Xylem H-4271 User Manual

Model

H-4271

1-Watt Spread Spectrum Data modem

Owner's Manual

Version 1.0

75 West 100 South, Logan, Utah 84321 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web: http://www.waterlog.com E-mail: [e-mail]

D E S I G N A N A L Y S I S A S S O C I A T E S , I N C .

75 West 100 South, Logan, Utah 84321 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Web: http://www.waterlog.com E-mail: [e-mail]

D E S I G N A N A L Y S I S A S S O C I A T E S , I N C .

User Agreement/

W

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1. NATURE OF THE PRODUCT

This agreement accompanies an interface module comprising firmware, circuitry and other electronic
equipment in an enclosed housing, and packaged together with written instructional materials. The
packaged electronic circuitry and instructional materials herein are collectively referred to as the
“PRODUCT.” The PRODUCT is made available from DESIGN ANALYSIS ASSOCIATES, INC., of
75 West 100 South, Logan, Utah 84321 (hereinafter referred to as “DESIGN ANALYSIS”), and contains
information and embodies technology that is confidential and proprietary to DESIGN ANALYSIS, and
the availability and use of the PRODUCT is extended to you, the USER, solely on the basis of the terms
of agreement which follow.

2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BY USER

Opening the package which encloses the accompanying PRODUCT indicates your acceptance of the
terms and conditions of this agreement and constitutes an acknowledgment by you of the confidential and
proprietary nature of the rights of DESIGN ANALYSIS in the PRODUCT.

3. DUTIES OF YOU, THE USER

In consideration for the access to and use of the PRODUCT extended to you by DESIGN ANALYSIS
and to protect the confidential and proprietary information of DESIGN ANALYSIS, USER agrees as
follows:

LOG® Warranty

(a) USER agrees that they will not remove from the exterior of the housing of the PRODUCT any

safety warnings or notices of proprietary interest placed thereon by DESIGN ANALYSIS.

(b) USER agrees that they shall not disassemble or otherwise reverse engineer the PRODUCT.

(c) USER agrees to treat the PRODUCT with the same degree of care as USER exercises in relation to

their own confidential and proprietary information.

4. TERM

USER may enjoy these rights only as long as their possession of the PRODUCT shall continue to be
rightful. These rights will cease if the PRODUCT is returned to DESIGN ANALYSIS under the terms of
any redemption offer, warranty, or money-back guarantee, or if USER transfers the PRODUCT to
another party on terms inconsistent with this agreement.

5. LIMITED WARRANTY
(b) What is Covered

DESIGN ANALYSIS warrants that for a period of twelve months from the time of purchase the
functions to be performed by the PRODUCT will be substantially in compliance with USER
documentation. DESIGN ANALYSIS also warrants that the PRODUCT will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of purchase.

(b) What USER Must Do

If the product fails to satisfy the above warranty, USER must notify DESIGN ANALYSIS in
writing within the applicable period specified above and reasonably cooperate with the directions
they received from DESIGN ANALYSIS.

H-4271

User Agreement/W

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LOG® Warranty W-1

(c) What DESIGN ANALYSIS Will Do

DESIGN ANALYSIS will repair the PRODUCT or will endeavor to provide a replacement of
same within a reasonable period of time. In the event that DESIGN ANALYSIS is unable to
make the necessary repairs or replacement within a reasonable period of time, the original
purchase price will be refunded upon the return of the PRODUCT to DESIGN ANALYSIS.

(d) Limitations

(i) THE ENTIRE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL

BE LIMITED TO REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR
REFUNDING OF THE PURCHASE PRICE, AS SET FORTH ABOVE. IN NO
EVENT WILL THE LIABILITY OF DESIGN ANALYSIS TO USER OR TO ANY
OTHER PARTY EXCEED THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT,
REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE CLAIM.

(ii) EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES ABOVE, DESIGN ANALYSIS

SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

(iii) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL DESIGN ANALYSIS BE LIABLE FOR

SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR ANY OTHER
DAMAGES OR CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT, THIS
INCLUDES LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES,
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT
WILL DESIGN ANALYSIS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS, LIABILITY, OR
DAMAGES ARISING FROM MODIFICATION MADE THEREIN, OTHER THAN
BY DESIGN ANALYSIS.

(iv) THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES USER SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. USER

MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED
WARRANTY LASTS OR THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THOSE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS
MAY NOT APPLY.

6. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement and its validity and interpretation shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah,
notwithstanding any choice of law rules of Utah or any other state or jurisdiction.

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LOG® Warranty

H-4271

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.0 Introduction

The W
modem. The modem transfers a standard asynchronous (RS-232) serial data stream and operates
within the ISM 900 MHz frequency band. Two or more H-4271 modules are required; one
connected to the data recorder and one located at each remote site.

The radio link uses modern frequency hopping spread spectrum telemetry radios. Spread
spectrum technology is highly secure and has good interference immunity. The radio operates in
the license-free, 900 Mhz ISM Band eliminating the need for any FCC licensing.

Key features:

!

! Low system cost

!!
!

! 1.0mW to 1.0Watt power output

!!
!

! 9 - 18VDC supply voltage

!!
!

! Up to 14 mile operation with dipole antenna

!!
!

! Supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and repeater operating modes

!!
!

! Built in power management including “sleep & sniff” modes.

!!
!

! No configuration necessary for standard point to point communication

!!
!

! Free setup, configuration and test software.

!!

