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Connector for Wireless Sensors (EXTxxxxx) Follow

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Chris Moorhouse
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In this article

    This article should be read in conjunction with the Sensor Gateway Service Settings article.

    The Connector for Wireless Sensors is a wireless sensor interface expander for the MobiusFlow Gateway or MobiusFlow Virtual Cloud Gateway. It sends and receives data between a range of wireless sensors and actuators, and a MobiusFlow Gateway.

    The connector has multiple options for both upstream and downstream connectivity.

    All data telegrams are checked for integrity before being securely forwarded to a MobiusFlow Gateway. In addition to TLS, each connector is configured with a pre-shared key ensuring that it is paired with the correct gateway.

     

    mceclip0.png

     

    Architecture

    The Wireless Sensor Connector collects data from sensors and sends data to actuators via standard wireless sensor protocols such as EnOcean, Workplace Occupancy, and IQRF, and sends this data securely to a MobiusFlow Gateway or MobiusFlow Virtual Cloud Gateway using the MQTT based MobiusFlow Sensor Protocol.

    Once the data has been received by a MobiusFlow Gateway it is decoded and the associated MobiusFlow object is updated with the latest sensor readings which can then be processed by the gateway.

    The diagram below shows this architecture.

    Connectivity Options

    Upstream (connector to gateway)

    Connection Installed by Default Comments
    WiFi Yes 2.4GHz only
    Wired Ethernet No, must be specified when ordering 100Mbps
    NB-IoT* No, must be specified when ordering SIM card ordered separately
    LTE-M* No, must be specified when ordering SIM card ordered separately

     *Available Q3 2021 

    Downstream (connector to sensors)

    All connectors have two module slots. One wireless sensor protocol radio can be installed in each slot so it is possible to have two protocols in each connector e.g. EnOcean and IQRF.

    Protocol Can be installed in slot Comments
    WPO Slot 1 or Slot 2**  
    EnOcean Slot 1 or Slot 2**  
    IQRF Slot 1 or Slot 2** Two may be installed to increase size of network

    **The NB-IoT or LTE-M option is installed in module slot 2 so only one wireless sensor protocol can be installed if you are using NB-IoT or LTE-M.

     

    Part Numbers

    The required part number can be determined from the diagram below. 

    For example, a connector with European frequency radios, WiFi and PoE, and EnOcean in slot 1 and WPO in slot 2 would have part number EXT00121

    mceclip1.png

     

    Power Supplies

    There are three* options for powering connectors. Only one supply is required but it is possible to have more than one connected. 

    Power Supply Power Requirements
    USB USB Micro cable 5vdc 1A
    Screw Terminals 5 to 24vdc 0.75A 
    PoE*
    IEEE 802.3af compliant 15W

     

    For most installations we recommend using the Screw Terminals or PoE for power as the connections are more secure than the USB option.

     

    *PoE power is only available if the Wired Ethernet adaptor is installed.
    More than 24vdc on the screw terminals will damage the device!

     

    Connectors and Indicators

    mceclip2.png

    Item Description Comments
    1 Ethernet port and PoE supply  
    2 5 to 24vdc screw terminals  
    3
    USB power
    		  
    4
    Configuration button
    Push and hold to enter config mode or factory reset
    5
    Power OK indicator
    Connector is powered
    6
    5 to 24vdc power OK
    		  
    7
    USB power OK
    		  
    8
    PoE power OK
    		  
    9 MobiusFlow connected Connected to MobiusFlow gateway
    10
    Network connected (upstream)
    Network connection established
    11
    Module present in slot 1
    		  
    12
    Module 1 activity
    Flashes when module 1 sends or receives data
    13
    Module present in slot 2
    		  
    14
    Module 2 activity
    Flashes when module 2 sends or receives data

     

    Powering up the Connector

    After applying power the Power OK indicator will illuminate. The Connector will run though its self-check routine where all of the indicator lamps will illuminate in a linear pattern. If this does not happen check that your power supply is switched on and properly connected.

    After the self-check routine, either the 5 to 24vdc Power, USB Power, or PoE Power indicator will illuminate. In addition the Module 1 Present and Module 2 Present indicators will illuminate if modules are installed in those slots.

    If the Connector has been configured correctly it will attempt to connect to the network and MobiusFlow Gateway.

     

    Configuring the Connector

    The Connector will automatically exit configuration mode and reboot after 10 minutes.

    The Connector is configured using a web browser to view the configuration pages served by the Connector's onboard web server. To activate this web server press and hold the Configuration Button using a small pin. Release the button as soon as the Network Connected indicator (green LED) starts flashing rapidly (ten times per second).

    Once the Connector is in configuration mode it will create a WiFi access point. Using a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop search for a WiFi network with the same name as the Connector's serial number (the serial number can be found on a label on the side of the Connector). Enter the WiFi password if required to complete the WiFi connection.

    The default configuration WiFi password is iaconnects. This password should be changed during configuration.

    Open a web browser and type 192.168.4.1 into the address bar and hit enter. The Connector configuration Home page will load. 

