Neptune MTX950, MRX920 User Manual

FCC Part 101 Certification

Test Report

FCC ID: P2SMTX950

FCC Rule Part: 101

ACS Report Number: 05-0025-101

Manufacturer: Neptune Technology Group, Inc.

Equipment Type: Mobile Drive-by Data Collector

Model: MTX950

Manual

5015 B.U. Bowman Drive Buford, GA 30518 USA Voice: 770-831-8048 Fax: [phone]

MRX920TM/MTX950

User’s Manual

TM

This manual is an unpublished work and contains the trade secrets and confidential infor­mation of Neptune Technology Group Inc., which are not to be divulged to third parties
and may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part, in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical for any purpose, without the express written permission of Nep­tune Technology Group Inc. All rights to designs or inventions disclosed herein, including
the right to manufacture, are reserved to Neptune Technology Group Inc.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Neptune
reserves the right to change the product specifications at any time without incurring any
obligations.

Trademarks used in this manual

TM

MRX920

and EZRouteMAPSTM are trademarks of Neptune Technology Group Inc.

RouteMAPS is a registered trademark of Neptune Technology Group Inc.

Other brands or product names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.

FCC Notice:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

“NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help”

Industry Canada Notice

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference Caus­ing Equipment Regulations. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfer­ence received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Cet appareillage numérique de la classe B répond à toutes les exigences de l'inter­férence canadienne causant des règlements d'équipement. L'opération est sujette aux
deux conditions suivantes: (1) ce dispositif peut ne pas causer l'interférence nocive, et (2)
ce dispositif doit accepter n'importe quelle interférence reçue, y compris l'interférence
qui peut causer l'opération peu désirée.

"RF Exposure (Intentional Radiators Only)

This equipment complies with the FCC RF radiation requirements for uncontrolled envi­ronments. To maintain compliance with these requirements, the antenna and any radiat­ing elements should be installed to ensure that a minimum separation distance of 67 cm
is maintained from the general population."

TM

MRX920

User’s Manual
Literature No. UM MRX920/MTX 02.05
Part No. 12508-002

Copyright © 2005

Neptune Technology Group Inc.

All rights reserved.

Neptune Technology Group Inc.
1600 Alabama Highway 229
Tallassee, AL 36078
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Notes:

1 Introduction

System Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Conventions Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Product Support within North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Contacting Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

2 MRX920 Overview

MRX920 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

The Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Contents

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

MRX920 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

MRX920 Function Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Reading Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8

Message Area and Progress Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Information Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

Route Display Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

Viewing MIU Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual v

Contents

MRX920 Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

RF Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Radio Frequency (RF) Front End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

Digital Multi-channel Receiver (DMR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Central Processing Unit (CPU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14

Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

3 Setting Up the MRX920 Unit

Placing the MRX920 Unit in the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Opening Carrying Case Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Plugging in the Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Installing the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

Inserting the USB Flash Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9

Turning the Unit On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

Starting the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Adjusting System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12

Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

vi MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Contents

4 Using the MRX920 Unit

Reading Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Beeper Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Turning the Beeper On or Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Selecting Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Detail Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Viewing Account Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Collecting Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Starting Meter Reads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

Navigation on the Route Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Viewing Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Identifying Missed Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Viewing Account Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Using Coded Notes or Skip Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Moving From One Account to the Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Displaying Account Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

Reading Missed Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Pausing and Restarting Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Creating an Export File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

Exiting the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

From the Route Import and Route Export Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21

From the Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

Turning off the Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22

Removing the USB Flash Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual vii

Contents

5 Closing the MRX920 Unit

Preparing to Remove the MRX920 Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Laptop Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

Using the Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Using Your Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

Touchpad Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

LED Activity Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

LED Power / Wireless Modem Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

Troubleshooting Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Performing Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Displaying the Software Self Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

Importing Route Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

If No Route Data File is Found . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

Correcting the Import Error . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6

A Specifications

B Keyboard

viii MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Contents

C Troubleshooting

Glossary

Index

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual ix

Contents

x MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Figures

Figure Title Page

1.1 MRX920 Meter Reading Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

1.2 Support Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

2.1 MRX920 Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

2.2 Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

2.3 USB Port for USB Flash Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

2.4 Navigating Within the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

2.5 Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10

2.6 Missed Reads and Captured Reads Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11

2.7 MIU Details Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13

3.1 Removing the Safety Latch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

3.2 Placing Seatbelt in Retention Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

3.3 Replacing the Safety Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

3.4 Latches on MRX920 Carrying Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

3.5 Opening the Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

3.6 Vehicle Power Supply Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.7 Vehicle Power Supply Power Cable Inserted In Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

