DM1810-434MN - RFM - Product.Network

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DM1810 System

User’s Guide

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Part Number 400-1785-001

2010.03.22 rev

DM1810 System User’s Guide Table of Contents

Warranty and Notices 6

1 DM1810 System Introduction 7

1.1 DM1810 Sensor Networks 7

1.2 Applications 7

1.3 Product Features 9

1.4 System Specifications 9

1.5 Design-In Support 10

2 DM1810 Hardware 11

2.1 Hardware Components 11

2.2 Hardware Specifications 13

2.3 Power Supplies 14

2.4 I/O Interfaces 15

2.4.1 Analog-to-Digital Converter 15

2.4.2 Digital Input 16

2.4.3 Digital Output 16

2.4.4 UART 16

2.4.5 Bind Input 17

2.5 ESD and Transient Protection 17

2.6 Mounting and Enclosures 17

2.7 Antennas 18

2.8 Labeling and Notices 18

3 DM1810 Application Programming 20

3.1 Introduction 20

3.2 API Messages 20

3.3 API Message Framing 20

3.4 Local Message Structures 21

3.5 Network Message Structures 22

3.6 Network Message Summary 29

3.7 Event Messages 29

3.7.1 I/O Event Messages 30

3.7.2 Power On Notification 30

3.7.3 Read Status of Event Flags 31

3.8 ADC Messages 31

3.8.1 Read ADC Input with 10-bit Resolution 31

3.8.2 Read ADC Input with 8-bit Resolution 32

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3.8.3 Read ADC Input Configuration 32

3.8.4 Write ADC Input Configuration 32

3.8.5 Write (Reset) ADC Input 32

3.9 Digital I/O Messages 33

3.9.1 Read Digital Input 33

3.9.2 Write (Reset) Digital Input 33

3.9.3 Read Digital Input Configuration 33

3.9.4 Write Digital Input Configuration 34

3.9.5 Write (Set) Digital Output 34

3.9.6 Read Digital Output 34

3.9.7 Read Digital Output Configuration 35

3.9.8 Write Digital Output Configuration 35

3.10 UART Messages 35

3.10.1 Read UART Buffer 36

3.10.2 Write (Send/Reset) UART Buffer 36

3.10.3 Read UART Configuration 36

3.10.4 Write UART Configuration 36

3.11 Bind Messages 37

3.11.1 Read Base Station Bind Configuration 37

3.11.2 Write Base Station Bind Configuration 37

3.11.3 Read Base Station Bind List 37

3.11.4 Write Base Station Bind List 37

3.11.5 Read Router/Field Node Bind Configuration 38

3.11.6 Write Router/Field Node Bind Configuration 38

3.12 Power Management Messages 39

3.12.1 Read Static Power Management Parameters 39

3.12.2 Write Static Power Management Parameters 39

3.12.3 Read Dynamic Power Management Parameters 39

3.12.4 Write Dynamic Power Management Parameters 40

3.13 User Data Messages 40

3.13.1 Read User Message A 40

3.13.2 Write User Message A 40

3.13.3 Read User Message B 40

3.13.4 Write User Message B 41

3.14 Timer Messages 41

3.14.1 Read Timer Configuration 41

3.14.2 Write Timer Configuration 41

3.15 Node and Network Messages 42

3.15.1 Read Firmware Version 42

3.15.2 Read Hardware ID 42

3.15.3 Read Node I/O Configuration 42

3.15.4 Write Node I/O Configuration 42

3.15.5 Read Node Auxiliary Configuration 43

3.15.6 Write Node Auxiliary Configuration 44

3.15.7 Read Base Station Mode and Model Configuration 44

3.15.8 Write Base Station Mode and Model Configuration 44

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3.15.9 Read Router/Field Node Mode and Model Configuration 45

3.15.10 Write Router/Field Node Mode and Model Configuration 45

3.15.11 Read Event Routing Configuration 45

3.15.12 Write Event Routing Configuration 46

3.15.13 Read Base Station Link Map 46

3.15.14 Reset Base Station Link Map 47

3.15.15 Read Router/Field Node Link Map 47

3.15.16 Reset Router/Field Node Link Map 47

3.15.17 Read Base Station RSSI Values 47

3.15.18 Read Router/Field Node RSSI Values 48

3.15.19 Reset Node 48

3.15.20 Reset Field Node with UART Vector 48

3.16 Application Development Utilities 49

3.16.1 DM1810 Controller 49

3.16.2 DM1810 Exerciser 51

4. Network Design, Deployment and Maintenance 54

4.1 Choosing a Network Topology 53

4.2 Estimating Network Capacity 54

4.2 Binding Nodes into a Network 56

4.3 Locating and Installing Nodes 57

4.4 Connectivity Maps and RSSI Analysis 57

4.5 LED Interpretation 58

4.6 Power Management 59

4.7 Network Maintenance 59

5. DM1810 Development Kits 60

5.1 Development Kit Purpose 60

5.2 Intended Kit User 60

5.3 Development Kit Frequencies 60

5.4 Development Kit Features 60

5.5 Kit Assembly, Testing and Software Installation 61

5.5.1 Development Kit Contents 61

5.5.2 Additional Items Needed 62

5.5.3 Development Kit Hardware Assembly 62

5.5.4 Utility Software Installation 63

5.5.5 Development Kit Testing 63

5.6 Kit Operation 65

5.6.1 AutoSend Range Testing 65

5.6.2 Base Station and Network Configuration 65

5.6.3 Router and Field Node Configuration 66

5.6.4 Application Prototyping 66

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6. DM1810 Quick Kits 72

6.1 Quick Kit Purpose 72

6.2 Intended Kit User 72

6.3 Quick Kit Frequencies 72

6.4 Quick Kit Features 72

6.5 Kit Assembly, Testing and Software Installation 72

6.6.1 Quick Kit Contents 73

6.6.2 Additional Items Needed 73

6.6.3 Quick Kit Hardware Assembly 74

6.6.4 Utility Software Installation 74

6.6.5 Quick Kit Testing 75

6.6 Kit Operation 76

6.6.1 AutoSend Range Testing 76

6.6.2 Base Station and Network Configuration 76

6.6.3 Router and Field Node Configuration 77

6.6.4 Application Prototyping 77

7. About RFM 82

7.1 Company Overview 82

7.2 Web Site Support 82

7.3 E-mail Support 82

7.4 Phone and FAX Support 82

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DM1810 Product Line Warranty

Limited Hardware Warranty. RF Monolithics, Inc. (“RFM”) warrants solely to the purchaser that the DM1810

series modules will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of 360

days from the date of shipment by RFM. This limited warranty does not extend to any components which

have been subjected to misuse, neglect, accident, or improper installation or application. RFM’s entire liability

and the purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for the breach of this Limited Hardware War ranty shall be, at

RFM’s option, when accompanied by a valid receipt, either (i) repair or replacement of the defective

components or (ii) upon return of the defective components, refund of the purchase price paid. EXCEPT FOR

THE LIMITED HARDWARE WARRANTY SET FORTH A BOVE, RFM AND ITS LIC ENS ORS PROV IDE

THE HARDWARE ON A N “A S IS” BAS IS, AND WITHOU T WA RRANTY OF A NY KIND EITHER

EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WA RRANTIES

OF NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTA BILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some

states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. This

warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Limitation of Liabili ty. IN NO EVENT SHA LL RFM OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIA BLE FOR A NY

DAMAGES (WHETHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHERWISE) IN EXCESS OF

THE PRICE A CTUA LLY PA ID BY YOU TO RF M, REGARDLESS OF UNDER WHAT LEGAL THEORY,

TORT, OR CONTRACT SUCH DA MAGES MA Y BE ALLEGE D (INC LUDING, WI THOU T LI MITATION,

ANY CLA IMS, DAMA GES, OR LIA BILITIES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS

INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR FOR INJURY TO PERSON OR PROPERTY)

ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INA BILITY TO USE RFM PRODUCTS, EVEN IF RFM HA S BEEN

A DVISED OF THE P OSSI BILI TY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW

THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES,

THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Notice on the Restricted use of the DM1810 Product Line

The DM1810 product line, and any products employing them, operate on a shared radio band. Radio in-

terference can occur in any place at any time, and thus communications may not be absolutely reliable.

Products using DM1810 modules must be designed so that a loss of communications due to radio inter-

ference or otherwise will not endanger either people or property, and will not cause the loss of valuable

data. RFM assumes no liability for the performance of products which are designed or created using

DM1810 modules. RFM products are not suitable for use in life-support applications, biological

hazard applications, nuclear control applications, or radioactive areas.

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1 DM1810 System Introduction

1.1 DM1810 Sensor Networks

DM1810 modules are used to build wireless mesh sensor networks. DM1810 modules

are small and operate on very low DC power, making them easy to integrate into new

and existing equipment designs. DM1810 networks are easy to set up and provide ro-

bust communications in a wide range of applications.

1.2 Applications

There are hundreds of potential applications for short-range wireless mesh sensor net-

works. Some of the most common applications are presented below to illustrate how a

DM1810 wireless sensor networks can be used:

• AMR - mesh networks are growing in popularity for automatic utility meter read-

ing (AMR). Mesh n etworks allow meters to be re ad in near real time, facilitating

service provider transfers and allowing electrical outages, water leaks, etc., to be

quickly locate d. Sub-metering refers to individually mete ring the utilities for each

tenant in a building, so the overall utility bill can be fairly allocated to each tenant.

Sub-metering is often done as a building retrofit installation, and is well suited to

wireless mesh networking.

• Public Works - water and sewage treatment systems have requirements for nu-

merous temperature and humidity measurements. In addition, parameters such

as PH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorine concentration, flow rates, tank and

pond levels, compost temperatures, etc., must be monitored, controlled and

logged to meet regulatory requirements. Related plant measurements include

contact status monitoring for valve position, electrical switch position, motor and

pump bearing temperatures, etc.

• Agriculture - temperature and humidity measurements are valuable in many ar-

eas of agriculture, including vineyards, citrus groves, curing barns, aging cellars,

hatcheries, poultry production, feedlots, commercial fish tanks, grain and hay

storage, sugar beet storage, smokehouses, etc.

• Food Processing - baking and other forms of food processing are sensitive to

ambient temperature and humidity conditions, along with temperature profile

variations within ovens, etc. Quality control often includes requirements for cold-

chain monitoring of raw ingredients and finished products. Other parameters and

events related to food processing include ingredient and finished product volume

and/or weight, flow rates, viscosity, PH, turbidity, incoming and outgoing water

quality measurements, plus machine operational and maintenance parameters

such as motor and pump te mper a tur e, etc.

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• Manufacturing - this application class covers a broad range of applications in-

cluding building material manufacturing, refining and petrochemical, electronic

components ma nufacturi ng , electroni c eq ui p ment manufacturi ng , phar m aceu ti cal

and chemical manufacturing, automotive, marine and aircraft assembly, white

goods manufacturing, and so on. Despite the wide diversity of manufacturing

processes, there are many similar monitoring requirements and process im-

provement goals, including increasing yields, reducing energy costs, reducing

equipment maintenance time and unscheduled equipment down time, etc. Manu-

facturing processes from wood products production to semiconductor manufac-

turing are sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity. Motors, pumps, ovens,

kilns, crackers and motorized material handing systems are found in a wide vari-

ety of manufacturing systems. Many manufacturing processes require water, so

incoming and outgoing water quality must be monitored.

• Security - this application class includes military security, homeland security,

commercial security and residential security. Security sensor outputs frequently

take the form of contact closures. Ambient temperature and humidity sensors can

provide an early warning of a fire, water leak, or broken door or window. Military

security requires state-of-the-art sensors including geophones and high sensitiv-

ity vibration sensors, PID sensors, infrared laser beams, acoustic sensors, and

chemical and biological sensors.

• Building Automation - this application class includes office buildings, hotels, con-

vention ce nters, vacation parks and similar facilities. Building automation often

takes the form of a distributed control and monitoring system, where a tenant,

guest or visitor manually controls light switches, thermostats, etc., within a room

during occupancy, with control reverting to a central control point when the room

is unoccupied. Ambient temperature and lighting are the two main parameters to

control. Other parameters under automatic control include water treatment, hot

water, water pressure, fire control systems, etc. In addition to automation, in-

buildin g systems will be used to monitor la rge motors, pumps, etc., to facilitate

preventive maintenance and minimize peak and average energy usage.

• Transportation - this application class includes two broad application categories;

monitoring the condition of transported items and monitoring the condition of

transportation infrastructures. During the transport of many items, and especially

for cold-chain (food) monitoring, ambient temperature and humidity must be peri-

odically logged and stored for reading at the destination. In some cases peak

shock and vibration levels must also be recorded. Infrastructure monitoring in-

cludes items such as wind speed, strain, tilt, displacement and water level in and

around structures such as docks, bridges, dams, rails and runways to detect the

need for main ten anc e and/or to detect the onset of a dangero us con di ti on.

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1.3 Product Features

DM1810 radio modules are based on RFM’s 3rd generation amplifier-sequenced hybrid

(ASH) radio and miniMESH™ network protocol and application firmware. These hard-

ware and software technologies provide important benefits in wireless mesh sensor

network applications, including:

• Ready-to-use modules certified under FCC and Canadian low power radio regu-

lations at 916.5 MHz and European ETSI SRD regulations at 433.92 MHz

• Very low operating power requirements compatible with battery operation

• Robust master-slave mesh network connectivity

• Instant on, “plug and play” mesh routing t echnology

• Straightforward command/response application programming interface

• 10-bit ADC, digital I/O and serial I/O support

• Automatic event messages for alarm conditions, etc.

