Table of Contents:

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 What is RS485 / UART to NB-IoT Converter
  • 1.2 ​Features
  • 1.3 Specification
  • 1.4 Applications
  • 1.5 Sleep mode and working mode
  • 1.6 Button & LEDs
  • 1.7 BLE connection
  • 1.8 Pin Definitions , Switch & SIM Direction
    • 1.8.1 Jumper JP2
    • 1.8.2 BOOT MODE / SW1
    • 1.8.3 Reset Button
    • 1.8.4 SIM Card Direction
• 2. Use RS485-NB to communicate with IoT Server
  • 2.1 Send data to IoT server via NB-IoT network
  • 2.2 Configure Device to Read RS485 Sensors
    • 2.2.1 Method 1 -- via RS485 Configure Tool
    • 2.2.2 Method 2 -- via AT Commands
      • 2.2.2.1 Configure UART settings for RS485 or TTL communication
    • 2.2.3 Configure sensors
    • 2.2.4 Configure read commands for each sampling
    • 2.2.5 Uplink when the sensor is not responding
    • 2.2.6 Uplink on Interrupt
  • 2.3 ​Payload Types
    • 2.3.1 General Json Format(Type=5)
    • 2.3.2 HEX format Payload(Type=0)
  • 2.4 Test Uplink and Change Update Interval
  • 2.5 Fast command to handle MODBUS device
  • 2.6 RS485 command timeout
  • 2.7 Clear RS485 Command
  • 2.8 Set Payload version
  • 2.9 Control output power duration
  • 2.10 Get sensor value
  • 2.11 +3V3 Output
  • 2.12 +5V Output
  • 2.13 Switch Jumper
  • 2.14 Clock logging (Since firmware version v1.0.7)
  • 2.15 Example Query saved historical records
  • 2.16 Uplink log query
• 3. Configure RS485-NB
  • 3.1 Configure Methods
  • 3.2 AT Commands Set
• 4. Battery & Power Consumption
• 5. Firmware update
• 6. FAQ
  • 6.1 How can I access t BC660K-GL AT Commands?
  • 6.2 How many RS485-Slave can RS485-NB connects?
  • 6.3 How to configure the device through the MQTT subscription function?
  • 6.4 How to Use RS485-NB  to connect to RS232 devices?
  • 6.5 How to judge whether there is a problem with the set COMMAND
    • 6.5.1 Introduce:
    • 6.5.2 Set up PC to monitor RS485 network With Serial tool
    • 6.5.3 With ModRSsim2:
    • 6.5.4 Example – Test the CFGDEV command
    • 6.5.5 Example – Test CMD command sets.
    • 6.5.6 Test with PC
• 7. Order Info
• 8. ​Packing Info
• 9. Support

1. Introduction

1.1 What is RS485 / UART to NB-IoT Converter

The Dragino RS485-NB is a RS485 / UART to NB-IoT Converter for Internet of Things solutions. User can connect RS485 or UART sensor to RS485-NB converter, and configure RS485-NB to periodically read sensor data and upload via NB-IoT network to IoT server.

RS485-NB can interface to RS485 sensor, 3.3v/5v UART sensor or interrupt sensor. RS485-NB provides a 3.3v output and a 5v output to power external sensors. Both output voltages are controllable to minimize the total system power consumption.

RS485-NB supports different uplink methods including MQTT, MQTTs, UDP & TCP for different application requirement, and support uplinks to various IoT Servers.

RS485-NB supports BLE configure and OTA update which make user easy to use.

RS485-NB is IP67 waterproof and powered by 8500mAh Li-SOCI2 battery, it is designed for long-term use up to several years.

RS485-NB has optional built-in SIM card and default IoT server connection version. Which makes it works with simple configuration.

1.2 ​Features

• NB-IoT Bands: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B28/B66/B70/B85 @H-FDD
• Ultra-low power consumption
• Support multiply RS485 devices by flexible rules
• Support Modbus protocol
• Support Interrupt uplink
• Supports connecting a UART sensors with 3.3V or 5V
• Multiply Sampling and one uplink
• Support Bluetooth v5.1 remote configure and update firmware
• Uplink via MQTT, MQTTs, TCP, or UDP
• Uplink on periodically
• Downlink to change configure
• 8500mAh Battery for long term use
• Nano SIM card slot for NB-IoT SIM

1.3 Specification

Common DC Characteristics:

• Supply Voltage: 2.5v ~ 3.6v
• Operating Temperature: -40 ~ 85°C

I/O Interface:

