TECHNICAL TRAINING

[Link]

01/04/2021
 AGENDA

● Overview of solution
○ Features of the Mesh radio protocol
○ Gateway hardware overview
○ Node hardware overview
● Gateway setup
○ Gateway initial setup
○ Date configuration
○ Radio configuration
TECHNICAL ○ Internet configuration
TRAINING ○
○
Data upload configuration
Project setup
● Node commissioning
○ Vibrating Wire Node
○ SAA Node
○ Project sync
● Gateway features
○ Exporting of data from the Gateway
○ Remote configuration of Nodes
○ Application of engineering formulas and units to readings
○ Exporting/Importing of projects
● Node features
○ Manual retrieval of data from Nodes
● Deployment best practices
○ Conducting a noise test
○ Conducting a network test
OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION
 ACKCIO DEVICES
WE OFFER A • Ackcio Nodes connect with sensors and transmit sensor
NEW-GENERATION data
• Ackcio Gateway receives and uploads sensor data
SOLUTION

ACKCIO MESH
We build an end-to-end solution that
automates the monitoring of
geotechnical and structural sensors in • Long-range wireless mesh protocol used by Nodes and
infrastructure, construction, and mining Gateway
projects. • High reliability in data collection

The Ackcio Beam solution is built upon

three main components:
• Ackcio Devices,
• Ackcio Mesh, ACKCIO SOFTWARE
• Ackcio Software.
• SNAPE - Ackcio software for data management and
configuration
• NIMBUS - Mobile app for on-site configuration and device
management
 ACKCIO DEVICES
WE OFFER A • Ackcio Nodes connect with sensors and transmit sensor
NEW-GENERATION data
• Ackcio Gateway receives and uploads sensor data
SOLUTION

ACKCIO MESH
We build an end-to-end solution that
automates the monitoring of
geotechnical and structural sensors in • Long-range wireless mesh protocol used by Nodes and
infrastructure, construction, and mining Gateway
projects. • High reliability in data collection

The Ackcio Beam solution is built upon

three main components:
• Ackcio Devices,
• Ackcio Mesh, ACKCIO SOFTWARE
• Ackcio Software.
• SNAPE - Ackcio software for data management and
configuration
• NIMBUS - Mobile app for on-site configuration and device
management
 HOW IT WORKS

Gateway
• Receives sensor readings from Internet (3G/4G/LAN/Wi-Fi)
Nodes
• Uploads them via the Internet to
a specified server/software
system
Ackcio Mesh
• The Nodes have in-built long-range radios
• The transmission distance is up to 10 km in line-of-
sight environments.
• Nodes automatically form a mesh network when
Ackcio long-range the Gateway cannot be reached directly.
wireless mesh
network

3rd Party Software

Nodes • 3rd party software (e.g., VDV, sensemetrics)
• • Client-specific internal software / servers
Sensors are connected to Nodes
• The Nodes are battery powered
• Nodes can be configured to take periodic sensor
readings
• Sensor data is transmitted wirelessly to the Gateway
 MESH RADIO PROTOCOL

● Long range - Up to 10km range with optimal conditions such as line-of-sight and no
radio noise

● Indirect connectivity - Nodes automatically form a mesh network when the Gateway
cannot be reached directly. Data sent along the mesh network can hop up to 8 times

● Reliable - In the event certain paths are blocked, the nodes will automatically send data
to the Gateway via alternative paths
OUR MESH
● Power-efficient - Nodes only consume power when taking sensor readings and when
sending data
 ACKCIO GATEWAY

1. Power terminal
2. Holder for D-cell batteries
a. Voltage: 3.6V
b. Capacity: 19AH
c. Current draw: 230mA
3. On/Off switch
4. Micro-USB port
OUR DEVICES 5.
6.
Debugger port
Micro SIM card slot

ACKCIO NODES

1. Holder for D-cell batteries

a. Voltage: 3.6V
b. Capacity: 19AH
c. Current draw: 230mA
2. Connector block for sensor wiring
3. Test, Reset, Format buttons
4. On/Off switch
5. Micro-USB port
6. Debugger port
 GATEWAY DASHBOARD

• Geotechnical data management dashboard, hosted on

the Gateway
• Uploads sensor data in real time to the Internet
• Compatible with 3rd party platforms and software
• Can be accessed remotely

OUR SOFTWARE

COMPANION SMARTPHONE APPLICATION

• Easy to use mobile app to configure devices

• Simple on-site troubleshooting
• Mesh network analysis
• Environmental noise analysis
• Standalone mode available for disconnected nodes
GATEWAY SETUP
 POWERING UP THE GATEWAY

Before you get started, you will need to prepare:

● The Gateway you would like to set up
● A 12V/3A power adapter for the Gateway (provided by Ackcio)
● A computer with Wi-Fi capability

1. Connect the 12V/3A power adapter to the Gateway, ensuring the polarities are affixed
correctly. The D cell battery connector is meant to hold a backup battery and is not
required at this stage.
GATEWAY SETUP
2. Flip the power switch to the ON position to power up the Gateway. You will then see
the RF LED (Radio Signal) blinking, indicating the Gateway is booting up.

