The RIMIK DataNode Remote Terminal Unit (DN RTU) is at the core of RIMIK’s data acquisition, monitoring and telemetry control system. The latest range of DN RTU’s have been designed specifically for the Australian agricultural industry with easy installation and on site repair by farmers.
The DN range of RTU’s comprise a modular electronic control system consisting of a connection board that accepts a series of input, output, communication and specialist modules together with a main processor, solar charger and voltage regulator. This system also utilises modules for local radio communication and allows for existing and new data transport carriers (cellular, satellite and LAN).
Field hardware is supported via an IP connection to the RIMIK API and is presented in a clear User Interface. Clients can securely log into their network via the internet to monitor and control connected devices.
DN RTU’s can be configured as Standalone systems, Gateways, Field Nodes and Radio Nodes. The format of the connected equipment is limited only by the number of available ports and the types of I/O modules required. The current selection of I/O modules covers most common types of sensors, controllable field devices and industrial communication protocols like SDI-12 and ModBus. Specialist modules are available or under development to operate linear actuators, motorised positioning systems and a number of other devices.
DN RTU’s use radio communication as the backbone of a local wireless network. This network links to the internet via a Gateway utilising a selection of data transport carriers including 3G, 4G (LTE Cat M1 and NBIoT). The modular design allows RIMIK to integrate other data transport carriers such as Satellite and IP over LAN without substantial equipment replacement. Advances in cellular mobile, satellite and radio communication systems such as 5G, WiFi, ZigBee, SigFox, LoRa and others can be more easily and cost effectively integrated into existing equipment networks. RIMIK’s design is intended to provide a high level of future proofing so that clients can cost effectively move with technology changes.
In conjunction with other electrical equipment there is very little in the market place that cannot be connected to and controlled remotely through the DN range and its accompanying internet based monitoring and control system.
| Level Monitoring
Level systems are available for tanks, channels and dams. In addition, level monitoring can be configured for SWL in bores and wells. The types of sensors utilised include submersible electrodes, float switches, external and submersible pressure transducers, ultrasonic depth sensors and radar distance measurement systems.
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Environmental Monitoring
Simply monitor basic weather parameters or extend the capability to notify you of dew point, Delta T, average and high wind speed, wind direction and any other measurable changes that affects your operation. Add a temperature sensor to measure inversion layer risk and specialist sensors for evapotranspiration, accumulated heat load and other important environmental measures. |
Soil Moisture Monitoring
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| Irrigation Control and Scheduling
Web interface generated irrigation schedules are transmitted to each remote unit allowing localised time based or function based control of the system e.g. pump until a time is completed or a batch volume is reached. Irrigation control can apply to all pressurised and flood irrigation systems involving field devices such as valves, gates, diesel and electric pumps. |
Flow and Pressure Monitoring
In-line pressure transducers are most commonly used for pressure monitoring while a number of flow sensors have been installed including flow switches, float switches, pulse and frequency flow meters. Data can be collected from multiple ultrasonic devices with current or voltage output or Modbus and most commonly used pulse and magnetic flow meters. |
System Efficiency Monitoring
Keep any eye on your irrigation water distribution uniformity through pressure, flow and GPS logs or track pump operating parameters in order to reduce power consumption. Especially useful if attached to a VSD that measures power consumption and other measures affecting operating costs.
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| NetControl and Wireless Link
Isolated systems can be paired wirelessly and configured to carry out switching functions for valves, pumps, gates and many other devices based on user specified conditions such as low flow, high or low level, environmental factors, contacts or movement sensors. These systems can also be used to switch lights or set off local alarms. Linking pumps to tank level for refill is useful when pressure systems and float shutoff valves aren’t a suitable solution.
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Online Access
Switch devices, change set points or simply monitor your operations all from your mobile phone, tablet or PC. |
Alerts
Alert Active: Tank 5 is below 30% Triggers are configured by device and can be digital or analogue set points or ranges. At each polling interval the API will check the status of the reading against the trigger and raise an alert if a trigger condition is active. Alerts can be configured for particular individuals and sent via email and or SMS reducing “Alert overload”. Under a standard access agreement, clients can receive 100 SMS Alerts per month at no additional cost. |
| Input Modules
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Output Modules
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Communication Modules
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Points of Difference
There is an increasing level of choice in the IoT market, all seemingly performing similar functions. So what is the RIMIK point of difference.
- Australian owned, designed, manufactured and serviced with an Australian Certified Design
- Future proof hardware with a modular design allowing technology switching, hardware, firmware and software upgrades at reduced cost and limited interruption to ongoing services.
