In this document
The Controlant Monitoring System is an automatic wireless monitoring system, which is used in various applications where automatic measurements of environmental variables (e.g. temperature, humidity) are required.
The basis of the system is a star-shaped wireless network where multiple wireless loggers can transmit measurements to a gateway unit which sends the data to a central database server via the mobile network. The data can then be accessed from an internet connected computer from a web browser interface.
Controlant wireless loggers run on a battery. The gateways have a rechargeable internal backup battery which can keep the system running for 12-24 hours (depending on usage) in case of power failure. The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
System Overview
Figure 2: Overview of the Controlant wireless monitoring system
Multiple loggers can be located on each location, connecting to one or more gateways. Data from multiple locations is gathered in a database, where customers can access it in a single interface.
Theory of Operation
Figure 3: Block diagram of the Controlant wireless system
A functional block diagram for the CO 13.01 wireless logger is shown in Figure 3. The RF module CC1101 is a low-power sub-1 GHz RF transceiver operating in the 868 MHz to 915 MHz ISM band.
The system has two operating modes. The first operating mode is at a symbol rate of 4.75 kbps, and a bit rate of 38 kbps. GFSK modulation is used with 20 kHz deviation. This operation mode is used for all communications in the 868MHz band as well as for FHSS mode in the 915 MHz band. The second operating is at a symbol rate of 475 bps, and a bit rate of 4 kbps. 2-FSK modulation is used with 550 kHz bandwidth. This operation mode is used for all synch package communication in the 915 MHz band.
A 3.6 VDC battery is supplied to the RF module. The module transmits with a maximum power of 11 dBm into an external antenna. This module does not transmit for more than 54 ms over any 1 s time period and fulfills all duty cycle limits on the 868MHz band and uses 121 channels for FHSS in the 915 MHz band with 200 kHz channel spacing and 75 kHz channel bandwidth (20 dB).
Logger Operation
The purpose of the Controlant wireless logger is to measure environment variables such as temperature and humidity. The loggers automatically transmit measurements to a nearby gateway, which forwards the data to a central database. The wireless sensor communicates with the gateway on the license free ISM bands (868 MHz for EU and 915 MHz for North America).
System Components
The system consists of following devices, software and systems:
Loggers
- For EU market
For US market
CO 13.02 - Temperature & Humidity Logger - Not available
CO 17.01 – Multipurpose Logger - Not available
Gateway
- For EU market
- CO 01.01 - Gateway
- CO 01.02 – Vehicle Gateway - Not available
- For US market
- CO 11.01 - Gateway
- CO 11.02 – Vehicle Gateway Not available
- For EU market
Mobile Network (3G)
Controlant Gateways relies on 3G cellular networks to transmit loggers data to the Controlant cloud. Same rules applies to these radio communications as all other mobile and high frequency communications. If the signal is low or bad, the functionality of the system will be effected. However, the system takes that into account, store the data in the loggers itself and sends the data to the Controlant cloud when the cellular connection has been re-established.
Wall types in a warehouse can effect the signal quality as well as the device installation itself. Further information regarding wireless installation and wall types can be found in 1.3.1 General Wireless Setup
Database
Simplicity and accessibility are the key elements of the Controlant online software platform. Customers have an easy and safe way to store, access and work with measurements online.
The online web interface - built around our centralized database system – offers customers access to data whenever and wherever they need it. The software solution is very flexible and suits needs from those of the pharmacist who needs to gather regular data on temperature condition of a single medicine cabin to those of the quality or logistic manager overseeing tens of businesses with hundreds of loggers.
Benefits of the online platform:
- Easy access to data online - whenever and wherever needed
- Safe storage of data on secure servers
- Control of warnings and events, ensuring the proper action for each case
- Automatic pdf reports and online analysis - enabling users to solve quality issues and regulatory requirements in a quick and easy manner
- Full control of user access, making companies able to choose who sees what information and who gets notified when events and warnings occur
- Detailed graphs of measurements
- Multi-graphs
- Automatic and user customizable pdf-reports
- Configurable warnings
- GPS coordinate maps
With the Controlant web interface users can view data graphically, download date and control their preferred warning settings.
All data is stored in a centralized secure databases in ISO9001 and ISO27001 certified environment making sure that data stays intact. Data is stored for the requested period of time depending on the customer’s needs.
User Interface
Reports
The automatic report system offers users an easy way to get a picture of temperature development. The reports can be generated on demand or scheduled on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Each report gives a good overview of development of the period, as well as providing analysis of data which can make decision making easier and faster.
- Reports are easy to create and can be generated once or subscribed to on a regular basis
- Reports give a good overview of the given interval
- Reports make it easier to fulfil regulatory requirements