LG RF MODULE 45 User Manual

DREAM RF RTU SYSTEM

GUIDE

Generations III, IV, IV.V

TALGIL COMPUTING & CONTROL LTD.

NAAMAN CENTER, HAIFA - ACCO ROAD

ISRAEL

P.O. BOX 775 KIRYAT MOTZKIN 26119

TEL: 972-4-9506051 , 9506052

FAX: 972-4-8775949

2014

contents

1. SYSTEM OVERVIEW............................................................................................................ - 4 -

2. SETTING UP AN RF RTU SYSTEM .................................................................................... - 7 -

2.1 SETTINGS TO BE DONE AT THE HOST CONTROLLER .................................................. - 8 -

2.2 SETTING UP THE INTERFACE AND THE RF MASTER ................................................... - 9 -

2.3 SETTING UP THE RF SLAVE ............................................................................................ - 11 -

2.4 SETTING UP THE RF RTU BASE ...................................................................................... - 12 -

2.4.1 Setting the RTU address ............................................................................................ - 13 -

2.4.2 Defining the polling rate ............................................................................................ - 13 -

2.4.3 Setting the layer ......................................................................................................... - 13 -

2.4.4 Setting up a repeater .................................................................................................. - 14 -

2.4.5 Functions of the jumpers ........................................................................................... - 15 -

3. THE VARIOUS MODES OF OPERATION ...................................................................... - 15 -

3.1 START-UP MODE ......................................................................................................... - 15 -

3.2 NORMAL MODE ........................................................................................................... - 15 -

3.3 RF TEST MODE ............................................................................................................. - 15 -

3.4 WHEN LOOSING COMMUNICATION ......................................................................... - 16 -

3.5 TESTING INPUTS AND OUTPUTS ............................................................................. - 16 -

3.6 LOW BATTERY INDICATION ....................................................................................... - 17 -

4. READING ANALOG INPUTS BY RF RTUS .................................................................... - 18 -

4.1 SETTING THE INTERFACE FOR ANALOG INPUTS .................................................. - 18 -

4.2 SETTING THE RTU FOR ANALOG INPUTS ................................................................ - 18 -

4.3 SETTING THE DREAM FOR READING RF ANALOG INPUTS .................................. - 19 -

5. USING RFPROG FOR PROGRAMMING THE RTU ...................................................... - 20 -

5.1 ANALOG INPUTS PARAMETERS ............................................................................... - 21 -

5.2 THE SOLENOIDS ACTIVATION PULSE PARAMETERS ........................................... - 22 -

5.3 INPUTS PULSE DIVISION ........................................................................................... - 22 -

5.4 THE AUTO CLOSE PARAMETERS ............................................................................. - 22 -

6. SOUNDS and LED LIGHTS ................................................................................................ - 23 -

6.1 RTU+SLAVE during START UP .................................................................................... - 23 -

6.2 RTU BASE+SLAVE during normal communication ...................................................... - 23 -

6.3 BASE+SLAVE while losing communication ................................................................... - 23 -

6.4 BASE+SLAVE during RF test - COMMUNICATION OK .............................................. - 23 -

6.5 BASE+SLAVE during RF test – NOT RECEIVING ....................................................... - 24 -

6.6 No communication between BASE and SLAVE .............................................................. - 24 -

6.7 BASE during inputs test .................................................................................................. - 24 -

6.8 BASE during outputs test ................................................................................................ - 24 -

6.9 BASE when battery becomes low .................................................................................... - 25 -

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6.10 INTERFACE+MASTER during normal operation - RF OK .......................................... - 25 -

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the

manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the

equipment

6.11 INTERFACE not communicating with the MASTER ...................................................... - 25 -

6.12 INTERFACE not communicating with the DREAM ....................................................... - 25 -

6.13 BASE ENTERING PROGRAMMING MODE ................................................................ - 25 -

6.14 SLAVE ADDRESS ZERO ............................................................................................... - 25 -

APPENDIX A - Decimal to binary conversion table .................................................................... - 26 -

