Network – Wattsense Support Portal

How to send a downlink from a Modbus IP client ?

This article is a tutorial for users who configured a Modbus IP Gateway into their HUB/BOX, which is redirecting Lorawan sensors values. You can learn more about setting up a Modbus IP Gateway from this tutorial.

Attention

Downlink specifications are explained in sensor manufacturer documentation only.

Step 1

Be sure that you configured a Modbus IP Gateway redirecting the correct properties. In order to send a downlink, the property "Encoded downlink message" is required.

Note

Remember the address of the property. Here is 268.

Warning
The type of the property is Text and should not be changed.

Step 2

Go to your Modbus client interface and connect to your Wattsense device IP address. You should be able to find it on the Configuration > Connectors tab.

Note

For this example, I am using my computer as my Modbus client, using the software ModbusDoctor.

Step 3

Set the address of the Encoded downlink message property. (268 in my example)
Set the type as Holding register.
Configure the number of registers of the downlink, depending on its size. (A single register contains 16 bits, so you can put 2 ASCII characters per register).
In this exemple, we send the following downlink: 401E20:1
(This downlink contains 8 characters so we can set the size to 4)

Write 2 ASCII characters of your downlink in each register area.

Click on WRITING to send the downlink.

Attention

Be aware that for a Class A Lorawan sensor, the downlink will be received only right after it sends an uplink. If you send multiple downlinks they will be stored and sent to the sensor one by one. The downlink queue is a LAST IN - FIRST OUT queue per sensor.
Link to further documentation about Lorawan downlink.

How to send a downlink from a Bacnet client ?

This article is a tutorial for users who configured a Bacnet Gateway into their HUB/BOX, which is redirecting Lorawan sensors values. You can learn more about setting up a Bacnet Gateway from this tutorial.

Attention

Downlink specifications are explained in sensor manufacturer documentation only.

Step 1

Be sure that you configured a Bacnet Gateway redirecting the correct properties. In order to send a downlink, the property "Encoded downlink message" is required.

Warning
The Bacnet Object Type must be a CharacterString.

Be aware that most supervisors do not support the necessary data type in BACnet to write Downlink. CSV is not supported.

Step 2

Go to your Bacnet client interface and search for your Wattsense Bacnet Gateway. You should be able to find your redirected Lorawan properties.

Note

For this example, I am using my computer as my Bacnet client, using the software Yabe.

Step 3

Choose the Encoded downlink message property and write your downlink as a present-value. Press enter to send the downlink to your sensor

Attention

Be aware that for a Class A Lorawan sensor, the downlink will be received only right after it sends an uplink. If you send multiple downlinks they will be stored and sent to the sensor one by one. The downlink queue is a LAST IN - FIRST OUT queue per sensor.
Link to further documentation about Lorawan downlink.

How can I create my Bacnet network?

Here is a video that would explain you how to create your Bacnet network really easily.

Please contact us if you need any additional information: Wattsense Support

How can I send a lorawan downlink ?

First of all, make sure that you've followed the installation tutorial here.

Step 1

Go in your equipment properties:

In the selected properties, be sure that you've checked the one called "Encoded downlink message"

NOTE: It's the only property with a "Write" Access type

Step 2

Now that all the requirements are completed, you can send the downlink. Go to "Live data" and click on "Set property"

Step 3

1) Fill this blank with the value of your downlink. Downlink specifications are explained in sensor manufacturer documentation.

2) Once you click on "Save" the downlink will be sent to the sensor.

NOTE

if you send several downlinks in a row, the last downlink will overwrite the previous one. Link to further documentation about Lorawan downlink

Please contact us if you need any additional information: Wattsense Support

How to use the Mbus Scan

The Mbus bus is a serial bus powered by the master (Box or Hub) with 37V, the Box/Hub can handle natively 3.6mA (3*UL) on the bus.
If you want to scan/communicate with more than 3 devices, you should use an Mbus repeater.

Hardware installation :

Be sure that you are correctly wired:

Polarity is respected
Make sure that you have the Bus powered only by the Box/Hub (around 37V)
All devices are on the same network configuration (baudrate/unique M-bus address/etc..)
Wire are communication twisted pair
Make sure that your topology respect this one

Step 1:

Go on the configuration tab and add a new equipment using the configuration Wizard.

Then select the "Scan M-bus network" button.

Select the baudrate of your M-bus network.

Step 2:

Run a scan on primary address

-> You can choose to run the scan on primary address by using a "Full scan"

-> Or you can choose to run the scan between an address range

Run a scan on secondary address

Once the method is selected, click on the "launch the scan" button and wait for the scan to be finished.

NOTE: The scan duration can take more than 6 minutes, depending on how many meter are on the bus and the baudrate.

Step 3:

Select the datapoints you wish to monitor.

How to connect a Modbus RTU device with my Wattsense Box/HUB?

This article will guide you through the installation of your Modbus RS485 device.

First of all, please check this previous article about the Modbus RS485 network. It will help you to prepare your further installation.

Installation Information:

In order to make the system work you'll have in mind some important information:

Be sure that your Box/Hub is connected to the network with twisted pair communication cables.

Be sure that you know the Modbus RS485 register table of the device if you are using one that is not in our compatibility checker.

Please check this document that will detail the Hardware installation for many networks.

Step 1:

Add your equipment by using our Configuration Wizard:

Equipment information:

If your device is not in the Configuration Wizard list it does not mean that the Box can't connect to it but only that you will have to do the setup manually for the first time.

Feel free to send us your missing equipment and we will add it for you to our compatibility list.

Step 2:

Select the equipment and click on Next.

Step 3:

Once you've selected your equipment (in the example France Air - WALLPLAY), you'll have to setup:

-> Slave ID (has to be unique on a network)

Step 4:

As it is mandatory, the baudrate on a network needs to be the same on all devices (Box and equipment).

Other parameters (Parity, Data, and Stop bit) are also mandatory and need to be identical on all devices (Box and equipment).

Step 5:

Select the properties you want to monitor and click on "Save"

Once saved, your Modbus Equipment is connected to your Box/Hub.

If you need any additional information, please contact us: here

Configure a static IP address to Ethernet port

By default the 2 ethernet ports are configured in DHCP mode, which means that if there is a DHCP server on the network, it will set up automatically the ethernet addresses.

If there is no DHCP server or if you need to configure static addresses, here is the tutorial about how to do it.