TCS QD2040b Ubiquity Cloud Site Gateway Instruction Manual

June 6, 2024
TCS

TCS QD2040b Ubiquity Cloud Site Gateway

Installation

Introduction

Congratulations on choosing the TCS QD2040b! The QD2040b is a compact, versatile network controller that seamlessly connects with the Ubiquity Cloud™ via TCSbus or Modbus. This manual includes all the information you will need to properly install and set up your QD2040b. As most units come preconfigured, you will most likely only need to read the Installation section of this manual and you can skip the Configuration section. However, some customers do order their units without being configured beforehand; for those customers, we include the comprehensive Configuration section which contains essential information they will need to set up the unit. If you have any questions regarding your QD2040b or your network, do not hesitate to contact TCS Technical Support at 800-288-9383, ext. 2.

Material List

  • QD2040b Ubiquity Cloud Site Gateway
  •  External Power Supply
  • Wall Mounting Bracket

Mounting
The QD2040b is designed to be hung on a wall via the mounting screw holes in each unit. It may also be set on a shelf or table. Do not allow the mounting screws to touch the circuit board inside the enclosure.
When selecting a location to mount the QD2040b, be sure to allow space for cable connections. Locate the QD2040b away from excessive dust, heat sources, moisture or direct sunlight. The ideal environment is a server room. The temperature of the room should not exceed 77ºF (25ºC); good ventilation is mandatory.

Input Connections
Refer to the “QD2040b Power and Communication Connections Diagram” on page 4 for the following input connections: Power: Attach the included power supply to the back of the QD2040b and insert the power plug into a 120 VAC socket. Upon connection, the unit should power up automatically If it does not, press the Power button once. Ethernet: Connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet LAN outlet. If you are using a cellular modem, connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the Cellular Modem. RS-485 Network: Connect an RS-485 network to one of the COM ports. USB PORT 1-4 (Optional): Connect an RS-485 network via a USB cable to an RS-485 converter (QD1010), or connect a TCS ZigBee network via a wireless gateway (QW1010).

NOTE:
The remaining connections on the QD2040b are unused and should not be plugged in.

QD2040b Power and Communication Connections Diagram

RS-485 Network Wiring
All controllers connected to the network must be programmed with the same communication baud rate as well as a unique communication address from 0 to 255, excluding 248. On controllers with displays, this can be done from the controller using its keypad and display, by using TCS Insight software, or by calling TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2). TCS Technical Support can access the QD2040b online and change the address of a controller.
Use 22 AWG, twisted shielded two-conductor or three-conductor cable for network wiring. Network wiring should start at one controller and go to the next and then go to the next, until the final controller is reached. Wiring is such that all “A” wires are connected to “A” wires, all “B” wires are connected to “B” wires, and all “REF” wires are connected to “REF” wires.

NOTE:
“A” refers to the negative (–) RS-485 connection and “B” refers to the positive (+) RS-485 connection. A 120 Ω terminating resistor should be placed at each of the two ends of the network directly across the “A” and “B” wires. If the QD2040b will be at one end of the network, hard-wire a 120 Ω terminating resistor across the “A” and “B” terminals of the QD2040b (See “Three-Wire Network Wiring” on page 5). If the QD2040b will be in the middle of the network, do not wire in the terminating resistor on the QD2040b terminal block. Connect one end (ideally the furthest end from the QD2040b) of the shield wire of the network wiring to earth ground.

NOTE:
If you encounter time-out errors, contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2).

Three-Wire Network Wiring
Follow this wiring diagram for all three-wire systems (this is common).

NOTES:
In the middle of the network, all network wiring shields should be twisted together and taped off to prevent accidental grounding. More than one ground on the network wiring can result in communication failure. A maximum of two terminating resistors can be used.

  1. QD2040b at end of the network.
  2. QD2040b at end of the network.
  3. Shielded, twisted three-conductor communications wiring with one end earth grounded. (120 Ω balancing resistors provided.)
  4. Shielded, twisted three-conductor communications wiring with one end earth grounded. (120 Ω balancing resistors provided.)