3. After about a minute, the Gateway will fully boot up. You will then see the WF (Wi-Fi)
LED light up and turn solid, with the RF and SYS LEDs blinking.
 POWERING UP THE GATEWAY

GATEWAY SETUP

Figure 1: Gateway power terminal polarities

Figure 2: Gateway LED behavior when ON

 CONNECTING TO THE GATEWAY

1. On your computer, view the list of available Wi-Fi networks and connect to your
Gateway's Wi-Fi network. The network's name will contain the words "Ackcio_Beam",
followed by the Gateway's ID. The default password for the network is "adminadmin".

2. Open any web browser on your computer and visit [Link] On the login
screen, use the following credentials to log in:
Username: admin
Password: adminadmin
GATEWAY SETUP
 CONNECTING TO THE GATEWAY

Figure 3: Sample Gateway WiFi network name

GATEWAY SETUP

Figure 4: Connecting to the Gateway

 DATE CONFIGURATION

The Gateway can be configured from the Settings page. Click on the Gear icon at the top right
of the screen to enter the Settings page.

1. Click on the Date panel's menu.

2. Select the time zone for your region and your desired date format from the dropdown
menus. Do ensure that the time zone you have selected matches your computer's time
zone.
GATEWAY SETUP
3. Click on the Save button to save your settings.

4. Log in to the gateway again, and you will no longer see the red dot on the Date panel.
This indicates that the Gateway has synced with your computer's date and time.
 DATE CONFIGURATION

GATEWAY SETUP

Figure 5: Gateway Date configuration

 RADIO CONFIGURATION

1. Click on the Radio panel's menu.

2. Select your country and corresponding transmission frequency.

3. Set your transmission power. Do ensure that the set transmission power conforms to
your local regulatory requirements.

4. Click on the Save button to save your settings.

GATEWAY SETUP
 RADIO CONFIGURATION

GATEWAY SETUP

Figure 6: Gateway Radio configuration

 INTERNET CONFIGURATION

1. Click on the Internet panel's menu.

2. Select your preferred method for providing internet to the Gateway.

3. If you select LAN, no further action is required.

4. If you select Cellular, you will need to enter your SIM card’s APN and credentials.
GATEWAY SETUP 5. If you select Wi-Fi, you will need to enter your Wi-Fi network’s credentials.

6. Click on the Save button to save your settings.

7. After you save your settings, the Gateway will restart. Once the Gateway has restarted,
you can click on the Globe icon on the Internet panel to conduct an Internet connection
test.
 DATA UPLOAD CONFIGURATION

1. Click on the Upload Mode panel's menu.

2. Select your preferred upload mode.

3. If you select API and HTTPS, you will need to enter your server’s URL.

4. If you select API and sensemetrics, you will need to enter your sensemetrics’ API key.

GATEWAY SETUP 5. If you select FTP, you will need to enter your FTP server’s URL and credentials.

6. Click on the Save button to save your settings.

 PROJECT SETUP

1. Connect to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Open any web browser on your computer, visit [Link] and login.

3. Click on the Plus icon on the Projects panel.

4. Input your desired values for the Name, Client, Start Date and Location fields.

GATEWAY SETUP 5. Click the Next button.

6. Upon entering the Nodes & Sensors page, click the Setup button. Your will then see
your newly created project appear on the Projects panel.
 PROJECT SETUP

GATEWAY SETUP

Figure 7: Project creation

NODE COMMISSIONING
 POWERING YOUR NODE

1. Place a D cell battery into the Node's battery holder. Ensure the battery orientation
matches the polarities displayed on the board.

2. Switch the Node on by putting the power switch to the ON position. You will then see
the Node turn on, indicated by the SYS LED blinking.

NODE
COMMISSIONING
 ENABLING PERMANENT NODE LOGGING

1. Open the Ackcio Nimbus application on your Android device and tap the Start button.
You will then enter the Project List page.

