Certification Exhibit FCC ID: V5E-DCX IC: 7620A-DCX FCC Rule Part: 15.249 IC Radio Standards Specification: RSS-210 ACS Report Number: 07-0246 - 15C Manufacturer: Applied Mesh Technologies, LLC Model: DCX iDEN, DCX CDMA Installation Guide 5015 B.U. Bowman Drive Buford, GA 30518 USA Voice: 770-831-8048 Fax: 770-831-8598 DCX
(Direct Connect External) OperatiOns GuiDe Remote Metering, Monitoring and Control 151 Osigian Blvd. Suite 154 Warner Robins, GA 31088 478-333-3030 www.appmesh.com table of Contents Saftey Instructions/Warning Information Introduction Features Connections Unit Components LED Indicators General Specifications FCC Certification 3 4 5 8 10 14 16 17 safety instructions/Warning information The DCX is intended to be installed and maintained by trained and/or qualified technicians. The input voltages needed to operate this equipment are ex-
tremely dangerous to the inexperienced person. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that only those persons who have advanced technical training service the DCX and attached equipment. These instructions are not intended to be a substitute for proper training and experience. Please take note of the following safety information. For safe in-
stallation and operation of this equipment, be sure to read and understand all cautions and warnings. WarninG: This equipment is not intended to protect human life. Follow all locally approved procedures and safety practices when installing or operating this equipment. Failure to comply can result in death, severe personal injury and equipment damage. DanGer: Hazardous voltage. Contact with hazardous voltage will cause death or severe personal injury. Follow all locally approved safety procedures when working around high and low voltage lines and equipment. WarninG: Before installing, operating, maintaining, or testing this equipment, carefully read and understand the contents of this manual. Improper opera-
tion, handling or maintenance can result in death, severe personal injury, and equipment damage. WarninG: Power distribution equipment must be selected for the intended ap-
plication. It must be installed and serviced by competent personnel who have been trained and understand proper safety procedures. These instructions are written for such personnel and are not a substitute for adequate training and experience in safety procedures. Failure to properly select, install, or main-
tain this equipment can result in death, severe personal injury, and equipment damage. appMesh DCX 3 introduction Applied Mesh Technologies has created the DCX (Direct Connect eXternal) unit. This device is a small, communications interface unit that connects to any solid-state meter via a standard RS-232 connection. While originally cre-
ated to serve as a metering communication gateway, providing two way com-
munication services for the retrieval of meter data (register, interval and power quality); the DCX has found applications in Load Control, SCADA, Distribution Automation, Power Quality Monitoring, Outage Notification and other uses re-
quiring robust, hardened communication services. Figure 1: Typical DCX with Antenna appMesh DCX 4 Features The DCX offers many advantages over other competitors products including flexibility in WAN communications. WAN communication networks supported include digital cellular (iDEN, CDMA and GSM) and Ethernet. Each of these WAN options all have been integrated and are being used for communicating data from the DCX back to a customers location. The customer simply choos-
es the WAN option that offers the best rate plan or coverage. The DCX also includes LAN communications via Bluetooth. Each unit comes equipped with the ability to act as a host or client. For example, using one DCX with a cellular modem (host), up to ten other DCX units can be connect-
ed to meters (clients) with no modems. In this way, monthly communication costs are minimized because only one modem is needed to read all the meters. Figure 2 shows this architecture:
GE kV2c Multifunction Meter 28 448 558 123.45kVA DCX Host GE kV2c Multifunction Meter 28 448 559 543.21kVA Bluetooth Wireless Client Connections
- 10 simultaneous Clients
- 100' LOS, Omni GE kV2c
- each uniquely programmable RS232 Serial Connection, 2 plcs GE kV2c Multifunction Meter 28 448 559 543.21kVA GE kV2c Multifunction Meter 28 448 559 543 .21kVA DCX Client GE kV2c Multifunction Meter 28 448 559 543.21kVA Figure 2: DCX Modem Host Client Connections appMesh DCX 5 Features Each individual DCX unit hosts its own web server. Using the units installed modem IP, the user can gain access via any internet web browser. This feature was originally added to benefit the installer. By using the onboard web server, the installer could test communications and verify valid data. The web server can be completely customized to user specifications and formatted to work with any application. Figure 3: Standard Main Page A copy of a typical main web server page is shown in Figure 3. From this page, a number of configuration pages can be accessed as well as the meter data page. appMesh DCX 6 Features The Wired Configuration page, as shown in Figure 4, is used to configure serial port and TCP settings for specific serial communication. The TCP Direct Con-