NOTES:

  1.  If using more than 64 controllers, use the second RS-485 port or additional QD1010 adapters.
  2.  Each controller must use the same baud rate and be assigned a unique address.

Two-Wire Network Wiring
Follow this wiring diagram for two-wire (Modbus) wiring systems (this is not common).

  1. QD2040b at end of the network.
  2. QD2040b in the middle of the network.
  3. Shielded, twisted two-conductor communications wiring with one end earth grounded. (120 Ω balancing resistors provided.)
  4. Shielded, twisted two-conductor communications wiring with one end earth grounded. (120 Ω balancing resistors provided.)

NOTES:

  1.  If using more than 64 controllers, use the second RS-485 port or additional QD1010 adapters.
  2.  Each controller must use the same baud rate and be assigned a unique address.
Startup
  1.  Verify all RS-485 connections from the controller network to the QD2040b are complete.
  2.  Verify that all 24V power wiring to the controller network has been completed; all controllers are powered on and each controller has been programmed with a unique RS-485 address.
  3.  Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the QD2040b, and the other end to the network port provided by the customer, or to a cell modem (if utilized).
  4.  Connect the power source to the QD2040b and apply power.
  5.  If your QD2040b was preconfigured by the TCS factory or another user, it will automatically go online and contact the Ubiquity Cloud. However, you must call TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383 ext. 2) to verify connection and activate the unit.
  6.  If your QD2040b was not ordered preconfigured, you can configure it at this time. See the Configuration Section on page 9.

Troubleshooting

Power LED Does Not Light Up
Be sure that the 12V, 5A tip positive power supply module included with the QD2040b is plugged in to a 120VAC outlet that has power.

No Communications with Controllers on the Network
Make sure the baud rate selection for the QD2040b is set to match the baud rate of all the controllers on each port network (the default communication speed of the serial bus is 9600). All controllers on the network must have a unique ad-dress, excluding the reserved address ‘248’. All controllers on any given port must be of the same type, whether Modbus or TCSbus. Also, each port must be configured for the appropriate type of communication. Check the network wiring, making sure to follow polarity; the wire that goes to A must go to A in all devices, as well as the wire that goes to B and REF.

No LAN Link to the Internet
Verify the network cable is connected correctly and make sure the LEDs next to the Ethernet jack are properly illuminated. For example, a solid green LED at the RJ-45 LAN connector usually indicates that the QD2040b is either connected or receiving a signal. If the green light is flashing, this is an indication of data being sent or received. If there are no lights, the QD2040b may not be connected properly, or may not be receiving a signal from the network. If, after checking the connections, the LED indicators are still off, the network adapter, port, or cable may be defective. If there are lights but there is still no communication, this could be because the network communication is not set properly or there is a bad firewall proxy setting. Contact your IT department for support, or contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) for assistance.

No Communication with RS-485 Ports (COM 1 and 2), Ubiquity Time-out, or No Data
Each port on the QD2040b has the proper biasing resistors as specified by TCSbus and Modbus standards. Each port is also optically isolated, which cleans up the signal and also protects the unit from taking stray voltage off the RS-485 lines. A set of LEDs on each of the RS-485 ports on the QD2040b allow the building occupant to view the operational status of the serial communication integrated board:

  •  GREEN – blinking indicates transmitting (Tx)
  • YELLOW – blinking indicates receiving (Rx)

If neither of these lights are functioning, there could be a bad connection, a bad cable, a bad ground, or a bad component. Contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) for assistance.

Configuration

IMPORTANT:
If you ordered your QD2040b preconfigured by TCS, which is typical, you can skip this section! The Configuration section is for customers who did not order their QD2040b preconfigured by TCS, or who need to reconfigure their unit.