APPENDIX B - WIRING..................................................................................................................... 27

Wiring between DREAM – RF INTERFACE (internal) and RF MASTER ....................................... 27

Wiring between RTU BASE and RF SLAVE .................................................................................... 28

Wiring of Outputs and Inputs into the RTU BASE:............................................................................ 29

APPENDIX C – THE RF EAR............................................................................................................ 30

HOW TO USE THE RF EAR ? ......................................................................................................... 30

The system contains the transmitter module FCC ID: 2AC2T-RF-MODULE-45

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The RF module 4.5 complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is suitable to the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference . (2) this device must accept any interference received , including interference that may cause undesired operation.

1. SYSTEM OVERVIEW

The RF RTU system is designed to work in conjunction with the DREAM irrigation control system, with the UNILINER, MINILINER and OASIS systems, enabling them to reach remote Input and Output (I/O) devices by wireless means.

Generations GIV and GIV.V were developed after GIII in order to improve the frequency separation ability and to cover different frequency ranges. GIII, GIV and GIV.V are not compatible. The picture below shows the RF units of the three kinds. Remember - in the same system all RF units must be of the same type:

The RF system consists of the following parts:

1. The RF MASTER – The central

THE RF RTU SYSTEM

GENERATION III, IV, IV.V

receiver/transmitter unit. Includes an RF unit with antenna, should be installed on top of a high pole located next to the host controller.

All the communication with all the RTU units on site, goes through the RF MASTER, therefore it should be carefully positioned at a place from where it may have a clear line of sight to most of the RTU units.

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The RF interface in a separate

enclosure

The RF interface when located inside

the host enclosure

2. The RF INTERFACE – serves as a link between the RF MASTER and the host controller. When possible, the RF INTEFACE will be placed inside the enclosure of the host, otherwise it will have its own enclosure and then the interface will be connected to the host by a shielded 4 wired cable that can be a few hundred meters long. Similarly the communication to the RF MASTER uses also a shielded 4 wired cable.

REMARK: The Oasis RF system does not use an interface.

3. The RF RTU – The RF RTU is the edge unit in the field, that communicates by radio with the Master, receiving and carrying out commands to open/close outputs, and reports back the status of inputs.

A single RF channel can handle as many as 60 RTUs. There are 2 types of RTUs : a) Modular – the modular RTU may have up to 8 outputs (in steps of 2,4,6,8),

4 digital inputs and up to 4 analog inputs. The outputs activate 2 wired DC pulse latching solenoids. The ability of reading digital inputs can be added to any of the 60 RF RTU units however analog inputs are limited to the first 8 RTUs only.

b) Economical– they come in two sizes – with 2 outputs and 2 digital inputs

(2/2), or with 1 output and 1 input (1/1).

The modular RTU consists of 2 parts: one is called the RF SLAVE and the other is called the RF BASE. The 2 parts are connected by a shielded 4 wired cable the length of which should not exceed 10 meters.

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3.1 The RF SLAVE is a

receiver/transmitter unit including an antenna, installed on top of a high pole. The RF SLAVE is the part of the RTU that is in charge of the radio communication between the RF RTU and the controller.

3.2 The RF RTU BASE

(EXECUTER) is in charge of the output and input activity of the RTU executing output commands and reading the inputs. It is located at the lower part of the pole at a convenient height for connecting the I/O devices to the unit.

In the Economical RF RTU the SLAVE and the BASE are combined into the same board:

For practical reasons the Economical RF RTU cannot be installed in a too high position, because then the wiring of the outputs and inputs will be too difficult. On the other hand if we install it in a low position we shall sacrifice the height of the antenna. In order to solve this problem we use an antenna extension kit:

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Connection to

the RF Master

Connection to

the host

Each RF RTU can act also as a REPEATER that can help reaching far RTUs or help reaching those that are hidden by obstacles. Such a unit can function both as an RTU and as a REPEATER at the same time.

