Related Manuals for WTE MReX-SatLink
Summary of Contents for WTE MReX-SatLink
- Page 1 MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware MReX-SatLink LOW POWER SATELLITE IOT GATEWAY User Manual Page 1 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Store Forward Commands......19 Antenna Elevation........44 *STORE_FWD........19 Disclaimer............47 Swarm Modem Commands......20 Manufacturing marking and labels....48 *SWARM_OPTS.........20 Maintenance..........48 *MODBUS...........22 Product End Of Life........49 ASCII Protocol Commands......23 Product Warranty...........50 *ASCII_OPTS........23 Specification..........51 *ASCII_STATUS.........23 Page 2 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 3: Introduction
Introduction Thank you for choosing the MReX-SatLink. The MReX-SatLink is a weatherproof solar powered satellite IoT gateway that shifts data using the Swarm satellite constellation, owned by SpaceX. The unit incorporates the Wireless Technologies MReX, which allows full time receiving of data from a network of IoT sensors, or alternatively forward serial data bursts from third party devices such as dataloggers. -
Page 4: Safety Information
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury NOTICE NOTICE is used to address practices not related to physical injury. Page 4 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 5 The MReX was NOT designed to operate and/or be connected directly to live main voltages. The MReX must be connected to a certified, suitably rated low voltage DC supply. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury Page 5 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
- Page 6 Store and handle the radio equipment in dry, clean safe environment • Handle the equipment with care • Care when stacking boxes must be taken to not damage part of the radio, such as connect- ors. Page 6 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
- Page 7 For more information about where you can drop off your waste equip- ment for recycling, contact the dealer from whom you originally purchased the product. Page 7 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 8: Operation
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Operation When power is applied to the MReX-SatLink, there is a start-up period of 6 seconds before the mo- dem is checked for queued messages to transmit. On startup the following string is transmitted out the RS422 serial connection: WTE-SATLINK vXX.XX –... -
Page 9: Configuration
All messages (except Modbus RTU) are terminated by a Carriage Return character, shown in this manual as <CR> All commands that accept a value, can have that value read back by using the ‘?’ suffix. E.g. *TX_FREQ? Returns *TX_FREQ=460000000 (for example) Page 9 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 10 Note: It is a good practice to restart the unit after changing configuration. This can be achieved by removing power to the unit or sending the *REBOOT<CR> command. Page 10 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 11: Transmit Commands
TT is the time in seconds between transmissions (0-255. 0 disables the feature). MMMM is the periodic message to transmit (up to 50 characters). E.g. *TX_PERIODIC=10,WT1234560A10 Test_Message<CR> Page 11 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 12: Tx_Pwr
Swarm network. This setting applies to the RS422 connection and to periodic messages. *TX_PROTO=PPPP<CR> Where: PPPP is the protocol to be used, either ASCII or MODBUS, e.g. *TX_PROTO=MODBUS<CR> Page 12 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 13: Receive Commands
512_25 indicates 512 baud with 25kHz channel spacing (2 level GFSK). 1200_25 indicates 1200 baud with 25kHz channel spacing (2 level GFSK). Accepts: 512_25, 1200_25 Where: Typical usage: *RX_BAUD=512_25<CR> Page 13 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 14: Rx_Mode
BB is the signal level from 0 to -130 (in dBm). In this example the channel will be considered “busy” if signal strength is above -100dBm. Typical usage: *CH_BUSY=-100<CR> Page 14 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 15: Rx_Enable
Setting to 1 enables the receiver and allows configuration commands at any time (approx 18mA operating current). Setting to 3 enables the ultra low current receiver mode (<200uA operating current). By default the receiver is disabled. Typical Usage: RX_ENABLE=3<CR> Page 15 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 16: Base Commands
*DEFAULTS forces to reset temporary to factory default settings. The user must issue the *SAVE<CR> command in order to write these default settings to internal memory. Usage: *DEFAULTS<CR> Page 16 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 17: Ver
0 – Disable Carrier y is the time in seconds which the MReX will be transmitting for. Example carrier only for 60 seconds: *LAB=1<CR> Example carrier only for 20 seconds: *LAB=1,20<CR> Page 17 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 18: Rs422_Opts
A is the desired baud rate for the RS422 connection. Available rates are 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 baud. B is used to: 0 = Disable low power serial operation 1 = Enable low power serial operation Typical usage: *RS422_OPTS=9600,1<CR> Page 18 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 19: Store Forward Commands
