Description
Industrial IoT RS485 To Wireless Converter
Our long range wireless enterprise series sensors are an easy to use and reliable start to any data aggregation application. This video will demonstrate how they work, what they do, and how to use them.
Industrial IoT RS485 To Wireless Converter
This long range RS485 to Wireless Converter can be used to connect existing RS485 devices to bring them to a modern IoT framework. This RS485 to Wireless Converter can also be used to replace RS485 wired connections with a reliable long range wireless communication technology. Connect to the NCD wireless sensor ecosystem using the industry standard RS485 communications. Our new IoT RS485 to Wireless Converter makes it easy communicate with NCD wireless sensors over RS485 by simply opening a COM port and watching for incoming data to arrive as sensor data is broadcast. We have stripped away complexity and focused on what you need most, an easy way to get wireless data over a RS485 connection. With a 2-Mile range (line of sight), this device operates at 900MHz for deep penetration through trees, foliage, and even some buildings. With integrated Mesh networking, this device also acts as a repeater for sensor data. Designed to work with any operating system that supports RS485 communications. This RS485 to Wireless Converter offers a wide operating voltage range, requiring a external power supply of 5V to 32VDC.
3 Variations of RS485 to Wireless Converter
When ordering this device, you will be prompted to choose a product variation. There are currently 3 different variations available, based on your application requirements. Below is a summary of the command versions available but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to consult us prior to purchase.
Standard Version
The standard version is ideal when working with computers, as it serves as a raw translator between Wireless and RS-485. This version is generally preferred when working with a raw data on a PC or a computing platform where software development is powerful and flexible. This version offers the greatest possible speed and versatility, but requires more software to target and parse communications data. This version is ideal for working with Node-RED, Visual Studio, Python, or other powerful languages that provide extreme flexibility. The Standard Version is ideal for installations with existing RS485 using computers as a master control for the network.
AutoEncoder Version
The AutoEncoder version simplifies communications with wireless devices by automatically encoding and decoding XBee API packet structures. This means software is easier to write, as you only move payload data into and out of the RS-485 protocol. You do not need to deal with checksum encoding or decoding with this version. Because this is processed using a processor and firmware, it’s a little slower than the Standard version. Specialty commands are available to target multiple wireless devices, configure the network ID, and much more. The AutoEncoder version is a great choice for PLCs where limited programming environments are available. Put simply, if working with the Digi XBee API is intimidating, this version can save you a lot of time. This version is NOT supported by our Node-Red Drivers.
Emulator Version
The Emulator Version of the RS485 modem is ideal for customers who are already using NCD wireless sensors and wish to adapt existing RS485 messages to follow NCD standards for device communications. The Emulator version essentially takes incoming RS-485 data and attaches additional information to make existing equipment act like a modern NCD IoT sensor. The Emulator Version also accepts similarly formatted messages over wireless and sends only the payload to the RS485 network. The Emulator Version is among the easiest of the RS485 Modem versions we currently offer, and is an ideal choice for PLCs with limited resources to communicate effectively with existing RS485 networks as well as existing NCD IoT sensors.
Note: Please contact us if you need help choosing a version for your application. USB Port is for Power Only.
Node-Red: IoT Without the Code
We’ve built Node-Red libraries so that you can build your entire IoT ecosystem with no coding necessary. We are currently updating our libraries to include this device, full Node-Red Support coming soon.
Compatibility
This Wireless to RS485 Gateway was designed for indoor use only.
This device operates at 900MHz and converts raw sensor data into raw RS-485 data. Compatible with Alpha Station https://ncd.io/alpha
Standard Version Packet Example:
Example Incoming Wireless Data — 7E 00 19 90 00 13 A2 00 41 91 1B 83 FF FE C2 7F 00 04 03 FF 80 00 01 00 0F A1 F7 40 9E
Data On RS485 Port — 7E 00 19 90 00 13 A2 00 41 91 1B 83 FF FE C2 7F 00 04 03 FF 80 00 01 00 0F A1 F7 40 9E
AutoEncoder Version Packet Example:
Example Incoming Wireless Data — 7E 00 19 90 00 13 A2 00 41 91 1B 83 FF FE C2 7F 00 04 03 FF 80 00 01 00 0F A1 F7 40 9E
Data On RS485 Port — 7F 00 04 03 FF 80 00 01 00 0F A1 F7 40
Example Incoming Data on RS485 port — 69 20 74 68 69 6E 6B 20 69 20 61 6D 20 77 6F 72 6B 69 6E 67 20 66 69 6E 65
Data on Wireless Link — 7E 00 25 90 00 13 A2 00 41 8C 58 B6 FF FE C2 69 20 74 68 69 6E 6B 20 69 20 61 6D 20 77 6F 72 6B 69 6E 67 20 66 69 6E 65 1F
Emulator Version Packet Example:
Example Incoming Wireless Data — 7E 00 15 10 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF FF FF FE 00 00 7F 00 FF FF 85 85 85 E7
Data On RS485 Port — 85 85 85
Example Incoming Data on RS485 port — 69 20 74 68 69 6E 6B 20 69 20 61 6D 20 77 6F 72 6B 69 6E 67 20 66 69 6E 65
Data on Wireless Link — 7E 00 29 90 00 13 A2 00 41 8C 58 B6 FF FE C2 7F 00 FF FF 69 20 74 68 69 6E 6B 20 69 20 61 6D 20 77 6F 72 6B 69 6E 67 20 66 69 6E 65 A2
This RS485 Sensor converter works in a different way. In order to send data to it user will need to include the payload header, node id and sensor type. For example the entire payload was 7F 00 FF FF 85 85 85. Over here
7F – Payload header
00 – Node ID
FF FF — Sensor Type
85,85,85 — RS485 Payload
This device will send data to RS485 port only when the incoming data contains the correct header, node id and sensor type.