• Integrat ed power management

• RoHS compliant construction

1.4 System Specifications

The DM1810 system specifications are summarized in the following table:

DM1810 System Characteristic Specification

Base Stations 1 per network

Routers up to 15 per network

Field Nodes Plus Routers up to 1023 per network

Network Creation by node binding

Air Data Rate 4800 b/s

Transmission Latency 50 to 150 ms/hop

Open Field Range 600 meters/hop typical

Mesh Routing Methodology miniMESH™ time-synchronized

forwarding

Network Modes point-to-point, point-to-multipoint

and master-slave mesh

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Node Mobility Support yes

Message Types command, response and event

Power Management individually configurable for each router

and field nod e

ACK Mechanism end-to-end ACK implied by response to

command; base station provides error

messages to host on response timeout

Integrated Application Support 10-bit ADC input with high/low alarm set

points, digital input with a 24-bit pulse-

count option and high/low/edge and

pulse count alarm set points, digital

output with optional pulse function, and

serial I/O with configurable baud rates,

data bits per frame, parity and stop bits

1.5 Design-In Support

RFM offers comprehensive support to customers designing DM1810 modules into their

products and systems:

• DM1810 System User’s Guide - this manual, which covers incorporating DM1810

modules into products and systems, including how to integrate, configure, oper-

ate and maintain a DM1810 network, plus setting up and operating of the

DM1810 Development Kits and Quick Kits. The latest version of this User’s

Guide can be found on RF M’s web site.

• DM1810 and IM1800 Series Data Sheets - data sheets provide specific informa-

tion on each module in the DM1810 product line. The latest version of these data

sheets can be found on RFM’s web site.

• AN1810 Series Application Notes - these documents discuss a number of spe-

cific application details including example application code. The latest version of

these application notes can be found on RFM’s web site.

• DM1810 Development Kits and Quick Kits - DM1810 Development Kits and in-

troductory DM1810 Quick Kits are stocked by RFM’s distributors. Sections 5 and

6 of this manual cover the contents, set up and operation of these kits.

• Factory and Field Application Support - RFM’s application engineering staff pro-

vides customer support by e-mail, phone, FAX, seminars and on-site visits. See

Section 7 of this manual or contact your RFM sales representative for further de-

tails.

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• DM1810 Customizatio n - RFM offers hardware and software customization ser-

vices for specific applications. Contact your RFM sales representative for further

information.

2 DM1810 Hardware

2.1 Hardwa re Components

DM1810 radio modules are available on two operating frequencies. The DM1810-434

modules operate on 433.92 MHz for European applications, and the DM1810-916 mod-

ules operate on 916.5 MHz for North American applications. Australian regulations allow

the use of both frequencies. Figure 2.1.1 shows a DM1810-916 module on the left and a

DM1810-43 4 module on the rig ht.

Figure 2.1.1 Figure 2.1.2

There are three types of DM1810 modules - base stations, routers and field nodes. For

a given operating frequency, the hardware used for the three types is the same. The

firmware loaded into the module determines its functionality.

DM1810 networks are master-slave networks. All radio transmissions either originate

from the base station or are sent to the base station. An application program controls a

DM1810 network and obtains information from it through messages to and from the

base station.

DM1810 routers retransmit messages that originate from the base station or a field

node on a time synchronized schedule . Each router in the system will retrans mit a mes-

sage it receives in a specific time slot based on its router number and the length of the

message. For messages sent from the base station, router 1 has the first time slot and

the highest router number is the system has the last time slot. For messages sent from

a field node, the highest router number in the system has the first time slot and router 1

has the last time slot. A router only has to receive a message once before its time slot to

process and retransmit it.

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DM1810 field nodes have three active inputs - a serial port input, a 10-bit ADC input and

a digital input. Field nodes also has two active outputs - a serial port output and a digital

output. The serial port provides an interface for the customer’s application circuit. The

ADC input provides an interface for sensors such as thermistors. The digital input pro-

vides an interface for an isolated contact closure or optical switch, and can detect and

optionally count all state changes, high-to-low state changes or low-to-high state

changes. The digital output can drive a solid state relay or other buffered actuator.

The ADC input, digital input and digital output are disabled on a base station and should

always remain disabled. As a default, the serial port, ADC input, digital input and digital

output are also disabled on a router. It is possible to enable the ADC input, digital input

and digital output on a r outer and use thes e functi o ns by addr essi ng the router di r ectly

by its network address (AID). However, the serial port on a router must be left disabled

for stable operation.

Figure 2.1.3 Figure 2.1.4

Standard DM1810 radio modules have the antenna mounted perpendicular to the circuit

board as shown in Figure 2.1.1. DM1810 routers and field nodes can also be ordered

with antenna mounted parallel to the circuit board for vertical mounting, as shown in

Figure 2.1.2 . Routers are also available in enclosures suitable for indoor applications,

as shown in Figures 2.1.3 and 2.1.4. There are two interface boards available for use

with DM1810 radio modules. The IM1800 is shown in Figure 2.1.5 and the IM1800-1 is

shown in Figure 2.1.6. The IM1800 includes a prototyping area, a captured-screw ter-

minal block for connecting to the DM1810 module, a connector strip for a flat cable

takeoff, a power connector and a USB to serial interface. In addition to these items, the

IM1800-1 includes an RS232 connector and a thermistor temperature circuit and battery

monitoring circuit. The part numbers for all the components in the DM1810 product line

are summarized below. Refer to the data sheet for each part number for additional in-

formation.

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Figure 2.1.5 Figure 2.1.6

Part Number Description

DM1810-434MB 433.92 MHz Base Station, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-434MR 433.92 MHz Router, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-434MR-V 433.92 MHz Router, Parallel Antenna

DM1810-434MN 433.92 MHz Field Node, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-434MN-V 433.92 MHz Field Node, Parallel Antenna

DM1810-434MR-PH 433.92 MHz Cased Router, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-434MR-PV 433.92 MHz Cased Router, Parallel Antenna

DM1810-916MB 916.5 MHz Base Station, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-916MR 916.5 MHz Router, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-916MR-V 916.5 MHz Router, Parallel Antenna

DM1810-916MN 916.5 MHz Field Node, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-916MN-V 916.5 MHz Field Node, Parallel Antenna

DM1810-916MR-PH 916.5 MHz Cased Router, Perpendicular Antenna

DM1810-916MR-PV 916.5 MHz Cased Router, Parallel Antenna

IM1800 USB Interface Board

IM1800-1 USB and RS232 Interface Board

2.2 Hardware Specifications

A summary of the DM1810 radio module specifications is provided in the following table.

Refer to the individual DM1810 radio module data sheets for additional information.

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DM1810 Radio Module Characteristic Specification

DM1810-434 Operating Frequency 433.92 MHz

DM1810-434 Modulation OOK

DM1810-434 European Certification ETSI EN 300 220-1 and EN 301 489-3

DM1810-916 Operating Frequency 916.5 MHz

DM1810-916 Modulation OOK on BPSK Spreading Code

DM1810-916 FCC Certification FCC 15.247 Module Certification

DM1810-916 Canadian Certification IC RSS-210 Module Certification

Receiver Sensitivity 10-3 BER @ -102 dBm typical

Receive Mode Current 5.5 mA typical

Peak Transmitter Output Power 10 dBm typical

Peak Transmitter Output Current 32 mA typical

Sleep Mode Current 50 µA typical

Analog Input Measurement 10-bit, with full scale referenced to

regulated power supply

Regulated Power Supply Input Range 3.1 to 10 Vdc (full temperature range)

Operating Ambient Temperature -40 to 85 C

2.3 Power Supplies

DM1810 radio modules can operated from an unregulated DC input in the range of 3.1

(trough) to 10 V (peak) with a maximum ripple of 5% over the temperature range of -40

to 85 C. DM1810 radio modules can also be operated from a 2.6 to 3.1 V input with a

10 mV p-p maximum ripple over the temperature range of 0 to 85 C. IM1800 and

IM1800-1 interface modules can also be operated from the DC inputs as given above,

or from the USB interface.

Figures 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 show the unregulated DC input pad J1-2 and regulated DC out-

put pad J1-3. Up to 5 mA can be drawn from J1-3 for use in ratiometric analog sensor

circuits and other applications. Circuitry connected to J1-3 must not impress more than

10 mV p-p ripple on the regulated DC output. When the DC input voltage on J1-2 is in

the range of 3.1 to 10 V, the output on J1-3 will be a regulated 3 V. When the DC input

on J1-2 is in the range of 2.6 to 3.1 V, the output on J1-3 will be ap pro ximately 50 mV

below the input on J1-2, and no ripple suppression will be provided by the regulator on

the radio module (regulator in saturation).

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T X M O D

R X D A T A

C N T R L 1

C N T R L 0

P I C

16F689

µ P

D M 1 8 1 0 - 9 1 6 M N B l o c k D i a g r a m

L E D 1

L E D 2

T R 7 0 0 0

A S H

Transceiver

G N D

S E R I A L T X

S E R I A L R X

D I G I T A L O U T

A N A L O G I N

D I G I T A L I N

B I N D

G N D

V O U T

V I N

3 V

R e g

G N D

J 1 - 1

J 1 - 2

J 1 - 3

J 1 - 4

J 1 - 5

J 1 - 6

J 1 - 7

J 1 - 8

J 1 - 9

J 1 - 1 0

J 3 - 2

J 3 - 1

J 3 - 3

R S S I

J 4 - 1

J 4 - 2

D 1

D 2

Figure 2.3.1 Figure 2.3.2

Note: Applying AC, reverse DC, or a DC voltage outside the ranges given above can

cause damage and/or create a fire and safety hazard. Further, care must be taken so

that analog or logic inputs applied to the radio or interface modules stay within the volt-

age range of 0 to VOUT (voltage at J1-3). Applying a voltage outside of the 0 to VOUT

voltage range to an analog or logic input can damage the module.

2.4 I/O Interfaces

The DM1810 radio module has six I/O interfaces. These include a UART for serial I/O

communication, a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input, a digital input including

de-bounce filtering and pulse counting capability, a digital output including pulse capa-

bility, and a bind input to facilitate binding nodes into a network. By default, all six inter-

faces are enabled on a field node. Unused interfaces can be optionally disabled on a

field node to achieve some power savings. By default, the UART and bind inputs only

are enabled on the base station, and the other four inputs must remain disabled for sta-

ble operation. By default, the bind input is the only interface enabled on a router. It is

possible to enable the ADC input, digital input and/or digital output on a router to use

these functions. However, the UART must remain disabled for stable operation.

2.4.1 Analog-to-Digital Converter

The ADC interface can make 8-bit and 10-bit measurements in response to application

programming commands. The ADC is referenced to the 3 V regulated power supply on

the DM1810. This voltage is available on J1-3, and up to 5 mA can be drawn from this

pad to facilitate ratiometric measurements of thermistor voltage dividers, etc. (see Ap-

plication Note AN1800-1). The range of the ADC measurement is 0 to 3 V nominal, pro-

vided the unregulated input voltage to the DM1810 is at least 3.1 V. See Figures 2.3.1

and 2.4.1. 1 for the AD C related pa d loca tions.

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Figure 2.4.1.1 Figure 2.4.2.1

2.4.2 Digital Input

The digital input allows its state to be read, and high-to-low, low-to-high or all state tran-

sitions to be counted. The digital input includes a de-bounce filter. A change in state

must be stable 15 to 25 ms before the digital input state bit is updated. Digital input

counting is stored in a 24-bit register which can be read and/or reset with related appli-

cation commands. The digital input supports event messaging triggered by (1) any state

transition, (2) a high-to-low state transition, (3) a low-to-high state transition, or (4) a

count reaching a threshold value. See Figures 2.3.1 and 2.4.2.1 for digital I/O related

pad locations.

2.4.3 Digital Output

The power up default value of the digital output is set with a system command, and the

value of the digital output can be changed with an application command. The digital

output can also create a pulse. The duration of a digital output pulse has two ranges,

6.6 to 561 ms and 0.429 to 36 s (nominal). The pulse duration range is chosen with a

system command. See Figures 2.3.1 and 2.4.2.1 for digital I/O related pad locations.

2.4.4 UART

In a field node, the UART interface can be used to communicate with a host application

processor, or with an RS232 interface by adding an RS232 converter IC. Application

messages can contain up to 64 bytes. Application messages can be sent, received or

cleared using UART related commands. The default UART configuration is 9600,N,8,1.

The baud rate on a field node is adjustable 1200 to 9600 b/s. In miniMESH V2.4 and

above, the number of data bits, stop bits and parity can also be configured on a field

node. The UART interface on the base station has a fixed configuration of 9600,N,8,1.

This cannot be changed. See Figures 2.3.1 and 2.4.4.1 for UART related pad locations.

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Figure 2.4.4.1 Figure 2.4.5.1

2.4.5 Bind Input

A DM1810 network is formed by binding field nodes and routers to a base station. Man-

ual binding is done by pressing the bind buttons on both the base station and the node

being bound to it for about five seconds. The node must be within direct radio range. No

mesh support is provided for binding. During the binding process, the base station

sends configuration data to the node being bound, including an alias ID (AID) network

address. See Figures 2.3.1 and 2.4.5.1 for bind related pad locations. Note that pad

J1-4 is in parallel with the bind button allowing the bind function to be initiated remotely.

MiniMESH™ V2.3 and above include an automatic power up bind mode for routers and

field nodes. Automatic binding is done by pressing and holding the bind button on the

base station while power is applied to an unbound router or field node. Approximately

five seconds after power is applied to an unbound router or field nod e, it will automati-

cally enter bind mode and interact with the base to receive bind configuration data.

