panels

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 6.1.2 Solar Panels A solar panel is connected to a RRL station using the Solar/12 Volt Cable Assembly (see Figure 6-7). The solar panel is user-supplied. The panel should output a minimum of 13V open circuit in order to effectively re-charge the batteries.

  • Page 45: Viewing Site Data

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 7 Viewing Site Data 7.1 Access Database Data received in each report from a RRL Station is placed in a Microsoft Access database (.mdb files) ® ® on the Home Station computer. New data is appended to the existing database. The program will save data downloaded to the following default directory: <C:\Program Files\Solinst\STS_Gold\db>...

  • Page 46: View Using Sts/Rrl Software

    Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.2 View Using STS/RRL Software The Solinst Telemetry Software can be used for a quick check of the latest readings. Data can also be exported using the Software as *.xle, *.lev or *.csv files for use in other programs.
  • Page 47 Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.2.1 View Compensated Data If you have set up barometric compensation (see Section 4.3), check “Show Compensated Data” to view the automatically compensated data. The compensated data will be in the units that the Levelogger was programmed to record in. E.g.: if your Barologger was set to record in psi and your Levelogger was set to record in feet, the compensated data will automatically be converted to feet.
  • Page 48 Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.2.2 Graphing Options Click the Graph Option icon to open the Graph Option Dialog. The Graph Dialog is shown in Figure 7-8. The Line Option is used to adjust the style and colour of the line in the graph for each channel. The user can also select the shape of the data marker or remove the data marker.
  • Page 49 Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.3 File Export Data can be exported in *.csv (comma separated value), *.xle or *.lev (Levelogger/LevelVent/AquaVent) file formats by clicking Export Data while viewing the site data. The *.csv file format is supported and can be imported by most spreadsheet programs, *.xle files can be imported by Levelogger Software Version 4.0 and...
  • Page 50 Remote Radio Link User Guide 7.3.1 Export All Data Data from all STS Edge Sites and RRL Edge Stations can be exported at one time, using the “Export all Stations Data” function in the File menu. There is the option to save all the data in *.csv, *.xle , or *.lev files.
  • Page 52 High Quality Groundwater and Surface Water Monitoring Instrumentation Solinst Canada Ltd., 35 Todd Road, Georgetown, ON L7G 4R8 Fax: +1 (905) 873-1992; (800) 516-9081 Tel: +1 (905) 873-2255; (800) 661-2023 instruments@solinst.com...

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