Laird Sentrius RS1 User Manual

A

™

Version 1.7

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Version

Date

Notes

Contributor

Approver

1.0

05 Dec 2017

Initial version

Christopher Hofmeister

Jonathan Kaye

1.1

09 Apr 2018

Indicated that the Sentrius™ Sensor with an
external sensor port (RJ45) will be available
rather than is available.

Mark Cai

Jonathan Kaye

1.2

17 Oct 2018

Updated for firmware version 4.4. Added in
Packet Format and Packet Type sections.

Colin Anderson

Jonathan Kaye

1.3

19 Dec 2018

Updated logos and URLs

Sue White

Jonathan Kaye

1.4

May 2019

Reset button, LIFO, and FIFO backlog retrieval.
Updated rest of doc for clarity.

Colin Anderson

Jonathan Kaye

1.5

July 2019

Introduction of AS923 and AU915 regions.

Colin Anderson, Mark

Monson, Daniel Cesarz

Jonathan Kaye

1.6

15 Aug 2019

Added AS923 Region Label Support within
various sections and created Section 16

Robert Gosewehr

Jonathan Kaye

1.7

28 Aug 2019

Reflect new part numbers and modified ext.
probe specification

Chris Boorman

Jonathan Kaye

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1 About this Guide ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

2 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 Product Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Specifications ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

2.3 Architecture Overview .................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3 Powering Up the Sensor .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Battery Types ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

3.2 Inserting Batteries .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

4 Connecting to a LoRa network Server ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.1 AppEUI .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2 DevEUI .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.3 AppKey .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

5 Configuring the Packet Format ................................................................................................................................................................. 7

6 Configuring the Packet Type ................................................................................................................................ .................................... 9

7 Adaptive Data Rate (ADR) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9

7.1 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

7.2 Data Rate, Sensor Performance, and Tradeoffs .......................................................................................................................... 10

7.3 MAC Commands and the LoRa Standard .................................................................................................................................... 10

8 Device Operation ................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

8.1 Care and Maintenance ................................................................................................................................................................ 11

8.2 Positioning of the Sensor ................................ ................................................................................................ ............................. 11

8.3 LoRa Messages ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11

8.4 Join Sequence ............................................................................................................................................................................. 11

8.5 Ack/Retries .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12

8.6 Disconnect ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

8.7 Network Time .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12

8.8 Backlog Feature .......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

8.9 Measuring Humidity ..................................................................................................................................................................... 13

8.10 Setting up the Sensor .................................................................................................................................................................. 13

8.11 Sensor Firmware Version ............................................................................................................................................................ 14

8.12 Resetting the Sensor ................................................................................................................................................................... 14

9 Configuration ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

9.1 Label (Back Label Space) ............................................................................................................................................................ 15

9.2 Device Configuration ................................................................................................................................................................... 15

10 Mobile Application .................................................................................................................................................................................. 16

10.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

10.2 Install Sentrius™ Sensor Mobile App on Device .......................................................................................................................... 16

10.3 Connect to Sentrius™ Sensor...................................................................................................................................................... 16

10.4 Main Screen ................................................................................................................................................................................ 17

10.5 Configure Device ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17

10.6 View Sensor Data ................................................................................................................................................................ ........ 18

10.7 LoRa Configuration ...................................................................................................................................................................... 19

10.8 LoRa Network .............................................................................................................................................................................. 19

10.9 BLE Info ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

10.10 Update Firmware ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

10.11 Integrating Sentrius™ Sensor into a Third-Party Application ........................................................................................................ 21

11 Bluetooth SIG ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

12 FCC and ISED Canada Regulatory Statements ..................................................................................................................................... 22

12.1 Power Exposure Information ........................................................................................................................................................ 22

12.2 OEM Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................................................... 22

13 CE Regulatory ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

13.1 EU Declarations of Conformity ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

14 Ordering Information .............................................................................................................................................................................. 24

14.1 Evaluation Kit Details (applies to 455-0001, 455-0002 as well as other regional variants) ............................................................ 25

15 Other Variants ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

15.1 External Sensor Port .................................................................................................................................................................... 25

16 Label Info ................................................................................................................................................................ ............................... 26

17 Additional information ............................................................................................................................................................................ 27

18 Appendix A - Cayenne packet format ..................................................................................................................................................... 27

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This document is the parent guide of the RS1xx Configuration Guide. It provides a comprehensive guide on how to configure
the Sentrius™ RS186 and RS191 sensors to suit the intended application. It covers all Sentrius™ RS1xx functionality, including
Bluetooth and LoRa configurations in detail, as well as setting up the sensor on a LoRa network server.

