REALM AGRICULTURE SID-FLEX Wireless Monitoring Device for SDI-12 Probes User Manual

REALM AGRICULTURE SID-FLEX Wireless Monitoring Device for SDI-12 Probes

Product Information

– Wireless monitoring device for SDI-12 probes
– Power source from two AA batteries

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

1. Install Probe:
   • Follow the provided instructions to install the SDI-12 probe.
2. Install Mount:
   • Follow the provided instructions to install the mount for the SID-FLEX device.
3. Connect Wires:
   • Connect the wires from the SDI-12 probe to the corresponding wire connections on the SID-FLEX device.
4. Install Batteries:
   • Insert two AA batteries into the SID-FLEX device.
5. Initial Connection Diagnostics:
   • Perform the initial connection diagnostics as per the provided instructions to ensure proper functionality.
6. Connect Device to Your Account:
   • Follow the provided instructions to connect the SID-FLEX device to your account.

Note: Please refer to the complete user manual for detailed instructions on usage and troubleshooting of the SID-FLEX device.

GENERAL

System Overview
The Sensor Integration Device Flex (SID-FLEX) for SDI-12 is an end device in the Internet of Things (IoT) for agriculture. Its job is to periodically read an SDI-12 soil moisture probe (AquaCheck or Sentek) and report the readings to the cloud via a Data Gateway device. The Data Gateway listens for packets from end devices and periodically makes a cellular data connection to forward the accumulated end device packet to a server along with its own packets. The Data Gateway acknowledges packets from end devices. The Data Gateway also holds downlink packets from the server for end devices and sends them to the device after the next uplink packet from the device in lieu of an acknowledgment.

Features

The SID-FLEX includes the following features:

• Low power microcontroller
• SDI-12 interface circuit
• Low power, long range radio for communication to Gateway
• GPS receiver for device location
• Non-volatile memory for configurable read intervals
• Non-volatile memory for data storage when a Data Gateway is not available
• Red-green-blue LED status indicator
• Accelerometer for user input
• Sonalert to aid locating the device in crop
• Ultra-low power sleep enabling extended operating time from two AA batteries

Acronyms and Abbreviations
Term Description

• API Application Interface
• cm Centimeters
• CPVC Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
• FCC Federal Communications Commission
• GPS Global Positioning System
• ID Unique Identification Number
• IoT Internet of Things
• LED Light Emitting Diode
• QR Quick Response
• RSS Radio Standards Specification
• RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
• s Seconds
• URL Universal Resource Locator
• UTC Universal Time Coordinated
• V Volts
  ‘ Feet
  “ Inches

Important FCC and IC Compliance Information

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
This product meets the applicable FCC Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Son fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:  To limit RF exposure, please ensure 4 inches (10 cm) of separation from the transmitter antennas at all times.

User Information

Enclosure
The SID-FLEX has a lid that may be opened for access to the probe wire connections, wire release buttons and the LED indicator. The lid should always be snapped closed tightly when installation is complete, taking care to route the probe wires through the slot provided between the lid and the base. Failure to do so will allow moisture to enter the enclosure which will likely cause failure.
Installation Packet Series
The SID-FLEX will automatically send a few data packets via radio to the Data Gateway after the batteries are installed. It sends a version packet, a status packet, a configuration packet, a probe information packet, two a soil moisture/temperature packets, and a location packet. These packets are sent with a special “send-it-now” flag to make the Data Gateway  forward them immediately instead of holding them until thenext normal cellular connection. After booting, the SID-FLEX turns on its GPS receiver to acquire time and location. This is indicated with short cyan flashes every two seconds. It needs date and time to set its real time clock. It needs location to send the location packet. IT MUST BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FROM GPS SATELLITES TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY.
User Input
To achieve a long battery life, the SID-FLEX sleeps most of the time. It wakes up periodically to read the probes and to send radio packets. The default interval for reading soil moisture is every 60 minutes. The Data Gateway collects packets and forwards them to the server every 15 minutes. The SID- FLEX also has an accelerometer sensor capable of detecting taps on the enclosure. It is set up to detect a double tap – two taps, one immediately following the other. This will wake up the device if it is asleep. A white flash of the indicator signals a double tap detection. Four double taps in a row will cause it to turn on GPS and send the install sequence of packets again.
Indicator Description
The SID-FLEX has a red-green-blue LED indicator. The table below gives the meaning of colors and flashes.

immediately
Cyan| 0.1 s flash every 2 s| GPS enabled
White| Once| Double tap detected
Magenta-Green| Once| Radio packet sent, acknowledge received
Magenta-Red| Once| Radio packet sent, no acknowledge received
RYGY| Rapid and repeating| Booting Firmware

Orientation

For maximum radio performance, the SID-FLEX should be oriented with the back or front edge of the enclosure pointed toward the Data Gateway.
Cloud Data Services
Data from RealmFive IoT devices is stored on data servers in the “cloud”. The data is accessible to customers through an API allowing customer integration into their own applications and websites. Device data is also accessible through app.realmfive.com which is intended to aid installers with configuration and verification of device operation. Both require credentials for access. See the following section for information on how to obtain credentials.