• Battery controllable output (2.6v ~ 3.6v depends on battery)
• +5v controllable output
• 1 x RS485 Interface
• 1 x UART Interface , 3.3v or 5v
• 1 x Interrupt or Digital IN/OUT pins
• 1 x I2C Interface
• 1 x one wire interface

NB-IoT Spec:

NB-IoT Module: BC660K-GL

Support Bands:

• B1 @H-FDD: 2100MHz
• B2 @H-FDD: 1900MHz
• B3 @H-FDD: 1800MHz
• B4 @H-FDD: 2100MHz
• B5 @H-FDD: 860MHz
• B8 @H-FDD: 900MHz
• B12 @H-FDD: 720MHz
• B13 @H-FDD: 740MHz
• B17 @H-FDD: 730MHz
• B18 @H-FDD: 870MHz
• B19 @H-FDD: 870MHz
• B20 @H-FDD: 790MHz
• B25 @H-FDD: 1900MHz
• B28 @H-FDD: 750MHz
• B66 @H-FDD: 2000MHz
• B70 @H-FDD: 2000MHz
• B85 @H-FDD: 700MHz

Battery:

• Li/SOCI2 un-chargeable battery
• Capacity: 8500mAh
• Self Discharge: <1% / Year @ 25°C
• Max continuously current: 130mA
• Max boost current: 2A, 1 second

Power Consumption

• STOP Mode: 10uA @ 3.3v
• Max transmit power: 350mA@3.3v

1.4 Applications

• Smart Buildings & Home Automation
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Smart Metering
• Smart Agriculture
• Smart Cities
• Smart Factory

1.5 Sleep mode and working mode

Deep Sleep Mode: Sensor doesn't have any NB-IoT activate. This mode is used for storage and shipping to save battery life.

Working Mode: In this mode, Sensor will work as NB-IoT Sensor to Join NB-IoT network and send out sensor data to server. Between each sampling/tx/rx periodically, sensor will be in IDLE mode), in IDLE mode, sensor has the same power consumption as Deep Sleep mode.

1.6 Button & LEDs

Note: When the device is executing a program, the buttons may become invalid. It is best to press the buttons after the device has completed the program execution.

1.7 BLE connection

RS485-NB support BLE remote configure and firmware update.

BLE can be used to configure the parameter of sensor or see the console output from sensor. BLE will be only activate on below case:

• Press button to send an uplink
• Press button to active device.
• Device Power on or reset.

If there is no activity connection on BLE in 60 seconds, sensor will shut down BLE module to enter low power mode.

1.8 Pin Definitions , Switch & SIM Direction

RS485-NB use the mother board which as below.

1.8.1 Jumper JP2

Power on Device when put this jumper.

1.8.2 BOOT MODE / SW1

1) ISP: upgrade mode, device won't have any signal in this mode. but ready for upgrade firmware. LED won't work. Firmware won't run.

2) Flash: work mode, device starts to work and send out console output for further debug

1.8.3 Reset Button

Press to reboot the device.

1.8.4 SIM Card Direction

See this link. How to insert SIM Card.

2. Use RS485-NB to communicate with IoT Server

2.1 Send data to IoT server via NB-IoT network

The RS485-NB is equipped with a NB-IoT module, the pre-loaded firmware in RS485-NB will get environment data from sensors and send the value to local NB-IoT network via the NB-IoT module.  The NB-IoT network will forward this value to IoT server via the protocol defined by RS485-NB.

Below shows the network structure:

There are two version: -GE and -1D version of RS485-NB.

GE Version: This version doesn't include SIM card or point to any IoT server. User needs to use AT Commands to configure below two steps to set RS485-NB send data to IoT server.

• Install NB-IoT SIM card and configure APN. See instruction of Attach Network.

• Set up sensor to point to IoT Server. See instruction of Configure to Connect Different Servers.  

Below shows result of different server as a glance.

1D Version: This version has 1NCE SIM card pre-installed and configure to send value to DataCake. User Just need to select the sensor type in DataCake and Activate RS485-NB and user will be able to see data in DataCake. See here for DataCake Config Instruction.

2.2 Configure Device to Read RS485 Sensors

There are plenty of RS485 and TTL level devices in the market and each device has different commands to read the valid data. To support these devices in most flexible, RS485-NB supports flexible command set. User can use Dragino RS485 Tool,  AT Commands or LoRaWAN Downlink Command to configure how RS485-NB should read the sensor and how to handle the return from RS485 or TTL sensors.

