Blue Water Design A2X Manuale utente



Blue Water Design

6260 Lookout Road Suite 210

Boulder, CO 80301

720.775.7109

http://bluewaterdesign.us



A2X User Manual



 

Version 1.0.3

2018-09-20

Table of Contents



About the A2X 3

ALERT2 Information 3

A2X Firmware Types 3

Power 3

Configuration and Control Software 4

Connecting to the A2X with A2Control 4

Device Configuration 4

Receiving Data 5

Transmitting Data 6

Status LEDs 6

Port Descriptions 7

Common Tasks 8

Initial Configuration 8

Upgrading Device Firmware 9

Local Upgrade 10

Remote Upgrade 10

Downloading ALERT2 Data and A2X System Logs 10

Remote Download: SFTP 11

Local Download: USB flash drive or microSD card 11

Clock Source Selection: GPS or NTP 12

Remote Configuration via IP Network 12

Pass and Reject Lists 12

Connectors, Cabling, and Pinouts 12

Serial ports 12

Radio ports 14



 

About the A2X



The A2X from Blue Water Design is a two-way capable ALERT2 Intelligent Network Device (IND),              

which can act in any of the traditional ALERT2 roles: base station, repeater, or gauging site.

ALERT2 Information

ALERT2 is a low-bandwidth, high-reliability protocol designed for the transport of real-time data            

over radio telemetry networks.



A Description of the ALERT2 Protocol , a white paper summarizing the protocol, opens with the              

following description:



ALERT2 is a new protocol optimized for the transport of real-time data over radio             

telemetry networks. It is the intended successor to the ALERT (Automated Local           

Evaluation in Real Time) protocol introduced in the 1970s. It offers a 7- to 10-fold              

increase in net data rate (or channel capacity), detects all errors introduced in            

transmission and corrects the great majority of them. The new protocol comprises           

multiple sub-protocols, with the flexibility to add new ones as needs emerge. It provides             

greater “data space” that expands the range of sensor identifiers and data resolution. It             

can be used in either ALOHA or TDMA environments, the latter providing the opportunity             

to eliminate data contention altogether.



The protocol specification documents are linked from Blue Water Design’s support page, here.



A2X Firmware Types

The A2X is available with two different firmware types (IND or RPT), specified at the time of                

purchase. The IND firmware is suitable for a gauging site or base station, but is not able to                 

repeat messages. The Repeater firmware adds repeater and address listing functionality.



The second set of letters in the A2X model number indicates the firmware (e.g., A2X-IND-BP).

Power

An external DC power source is required. The A2X can accept inputs ranging from 9 to 17 volts,                 

and includes reverse-polarity protection. Typical installations will provide power using 12V          

lead-acid batteries. The A2X will monitor the input voltage level and include it in its regular               

status reports.

1 A Descirption of the ALERT2 Protocol



, Don Van Wie, October, 2011,

http://bluewaterdesign.us/docs/ALERT2_Description_102511.pdf

Configuration and Control Software

Blue Water Design provides configuration and control software called A2Control as a           

companion to the A2X. A2Control allows users to view received message, configure the A2X,             

and transmit messages.



The software is available for download from the Blue Water Design website at:

http://bluewaterdesign.us/downloads/a2control

Connecting to the A2X with A2Control

●Connect your computer to the console port on the A2X using a MicroUSB cable.

● Launch A2Control.

●If there is only one attached serial port, A2Control will select it by default. Otherwise,              

select the appropriate serial port from the dropdown in the top right of the window and               

click the “Connect” button.

Image: The connect button and serial port selection drop-down

● If A2Control is able to communicate with the A2X, the firmware type and version of the

A2X will be shown in the toolbar along the top of the A2Control window as well as the

device’s IP address, if it is connected to the network.

● A2Control is also able to connect to the A2X remotely via TCP/IP by choosing network

connection in the serial port drop down instead of a port number. See “Remote

Configuration via IP Network” below.

Device Configuration

Device configuration is most easily performed using A2Control.



Connect to the device using A2Control as above, then select the gear icon in the toolbar to bring                 

up the configuration pane.



See the “Initial Configuration” section below for commonly used configuration settings.



When changes are complete, click the “Write To Device” button to save them. Settings may also               

be loaded or saved to a local file.