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LOG® H-4271 is a 1-watt FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) telemetry

1.1 Description

Internally the H-4271 modem employs an industrial 9XTend RF module manufactured by Digi
International Inc. In addition, the modem includes a high efficiency DC/DC converter, RS-232
transceiver and a power down circuit. Complete specifications and a user manual for the
9XTend OEM module are available at www.digi.com

1.2 Reliability

When properly configured and installed, the H-4271 telemetry data link will have good
performance. However, as with any radio apparatus, interference, noise and other factors can
corrupt communications. Retries and other schemes can help recover from corrupted data or lost
messages. If your application requires 100% accuracy or you cannot tolerate missing data scans
do not use a radio link.

1.3 LED Indicators

The H-4271 has two LED indicators, marked RxDat and TxDat. The green RxDat LED flashes
whenever a data packet is received. The yellow TxDat LED flashes whenever a data packet is
transmitted.

H-4271

Introduction 1-1

1.4 Configuration and Programming

The H-4271 can be ordered from the factory preprogrammed with certain configurations such as
“sleep & sniff master”, “sleep & sniff slave” or “repeater”. If desired the user can change the
transmit power or other settings depending on specific needs. In general the factory
preprogrammed modes configure the modems for point-to-multipoint communications.
Messages sent by the master are received by all of the slaves. With this scheme no addressing is
done by the radios themselves and the communication protocol must include an in-band
addressing protocol (such as SDI-12) where only one slave will attempt to respond to a specific
message.

The X-CTU is a Windows-based application designed to interact with the firmware files found
on Digi’s RF products and to provide a simple-to-use graphical user interface. X-CTU is
designed to function with all Windows-based computers running Microsoft Windows 98 SE and
above. X-CTU can be downloaded from Digi’s web site.

The 9XTend module can be configured using a terminal program and “AT” modem commands,
however, the X-CTU software is much more convenient. In addition the X-CTU software has
support for testing the complete radio link as described in Chapter 2.

1.5 Power Management

The H-4271 is often used with remote solar powered water and meteorological monitoring
stations. Such applications however, require special attention to power management. Be aware
the standby (receive) current of the H-4271 is 65mA and will require a very large solar panel if
continually powered. The 9XTend module features a Sleep & Sniff low power mode which can
be used to reduce the solar panel and gauge station battery requirements.

1.6 Power Mode Jumper

The end-plate has a 2-position jumper marked Auto and Always On. When the jumper is in the
Auto position, the transmitter power is controlled by the DSR input. When DSR input (pin-4) is

de-asserted, the transmitter and RS-232 transceiver are completely powered off. In this state the
H-4271 is in its lowest power condition and only draws 260uA or so. When the jumper is in the
Always On position the internal power switch is forced to the ON state.

Normally the power switch is only used with a master station where the modem is connected
directly to a data logger. The data logger can use the DSR input to explicitly control the power
state and can place the H-4271 in its lowest current state. The Auto mode should not be used
with a remote station in that the modem is continually powered off and would not be able to
receive packets.

Alternatively, the internal 9XTend module includes a “pin-sleep” feature which is also controlled
by the DSR input (pin-4). With this configuration the jumper is set to Always On and the
9XTend module is programmed to do its own power management. This configuration has the
advantage of better response in that the 9XTend module does not need to do a cold power up
each time. On the other hand, a disadvantage is that the RS-232 transceiver remains continually
powered.

1-2 Introduction

H-4271

1.7 Point to Point

By default the modems operate in a transparent mode. The modems act as a serial line
replacement. If multiple modems are installed, data transmitted by one modem is received by all
of the other modems within range. In this mode the standby (receive) power is 65mA typ. This
mode is often used with SCADA applications where AC power is available and power is not of
concern.

1.8 Sleep and Sniff

Sleep & Sniff is a power management scheme normally used for solar panel powered systems.
With Sleep & Sniff one modem is configured as a Master and is connected to the data logger.
One or more modems are configured as Slaves and are connected to the remote sensing sites.

With Sleep & Sniff both the master and slave station(s) normally operate in a low power state.
The slave stations periodically awaken and listen (sniff) for a beacon signal. In this mode the
slaves only draw 65mA for a few milliseconds every 4-seconds or so. The Sleep & Sniff interval
is programmable depending on the desired power profile and system response time. The Master
is configured to awaken via “serial port sleep” when it detects an inbound message from the data
logger. The master prefixes the transmission with a beacon signal which is detectable by the
slave modems. After sending the beacon for a (programmable) period, the master transmits the
data packet. The recommended setup configures the slaves with cyclic sleep = 4.0 seconds and
the Master wake-up initializer = 10 seconds. With this setup the slaves will have sufficient time
for two attempts to detect the beacon.

The protocol for Sleep & Sniff is implemented by the 9XTend module and requires no
intervention by the data logger other than the data logger must be patient. The first response
from the remote site will require 10 seconds or more. An inactivity timer setting can be used to
keep both the master and slaves awake for subsequent transmissions without the overhead of
sending a beacon for every transmission. Sleep & Sniff is workable with multiple slave stations.
However, the communication protocol must include an in-band addressing scheme (such as SDI-

12) where only one slave will attempt to respond to a specific message.

With Sleep&Sniff operation a fault condition can occur is where the slave fails to detect the
beacon. If subsequent retry messages are sent they will also fail because the slave is asleep. The
data logger should issue retries by either waiting for the “time before sleep” inactivity timer to
expire before sending a retry or by forcing the retried message to be sent with a beacon. This can
be done by using the ATFH (force wake-up initializer) command. See Chapter 2 for a driver
which implements retries.

H-4271

Introduction 1-3