¶
¶ Overview
Use a serial terminal program to communicate with the automated monitoring node (AMN) to set port configurations, test and debug sensors or communications issues.
¶ Getting Started
Tera Term needs to be installed on the computer before beginning. It is possible to use other terminal applications however to follow the guide you will need to download Tera Term from this link here and follow the setup process.
If you haven't downloaded the USB driver yet you can download that from the link here. With the USB driver installed, plug the AMN into your computer using a micro USB cable if you are unsure of how to do that consult the appropriate AMN guide. For the AMN-PLUS click here, and for the AMN-MINI click here.
You will need a MicroUSB Cable that is capable of data transmission. Some MicroUSB Cables are for charging only.
Once Tera Term is installed run the program. When Tera Term opens you should see the window in the image above.
¶ Getting Connected
¶ Set Tera Term Settings
NOTE: These settings can be saved (see below). If you already have these settings saved, skip to Enable Logging below.
Select the Setup drop-down menu and click on Serial port.
Select the Speed drop-down menu and click on 115200.
Select New setting.
Select the Setup drop-down menu and click General.
Select the Language drop-down and click English.
Select the LanguageUI drop-down and click Default.Ing
Select the Setup drop-down menu and Click Save setup…
¶ Enable Logging
NOTE: This step is optional, and not required for connecting to the Node, but is recommended for record keeping and troubleshooting purposes.
Select the File drop-down menu and click Log…
On the Log screen, click the "…" icon to select a file location, edit the name of the file (nM recommends last 5 of GUID and date, as shown above, select Plain text and Timestamp boxes, and click OK.
A .txt log file will be created in the file location you set that is updated in real-time with the matching output from Tera Term. This file can be referenced later or sent to nM support for troubleshooting purposes.
¶ Connect to Node via MicroUSB
If you are connecting to a Cellular Node, ensure that the Modem LED light is NOT blinking prior to connecting to the MicroUSB Port. Connecting to the MicroUSB port will power cycle the node and modem, and may corrupt the modem firmware if it is power cycled while the Modem LED light is blinking (indicating an active connection to a cellular network).
Unplug Solar Panel or External Power from the Charger Port prior to plugging in the MicroUSB cable. If the Charger Port has power coming into it, it may back feed your computer, causing it to crash or creating issues with opening the serial port.
If connecting to a Cellular Node, ensure that the power switch is set to POWER ON. This switch only turns off power to the Node from the battery. The USB connection will supply power to the node. WiFi nodes may be connected to and configured with this switch off, however a Cellular Node may enter a reboot cycle with this switch turned off.
Connect the MicroUSB cable from your computer to the MicroUSB Socket.
NOTE: Reminder- wait for the Modem LED light to stop flashing before connecting if you are connecting to a Cellular Node.
¶ Open Serial Port
Select the File drop-down menu and click on New connection..
Select the Serial option and then use the drop-down menu to identify and click on the COM port that your AMN is using.
NOTE: The COM (communication) port that your AMN is using may differ from the one shown.
Select OK.
NOTE: Selecting OK will power cycle the node. Wait for the Modem LED light to stop flashing before selecting OK if you are connecting to a Cellular Node.
¶ Getting Prompt
The startup screen below should appear after opening the port in the previous step, allowing for the option to enter “C” to enter the neatMon Main menu before initializing the node. If you miss the “C” prompt or it does not appear, locate the button on the Node labeled RESET and press it to power cycle the node and allow for pressing “C". Both the AMN-MINI and AMN-PLUS reset button locations are pictured above.
NOTE: Do not hit the reset button if the modem LED light is flashing if you are connecting to a Cellular Node.
ets Jul 29 2019 12:21:46
rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:2
load:0x3fff0030,len:1184
load:0x40078000,len:12784
load:0x40080400,len:3032
entry 0x400805e4
WiFi debugging not yet implemented.
Reading 0 saved sensor configurations...
--------------------------------------
Automated Monitoring Node
by neatMon, Inc.
FW: 1.78, HW: 1.01
--------------------------------------
GUID:
Network config
Server:
Path:
Port: 65535
SSID: YOUR_SSID
Password: YOUR_PASSWORD
Sync rate: 65535m
Battery monitor: enabled
Demo mode: true
Num sensors: 0
Press 'C' to stop booting and configure.......
NeatMon Main Menu
1: Network config
2: Sensor config
3: Utilities
x: < Save & Quit
>Once the reset button is pressed on the AMN a message will appear in the terminal window saying 'Press 'C' to stop booting and configure.......'. When that message appears press c on the keyboard. If too much time has passed after pressing the reset button, the AMN will begin normal operation and the option to enter the main menu will not be available. To regain the option to enter the main menu, press the reset button once again.
NOTE: Info related to navigating the menu is located in the Firmware Command Reference.
¶ Disconnecting
If you have made any changes to configurations while connected, but sure to save your settings. Instructions on saving settings can be found in the Utility Menu Reference guide.
Remove the MicroUSB cable from the MicroUSB Socket.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the MicroUSB if the modem LED light is flashing if you are connected to a Cellular Node.
If putting the node into service, ensure the Power Switch is turned to “POWER ON”.
If putting the node into service, plug the solar panel or external power supply back in to the Charge Port.
If putting the node into service, hit the RESET button.
NOTE: Do not hit the reset button if the modem LED light is flashing if you are connecting to a Cellular Node.