Image: The IND Settings page of A2Control



Device configuration can also be performed using the ALERT2 IND API to communicate with the              

A2X over any of the available serial ports. The ALERT2 IND API specification is an open               

standard published by the National Hydrologic Warning Council. More information is available           

from the support page on the Blue Water Design website:

http://bluewaterdesign.us/support/

Receiving Data

The A2X will receive and decode ALERT2 data as long as it is powered on. When the A2X finds a                   

valid Bit Sync pattern in the incoming audio, it turns on the Bit Sync LED and begins listening for                  

a valid Frame Sync pattern (which should immediately follow the Bit Sync). If a valid Frame Sync                

pattern is found, the Frame Sync LED is turned on as well, and both LEDs will remain illuminated                 

for the duration of the incoming message. If no valid frame sync is found, the Bit Sync LED is                  

turned off.



The A2X is a full-duplex modem, and will continue to decode ALERT2 messages while the              

transmitter is active. (Note, however, that this requires a full-duplex radio configuration.) 



To view incoming messages, connect to the device using A2Control, then select the “View             

Messages” icon in the toolbar. Messages will appear as they are received.



Image: The Messages page of A2Control

Transmitting Data

The A2X is a fully-functional ALERT2 transmitter. Provided that it is configured with the GPS as               

its clock source and that it has a good GPS signal, the A2X will use the assigned TDMA                 

(time-division multiple access) slot for transmission.



ALERT2 data can be submitted to the A2X for transmission using the ALERT2 IND API over any                

of the serial ports, or transmissions can be initiated using A2Control on the “Transmit Data”              

page. Additionally, the A2X will send status messages at user-configurable intervals and upon            

acquisition and loss of the GPS clock sync.



Status LEDs

LEDs are visible on the front of the A2X case or may be brought to other locations via headers                  

on the board.



Name

Functional Description

TX Radio On

Power is being supplied to the TX radio.

Transmit

The A2X is transmitting an ALERT2 message.

GPS On

The GPS is currently powered up. The GPS may require several          

minutes to initially get a fix, but after that will only require turning on             

for a brief time to maintain accurate time.

Clock Sync

A solid light indicates that the A2X has a reliable clock source, and will             

transmit in TDMA mode. The clock is able to maintain synchronization          

for up to 4 hours without the GPS being on. 



A slowly flashing light indicates that the the A2X is configured to use            

NTP as its clock source and it has obtained an appropriate time from            

an NTP server. The A2X will not transmit using TDMA with an NTP            

time source.

Serial 1-3

This LED will flash as serial data is input or output from the            

corresponding port.

Bit Sync

The Bit Sync light is illuminated when a valid ALERT2 Bit Sync pattern            

has been found in the data stream from the RX radio. The light will             

remain illuminated until a message is fully received or until it has been            

determined that no message was present.

Frame Sync

The Frame Sync light is illuminated when a valid ALERT2 frame sync           

has been found, and remains lit while the A2X attempts to decode the            

message.

Power

The device has power and is running.



Port Descriptions

Name

Functional Description

Ethernet

Enables TCP/IP connections to the A2X. Possible uses include:        

remote configuration of the A2X using the A2Control GUI, pulling logs          

of collected ALERT2 data, streaming ALERT2 data to other endpoints,         

and firmware updates.

SD Card

Stores logs of all received ALERT2 traffic and decoder operation.

Console

micro USB port. Intended for use with the A2Control GUI, but is           

available an ALERT2 Binary API port. This port will appear a serial port            

when plugged into a PC. Serial port settings are fixed at 115200 8,N,1.            

When the device is booting, some diagnostic information may be         

displayed.

USB

USB Host port, Supports plugging in a USB flash drive for copying logs            

from the A2X, as well as firmware updates. If you want to copy the             

ALERT2 logs from the device, create a folder called decoder_output on          

the USB flash drive. If, and only if, the device finds this folder, ALERT2             

output will be synchronized to the folder. The USB flash drive is also            

used to install a firmware update.

GPS

A GPS antenna must be connected for proper time sync.

