Before we get started, let’s figure out what is RTC(real time clock).

1. What is RTC?

An RTC(real time clock) is built in electronic devices including IoT sensor, IoT router, gateways, RTUs, and computers, servers, etc., and powered by coin battery to manage and maintain the accurate time in the devices’ system even when main power of devices is switched off. It can be either embedded in MCU, or built with independent RTC powered by battery, depends on applications’ needs.

2. How to Set Up RTC time in IoT Router?

Let’s get started!

1) Click the “System” of “View” menu, and we can see the “Local Time” is ‘2022-08-18 16:56:16 Thursday’.

2) Go to “Administrate”, then we can choose the Time zone you want to set on the “System”, for this case, we choose Tokyo’s time zone.

3) Click “rtc” button of “Time Setting”, then click “Save & Apply” button.

4) After configuration is completed, we can see the ‘Local Time’ has been automatically changed to Tokyo time. And It’s ‘2022-08-18 17:57:07 Thursday’ now.

Image source: PCB

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You may wonder why shall I use RS232 cable to upgrade firmware of TG451? Normally, TG451 supports firmware upgraded via WEB UI? It is because, when the device doesn’t run properly, or the Web management portal is not able to be accessed, you’ll need to use the serial port for firmware upgrade.

1. Connection of IoT Gateway TG451

1) Please connect your slave computer to RS232 port of Bivocom TG451.

2) RS232 Cable (DB9 female connector) definition

Bivocom standard product package contains Console RS232 Cable (DB9 to 3 Pin), connect the 3-Pin cable to RS232 port of Bivocom gateway TG451 (the Black pin to GND port, while Brown pin to RX port, Blue pin to TX port). The other side connect to your slave computer, you may need extra RS232 to USB adapter cable if your laptop doesn’t have standard serial communication interface.

3) Setup Bivocom TG451 and connect your laptop network to TG451’s LAN by Ethernet cable, and set static IP address as “192.168.1.100”.

4) Make sure you have the RouterUpgradeTool software and the upgraded configuration file on your computer. If you don’t have them, please ask Bivocom support(support@bivocom.com). Turn on the software “RouterUpgradeTool”.

2. How to Upgrade Firmware of IoT Gateway TG451?

1) Step 1 & 2: Open RS232 Serial Port

Open the corresponding serial port by click “打开串口” and select the IP address of the NIC(Network Interface Card). You can enter the IP address manually. If you do not find the corresponding IP address or do not know the specific IP address input, you can wait for the program to automatically detect the refresh.

2) Step 3:Choose Gateway Model and Version

At this section, you can set parameters. Firstly, select model as TG451 by click “型号”(Model), “版本”version is Standard（标准）, the language you can chose English(英文), SIM card mode chooses single SIM(单卡) or dual SIM（双卡）, and support 212 option select No（否）.

This section is not editable by default. Check here to edit the SN and MAC, or you can skip it.

3) Step 4: Choose Firwmare

Click the button “…” to select the router upgrade profile.

4) Step 5: Upload and Upgrade Firmware

Click the button “下载固件” to start downloading the latest firmware. Then re-plug the power supply.

When the two progress bars are 100%, the upgrade configuration is complete.

3. FAQ

1) If the gateway is powered on again but no output is generated, please check whether the serial port number is correct and the serial port cable can be used.

2) If you see “配置失败” on the screen, it means configuration failed. Please check if the serial cable is properly connected.

3) If you see “IP异常，尝试重新执行 删除异常IP” on the screen, it means the network cable is properly connected, and the computer can identify the IP address of the gateway, but the correct IP is not selected. Because the IP address selected in the IP box is error. After the exception, the program will automatically try to refresh and switch the IP address for upgraded operation.

4) If you see “IP异常，尝试重新执行 删除异常IP”, “请检查网线是否正常连接” on the screen, it means the network cable is not properly connected. Please check the network cable.

5) During the firmware upgrade, the progress bar does not move for a long time and an abnormal timeout occurs. Check if the serial cable is properly connected. If you see “异常超时” on the screen, it generally means the serial cable is properly connected.

After all previous settings done, Bivocom TG451 will be upgraded to the latest version firmware. Contact Bivocom representative to get upgrade application and files now if you have to upgrade your firmware.