2.2.1 Method 1 -- via RS485 Configure Tool

Use the RS485 Configure tool is the recommand method. Please see the instruction of how to use the tool:

• RS485 Configure Tool Instruction

2.2.2 Method 2 -- via AT Commands

2.2.2.1 Configure UART settings for RS485 or TTL communication

Example(Soil three-parameter detector):

Wiring the UART sensor

Set the correct configuration:

AT+BAUDR=9600

AT+PARITY=0

AT+STOPBIT=1

AT+DATABIT=8

If the sensor needs 5v. Need to move the switch position to 5v and then use the command AT+5VT=30000

Configuration read command:

AT+CFGDEV=FE 03 00 00 00 03 11 C4,0

FE: Station address

03: Function code

00 00：Register start address

00 03：Number of registers

11 04:  Check code

 Use AT+COMMAND1 to set it as a command, and use AT+DATACUT1 to intercept the bytes I need

upload payload:

2.2.3 Configure sensors

2.2.4 Configure read commands for each sampling

Note: Please upgrade firmware to v1.0.3 or above. Otherwise, if a data error occurs in AT+COMMANDx check crc mode, the device will enter an inoperable state.

• AT+DATACUT

• AT+SEARCH

If a single command exceeds 14 bytes, you can use the command splicing function.

When AT+CMDDLx=1, the commands of AT+COMMANDx and AT+COMMAND(x+1) will be merged.

Examples: To send 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F data it should be configured:

                    AT+COMMAND1=00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D,0

                    AT+COMMAND1=1

                    AT+COMMAND2=0E 0F,0

• Grab bytes:

• Grab a section.

• Grab different sections.

2.2.5 Uplink when the sensor is not responding

1)  When AT+MOD=1, if the data intercepted by  AT+DATACUT or  AT+MBFUN is empty, it will display NULL, and the payload will be filled with n FFs.

2)  When AT+MOD=2, if the data intercepted by  AT+DATACUT or  AT+MBFUN is empty, it will display NULL, and the payload will be filled with n 00s.

2.2.6 Uplink on Interrupt

Put the interrupt sensor between 3.3v_out and GPIO ext.

2.3 ​Payload Types

To meet different server requirement, RS485-NB supports different payload type.

Includes:

• General JSON format payload. (Type=5)

• HEX format Payload. (Type=0)

User can specify the payload type when choose the connection protocol. Example:

AT+PRO=2,0            // Use UDP Connection & hex Payload

AT+PRO=2,5            // Use UDP Connection & Json Payload

AT+PRO=3,0            // Use MQTT Connection & hex Payload

AT+PRO=3,5            // Use MQTT Connection & Json Payload

AT+PRO=4,0            // Use TCP Connection & hex Payload

AT+PRO=4,5            // Use TCP Connection & Json Payload

2.3.1 General Json Format(Type=5)

This is the General Json Format. As below:

{"IMEI":"866207053462705","Model":"RS485-NB","Payload":01111122223333,"battery":3.581,"signal":23}

Notice:The maximum number of bytes in the Payload is 1 payload version number plus 687 RS485 data.

2.3.2 HEX format Payload(Type=0)

This is the HEX Format. As below:

f866207053462705 1764 0df4 11 00 00 64f02eb0 01 111122223333

Version:

These bytes include the hardware and software version.

Higher byte: Specify Sensor Model: 0x17 for RS485-NB

Lower byte: Specify the software version: 0x64=100, means firmware version 1.0.0

BAT (Battery Info):

Ex1: 0x0DF4 = 3572mV

Signal Strength:

NB-IoT Network signal Strength.

Ex1: 0x11 = 17

0        -113dBm or less

1        -111dBm

2...30 -109dBm... -53dBm

31      -51dBm or greater

99      Not known or not detectable

GPIO_EXIT Level :

GPIO_EXTI is used as Interrupt Pin.

Example:

01 (H):    GPIO_EXTI pin is high level.

00 (L):    GPIO_EXTI pin is low level.

GPIO_EXIT Flag:

This data field shows if this packet is generated by Interrupt Pin or not.  

Note: The Interrupt Pin is a separate pin in the screw terminal.

Example:

0x00: Normal uplink packet.

0x01: Interrupt Uplink Packet.

TimeStamp:   

Unit TimeStamp Example: 64F02EB0(H) = 1693462192(D)

Put the decimal value into this link(https://www.epochconverter.com/) to get the time.

Payload_version:       

The payload version number is used to parse different decodes.

RS485_sensor_data:

The data returned by the RS485 sensor or UART sensor needs to be cut out the AT+DATACUTx and AT+MBFUN or AT+SEARCHx commands.

2.4 Test Uplink and Change Update Interval

By default, Sensor will send uplinks every 2 hours 

User can use below commands to change the uplink interval.

AT+TDC=600        // Set Update Interval to 600s

User can also push the button for more than 1 seconds to activate an uplink.