Serial 1

First serial port

RX Radio

4 pin connection for receive radio

TX Radio

5 pin connection for transmit radio

Serial 2

Second serial port

Serial 3

Third serial port



Common Tasks

Initial Configuration

The ALERT2 specification defines a wide range of configurable settings that can apply to an              

IND. These configuration settings are divided into three categories: mandatory, recommended,          

and optional. The A2X implements all mandatory and recommended settings, and many of the             

optional configuration items as well.



Because there are some many configuration options, initial setup of an ALERT2 device can be              

intimidating. In most cases, however, the default values are reasonable and need not be             

changed. This section highlights values that users should consider changing.



All Units

Setting

Tab

Description

Agency ID

IND Settings

A unique string describing your agency. (e.g., UDFCD       

or BWD)

Source Address

IND Settings

The unique address of this device. Addresses may       

be managed through the Source Address     

Management System (SAMS) at alert2.org

Network Password

IP Settings

A password that can be used to connect to this         

device remotely

Serial Port Input /   

Output Mode

Serial Port 

Settings

Configure serial ports for API or Concentration input,       

ASCII/Binary/No output

Receivers

Setting

Tab

Description

ASCII IP Forward

IP Settings

Comma separated list of hosts to which received       

ALERT2 messages, in ASCII format, will be streamed

Binary IP Forward

IP Settings

Comma separated list of hosts to which received       

ALERT2 messages, in Binary format, will be      

streamed

Transmitters

Setting

Tab

Description

TDMA Frame Length

IND Settings

TDMA Configuration

TDMA Slot Length

IND Settings

TDMA Configuration

TDMA Slot Offset

IND Settings

TDMA Configuration

Transmission Delay

IND Settings

Delay into TDMA slot (set to 12 ms for 250ms slot)

Tx Voltage (p2p)

IND Settings

Set to 400 (Ritron) or 425 (Maxon) depending on the         

transmit radio being used



Upgrading Device Firmware

Firmware images are available for download from the Blue Water Design here:

http://bluewaterdesign.us/downloads/firmware/



The update file must match the firmware of the device you wish to upgrade (e.g., an A2X-RPT-C                

must use the a2x-rpt-update-... series of updates).



Please Note: The A2X firmware images end in a double extension (.tar.gpg); when downloading,            

some browsers (Internet Explorer) may rename the files with only one extension (.tar). In this              

case, you must rename the file to restore both extensions or the A2X will not find the update file.

Local Upgrade

To perform a firmware upgrade when you have physical access to the A2X, place the firmware               

upgrade file in the root folder of a USB flash drive and insert that drive into the USB port on the                    

front of the A2X. The A2X must be powered on for at least two minutes for it to register the USB                    

flash drive.



Initially, you will see the “Bit Sync” LED flash rapidly while system logs are copied from the A2X                 

onto the flash drive (see Downloading ALERT2 Logs). When that is complete, the A2X will              

search the drive for firmware updates. If one is found, the status LEDs -- starting with “Clock                

Sync” -- will begin flashing slowing to display update progress. When the upgrade is complete,              

the lights will remain solid for a few seconds and then the device will reboot.



If the Serial 1 light blinks quickly, the update has failed. You may attempt installing the update                

again. If you continue having problems, please contact Blue Water Design for further            

instructions.



Please Note: Some manufacturers ship USB flash drives with a default “exFAT” filesystem. The            

A2X does not support exFAT, so you will need to reformat any such cards with the regular “FAT”                 

filesystem before using them with the A2X.

Remote Upgrade

The A2X can be upgraded remotely over a TCP/IP network using the SFTP protocol. Remote              

access to the A2X is disabled by default, and must be enabled by setting a network password in                 

A2Control. Blue Water Design recommends the free and Open Source FileZilla as an SFTP client              

(https://filezilla-project.org).



Connect to the A2X with the following parameters:

IP: [Configured / visible in A2Control]

Port: 4422

Username: alert2

Password: [specified in A2Control]



Once connected, simply upload the firmware update file to the default folder of the A2X to be                

upgraded. When the upload completes, the A2X will automatically install the updated firmware            

and reboot.

Downloading ALERT2 Data and A2X System Logs

The A2X ships with a microSD card which stores all received ALERT2 traffic. The microSD card               

is intended to be left in the device during normal operation. It is not necessary to remove the                 

microSD card to obtain logs from the A2X; however, if you do remove the microSD card, power                

down the A2X before doing so.

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