Neptune Technology R900, User Manual

Page 1: ...R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide ...

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Page 3: ...R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide ...

Page 4: ...ed trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited Trimble Ranger 3 is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited CE Net Windows Windows 6 1 and Windows Mobile Device Center are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation Other brands or product names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject...

Page 5: ...the FCC rules and regulations the MIU must be professionally installed by trained meter installers Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment Industry Canada IC Statements Section 8 4 of RSS GEN This device complies with Industry Canada License exempt RSS standard s Operation is subject to the fol...

Page 6: ...et émetteur radio ne peut fonctionner qu avec une antenne d un type et un gain maximal ou inférieur approuvé pour l émetteur par Industrie Canada Pour réduire les interférences radio potentielles avec d autres utilisateurs le type d antenne et son gain devraient être choisis de manière à ce que la puissance rayonnée isotropiquement équivalente e i r p ne soit pas supérieure à celle nécessaire à un...

Page 7: ...ure No UM R900 BCT 11 2020 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Part No 13719 001 Neptune Technology Group Inc 1600 Alabama Highway 229 Tallassee AL 36078 Tel 800 633 8754 Fax 334 283 7293 Copyright 2013 2020 Neptune Technology Group Inc All Rights Reserved ...

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Page 9: ...ble Nomad to the R900 BCT through Bluetooth Using the R900 BCT to Read a Route 8 8 9 R900 BCT Status Screen in N_SIGHT R900 BCT Status Screen in Neptune 360 Mobile Displaying Transceiver Information 11 RF Performance Modes 12 12 12 12 13 Selecting the R900 BCT Reading Mode Using the R900 BCT RF Test Mode From the Login Screen From the Route Screen R900 BCT SD Card Functionality 13 14 14 Using the ...

Page 10: ...ustment Override Readings 27 High Low Limit Tests 27 Meter Reading Field 28 Meter Readings Review 28 Manual Meter Review 28 29 High and Low Limit Fields Appendix B N_SIGHT Record Types Codes and Configurations 31 31 N_SIGHT Record Types Read Codes Types Meter Type Read Type Configurations 31 33 Appendix C N_SIGHT PLUS Required Forms 35 Fixed Network Questionnaire 35 Propagation Analysis 36 Appendi...

Page 11: ...ts N_SIGHT PLUS Server 39 39 40 40 41 Server Specifications R450 DC or R450 MC Backhauls Network Ethernet R450 DCs or R450 MCs Cellular GPRS or CDMA R450 DCs or R450 MCs R900 Gateway Backhauls 42 42 R900 Gateway v4 Using Web Services Cellular Data Plans 43 Glossary 45 Index 47 Contents ...

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Page 13: ...Figure 10 R900 BCT RF Mode Screen from Route Figure 11 Tab within N_SIGHT R900 Utilities Figure 12 R900 BCT Firmware Tab with Update Options Figure 13 Nine Digit LCD Display Figure 14 Initial Setup Values Dialog Figure 15 Adjust Dials Check Box Figure 16 Sample Fixed Network Questionnaire Figure 17 Propagation Analysis Request Form Figure 18 Fixed Network System Architecture Ethernet Bakhaul Figur...

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Page 15: ... Figure 10 R900 BCT RF Mode Screen from Route Figure 11 Tab within N_SIGHT R900 Utilities Figure 12 R900 BCT Firmware Tab with Update Options Figure 13 Nine Digit LCD Display Figure 14 Initial Setup Values Dialog Figure 15 Adjust Dials Check Box Figure 16 Sample Fixed Network Questionnaire Figure 17 Propagation Analysis Request Form Figure 18 Fixed Network System Architecture Ethernet Bakhaul Figu...

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Page 17: ...0 BCT collects readings and transfers them to the handheld through a Bluetooth connection The R900 BCT also receives and stores R900 readings to import into the billing system without the use of a handheld The R900 BCT is software defined so you can apply firmware updates to keep your R900 BCT current with new products introduced to the market You can pair the R900 BCT with either an Android or an...

Page 18: ...urning damaged equipment Save the packing box used to ship the handheld for repacking the unit in its original box The handling involved in land and air transport often subjects the handheld to impact beyond normal use The packing box absorbs shocks and protects the handheld during shipping R900 BCT Components R900 BCT Components below shows the basic components of the R900 BCT Figure 2 R900 BCT C...