- Highly adaptable and will suit almost any application within the agricultural industry.
- Easy to install DN devices that can be factory or remotely configured to your specification. Modules fitted to suit your connected equipment with accessories available for pole or wall mounting. Simple antenna and solar panel mounts with industrial grade plug connections.
- Ability to connect to any device currently in use in your process with relative ease without being restricted to using RIMIK specified sensors, devices, cabling or connectors.
- Expand your system with ease using off the shelf modules to add inputs, outputs and local communication capability to existing DN device.
- Easy, cost effective, off the shelf battery replacement and standard automotive connectors
- Operate as an isolated unit or IP connected as stand-alone or within a radio network
- Thoroughly private API and Interface available by request versus secure login to the RIMIK User Interface.
- Designed for easier fault identification and repair in the field. Reduce the instance of back to base repairs with modular spare parts fitted by clients in the field.
- Localised control capability with schedule control at the Node and mixed IP control
- Alerts are fully customisable allowing clients to limit the nature of SMS alerts to the bare essentials and still keep an eye on non essential alerts via email or online. In addition clients can develop and direct specific alerts to particular staff or roles. Alerts can be switched off by the user when not required in the off season or set to operate only during working/shift hours.
- Low lifetime cost is a key aspect of the RIMIK service. We continuously look at ways of managing capital and operating costs to deliver the best value for money within the IoT industry.
System Features
- Self Healing Mesh Technology - Our existing radio network utilizes ZigBee and consists of multiple nodes with various applications all communicating with each other and back to a Gateway connected to the internet via the mobile network or a LAN. If a single DN failure occurs, the system can maintain communications for all other units by finding alternative routes through the network. The local telemetry system can operate wirelessly up to a maximum of 45km RFLOS in perfect conditions. Intermediate hops of 5-10kms are quite achievable with correct antenna selection and placement allowing the network to expand to cover whole properties. Importantly, data will move along the best RSSI path through the network so that transmission speed is maintained.
- Cost effective telemetry upgradability – the existing DN radio network is modular and as a result, it can be unplugged and replaced. This allows RIMIK to alter the backbone of the local network over time at an effective cost (for clients) to take advantage of changing technology. This includes LoRa as gateway access points become more publicly available or clients elect to install their own. RIMIK's modular system overcomes the cost of complete system replacement as telco’s upgrade their mobile networks, low cost satellite becomes readily available and other protocols alter data transmission costs.
- Output Control - In conjunction with telemetry equipment, a DN RTU can be configured for output control. This allows users to automatically or manually switch connected devices such as pumps, valves and process equipment. For industrial clients this includes any electrically switchable operating system. RIMIK use solid state relays which can be applied to any 12V to 60V application on board or 240V with the assistance of your electrician and external relays. Analogue set point change is currently available for localised rate control. Changes can be applied through the web interface to modify constraints such as RPM, flow rate and operating pressure. Analogue output control directly from the DN RTU will be available via a specialized I/O module in the near future.
- Industrial Protocol Communication – RN RTU’s can be easily fitted with various communication modules to cater for ModBus, SDI-12 and proprietary protocols. Industrial protocols such as ProfiBus, ISOBus, CANBus, Hart are being developed and added as the need arises. Firmware is already available to communicate with various brands of VSD via ModBus such as ABB, Kensho and Zenner.
- Realtime Interaction – Update rates can be altered in the web interface where clients have a specific need to improve the “realtime” response of the system. While a DN unit can have a reading interval as low as 1 second, the web based polling refresh rate of a DN unit is currently limited to two minutes. The response to control instructions are given priority through the API using a jump the queue function and can be as low as 4 seconds from issue to response depending on the configuration and size of the local network.
- DN RTU Condition Monitoring - Your system can provide a health check and notify you if there is a looming problem with backup battery capacity or poor solar panel performance.
- Alerts – Alerts operate via the RIMIK web interface. Notifications are available via the User Interface, Email and/or SMS. The most common alert is triggered by a set point at the device level. This is sufficient for notifications such as tank low level, exceeding flow rate, high pressure, no flow, high wind speed etc.
RIMIK is constantly expanding the alert system to allow client administrators to develop combined triggers such as wind direction and wind speed, inversion temperature and wind speed as well as non device specific alerts such as loss of communication or a user change to a device set point. This can be expanded to include non RIMIK systems such as a motion detecting camera sending an email to the RIMIK API.
Further development of the alert system will occur as client requirements change.
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