Image source: pexels

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Due to parts of chipsets EOL (end of life), upgrades and longer lead time from some chipset suppliers, and in order to ensure partners can continuously get high-quality products and services from Bivocom, to meet your project installation needs, Bivocom plans to change and upgrade the hardware version from A1 to B1 of below models from Oct 1, 2022.

Bivocom will gradually stop the production, firmware upgrade and customization service of version A1 after running out the stock of components and PCB, and any new customized hardware and firmware requirements will be based on the new hardware version B1, we suggest you start to use the new hardware version for new project installation. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bivocom sales engineer.

Firmware Change Notes:

1. Firmware of different hardware versions are incompatible.
2. The product functionalities of standard firmware for the new hardware version B1 remain same as existing version A1.
3. The customized firmware of the hardware version A1 can be migrated to the version B1 via firmware migration, and Bivocom will provide free service for it.

Special thanks to our partners for participating in the global test of new hardware and firmware versions, and giving us valuable suggestions for improvement and optimization, so that the new hardware version can be successfully launched on time. Bivocom will continue to work with global partners to build a “smart world” together!

Thank you for your attention and support!

Xiamen Bivocom Technologies Co., Ltd.

August 1, 2022

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1.    Basic Setting

Enable or disable the data collect feature, setting the data acquire and report period and other related options.

• Data Collect: Enable or disable data collect feature, this is the general switch of the whole data collection function
• Collect Period: Set the period of data collection from slave devices.
• Report Period: Set the period of data report to server.
• Enable Cache: Enable or disable historical data cache feature, and you can configure the related data cache setting if enable the cache feature.
• Send Minute Data, Send Hour Data, Send Day Data are about HJ212 protocol(an environmental monitoring protocol in China, just keep it as default)

2. Interface Setting

This page is about the field devices settings, including serial ports, Modbus TCP base on Ethernet LAN, GPS, OPC UA by Ethernet

3. OPC UA Collect Rules Setting

• Serial Number: Order of the rules
• Factor Name: Key of JSON
• NameSpaceIndex: Number of name space index,
• Identifier: Browser name of the node

This the same settings as KEPSeverEX

4. Server Setting

Server setting menu allows user set the data center address with multiple protocols, gateway supports TCP, UDP, HTTP, MQTT, and Modbus TCP. For the data format, gateway supports different encapsulation type, include “Transparent”, “Json”, and “HJ212” (special for some Environment SCADA in China).

5. Json format data

The server port will recieve json format datas like this

{
“ts”:xxxxxxxxxx,
“params”:{
“key”:value,

“key”:value,

}
}

ts: timestamp ,accurate to milliseconds

key:name of the collection elements

Example：

{
“ts”:1640844373000,
“params”:{
“temperature”:27.6,
“humidity”:0.65
}
}

Image source: freepik

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Example: Below are questions from a customer who wants to upgrade its field RTU data to cloud by using a 4G IoT router.

I have a question to ask for solution:

Client has one device on site which connect 4G pulling data from remote site A, client wants to send the data to another site, site B which we will install Bivocom TR321 at the site. At site B, client wants to connect TR321 with their RTU which is connecting with another modem using fiber optic. In order to transmit the level data from site A to TR321 at site B and connect with the main control network which is fiber optic.

Do you have any suggestion of how to do this?

Site B TR321 will connect with RTU via RS232 or RS485 using serial interface. From site A to site B, which protocol would you suggest? And how can we transmit the data to RTU of customer via TR321

Solutions:

There are 2 work mode on 4g IoT router TR321 via RS232/RS485 serial port to RTU

1. RS232/RS485 transparent transmission

2. TR321/RS485 works as a master to collect data from RTU, and publish it to MQTT broker, then A site can subscrib.

For more info, this article will guide you how to acheive your goal.

1. How to get data from serial port of IoT router?

2. How to set up MQTT on IoT router?

The post How to Transfer the Data from RTU to IoT Router? appeared first on Bivocom.

Note: As different hardware version may require different firmware version, so please contact Bivocom support team(support@bivocom.com) before you upgrade the firmware yourself, and check the label to identify the hardware version, otherwise, it may cause the device crash.

1. Go to drop-down menu of “Administrate”, and choose “Router Upgrade”, choose the firmware and upload it, click “flash image”, as below.

2. After firmware upload successfully, click “Backup and Restore”, and choose “Perform reset” to restart the router.

3. After that, you’ve upgraded the firmware successfully.

The post 3 Steps to Upgrade Firmware on IoT Router appeared first on Bivocom.

