User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
1 Introduction
The SonoRead 868 is a portable radio receiver for wireless M-Bus resource meters (currently capable of
handling Mode T1, T2, C1). SonoRead 868 is equipped with a Bluetooth interface. A rechargeable lithium
ion battery assures operating times up to 20 hours with one charge.
The SonoRead 868 is usually used in conjunction with a smartphone or tablet for mobile reading of radio
consumption meters (heat, water, electricity, gas and others).
Due to its watertight enclosure (IP64) and its mechanical rugged construction (EN 60721 class 7M3) it can
be used in harsh environments without additional protection.
Additionally, the SonoRead 868 is equipped with a serial interface to connect e.g. optical meter configuration devices.
2 Important Considerations
• The specific purpose of the SonoRead 868 is the mobile reception of M-Bus Mode T1, T2 and C1 con-
sumption meter radio telegrams and the transmission to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth interface.
• The SonoRead 868 may only be operated by trained personnel.
• The SonoRead 868 is only to be used in environments in conformity with its protection rating (IP64) and
operating temperature range (-5°C to +55°C).
• The integrated rechargeable lithium ion battery may not be charged at temperatures below 0°C or above
+45°C (battery charging only at 0°C to +45°C)
• Only the accompanying charging device may be used to charge the SonoRead 868. Do not operate the
charging device without the proper wall plug adapter. The charging device may only be used in dry and
weather-protected environments.
• Do not use force to insert the round battery charger plug. Turn it until it you can gently push it into the
SonoRead 868 connector. Do not screw it too tight.
• Charge the SonoRead 868 completely before using it the first time.
• The SonoRead 868 is not a calibrated measuring device. The transmitted meter counts and consumptions
are of informative character only.
• If a fault occurs, do not try to repair the unit yourself. Attempts to do so will void the warranty. Refer all
servicing to your supplier.
• Do not open the case of the device. Do especially not remove, open or short circuit the lithium ion bat-
User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
3 Items Supplied and Packaging
Please ensure that the package contents are complete. These are as follows:
• SonoRead 868
• Antenna
• Wall plug battery charger
• Short manual
The packaging can be reused or recycled. Please dispose properly of any packaging material no longer
required. If you notice any transport damage during unpacking, please contact your supplier immediately.
To avoid risk of suffocation, keep packaging film away from children!
User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
4 Operating Principle
The SonoRead 868 is a radio receiver for wireless M-Bus consumption meters (electricity, gas, water, heat
and others). The received radio telegrams of the consumption meters are stored into an internal memory
and are immediately transmitted to a smartphone or tablet using its Bluetooth interface, if a Bluetooth
connection is established. If there is no Bluetooth connection the SonoRead 868 collects all radio telegrams
(up to 2000) and transmits them at once as soon as the Bluetooth connection is reestablished.
Due to its built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery the SonoRead 868 has got an autonomy of approximately 20 hours (while not using the external serial interface). Recharging takes about 4 to 5 hours depending
on the charge state of the battery.
The antenna interface is a standard 50 Ohm SMA connector which can be connected to any suitable antenna.
User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
Antenna:Screw the antenna gently and without force onto the SMA antenna connector of the
On Button:
Connector:The battery charger connector is placed at the bottom side of the device.
Power on LED:.
Power low LED:
Charger
connected LED:
Battery
charging LED:
Radio telegram
LED:
NOTE:If the ER LED and the LOW LED are flashing in red rapidly, the internal self-test
Bluetooth LED:(Flashing) Bluetooth connection (BLUE)
device. It is possible to use other 868 MHz, 50 Ohm, SMA antennas like car roof mounted antennas. However, there is no guaranty that other antennas might work as well
or work at all. The warranty is void if you are using other antennas, active antennas or
pre-amplifiers on the SonoRead 868 antenna connector. Pay especially attention not to
cause any static electric discharge on the antenna connector of the SonoRead 868.
Press this button to switch the device on. The power on LED will light up in green. After
approximately 5 seconds the internal self-test has finished and the device is ready to
receive radio telegrams.
The device switches itself off, automatically, if there has not been a Bluetooth connection for more than 10 minutes.
By pressing the on button for more than 5 seconds, you may switch off the device
manually.
Additionally, this connector contains the external serial interface. Therefore, it is not
possible to connect the battery charger and a serial interface device at the same time.
Device is on (ON)
Low power warning (LOW)
The ON LED lights up in green if the device is switched on. If the battery power is low,
the red LOW LED lights up, also. In this case, the user should immediately connect the
battery charger. Approximately 4 minutes after the power low warning, the device is
switching itself off.
Charger is connected (CHRG)
Battery is charging (PWR)
The CHRG LED lights up in green if the battery charger is connected to the device. If
the device is charged the PWR LED stays on red. If the red PWR LED is switched off the
battery of the device is full. Due to the low self discharge rate of the lithium ion battery
it is not necessary to keep the battery charger connected.
Valid radio telegram (OK)
Invalid radio telegram (ER)
The OK LED lights up if a valid radio telegram has been received. The ER LED lights up if
an invalid (corrupt) radio telegram has been received.
of the device has failed. Switch the device off and on again to see if the error
persists. If this is the case, you should turn it in for repair.
Bluetooth error (permanent on, not flashing, CONN)
The amber LED lights up some seconds after the device has been switched on. If there
is a permanent error in the Bluetooth module, the amber LED stays on permanently. In
this case, switch the device off and on again. If a Bluetooth connection is established
the green LED flashes.
User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
6 Establishing a Bluetooth Connection
After the power-on of the device you should wait approximately 5 seconds before trying to establish a
Bluetooth connection. This period of time is necessary for starting up all the modules in the SonoRead 868.
Afterwards, you should go to the Bluetooth configuration page of your smartphone or tablet and perform
a device search. This process differs from device to device, so please check also the manual or online help of
your smartphone or tablet.
To verify if the correct SonoRead 868 device is found you can compare the found Bluetooth name with the
name / serial number on the back of the device (e.g. MBWBLUE 87384327).
If you are asked for an authorization code / PIN, enter four times zero: 0000.
User Manual SonoRead 868 Wireless Radio Receiver for meter reading
7 External Serial Interface
The SonoRead 868 is equipped with a simple external serial interface (TX / RX and power supply, only).
This external serial interface may be used to connect e.g. optical or other meter configuration devices. The
maximum power output is limited to 35 mA (5.4 V).
Exterior view on the connector pins
TX:SonoRead 868 -> external device0=+5.4V; 1=-5.4 V
RX:external device -> SonoRead 8680=+3.0 V …+15.0V; 1=-3.0V…-15.0V
Power:+5.4V / 35 mA max.
The corresponding counterpart to the SonoRead 868 connector is: