Revised 4/2/2012

Advanced ModHopper

Installation and Configuration

4/2/2012 www.obvius.com

Agenda

• Remote diagnostics

• Meter configuration

• RTT and timeouts

• Setting up multiple RF channels

• Using high gain antennas

• Installation don'ts

Diagnostics

• Link quality status, number of hops

– ModHopper advanced page

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Diagnostics (2)

• Tree display of connected devices

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Meter setup and configuration

• Advanced configuration page for ION 6200

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RTT and timeout setup

• Estimate 100 to 500 mS per hop

• RS 485 end node default timeout = 220 mS

• Timeout setting for Modbus master

• Effects of timeouts and hop counts on log data

timestamps

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Using multiple RF channels

• Multiple systems operating independently in same

space

• Multiple comm segments as part of a larger network

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High gain antennas

• May be used, but with caution

• Higher gain may negatively impact routing tables

• Two types of high gain antennas

– Yagi

– Base or omni

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High gain antennas (2)

High gain antenna zones:

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Yagi and base radiation

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Other antenna issues

• Antenna cable losses

– LMR 195 loss per 100 ft = 11.1 dB (at 900 Mhz)

– 25 ft cable is ~ 3 dB loss (cuts power in half)

• External mounting

– Enclosure should be plastic, not metal

– Antenna can be located inside

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Hard wiring between ModHoppers

• Can be done, but should be avoided if at all possible

• If hardwiring is required:

– Set one ModHopper to “force master mode”

– Add longer timeouts

– Tree display will not be contiguous

– Master ModHopper will not show total link quality

accurately

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Installation don'ts

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Installation don'ts (2)

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Installation don'ts (3)

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Installation don'ts (4)

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