3.8 Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7

3.9 Antenna Cable Through Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

3.10 USB Port and Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10

3.11 Laptop Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

4.1 Route Display with Multiple Routes Being Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

4.2 Use Beeper Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

4.3 Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

4.4 Missed Reads Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

4.5 MIU Details Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

4.6 Route Selection Screen with Route Highlighted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

4.7 Captured Read Screen with Account Highlighted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

4.8 Reading a Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11

4.9 Route With All Reads Completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12

4.10 Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

4.11 Captured Reads Screen Message Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual ix

Figures

Figure Title Page

4.12 MIU Details dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18

5.1 Laptop Prepared for Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

5.2 Cover Closed on the MRX920 Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

A.1 MRX920 Unit Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

1.6 Numeric Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

1.7 Touchback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2

B.8 LED Activity Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

B.9 LED Power Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

C.1 Route Import Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

C.1 System Check Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

C.1 Error Message on Start Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

x MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Tables

Table Title Page

A.1 Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

A.2 PC Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

A.3 Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

A.4 Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

A.5 Operating Voltage and Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3

B.1 LED Activity Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4

B.2 LED Power Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-5

C.1 Troubleshooting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual xi

Tables

Notes:

xii MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

The MRX920ΤΜ unit is a rugged, com­pact, portable, easy-to-use, meter-read­ing unit for Neptune Radio Frequency
(RF) equipped water meters. It can be
securely placed in the passenger seat of
any vehicle using a standard seat belt
and can be powered by the vehicle
power supply receptacle.

The MRX920 unit provides the meter­reading industry with many advantages
over current meter-reading methods:

• Suitable for any size utility

• Portable and easy to set up

• Significantly reduced man-hours
needed to collect readings

• Maximized meter reading success
rates

• Improved meter reading accuracy

• Access for meter that are “hard-to-read” and “dangerous-to­read.”

• Increased safety and minimized liability exposure

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 1-1

Introduction

System Operations

Operators use Equinox-MRTM host software to make route assign­ments for meter readers. The routes to be read are obtained from
the utility billing system and placed on the USB flash drive for the
meter readers. Each meter reader inserts a USB flash drive into
the MRX920 unit and then drives through the routes assigned to be
read by collecting data broadcast by R900 Meter Interface Units
(MIUs). When complete, the meter readers return the USB flash
drives so the meter readings can be uploaded to the MTX950 host
software. The host software transfers the customer information to
the billing computer to generate customer bills. (See Figure 1.1.)

Figure 1.1 MRX920 Meter Reading Operations

1-2 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

About This Manual

Introduction

The MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual describes the system and its
features. The manual also provides procedures on how to use the
MRX920 unit from setting up the unit and using its MTX950 soft­ware, to exiting and closing the unit.

This manual contains the following chapters:

Chapter Title Description

2 MRX920 Overview Provides an overview of the MRX920 unit

and software, including a description of
function keys, screens, and
MRX920 hardware.

3 Setting Up the MRX920

Unit

4 Using the MRX920 Unit Explains how the product works, proce-

5 Closing the MRX920 Unit Provides a procedure for closing the

Appendix A Specifications Provides a reference section containing

Appendix B Keyboard Provides a reference for the laptop key-

Appendix C Troubleshooting Provides diagnostics procedures for trou-

Describes hardware setup instructions,
power and antenna connection, and
instructions on how to turn on the laptop
computer. The chapter also includes infor­mation on how to adjust system settings
including keyboard backlighting, display
intensity, and the beeper settings.

dures for reading meters, reviewing
account information, reading missed
meters, and exiting the software.

MRX920 unit.

product specifications.

board and the LED activity and power indi­cators.

bleshooting MRX920 problems.

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 1-3

Introduction

Conventions Used in this Manual

This manual uses the following icons and typographical conven­tions to identify special information.

The Warning icon identifies actions that can cause injury to the user or per­manently damage the product.