2.5 ESD and Transient Protection

DM1810, IM1800 and IM1800-1 circuit boards are electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensi-

tive. ESD precautions must be observed when handling and installing these compo-

nents. Installations must be protected from electrical transients on the power supply and

I/O lines. This is especially important in outdoor installations, and/or where connections

are made to sensors with long leads. Inadequate transient protection can result in dam-

age and/or create a fire and safety hazard.

2.6 Mounting and Enclosures

DM1810 radio modules can be mounted by (1) reflow soldering them to a host circuit

board, (2) attaching them using connector pin strips, or (3) plugging them into a PCB

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edge connector. See Figure 2.6.1 and the DM1810 module data sheets for additional

mounting information. Cased router modules can be drop-ce iling mounted using an op-

tional bracket. Interface modules have a mounting hole pattern for standoff mounting.

1.485

1.000

. 1 3 0 . 0 9 0. 0 9 0

. 2 0 0 . 2 0 0

. 0 7 0 T Y P . 1 0 0 T Y P

. 1 2 0 . 1 8 0

. 1 0 0

. 1 2 0

. 0 9 5

Figure 2.6.1

DM1810 radio module enclosures must be made of plastics or other materials with low

RF attenuation to avoid compromising antenna performance. Metal enclosures are not

suitable as they will block antenna radiation and reception. Outdoor enclosures must be

water tight, such as a NEMA 4X enclosure.

2.7 Antennas

The operating range of a DM1810 radio module depends critically on the antenna being

oriented properly. The standard DM1810 antenna is perpendicular to the DM1810 circuit

board. DM1810 should be mounted horizontally so that the antenna is vertical. DM1810

modules are also available with the antenna parallel to the DM1810 circuit board (see

section 2.1 for the part numbers) so the circuit board can be mounted vertically. Do not

attempt to bend a DM1810 antenna, as damage to the DM1810 circuit board or compo-

nents on it can occur and/or the efficiency of the antenna can be substantially compro-

mised. Care should be taken to keep the antenna at least 0.5 inch away from the sides

of its enclosure.

2.8 Labeling and Notices

DM1810-916 FCC Certification - The DM1810-916 hardware has been certified for op-

eration under FCC Part 15 Rules, Section 15.247. The antenna(s) used for this trans-

mitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all per-

sons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or

transmitter.

DM1810-916 FCC Notices and Labels - This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC

rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause

harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, includ-

ing interference that may cause undesired operation.

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A clearly visible label is required on the outside of the user’s (OEM) enclosure stating

that this product contains a DM1810-916 transceiver assembly, FCC ID: HSW-

DM1810A. WARNING: This device operates under Part 15 of the FCC rules. Any modi-

fication to this device, not expressly authorized by RFM, Inc., may void the user’s au-

thority to operate this device.

Canadian Department of Communications Industry Notice - IC: 4492A-DM1810A - This

apparatus complies with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 / IC RSS 210. To prevent radio

interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and

away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmit antenna)

that is installed outdoors may be subject to licensing.

ICES-003 - This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise

emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of In-

dustry Canada.

Le present appareil numerique n’emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les lim-

ites applicables aux appareils numeriques de Classe B prescrites dans le reglement sur

le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par Industrie Can ad a.

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3 DM1810 Application Programming

3.1 Introduction

A DM1810 radio network consists of a base station and a total of up to 1023 routers and

field nodes, with a maximum of 15 routers allowed. DM1810 networks are master-slave

networks. All radio transmissions either originate from the base station or are sent to the

base station. DM1810 applicatio n pr og r amming, in turn, focuses on messag es to and

from the base station. Example messages include commands addressed to routers and

field nodes and responses to these commands which verify receipt or return data.

A DM1810 network is formed by binding field nodes and routers to a base station. Bind-

ing can be done during the manufacture of a product that utilizes DM1810 radio mod-

ules, or it can be done when the product is placed into service. During binding, the base

station sends configuration data to the node being bound, including an alias ID (AID)

network address.

The DM1810 miniMESH™ protocol provides distributed network management, greatly

simplifying application programming requirements. AID address assignment, network

message routing, etc., are handled automatically by the protocol. This allows the appli-

cation programmer to concentrate directly on the application itself. The only network de-

tail the application programmer will usually be concerned with is the AID address of

each node. Beginning with address 001H, AIDs are assigned sequentially as each node

is bound (the base station AID is always 000H). The AID of any node can be checked

by turning the node’s power off and back on. On power up, a field node or router trans-

mits its AID in a Power Up notification message.

There are four hardware I/O interfaces on each DM1810 field node; a digital (binary) in-

put, a digital output, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input, and a UART. Each

hardware interface is supported by a set of configuration options which can be selected

by the application program.

3.2 API Messages

The DM1810 Application Programming Interface (API) messages include local mes-

sages directly between the host application and the base station, and network mes-

sages where the host application sends and receives messages to and from the net-

work through the base station.

3.3 API Message Framing

DM1810 API message structures are simple, consistent and intuitive. API messages are

easy to compose and interpret on any type of application host, from a low-cost micro-

controller to a PC. All API messages begin with a DLE (10H) byte. Local messages

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consist of a DLE byte and one command or response byte. All other API messages are

network messages, and contain a minimum of six, and up to 70 core bytes. Network

messages are sent and received using bi-sync framing. The procedure to send a core

network message with bi-sync framing is as follows:

1. Compute a checksum byte by adding up all the bytes in the core message, dis-

regarding overflow. Add this checksum byte to the end of the core message.

2. Send the bi-sync start of frame bytes, DLE + STX (10H + 02H).

3. Send each byte of the core message and then the checksum byte. If a DLE

(10H) byte occurs in the core message or the checksum, send the byte followed

by a second DLE “escape” byte.

4. Send the bi-sync end of frame bytes, DLE + ETX (10H + 03H).

To extract a message from bi-sync framing, reverse the above procedure:

1. Discard the bi-sync start of frame DLE + STX bytes.

2. Collect each byte of the core message, plus the checksum byte. If two DLE bytes

occur in a row, discard the second DLE “escape” byte.

3. Discard the bi-sync end of frame DLE + ETX bytes.

Compute a checksum byte on the received core message and compare its value to the

received checksum byte.

3.4 Local Message Structures

Figure 3.4.1 below details the local commands and responses. All command and re-

sponse bytes is this table and the following tables are in hexadecimal format. Any com-

mand sent to the base statio n will rece ive either a local response or a network re-

sponse. Application programs should wait for a response to one command before send-

ing the next command. It is only necessary for an application program to include a five

second response timeout to cover contingencies such as a disconnected base station.

Byte Position 1 2

Base Reset Command 10 04

Base AutoSend Command 10 16

Command Accepted 10 30

Base Reset Complete 10 04

Command No Op 10 31

Response Timeout 10 32

Network Timeout 10 33

Response Error 10 34

Serial (UART) Error 10 35

Invalid Length 10 36

Invalid DLE Sequence 10 37

Figure 3.4.1

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For example, if a network command is sent to a field node and the base station hears it

being routed by one or more repeaters but no response is returned, the base station will

send a local DLE + ‘2’ (10H + 32H) Response Timeout message.

Base Reset Command - this command resets the base station software. It does not al-

ter the base station configuration. The Base Reset Com mand receives a sequence of

two responses, a Command Accepted followed by a Base Reset Complete, as dis-

cussed below.

Base AutoSend Com m and - this command causes the base station to begin automati-

cally sending diagnostic “ping” packets to fiel d node addresses 1, 2 and 3.

Base Reset Complete - this response has the same format as the Base Reset Com-

mand, but is sent from the base station to the host.

Command Accepted - this is the local response generated for a local command.

Command No Op - this local response is generated for a null network command, such

as DL E + STX + DL E + ETX.

Response Timeout - if a network command is sent to a field node and the base station

hears it being repeated by one or more routers, but no response is returned within a

computed timeout period, the base station returns this local response to the host.

Network Timeout - if a network command is sent to a field node and the base station

does not hear it being routed and no response is returned within a computed timeout

period, the base station returns this local response to the host.

Response Error - if a network response is received with a bad checksum, the wrong

length, etc., the base station returns this local response to the host.

Serial (UART) Error - this response is returned to the host when the base station re-

ceives a message with a framing error, etc.

Invalid Length - this response is returned to the host when the base station receives a

network command that has the wrong number of bytes.

Invalid DLE Sequenc e - this response is returned to the host when the base station re-

ceives a message with an invalid DLE sequence.

3.5 Network Message Structures

The basic structure of all network messages is shown in the table below. The interpreta-

tion of the first six bytes of a network message is uniform:

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Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 70

Network Command t0 00 00 0a aa uc payload

Network Response t0 00 00 0a aa sc payload

Figure 3.5.1

The upper four bi ts (t) of byte 1 indicate the network message type. Here is the coding

for the t bits:

Message Type Bit Pattern (t)

Router/Field Node System Configuration Command 0111

Base Station System Configuration Command 1111

System Configuration Response 1111

Application I/O Command 0110

Application I/O Response 1110

Event/Notification Message 1111

Figure 3.5.2

Event and notification messages are implied responses to an earlier configuration

command, and have the same type coding as a configuration response.

The lower four bits of byte 1, all bits in bytes 2 and 3, and the upper six bits of byte 4 are

used by the miniMESH protocol for message routing. These bits should be set to zero

when composing a network command. The routing bit locations in a network response

will not be all zeros. In application programs, however, it rarely necessary to interpret

the routing bit values in response messages.

The lower two bits of byte 4 and all eight bits in byte 5 (aaa) form the 10-bit AID addr ess

of a network command, or the AID address of a response or event message. The AID

address must be set when composing a network command message, and considered

when interpreting a network response message.

Byte 6 is referred to as the argument byte. The upper four bits (u) indicate the end user

type in a command message, and the status in a response message. Here is the coding

for the u bits:

Application Command End User Type Bit Pattern (u)

Digital Input 0001

ADC, 8-b it Resolutio n 0010

Digital Output 0011

UART Buffer 0100

ADC, 10-b it Reso lut ion 1010

Event Flags 1110

Power Management (Dynamic) 1111

Figure 3.5.3

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System/Configuration Command End User Type Bit Pattern (u)

Overall Network Configuration 0001

Overall I/O Configuration 0010

Bind Configuration 0011

Base Station Bind List 0100

Digital Input Configuration 0101

ADC Configuration 0110

Digital Output Configuration 0111

UART Configuration 1000

Timer Configuration 1001

System List 1010

User A Message String 1011

User B Message String 1100

Node Configuration 1101

Firmware Version 1110

32-bit Hardware ID 1111

Response Status Bit Pattern (s)

Valid Response 0000

Invalid Response 0100

Figure 3.5.4

The lower 4 bits (c) in byte 6 indicate the command/response type. Here is the coding

for the c bits:

Command/Response Type Bit Pattern (c)

Read System Configuration Command/Response 1101

Write System Configuration Command/Response 0101

Read Application I/O Command/Response 1001

Write Application I/O Command Response 0001

Deliver System/Application Event Message 1010

Figure 3.5.5

The type bits (t) and the argument bits (uc or sc) indicate the function of a network

command and its response. For example, if the type bit coding is 0111b and the argu-

ment bits are 0110 0101b, the network message is a Write ADC Configuration com-

mand. Some type and argument combinations are not allowed. For example, overwrit-

ing the Firmware Version with a network command is not allowed. The disallowed net-

work commands are usually self-evident. Depending on the nature of a network mes-

sage, it may include no payload, or a payload of 1 to 64 bytes, starting in byte position

7. An example of each valid network command, response and event message is given

below, including payload structure information. Unless otherwise noted, any configura-

tion parameters shown in a payload are the factory default values.

In most examples, an AID address of 001H is used. A few network messages directly

address the base station. In these cases, the base station AID of 000H is used. Other-

wise, the use of an AID address of 000H in a network command creates a broadcast

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packet, which is received and acted on by all router and field nodes. Broadcast packets

are useful in setting network-wide configurations.

Application and configuration I/O commands and responses use payload byte 7 to hold

a set of I/O mode control and status flags. The upper two bits indicate the I/O type, and

set the interpretation of the lower six bits. Additional I/O data may also be carried in

bytes 8 and 9. Here is the interpretation of payload byte 7 for each I/O type:

Byte 7 Basic I/O Structure

Bit Position 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Flag t t f f f f f f

Figure 3.5.6

ADC Input

Bit Flag Function

7 0

6 1

01b specifies an ADC Input

5 m enable threshold event messaging

4 e enable read RSSI

3 s current digital input state (level)

2 h high threshold event flag

1 l low threshold event flag

0 r enable 10-bit resolution

Figure 3.5.7

The value in byte 8 is used for the high threshold, and the value in byte 9 is used for the

low threshold. These threshold values are aligned with the 8 most significant bits of the

ADC measurement.

For the ADC input, payload byte 7 can be written and read by both application and con-

figuration commands. However, the Read ADC Input application command sets the

ADC resolution at the time the measurement is made.

Digital Input

Bit Flag Function

7 0

6 0

00b specifies a Digital Input

5 m enable input event messaging

4 r enable reset counter at threshold

3 c enable pulse/edge count

2 e edge count enable, high-to-low if b is 0

1 b low-to-high edge count if b is 1

0 s current digital input state (level)

Figure 3.5.8

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The digital input mode control is especially flexible. If input event messaging is enabled,

an event message can be sent on any state transition, or on a high-to-low transition,

oron a low-to-high transition, or on a pulse count reaching the threshold value held in

bytes 8, 9 and 10, or on an edge (transition) count reaching the threshold value held in

bytes 8, 9 and 10. Bits 1 (b), 2 (e) and 3 (c) control transition and counting modes as

follows:

c e b Function

0 0 0 any transition is an event

0 1 0 high-to-low transition is an event

0 1 1 low-to-high transition is an event

1 0 0 count all transitions

1 1 0 count high-to-low transitions

1 1 1 count low-to-high transitions

Figure 3.5.9

Byte 7 in the digital input payload can be read by both application and configuration

commands, but can only be changed (written) by a Write Digital Input Configuration

command.