2. Select the folder you’d like to store the logs in and grant the application access.

3. From now on, you will be able to access your Node logs in that folder as a text file.

NODE
COMMISSIONING
 DOWNLOADING THE PROJECT CONFIGURATION

1. From the Project List page, tap your project's Download icon. Should your created
project fail to appear, swipe down on the Project List page to reload the Gateway's
project details. Once you've completed this step, your Android device will no longer
need to be connected to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

NODE
COMMISSIONING
 DOWNLOADING THE PROJECT CONFIGURATION

NODE
COMMISSIONING

Figure 8: Downloading the project configuration

 CONNECTING YOUR ANDROID DEVICE TO YOUR NODE

1. Connect the Node to your Android device using the USB cable. Ensure that your OTG
adapter is connected to your Android device.

2. A popup will appear on your phone, requesting your permission for the Ackcio Nimbus
application to access the node. Tap the OK button.

3. Open the Ackcio Nimbus application on your Android device and tap the Start button.
This will bring you to the Project List page.
NODE
COMMISSIONING 4. Tap on your project to select it.

5. Press the Reset button on the Node. This will put the node into Pairing mode.

6. Within 10 seconds of the previous step, tap the Pair Node button on the Ackcio Nimbus
application. Upon successful pairing with the node, you will enter the Node Setup page.
At this point, the SYS LED on the node will stop blinking and turn solid.
 CONNECTING YOUR ANDROID DEVICE TO YOUR NODE

NODE
COMMISSIONING

Figure 9: Connecting your Android Figure 10: Pairing your Android

device to your Node device with your Node
 SETTING UP YOUR NODE

1. On the Node Setup page in the Ackcio Nimbus application, tap on the Pen icon next to
Node Name. Enter a name for your node and hit Save.

2. Tap on the Pen icon next to Sampling Rate, scroll to your desired sampling rate, and hit
Save.

3. Tap on the Setup Sensor button to enter the Sensor Setup page. This page will list the
number of configurable sensors depending on the type of Node being commissioned.
NODE The BEAM-VW-S1 node would list 1 sensor while the BEAM-VW-S8 node would list 8
COMMISSIONING sensors.
 SETTING UP YOUR NODE

NODE
COMMISSIONING

Figure 11: Setting up your Node

 SETTING UP YOUR SENSOR (BEAM-AN)

1. On the Sensor Setup page in the Ackcio Nimbus application, tap on Sensor 1 to begin
configuring it.

2. Tap on Sensor Code, enter a name for your sensor, and hit Save.

3. Tap on Sensor Type and select the appropriate sensor type.

4. Tap on Excitation Voltage and select the appropriate voltage for your sensor.
NODE
COMMISSIONING 5. Tap on Excitation Time and select the appropriate period for your sensor.

6. Tap the Save Sensor button to save your sensor settings. The Node will then take a
reading from your newly configured sensor. The SENS LED on the node will start
blinking at this stage.

7. To get another test reading, you can tap the Refresh icon. Otherwise, you can then tap
the Start Monitoring button to finish commissioning the node.

8. Upon completing the Node commissioning process, you will also be prompted to clear
your Node’s flash memory as well. This will remove all of the past data stored on the
Node. Once you've made your choice, you will see the SYS LED start blinking again after
this step.
 SETTING UP YOUR MEASURAND SENSOR (BEAM-DG)

1. On the Sensor Setup page in the Ackcio Nimbus application, tap on Sensor 1 to begin
configuring it.

2. Tap on Sensor Type and select RS485-MEASURAND ShapeArray.

3. Tap on Sensor Group, enter a name for your sensor, and hit Save.

4. Tap on the Magnifying Glass icon on the right end of Sensor Address, then enter the
NODE number of connected sensors. The Node will then automatically detect the sensor
COMMISSIONING addresses of the connected sensors.

5. Tap on Average Count, enter your desired value, and hit Save.

6. Tap the Save Sensor button to save your sensor settings. The Node will then take a
reading from your newly configured sensor. The SENS LED on the node will start
blinking at this stage.

7. To get another test reading, you can tap the Refresh icon. Otherwise, you can then tap
the Start Monitoring button to finish commissioning the node.

8. Upon completing the Node commissioning process, you will also be prompted to clear
your Node’s flash memory as well. This will remove all of the past data stored on the
Node. Once you've made your choice, you will see the SYS LED start blinking again after
this step.
 SETTING UP YOUR SENSOR (BEAM-VW)

1. On the Sensor Setup page in the Ackcio Nimbus application, tap on Sensor 1 to begin
configuring it.

2. Tap on Sensor Code, enter a name for your sensor, and hit Save.

3. Tap on Mode and select the appropriate Sweep Mode for your sensor. Please select the
Sweep Mode based on the expected frequency value of your sensor.