Let’s get started.

What is Telecom Site?

Telecom site has played an important role is our daily life, not only for mobile phone subscribers, but also for IoT(internet of things), and IoV(Internet of Vehicles) applications.

A telecom site, cell site, or cellular base station is a cellular-enabled mobile device site where antennas and electronic communications equipment are placed—typically on a radio mast, tower, or other raised structure—to create a cell (or adjacent cells) in a cellular network.

From Barnabas Davoti

Telecom site normally consists of below systems

• Cell Towers

A Physical structure where the antennas, cables and alarm light are attached, to transmit and receive signals, and send alarm light signals to airplanes.

• Power Source

As telecom sites could be built in urban and rural areas, rooftops of high buildings in the city, or mountain tops in remote areas, so the power source is different based on the environment, but normally, it consists of AC electrical power supply, and comes with a diesel generator and battery backup system (UPS, Uninterruptible Power Supply), while for some remote areas where the electricity power supply is hard to get, we can also use solar power, or wind power to generate electricity.

Below are some of the main power sources normally used onsite, while battery bank and generator are mainly for backup power system when AC electrical power is unavailable, or solar panel, and wind power is limited due to bad weather condition.

• AC electricity power supply
• Solar panel
• Wind turbine
• Batter bank
• Generator

• BTS-Base Transceiver Station

The back-haul transmission devices are installed in shelter room, to transmit, receive combine signals, process digital signals, etc.

• Security and access control systems

As the telecom site facilities are expensive, which may target equipment, cooper, fuel theft or even terrorist attack, to reduce such risk, normally, an CCTV security, intrusion alarm system, and access control system (RFID) will be required.

• HVAC Systems (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning)

To make sure the field devices can work perfectly in certain environments, especially in remote areas where the weather changed days and seasons, there normally will have an HVAC system to make sure the transmission devices work perfectly.

What is Telecom Site Monitoring System? Why We need it?

A telecom site monitoring system utilizes IoT sensors, smart devices (5g/4g IoT gateways, or RTU), and a cloud IoT platform to remotely monitor and control the key systems and parameters mentioned above to help mobile operators to reduce operational costs and the risk of theft.

How IoT Empowers the Telecom Monitoring System?

As there are different types of sensors or devices with different protocols to monitor, an industrial IoT gateway with rich I/O and industrial protocols is required to combine the different data in certain protocols and transfer them to a remote cloud server. Normally, the IoT gateway will come with ethernet ports, digital input, analogy input, RS232, RS485, and relay output to acquire data and control the field devices, a diagram below.

Below are some key systems and parameters to monitor

• Energy Monitoring and Management

There will have an energy meter to monitor the power generation and consumption from generators, solar power, wind power, as well as consumption from electric power. In addition, it’s also used to monitor the health of the battery bank backup system.

• Diesel Generator and Fuel Tank Monitoring

A generator is used to generate electricity to supply power for the telecom sites, so it’s important to remotely monitor its operation status, and provide predictive maintenance to reduce downtime and improve maintenance efficiency. Besides, the real-time level of the fuel tank monitor will help the operator to deliver the fuel in time.

• Environment Monitoring

Weather status will affect the operation of telecom sites too, such as temperature, humidity, or natural disasters(flood), so it requires IoT sensors to remotely monitor the real-time environment and send alarms to the data center.

• Security and Access Control

CCTV surveillance can be used to send real-time video streams to the data centre, together with intrusion alarm systems will help to reduce theft, while access control is good for authorizing operators to access telecom sites and maintain the equipment.

Conclusion

With the fast and massive deployment of 5G, we can see mobile operators will need the telecom site monitoring system to help them remotely monitor and control their field devices, reduce operational costs and the risk of theft.