Digital Output

Bit Flag Function

7 1

6 0

10b specifies a Digital Output

5 0 reserved (set to 0)

4 s current digital input state (level)

3 d power up default state

2 q 2.2 ms tick if q is 1, 143 ms tick if q is 0

1 0 reserved (set to 0)

0 s current digital output state (level)

Figure 3.5.10

Byte 7 in the digital output payload can be written and read by both application and con-

figuration commands. A Write Digital Output Configuration command sets the power-up

digital output configuration. The digital output is set to the state stored in bit 3 at power

up. This state can be changed with a Write Digital Outp ut command as discussed be-

low. The values held in bit 2 (q) and byte 8 control the duration of a state change. If the

value in byte 8 is 00H, a change persists until the next Write Dig ital Output command is

received. If the value in byte 8 is in the range 2 to 255, the state change persists until

the value in byte 8 is decremented to zero, at which time the output state switches. The

decrement rate is controlled by flag bit 2 (q). If the flag is clear, the decrement rate is

every 143 ms. If the flag is set, the decrement rate is every 2.2 ms. Note that byte 7 can

be configured so that one pulse is automatically output following the power up initializa-

tion interval. See the Write Digital Output Configuration command for additional details.

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UART

Bit Flag Function

7 1

6 1

11b specifies a UART I/O port

5 m enable UART event messaging

4 d enable 7-bit data

3 0 reserved (set to 0)

2 p enable parity/stop bit options

1 b

0 b

baud rate: 00b for 9.6 kb/s, 01b for

4.8 kb/s, 10b for 2.4 kb /s , 11b for 1.2 kb/s

Figure 3.5.11

Byte 7 in the UART payload can be read by both application and configuration com-

mands, but only changed by a Write UART Configu ration command. If UART event

messagin g is enabled, a string received by a field node will start the event message se-

quence. The received string is not sent in the event message; it must be retrieved with a

Read UART Buffer command. In miniMESH V2.5 and above, bit 4 in the UART payload

enables 7-bit data (8-bit is the default). Bit 2 in the UART payload and bits 6 and 7 in

byte 7 of the node auxiliary configuration payload select parity and stop bit options. See

Figure 3.15.5.3 for UART configuration details. Byte 8 in the UART configuration com-

mands holds the received message timeout value, with each count equal to 558 µs.

Power Management Parameters

Power management parameters are carried in payload bytes 7, 8 and 9. Bytes 7 and 8

contain a mix of flags and counter bits. Byte 9 is the lower 8 bits of a 13-bit sleep time

counter, with the high order bits are carried in byte 8. Power management parameters

are stored in two places, nonvolatile memory, referred to a static parameter s, and RAM

memory, referred to as dynamic parameters. When a router or field node is turned on or

reset, the power management parameters are copied from nonvolatile memory to RAM

memory, providing default power management functionality. The parameters in RAM

memory can be updated at any time to modify power management functionality. Pa-

rameters can also be written to nonvolatile memory without changing the values in RAM

until the node is reset or the power is cycled off and on.

Power Management Byte 7

Bit Flag Function

7 e

enable power management

6 t

enable quick sleep

5 l enable listen-before-sleep (cycling)

4 n

3 n

2 n

1 n

0 n

5-bit lis ten-before-sleep timer. If bit 6 is

set, “tick” interval is taken from the Node

Auxiliary Configuration clock setting. If

bit 6 clear, the “tick” if fixed at 15 s

Figure 3.5.12

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If bit 7 (e) is clear, power management is disabled and the node is continuously active.

If bit 7 (e) is set, power management is enabled. In miniMESH V2.5 and above, a new

flag, enable quick sleep, has been added in bit position 6 (t). When this bit is clear,

power management is directly compatible with miniMESH V2.2, V2.3 and V2.4.

If bit 6 (t) is clear, then if bit 5 (l) is clear, the listen-before-sleep interval is fixed at ap-

proximately 15 seconds. If bit 5 (l) is set, the listen-before-sleep interval is adjustable

from 1 to 31 steps of 15 seconds. Also, if bit 5 (l) is set, the node will continuously cycle

between an active period set by the listen-before-sleep interval and the sleep interval.

When bit 5 (l) is clear, the node will stay active fo llowing a sleep interval until a new

power management command is received.

If bit 6 (t) is set, then if bit 5 (l) is clear, the node goes to sleep immediately following a

power management command. If bit 5 (l) is set, the listen-before-sleep interval is ad-

justable from 1 to 31 “ticks”. The “tick” clock, in turn, is set by the Write Node Auxiliary

Configuration command from 3 to 7.43 seconds per tick, with 5 seconds being the de-

fault value (see Figure 3.15.5.4). Also, if bit 5 (l) is set, the node will continuously cycle

between an active period set by the listen-before-sleep interval and the sleep interval.

When bit 5 (l) is clear, the node will stay active following sleep until a new power man-

agement command is received.

Power Management Byte 8

If bit 7 (s) of byte 8 is clear, power management is directed at a field node(s). If bit 7 (s)

is set, power management is directed at a router(s). If bit 6 (r) is clear, a node will not

transmit an event message when it wakes up. If bit 6 (r) is set, a node will transmit an

event message when it wakes up. If bit 5 (a) is clear, inputs are not tested to check for

events during a sleep interval. If bit 5 (a) is set, the node will periodically wake up and

measure the analog input and digital input. If the analog input is above the high thresh-

old or below the low threshold, the node will stay awake and begin sending event mes-

sages related to the analog input. Likewise, the node will stay awake and begin sending

event messages related to an event condition on the digital input.

Bit Flag Function

7 s

router/field node select

6 r

enable report on wake up

5 a enable event checking during sleep

4 n

3 n

2 n

1 n

0 n

upper 5 bits of 13-bit sleep timer, 15 sec-

onds per count

Figure 3.5.13

The bind input can be used to wake a sleeping node before the end of a sleep interval.

Bits 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 are the upper 5 bits of the 13-bit sleep interval timer. Byte 9 holds

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the lower 8 bits. The sleep timer covers approximately 15 seconds to 34 hours. Each

count represents about 15 seconds. The minimum interval is 0 0000 0000 0001b, and

the maximum interval is 1 1111 1111 1111b. A low current R-C timer is used in the

DM1810 for sleep interval timing, so sleep interval settings are only approximate.

Power Management Byte 9

Byte 9 holds the lower eight bits of the 13-bit sleep interval timer.

3.6 Netw ork Message Summary

The detailed descriptions of the network event and command/response messages are

organized under the following topics. The section number and starting page for each

topic is provided below for quick reference.

3.7 Event Messages 29

3.8 ADC Messages 32

3.9 Digital I/O Messages 33

3.10 UART Messages 36

3.11 Bind Messages 37

3.12 Power Management Messages 39

3.13 User Data Messages 40

3.14 Timer Messages 41

3.15 Node and Network Messages 42

3.7 Event Messages

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Event Msg FF 00 00 00 01 8A

Specific conditions can be set to trigger the transmission of event messages. An event

message is automatically sent from a field node when one or more trigger conditions

occur. The condition(s) creating the event message is flagged in the upper nibble of

byte 6, as shown in Figure 3.7.1.1. An event message is sent until all conditions are

acted upon, or up to eight times. In miniMESH V2.5 and above, the interval between

event message retransmissions increases in the following progression: 1.5, 3, 6, 12,

24, 36 and 36 seconds, to which a randomly chosen delay of 0, 143, 286 or 429 ms is

added on each retry. A field node processing an e vent will not enter a sleep cycle until

the event is acted upon or it has sent the event message eight times unless the power

management quick sleep bit is set. In this case, the first retry interval is increased to 4

seconds and the node will enter a sleep cycle unconditionally at the end of the listen-

before-sleep period. More than one event flag can be set in an event message. Acting

on any set event f lag will stop the retransmission of the event message. Note, however,

that individual event flags remain set until acted on.

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3.7.1 I/O Event Messages

Bit Flag Function

7 w

wake up event flag

6 u

UART event flag

5 a ADC event flag

4 d digital input event flag

3 1

2 0

1 1

0 0

event message type nibble

Figure 3.7.1.1

A set bit 5 (a) indicates the ADC reading is either at or below the low threshold setting,

or is at or above the high threshold setting. ADC event messaging is enabled by setting

a flag in the ADC configuration. The actual ADC value is retrieved by sending a Read

ADC Input command . In V2.5 and above, reading the ADC will reset an ADC thresho ld

trigger.

A set bit 4 (d) indicates that the digital input value or change in value has triggered an

event, or that the digital pulse count is above the threshold setting held in the digital in-

put configuration. Digital input event messaging is enabled by setting a flag in the digital

input configuration. The actual digital input value and/or pulse count is retrieved by

sending a Read Digital Input command, and the digital input event flag is reset with a

Write (Reset) Digital Input command.

A set bit 6 (u) indicates that a string has been received through the UART input. UART

event messaging is enabled by setting a flag in the UART configuration. The actual

string is retrieved by sending a Read UART Buffer command, which also resets bit 6

and ends the sending of the event message due to a UART event.

A set bit 7 (w) indicates that a field node or router is awake following a sleep cycle. A

Read (or Write) Dynamic Power Management Parameters command resets bit 7 and

ends the sending of the event message due to a wake up event.

3.7.2 Power On Notification

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Event Msg FF 00 00 00 01 2B 25

Figure 3.7.2.1

If enabled (default), this message is sent once when a node is powered up, and can be

used to confirm a router’s or field node’s AID. Byte 7 holds the code version number in

the upper nibble and the revision number in the lower nibble, in this case V2.5.

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3.7.3 Read Status of Event Flags

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 E9

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 71

Figure 3.7.3.1

The response to this command indicates the status of the addressed node’s event flags,

as shown in Figure 3.7.3.2 below:

Bit Flag Function

7 a

event messaging active

6 c

5 c

4 c

transmission retry count (00H on first

transmission)

3 w

wake up event flag

2 u

UART event flag

1 a ADC event flag

0 d digital input event flag

Figure 3.7.3.2

During the time an event message is being transmitted, bit 7 (a) is set. After all events

causing the event message have been acted on or the event message has been sent

eight times (initial transmission plus seven retries), this bit will be reset. Bits 6, 5 and 4

indicate the last recorded retry count. A set bit 3 (w) indicates the last wake up event

has not been acted on. A set bit 2 (u) indicates the last UART event has not been acted

on. A set bit 1 (a) indicates the last ADC event has not been acted on. A set bit 0 (d) in-

dicates the last digital input event has not been acted on.

3.8 ADC Messages

The ADC input is supported by five network command/response message sets, as de-

tailed in this section. ADC thresholds can also be set to trigger event messages.

3.8.1 Read ADC Input with 10-bit Resolution

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 A9

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 41 01 D9

Figure 3.8.1.1

Bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of the response indicate this is an ADC reading, and bit 0 indi-

cates the resolution is 10 bits. Bit 3 indicates the state of the digital input. See Figure

3.5.7 for the interpretation of all bits in byte 7. The value is right justified in payload

bytes 8 and 9. The value shown is slightly below a half-scale reading of 0200H.

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3.8.2 Read ADC Input with 8-bit Resolution

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 29

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 40 76

Figure 3.8.2.1

Bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of the response indicate this is an ADC reading, and bit 0 indi-

cates the resolution is 8 bits. Bit 3 indicates the state of the digital input. See Figure

3.5.7 for the interpretation of all bits in byte 7. The value is right justified in payload byte

8. The value shown is slightly below a half-scale reading of 80H.

3.8.3 Read ADC Input Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 6D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 40 FF 00

Figure 3.8.3.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.7, the bit pattern in byte 7 of the response indicates ADC con-

figuration data. Bytes 8 and 9 hold the 8 most significant bits of the upper and lower

event thresholds for the ADC.

3.8.4 Write ADC Input Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 65 40 FF 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.8.4.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.7, the upper two bits in byte 7 of this command are set to 01b to

indicate this is ADC configuration data. The lower four bits of byte 7 should be written as

zeros. The value in byte 8 is used for the high threshold, and the value in byte 9 is used

for the low threshold. These threshold values are aligned with the 8 most significant bits

of the ADC measurement.

3.8.5 Write (Reset) ADC Input

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 21

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 01

Figure 3.8.5.1

The purpose of this command is to reset an ADC threshold event flag. This command

will also cancel any pending analog input event message transmission retries.

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3.9 Digital I/O Messages

Digital I/O is supported by eight network command/responses message sets, as de-

tailed in this section. Various conditions on the digital input can also be set to trigger

event messages.

3.9.1 Read Digital Input

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 19

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 01 00 00 00

Figure 3.9.1.1

As shown in Figures 3.5.8 and 3.5.9, bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of the response indicate this

is a digital input with a current state of 1. Bytes 8, 9 and 10 hold the accumulated pulse

counts if the digital input is configured for pulse counting.

3.9.2 Write (Reset) Digital Input

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 11

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 01

Figure 3.9.2.1

The purpose of this command is to reset the digital input pulse counter to 000000H,

and/or reset any digital input event flags. This command will also cancel any pending

digital input event message transmission retries.

3.9.3 Read Digital Input Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 5D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 28 00 00 00 08

Figure 3.9.3.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.8, bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of the response indicates this is digital

input configuration data showing event messaging and pulse/edge counting are en-

abled. Bytes 8, 9 and 10 hold the pulse count event message threshold. The value in

byte 11 is the de-bounce filter value. The default value for byte 11 is 08H. The valid

range for byte 11 is 08H to FFH. The de-bounce period is 2.2*N ms, where N is the

value in byte 11.