NODE 4. Tap the Save Sensor button to save your sensor settings. The Node will then take a
COMMISSIONING reading from your newly configured sensor. The SENS LED on the node will start
blinking at this stage.

5. To get another test reading, you can tap the Refresh icon. Otherwise, you can then tap
the Start Monitoring button to finish commissioning the node.

6. Upon completing the Node commissioning process, you will also be prompted to clear
your Node’s flash memory as well. This will remove all of the past data stored on the
Node. Once you've made your choice, you will see the SYS LED start blinking again after
this step.
 SETTING UP YOUR SENSOR (BEAM-VW)

NODE
COMMISSIONING

Figure 12: Setting up your VW sensor

 SYNCING YOUR NODE SETTINGS WITH THE GATEWAY

1. Once you've completed commissioning all your Nodes, connect your Android device to
the Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Enter the Setup Project page on your Ackcio Nimbus application.

3. Tap the Project Sync button to store all your Nodes' configuration settings on the
Gateway.

NODE 4. Your node will then be commissioned and attempt to connect to the Gateway's
COMMISSIONING network, indicated by the SYS LED on the Node blinking.

5. Once the Node has successfully joined the network, you will see the SYS LED stop
blinking. The Node will then start taking readings and sending that data to the Gateway
at the scheduled sampling intervals.
 SYNCING YOUR NODE SETTINGS WITH THE GATEWAY

NODE
COMMISSIONING

Figure 13: Syncing your Node settings with the Gateway

GATEWAY FEATURES
 EXPORTING OF DATA FROM THE GATEWAY

1. Connect to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Open any web browser on your computer, visit [Link] and login.

3. To export your entire project’s data, click on the Export icon next to your project’s
name and select the period for which you would like to export data. Then, click the
Export button.

GATEWAY 4. To export a specific Node’s data, click on your project on the Projects panel. Then on
FEATURES the Node Summary panel, click on the Export icon next to your Node’s name. Select the
period for which you would like to export data and click the Export button.

5. To export a specific sensor’s data, click on your project on the Projects panel. Then on
the Sensor Summary panel, click on the Export icon next to your sensor’s name. Select
the period for which you would like to export data and click the Export button.
 REMOTE CONFIGURATION OF NODE SAMPLING RATES

1. Connect to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Open any web browser on your computer, visit [Link] and login.

3. Click on your project on the Projects panel. You will then see your Nodes appear on the
Node Summary panel.

4. Click on the Pen icon next to your Node’s sampling rate, then key in your desired
GATEWAY sampling rate for the Node.
FEATURES 5. Click on the Tick icon to save your changes. You should then see an hourglass icon
appear in the Node State column indicating that your changes are being made. Once
the hourglass has disappeared, the Node will have been updated.
 APPLICATION OF ENGINEERING FORMULAS & UNITS

1. Connect to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Open any web browser on your computer, visit [Link] and login.

3. Click on the Pen icon next to your project on the Projects panel. This will bring you to
the Edit Project page.

4. Click on the Next button at the bottom of the page. This will bring you to the Nodes &
GATEWAY Sensors page.
FEATURES 5. Click on the Node whose sensor you would like to apply the engineering formula to.
You will then see the sensor's information appear in the middle column of the panel.

6. Click on the sensor you would like to apply the engineering formula to. You will then
see all reading types taken by the sensor appear in the right column of the panel.
 APPLICATION OF ENGINEERING FORMULAS & UNITS
(CONT’D)
1. Click on the Sigma icon next to the reading you would like to apply. You will then see a
popup window titled Configure Engineering Formula appear.

2. Select the formula you would like to apply to your sensor reading, and key in your
desired values into the formula fields. Once you've done so, click on the Save changes
button.

3. You can then click on the Unit Type and Base reading fields to set the appropriate
GATEWAY settings for your converted readings.
FEATURES 4. Repeat the previous steps for each reading type that you would like to edit . Once
you're done, click on the Setup button at the bottom of the page to apply your
changes.

5. From the next sensor reading onwards, the settings you've selected will be applied to
the Readings column of your sensor data. The Raw Readings column of your sensor
data will contain the original sensor readings, should you wish to apply another
engineering formula to them.
 EXPORTING YOUR PROJECT CONFIGURATION

1. Connect to your Gateway's Wi-Fi network.

2. Open any web browser on your PC, visit [Link] and login.

3. Click the Download icon on the Projects panel.

4. A .json file will be downloaded with the file name being set to the name of your
project.
GATEWAY
FEATURES
IMPORTING YOUR PROJECT CONFIGURATION

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network of the Gateway you'd like to import your project to.