Page 19: ...00 BCT defaults to the time from the last Nomad synchronization The following tables describe the R900 BCT modes of operation You change modes on the R900 BCT with a combination of the Mode and Enter buttons This combination prevents accidental mode changes during operation To cycle through available modes press Mode The Mode indicator flashes the color for the mode to enter To enter and display t...

Page 20: ...nect the USB The USB charger must be capable of supplying 1A of current USB mass storage White The SD card appears as an external drive to the PC To enter this mode 1 Connect the USB to the R900 BCT and to the PC You must connect the USB before the unit can enter the USB mass storage mode 2 Press MODE until the Mode LED flashes white 3 Press ENT The SD card now shows as an external drive attached ...

Page 21: ...are Functions Understanding the R900 BCT LED Operating Modes The following table defines the different colors for the flashing Mode LED State LED Colors Unit powered OFF No color LEDs off Power On Battery 100 31 Green On Battery 30 16 Yellow On Battery 15 6 Red On Battery 5 Critical Flashes red Battery Charging Flashes yellow Mode Normal mode Green Unattended mode Yellow Table 4 R900 BCT LED Opera...

Page 22: ...luetooth Not Connected Off Pairing Flashes blue Connected Blue Error Codes Temperature error Bluetooth and Power LED flash red five times Hardware error Bluetooth and Power LED are solid red Battery error Power LED flashes red and yellow Cannot power on battery too low Power LED flashes red three times SD card error Mode LED is solid red Table 4 R900 BCT LED Operating Modes continued 6 R900 Belt C...

Page 23: ...f you are pairing the Nomad to the R900 BCT for the first time 1 Power ON the R900 BCT and set to Normal Node if not already set See Understanding the R900 BCT Modes on page 3 2 On the Nomad click 3 Click 5 UTILS 4 Click 8 Belt Clip Status The AMR Connection screen appears The R900 BCT is visible in the Broadcasting Device drop down selection list 5 Choose the device from the drop down selection l...

Page 24: ...oint the R900 BCT s radio antenna toward the direction of the meter Neptune recommends meter readers place the belt clip for their R900 BCT with the antenna end pointed forward Human bodies and other structures can interfere with radio transmission between MIUs and the R900 BCT Wearing the R900 BCT with the antenna side pointed forward minimizes that interference R900 BCT Status Screen in N_SIGHT ...

Page 25: ...ntages RF Mode Allows you to change the reading mode for the R900 BCT by clicking the drop down selection list l Efficiency reduced RF performance has best battery life l Moderate default RF performance l Performance best RF performance decreases battery life Table 6 R900 BCT Status Screen Information R900 BCT Status Screen in Neptune 360 Mobile Follow these steps to access the belt clip status in...

Page 26: ...bile menu Figure 5 Neptune 360 Mobile Menu 3 Tap RECEIVER to display all compatible R900 Belt Clip Transceivers within connectivity range Figure 6 Available BCTs 4 Tap the ID for the transceiver you want to pair with 10 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide Chapter 2 Using the R900 BCT ...

Page 27: ...mobile device 1 On the Neptune 360 Mobile main menu tap the transceiver ID at the bottom of the screen Figure 7 Transceiver ID Neptune 360 Mobile displays the following screen showing the transceiver details Figure 8 Paired Transceiver Details R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide 11 Chapter 2 Using the R900 BCT ...

Page 28: ... do not impact the range Selecting the R900 BCT Reading Mode To choose the reading mode complete the following steps 1 On the Nomad click 2 Click 5 UTILS 3 Click 8 Belt Clip Status The R900 BCT Status screen appears 4 Tap the drop down selection list for RF Mode to choose the reading mode See Setting Up the R900 Belt Clip Transceiver on page 1 Using the R900 BCT RF Test Mode RF Test Mode allows th...

Page 29: ... RF Test Mode screen appears Figure 10 R900 BCT RF Mode Screen from Route R900 BCT SD Card Functionality Any data that the R000 BCT reads and captures it stores on its internal SD card The SD card also handles the firmware updates explained in the R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Overview on page 1 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide 13 Chapter 2 Using the R900 BCT ...