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3.9.4 Write Digital Input Configuration

Figure 3.9.4.1

Bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of this command are set to 00b to indicate this is digital input con-

figuration data. As shown in Figures 3.5.8 and 3.5.9, the lower six bits are set to specify

if event messaging is enabled, if counting is enabled, and to select event and counting

modes. Note that if event messaging is enabled and bit 3 (c) in byte 7 is clear, event

messaging is controlled by input transitions. If bit 3 (c) is set, event messaging is con-

trolled by the 24-bit count threshold in bytes 8, 9 and 10. The value in byte 11 is the de-

bounce filter value. The default value for byte 11 is 08H. The valid range for byte 11 is

08H to FFH. The de-bounce period is 2.2*N ms, where N is the value in byte 11.

3.9.5 Write (Set) Digital Output

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 31 81 00

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 01

Figure 3.9.5.1

If byte 8 is set to 00H, the Write Digita l Output command will set the digital ou t put to the

value of bit 0 in byte 7. If the value in byte 8 is set to a value between 2 and 255 (avoid

a value of 1), this comm and will output a pulse of the state of bit 0 in byte 7. The pulse

duration depends on the value in byte 8 and the value of bit 2 in byte 7, as given in the

equations below. Once the pulse duration has expired, the digital output will change to

the opposite state. The pulse duration counter is a low priority protocol task, so the

pulse duration may be somewhat longer than nominal when there is heavy radio traffic.

The nominal duration is given as:

T

seconds = 0.143 (N + 1) when bit 2 in byte 7 is 0

T

milliseconds = 2.2*(N + 1) when bit 2 in byte 7 is 1

where N is the value in byte 8, in the range of 2 to 255

3.9.6 Read Digital Output

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 39 00 00

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 81 80

Figure 3.9.6.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.10, the bit pattern 81H in byte 7 of the response indicates this is

a digital output with a current state of 1, and the digital input has a current state of 0 . If

a pulse is being output when a read command is received, byte 8 in the response

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 55 28 00 00 00 08

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

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will hold the remaining pulse duration value (80H in the above example). Otherwise byte

8 will read 00H.

3.9.7 Read Digital Output Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 7D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 80 00

Figure 3.9.7.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.10, bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 of the response indicates this is digital

output configuration data. Byte 8 holds the power up pulse output duration value.

3.9.8 Write Digital Output Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 75 80 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.9.8.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.10, the upper two bits in byte 7 of this command are set to 10b

to indicate this is digital output configuration data. The lower six bits are set to specify

the power up default output state, and to select either fast pulse duration counting

(2.2 ms/tick) or slow pulse duration counting (143 ms/tick). This command can be used

to automatically generate a single pulse following the 2.4 s power on initialization pe-

riod. During the power on initialization, the digital output is set to zero. To output a high

pulse, set bits 3 and 0 to one, set the pulse duration bit 2 as needed, and load byte 8

with the pulse duration value. To extend the low output for a period following the start up

interval, set bits 3 and 0 to zero, set the pulse duration bit 2 as needed, and load byte 8

with the pulse duration value. Once the low output duration has expired, the digital out-

put will change to a high state. The pulse duration counter is a low priority protocol task,

so the pulse duration may be somewhat longer than nominal when there is heavy radio

traffic. The nominal duration is given as:

T

seconds = 0.143 (N + 1) when bit 2 is 0

T

milliseconds = 2.2*(N + 1) when bit 2 is 1

where N is the value in byte 8, in the range of 2 to 255

3.10 UART Messages

The UART is supported by four network command/responses sets, as detailed in this

section. The UART on a field node can also be configured to transmit an event mes-

sage when a serial message is received.

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3.10.1 Read UART Buffer

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 70

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 49

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 payload

Figure 3.10.1.1

The response to this command returns a string received in the UART buffer in payload

bytes 7 through 70. If there is nothing in the UART buffer, there will be no payload (null

string). Reading the UART buffer does not clear it. The UART cannot receive another

string until the buffer is cleared. The buffer can be cleared by a Write UART Buffer

command with no payload.

3.10.2 Write (Send/Reset) UART Buffer

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 70

Command 60 00 00 00 01 41 payload

Response E0 00 00 00 01 01

Figure 3.10.2.1

This command writes a string contained in payload bytes 7 through 70 to the UART

buffer. This, in turn, causes the UART to output the string. Sending this command to the

UART buffer with no payload clears the buffer of a received message.

3.10.3 Read UART Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 8D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D C0 B3

Figure 3.10.3.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.11, bits 6 and 7 in byte 7 above indicate this is UART configura-

tion data. See Figure 3.15.5.3. Byte 8 holds the UART message received timeout value.

3.10.4 Write UART Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 85 E0 B3

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.10.4.1

As shown in Figure 3.5.11, the upper two bits in byte 7 of this command are set to 11b

to indicate this is UART configuration data. Bit 5 controls receive event messaging. Bit 4

selects 7-bit data. Bit 3 is reserved and should be set to 0. See Figure 3.15.5.3 for the

interpretation of bit 2. Bits 1 and 0 set the baud rate. Byte 8 holds the UART message

received timeout value, with each count equal to 558 µs.

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3.11 Bind Messages

Network binding (network membership) can be checked or modified using the six sets of

command/response messages detailed in this section. The bind configuration of a base

station or router/field node must be done carefully and deliberately, as an error can dis-

able an individual node or the entire network.

3.11.1 Read Base Station Bind Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 10

Command 70 00 00 00 00 3D

Response F0 00 00 00 00 0D payload

Figure 3.11.1.1

The response to this command returns the 4 bytes in the base station bind configuration

control block. See Figure 3.11.5.2 for the interpretation of each payload byte. Note that

the base station alias ID bits are set to 0.

3.11.2 Write Base Station Bind Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 10

Command F0 00 00 00 00 35 00 00 00 00

Response 10 30

Figure 3.11.2.1

This comma nd can be used to cle ar or modi fy the base stati on bi nd con fig ur ation . When

the base station bind configuration and bind list are both cleared, a new network can be

built around the base station by (re)binding field nodes and routers to it. This command

must be used very carefully to avoid unintentionally disabling a network.

3.11.3 Read Base Station Bind List

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 4D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 00 0D 20 08

Figure 3.11.3.1

The response to this command returns the base station’s bind list in payload bytes 7

and 8. The upper four bits in byte 7 is the number of routers bound to the base station.

The lower two bits in byte 7 and the 8 bits in byte 8 give the total number of nodes

bound to the base station, both field nodes and routers.

3.11.4 Write Base Station Bind List

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 45 00 00

Network Response 10 30

Figure 3.11.4.1

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This command can be used to clear or modify the base station bind list. When the base

station bind list and bind configuration are both cleared, a new network can be built

around the base station by (re)binding field nodes and routers to it. This command must

be used very carefully to avoid unintentionally disabling a network.

3.11.5 Read Router/Field Node Bind Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 10

Command 70 00 00 00 01 3D

Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D payload

Figure 3.11.5.1

The response to this command returns the 4 bytes in the bind configuration control

block. Here is the interpretation of each payload byte:

Byte

Interpretation

7 network ID bits and upper alias ID bits

8 lower alias ID bits

9 system ID

10 system key

Figure 3.11.5.2

3.11.6 Write Router/Field Node Bind Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 10

Command 70 00 00 00 01 35 00 00 00 00

Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.11.6.1

This command can be used to modify the bind configuration of a router or field node af-

ter it has been bound to a network. Its primary use is to set the bind configuration of a

new node to match the bind configuration of an existing node being removed from ser-

vice. Here is the interpretation of each payload byte:

Byte

Interpretation

7 network ID bits and upper alias ID bits

8 lower alias ID bits

9 system ID

10 system key

Figure 3.11.6.2

This comm and m ust be used very carefully to avoid assigning the same AID to two

nodes, or assigning an AID that is out of the range of the bind list in the base station.

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3.12 Power Management Messages

Four sets of command/response messages are provided to facilitate battery life exten-

sion by “sleeping” one or more remote nodes part of the time. These power manage-

ment messages are discussed in this section.

3.12.1 Read Static Power Management Parameters

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 2D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 00 00 00

Figure 3.12.1.1

The response to this command returns the power management parameters stored in a

router or field node. The parameters are held in bytes 7, 8 and 9. These parameters

control the power management cycle following a software reset or power up cycle. See

Figures 3.5.12 and 3.5.13 for interpretation details of these bytes.

3.12.2 Write Static Power Management Parameters

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 25 00 00 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.12.2.1

This command updates the power management parameters stored in a node. The pa-

rameters are carried in bytes 7, 8 and 9. These parameters control the power manage-

ment cycle following a software reset or power up cycle. See Figures 3.5.12 and 3.5.13

for the details of these parameters. Note that power management parameters can be

changed during node operation using a Write Dynamic Power Management Parameters

command.

3.12.3 Read Dynamic Power Management Parameters

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 F9

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 09 00 00 00

Figure 3.12.3.1

The re sponse to this comm and returns the power management pa rameters currently

being used in bytes 7, 8 and 9. See Figures 3.5.12 and 3.5.13 for interpretation details

of these bytes. This command also acknowledges a wake up event message.

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3.12.4 Write Dynamic Power Management Parameters

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 60 00 00 00 01 F1 00 00 00

Network Response E0 00 00 00 01 01

Figure 3.12.4.1

This command immediately updates the power management parameters being used by

a node. The parameters are carried in bytes 7, 8 and 9. See Figures 3.5.12 and 3.5.13

for the details. This command also acknowledges a wake up event message.

3.13 User Data Messages

User data messages can be read or modified using the four sets of command/response

messages detailed in this section.

3.13.1 Read User Message A

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 30

Command 70 00 00 00 01 BD

Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D payload

Figure 3.13.1.1

The response to this command returns user-defined message A in payload bytes 7

through 30. The message is 24 bytes in length, and can be used for a node description,

installation or maintenance record, or any other use chosen by the user.

3.13.2 Write User Message A

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 30

Command 70 00 00 00 01 B5 payload

Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.13.2.1

This command writes user-defined message A to the addressed node. The message is

carried in payload bytes 7 through 30. The message is 24 bytes in length, and can be

used for a node description, installation or maintenance record, or any other use chosen

by the user.

3.13.3 Read User Message B

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 30

Command 70 00 00 00 01 CD

Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D payload

Figure 3.13.3.1

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The response to this command returns user-defined message B in payload bytes 7

through 30. The message is 24 bytes in length, and can be used for a node description,

installation or maintenance record, or any other use chosen by the user.

3.13.4 Write User Message B

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 30

Command 70 00 00 00 01 C5 payload

Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.13.4.1

This command writes user-defined message B to the addressed node. The message is

carried in payload bytes 7 through 30. The message is 24 bytes in length, and can be

used for a node description, installation or maintenance record, or any other use chosen

by the user.

3.14 Timer Messages

This section details the two sets of timer command/response messages that support

aut omatic ADC readings to trigger A DC event messa ges.

3.14.1 Read Timer Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 9D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 00 00

Figure 3.14.1.1

The response to this command returns the interval between automatic ADC readings for

event messages in byte 7 (byte 8 is reserved and is set to 00H). Setting byte 7 to 00H

disables automatic ADC readings. Each count in byte 7 represents 15 seconds, with a

value of FFH representing slightly over an hour.

3.14.2 Write Timer Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 95 00 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.14.2.1

This command sets the interval between automatic ADC readings for event messages

in byte 7 (byte 8 is reserved and should be set to 00H). Setting byte 7 to 00H disables

automatic ADC readings. Each count in byte 7 represents 15 seconds, with a value of

FFH representing slightly over an hour.

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3.15 Node and Network Messages

This section covers the 20 sets of command/response messages that deal with node

and network configurations, node IDs, node resets, etc.

3.15.1 Read Firmware Version

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 ED

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 25

Figure 3.15.1.1

The response to this command returns the addressed node’s firmware version in pay-

load byte 7. In this example, the firmware version is 2.5. When addressing the base sta-

tion, byte 1 of the command is F0.

3.15.2 Read Hardware ID

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 FD

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D AA BB CC

Figure 3.15.2.1

The response to this command returns the addressed node’s 24-bit hardware ID in pay-

load bytes 7, 8 and 9. The hardware ID in this example is AABBCCH. The hardware ID

is used in binding transactions. When addressing the base station, byte 1 of the com-

mand is F0.

3.15.3 Read Node I/O Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 DD

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 8F

Figure 3.15.3.1

The response to this command returns the addressed node’s configuration in payload

byte 7. In this example, the device is a field node with all hardware I/O enabled. See

Figure 3.15.4.2 for the i nterpr et ati on o f byte 7.

3.15.4 Write Node I/O Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 D5 0F

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.15.4.1

This command enables /disables I/O func tion s and continuous LED oper ation on a field

node. Here is the interpretation of byte 7 for this command:

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Bit Flag Function

7 d

6 d device type (read only bits): 00 is base,

01 is router, 10 is field node

5 c continuous LED operation enable

4 0 reserved (set to 0)

3 u UART enable

2 o digital output enable

1 a analog input enable

0 i digital input enable

Figure 3.15.4.2

3.15.5 Read Node Au xiliary Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 4D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 00 00

Figure 3.15.5.1

This command reads the au xiliary configuration of a field node or router. The bit func -

tions in byte 7 are shown in Figure 3.15.5.2. Bits 2 and 4 in UART configuration byte 7

(see Figure 3.5.11) and b its 6 an d 7 in auxiliary conf iguration byte 7 are use to configu re

the UART in a field node, as shown in Figure 3.15.5.3 below. Setting bit 3 disables the

power on notification transmissions in a field node or router.