nect Port is the user-entered port through which the meter will be read using MV-90 or similar meter management software packages. The meter password can also be entered on this page to allow the user to test the meter communi-
cation for certain meters. Figure 4: Wired Configuration Page appMesh DCX 8 Features Figure 5: Retrieved Data From Meter Data retrieved from a particular meter is depicted in Figure 5. This type of information is critical for the metering engineer or technician who will to test the DCX after installation. appMesh DCX 7 Connections Figure 6 shows two meters connected to the DCX via a RS-232 connection. Up to four meters can be connected to the DCX via RS-232, reducing redun-
dant communication costs. Two meters can be connected with the standard, single, serial board provided in the DCX. An optional serial board is required to connect two additional meters. Figure 6 shows a typical location where two meters are installed and one DCX is connected serially. Figure 6: Two Connected Meters The firmware in the DCX is capable of being updated over the air (OTA). Thus, if an additional feature or capability is desired by the customer, this can be implemented without having to physically visit the unit. The unit can be up-
dated by sending the code update over the wireless connection. An optional relay board can be connected to the DCX transforming it into a powerful control device. The relay board is equipped with two latching relays allowing the equipment to be started and/or stopped remotely. appMesh DCX 9 unit Components The standard DCX unit is made up of six circuit boards. The circuit boards are each identified and described below:
aC input The AC Input board is the connection point for AC power and serves as the surge protection point for the DCX. The AC input was designed for input volt-
ages of 85 to 305 VAC and can withstand surges of 6,000 volts. This board also provides monitoring points for incoming AC voltage. aC to DC power supply AC power leaves the AC Input board and travels to the AC to DC Power Supply board. Here, the incoming AC voltage is stepped down to 4.8 volts DC for use by the DCXs other circuitry. The AC to DC Power Supply board also monitors the incoming voltage and relays a message to the other DCX circuitry if AC power fails. AC Input Terminal Block L1 Connection AC/DC Board L2 Connection AC Input Board Figure 7: AC to DC, AC Input, and Serial Boards appMesh DCX 10 unit Components DC to DC power supply The DC to DC Power Supply takes the 4.8 volt input and uses it to create sev-
eral other DC voltages. The additional voltages are used as a power sources for the microcontroller, the Bluetooth and the modem. The DC to DC Power Supply board also hosts the Bluetooth circuitry. Also, this board includes two super capacitors that will engage if a loss of incoming power is detected at the AC to DC Power Supply. iDen Modem Carrier Board AC/DC Power Board AC Input/Surge Board I/O Interface Cable Meter RS232 RJ11 Connectors Controller Board DC/DC Power Board Dual RS232 Board DC Voltage Cable Figure 8: DCX Components Controller The Controller board contains the brains of the unit. This is where the micro-
processor and memory reside. Carrier The specific Carrier board can be interchanged depending upon the particular WAN communication desired. Figure 8 above shows an iDEN (Nextel) modem Carrier board after it is installed. To date, AppMesh offers a solution for Nex-
tel (iDEN), Southern Linc (iDEN), Verizon (CDMA), Sprint (CDMA), and Ethernet. appMesh DCX 11 unit Components rs232 serial The RS232 Serial board is the connection point for all hard wired devices. Us-
ing a the standard three wire connection (transmit, receive and ground), the unit can easily be interfaced. Figure 9 below shows two female RJ11 con-
nectors wired to the isolated RS232 Serial board ready for connection to two meters. RJ11 Meter 2 RS232 RJ11 Meter 1 RS232 Figure 9: RS232 Serial Board and Connections Dual RS232 Interface appMesh DCX 12 unit Components Single Meter Connection RS-232 Connection Diagram to AppMesh DCX Isolated Serial Board from the Meter single Meter Connection GE kV2 or kV2c Meter with male RJ11 connector on cable. Remove RJ11 connector and wire per diagram GE kV2 or kV2c Meter with male DB9 connector on cable. Remove DB9 connector and wire per diagram White No Connection Green No Connection Black IGND RXB RXA TXB TXA IGND RXB RXA TXB TXA Elster A3 Meter with male RJ11 connector on cable. Remove RJ11 connector and wire per diagram L+G S4e Meter Wire per diagram Green No Connection Yellow No Connection Red IGND RXB RXA TXB TXA IGND RXB RXA TXB TXA Yellow No Connection Red No Connection Brown Black No Connection Red No Connection Yellow Figure 10: RS-232 Connection Diagram to AppMesh DCX Isolated Serial Board from the Meter Note: Any solid state meter readily can be connected to the DCX serially (RS232) using a three wire connection (transmit, receive and ground). The above connections are those that are most familiar and common at the current time. Please consult the meter manufacturers manual for the correct connections. nOte: Any solid-state meter can readily be connected to the DCX serially using a three wire connection (transmit, receive, and ground). The above connections are for several common meter types. Please consult the meter manufacturers manual for the correct connections. Dual meter connections are completed us-