NOTE : The upper part of the pole holding the RF MASTER and RF SLAVE units must be made of nonmetallic material, otherwise the radio signal may suffer some power attenuation. The construction of the

poles must include facilities that will enable easy lowering.

NOTE: Despite the resemblance between the MASTER and SLAVE units, they are not interchangeable.

The RF RTU can be powered either by dry batteries or by rechargeable battery charged by solar energy. When powered by dry batteries it will use 6v DC, supplied by 4 x 1.5v “D” type standard alkaline batteries. When powered by solar energy, the RF RTU will contain a 12v 1.0Ah rechargeable battery. Regular RTU will use a 2 Watt solar panel, and those who serve as repeaters will use a 5 Watt solar panel.

Assuming ideal conditions, in an area with no obstacles and no interferences, the distance between the MASTER and a directly communicated RTU can reach about

2.5 -3km. By utilizing a REPEATER, the distance can be doubled.

2. SETTING UP AN RF RTU SYSTEM

The process of setting up an RF RTU system starts at the host controller (DREAM, UNILINER, MINILINER, OASIS) where some necessary definitions have to be made through which the controller is informed about the details of the RF system to be controlled (see below).

An appropriate location should be found for locating the pole of the RF MASTER. It should be not too far from the host controller and it should be as high as possible in order to assure a clear line of sight to most of the RTUs in the field. Remember that the upper part of the pole should be nonmetallic.

The RF INTERFACE that coordinates between the MASTER and the host controller can be located inside the host’s enclosure or externally. When external it will come in a separate box and both sides of the interface the one that is connected to the host and the one that is connected to the Master will use a shielded 4 wired cable for connection. The red and the black wires supply the power (12v DC) and the green and white wires support the communication; in both cases the polarity is important, follow the directions below. The shield will be connected together with the black wire.

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Declaring the number of RF

interfaces

The address of the RF

interface

The scanning

rate 10 sec

Out in the field, each RTU BASE (EXECUTER) and its RF SLAVE counterpart will also be installed on a pole with the SLAVE unit on top of the pole and the RTU BASE about 1 meter above ground. Here again the upper part of the pole, where the RF slave is located, should be of nonmetallic material and here too the connection between the SLAVE and the RTU BASE uses a shielded 4 wired cable.

2.1 SETTINGS TO BE DONE AT THE HOST CONTROLLER

We shall use the DREAM controller for demonstration; however the same kind of definitions should be done when the host is a UNILINER, MINILINER or OASIS. The DREAM can handle several RF channels. Each channel will have its own interface, its own RF MASTER and its own RTUs. The channels must use different frequencies and they will be recognized by the address given to the RF INTERFACE of the particular channel. The screens below show the hardware definition to be made at the DREAM in order to make the DREAM recognize the various interfaces included in the system.

Next to the address of the RF INTERFACE there is a definition of the scanning rate by which the DREAM is exchanging information with the RTUs. The following options exist: scanning every 10sec; 5sec; 2.5sec or 1.25 sec. For energy saving purposes low scanning rate should be preferred, though too low scanning rate may cause losing pulses of water meters and fertilizer meters having high flow rates. Therefore the scanning interval should not be longer than the shortest expected OPEN or CLOSED contact condition. When this condition cannot be met, pulse dividers should be used (see explanation below). On the other hand,

the scanning rate cannot be decided without taking into consideration the number of RTUs to be scanned. A scanning rate of 1.25 seconds will limit the number of RTUs to 7, (the system will recognize RTUs with addresses from 1 to 7). With scanning rate of 2.5 sec, it will recognize RTUs 1 to 15, with scanning rate of 5 sec, it will recognize RTUs 1 to 31 and with scanning rate of 10 sec, it will recognize all the range of 60 RTUs.

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The next step is the definition of the connections table in which the physical

The address switch of the RF INTERFACE

D5 the status indication LED.

D3,D4,D7 the LEDs indicating the communication with the MASTER

D9,D11,D12 the LEDs indicating the communication with the DREAM

JP13 indicating analog inputs in use . JP14 not in use.