Bit Flag Function

7 p

6 p

parity/stop bit select (field node)

5 0 reserved (set to 0)

4 0 reserved (set to 0)

3 o disable power on notification

2 0 reserved (set to 0)

1 0 reserved (set to 0)

0 0 reserved (set to 0)

Figure 3.15.5.2

UART Figure 3.5.11 Figure 3.15.5.2

Configuration

Bit 2 Bit 4 Bit 6 Bit 7

8-N-1 0 0 0 0

8-E-1 1 0 0 0

8-O-1 1 0 1 0

8-N-2 1 0 1 1

7-E-1 1 1 0 0

7-O-1 1 1 1 0

7-N-2 1 1 1 1

7-E-2 0 1 0 0

7-O-2 0 1 1 0

Figure 3.15.5.3

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Byte 8 of the node auxiliary configuration payload is shown in Figure 3.15.5.2. Bits 0 - 4

implement a 5-bit clock “tick” that drives the listen-before-sleep timer used with sleep

mode power management commands (see Figure 3.5.12). The clock “tick” interval can

be set fr om 3 to 7.43 seconds.

Bit Flag Function

7 0 reserved (set to 0)

6 0 reserved (set to 0)

5 0 reserved (set to 0)

4 n

3 n

2 n

1 n

0 n

listen-before-sleep clock tick,

t = 3 + 0.143*n seconds

default n value is 1101b (5 seconds)

Figure 3.15.5.4

3.15.6 Write Node Auxiliary Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 45 00 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.15.6.1

This command sets the auxiliary configuration of a field node or router. The bit functions

in byte 7 are shown in Figure 3.15.5.2. Bit 2 and 4 of the UART configuration payload

(see Figure 3.5.11) and bits 6 and 7 in the auxiliary configuration payload are use to

configure the UART in a field node, as shown in Figure 3.15.5.3. The listen-before-sleep

clock tick control in byte 8 is shown in Figure 3.15.5.4.

3.15.7 Read Base Station Mode and Model Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 1D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 00 0D 01

Figure 3.17.7.1

The response to this command returns the base station mode, either DM1810 native or

DM1800 compatible, and the model (operating band), either DM1810-434 or DM1810-

916, as shown in Figure 3.15.9.2.

3.15.8 Write Base Station Mode and Model Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 15 00

Network Response 10 30

Figure 3.15.8.1

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This command sets the mode, either DM1810 native (bit clear) or DM1800 compatible

(bit set), in bit 7 of byte 7 of a base station. The base station is addressed at 000H. The

rest of the bits in byte 7 are read only and/or reserved. This command must be followed

by a Base Reset command. See Figure 3.15.9.2 for additional information.

3.15.9 Read Router/Field Node Mode and Model Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 1D

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 01

Figure 3.15.9.1

The response to this command returns the mode, either DM1810 native or DM1800

compatible, and the model (operating band), either DM1810-434 or DM1810-916, for a

router or field node as shown below:

Bit Flag Function

7 m

0 is DM1810 native, 1 is DM1800 compatible

6 0

5 0

4 0

3 0

reserved (set to 0)

2 f

1 f

0 f

01H is DM1810-434, 02H is DM1810-916

Figure 3.15.9.2

3.15.10 Write Router/Field Node Mode and Model Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 15 00

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.15.10.1

This command sets the mode, either DM1810 native (bit clear) or DM1800 compatible

(bit set), in bit 7 of byte 7 of a router or field node. The rest of the bits in byte 7 are read

only and/or reserved. This command must be followed by a Reset Node command. See

Figure 3.15.9.2 for additional information.

3.15.11 Read Event Routing Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 AD

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0D 0F

Figure 3.15.11.1

The response to this command returns the number of routers assumed by a DM1810

field node when sending an event message. The default number of routers is set at bind

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time according to the base station operating mode. Event routing at a field node defaults

to 15 for DM1810 native mode operation or to 7 for DM1800 compatible operation. If the

actual number of routers used in a system is fixed and is less than the maximum num-

ber of routers allowed by the operating mode, the actual number of routers can be

specified by a Write Event Routing Configuration command for more efficient event

message routing. If the base station mode is changed using the Write Base Station

Mode Configuration command, the event routing configuration of the field nodes must

changed match the new mode.

3.15.12 Write Event Routing Configuration

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 A5 0F

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 05

Figure 3.15.12.1

This command sets the number of routers assumed by a DM1810 field node when

sending an event message. The default number of routers is set at bind time according

to the base station operating mode at 15 for DM1810 native operation or 7 for DM1800

compatible operation. If the actual number of routers used in a system is fixed and is

less than the maximum number of routers allowed by the operating mode, this com-

mand can be used to specify the actual number of routers being used for more efficient

event message routing. If the base station mode is changed using the Write Base Sta-

tion Mode Configuration, the event routing configuration must changed at the field

nodes to match the new mode.

3.15.13 Read Base Station Link Map

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 FE

Network Response F0 00 00 00 00 0E 00 00

Figure 3.15.13.1

The response to this command returns the routers that can be directly received by the

base station. Bytes 7 and 8 are used in the native DM1810 mode, and byte 7 only is

used in the DM1800 compatible mode, where the number of routers are limited to 7. In

the native DM1810 mode, bit 0 of byte 8 is set to 0. Bit 1 of byte 8 references router 1,

bit 2 of byte 8 references router 2, etc., with bit 0 of byte 7 referencing router 8, bit 1 of

byte 7 referencing router 9, etc. In the DM1800 compatible mode, bit 0 of byte 7 is set to

0. Bit 1 of byte 7 references router 1, bit 2 of byte 7 references router 2, etc. To use this

command, first send a Reset Base Station Link Map command to assure fresh data.

Then send a command to any field node to “seed” the base station link map, such as a

Read Digital Input command. Then send a Read Base Station Link Map command to

retrieve the fresh link map.

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3.15.14 Reset Base Station Link Map

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 7E

Network Response F0 00 00 00 00 0E

Figure 3.15.14.1

This command clears the base station link map bits.

3.15.15 Read Router/Field Node Link Map

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 FE

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0E 00 00

Figure 3.15.15.1

The response to this command returns the routing nodes (base station plus routers) that

can be directly received by a router or field node. Bytes 7 and 8 are used in the native

DM1810 mode, and byte 7 only is used in the DM1800 compatible mode, where the

number of routers are limited to 7. In the native DM1810 mode, bit 0 of byte 8 refer-

ences the base station, bit 1 of byte 8 references router 1, bit 2 of byte 8 references

router 2, etc., with bit 0 of byte 7 referencing router 8, bit 1 of byte 7 referencing router

9, etc. In the DM1800 compatible mode, bit 0 of byte 7 references the base station, bit 1

of byte 7 references router 1, bit 2 of byte 7 references router 2, etc. A Reset Link Map

command should be issued just before this command to assure fresh data.

3.15.16 Reset Router/Field Node Link Map

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 7E

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 0E

Figure 3.15.16.1

This command clears the link map bits in the addressed router or field node.

3.15.17 Read Base Station RSSI Values

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 22

Network Command F0 00 00 00 00 29

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 09 RSSI payload

Figure 3.15.17.1

DM1810 base station RSSI measurements are also supported by miniMESH V2.5 and

above. The base station does not require any configuration changes to make RSSI

measurements. Reading the base station RSSI values is a two step process. First, use

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the Read Router or Field Node RSSI command to read the RSSI values from any router

or field node (active or unused address OK). Then send a Read Base Station RSSI Val-

ues command to return the base station RSSI values. The response message will hold

the 8-bit RSSI values heard by the base station, with byte 7 always 00H and the RSSI

values for routers 1 through 15 in bytes 8 through 22. An RSSI value of 00H is also re-

turned for a router that cannot be heard directly by the base station.

3.15.18 Read Router/Field Node RSSI Values

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 through 22

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 29

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 09 RSSI payload

Figure 3.15.18.1

DM1810 RSSI measurements are supported by miniMESH V2.5 and above. To read

the RSSI values from a router or field node, disable periodic ADC readings with the

Write Timer Configuration command by setting the timer interval to 00H. Next, use the

Write ADC Input Configuration command to set the RSSI enable bit, as shown in Figure

3.5.7. Next send a Reset Node command. The Read Router or Field Node RSSI Values

command can then be used. The response message will hold the RSSI value for the

base station in byte 7 and the RSSI values for routers 1 through 15 in bytes 8 through

22. An RSSI value of 00H is returned for a node that cannot be directly heard. To return

to normal ADC operation, use the Write ADC Input Configuration command to reset the

RSSI enable bit. If periodic ADC readings are desired, set the interval with the Write

Timer Configuration command. Then send a Reset Node command.

3.15.19 Reset Node

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Network Command 70 00 00 00 01 F8

Network Response F0 00 00 00 01 08

Figure 3.15.19.1

This command resets the addressed node. Issuing this command after a configuration

write command will cause the new configuration data to be used by the node. Otherwise

the old conf iguration data will continue to be used until the power to the node is turned

off and back on.

3.15.20 Reset Field Node with UART Vector

Once a message is received in the UART buffer of a field node, it will not accept an-

other message until it is reset by a Write UART Buffer command with no payload sent

from the base station (Figure 3.10.2.1), or it is reset with a special 9-byte reset vector

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applied to the field node UART input. The field node does not test for the reset vector

unless it is holding a message in the UART buffer.

Byte Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Reset Vector 00 6E 29 6D 36 4A 7C 4E 6B

Figure 3.15.20.1

3.16 Application Development Utilities

There are two application development utilities available for the DM1810, the DM1810

Controller and the DM1810 Exerciser. The DM1810 Controller is a multi-window tool

designed to quickly send miniMESH commands, interpret responses and event mes-

sages, and test and maintain a DM1810 network. The DM1810 Exerciser is an interac-

tive application development tool that provides detailed, context-specific text and

graphical information to assist in creating and parsing DM1810 application programming

interface (API) messages. The AN1800 and AN1810 Application Note Series covers

specific application programming topics such as reading temperature using low-cost

thermistors, interfacing a DM1810 application to the Internet, etc. The latest version of

the DM1810 application develop me nt utilities and applica tion not es can be foun d on

RFM’s web site. See Section 7.2 for additional details.

3.16.1 DM1810 Controller

Figure 3.16.1.1 shows the three basic windows displayed by the DM1810 Controller

Utility. When the Controller is launched, it automatically searches for the serial port be-

ing used by the DM1810 base station. Once the base station is found, the base station

and activity log windows are displayed. The Node Controller window for a router or field

node is then launched from the base station window. Several Node Controller windows

can be opened at the same time, depending on the resources available on the host PC.

Note that when the mouse cursor is passed over most controls on the DM1810 Control-

ler, an explanation of the control function appears.

Figure 3.16.1.1

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As shown in Figure 3.16.1.2, the base station window allows configuration parameters

of the base station to be retrieved and configurable parameters modified. The base sta-

tion window can also present link map and RSSI data useful in commissioning and

main taining a DM181 0 n etwork.

Figure 3.16.1.2

As shown in Figure 3.16.1.3, the activity log window interprets all messages coming

from and going to the base station. In addition, the hex message bytes can also be dis-

played. Information shown in the activity log window can also be logged to a text file.

Figure 3.16.1.3

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As shown in Figure 3.16.1.4, there are nine tabs on the node controller window. Each

tab allows detailed interaction with a specific aspect of a router or field node. The Tools

tab is especially useful in evaluating a new network. Any one of five commands can be

selected to be sent continuously for a period of time. In this mode, the total number of

commands sent, responses received and responses missed are tallied to allow the

communication robustness between the base station and a router or field node to be

evaluated. The tools window also includes a provision to manually enter any command

for continuous transmission.

Figure 3.16.1.4

3.16.2 DM1810 Exerciser

The DM1810 Exerciser is an interactive application development tool that provides de-

tailed, context-specific text and graphical information to assist in creating and parsing

DM1810 application programming interface (API) messages. Figure 3.16.2.1 shows the

DM1810 Exerciser display related to reading bind configuration data. The detail shown

in this figure is typical of the information provided by this utility. The exerciser is easily

navigated and can be considered an application programming manual for the DM1810

in software format.

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Figure 3.16.2.1

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4. Network Design, Deployment and Maintenance

4.1 Choosing a Network Topology

There are three network topologies supported by DM1810 modules. The first is point-to-

point, or a single-hop network between one base station and one field node, as show in

Figure 4.1.1. The second is point-to-multipoint, or a single-hop network between one

base station and several field nodes, as shown in Figure 4.1.2. The third is a master-

slave, multi-hop mesh network between one base station and one or more field nodes,

using up to 15 miniMESH™ routers, as shown in Figure 4.1.3. The robustness of a

point-to-point or point-to-multipoint topology can be substantially improved by adding

even one mesh router. The rout er will provide both time and space diversity to the

transmissions, mitigating the effects of multi-path fades which are common in most ra-

dio networks. The trade-off for adding a router to a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint

system is increased latency, but this is rarely a problem in sensor networks, as dis-

cussed in the next section.

Figure 4.1.1

Figure 4.1.2

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Figure 4.1.3

4.2 Estimating Network Capacity

The DM1810 node address range will support a total of 1023 routers and field nodes.