Page 30: ...functionality to test the MIU s transmission For additional information consult the NGO product literature Updating the R900 BCT Firmware You cannot update multiple R900 BCTs at once you must update them individually When there is an update to the R900 BCT firmware it is available from Neptune through the web updates in the R900 BCT software You can also obtain it from Neptune Customer Support thr...

Page 31: ... Mode To update through the SD card use an SD card reader to transfer the Firmware Update File to the SD card To update the R900 BCT firmware complete the following steps 1 Connect the R900 BCT to the PC and place it in Mass Storage Mode 2 In the N_SIGHT R900 host software select Utilities 3 Select the Beltclip Firmware tab See Tab within N_SIGHT R900 Utilities below Figure 11 Tab within N_SIGHT R...

Page 32: ... Update looks to the Neptune servers for an updated version of the R900 BCT firmware and downloads it to the database l Local File allows you to import updated firmware from a thumb drive network drive or FTP site into the database l Belt Clip Update locates the updated firmware file after the updated firmware is downloaded and sends it to the R900 BCT through the USB transfer cable 16 R900 Belt C...

Page 33: ...solution of the E CODER Readings from ARB V and ProRead encoders are padded with trailing zeros to fill the eight digits Example A two board ARB V register reading of 1234 becomes 12340000 in the N_SIGHT host software There are settings in N_SIGHT that allow the number of dials displayed to be eight or less Typical Meter Dials The cubic foot measurement dial is used in the following examples Readi...

Page 34: ...ed zeros are not included in the meter reading l The sixth digit in a six digit ARB reading is displayed as a five or zero The CIS utility billing system vendor must compensate for the number of billing units based on utility specific requirements This procedure is normally handled by the billing software by using a multiplier or type code for each meter type to calculate the billing amount In a m...

Page 35: ...he previous examples are hard wired to present either a four digit or six digit meter reading The odometer in the ProRead registers is also available with those options but the meter can be programmed to return up to the maximum number of digits that are hard wired in the odometers Programming always begins at the leftmost odometer digit Example A four digit hard wired version can be programmed to...

Page 36: ...al Register The E CODER is an electronic digital encoder register that has a proprietary integrated circuit that provides absolute registration with no internal battery requirement The E CODER functions in two modes E CoderBASIC and E CoderPLUS The E CoderBASIC mode functionality is the same as ProRead featuring a programmable ID number up to 10 digits three user characters and three digit to six ...

Page 37: ...t position l This reading 123 456 cubic feet 123 456 789 cubic feet If programed as a six digit meter reading the interrogator and hand held device displays After the handheld device is unloaded the N_SIGHT host software database dependent on the number of dials justification and zero fill setting in the N_SIGHT software setup In the following example the number of dials is 6 displayed as Example ...

Page 38: ...receiving the RF transmission displays 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The read displayed appears like this example in either RF Test Mode or in Route Mode 1 2 3 4 5 6 The display is dependent upon the number of dials justification and zero fill setting in the N_SIGHT software setup In the previous example the number of dials is six Example 2 E CODER Odometer Gallon dial for residential meters inch through 1 inch...

Page 39: ...5678 9 123456789 Table 9 Meter Reading Display for Cubic Feet and Gallons The sixth digit in a six digit meter reading is rounded down to five or zero Readings as They Appear For Small Meters inch 1 inch Intermediate Meters 1 inch 4 inch Large Meters 6 inch and up E CODER ARB VII Dial Cubic Feet 12345 6789 123456 789 1234567 89 Table 10 Meter Reading Display for Cubic Meters Manual Meter Readings ...

Page 40: ...cu ft meter Enter the five left most digits including leading zeros l 100 cu ft meter Enter the six left most digits including leading zeros In some cases the utility can instruct the meter reader to enter the reading without leading zeros This can work because the CIS utility billing system vendor can construct the correct consumption and produce a bill from these types of readings Right Justify ...

Page 41: ... Values Dialog This option reads only the first set of digits depending on the number of dials set in the Import file When this option is selected the Adjust Dials option appears This option allows you to set the number of dials This option is only available if you check the box for Adjust R900 Readings Examples If the number of dials is set to four then the system reads and returns the reading fo...