2.5 Fast command to handle MODBUS device

•  AT+MBFUN=1: Enable Modbus reading. And get response base on the MODBUS return

• AT+MBFUN=0: Disable Modbus fast reading.

• AT+MBFUN=1 and AT+DATACUT1/AT+DATACUT2 are not configure (0,0,0).

• AT+COMMAND1= 01 03 00 10 00 08,1 --> read slave address 01 , function code 03, start address 00 01, quantity of registers 00 08.

• AT+COMMAND2= 01 02 00 40 00 10,1 --> read slave address 01 , function code 02, start address 00 40, quantity of inputs 00 10.

   

2.6 RS485 command timeout

2.7 Clear RS485 Command

• AT Command:

2.8 Set Payload version

This is the first byte of the uplink payload. RS485-NB can connect to different sensors. User can set the PAYVER field to tell server how to decode the current payload.

• AT Command:

 AT+PAYVER:   Set PAYVER field = 1

2.9 Control output power duration

• AT Command:

 AT+5VT=0       // Normally closed +5V power supply.

 AT+5VT=65535  // Normally open +5V power supply.

2.10 Get sensor value

• AT Command:

 AT+GETSENSORVALUE=0      //  The serial port gets the reading of the current sensor

 AT+GETSENSORVALUE=1      //  The serial port gets the current sensor reading and uploads it.

2.11 +3V3 Output

2.12 +5V Output

2.13 Switch Jumper

2.14 Clock logging (Since firmware version v1.0.7)

Sometimes when we deploy lots of end nodes in field. We want all sensors sample data at the same time, and upload these data together for analyze. In such case, we can use clock loging feature.

We can use this command to set the start time of data recording and the time interval to meet the requirements of the specific collection time of data.

• AT Command: AT+CLOCKLOG=a,b,c,d

a: 0: Disable Clock logging.   1: Enable Clock Logging

b: Specify First sampling start second: range (0 ~ 3599, 65535)         // Note: If parameter b is set to 65535, the log period starts after the node accesses the network and sends packets.

c: Specify the sampling interval: range (0 ~ 255 minutes)

d: How many entries should be uplink on every TDC (max 32)

Example:

AT+CLOCKLOG=1,2799,1,32
Device will log data to memory start from 2799' and then log every 1 minutes. And every TDC uplink, the uplink payload will consist: Battery info + last 32 memory record (payload+Timestamp).

 Note: Users need to synchronize the server time before configuring this command. If the server time is not synchronized before this command is configured, the command takes effect only after the node is reset.

2.15 Example Query saved historical records

• AT Command: AT+CDP

This command can be used to search the saved history, recording up to 32 groups of data, each group of historical data contains a maximum of 100 bytes.

2.16 Uplink log query

• AT Command: AT+GETLOG

This command can be used to query upstream logs of data packets.

3. Configure RS485-NB

3.1 Configure Methods

RS485-NB supports below configure method:

• AT Command via Bluetooth Connection (Recommended): BLE Configure Instruction.

• AT Command via UART Connection : See UART Connection.

3.2 AT Commands Set

AT+<CMD>?           : Help on <CMD>

AT+<CMD>                      : Run <CMD>

AT+<CMD>=<value>      : Set the value

AT+<CMD>=?          : Get the value

General Commands       

AT                    : Attention        

AT?                  : Short Help      

ATZ                 : MCU Reset     

AT+TDC          : Application Data Transmission Interval

AT+CFG          : Print all configurations

AT+CFGMOD           : Working mode selection

AT+DEUI                  : Get or set the Device ID

AT+PRO          : Choose agreement

AT+RXDL        : Extend the sending and receiving time

AT+DNSCFG   : Get or Set DNS Server

AT+GETSENSORVALUE   : Returns the current sensor measurement

AT+SERVADDR :   Server Address

AT+MOD:       Get or Set work mode

AT+5VT :        Get or Set extend the time of 5V power

AT+3V3T :        Get or Set extend the time of 3V3 power

AT+INTMOD :        Get or Set the trigger interrupt mode (0:input,1:falling or rising,2:falling,3:rising)

AT+BAUDR:        Get or Set baudr of uart

AT+DATABIT:        Get or Set databit(7:7 bit,8:8 bit) of uart

AT+PARITY:        Get or Set parity(0:none,1:odd,2:even) of uart

AT+STOPBIT:        Get or Set stopbit(0:1 bit,1:1.5 bit,2:2 bit) of uart

AT+CMDEAR:        Erase command(number of begin to number of ending)

AT+PAYVER:        Get or Set payload version

AT+MBFUN:        Get or Set Modbus Funtion code(0:none,1:01 or 02,2:03 or 04)for automatic cut