Gateway Configuration
The unit is preconfigured with a default login and password. It is the customer’s responsibility to configure a custom login and password. Contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) for more information on how to set up credentials. Once you have made a connection and have logged in (see “Appendix: Monitor and Keyboard” on page 18) you are able to configure the operation of the unit by selecting the proper parameters for your application.
If you are unable to access the configuration page, contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) for assistance. All Ubiquity Cloud services are accessed by logging into the Ubiquity Cloud Server (www.ubiquitysystems.net), not by using this configuration page. This page is only used for setting up local network communications.

Installation Information
The Hardware Identity section contains unit-related information used to uniquely identify the unit when it is being serviced in the field. The Software Status section contains software/application-related information that identifies the level of patching of the unit. The Site Time is used by the local network and the QD2040b until the Ubiquity Cloud Server performs a time synchronization with the site.

NOTE:
Be sure to set the correct time zone so that the site will correctly adjust the time during future time synchronizations with Ubiquity Cloud. Once you are finished entering information in this section, click the Update Installation Info button.

Application Information

Application Information – Overview
This section contains settings that define how the QD2040b interacts with the controller network, and how it communicates the data to the Ubiquity Cloud Server.

Application Options
You must select a Network Polling Cycle Time for the QD2040b. This is the time interval that the unit will poll the entire network of controllers on all ports. You must select whether to allow caching the hostname via DNS. Typically, this is left unchecked. You must select how often the QD2040b connects to the Ubiquity Cloud Server. Typically, this is set to “Always On.”

  • Network Polling Cycle Time: (Default 1 minute) How often the RS-485 network is polled
  •  Connection Times: (Default Always On) The interval when the unit posts data to the Ubiquity Cloud RS-485 Network – Port Configuration
    Both RS-485 communications (COM) ports are configured using this interface. While the COM ports are automatically detected once the QD2040b is powered on, each active port will need to be configured to ensure proper functioning of the network. Ports can be enabled or disabled from the drop-down menu as well.
    NOTE:
    Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) requires port 443 to be open. Protocol: Select the communications protocol being used on each port. TCSbus is selected by default. Baud Rate: This is the data transmission speed on the network. The Baud Rate must be the same selection for the port configuration as it is on every device communicating to that port. Time-out Period: This is the number of milliseconds the port on the QD2040b will wait for a response from the network devices before determining that a device is not communicating, or has “timed out.” Select the time-out period for each port. TCS recommends TCSbus and Modbus set at 200 ms for wired networks. Auto-detection Range: (Default 0,
  1. This is the lowest address to start polling and the highest address to stop polling during the auto-detected sequence.

Communication Information
This section contains settings that control how the QD2040b connects through the Internet. All of these settings are determined by your local network administrator or IT department.
Communication Options
The QD2040b supports both static IP and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) IP address allocations. Enter the Ubiquity Cloud Server location (www.ubiquitysystems.net) by clicking the “Set Ubiquity Domain Name” button. Select whether to enable or disable special options. Enter hostname if needed (typically left blank).

Network
Select the desired IP allocation (DHCP addressing or static IP addressing). When using static IP addressing, it is necessary to enter the IP Address, Gateway, Subnet, DNS1 and DNS2 settings; these settings are established by the LAN/ WAN network administrator prior to installation. When utilizing DHCP addressing, the IP address settings are automatically assigned when communication is established.

MTU Adjustments
Adjusting the MTU down may allow gateways to communicate with smaller TCP packet sizes. This may be useful if you are using cell modems not capable of passing a TCP packet with a size of 1500.

Proxy
If a proxy is required, select Static Proxy from the drop-down menu and enter all the related details in the fields that appear. When you are finished entering information in this section, click the Update Communication Info button.

Security Information
This section contains settings that control the security of the device within the QD2040b and whether it can be accessed through the web interface. If Secure Mode has been enabled and you need access, call TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) for assistance. Here is where you change the default login credentials used to access the Configuration Page. TCS recommends changing these credentials. Once you are finished entering information in this section, click the Update Security Info button.

  •  Lockdown Mode: (Default Unchecked) When the option is checked it will disable all remote interfaces.
  •  Secure Mode: (Default Unchecked) When the option is checked it will disable the Web UI.
  •  Password: (Default NA) Password Change for the admin account.