Duplicate reject only tests the previous 5 messages in the historic transmit queue. For example, to configure to use a 2 second clearing delay after each transmission and 10 second message duplicate reject: *STORE_FWD=20,10<CR> Page 19 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 20: Swarm Modem Commands
Swarm modem will be powered on and the message queued. If the newly queued message will make the existing partial message too long for transmission, the existing partial message Page 20 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 21 Users may wish to use this feature to reduce the number of satellite messages transmitted, reducing operating costs. This feature is disabled by default. Example: *SWARM_OPTS=21600,0,21600,0,0<CR> Page 21 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 22: Modbus
Swarm transmission queue. This option is useful if there is a condition that prevents normal trans- mission, ensuring that stale historic data is not sent through the satellite network. Example: *MODBUS=78,43200<CR> Page 22 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 23: Ascii Protocol Commands
0x20 = Swarm modem has completed at least one transmission since last message was queued. Cleared when any message is sent to the modem for transmission. B = Swarm modem uptime (in seconds). Reset when modem is powered down. Page 23 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 24: Ascii_Cmd
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware C = Total unit uptime (in seconds). Reset when power is applied to the MReX-Satlink. D = Successful Swarm transmission count. E = Number of messages queued to Swarm modem. F = Number of messages queued by MReX locally. -
Page 25: Protocols
WT Protocol The WT Protocol is the default protocol used by WTE products. It allows for a variety of over the air transport methods (such as POCSAG paging) to be used and a variety of baud rates. The user may choose to use this protocol to allow remote control of outputs or direct message transmissions. -
Page 26: Support For Multiple Messages
To send the message “TEST” to RIC codes 1234560 and 1222222 as a 512 baud POCSAG message and also RIC codes 0201234 and 0005647 as a 1200 baud POCSAG message. Page 26 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 27 MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware WT1234560A10WT1222222A10WT0201234A11WT0005647A11<SPACE>TEST<CR> 4 messages will be transmitted, batched in 2 transmissions, one for 512 baud messages and another transmission for the 1200 baud messages. Page 27 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 28: Modbus Rtu
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Modbus RTU The MReX-SatLink can accept messages for transmission using the Modbus RTU protocol, connec- ted through the RS422 port. Default configuration sets a Modbus device ID of 0x4E (configurable using the *MODBUS com- mand). On power reset all Swarm messages not transmitted after the Swarm Tx Expiry Time will be dropped from the outgoing message queue. -
Page 29: Modbus Registers
40257 Single Register 16- Write Mul- Write Message Buffer (192 bytes) 0x0300 – 0x03BF 40769-40960 tiple Registers Write Message Buffer And Transmit 0x0400 – 0x04BF 41025-41216 (192 bytes) Page 29 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 30: Modbus Mapping Table
0x11). Allows mul- tiple messages to be sent per swarm trans- mission. 41025 Message Buffer (Immediate send once writ- ten, write clears existing appended mes- sages) Page 30 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 31: Minimum Operation Requirements
Optional Recovery Operations • Reset the unit(s) • Clear message queues (Swarm message queue is non-volatile). Message queue can become very long. Message queues are automatically cleared on successful transmission. Page 31 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 32: Optional Efficient Transmission Operations
In this example the Modbus ID is configured to be 0x4e (default). Payload is “Hello2” (with NO trailing padding byte). 4E 10 04 00 00 03 06 48 65 6C 6C 6F 32 2B 97 Page 32 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 33: Ascii Protocol
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware ASCII Protocol The MReX-SatLink can accept messages for transmission over the Swarm network using the plain- text ASCII protocol. This protocol is used over the external RS422 connection, and consists of a configurable start character, followed by the message payload. The default start character for the ASCII protocol is ‘$’. - Page 34 THIS IS A PERIODIC MESSAGE<N> being queued for transmission over the Swarm network once every two hours, with <N> represent- ing the current message sequence number (0x00-0xFF). Page 34 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 35: Pocsag Rx Message Queueing