In order to comply with the LoRaWAN spec, Laird offers several different versions of the Sentrius Sensor. Regions covered
include Europe (EU), North America (US) and Australia (AU915). Also covered is the Asia(AS) region but, in order to meet
local regulatory requirements, this region is covered by individual firmware versions for each country.

Note: Step by step instructions, screen shots, and pictures are based on the Sentrius™ RS191, but the same are

applicable for the Sentrius™ RS186 or other variants. Any differences are noted.

The Sentrius™ RS1xx LoRa-Enabled Sensor from Laird is the ultimate in secure, scalable, robust
LoRa solutions for end-to-end control of your private LoRaWAN network. Based on the Semtech
SX1272 chipset, it offers a long range up to ten miles, perfect for highly scalable, flexible IoT networks.
The Sentrius™RS1xx Sensor works with Laird’s Sentrius™RG1xx Series Gateways for simple out-of­the-box integration and is compatible with third-party and LoRa network servers.

Figure 1: Top of the
Sentrius™ RS1xx sensor

1. Temperature and humidity sensor

2. Bluetooth button

3. LEDs

4. Fixing holes

Figure 2: Back side of the Sentrius™
RS1xx sensor

Note: Laird has a comprehensive staff of design services engineers available to help customize the sensor.

Please contact your local Laird sales representative for more details.

See the RS1xx product brief for detailed specifications. It’s available from the Documentation tab of the RS1xx Series product
page: https://www.lairdconnect.com/wireless-modules/lorawan-solutions/sentrius-rs1xx-lora-enabled-sensors

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The major pieces of a LoRa network can be seen in Figure 3. The RS1xx sensor is an End Node in the diagram below. The
RS1xx requires the other components in the diagram below to operate.

Figure 3: LoRa architecture

Note: The Sentrius™ Sensor has no power switch. Inserting the batteries powers up the device.

The Sentrius™ Sensor is designed for use with primary cell AA batteries, either lithium or alkaline 1.5V cells. Lithium batteries
have more capacity but are costlier. Lithium batteries also have a lower temperature range of -40° C, as opposed to -20° C for
alkaline. You must specify the type of battery being used because the algorithm that determines the percentage of remaining
battery life must account for the battery type.

Default Battery Type for the Sentrius™ Sensor: Alkaline batteries

The battery type can be changed via the Sentrius™ mobile application. Refer to the Configuration section for details.

The batteries are inserted on the rear panel of the RS1xx sensor, as shown in Figure 2.

Note: The battery door cover has a gasket inside to keep out liquids. It is important that all screws on the back of the unit

are properly inserted and tightened. Failure to do so could result in liquid ingress which would void the warranty on
the device.

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Figure 4: Back label – See Label Info for any possible label
updates.

The exact steps needed to connect to a LoRa network server vary by network provider but in all cases, the following three
described LoRa keys described must be known by the external LoRa network server.

The AppEUI is an 8-byte ID used to uniquely identify your application and/or installation. For example, imagine you are
installing the Sentrius™ Sensor in a store chain. You could use a specific AppEUI to identify a specific store or perhaps the
entire chain of stores.

The default AppEUI is 0xf9,0xc6,0x0e,0xce,0xa3,0xad,0xc6,0xbd, and it is set in the device by Laird at the time of
manufacturing.

The AppEUI can be read or changed via the Sentrius™ mobile application. The number is generated by the end-user, so any
number can be used.

The DevEUI is an 8-byte ID used to uniquely identify your device. It is assigned and set in the device by Laird at the time of
manufacturing.