Page 42: ...GHT Meter Reading and Override on page 17 Select Adjust R900 Readings to enable the setup option Figure 14 Initial Setup Values Dialog The Adjust R900 Readings option only appears when EZRoute is selected for Import Type The option reads only the first set of digits depending on the number of dials set in the import file 26 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide Appendix A N_SIGHT Meter Reading an...

Page 43: ... Import file should be set to adjust to the actual number of digits of the reading If the Number of Dials is less than the actual reading digits the readings have a shortened number of digits and are not accurate Override Readings This section describes overriding the meter readings High Low Limit Tests As meter readings are entered a high low meter reading limit test is performed on all accounts ...

Page 44: ...tween three and six digits in a meter reading program The meter transmits leading zeros in ARB readings which the handheld receives If the Read Direction is L or R the number of digits in the Hi Lo fields must match the number of digits in the reading If the Read Direction is C then leading zeros in the accompanying High Limit and Low Limit fields can be omitted but the Number of Dials field must ...

Page 45: ... would need to be equivalent quantities l Number of Dials six High Limit 001350 or 1350 l Number of Dials five High Limit 00135 or 135 l Number of Dials four High Limit 0013 or 13 High Limit Field Low Limit Field Test Results Contains nines Contains zeros All readings pass the high low test Contains all spaces Contains all spaces Handheld does not attempt the test for that account Contents equals ...

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Page 47: ...ype Description COMHD Company Header RTEHD Route Header belongs to the company header it follows PRMDT Premises Detail Belongs to the route header it follows PRMNT Premises Notes Belongs to the premises detail it follows MTRDT Meter Detail Belongs to the premises detail it follows ORDST Order Status Belongs to the meter it follows Export file only RDGDT Reading Detail Belongs to the meter it follo...

Page 48: ...KL Keyed Low KN Keyed Negative Usage KR Keyed Read KV Keyed Verified KZ Keyed Zero Consumption RA Radio Alpha Characters RH Radio High Reading RI Radio Inactive RL Radio Low Reading RN Radio Negative Consumption RR Radio Read RT Radio Tamper RV Radio Verified RZ Radio Zero Consumption Table 13 Read Code Types continued 32 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide Appendix B N_SIGHT Record Types Codes...

Page 49: ...er Type Indicates WATR 0001 Advantage WATR 0002 R900 WATR 0003 ERT WATR 0004 Keyed KWHR 0009 Keyed DEMA 0010 Keyed Table 15 Multiple Read Type Examples Read Type Meter Type Indicates WATH 0011 Keyed WATL 0011 Keyed Table 16 Compound Meters Meter Types cannot be shared with multiple Read Types unless it involves the high and low sides of a compound meter R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide 33 Ap...

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Page 51: ...ndix provides information about the Sample Fixed Network Questionnaire and Propagation Analysis Request Form necessary for N_SIGHT PLUS Fixed Network Questionnaire You must complete the Fixed Network Questionnaire before implementing an AMI system Figure 16 Sample Fixed Network Questionnaire ...

Page 52: ... factors are required to evaluate the utility account area to determine the extent of R450 or R900 system coverage Following is a Sample Propagation Analysis Request Form Neptune uses to conduct the propagation study Figure 17 Propagation Analysis Request Form 36 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide Appendix C N_SIGHT PLUS Required Forms ...

Page 53: ...NTP service l Set up the server with the local admin account required for support upgrades maintenance etc l Configure the server network connections to email server firewall third party applications client workstations etc l Open the R900 Gateway to server communication ports in the firewall You can do this through an Ethernet connection to a switch router media converter or point to point radio ...

Page 54: ...DP Support access to server Table 17 Firewall Server and Router Ports Key Points l The server must connect to the utility SMTP mail server in order to process system generated emails and alarms Default SMTP port TCP 25 is required l The server must have a static IP address internal public external and DNS for R450 DCs R450 MCs and R900 Gateways Public External IP DNS is required for cellular can a...

Page 55: ...ular backhaul is used TCP 2440 must be opened on the firewall l The R450 DCs and R450 MCs require NTP service The server should be configured with NTP in Windows OS or other utility NTP server otherwise R450 DCs and R450 MCs need connection to public NTP servers Using this NTP source requires UDP 123 to be open l The FTP ports 20 and 21 are required for the Neptune Technical Support Group to trans...

