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Solar Radiation Monitoring Sensor Quick Start Guide

Prerequisites​

Before proceeding with each step for using the RAK2560 WisNode Sensor Hub module, ensure that you have the necessary items listed below:

Figure 12360: Solutions package inclusion

Hardware Tools​

  • Sensor Hub Solar Radiation Monitoring Solution
  • Solar Battery Lite for Sensor Hub (Optional)
  • Additional accessories: Probe Cable, Probe Splitter, power supply, and others (numbers and variations depending on the use case)
  • An Android or iOS mobile device with Bluetooth and NFC

Software​

Solution Configuration​

Sensor Hub Setup​

SIM Card Installation​

If the selected solution utilizes the NB-IoT/LTE CAT-M wireless communication mode, follow these steps to insert a SIM card. If you opt for the LoRaWAN wireless communication mode, skip this section, as a SIM card is not required.

  1. Remove the back cover by unscrewing the four screws with a cross screwdriver.
Figure 12361: Remove the back cover
  1. Insert the SIM card into the groove, then gently push it into the card slot.
Figure 12362: Insert the SIM card

Sensor Hub Mounting​

Wall Mounting​
  1. Use a 5 mm drill bit to drill holes in the wall, then insert the screw anchors into the holes.
Figure 12363: Installation Preparation
  1. Secure the mounting bracket to the wall by using self-tapping screws.
Figure 12364: Secure the mounting bracket
  1. Align the device's hanging tab with the slots on the bracket, and then insert the tab into the slots. Pull the device downwards until it snaps into place.
Figure 12365: Align the device with the hanging tabs
Pole Mounting​
  1. Fix the mounting bracket to the pole using a steel strap.
Figure 12366: Fix the Mounting Bracket
NOTE

Mount the bracket on a pole with a 50-80 mm diameter. For larger poles, use a bigger steel strap. The standard kit does not include a larger steel strap. Purchase separately if needed.

  1. Align the hanging tabs of the device with the slots on the bracket, then insert the tabs into the slots. Gently pull the device downwards until it securely snaps into place.
Figure 12367: Device installation
  1. Insert a security screw at the top to fasten the device and the bracket together.
Figure 12368: Fasten the device and the bracket

RAK2560 WisNode Sensor Hub + Solar Radiation Sensor Setup​

Sensor Probe IO + Solar Radiation Sensor Installation​

The Solar Radiation Sensor comes pre-assembled with the Sensor Probe IO by default at the factory, so no additional assembly is required.

Figure 12369: Solar Radiation Sensor

Sensor Hub + Sensor Probe IO + Solar Radiation Sensor Installation​

  1. Connect the Sensor Probe IO to the SensorHub using the SP11 connector.
  2. Align the white dot mark on the Sensor Probe IO SP11 connector plug with the white dot mark on the SensorHub SP11 connector socket, and push the plug firmly into the socket.
  3. Once connected, tighten the locking nut to secure the SP11 connector. The Sensor Probe IO can be linked to any Sensor Hub SP11 connector port. Refer to the actual use and connect to the appropriate port as illustrated in Figure 11.
Figure 12370: Connect the Sensor Probe IO
Figure 12371: Installation complete

Power Supply Setup​

The Sensor Hub relies on the Sensor Probe IO for connectivity to the Solar Radiation combo sensors. Consequently, it cannot be powered by batteries alone and requires a connection to either a solar panel or a 12 VDC power supply for operation.

RAK9154 Solar Battery Installation​

NOTE

Mount the bracket on a pole with a 50-80 mm diameter. For larger poles, use a bigger steel strap. The standard kit does not include a larger steel strap. Purchase separately if needed.

  1. Secure the mounting bracket to the pole using two steel straps.
Figure 12372: Secure the mounting bracket
  1. Attach the mounting plate to RAK9154 using two (2) M3 screws.
Figure 12373: Secure the mounting plate
  1. Install the RAK9154 to the back of the solar panel using four (4) screws and nuts.
Figure 12374: Attach the RAK9154 to solar panel
  1. Connect the cable from the solar panel to the PV Input connector of RAK9154. Install two M6 screws on the mounting plate with a clearance of about 3 mm.
Figure 12375: RAK9154 and Solar Panel Connection
  1. Suspend the solar panel on the mounting bracket, adjust its angle and direction, and then secure it by tightening the two (2) M6 screws along with the remaining two screws.
Figure 12376: Install the solar panel combination
  1. Connect the Sensor Hub to the RAK9154. Use a cable to link the remaining connection ports of the Sensor Hub to the Output 1 SP11 connection port of the RAK9154.
NOTE

When connecting to RAK9154, ensure that the Sensor Hub is connected to the Output 1 connection port.