AT+COMMAND:        Send data of command1-15 to RS485 deceive for payload

AT+SEARCH:       Retrieve the hexadecimal character that appears in command 1-15

AT+DATACUT:        Cut receive data after use command1-15

AT+CMDDL:        Set delay timeout after send rs485 command1-15

AT+CFGDEV:        Send data to RS485 deceive

MQTT Management

AT+CLIENT               : Get or Set MQTT client

AT+UNAME              : Get or Set MQTT Username

AT+PWD                  : Get or Set MQTT password

AT+PUBTOPIC          : Get or Set MQTT publish topic

AT+SUBTOPIC          : Get or Set MQTT subscription topic

Information           

AT+FDR              : Factory Data Reset

AT+PWORD        : Serial Access Password

AT+LDATA           : Get the last upload data

4. Battery & Power Consumption

RS485-NB use ER26500 + SPC1520 battery pack. See below link for detail information about the battery info and how to replace.

Battery Info & Power Consumption Analyze .

5. Firmware update

User can change device firmware to::

• Update with new features.

• Fix bugs. 

Firmware and changelog can be downloaded from : Firmware download link

Methods to Update Firmware:

• (Recommended way) OTA firmware update via BLE: Instruction.

• Update through UART TTL interface : Instruction.

6. FAQ

6.1 How can I access t BC660K-GL AT Commands?

User can access to BC660K-GL directly and send AT Commands.

See BC660K-GL AT Command set

6.2 How many RS485-Slave can RS485-NB connects?

6.3 How to configure the device through the MQTT subscription function?

Subscription content: {AT COMMAND}

Example:

Setting AT+5VT=500 through Node-RED requires MQTT to send the content {AT+5VT=500}.

The serial port displays:

6.4 How to Use RS485-NB  to connect to RS232 devices?

Use RS485-NB to connect to RS232 devices. - DRAGINO

6.5 How to judge whether there is a problem with the set COMMAND

6.5.1 Introduce:

Users can use below the structure to fast debug the communication between RS485-NB. The principle is to put the PC in the RS485 network and sniff the packet between Modbus MTU and RS485-NB.  We can use this way to:

1. Test if Modbus-MTU works with PC commands.
2. Check if RS485-NB sent the expected command to Mobus-MTU
3. Check if Modbus-MTU return back the expected result to RS485-NB.
4. If both b) and c) has issue, we can compare PC's output and RS485-NB output.

Example Connection: 

6.5.2 Set up PC to monitor RS485 network With Serial tool

Note: Receive and send set to hex mode

6.5.3 With ModRSsim2:

(1) Select serial port MODBUS RS-232

(2) Click the serial port icon

(3) After selecting the correct serial port and baud rate, click ok

(4) Click the comms.

Run RS485-NB command and monitor if it is correct.

6.5.4 Example – Test the CFGDEV command

RS485-LN sent below command:

AT+CFGDEV=01 03 20 00 01 85 c0,1 to RS485 network, and PC is able to get this command and return commands from MTU to show in the serial tool.

We can see the output from the Serial port tool to analyze. And check if they are expected result.

We can also use ModRSsim2 to see the output.

6.5.5 Example – Test CMD command sets.

Run AT+SENSORVALUE=1 to test the CMD commands set in RS485-LN.

Serial port tool:

ModRSsim2:

6.5.6 Test with PC

If there is still have problem to set up correctly the commands between RS485-LN and MTU. User can test the correct RS485 command set in PC and compare with the RS485 command sent out via RS485-LN. as long as both commands are the same, the MTU should return correct result.

Or User can send the working commands set in PC serial tool to Dragino Support to check what should be configured in RS485-LN.

Connection method：

Link situation:

7. Order Info

Part Number: RS485-NB-XX

XX: 

• GE: General version ( Exclude SIM card)

• 1D: with 1NCE* 10 years 500MB SIM card and Pre-configure to DataCake server

YY: The grand connector hole size

• M12: M12 hole

• M16: M16 hole

8. ​Packing Info

Package Includes:

• RS485-NB NB-IoT Sensor Node x 1

• External antenna x 1

Dimension and weight:

• Device Size: 13.0 x 5 x 4.5 cm

• Device Weight: 150g

• Package Size / pcs : 14.0 x 8x 5 cm

• Weight / pcs : 180g

9. Support

• Support is provided Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8. Due to different timezones we cannot offer live support. However, your questions will be answered as soon as possible in the before-mentioned schedule.

• Provide as much information as possible regarding your enquiry (product models, accurately describe your problem and steps to replicate it etc) and send a mail to Support@dragino.cc.