Points of Contact

Installation User Interface
RealmFive’s installer interface is at app.realmfive.com. A login username and password are required to access this website. Access to this website is needed to verify device installation. Please contact your administrator at least 24 hours prior to installation time to get your login set up if you do not have one.
Obtaining a Login
A login username and password may be obtained by emailing your administrator with the following information:

• FIRST NAME
• LAST NAME
• PHONE NUMBER
• ORGANIZATION

Your username will be your email address. You will be sent a temporary password which must be changed the first time you log in. To log in, go to app.realmfive.com, or simply scan the QR code on a device, and enter your username and password.
Obtaining Help
Questions and problems can also be submitted via the help desk or chat link within the app. A guide to common user tasks and frequently asked questions can be found under “Support” at app.realmfive.com. More immediate help can be obtained through a live chat under “Support” at app.realmfive.com.

INSTALLATION

The SID-FLEX needs the Data Gateway to send in its data packets. Thus, the Data Gateway should be installed before the SID-FLEX. Pick Data Gateway and SID-FLEX installation sites that have line of site between the Data Gateway and SID-FLEX. The radio signal will be attenuated by the foliage of the crop as it grows up around the SID-FLEX during the season. So, avoid installation sites that yield poor RSSI to start with.

Install Probe
Install the SDI-12 soil moisture probe in the ground at the desired location per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Install Mount
Install SID-FLEX on a 5’ length of the same ¾” CPVC post as the probes by pushing and twisting.

Push post assembly into the ground near the soil moisture probe so there is enough length of wire to reach the SID-FLEX. Install the SID-FLEX as high as possible. Device wireless range will typically improve with greater installation height. RealmFive recommends an installation height of approximately 4 feet off the ground. In corn, best results are achieved when the SID-FLEX is above the height of most ears.

Connect Wires
Open SID-FLEX lid. The side the device has holes that probe wires can be pushed into. Follow the wire color table on the label for the brand of probe being installed to determine which wire to install in which hole. IMPORTANT: The probe will not operate correctly and may be damaged by incorrect connection.

Trim any hooks, globs, or solder balls off the tinned wires with side cutters to ease removal at the end of the season.

Plug the three probe wires into the SID-FLEX wire holes per the SDI-12 wire color chart. Press the release button while inserting if necessary. Give each wire a light tug to make sure they are properly captured.

Tie excess probe wire to CPVC post mount to prevent the wires from being accidentally pulled out of the SID-FLEX’s internal board clips. Keep wires off the ground to reduce likelihood of damage from rodents or other animals.

Install Batteries
Install (2) AA batteries. Realm recommends the use of Energizer Lithium Ultimate batteries for best performance. Energizer Lithium Ultimate batteries have a starting series voltage close to 3.6 V and a nominal voltage of 3.0 V. New batteries should last through the growing season depending on the soil moisture read interval. The batteries should be replaced when their series voltage is below 2.7 V while the device is awake. Note that the battery voltage will read higher when the temperature is warmer. The batteries should be removed when the device is pulled from the field.

Initial Connection Diagnostics
Once batteries are installed, device LED will repeatedly blink red-yellow- green-yellow as it boots. It will then blink cyan while it acquires time and location via GPS. While it is acquiring GPS it will also blink magenta-green or magenta-red indicating it is sending radio packets. Magenta-green means  it received an acknowledge from the Data Gateway. Magenta-red means no acknowledge was received. If no acknowledge was received the device needs to be mounted higher or closer to the Data Gateway.

Connect Device to Your Account
Open device lid to expose the unique device QR code. Scan SID-FLEX QR code via smart phone. The QR code contain the URL of the webpage for that specific device. Scanning with any generic QR code scanner should take you to page for the device. Or go to app.realmfive.com/devices/0x30XXXXX where XXXXX is the balance of the ID as it appears on the label.

If you have not logged in to the website before the login page will appear first. Log in to RealmFive’s browser-based installation app. See section 1.7 for credentials.

The device app page for SID-FLEX should be displayed. The ID number in the upper right corner should correspond to the ID number on the SID-FLEX. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and check connectivity to verify new packets have been received. The timestamp of the last packet received from the device is shown in UTC.  Tapping on the time stamp will pop up the time since the packet was received. Check the RSSI. If the RSSI is lower than -115, consider mounting the SID-FLEX higher or relocating the device closer to the Data Gateway. This is true especially if crop is expected to grow above the height of the SID-FLEX. Check the battery voltage . Battery voltage should be above 3.0 V. Batteries need to be changed when the voltage gets below 2.7 V. Check location . Verify a new location has been received by tapping the timestamp. If desired, double tapping four times on the enclosure will cause the SID-FLEX to send the install series of packets again. Detection of the double tap is indicated by a white flash. It takes a few minutes for the packets to be sent and relayed by the Data Gateway.
Device installation page for SID-FLEX shows the raw probe soil moisture and temperature readings. The colors to the drop icon distinguish whether the setup is working. In this example, the depths are set but the soil moisture and temperature probes are not hooked up. But the device is confirmed to be working and sending data to the cloud.
Note: Probe reading show ?????? when the probe wires are not connected. Check probe wires to make sure they are plugged in and are not damaged. All received devices should already be provisioned to each customer. The installer will need to assign each device to the grower and field. This is done by tapping on the menu icon in the upper right corner and selecting Organization. Then navigate to or add the grower and field as necessary. And finally tap Add New Device and scan the QR code or type the ID. Close the lid on the SID-FLEX, taking care to route the wires out the slot provided between the base and the lid. Do not cut the insulation on the wires by pinching the wires between the lid and the base.

Revision Sheet

References

• RealmFive View
• RealmFive View

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