Figure 12377: Connect Sensor Hub and RAK9154
  1. Once the connection is complete, the Sensor Hub is ready to be powered up.

12 VDC Power Supply Installation​

  1. Connect the power adapter and the external power cable of the Sensor Hub through the circular DC interface.
Figure 12378: Power adapter connection
  1. Connect the external power cable to the Sensor Hub through the SP11 connector.
  2. Align the white dot mark on the SP11 connector plug of the external power cable with the white dot mark on the Sensor Hub SP11 connector socket, and push the plug in firmly into the socket.
  3. After the plug and socket are connected, tighten the locking nut to secure the SP11 connector. The external power cable can connect to any Sensor Hub connection port.
Figure 12379: Connect external power supply

Software Configuration Guide​

Sensor Hub Configuration​

Power Up Sensor Hub​

After installing all hardware components, connect the power supply. If the power supply consists of a solar panel and a battery, the device will power on automatically once all hardware has been installed.

warning

To prevent damage to the device, refrain from powering up the Sensor Hub before connecting it to the sensor. It is advisable to use the 12 VDC adapter provided with the Sensor Hub for optimal performance.

Connect Sensor Hub to WisToolBox​

  1. Download and install the WisToolBox app on your smart mobile device. The WisToolBox app is available for download from the Apple App Store and the Android Google Play Store.

  2. Initiate the app and confirm that NFC and Bluetooth are enabled on your mobile device. Click on START.

Figure 12380: Start the App
  1. On the Select connection mode menu, choose NFC Activation.
Figure 12381: Select NFC Activation
  1. Select the Sensor HUB option in the device selection interface to establish a connection.
Figure 12382: Select Sensor Hub
  1. Click the CONNECT button to initiate the scanning process for devices.
Figure 12383: Click on the CONNECT button
  1. Hold your mobile device close to the N symbol on the SensorHub device.
Figure 12384: Scanning in progress
NOTE

The detection of the Sensor Hub device indicates that the device has been successfully powered up.

Figure 12385: Scan Successful
  1. After the connection is established, there will be a synchronization of device data. This process may take some time.
Figure 12386: Sync Device
NOTE
  • By default, if no connection is established within 30 seconds, the BLE broadcast of the Sensor Hub will automatically shut down. To establish a connection, connect the RAK device immediately after turning on the power or restart the power.
  • Certain Android smartphones may necessitate enabling GPS to connect to BLE. Enabling GPS does not involve the use or sharing of sensitive information with the app.
  1. Upon completion of data synchronization, the app will automatically transition to the SENSOR HUB INFO page.
Figure 12387: SENSOR HUB INFO page
  1. While on the SENSOR HUB INFO page, configure the Uplink Settings according to the selected network.
Figure 12388: Uplink Settings option
  1. Once configured, click SAVE SELECTION and then the APPLY button to implement the configuration options.
Figure 12389: Apply the configuration options

After a few seconds, the synchronization progress will be completed, concluding this process.

Figure 12390: Commands applied successfully

Sensor Hub Network Configuration​

LoRaWAN Configuration​

This section focuses on configuring LoRaWAN parameters and joining the network. Before proceeding with the following steps, ensure that both the gateway and Sensor Hub are successfully connected to the server.

Refer to the Connect the Gateway to the Server and Connect Sensor Hub to the Server sections for detailed instructions.

  1. Click on the LORA & LORAWAN PARAMETERS tab. Configure the following parameters:

Global Settings

Figure 12391: Global Settings
  • Join Mode: Configure the Join mode based on the device's network access mode: Over-The-Air Activation (OTAA) or Activation By Personalization (ABP). Make sure it matches the join mode registered on the network server.
  • Active Region: Set the Active region to the device's frequency plan. Ensure that it is consistent with the gateway and device frequency plan registered on the network server.

Supported frequency bands include CN470, RU864, IN865, EU868, US915, AU915, KR920, AS923-1/2/3/4.

LoRaWAN keys, ID, EUI

  • For the OTAA join mode, configure the following parameters: Application EUI, Application key, and Device EUI.
Figure 12392: LoRaWAN parameters

  • Application EUI: Confirm that it matches the device's Application EUI as registered in the network server.

  • Application key: Verify its alignment with the device's Application key registered in the network server. Click GENERATE KEY to create a new key if needed.

  • Device EUI: Confirm that it matches the device's EUI as registered in the network server.

  • For the ABP join mode, configure the following parameters: Application session key, Device address, Network session key.

