Remote MODBUS data acquisition, monitoring and transmission system
MODBUS Converter
The MODBUS Converter is designed for fully automated, remote data collection from utility meters and industrial equipment equipped with a Modbus interface. The device collects and stores readings and transmits them over a LoRaWAN network without operator intervention, making it a practical solution for upgrading existing metering systems and implementing remote equipment monitoring.
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Automatic MODBUS data acquisition - External sensor monitoring
- LoRaWAN data transmission with offline storage
- External device control via open-drain output
How the system works
Configuration
The device is configured via Bluetooth using a mobile application.
Installation
The device is connected to metering equipment via the Modbus interface or to external sensors through its configurable pulse/alarm input.
Data collection
The device periodically polls connected Modbus equipment and stores the collected data in its internal memory.
Data transmission
The device transmits collected data to the monitoring platform over LoRaWAN at a configurable interval.
System components:
A mobile application used to configure the device and adjust its operating parameters.
An industrial device installed at the monitoring site and connected to metering equipment or external sensors.
Mobile application
The application is supported on devices with the Android 9.0 operating system and later versions. After installing the application, you gain access to the device and can configure and use the data from the smartphone screen.
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Functional requirements for the mobile application:
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Functional requirements for the mobile application:
- It must be possible to change the device parameters — local configuration via Bluetooth using the mobile application.
MODBUS Converter device
The MODBUS Converter is designed to connect to external equipment via a Modbus RTU (RS-485) interface, collect data using the Modbus protocol and transmit the acquired information over a LoRaWAN network.
The device is supplied in an inactive state known as hibernation mode, intended for storage and transportation.
Before the device can be put into operation, Hibernation Mode must be disabled.The device is activated via NFC. Once activated, it can be configured via Bluetooth using the mobile application.
The device is battery-powered and supports the simultaneous connection of two additional DC power sources:
The device is supplied in an inactive state known as hibernation mode, intended for storage and transportation.
Before the device can be put into operation, Hibernation Mode must be disabled.The device is activated via NFC. Once activated, it can be configured via Bluetooth using the mobile application.
The device is battery-powered and supports the simultaneous connection of two additional DC power sources:
- an external battery pack supplying 5–16 V DC;
- an external power adapter supplying 5–30 V DC.
Inputs and outputs:
The device is equipped with an additional pulse input that can be reconfigured to operate as an alarm input.
In Alarm Input mode, it can be used to monitor external sensors and devices, including:
In Alarm Input mode, it can be used to monitor external sensors and devices, including:
- Water leak sensors.
- Meter cabinet door-opening sensors.
- Water supply pressure switches.
- External Hall-effect sensors used to detect attempts to manipulate meter readings with magnets.
- Electronic security seals and other external alarm devices.
The device includes one open-drain output designed to control external actuators, such as:
- Electromechanical water or gas shut-off valves.
- Alarm indicators and signaling devices.
Two output control methods are supported.
Manual Control
The output is controlled by sending a downlink message from the monitoring platform to the device.
Automatic Control
The output is activated in response to a configured alarm input being triggered.
The input used to trigger automatic output control is specified in the device settings.
The input can be configured as either normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO).
Manual Control
The output is controlled by sending a downlink message from the monitoring platform to the device.
Automatic Control
The output is activated in response to a configured alarm input being triggered.
The input used to trigger automatic output control is specified in the device settings.
The input can be configured as either normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO).
The device must support the following functions:
- Configurable alarm activation on either a rising or falling signal edge.
- Configurable activation delay to prevent false alarms.
- Automatic alarm reset when the input returns to its normal state.
- Generation and transmission of an unscheduled data packet when the alarm input enters the Alarm state.
- Optional generation and transmission of an unscheduled data packet when the input returns to the Normal state.
The pulse counter must support the following functions:
- Absolute pulse counting on the rising edge.
- Configurable contact debounce time in 1 ms increments.
- A 32-bit pulse counter.
- No reverse counting functionality.
- Local or remote reset of the accumulated pulse count.
The period of generation of packets with readings is 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours. Packets are generated at 00 minutes 00 seconds of the beginning of the generation hour.
The generation hour is selected according to the following rule:
The period of 1 hour is in 00:00, 01:00, 02:00, ... 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00
The period of 3 hours is in 00:00, 03:00, 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00
The period of 6 hours is in 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 hours
The period of 12 hours is at 00:00, 12:00 o'clock
The 24-hour period is at 00:00 hours
The generation hour is selected according to the following rule:
The period of 1 hour is in 00:00, 01:00, 02:00, ... 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00
The period of 3 hours is in 00:00, 03:00, 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00
The period of 6 hours is in 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 hours
The period of 12 hours is at 00:00, 12:00 o'clock
The 24-hour period is at 00:00 hours
The device includes an internal non-volatile memory buffer organized according to the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle. When new measurement packets are generated, they are added to the transmission queue. A packet is removed from the queue only after successful delivery has been confirmed.
The buffer must be capable of storing at least 200 measurement packets.
The buffer must be capable of storing at least 200 measurement packets.
The data is transmitted at a configurable interval.
The data transfer period is set from a series – 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours
The data transmission period may not coincide with the packet generation period. For example, if you set a packet generation period every 1 hour and a data transmission period of 24 hours, the device transmits 24 accumulated packets every 24 hours.
The data transfer period is set from a series – 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours
The data transmission period may not coincide with the packet generation period. For example, if you set a packet generation period every 1 hour and a data transmission period of 24 hours, the device transmits 24 accumulated packets every 24 hours.
There are two ways to change the device configuration parameters: local configuration via the Bluetooth radio interface using a mobile application and remote configuration via a data network by sending a downlink message from the platform via the akytec protocol to the device. Both configuration methods allow you to change any of the device configuration parameters.
Benefits of the remote MODBUS monitoring system
The MODBUS Converter provides businesses with a comprehensive solution for automating utility metering and improving infrastructure monitoring. The system automatically collects data from utility meters and external sensors, stores measurements reliably and transmits them over LoRaWAN. This eliminates the need for manual meter readings, reduces operating costs and improves data accuracy.
The solution helps organizations minimize maintenance expenses, improve infrastructure reliability, reduce the risk of equipment failures and maintain transparent, automated resource accounting.
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Automated meter reading and monitoringThe system eliminates the need for manual data collection from connected metering devices. Readings are acquired automatically according to a predefined schedule and configured measurement parameters.- Key Benefit: Saves staff time and reduces human error, manual data entry mistakes, inaccuracies and reporting delays.
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Versatile and flexible integrationSupport for a configurable pulse input and various external sensors makes the device suitable for a wide range of applications, from commercial water and heat metering to industrial process monitoring and security systems.- Key Benefit: Reduces the cost of deployment, maintenance and infrastructure expansion.
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Reduced operating costsBattery-powered operation, remote data transmission and fewer on-site maintenance visits help significantly reduce operating expenses.- Key Benefit: Lower maintenance, energy, personnel and emergency repair costs, with faster return on investment through optimized operations.
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Remote equipment access and monitoringThe system enables remote monitoring of utility meters, engineering systems and external sensors installed at geographically dispersed or difficult-to-access locations.- Key Benefit: Lower maintenance costs, particularly for organizations managing large numbers of distributed assets.
Project scope and completed work:
- Development of the device's electronic circuit schematic.
- Printed circuit board (PCB) design and layout.
- Manufacturing of device prototypes.
- Development of embedded firmware.
- Development of device configuration software.
- Production of a batch of more than 100 devices.
Do you have an idea?
Write to us, and we’ll discuss your project.
Write to us, and we’ll discuss your project.