JP6 the OLD-NEW selection jumper

connection point of each I/O device is defined. During this procedure the host is informed about the addresses of the RTUs existing on the particular channel, and which I/O devices are connected to each.

2.2 SETTING UP THE INTERFACE AND THE RF MASTER

The RF INTERFACE has been designed to support the GIII and GIV versions, but it can be compatible with older versions as well. When used with the previous generation MASTER (up to version 7.8) jumper JP6 should be set to “OLD” position and when used with a MASTER of version 7.9 or higher, JP6 should be in “NEW” position (see picture below). Talking about compatibility it must be pointed out that Master of version 7.9 or higher cannot work properly with interface of the old generation, therefore if there is a need to replace a Master of version 7.8 or lower with a Master of version 7.9 or higher it forces the replacement of the old RF interface to the new one as well.

To indicate that the system contains analog inputs that are supposed to be read through the RF RTU system, JP13 must be set in left position, leaving the right pin free as in the picture below.

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Channel number

DIP SWITCH S1

pos1

pos2

pos3

pos4

OFF

OFF 2 ON

OFF

OFF 4 ON

OFF

OFF 8 ON

OFF

Setting the channel address is done by use of the Address Dip Switches. The address must be set according to the address defined at the DREAM (or other host) controller. Make sure that there is no other interface with the same address. Notice that the addressing uses binary coding. See “Appendix A” about the binary to decimal conversion.

The interface board contains a status indication led D5 that supplies the following information:

Lighting constantly – indicates having no configuration loaded from the

host which is a fault of course. Blinking fast – indicates having no communication with the MASTER. Blinking slowly – indicates a mistake in the definition of the analog inputs,

they are supposed to be allocated to a dummy analog interface whose

address must be one above the address of the RF INTERFACE itself. Light off – indicates normal operation.

The LEDs D9,D11,D12 show the communication with the DREAM. They are supposed to blink each second. The LEDs D3,D4,D7 show the communication with the MASTER, when working with an old generation MASTER they will blink fast, and when working with a new generation MASTER they will blink according to the selected scanning rate.

At the RF MASTER the only setting required is for selecting the RF FREQUENCY to be used. There are 16 frequencies to choose from. The frequency selection must take into consideration frequencies already being used by neighboring systems. The selection of the RF frequency is done by the Dipswitch S1 (frequency).

When there are DREAM RF systems in close vicinity, or when a DREAM system utilizes several channels, one channel may disturb the operation of the others. To

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Two channels system Three channels system

First

channel

Options for the second channel

First channel

Second

channel

Options for the third

channel

07, 08, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 1 7

13, 14, 15, 16 2 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 1 8

14, 15, 16

09, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 1 9

15, 16 4 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

16 5 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

2 8 14, 15, 16

12, 13, 15, 16

2 9 15, 16

01, 13, 14, 15, 16

16 8 01, 02, 14, 15, 16

3 9 15, 16 9 01, 02, 03, 15, 16

01, 02, 03, 04, 16

02, 03, 04, 05

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06

01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 16

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10

S1Frequency setting

eliminate disturbance between the systems the frequency selection should be according to the following tables:

On the RF MASTER board, there are 5 LEDS. The three LEDS - D3; D4 and D5 indicate the communication with the RF INTERFACE and when the communication functions properly, they blink fast. The red LED  D2 blinks each time the RF MASTER is calling any of the RTUs, so during each scanning cycle it will blink several times according to the number of RTUs defined. Each time the RF MASTER picks up a proper response of an RTU, it makes a short beep sound by its buzzer , so during each scanning cycle when there are several RTUs responding to the MASTER each in its turn, there will be a series of beep sounds

…..

2.3 SETTING UP THE RF SLAVE

The only setting required at the RF SLAVE is the setting of Dipswitch S1 (frequency). The selected frequency should be identical to the selected frequency at the RF MASTER board (see paragraph above).

REMARK: Starting from GIII the frequency setting can be done at the RF Base instead of at the RF SLAVE (see below), this feature enables changing the frequency without lowering the pole on which the slave is installed.

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