Image sources:

1. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/tank” title=”tank icons”>Tank icons created by itim2101 – Flaticon</a>
2. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/generator” title=”generator icons”>Generator icons created by smalllikeart – Flaticon</a>
3. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/solar-energy” title=”solar energy icons”>Solar energy icons created by Good Ware – Flaticon</a>
4. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/wind-turbine” title=”wind turbine icons”>Wind turbine icons created by Triangle Squad – Flaticon</a>
5. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/cctv” title=”cctv icons”>Cctv icons created by ultimatearm – Flaticon</a>
6. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/rfid” title=”rfid icons”>Rfid icons created by Freepik – Flaticon</a>
7. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/stairs” title=”stairs icons”>Stairs icons created by catkuro – Flaticon</a>
8. <a href=”https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/temperature-control” title=”temperature control icons”>Temperature control icons created by Good Ware – Flaticon</a>
9. https://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/air-conditioner_1104636?term=hvac&page=1&position=49&page=1&position=49&related_id=1104636&origin=search

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Before you start, make sure your firmware version is Python programmable version or later.

Bivocom463-63.1.0.14-python3.4-202206151537.img

Note: Standard firmware version of TG463 doesn’t support Python programmable, so you’ll have to ask Bivocom team to get the customized firmware version.(support@bivocom.com)

What is Python?

https://www.python.org/doc/essays/blurb/

1.  Telnet to login the gateway, username and password are “admin”

2.  Create a Python program test.py

3.  Run Python

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The following article tells you how to upgrade your legacy PLC with Bivocom TR321 industrial IoT router. Benefit from Bivocom cellular network communication technology, Bivocom TR321 helps to connect your legacy PLC and controller to cloud, which is smart and easy for remote management.

Bivocom TR321 industrial router supports multiple protocols to communicate between your PLC/controller and your SCADA platform. It supports Modbus TCP/RTU, MQTT, TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, etc.

We all know Modbus protocol is widely used for IoT and M2M, Bivocom TR321 can work as a Modbus Master to acquire data from PLC or sensors via RS232, RS485, and RJ45 ports. Normally, PLC provides Ethernet RJ45 for communication, in this case we can setup TR321 as Modbus TCP Client to acquire data from PLC following the preset rules, and transmit data to cloud server via TCP/UDP/MQTT/HTTP, etc.

This article will tell you how to setup Bivocom TR321 Modbus TCP feature to acquire PLC data and transmit to your cloud data center.

Steps

1. Setup Bivocom TR321 and connect your laptop network in TR321’s LAN by Ethernet cable or WiFi.
2. Ensure the firmware is higher than 21.1.1.37. If not, please ask Bivocom support for latest firmware.
3. Telnet to TR321 from your laptop by “telnet 192.168.1.1” the username password both “admin” as default.

4. Execute a command “hw_info set model 2:S:E:S:1” to enable Modbus TCP feature.

5. Full reset to factory by long press the “Reset” hole.
6. Enable the Data Acquire feature by setting on “Basic Setting”, set the collect period, report period, and other related settings.

7. Reconnect to your TR321 and access to its WebUI, there is an “Interface Setting” menu for Modbus TCP setting.
8. Enable a Modbus TCP server and config the IP address according to your PLC IP address.

     9. Setting the Modbus Rules according your PLC device datasheet. On the “Modbus Rules setting” menu, choose the Interface as “Modbus Server 1” which we enabled in previous step, and configure other Modbus rule settings then “Add” and “Save & Apply”.

10. Setting your data center server. Transmit the data to your data center by configuring the Server Settings, Bivocom TR321 supports multiple protocols like MQTT, TCP, UDP…, and reform the data format as Json, Transprant, or HJ212 (special for some Environment SCADA in China).

After all previous settings done, Bivocom TR321 will connect your PLC and your SCADA platform for data communication without any manual operation. Contact Bivocom representative to get a demo now, it’s time to upgrade your legacy PLC by using Bivocom IoT routers.

Success Case

Bivocom Onsite

The post How to Upgrade Your Legacy PLC to Cloud by IoT Router? appeared first on Bivocom.

Note: Node-RED is only available on customized firmware of TG452, if you need it, please tell Bivocom sales rep. before you order it.

1. Check IP of Gateway TG452

For the default gateway, you have to open “cmd”, then execute “ipconfig” command to query ip.

you can also define your gateway address at LAN setting. in my case the TG452 gateway is 192.168.1.1.

2. Telnet TG452 to run Node-RED

For the Node-RED, you have to telnet to the CLI of TG452 (telnet 192.168.1.1), and then execute “node-RED” command to run it, then you will have 192.168.1.1:1880 Node-RED portal.

3. Login the Node-RED portal and experience it

Then you can login 192.168.1.1:1880 as below. Then you can start to experience the Node-RED programming environment to see how flexible it is for your IoT applications.

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