The DevEUI is printed on the back label of the sensor as
highlighted in red in Figure 4.

In previous versions of the label, there is a large area of
whitespace which can be used to apply a secondary label or
write in information. The AS923 region supported label only
has the green box area for this feature.

The DevEUI is also accessible via the barcode on the back
label where the last comma separated value is the DevEUI in
the previous revision of the label. The AS923 region
supported back label has a dedicated QR Code for the
DevEUI.

Example Readout in previous label version: 450­0182,1,915 MHz Sentrius™ Sensor,0213117,0025CA0A010108D6

Note: The sensor labels may change at any time. Please reference Label Info for the latest label changes.

Normally there is no need to change the DevEUI. However, if necessary, it can be read or changed via the Sentrius™ mobile
application. Because the IEEE governs the generation of the number, you must be familiar with these standards in order to
change the DevEUI.

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The AppKey is a 16-byte security key assigned to the device. Laird assigns and sets it in the device at the time of
manufacturing.

The AppKey is printed on a removeable label that is attached to the device when it is shipped (Figure 5).

Important!

It is the user’s responsibility to keep track of the assigned AppKey and to keep it secure.

Figure 5: AppKey label

The AppKey is also accessible via the barcode on the back label.

Normally, there is no need to change the AppKey. However, it can be changed via the Sentrius™ mobile application if
necessary.

Note: This key is write-only as there is a security risk in making it readable via the mobile application.

From firmware version 4.0 onwards, the RS1xx offers two packet format options:

▪ Laird
▪ Cayenne

Prior to version 4.0, only the Laird option was available. If using the Laird packet format, the sensor must receive a network
time packet (in Laird binary format) before data is stored in memory for future transmission. Data logging is not available with
the Cayenne packet format, so network time is not required this packet format. Refer to the Network Time section for more
information.

The packet format can be configured on the Mobile App through the LoRa Radio Settings and Info option.

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Figure 6: Packet format menu

A brief summary of the different formats is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Comparison of packet formats

Format

Description

Laird

Time stamp, synchronised to the network time
Temperature and humidity data
Number of Alarms
Number of Backlog packets stored
Aggregated packets
Backlogs
Remaining battery capacity

Cayenne

Temperature and humidity data
Remaining battery capacity
Note – no timestamp is transmitted

The Cayenne packet format is described in greater detail in Appendix A - Cayenne packet format.
Refer to the Network Time section for more information.

Note: The battery capacity is reported as an integer value between 1 and 5. Each value represents a percentage range of

20% as follows

Table 2 : Battery percentage values

Value

Percentage Range

1

0 - 20

2

21 - 40

3

41 - 60

4

61 - 80

5

81- 100

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With the Cayenne packet format selected, you have the option of configuring the RS1xx to transmit either confirmed or
unconfirmed packets. You can configure this option through the LoRa Radio Settings and Info option in the Sentrius Mobile
application. This option is NOT available with the Laird packet format, which only transmits confirmed packets.

Figure 7: Packet type menu

With confirmed packets, there is a higher likelihood that an uplink data packet is successfully transmitted to the servers, as the
RS1xx automatically resends a packet if an acknowledgement is not received (refer to the Ack/Retries section for more details
on the Ack/Retry process). However, one downside is using up more bandwidth on the network as there is a downlink packet
for each uplink.

With unconfirmed packets, the uplink packet is transmitted only once. If the packet is not received by the server, then the data
is lost. It is not stored internally in the RS1xx for transmission at a later time.

With confirmed packets, if three successive uplinks are not acknowledged, the sensor tries to rejoin. Unconfirmed packets
continue to be transmitted while the sensor is powered.

See the LoRaWAN Specification for a complete discussion of ADR. The LoRaWAN specification can be obtained from the

LoRa Alliance.

Knowledge of the following terms is important for this section:

▪ Uplink/Upstream – Transmissions originating from the sensor and received by the LoRa Network Server via the LoRa

Gateway.

▪ Downlink/Downstream – Transmissions originating from the LoRa Network Server and received by the sensor via the

LoRa Gateway.