Tunnel – IP-RS232/RS485 Tunnel using ULP consumption modem. Programmed timing activation

Scenario details:

• We need to remotely read a water counter once a day at 22.00. An ultra low power modem is needed because they will be powered by external batteries
• The modem must be in ultra low power mode (10 μA) until 22.00
• At this time, 22.00, the modem wakes up and automatically connects to 2G/3G/4G. It sends their IP address to the server and stores it in a database in the server. Another process in the server collects the IP and connects to it using the 2G/3G/4G. Then the IP-RS232/485 tunnel is established from server and counter, getting the counter reading
• After all counter data has been collected, the modem goes back into lower power consumption mode until 22.00 the next day. All processes are repeated

Solution: MTX-Tunnel firmware + MTX-Java-IoT

Config.txt configuration file:

Configuration

Observations

COMM_baudrate: 115200 COMM_bitsperchar: 8 COMM_autocts: on COMM_autorts: on COMM_stopbits: 1 COMM_parity: none GPRS_apn: movistar.es GPRS_login: MOVISTAR GPRS_password: MOVISTAR GPRS_DNS: 8.8.8.8 GPRS_timeout: 0 MTX_model: 199801454 MTX_mode: server MTX_TPProtocol: ntp MTX_TPServer: ntp.roa.es MTX_TPServer2: es.pool.ntp.org MTX_ATEmbedded: on MTX_ATEmbeddedPass: 1234 TCP_port: 20010 FIREWALL_enabled: off DNS_enabled: on DNS_mode: socket DNS_server: 88.2.242.14 DNS_port: 20010 ULP_enabled: on ULP_sleepMode: date ULP_secondsOn: 600 ULP_time1: XX2200

Serial port baud rate 8 bit data CTS hardware control enabled RTS hardware control enabled 1 stop bit No parity GPRS APN from your network operator GPRS Login GPRS Password Google DNS. Must be used if TCP_IP is set to DNS Connected while awake MTX terminal modem model used TCP server mode Time synchronization protocol Time server (MTX must synch time) Time server backup Modem allows sending embedded AT from gtw Password to send data TCP port used Any incoming connection form any IP is allowed DNS service enabled DNS communication socket type TCP Server IP receiving modem IP Server TPC receiving modem IP Modem ULP service activated It will wake up by date/time It will wake up by date/time MTX will wake up every day (XX) at 22:00

Details:

• The remote IP address modem is sent using this text string format:
  #IMEI#DNS_password#IPPublica#
  Text string with “DNS_extended: on” can be used to get GPIO digital and analog input values:
  #IMEI#DNS_password#IPPublica#gpio1#gpio2# … #gpio10#adc1#adc2#count1#count2#
• Functioning is:
  1. Modem awakes
  2. Modem sends its IP to DNS_server:DNS_port
  3. When the server receives the IP, the server detects the modem is awake
  4. The server opens a socket towards the modem IP and TCP_port
  5. The server uses IP-RS232 gateway to read the weather station
  6. Once the reading is finished, we can let the modem turn off on its own, after being awake for ULP_secondsOn or, since embedded AT commands are activated, we can send the following AT command via IP-RS232 gateway so it’s executed by the modem:
  <MTXTUNNELR 1234>AT^MTXTUNNEL=SETULPSECONDS,10</MTXTUNNELR>
  This will adjust the remaining modem time to enter ULP mode (to shut down) to 10 seconds, and the shut down will be immediate.
• Modem needs to synch the time