900HP-S3B Wireless Compatibility Notes
Notice: Compatibility Notes Does NOT Apply to the Following Products:
- NCD Enterprise Solutions
- NCD Wireless Sensors
- NCD Enterprise Modems and Gateways
Notice: Compatibility Notes Applies to NCD Industrial Products, Including Fusion, ProXR, ProXR Lite, Taralist, and Reactor Series Products.
Compatibility Notes
When using an 900HP-S3B communication module, it is essential that you use the ZIGMO_PCB to configure the module settings. Long-Range wireless sensors may be programmed over the air without removing the communications module.
A 900HP-S3B Modem or a gateway of some kind that support the 900HP-S3B communications module will also be required.
RS-485 Serial Compatibility Notes
The NCD RS-485 Serial communications module is compatible with NCD ProXR, ProXR Lite, Fusion, and Taralist series controllers. This module was designed to work with NCD devices, but may be used with devices outside the NCD family. This device acts as a transparent RS-485 to USART serial converter. Non-NCD products will require a software networking protocol to support multiple devices.
Customize
We Customize Just for You!!
NCD offers many custom IoT electronic design services to help tailor our product to your exact needs. Whether you are looking for custom firmware, circuit board modifications, metal enclosures, or industrial color printing, we can help you with a wide variety of design services.
Custom IoT Electronic Design Services Process
Most of our users purchase off-the-shelf hardware for initial testing. Once everything is working, they contact us to build a custom solution which may include specialized changes to the board, firmware, connectors, etc. Custom boards have many advantages such as reduced wiring, easy installation, small size, less power consumption, and in some cases, an overall reduction in product cost. Custom IoT Electronic Design Services will have your company name and logo on the board as well as the enclosure.
Customized IoT Electronics
NCD engineers can help build a customized solution for your particular application based on the designs you see on our website. We can combine devices onto a single board, change the shape, or even some of the components to meet your exact needs. We also provide turn-key metal enclosures with powder coating and full-color printing on the top side starting at just $500 for setup! We have more than 20 years of experience in electronics design and manufacturing. All of our products are designed and manufactured in the USA, so we are here to support the products we make. We only ask that our customers prototype their needs using our existing products before we customize.
Customization Guidelines
- Custom designs should be based on our existing product because we can’t build rockets or electric cars over here!
- We do not provide customization services if it involves the introduction of a new or untested technology.
- Custom engineering fees depend on your requirements, so please contact us for a quote!
- We maintain ownership of all designs, including our customized designs as they are based on our existing Design.
- We will only ship the customized product to you or your authorized agents.
- We have an NDA available if needed.
- The turn-around time is about 2-3 weeks.
- We specialize in low-volume designs, no quantity is too small!
- We have the ability to scale to large volumes as needed.
Getting Started with Product Customization
All you have to do is contact us and we will walk you through the process from beginning to end, based on your individual needs. Some people are surprised at how fast we finish CAD design (usually a few hours), but keep in mind, we still have to build your design, which takes considerably more time. When we customize product, here are the general services we provide:
- We design the circuit board.
- We communicate with our customers throughout the customization and manufacturing process.
- We manufacture surface mount stencils and circuit boards.
- We program our pick and place machines to build your boards.
- We build a working sample and run it through our wave solder machine.
- We test your custom IoT solution.
- Once the design is finalized it won’t be possible to make changes during production (changes cost money and require us to repeat the above processes)
- Once it meets all your requirements, we will start production as needed.
- We work with our metal fabricators to design a metal enclosure if required.
- You work with our artist to print the top side of the enclosure in full color with your company logo if required.
+MORE App customizations
We partnered with Blynk who have developed the +MORE app. If you are interested in customization to their +MORE app then we're sure you will enjoy working with them as much as we did. They can customize the user interface +MORE mobile app at your request.
- Add new functionality and features to the mobile applications and web dashboard
- Change/ add data visualizations options
Contact them today for custom App Development!
White-labeled mobile apps and dashboard
Blynk the developer of +MORE has a fantastic team of developers eager to help with your IoT applications. They offer the following services.
We provide white-label IoT infrastructure:
- Private IoT cloud
- Branded mobile applications for remote monitoring and control
- A branded web dashboard to manage fleet of your devices
- Big Data analysis with actionable insights
- Development of machine learning algorithms
Contact them today for all of your IoT cloud needs!