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware POCSAG RX Message Queueing The MReX-SatLink supports the queueing POCSAG messages received over it’s RF link for trans- mission over the Swarm network. This mode of operation is useful for monitoring one or more re- mote sensors that are not easily accessible under normal circumstances. - Page 36 <0x54> is the literal hexadecimal value 0x54. 20200101090000 is the message timestamp in YYYYMMDDHHmmSS format. <0x00><0x24> is the hexadecimal representation of the current SatLink battery voltage (3.6V). <0xFF> is the literal hexadecimal value 0xFF. Page 36 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
- Page 37 If this is not the case, the received message will be dropped. This functionality requires that the MReX receiver is enabled. By default, this is not the case. To configure receiver behaviour, see the *RX_ENABLE command. Page 37 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 38: Installation
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Installation The MReX-SatLink typically is supplied with an integrated solar panel. In order to charge the in- ternal battery, it should be located so that it receives at least a few hours of direct sunlight each day. -
Page 39: Mrex-Satlink Hardware
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware MReX-SatLink hardware Internal Board After removing the lid screws the main boards can be accessed, this board hold 3 HHR-380A batter- ies and the SWARM M138 Modem. Page 39 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 40: Power Connection
The RS422 connection can be accessed via the 5-pin SP13 connector mounted to the outside of the unit enclosure. This connector is keyed to prevent accidental misalignment when inserting the cor- responding cable. The pinout for this connector is shown below: Page 40 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 41: Connecting To The Mrex-Satlink
D: RS422/485 Connection E: I/O Connections SMA connector is female type. The module must be connect to a 50 ohm antenna designed for use at the intended frequency of operation. Page 41 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 42: Mrex Satlink Dimensions
Bottom View Note: Images are not to scale. Minor differences to the SMA connector may be possible depending on manufacturer variations and tolerances. All dimensions are in millimetres (mm) Page 42 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 43 MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Drilling template Page 43 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 44: Antenna
When close to the ground the major obstacle to overcome, since radio signals are mainly “line of sight”, is the curvature of the earth. The typical distance to expect can be approximately calculated as follows: √ 6076.1 β Page 44 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 45 Changes in power level will help to address a less than ideal antenna or poor line of sight condi- tions. When line of sight or elevation is poor, the range can also be approximately doubled with every Page 45 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
- Page 46 6dB increase in link budget (either increase in TX power, or increase in RX sensitivity). From testing, these ranges can be expected from a 20dBm transmitter at the indicated elevation. (credit to www.offshoreblue.com for some range calculation details) Page 46 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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Page 47: Disclaimer
It is the users responsibility to ensure local regulations are adhered to. In no event shall WTE Limited be liable for any incidental, special, indirect or consequential dam- ages, harm to any person, lost profits or lost data, harm to your equipment, cost of procurement of substitute goods, technology or services, any claims by third parties (including but not limited to any defense thereof), any claims for indemnity or contribution, or other similar costs. -
Page 48: Manufacturing Marking And Labels
Maintenance No User-Serviceable Components. Servicing is only to be performed by WTE Limited, or agent ap- pointed by WTE Limited. Servicing outside of the warranty period is at the discretion of WTE Limited. Page 48 of 53... -
Page 49: Product End Of Life
For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling contact your local dealer or city council Please recycle this device responsibly. Page 49 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... -
Page 50: Product Warranty
MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Product Warranty WTE Limited products are warranted for a period of 12 months after purchase date against faulty workmanship or materials. Return the product, all freight paid by the customer and the product will be repaired or replaced. -
Page 51: Specification
Integrated Solar Panel: 5V, 530mA in full sunlight. Full battery charge from depleted in approximately 8 hours full sun. Internal Battery: NiMH 3.6V, 3700 mAh (3 x HHR-380A cells) Page 51 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand... - Page 52 Laboratory Test Results: • Base and mobile station compliant. Testing completed March 2020. This product incorpor- ates the WTE MReX-460 Telemetry Transceiver Module, upon which compliance is based. Page 52 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
- Page 53 MReX-SatLink User Manual v3.43 Firmware Page 53 of 53 © WTE Limited, 2023 – Christchurch New Zealand...
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