Commissioning Tools
You can access a separate page containing various commissioning tools by clicking the “Commissioning Tools” button at the bottom of the Security Information page. These tools provide you with access to managing the communication status of the QD2040b and the controller network connected to it.

Ubiquity Cloud Connection Status
This section displays the status of the connection between the QD2040b and the Ubiquity Cloud Server. You have three options for the message that will appear here:

  1. Error – No Route to Host: The unit does not currently have an Ethernet connection.
  2.  Connected: The unit is able to communicate to the Ubiquity Cloud Server BUT is not being matched up with a spe-cific site. Typically this indicates that the site is not initialized on the Ubiquity Cloud Server side yet. Contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383, ext. 2) to assign or initialize the QD2040b to a site.
  3. Established: The unit is communicating with the Ubiquity Cloud Server AND is ready to go. All Ubiquity functions (monitoring, programming, alarming, etc.) should be available through the user interface at this point.

Clicking the green button with the arrow on it on the right side of the Ubiquity Connection Status title bar will refresh the connection status.

Controller View
This section allows you to see what controllers have been found by the QD2040b and view each controller’s address, mod-el, and communication status. The state field will show AUTO-DETECTED initially when found by the unit and CONFIRMED once the controller has been recognized by the Ubiquity Cloud Server. This information allows the installer to verify that each controller has been found by the QD2040b and is communicating with the local network. Clicking the green Refresh button on the right side of the Controller View title bar will refresh each controller’s status.

System Commands
This section describes how to set up system flags for the QD2040b. “Reboot Unit” sets a flag which will shut off and restart the QD2040b within a five- minute cycle. “Check for Update” contacts the Ubiquity Cloud Server for any updates relevant to its particular model number and software version. Once the update has been downloaded, it is automatically applied, and the unit will reboot if necessary.

NOTE:
The “Check for Update” command requires that the QD2040b have Internet access to retrieve the update patch.

Command Line Interface
Gateway Configuration
When you have connected to the gateway using a keyboard and monitor (See “Appendix: Monitor and Keyboard” on page 18), you will be able to configure the Gateway parameters for your site as needed. This is the only function that can be performed directly on the Gateway. All programming, scheduling, and other functionality must be performed via the Ubiq-uity Cloud application by logging into the Ubiquity Cloud (www.ubiquitysystems.net) and entering your assigned username and password.

  1. Once connected to the Gateway, you will be prompted to enter a username and password. If you do not have the default username and password for this unit, contact TCS Technical Support (800-288-9383 ext. 2) for assistance.
  2.  Once logged in with username and password, type in “setup.”
  3.  This will open the Command Line Interface (below).
  4. Scroll to each field that you want to change by pressing the “Enter” button.
  5.  Type in new values on any field as needed.
  6.  Pressing “Enter” will save new value, or keep current value, and advance to the next field.
  7. Once the final “Secure Mode” section is finalized, the unit will automatically apply the new configuration and update the unit within five minutes.

Appendix

Appendix: Monitor and Keyboard
The QD2040b may require IP configuration management locally at the device, using a keyboard and monitor. If so, you will need:

  1. Monitor with HDMI or VGA input connection (depending on your monitor, you may need a VGA-to-HDMI adapter).
  2.  HDMI-to-HDMI cable or VGA-to-VGA cable.
  3.  USB Keyboard.
Connection Setup

Monitor and Cable
Connect the cable to the monitor to the QD2040b, matching up the corresponding ends (HDMI, VGA). Power on the monitor and switch to the proper input, based on the cable used.

Keyboard
Plug the USB cable into a free USB port on the QD2040b (see the “QD2040b Power and Communication Connections Dia-gram” on page 4). Test keyboard connectivity by pressing Caps Lock to see if the LED on the keyboard illuminates.

Reboot the Unit
Press and hold the Power button until the unit turns off. Release the Power button and press it again to power the unit back on. This will cause the unit to recognize the monitor and keyboard.

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>

Related Manuals