Page 56: ...re either dynamic or static IP addresses Static IP addresses are more reliable and secure for firewall maintenance as ports can be opened for specific addresses rather than a range of addresses assigned by the IT network administrator Regardless a list of IP addresses or ranges must be made available prior to R450 DCs or R450 MCs configuration and activation An external IP address is required for ...

Page 57: ...e utility network and connect through the Internet to the database Figure 19 Fixed Network System Architecture Cellular Backhaul The modems in the R450 DCs and R450 MCs support GSM GPRS or CDMA networks The R450 DCs and R450 MCs require either dynamic or static IP addresses provided by the carrier Static IP addresses are more reliable and secure for firewall maintenance as ports can be opened for ...

Page 58: ...plied by 4 GB The carrier could require a SIM card and or the IMEI ESN or MEID from cellular modem to add to account and provision The IMEI ESN or MEID are provided to the project utility stakeholders after R450 DCs and R450 MCs are shipped from the manufacturer so the account setup and provisioning can be completed by carrier If static IP addresses are desired for implementation they must be requ...

Page 59: ...g multiple cellular devices into one large bucket of data so make sure bucket equals the number of R900 Gateway multiplied by 4 GB The carrier could require a SIM card or the IMEI ESN or MEID from the cellular modem to add to the account and provision The IMEI ESN or MEID are provided to Project Utility Stakeholders after R900 Gateways are shipped from the manufacturer so the carrier can complete ...

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Page 61: ...onsumption and other information such as usage leak and flow status to support advanced applications AMR Automated or Automatic Meter Reading ARB Automatic Reading and Billing B BCT Belt Clip Transceiver C CCM Central Configuration Manager CIS Customer Information System M MIU Meter Interface Unit R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide 45 ...

Page 62: ...nalysis and presentment capabilities R RDP Remote Desktop Protocol T Trimble Nomad Handheld device you use for keyed entry probed and walk by RF data collection The handheld pairs with Neptune s R900 Belt Clip Transceiver for RF activated data logging and off cycle reading V VPN Virtual Private Network 46 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide ...

Page 63: ... 1 2 broadcast messages 8 C cable USB transfer 16 cellular 37 41 data plans 43 modem 42 43 change modes R900 BCT 3 chapter 1 CIS 18 37 components R900 BCT 2 configuration meter type 33 read type 33 D damage inspecting for 2 data logging with R900 BCT 14 database updated firmware 16 dials 17 direction antenna placement 8 dynamic IP 42 E E CODER basic mode 21 plus mode 22 Ethernet 37 40 external IP ...

Page 64: ... explained 5 mode 5 power 5 M manual meter review 28 mass storage 15 meter reading 17 18 24 field 28 manual 23 review 28 review manual 28 meter reading cycle illustrated 1 modems 41 modes mass storage 15 operation 3 RF performance 8 RF test 12 SD card error 6 unattended 4 N N_SIGHT read codes 31 N_SIGHT R900 host software 15 status screen 8 9 utilities tab 15 NGO app 14 Nomad pairing with R900 BCT...

Page 65: ...e updates 1 illustrated 2 NGO app 14 Nomad pairing with 7 overview 1 pair bluetooth 7 read route 8 SD card 13 status screen 8 USB transfer cable 16 R900 BCT modes LED operating 5 operation 3 summary 3 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver overview 1 USB transfer cable 16 RDP 37 reading a route 8 reading mode access 12 reading override 27 readings store 1 record type 31 register RF E CODER 20 ProRead 19 perfo...

Page 66: ... 37 shipping damage 2 SIM 42 specifications N_SIGHT PLUS server 39 static IP 40 status screen N_SIGHT R900 8 9 store R900 readings 1 synchronize R900 BCT with Nomad 3 time 3 T time synchronize R900 BCT and Nomad 3 transfer readings to handheld 1 U unattended mode 4 update firmware 16 USB mass storage 4 USB transfer cable 16 V VPN 37 50 R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Users Guide Index ...

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Page 68: ...UG R900 Belt Clip Transceiver Part No 13719 001 Copyright 2006 2020 Neptune Technology Group Inc Neptune is a registered trademark of ...