The Caution icon identifies important information that is critical to ensuring
that data stored with the MRX920 unit is not lost.

The Note icon identifies information that clarifies a point within the text.

All small caps Refers to keys. Examples: ENTER, ALT, TAB

All bold initial caps Refers to field names, menus, buttons, and menu options. Example: Device field or

File menu.

+ between keys Refers to pressing the keys at the same time. Example:

ALT+B

Product Support within North America

Neptune offers various methods to obtain high-quality, responsive
technical support. However, before contacting Neptune, it is
important that you know the version number of the software that
your MRX920 unit uses. This information is useful to the support
technician who addresses the call.

To find the version number of MRX920 software, you must display
the System Check screen. For instructions on obtaining the ver­sion number of the MRX920 software, see “Performing Diagnos­tics,” on page C-3.

1-4 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Contacting Technical Support

Within North America, Neptune technical support is available
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Standard
Time by telephone, email, or fax.

To contact technical support by phone, call 1 [phone]. You
will be directed to the appropriate team of specialists. These spe­cialists are dedicated to you until the issue is resolved to your sat­isfaction. When placing a call, be prepared to give the following
information:

• The exact wording of any message that appears on the screen
of the MRX920 Unit.

• A description of what happened and what you were doing
when the problem occurred.

• A description of how you tried to solve the problem.

• Your company’s end user name.

You will be directed according to the options in Figure 1.2.

Introduction

Figure 1.2 Support Options

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 1-5

Introduction

To contact technical support by fax, send a description of your
problem to 1 [phone]. Please include on the fax cover sheet
the best time of day for a support specialist to contact you.

To contact technical support by e-mail, send your letter to the fol­lowing address:

[e-mail]

1-6 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

Chapter 2 MRX920 Overview

The MRX920 unit is a portable, mobile data collection device. It is
used in conjunction with internal MTX950 software and host
software to conduct automatic meter reading. The data collected
is then communicated to the utility’s billing system.

The MRX920 unit features the following:

• Durable carrying case designed for easy set-up and use in any
vehicle

• Fully waterproofed keyboard

• A touch screen display to allow for easy navigation and option
selection

• A beeper sound to indicate successful readings

• Exchange of route data between the MRX920 unit’s laptop and
host software

• Ability to read R900 radio transmitters

• Captured reads stored to the hard drive of the laptop

MRX920 Features

The MRX920 unit consists of a data collection receiver/processing
unit and laptop computer in a portable case designed for easy set­up and use in meter reading (see Figure 2.1). The unit features
meter reading software designed for simplified route collection.

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 2-1

MRX920 Overview

Receiving/

Processing Unit

Laptop Computer

USB Flash Drive

inserts here

Figure 2.1 MRX920 Unit

Do not attempt to open the bottom of the MRX920 carrying case. Attempting to repair
or modify the unit on your own can result in personal injury or damage to the unit and
will void the warranty.

The Laptop

The laptop computer on the MRX920 unit, as shown in Figure 2.2,
is part of the overall MRX920 data collector. It communicates with
the receiver through a serial link using the software, which
decodes and records the collected readings by the receiver.

2-2 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

MRX920 Overview

Figure 2.2 Laptop

To protect the safety of the driver collecting readings, the laptop
computer provides an audible indicator option that can be turned
on or off as required. For more information, see “Beeper Settings,”
on page 4-3. When turned on, the unit only beeps when receiving
an MIU signal in the selected route. Other readings are silently

inserted into other routes.

To protect the driver’s safety, use the Beeper function on the MRX920 unit to monitor
meter reading.

The laptop computer retrieves meter readings from the receiver in
real-time, and stores them in nonvolatile memory. It checks meter
reading completeness against route files that are downloaded
from the host software. About one second after a reading is
received, the message area and progress bar update the reading
status of the route.

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 2-3

MRX920 Overview

USB Port

The USB port, shown in Figure 2.3, is located on the top plate of
the MRX920 laptop unit. Another USB port is located on the rear
of the laptop. You can use either slot for meter reading, but do not

use both USB ports at the same time.

Neptune recommends that you use only the USB port located on the top plate of the
MRX920 laptop for meter reading.

Figure 2.3 USB Port for USB Flash Drive

The MRX920 unit requires that you use only one USB port for the USB flash drive.

