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):

Configuring the RF407-Series radio

配置RF407-Series无线连接to the computer (see previous image for reference).

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

  2. 如果第一次连接的USB接口,你必须的first install USB drivers usingDevice Configuration Utility(select your radio, then on the main page, clickInstall USB Driver). Plug the RF407-series radio to your computer using a USB or RS-232 cable.

  3. UsingDevice Configuration Utility, select theCommunication Portused for your radio and connect to the RF407-series radio.

  4. On theMaintab, set theActive InterfacetoUSBorRS-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 usingDevice Configuration Utility(select your data logger, then on the main page, clickInstall USB Driver). Alternately, you can install the USB drivers using EZ Setup. A USB connection supplies 5 V power (as well as a communication 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. UsingDevice Configuration Utility, connect to the RF407-series data logger that will serve as a router.

  3. On theDeployment>Dataloggertab, assign a unique PakBus Address (seePakBus communicationsfor more information).

  4. On theDeploymenttab, click theCom Ports Settingssub-tab.

  5. From theSelect the ComPortlist, selectRF.

  6. Set theBeacon Intervalto60seconds (or the amount of time you are willing to wait for theClosedleafA 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 communication 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).

  1. Set theVerify Intervalto something slightly greater than the expected communications interval between the router and the other (leaf) data loggers in the network (for example, 90 seconds).

  2. Click theAdvancedsub-tab and setIs RoutertoTrue.

  3. Apply your changes.

Adding routing data logger toLoggerNetnetwork

  1. UsingClosedLoggerNetCampbell Scientific's data logger support software for programming, communications, and data retrieval between data loggers and a computer., clickSetupand click theViewmenu to ensure you are in theStandardview.

  2. ClickAdd Root.

  3. ClickComPort, thenPakBusPort (PakBus Loggers), thenCR6Series.

  4. ClickClose.

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

  6. On theHardwaretab on the right, click theComPort Connectionlist and select the communication port assigned to the RF407-series radio.

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

  8. On theHardwaretab on the right, select thePakBus Port Always Opencheck box.

    • If you would like to prevent the possibility ofLoggerNetcommunicating with any other data loggers in the network without going through the router, set theBeacon Intervalto00 h 00 m 00s.

  9. In the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window, select the router data logger (CR6Series) from the list.

  10. On theHardwaretab on the right, type thePakBus Addressyou assigned to the router data logger inDevice Configuration Utility.

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

  12. Apply your changes.

Adding leaf data loggers to the network

  1. In theClosedLoggerNetCampbell Scientific's data logger support software for programming, communications, and data retrieval between data loggers and a computer.Standard Setupview (click theSetup() option and click theViewmenu to ensure you are in theStandardview), right-click on the router data logger in the Entire Network pane on the left side of the window and selectCR6Series.

  2. With the newly added data logger selected in theEntire Networkpane, set thePakBus Addressto the address that was assigned to the leaf data logger inDevice Configuration Utility.

  3. ClickRename. 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, seeTroubleshooting Radio Communicationsfor 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 withLoggerNetthrough an RV50 cellular modem connected to RF407-series data logger using theRS-232port. Therouter RF407-series data logger communicates with the leaf RF407-series data loggers over RF.


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