However, the amount of traffic to/from the field nodes and the number of routers set a

practical limit on the size of a DM1810 network. Network capacity can be estimated as

follows:

The RF transmission latency for a DM1810 message either outbound or inbound includ-

ing DM1810 router and field node processing times is:

T

RF = (32.5 + 2.5*(BMSG))(NRT + 1)

T

RF is the transmission latency in one direction in milliseconds

B

MSG is the number of bytes in the message (6 to 70) not including the checksum

N

RT is the number of routers in the network

The serial transmission latency between the host and the base station including base

station processing time is:

T

SR = 10 + 1.04*(BMSG)

T

SR is the serial tra nsmission latency in one direction in milliseconds

B

MSG is the number of bytes in the message (6 to 70) not including the checksum

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The total command-response time in milliseconds starting with the first command byte

sent by the host application to the base station to the receipt of the last response byte

returned to the host by the base station is:

T

TOTAL = TSR COMMAND + T RF COMMAND + TRF RESPONSE + TSR RESPONSE

This assumes that bytes issued by the host have no time breaks between them.

Example 1 - the total command-response time for a 10-bit ADC reading in a network

with 5 routers is estimated as follows. The Read ADC Input with 10-bit Resolution com-

mand has 6 bytes and the response has 9 bytes.

T

SR COMMAND = 10 + 1.04*(6) = 16.24 ms

T

RF COMMAND = (32.5 + 2.5*(6))(6) = 285 ms

T

RF RESPONSE = (32.5 + 2.5*(9))(6) = 330 ms

T

SR RESPONSE = 10 + 1.04*(9) = 19.36 ms

T

TOTAL = 16.24 + 285 + 330 + 19.36 = 650.6 ms

If this network does not have event messages enabled, the network capacity with no

interference is at least one ADC reading per second.

Example 2 - the total command-response time for reading a 64 byte UART message in

a network with 15 routers is estimated as follows. The Read UART Buffer command has

6 bytes and the response for a 64 byte UART message is 70 bytes.

T

SR COMMAND = 10 + 1.04*(6) = 16.24 ms

T

RF COMMAND = (32.5 + 2.5*(6))(16) = 760 ms

T

RF RESPONSE = (32.5 + 2.5*(70))(16) = 3320 ms

T

SR RESPONSE = 10 + 1.04*(70) = 82.8 ms

T

TOTAL = 16.24 + 760 + 3320 + 82.8 = 4179.04 ms, or about 4.2 seconds

After the UART buffer is read it is usually cleared with a Write UART Buffer command

with a null UART payload, which take approximately the same time as a Read ADC In-

put with 10-bit Resolution command. The UART read-write command sequence in a

maximum router network with a maximum length message can be done in less than 5

seconds if the network has little interference.

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DM1810 networks are usually either command-response driven (sensor networks) or

event-message driven (alarm networks). The examples above apply to command-

response networks, where network traffic is deterministically controlled by the host ap-

plication and traffic density can approach the calculated capacity of the network. As

event messages occur asynchronously, the traffic density on an event-driven network

must be much lower than a pure command-response network to minimize the chances

of packet collisions. A traffic density of 5% of capacity or less is typically used. This is

very serviceable for alarm networks, agricultural networks, etc., that have inherently low

traffic density. Networks using sleep cycle power management are usually event driven,

where each node sends an event message as it wakes. In response, the host applica-

tion gets an updated reading(s) from the node and then puts the node back to sleep.

4.2 Binding Nodes into a Network

A DM1810 network is formed by binding field nodes and routers to a base station. Bind-

ing is done by pressing the bind buttons on both the base station and the node being

bound to it for about five seconds. The node must be within direct radio range as no

routing support is provided for binding. During the binding, the base station sends con-

figuration data to the node being bound, including an alias ID (AID) network address.

Base station LED interpretation during binding - press and hold the base station and

router/field node bind buttons until the red LEDs light on both units. On the base station,

the red LED will stay ON for up to 10 seconds while the green LED initially blinks. If a

bind occurs, the red LED on the base will go off and the green LED will stay solid ON for

2 seconds. If a bind does not occur, the red LED will stay solid ON and the green LED

will continue blinking for the full 10 second bind window.

Router/field node LED interpretation during binding - press and hold the base station

and router/field node bind buttons until the red LEDs light on both units. On the

router/field node, the red LED will stay ON up to 10 seconds. The green LED will be ini-

tially OFF. If a bind oc curs, th e red LED on the router/field node will go OFF and the

green LED will stay solid ON for several seconds.

MiniMESH™ V2.3 and above support automatic power up bind mode for unbound

routers and field nodes. Automatic binding is done by pressing and holding the bind but-

ton on the base station while power is applied to a router or field node. Approximately

five secon ds after power is ap plied to the router or f ield node, it will automatically enter

bind mode and will interact with the ba se station to receive bind configuration data.

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4.3 Locating and Installing Nodes

DM1810 field nodes are normally located close to the sensors being connected to them.

The exceptions to this rule are where the sensors are located in a very harsh environ-

ment (high temperature, caustic atmosphere, etc.), or the sensors are in a location

where RF propagation would likely be very poor, such as a point near ground level with

a heavy concentration of metal walls, pipes, etc. In these cases, field nodes should be

located as near as practical to the sensors but in a relatively benign environment with

reasonably good RF propagation potential. DM1810 enclosures should be mounted so

the antenna is at least 1 meter above the ground or floor, and where practical 2 to 3 me-

ters above the ground or floor. Ideally, DM1810 enclosures should be mounted in open

areas with the antennas spaced away from metal objects, wires or cables. The “open

field” operating range between two DM1810 nodes placed 1.25 meters above the

ground is about 600 meters. The operating range will be less if the nodes are near the

ground and/or in a difficult RF propagation environment. Except in very poor RF envi-

ronments, the operating range between two DM1810 nodes should be at least 100 to

200 meters .

Mount routers in open areas with the antenna spaced away from metal objects, wires or

cables. The best location for a router indoors is on or near the ceiling, up to 5 meters

high, with the antenna pointing down. W here a router must be placed less than 2 meters

above the floor, orient the antenna pointing up. Outdoors, routers should be located 3 to

5 meters above the ground if possible, using the same orientation rules as indoors.

When a router is bound, the base station provides it two addresses; an AID and a router

number. The router number (1 to 15) determines when a router repeats a transmission.

Packets are repeated by ascending router numbers on transmissions from the base sta-

tion (1 to 2, 1 to 4, 2 to 3, etc., depending on clear paths), and by descending router

numbers on transmissions from field nodes (5 to 3, 3 to 2, 3 to 1, etc., again depending

on clear paths). For this reason, router 1 should be placed nearest the base station, and

routers with progressively higher numbers should be placed progressively further away

from the base station. A simple installation sketch is useful in planning redundant rout-

ing through a miniMESH™ network. An example is shown in Figure 4.3.1.

4.4 Connectivity Maps and RSSI Analysis

Network connectivity of each router and field node can be tested during installation by

observing LED network visibility information as discussed in Section 4.5, or by sending

link map and/or RSSI commands from the base station, as discussed in Section 3.15.

The mesh connectivity of each router and field node should be tested periodically and

compared to previous tests to assure connectivity has not degraded over time.

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B

R 5

R 3

R 6

R 2

R 4

R 1

N

Figure 4.3.1

4.5 LED Interpretation

The locations of the LEDs on a DM1810 module are show in Figure 4.5.1. The function

of a DM1810 module is shown by its LEDs when the unit is powered up. On a base sta-

tion, the red LED lights several seconds while the green LED blinks to indicate the

number of routers in the network. On a field node, green LED lights several seconds

while the red LED remains OFF. On a router, green LED lights several seconds while

the red LED blinks the router number (1 to 15 blinks).

Figure 4.5.1

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Network visibility is shown by the LEDs on a DM1810 when the bind button is briefly

pressed (routers and field nodes must be bound). On a base station, the green LED

stays off and the red LED blinks the number of routers that are in direct communication.

The red LED stays solid ON for 2 seconds if no routers can be directly heard.

On a router or field node, the red LED blinks the number of routers that are in direct

communication. The green LED stays solid ON for 2 seconds if there is direct communi-

cation with the base station. Otherwise, the green LED blinks to indicate no direct base

station communication.

4.6 Power Management

Sleep cycle power management is usually applied to battery powered field nodes, with

the base station and routers operated from AC. In some applications it is desirable to

sleep cycle a router, such as a router mounted high without an AC supply readily avail-

able, rather than sleep cycling the field nodes. Networks using sleep cycling are usually

event driven, where each sleeping node sends an event message as it wakes. For a

field node, the host application gets updated readings from it and then puts the node

back to sleep. For a router, the host application sends network traffic through it to get

updated readings from the field nodes the router supports, and then puts the router

back to sleep.

4.7 Netw ork Maintenance

Routine maintenance consists of periodic battery replacement in battery powered

nodes. Several field node addresses and one router address are typically reserved for

maintenance. It is possible to reuse an inactive router or field node address or to re-

place a base station without needing to rebind the network using the DM1810 Controller

or Exerciser utility programs, or with software procedures tha t can be imp lemented in

the base station host application. See Sections 3.15 and 3.16 for further details.

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5. DM1810 Development Kits

5.1 Development Kit Purpose

DM1810 Development Kits are used for prototyping and evaluating DM1810 mesh sen-

sor network applications. DM1810 Development Kits include all items needed to set up

a network except a PC running Microsoft Windows XP or Vista.

5.2 Intended Kit User

DM1810 Development Kits are intended for use by professional engineers with a work-

ing knowledge of data communications and electronic sensor applications. These kits

are not intended for use by individuals that do not have this professional background.

Please refer to the Special Notices section in the front of this manual.

5.3 Development Kit Frequencies

DM1810 Development Kits are available on two frequencies. The DM1810-916-DK de-

velopment kit operates on 916.5 MHz (North America) and the DM1810-434-DK oper-

ates at 433.92 MHz (Europe). This section of the manual applies to both kits.

5.4 Development Kit Features

The DM1810 Development Kits include the following features:

• “Out of the box” wireless mesh network demonstration

• Preconfigured and bound nodes - a base station, 3 routers and 3 field nodes

• Each field node includes an ADC input, a digital input, a digital output and a

serial interface

• Very low operating power requirements plus integrated power management -

compatible with battery operation

• Robust master-slave mesh network connectivity

• Straightforward command/response application programming interface

• Flexible application I/O capability including pulse-count metering support

• FCC and Canadian IC certifications at 916.5 MHz and European ETSI certifica-

tions at 433.92 MHz

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5.5 Kit Assembly, Testing and Software Installation

Figure 5.5.1 shows the main contents of a DM1810 Development Kit. The kit is supplied

in a portable case to facilitate field testing.

Figure 5.5.1

5.5.1 Development Kit Contents

• 1 DM1810 Base Station (Blue Label)

• 3 DM1810 Routers (Red Label)

• 3 DM1810 Field Nodes (Green Label)

• 1 IM1800 Interface Module (for Base Station)

• 3 IM1800-1 Interface Modules (for Field Nodes)

• 3 Battery Holders (uses 3 AAA Batteries)

• 3 Universal Wall Tr ansformer Pow er Suppli es

• 1 USB Cable

• 1 Software and Documentation CD

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5.5.2 Additional Items Needed

• 1 PC with Microsoft Windows® XP or Vista Operating System

5.5.3 Development Kit Hardware Assembly

Observe ESD precautions when handling the development kit circuit boards. Install the

DM1810 base station in the IM1800 interface module as shown in Figure 5.5.3.1. Con-

nect the USB cable supplied in the development kit to the IM1800, but do not plug the

USB cable into the PC at this time.

Figure 5.5.3.1

Install each DM1810 field node in an IM1800-1 interface module as shown in Figure

5.5.3.2.

Figure 5.5.3.2

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Install a set of AAA alkaline batteries in each battery holder. For the DM1810-434-DK,

snap the appropriate AC plug on each wall transformer power supply. Routers are usu-

ally run from the AC power supplies and field nodes are usually run from the battery

packs, but a router or field node can be run from either power source as desired. Do not

power on the routers and field nodes at this time.

5.5.4 Utility Software Installation

Load the kit CD into the disk drive on your PC. The contents of the CD should appear in

a Windows Explorer (or My Documents) frame in a few seconds. If not, open Windows

Explorer and select the disk drive that is running the CD. You will find the following di-

rectory and file structure on the CD:

• CP2101 Drivers Folder

• DM1810 Data Sheets Folder

• DM1810 Application Notes Folder

• DM1810 Controller Utility Folder

• DM1810 System User’s Guide

• DM1810-DK Quick Start Guide

• dotnetfx.exe

If your computer does not currently have the .NET framework installed, double click on

the dotnetfx.exe file to load the .NET framework on your computer. In the Application

Notes Folde r, run setup.exe in the DM1800 Analog Demo Subfolder. During installation,

the icon below will be place d o n your computer’s desktop.

Plug the USB cable connected to the IM1800 into your computer. The computer should

detect the CP2101 USB to serial port interface chip on the IM1800 and display New De-

vice Found on the PC. You can load the drivers from the CP2101 Drivers Folder on the

kit CD. To load the drivers from the CD, double click on CP210x_VCP_Win2K_S2K.exe

(two install cycles). Or you can install the latest drivers by searching for the CP2101

driver software on the Internet. The latest version will be on the Silicon Labs web site,

www.silabs.com.

5.5.5 Development Kit Testing

Power up the DM1810 routers and field nodes. Double click on the DM1800 Demo V3

icon to start the demo program. The DM1800 Analog Demo software will first display the

COM ports available in a dialog box as shown in Figure 5.5.5.1.

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Figure 5.5.5.1

Check the box next to the COM port that is connected to the IM1800 (base station) and

click on Connect.

Figure 5.5.5.2 Figure 5.5.5.3

The Analog Demo will now launch one of the dialog frames shown in Figures 5.5.5.2

and 5.5.5. 3.

