Bulk creation for LoRaWAN equipment

 

This article explains how to make a bulk creation for LoRaWAN equipment.

You can now add multiple LoRaWAN types of equipment at once. This feature is only available on the web console. To add a list of equiments, access the bulk creation mode by going through these steps :

Prepare a csv file

First of all, you have to prepare a text file which contains the whole listing of you LoRaWAN sensors. You can first download the WATTSENSE_TEMPLATE.CSV file (file available for download at the end of this article).

Edit this file with a text editor or a spreadsheet editor. Don’t remove the first header line, and fill the file with your data.

For example :

In this example, we will add 8 sensors, which will be divided into two groups MyGroupA and MyGroupB. In order to complete the file you must meet a few prerequisites :

• Manufacturer
• Model
• DevEUI
• AppEUI
• AppKey

Please note that the csv file should respect the format of the template : First header line with imposed field names UTF-8 encoding format comma (,) delimiter

If you are working with a spreadsheet application, save the file as csv with comma delimiter.

 

Manufacturer and model name in the csv file

In order to successfully import, you must retrieve the manufacturer and model name of your sensor from the wattsense database. If you want to know the exact "names" that you need to put in the csv file, you can simulate adding of a sensor in the Wattsense Console / Configuration / Add Equipment / Pick a decoded equipment.

 

the manufacturer field of the csv is the first part of the Equipment name (before the first "-") -> nexelec

the model field of the csv is the last part of the Equipment name -> atmo 

 

On this second example :

manufacturer = Adeunis

model = ARF8230FA - Pulse ATEX

 

Here's the csv file example with the two sensors above (Nexelec atmo and Adeunis ARF8230FA - Pulse ATEX) :

 

 

Import a csv file in the Wattsense Console

Once the csv file is completed, it can be imported in the Wattsense Console.

From the configuration Tab, click on the “Add equipment” button.

 

 

 

Then choose the LoRaWAN bulk creation section.

 

 

The next screen allows you to import the csv file :

 

Select your file in the file explorer :

 

The preview of the file contents is displayed :

 

Click on "Next" and select the codec you want to use. Your device names will be scanned and matched with their Wattsense counterparts.

If the pair (manufacturer + model) is knowned is our database, the matching codec is automatically associated.

 

 

If it is not the case, you’ll have to select a codec in the list.

If the needed codec is not present in the list, please do ask us to add it (here).

Then click on the “create equipment” button.

 

To finish, select the properties that you want to synchronize with the Box.

 

On this page you can edit and change the name of the properties as well as the unit (just click on the fileld).

 

 

And save :

The new equipments are imported and displayed in the console interface. Note that the sensors are grouped by group name, as specified in the csv file.

 

if the field name in console (let empty to use manufacturer & name) in the Csv file is empty, the Equipment name in the wattsense console is manufacturer and model :

 

To finish, select the properties that you want to synchronize with the Box.

And… that’s it! You can now add in one go multiple devices with their data points.

 

Direct access to advanced configuration on the bulk importation page

Some Lorawan sensors are programmable via an application from the manufacturer. In this case, the generic Lorawan codec must be supplemented by the description of the programming table in order to retrieve the correct data in the Wattsense Console.
Here’s an example with a programmable LoRaWAN sensor connected to a measurement device.

 

 

Another use case is the capability of some lorawan sensors to log data over time. In this case, the configuration file indicates the measurement periods.

Direct access to these advanced configuration files has been implemented to improve the process of adding LoRaWAN sensors (gear button on the right side of the list)

 

Examples with and Adeunis Modbus sensor :
All the codec fields are displayed. Click on choose a file to import a configuration file provided by the manufacturer.

And select the configuration file of the sensor in the file explorer :

 

The codec fieds will automatically be filled with the right encryption mode.

 

Where to find the configuration files ?

They are available through the manufacturer's application of the LoRaWAN sensor via USB or NFC for mobile devices for example via the export function.

 

We built this new feature with your feedback. Please drop us a line at Wattsense Support to make it even better or to share with us any other feedback.