Spydaq Product

• • Low cost
• • Simple to use
• • Secure, inviolate data
• • Battery life in excess of 6 years
• • GPRS/web link for world-wide

• • Quick and easy to install
• • 400 metre line-of-sight range
• • Reliable radio transmission
• • remote access
• • Modbus/USB for local use

BaseStation

At the heart of the spYdaq system is the BaseStation, which receives data from up to 16 remote transmitters, and passes it to a PC, either via a Modbus RTU, USB, or by GPRS direct to the spYdaq website, whch can be accessed anywhere in the world. Each transmitter can have up to three inputs - temperature, relative humidity and universal - and sends it via a licence-free ISM radio band, using a sophisticated data redundancy system (patent pending),
to ensure virtually error-free data acquisition.

The BaseStation is the heart of the system, and is the key to making spYdaq as capable, flexible and reliable as it is.

After the incoming signals reach the BaseStation, they pass through an error checking algorithm to ensure data integrity (see page 11). Then the BaseStation either saves the readings in internal registers ready for integration by the Modbus master, or transmits the data via GPRS to the spYdaq website, accessible from anywhere in the world.

The front panel features 16 LEDs - one for each transmitter within the system - which show red if a pre-programmed alarm condition has been encountered, and green if not. Additional LEDs indicate power on, alarm or warning present, etc. If an alarm condition is present, an internal buzzer and relay contact can be configured to activate - or there is even an SMS message option
(GPRS version only).

The top of the BaseStation features a large back-lit LCD screen, which displays a variety of functions and processes as they are happening within the system.

On the rear of the unit are various connectors and devices

• •  2 x BNC connectors for the twin antennas - part of the antenna diversity system.
• • A relay output connector, which can activate external devices in an alarm situation.
• • A USB port for the configuration of the BaseStation.
• • A 9 Pin ‘D’ type RS232 port for serial (Modbus) communications.
• • A GPRS transmission aerial (GPRS version only).
• • A push-button switch to toggle the LCD screen though its various functions.

Transmitters

spYdaq systems come with a variety of sensor types, for all manner of applications. Let us advise you on what’s best for your needs.

All spYdaq transmitters

Power Supply : 1 AA Size Lithium Thionyl Chloride 2.2 AH, 3.6VDC
Battery Life : Typically 6 Years @ 10 minute transmit rate
Transmission Frequency : 433.55 MHz or 434.29MHz conforms to
ETSI EN300 220-1
Transmission Rate : Switch selectable - 20 seconds, 60 seconds, 10 minutes or 30 minutes
Encoding :  Multiple message, Manchester encoding with error correction and check sum
Range : Typically 400m line of sight with standard antennas Range reduces within buildings etc.
Output Power : Conforms to current legislation

Software

spYdaq is easy to use because of its intuitive software, which gives a total information overview on your desktop. There are two elements to the software provision:

Firstly:
spYdaq itself comes bundled with spYconfig software, a Windows-based programme used to configure the system via standard USB connections. For data access, the spYdaq BaseStation offers two options:
1 an industry-standard Modbus RTU output, which allows easy integration with existing software solutions, or
2 a standard USB output, using Signatrol software
3 a GPRS output using mobile phone networks to transmit the data to the spydaq website, accessible anywhere in the world.

Secondly:
For data processing and analysis, we offer a choice of out-of-the-box software solutions to deliver a range of information, which typically includes

spYdaq’s wide range of inputs means that by connecting an appropriate sensor, virtually any parameter can be measured and logged, including:

• Temperature
• 4/20 mA
• Humidity
• Voltage (0 to 10VDC)
• Pt 100, Ni100, Ni120,Cu100 & Ohms
• Contact Closure
• Thermocouple Types J, K, T, R, S

The BaseStation checks locally for alarm conditions with inbuilt audio and visual alarms, as well as providing a switched contact output that can be used to trigger external devices. There is even an SMS message option available (GPRS version only). Alarming locally means that potential trouble spots can be quickly detected and corrected - which can often save vulnerable goods and commodities from damage or rapid decay.

Set-up and commissioning is easily done on-site. All that’s needed is that the device address, sensor type and transmission rate are set using the on-board DIP switches. The BaseStation comes supplied with spYconfig software, which is used for initial configuration via USB, and for setting up such things as sensor type, alarm levels, engineering ranges, etc. A fast transmit mode
(of 20 seconds) enables the system to be checked very quickly to ensure that is all fully functional, after which logging can begin.

After this initial set-up, the system is ready to work either via a GPRS/web link to our dedicated website at spydaq.com - or connected to a local PC running compatible software.

Reliable radio transmission that won’t let you down

With the advent of new techniques, radio-based data transmission systems have advanced dramatically in recent years, and are now more reliable than ever before, virtually eliminating missed readings.

spYdaq has been researched, developed and exhaustively tested to make full use of all the most sophisticated technologies, which inlcude:

• Error Correcting Code with Manchester Encoding. Each transmission is encoded and sent complete with a check-sum, so that single bit errors are automatically detected and corrected.
Even multi-bit errors can be corrected in certain circumstances.

• Multiple Messaging (patent pending). Each transmission contains the last five measured data readings - so if any part of a transmission has been lost, the missing reading is automatically provided on the next transmission.

• Antenna Diversity. The BaseStation uses multiple antennas, which compensate for variations in signal strength due to location and orientation. It will automatically select the strongest signal, thus extending the usable range, and ensuring reliable signal integrity.

• Sample Rate ‘Wobble’. Multiple Messaging will ensure no data is lost if two or more readings are sent at the same time and interfere - but this could be problematic if the transmission intervals are perfectly synchronised. So to ensure this never happens, 
spYdaq adds a randomised ‘wobble’ to the transmission interval of ±1 second, in 50ms intervals.