The DM1800 Analog Demo allows the user to:

• Select a senor (field node) using its AID network address

• Switch between the temperature and input voltage display

• Read the ADC input once

• Read the ADC continuously at a configurable interval

IM1800-1 interface boards include a thermistor temperature circuit, an input voltage

monitoring circuit and an ADC input multiplexer switch. If the digital output on the

DM1810 node is high, the IM1800-1 selects the thermistor circuit for measurement. If

the digital output is low, the voltage divider connected to the power supply input is se-

lected. The field nodes in the development kit have addresses 1, 2, and 3. Use the

demo program to read the temperature and input voltage on each field node to test the

field node’s operation.

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In the DM1810 Controller Utility Folder run setup.exe to install the DM1810 Controller.

The DM1810 Exerciser and several application programs are located in the Application

Notes Folder. These programs can be installed as needed.

5.6 Kit Operation

5.6.1 AutoSend Range Testing

DM1810 modules have a built-in AutoSend feature useful for conducting range tests

without a host PC. The base station can be powered from a battery pack instead of the

USB connection. To invoke the AutoSend feature, press and hold the bind button as

power is applied to the base station, then release the bind button after about 4 seconds.

The DM1810 base station will send packets to field node addresses 1, 2, 3 in a repeat-

ing sequence. Field node 1 should hear the base (green LED) each time, and reply (red

LED) 1 out of 3 times. Routers will forward these transmissions if turned on. To stop the

AutoSend mode, power down the base station and then power it on normally.

5.6.2 Base Station and Network Configuration

Figure 5.6.2.1 shows the base station controller window of the DM1810 Controller after

all of the Read controls have be clicked. When a new network is commissioned, this in-

formation should be recorded to allow a failed base station to be replaced without hav-

ing to manually rebind all the nodes in the network. Values such as System ID and Sys-

tem Key are chosen at random by a base station, but can be overridden to replace a

failed base station by manually entering the System ID and System Key and writing

them into the base station. Anytime a base station configuration is changed, it should be

reset by clicking the RESET button on the base station controller. Base station configu-

ration changes should be done carefully and deliberately to avoid disabling a network.

Figure 5.6.2.1

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5.6.3 Router and Field Node Configuration

It is possible to reset a router or field node to its unbound factory default by connecting

the node’s digital input to its digital output and turning power on with the bind button

held down. The node can then be rebound normally. It is also possible to change the

configuration of a bound router or field node to be a direct replacement for a failed node.

Use the bind buttons on the base station and the replacement field node or router to

bind the unit. Set the Node Controller Window to this new address. On the Main tab in

the Node Controller window, enter the Alias ID and Router ID of the no de being re-

placed in the Bind Configuration box and press Write. Then cycle the power to the re-

placement unit. Set the Node Controller to the address of the node being replaced to

gain control of the replacement node. Be careful not to create two active nodes with the

same Alias ID as this can be disruptive to the network.

By default, all I/O is disabled on a router node. A router can perform limited I/O func-

tions by addressing it by its network alias ID. On the Main tab in the Node Controller

window, the Capab ilities Configuration box can be used to Read and Write the I/O func-

tionality of a router of field node. It is acceptable to enable the digital input, digital output

and/or ADC input on a router. Do not attempt to enable UART operation on a router as it

can cause the router to become unstable.

5.6.4 Application Prototyping

The tools provided to support DM1810 application prototyping and development include

the IM1800 and IM1800-1 interface boards, the DM1810 Controller utility, the DM1810

Exerciser utility and the AN1800 and AN1810 Application Note series, which include

several application programming examples.

Figures 5.6.4.1 and 5.6.4.2 show the details of the interface boards. Also see to the in-

terface board data sheets. These boards include a prototyping area for testing small

application circuits and a strip of pins for a flat cable takeoff to an external circuit. It is

not advisable to use the strip of pins for scope probes as shorting pins together can

damage the interface board and/or the host DM1810 board. Use the captured-screw

terminal blocks for probing DM1810 signals and connecting individual wires such as

sensor leads. While many OEM customers mount DM1810 modules on their application

boards, the IM1800 and IM1800-1 are often purchased to provide a DM1810 interface

for small projects. When interfacing external active circuits, be careful to match logic

levels, analog input signals, etc., to the 3 V supply voltage of the DM1810.

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Figure 5.6.4.1 Figure 5.6.4.2

The DM1810 Controller utility can be used to exercise the interface between any I/O pin

on a DM1810 and a prototype application circuit. Figure 5.6.4.3 shows the Digital Input

tab on the Node Controller window. When the mouse cursor passes over any of the

controls on this tab, an explanation of the control function appears. The controls on this

tab provi de the following function ali ty:

• Read the current digital input state and pulse count (if active)

• Reset the pulse counter and any digital input related events

• Enable digital input event messaging

• Enable pulse counting

• Fire an e ven t or cou nt on all edges, a rising ed ge or a falling edge

• Reset the pulse counter and any digital input related events

• Set a threshold value for a pulse count event

• Enable pulse count reset (wrap) when the count threshold is reached

• Set the de-bounce filter time constant

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Figure 5.6.4.3 Figure 5.6.4.4

Figure 5.6.4.4 shows the Digital Outpu t tab on the Node Controller window. The controls

on this tab provide the following functionality:

• Set digital output value and select pulse duration tick interval

• Read current output value and pulse duration tick interval

• Set pulse width in milliseconds

• Set/Read power up default value for digital output

Figure 5.6.4.5 shows the Analog Input tab on the Node Controller window. The controls

on this tab provide the following functionality:

• Read ADC as 8-bit or 10-bit val ue

• Read/Set the high and low threshold values to fire an event

• Enable event reporting

• Read/Set the interval for automatic ADC readings

• Switch ADC to RSSI functionality; obtain RSSI readings

• Reset high and low threshold event flags

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Figure 5.6.4.5 Figure 5.6.4.6

Figure 5.6.4.6 shows the UART tab on the Node Controller window. The controls on this

tab provi de the following function ali ty:

• Read/Set UART baud rate, data bits, stop bits, parity

• Read/Set timeout to receive UART message

• Enable UART message received event reporting

• View received UART message

• Reset UART buffer

• Transmit UART message

Figure 5.6.4.7 shows the User A/B tab on the Node Controller window. The controls on

this tab provide the following functionality:

• Read/Set user messag e A

• Read/Set user messag e B

Figure 5.6.4.7 Figure 5.6.4.8

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Figure 5.6.4.8 shows the Power Save tab on the Node Controller window. The controls

on this tab provide the following functionality:

• Read/Set sleep time dynamically (RAM) or statically (EEPROM)

• Read/Set awake time dynamically or statically

• Read/Set the awake time LSB for quick time mode

• Enable/disable sleep, quick sleep, sleep cycling, I/O checking while sleeping, and

wake up from sleep to report an event

• Enable/disable router sleep cycling

Figure 5.6.4.9 shows the Mode tab on the Node Controller window. The controls on this

tab provi de the following function ali ty:

• Read the hardware model number (frequency)

• Read/Set DM1810 compatibility with DM1800 for a mixed system

• Read/Set the max number of routers to use for an inbound event message

Figure 5.6.4.9 Figure 5.6.4.10

Figure 5.6.4.10 shows the Tools tab on the Node Controller window. The controls on

this tab provide the following functionality:

• Select a message to AutoSend - Read Firmware Version, Read Digital Input,

Read User Message A, Send UART Message, Send Manual Message

• Textbox to input manual message

• Send manual message once

• AutoSend Start/Stop

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• Transmitt ed message count , Receiv ed (r esp onse) messag e cou nt and mi sse d

message count with counter reset.

The AutoSend function is very useful in evaluating the robustness of communications to

a field node and/or stress testing a network.

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6. DM1810 Quick Kits

6.1 Quick Kit Purpose

DM1810 Quick Kits provide a quick, low-cost way to evaluate DM1810 technology.

Quick Kits are intended primarily for use in a lab where USB cables, power sources,

etc., are already available.

6.2 Intended Kit User

DM1810 Quick Kits are intended for use by professional engineers with a working

knowledge of data communications and electronic sensor applications. These kits are

not intended for use by individuals that do not have this professional background.

Please refer to the Special Notices section in the front of this manual.

6.3 Quick Kit Frequencies

DM1810 Quick Kits are available on two frequencies. The DM1810-916-QK Quick Kit

operates on 916.5 MHz (North America) and the DM1810-434-QK operates at

433.92 MHz (Europe). This section of the manual applies to both kits.

6.4 Quick Kit Features

The DM1810 Development Kits include the following features:

• “Out of the box” wireless network demonstration

• Preconfigured and bound nodes - 1 base station, 1 router and 2 field nodes

• Field node includes an ADC input, a digital input, a digital output and a

serial interface

• Very low operating power requirements plus integrated power management -

compatible with battery operation

• Robust master-slave network connectivity

• Straightforward command/response application programming interface

• Flexible application I/O capability including pulse-count metering support

• FCC and Canadian IC certifications at 916.5 MHz and European ETSI certifica-

tions at 433.92 MHz

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6.5 Kit Assembly, Testing and Software Installation

Figure 6.5.1 shows the main contents of a DM1810 Quick Kit. The kit is supplied in

cardboard box with an ESD suppression coating.

Figure 6.5.1

6.5.1 Quick Kit Contents

• 1 DM1810 Base Station (Blue Label)

• 1 DM1810 Router (Red Label)

• 2 DM1810 Field Nodes (Green Label)

• 1 IM1800 Interface Module (for Base Station)

• 1 1.3 mm Power Plug

• Software and Documentation CD

6.5.2 Additional Items Needed

• 1 PC with Microsoft Windows® XP or Vista Operating System

• 3 power sources in the range of 3.1 to 10 V for the router and field nodes

• 1 A/B USB Cable

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6.5.3 Quick Kit Hardware Assembly

Observe ESD precautions when handling the development kit circuit boards. Install the

DM1810 base station in the IM1800 interface module a shown in Figure 6.5.3.1. Con-

nect an A/B USB cable to the IM1800, but do not plug the cable into the PC at this time.

Figure 6.5.3.1

Connect a power source in the voltage range of 3.1 to 10 V to each field node terminal

block as shown in Figure 6.5.3.2. Be very careful not to reverse the voltage polarity.

W ire the 1.3 mm coaxial power plug to a power supply for the router with the inner con-

ductor connected to the positive side of the power supply as shown in Figure 6.5.3.3.

Do not power on the router and field nodes at this time.

Figure 6.5.3.2 Figure 6.5.3.3

6.5.4 Utility Software Installation

Load the kit CD into the disk drive on your PC. The contents of the CD should appear in

a Windows Explorer (or My Documents) frame in a few seconds. If not, open Windows

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Explorer and select the disk drive that is running the CD. You will find the following di-

rectory and file structure on the CD:

• CP2101 Drivers Folder

• DM1810 Data Sheets Folder

• DM1810 Application Notes Folder

• DM1810 Controller Utility Folder

• DM1810 System User’s Guide

• DM1810-QK Quick Start Guide

• dotnetfx.exe

If your computer does not currently have the .NET framework installed, double click on

the dotnetfx.exe file to load the .NET framework on your computer.

Plug the USB cable connected to the IM1800 into your computer. The computer should

detect the CP2101 USB to serial port interface chip on the IM1800 and display New De-

vice Found on the PC. You can load the drivers from the CP2101 Drivers Folder on the

kit CD. To load the drivers from the CD, double click on CP210x_VCP_Win2K_S2K.exe

(two install cycles). Or you can install the latest drivers by searching for the CP2101

driver software on the Internet. The latest version will be on the Silicon Labs web site,

www.silabs.com.

In the DM1810 Controller Utility Folder run setup.exe to install the DM1810 Controller

Utility. The DM1810 Exerciser and several application programs are located in the Ap-

plication Notes Folder. These programs can be installed as needed.

6.5.5 Quick Kit Testing

Launch the DM1810 Controller utility program. The Controller will automatically search

for the serial port being used by the DM1810 base station. Once the base station is

found, the Base Station and Activity Log windows will be displayed as shown in Figures

6.5.5.1 an d 6.5.5 .2.

Figure 6.5.5.1 Figure 6.5.5.2

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Power up the router and each field node about 10 seconds apart. The router and field

nodes should each send a power up event message which will appear in the Activity

Log, as shown in Figure 6.5.5.3. This indicates normal kit operation. The quick kit is now

ready for use.

Figure 6.5.5.3

6.6 Kit Operation

6.6.1 AutoSend Range Testing

DM1810 modules have a built-in AutoSend feature useful for conducting range tests

without a host PC. The base station can be powered from a battery pack instead of the

USB connection. To invoke the AutoSend feature, press and hold the bind button as

power is applied to the base station, then release the bind button after about 4 seconds.

The DM1810 base station will send packets to field node addresses 1, 2, 3 in a repeat-

ing sequence. Field node 1 should hear the base (green LED) each time, and reply (red

LED) 1 out of 3 times. The router will forward these transmissions if turned on. To stop

the AutoSend mode, power down the base station and then power on normally.

6.6.2 Base Station and Network Configuration

Figure 6.6.2.1 shows the base station controller window of the DM1810 Controller after

all of the Read controls have be clicked. When a new network is commissioned, this in-

formation should be recorded to allow a failed base station to be replaced without hav-

ing to manually rebind all the nodes in the network. Values such as System ID and Sys-

tem Key are chosen at random by a base station, but can be overridden to replace a

failed base station by manually entering the System ID and System Key and writing

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them into the base station. Anytime a base station configuration is changed, it should be

reset by clicking the RESET button on the base station controller window. Base station

configuration changes should be done carefully and deliberately to avoid disabling a

network.

Figure 6.6.2.1

6.6.3 Router and Field Node Configuration