2. Open any web browser on your PC, visit [Link] and log in.

3. Click on the Import icon and select the .json file of the project that you are trying to
restore.

4. The project will be restored on the Gateway, and the Nodes in your project will start
sending data to the new Gateway.
 EXPORTING/IMPORTING YOUR PROJECT CONFIGURATION

GATEWAY
FEATURES Figure 14: Exporting your project configuration

Figure 15: Importing your project configuration

NODE FEATURES
 EXPORTING NODE DATA TO YOUR ANDROID DEVICE

1. Follow the steps in “Connecting your Android device to your node”. You should then
arrive at the Node Setup screen.

2. Tap on the Export icon next to Node memory, and key in the number of days of data
you would like to download, and hit Save.

3. On your Android device's memory, select the folder to which you'd like to export the
data to, then tap Use this folder.
NODE FEATURES
4. A popup will appear on your Android device, requesting your permission for the Ackcio
Nimbus application to access the folder. Select the OK option.

5. You will then see a message stating "Flash is read successfully", indicating the Node's
data has been successfully exported to that folder.
 EXPORTING NODE DATA TO YOUR ANDROID DEVICE

NODE FEATURES

Figure 16: Exporting your Node data to your Android device

DEPLOYMENT BEST PRACTICES
 ACKCIO GATEWAY

● It is recommended to deploy the Gateway in an elevated outdoor location, within line-

of-sight of the Nodes where possible

● The Gateway antenna should be placed away from any surfaces such as walls and
ceilings to minimize interference

● The acceptable distance between the Gateway and the Nodes would depend on the
environmental radio noise and the presence of environmental obstacles
DEPLOYMENT BEST
PRACTICES ● The amount of environmental radio noise can be determined by our Noise Test

ACKCIO NODES

● It is recommended to deploy the Nodes close to the sensors to prevent any issues with
the wiring

● Once you’ve deployed all of the Nodes and sensors around the site, you will need to
check if additional relay nodes are required to extend the network’s range. The
connection between the Nodes can be assessed via our Network Test.
DEPLOYMENT BEST
PRACTICES

Figure 17: Gateway mounted in an Figure 18: Gateway mounted in an

elevated position elevated position 2
 CONDUCTING A NOISE TEST

1. Enter the Setup Project page on your Ackcio Nimbus application, then tap on the Menu
icon on the top left, and select the Noise Test option.

2. Press the Reset button on the Node to put the node into Pairing mode.

3. Tap on the Play icon at the top right of the screen to start the noise test. Upon starting
the noise test, you will see 3 lines appear on the graph indicating the minimum,
maximum and average level of noise in the environment. These lines will fluctuate for a
DEPLOYMENT BEST short period before settling at a stable level.
PRACTICES 4. The greater the noise level, the worse your system's range would be (E.g. Our system
would have better range in a -100 dBm environment than a -50 dBm environment).

5. Typically, the average noise level for your environment would dictate the minimum
signal strength at which our devices can communicate with one another. For example,
with an environmental noise level of -60dBm, our devices would start being unable to
communicate with one another at signal strength levels below that range. (Note: Signal
strength is obtained in the Network Test)
 CONDUCTING A NOISE TEST

DEPLOYMENT BEST
PRACTICES

Figure 19: Conducting a Noise test

 CONDUCTING A NETWORK TEST

1. Enter the Setup Project page on your Ackcio Nimbus application and tap the Network
Test button.

2. Tap on the Refresh icon at the top right of the screen to start the network test. Your
Node will then begin scanning for other devices and attempt to form a Mesh network,
as indicated by the countdown at the screen's top right. It is recommended that the
Node stay stationary during the network test.

DEPLOYMENT BEST 3. Once the Node has detected neighbours in its network, they will be displayed along
PRACTICES with the strength of their signals. The greater the number, the better signal strength
(E.g. -15 dBm would be better than -50dBm). Do remember to also compare this
number to the Noise Test results you obtained previously

4. We would recommend conducting the network test where you are planning to deploy
your Nodes, so that you can assess whether the Node can communicate with other
devices near it.

5. In a scenario where no devices are appearing at all, we would recommend relocating

the Node closer to other devices in the area or introducing Relay nodes.
 CONDUCTING A NETWORK TEST

DEPLOYMENT BEST
PRACTICES

Figure 20: Conducting a Network test

THANK YOU!