Data on LoRa® Network

Figure 12393: Data on LoRa® Network
  • Confirm mode: Message confirmation mode.
  • Enable auto join: Determine whether to activate automatic network access. When enabled, the device will join the network automatically upon powering up.
  • Network status: Indicates the status of the network connection. It will be activated automatically once successfully connected to the network.
  • ADR: The Adaptive Data Rate optimizes data rates in the network. Toggle the button to enable or disable it.
  • JOIN NETWORK: After completing the network parameter, click the JOIN NETWORK button to run the join network command.
  1. After clicking JOIN NETWORK, a message Message sent will appear, indicating that the join network command has been sent.
Figure 12394: Join the network
NB-IoT/LTE CAT-M1 Configuration​

This section primarily introduces the configuration of LTE-M network parameters. If you are using the NB-IoT/LTE CAT-M1 network, after connecting the device, select LTE-M in the Uplink Settings options on the SENSOR HUB INFO interface to display the LTE-M PARAMETERS configuration tab.

  1. Click the LTE-M PARAMETERS tab. Check the following parameters to ensure the normal use of the network.
Figure 12395: View the NB-IOT PARAMETERS tab parameters

NB-IoT Network

  • OPERATOR: shows the Network operator. If the operator's name is displayed, it indicates that the device has recognized the SIM card. For example, T-Mobile.

IP Network

  • STATUS: If the status is Activated, it signifies that the network of the SIM card is functioning normally.
  1. Select the Application option to set up the cellular network parameters.
Figure 12396: Configure the cellular network parameters
  • Service: choose a service, either AWS IoT Core or Generic MQTT. Let's take Generic MQTT as an example.
  • Server address: input the server address. Using the external MQTT broker as an example, enter broker.hivemq.com. Enter the address based on your specific use case.
  • Server Port: specify the server port according to your configuration.
  • Client ID: set the client ID for your device.
  • Enable user auth: decide whether to activate user authentication for your device.
  • Enable SSL: decide whether to activate SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) for secure communication.
Figure 12397: Configure the Subscription Topics
  • Publish Topic: specify the topic for publishing messages.
  • Data Format: select JSON as the preferred format for data transmission.
  • Subscribe Topic: subscribe to the topic for receiving incoming messages, as illustrated in this example.
  1. Following the configuration, click APPLY in the command list at the bottom of the interface to implement the changes. If the message All commands applied successfully appears, it indicates a successful configuration modification.
Figure 12398: Apply the modified configuration
  1. When the configuration is accurate and the connection to the server is successful, the Connection Status will display as connected.
Figure 12399: Successfully connected to the server

Sensor Configuration​

This section details the configuration process of the Solar Radiation sensor. It shows how to access the monitoring data and device details of the Solar Radiation sensor. Additionally, there’s an option to configure other information for each monitoring parameter, such as the uplink data sending period and threshold.

  1. To start with, click the SENSOR PROBE tab to display the connected Solar Radiation sensor.
Figure 12400: Solar Radiation Sensor
  1. Click the dropdown arrow to expand the details of the Solar Radiation sensor.
Figure 12401: Sensor Information
  • Pyranometer: Solar radiation value.
  • FETCH DATA: Update the monitoring data from the sensor.
  • Device details: Information of the solar radiation sensor.sensor.
Figure 12402: Sensor Details
  1. Configure the periodic uplink data sending, threshold, and other pertinent information of the sensor.
Figure 12403: Sensor details
  • Sensor data: Information provided by the sensor.
  • FETCH DATA: Update the latest sensor data.
  • Send uplink if value changes: Send uplink data if the sensor data changes.
  • Sensor interval(s): The payload sending interval in seconds. It determines how often the sensor sends uplink data to the server, with a range interval from 60 ~ 86,400 seconds. Set this parameter when the Send periodic uplink is enabled.
  • Send periodic uplink: Send uplink data periodically based on the sensor interval.
  • Lower threshold, W/m2: Specifies the minimum acceptable solar radiation value.
  • Send uplink if below threshold: Trigger the transmission of uplink data if the value falls below the lower threshold.
  • Upper threshold, W/m2: Maximum acceptable solar radiation value.
  • Send uplink if above threshold: Transmit uplink data if the value exceeds the upper threshold.
  • Threshold, W/m2: Range of acceptable values. Send uplink if within threshold: Send uplink data if the value exceeds the upper threshold.
  1. After completing the modifications, a message Commands in queue will appear at the bottom of the interface. Click APPLY to send the parameter update commands.
Figure 12404: Set the sensor parameters
  1. When the message All commands applied successfully, appears on the interface, it indicates that the parameter update commands have been successfully sent.
Figure 12405: Apply commands

Other Operations

  • REMOVE SENSOR PROBE: Detach the sensor.
  • RESTORE TO DEFAULT SETTINGS: Reset the Sensor Probe to its default settings.
  • UPGRADE SENSOR PROBE: Upgrade the firmware of the Sensor Probe.