2-4 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

MRX920 Overview

Navigation

All MRX920 functions are performed in one of two ways:

•Using the

TAB key or the arrow

keys to move the focus to the appropriate button and pressing

ENTER.

• Using the provided stylus to touch the selections available on
the laptop display.

Always use the stylus provided with the laptop to touch the display. Substituting a
hard or sharp item can damage the display.

Figure 2.4 Navigating Within the Software

For example, Figure 2.4 shows the Route Import screen with
a route highlighted.

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 2-5

MRX920 Overview

Software

The software application runs on the laptop computer that is part
of the MRX920 unit. The purpose of the software is to log meter
readings from routes where R900s are installed. Messages from
MIUs outside of the route are identified as such and are discarded.
The software also provides a visual interface for the operator to
monitor route progress.

Although the software can start and stop the reading of message
data, it does not control the receive frequency or the decoding of
message data. Instead, the MRX920 unit contains a receiving and
processing unit that collects data only from R900s.

The file transfer between the host software and the MRX920 is
through the USB flash drive that store routes and accounts. The
file transfer between the host software and the utility company
billing system is in a file format specific to Neptune’s software
application.

MRX920 Display

Information about the screen display for MRX920 unit is
contained in “Laptop Specifications,” found on page A-1.

MRX920 Function Buttons

Each software screen contains different function buttons
pertaining to the specific information on that screen. Use the
following list to identify the different buttons and their specific
functions.

Welcome Screen

automatically launches the route import process

closes the software program

Route Import Screen

manually launches the route import process

2-6 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

stops the import route process

opens a dialog that allows the user to open a

specific database

closes the Route Import screen and returns to the

Welcome screen

Route Selection Screen

initiates the route reading process

temporarily pauses the reading process

closes the Route Selection screen and moves the user
to the Route Export screen

MRX920 Overview

Missed Reads Screen

opens a dialog that provides the user with various

details about the selected account, including the meter
number, MIU, the collection method, the account
name, coded notes, or skip codes

returns the user to the first account in the selected
route

Captured Reads Screen

opens a dialog that provides the user with various
details about the selected account, including the meter
number, the type of MIU, the collection method, the
account name, coded notes, or skip codes

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 2-7

MRX920 Overview

returns the user to the first account in the selected

route

Route Export Screen

launches the export of the loaded routes

closes the Route Selection screen and returns the user
to the Welcome screen

Reading Indicator

The Reading indicator, located on the title bar of
the software, shows the activity status of the
MRX920 unit. When the Route Selection screen is
first accessed, the Reading indicator resembles the
icon at the left with a red arrow, indicating that
there is currently no reading activity.

When the reading indicator displays a pulsing green
arrow, it indicates that the MRX920 unit is reading
and storing meter-reading data. To initiate route

reading, select the Read Route button.

If for any reason, the laptop is not receiving new data for a period longer than five
seconds, the Reading arrow stops pulsing.

Once you begin reading meters, the Read Route

button changes to the Pause Route

button. Selecting this button temporarily stops the
reading process, and the Reading indicator no
longer displays the pulsing arrow. When
reactivated, the MRX920 resumes reading.

2-8 MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual

MRX920 Overview

Message Area and Progress Bar

The message area on the software screens indicates the number
and percentage of meters on the route that were read successfully.
A graphical progress bar also shows the percentage of the route
that is complete. Before meter reading begins, no accounts are
reported as read, and the progress bar is blank.

While readings are captured, the Route Total progress bar shows
the percentage complete of the route selected on the Route
Selection screen. The Route Selection screen shows both the
selected Route Total as well as the readings Grand Total.

Information Area

The information area of a MRX920 screen displays the route or
addresses to be read. These following views are available:

• The route view includes the route number, number of MIUs to
be read, first address on the route, and percentage of the
route that was read.

• The account view provides a listing of the addresses and MIU
IDs to be read for a specific route. If you display account
detail, the information area displays information for the
selected account.

• A meter reading and loading indicator area with a graphic
progress bar and pulsing reading indicator.

• A message and information display area.

• An active function icon or reading indicator.

MRX920/MTX950 User’s Manual 2-9