     

    Configuration Home Page

    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.27.39.png

    The Home page has the following options:

    • Configure Network - select an upstream connection method and network settings 
    • Manage Certificates - add and remove certificates for secure TLS connections
    • Configure Mobius - configure the connection to the MobiusFlow Gateway
    • Set Config Mode Password - set the configuration mode WiFi password
    • About - view information such as installed modules, network MAC addresses and, version numbers
    • Reboot Device - reboot the Connector to apply the settings

     

    Configure Network Page

    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.30.06.png

    The Configure Network page has the following options:

    • Select Network Type - select the upstream connection method. Options are WiFi, Wired, NB-IoT, or LTE-M. Only available options are shown. WiFi, NB-IoT, or LTE-M settings sections will become visible at the bottom of the page if you select on of these types
    • Timeout - the connector will attempt to connect to your network and your Mobius gateway. If it is unable to connect within this time it will reboot and try again
    • Select TCP/IP Mode - select via DHCP or Manually to choose how TCP/IP settings are configured. If you select DHCP the TCP/IP settings section below will be hidden
    • TCP/IP Settings - this section will only be visible if you have selected to manually assign an IP address. Set the IP address, Subnet Mask, Network Gateway and DNS Server addresses for your network
    • WiFi Settings - this section will only be visible if you have selected to WiFi Network as the connection type. Enter the WiFi SSID and Password. You can scan for networks to see a list of available WiFi networks. Choosing one from the list will populate the SSID field
    • Save - click Save to save these settings
    • Cancel - click Cancel to ignore any changes

     

    Manage Certificates Page

    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.30.22.png

    The Manage Certificates page allows you to paste in certificates for TLS and has the following options:

    • CA Certificate - paste in your server's root certificate. This is required for TLS. The default CA certificate is DST Root CA X3 which is used by MobiusFlow Virtual Cloud Gateways
    • Client Certificate - paste in your client certificate if required
    • Private Key - paste in your client certificate's private key if required
    • Save - click Save to save these settings
    • Cancel - click Cancel to ignore any changes

    Note: private keys with a passphrase are not currently supported

     

    Configure Mobius Page

    Before completing this page read the Sensor Gateway Service Settings article as the settings entered here must match the settings you enter into this service in your Gateway.
    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.31.24.png

    The Configure Mobius page is used to setup the connection between the Connector and a MobiusFlow Gateway. It has the following options:

    • Mobius Service Settings (SID) - the MobiusFlow Service ID that this connector will be assigned. This must be unique and not conflict with any service ID on the Gateway. 
    • Mobius Service Settings (PSK) - the pre-shared key used to add a second security layer to TLS connections and provide message integrity for non TLS connections. This PSK is also used by the Gateway to ensure that the Connector is authorised to connect
    • Addr / URL - the TCP/IP Address or URL of the Gateway
    • Port - the TCP/IP Port that has been configured in the Sensor Gateway Service on the Gateway
    • Security - select whether TLS and Client Certificates should be used. Before selecting these options ensure that you have added the relevant certificates
    • Description - an optional field which maps to the Description field in the Connector Status Object in the Gateway
    • Location - an optional field which maps to the Location field in the Connector Status Object in the Gateway
    • Save - click Save to save these settings
    • Cancel - click Cancel to ignore any changes

     

    Set Config Mode Password Page

    mceclip3.png

    The Set Config Mode Password page allows you change the configuration mode WiFi password.

    Enter a new password and confirm it. The password must be at least 8 characters long.

    Click Save to update the password or Cancel to ignore any changes 

    Note: It is not possible to recover this password if you forget it. You will have to perform a factory reset

     

    About Page

    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.31.56.png

    The About page shows details such as the MAC Addresses of the network interfaces and which modules are installed.

    Where applicable, additional information such as the EnOcean chip ID are also shown

    Click Update Firmware to update the connector's firmware

     

    Update Firmware

    Make sure you select the correct firmware file during this process!

    Screenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.32.11.pngScreenshot_2021-01-07_at_10.32.30.png

    The Update Firmware page allows you to upload new firmware and write it to the connector.

    Click the Choose file input. A file browser will open allowing you to select the new firmware binary (.bin) file.

     

    After selecting the new firmware file the Update button will appear. Click it to write this firmware to the connector

     

     

    Factory Reset

    It is possible to factory reset a Connector. This will clear all settings including the configuration mode WiFi password.

    To reset the Connector, hold in the Configuration Button for 6 seconds. The MobiusFlow Connected indicator will start to flashing rapidly to indicate that the Connector is in configuration mode. Do not release the button until you see the power up self-check indicator light pattern.

    The default values are as follows (all other settings are blank):

    Setting Default Value
    Configuration Mode WiFi Password iaconnects
    Network Type Wired if a wired Ethernet interface is installed, else WiFi 
    TCP/IP Mode
    DHCP
    CA Certificate
    DST Root CA X3 (used by MobiusFlow Virtual Cloud Gateways)
    TLS Using CA Certificate
    Checked

     

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