ing the same wiring configurations shown above but use terminals RXB and TXB with IGND being shared by both meters. Dual meter connections are completed using the same wiring configurations shown above but use terminals RXB and TXB with the IGND being shared by both meters. appMesh DCX 13 LeD indicators The DCX is equipped with a clear viewing window on the upper left side. Inside this window are a various status LEDs that provide an indication of several dif-
ferent operations including: modem registration, signal strength, Bluetooth connection and faults. Figure 11 explains what the different LEDs indicate. registration Looking at the front of the DCX with the cover closed, the upper left green LED and the lower left red LED indicate registration. If the lower left red LED is on, the modem has not completed initialization. Once the modem has been pow-
ered up and initialization complete, the lower left red LED will be off. When the modem is registered, the upper left green LED will blink slowly. For iDEN modems (Nextel or Southern Linc), the upper left green LED is solid when a data call is in progress and communication is taking place. For CDMA modems
(Sprint or Verizon), the upper left green LED blinks rapidly when a data call is in progress and communication is taking place. For CDMA modems if the upper green LED is solid, then the modem is no longer registered on the carriers net-
work; it returns to blinking slowly when the modem re-registers on the network. LED Indicators Fault LeD A fault LED is located in the upper right hand corner. This LED is on during the DCX initialization and will turn off when initialization is complete and the DCX ready to use. This LED may also turn on during operation if a fault is detected. FAULT ON when Fault Detected Signal Quality 1 Signal Quality 0 Modem Active Blinks when modem active Modem Not Registered OFF when modem is Registered Signal Quality LED Encoding Modem Registered SQ1 SQ0 Signal Quality LED Photo NO OFF OFF No Service YES OFF OFF Poor YES OFF ON Fair Bluetooth Comm Blinks as data is moved Bluetooth Link Off when link established YES ON OFF Good Figure 11: LED Window appMesh YES ON ON Execellent DCX 14 LeD indicators Bluetooth Connection Directly to the right of the signal strength LEDs are two LEDs that are used for Bluetooth operation. The top LED here is blue and indicates that Bluetooth communications are enabled. This blue LED will flash quickly when Bluetooth communications are underway. Directly below the blue LED is a red LED that also indicates an actual Bluetooth connection. This red LED will turn off when a Bluetooth communications session begins. LED Indicators signal Quality There are two LEDs that indicate signal quality. These LEDs are the top and bottom pair located immediately to the right of the registration LEDs. When the DCX has poor service, neither of the signal quality LEDs will be on. If the DCX has fair service, the bottom signal quality LED (SQ0) will be on. Good ser-
vice is denoted when the top signal quality LED (SQ1) is lit only. Finally, signal strength is excellent when both the signal quality LEDs are lit. Table 1 illus-
trates the different signal strengths. nOte: The top left green LED will be blinking slowly if the modem is registered. Modem Not Registered OFF when modem is Registered Modem Active Blinks when modem active Signal Quality 0 Signal Quality 1 Signal Quality LED Encoding Modem Registered LED Photo SQ1 SQ0 Signal Quality NO OFF OFF No Service YES OFF OFF Poor YES OFF ON Fair YES ON OFF Good YES ON ON Execellent table 1: LED Signal Indication appMesh DCX 15 General specifications Overall Dimensions:
Enclosure Material:
Rating:
Temperature:
AC Input:
4.5x 3.75x 2.5 Lexan 503R NEMA 3, UL916
-40 to +65 C 85-305 VAC (2W Max) Automatic Discovery of Clients Built in Watch Dog with Hardware Restart Self Registration on Cellular Network Firmware Update Over-the-Air appMesh DCX 16 FCC & industry Canada Certification WarninG: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by Applied Mesh Technologies, LLC could void the users authority to operate the equipment. nOte: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Howev-
er, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular instal-
lation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the fol-
lowing measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body. This trans-
mitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other an-
tenna or transmitter. appMesh DCX 17 FCC & industry Canada Certification This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interfer-
ence Causing Equipment Regulations. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Cet appareillage numrique de la classe B rpond toutes les exigences de linterfrence canadienne causant des rglements dquipement. Lopration est sujette aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) ce dispositif peut ne pas causer linterfrence nocive, et (2) ce dispositif doit accepter nimporte quelle inter-
frence reue, y compris linterfrence qui peut causer lopration peu dsire. appMesh DCX 18