RF407-Series radio communications with multiple data loggers using one data logger as a router

This type of network configuration is useful for communicating around an obstacle, such as a hill or building, or to reach longer distances.

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To configure an RF407-series radio to communicate with multiple data loggers through a router, you must complete the following steps (instruction follows):

• Ensure your data loggers and RF407-series radios are each connected to an antenna and power.

• Configure your connection to the RF407-series devices using Device Configuration Utility Software tool used to set up data loggers and peripherals, and to configure PakBus settings before those devices are deployed in the field and/or added to networks..

• Assign unique PakBus ® A proprietary communications protocol developed by Campbell Scientific to facilitate communications between Campbell Scientific devices. Similar in concept to IP (Internet Protocol), PakBus is a packet-switched network protocol with routing capabilities. A registered trademark of Campbell Scientific, Inc. addresses to each data logger using Device Configuration Utility. (Connect to each data logger, and set the PakBus Address on the Deployment | Datalogger tab.)

• Configure the data logger acting as a router.

• Use data logger support software LoggerNet, RTDAQ, and PC400 - these Campbell Scientific software applications include at least the following functions: data logger communications, downloading programs, clock setting, and retrieval of measurement data. to set up communications between the computer and the data loggers.

Configuring the RF407-Series radio

Configure the RF407-Series radio connected to the computer (see previous image for reference).

1. Ensure your RF407-series radio is connected to an antenna and power.

2. If connecting via USB for the first time, you must first install USB drivers using Device Configuration Utility (select your radio, then on the main page, click Install USB Driver). Plug the RF407-series radio to your computer using a USB or RS-232 cable.

3. Using Device Configuration Utility, select the Communication Port used for your radio and connect to the RF407-series radio.

4. On the Main tab, set the Active Interface to USB or RS-232 (depending on how your computer will be connected to the RF407-series radio).

5. Apply the changes.

6. Connect the RF407-Series radio to the computer communication port selected in the previous step.

Configuring the data logger acting as a router

1. Supply power to the data logger. If connecting via USB for the first time, you must first install USB drivers by using Device Configuration Utility (select your data logger, then on the main page, click Install USB Driver). Alternately, you can install the USB drivers using EZ Setup. A USB connection supplies 5 V power (as well as a communications link), which is adequate for setup, but a 12 V battery will be needed for field deployment. Ensure the data logger antenna is connected.

2. Using Device Configuration Utility , connect to the RF407-series data logger that will serve as a router.

3. On the Deployment > Datalogger tab, assign a unique PakBus Address (see PakBus communications for more information).

4. On the Deployment tab, click the Com Ports Settings sub-tab.

5. From the Select the ComPort list, select RF.

6. Set the Beacon Interval to 60 seconds (or the amount of time you are willing to wait for the leaf A PakBus node at the end of a branch. When in this mode, the data logger is not able to forward packets from one of its communications ports to another. It will not maintain a list of neighbors, but it still communicates with other PakBus data loggers and wireless sensors. It cannot be used as a means of reaching (routing to) other data loggers. data loggers in the network to be discovered).

   NOTE:

   A beacon A signal broadcasted to other devices in a PakBus network to identify "neighbor" devices. A beacon in a PakBus network ensures that all devices in the network are aware of other devices that are viable. is a packet broadcast at a specified interval intended to discover neighbor devices.

7. Set the Verify Interval to something slightly greater than the expected communications interval between the router and the other (leaf) data loggers in the network (for example, 90 seconds).

8. Click the Advanced sub-tab and set Is Router to True.

9. Apply your changes.

Adding routing data logger to LoggerNet network

1. Using LoggerNet Campbell Scientific's data logger support software for programming, communications, and data retrieval between data loggers and a computer., click Setup and click the View menu to ensure you are in the Standard view.

2. Click Add Root .

3. Click ComPort, then PakBusPort (PakBus Loggers), then CR300Series.

4. Click Close.

5. In the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window, select the ComPort.

6. On the Hardware tab on the right, click the ComPort Connection list and select the communication port assigned to the RF407-series radio.

7. In the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window, select PakBusPort.

8. On the Hardware tab on the right, select the PakBus Port Always Open check box.

   • If you would like to prevent the possibility of LoggerNet communicating with any other data loggers in the network without going through the router, set the Beacon Interval to 00 h 00 m 00s.

9. In the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window, select the router data logger (CR300Series) from the list.

10. On the Hardware tab on the right, type the PakBus Address you assigned to the router data logger in Device Configuration Utility.

11. Optionally, click the Rename button () to provide the data logger a descriptive name.

12. Apply your changes.

Adding leaf data loggers to the network

1. In the LoggerNet Campbell Scientific's data logger support software for programming, communications, and data retrieval between data loggers and a computer. Standard Setup view (click the Setup () option and click the View menu to ensure you are in the Standard view), right-click on the router data logger in the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window and select CR300Series.

2. With the newly added data logger selected in the Entire Network pane, set the PakBus Address to the address that was assigned to the leaf data logger in Device Configuration Utility.

3. Click Rename. Enter a descriptive name for the data logger.

4. Apply your changes.

5. Repeat these steps for each leaf data logger in the network.

If you experience problems with network communications, see Troubleshooting Radio Communications for assistance.

Using additional communications methods

Using similar instructions, a RF407-series data logger can be used in a system with additional communication methods. For example, in the following image, the router RF407-series data logger communicates with LoggerNet through an RV50 cellular modem connected to RF407-series data logger using the RS-232 port. The router RF407-series data logger communicates with the leaf RF407-series data loggers over RF.

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