Table of Contents:

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 What is NB-IoT Pressure Sensor
  • 1.2 ​Features
  • 1.3 Specification
  • 1.4 Probe Types 
    • 1.4.1 Thread Installation Type
    • 1.4.2 Immersion Type
  • 1.5 Application and Installation
    • 1.5.1 Thread Installation Type
    • 1.5.2 Immersion Type
  • 1.6 Sleep mode and working mode
  • 1.7 Button & LEDs
  • 1.8 BLE connection
  • 1.9 Pin Definitions & Switch
    • 1.8.1 Jumper JP2
    • 1.8.2 BOOT MODE / SW1
    • 1.8.3 Reset Button
  • 1.9 BLE connection
  • 1.10 Mechanical
• 2. Use PS-NB to communicate with IoT Server
  • 2.1 Send data to IoT server via NB-IoT network
  • 2.2 ​Payload Types
    • 2.2.1 General Json Format(Type=5)
    • 2.2.2 HEX format Payload(Type=0)
    • 2.2.3 ThingsBoard Payload(Type=3)
    • 2.2.4 ThingSpeak Payload(Type=1)
  • 2.3 ​Uplink Payload
    • 2.3.1 Sensor value, FPORT=2
    • 2.3.2 Battery Info
    • 2.3.3 Probe Model
    • 2.3.4 0~20mA value (IDC_IN)
    • 2.3.5 0~30V value ( pin VDC_IN)
    • 2.3.6 IN1&IN2&INT pin
    • 2.3.7 Sensor value, FPORT=7
  • 2.4 Test Uplink and Change Update Interval
  • 2.5 Multi-Samplings and One uplink
  • 2.6 Trggier an uplink by external interrupt
• 3. Configure PS-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?
• 7. Troubleshooting
  • 7.1 Water Depth Always shows 0 in payload
• 8. Order Info
• 9. ​Packing Info
• 10. Support

1. Introduction

1.1 What is NB-IoT Pressure Sensor

The Dragino PS-NB series sensors are NB-IoT Pressure Sensor for Internet of Things solution. PS-NB can measure Air, Water pressure and liquid level and upload the sensor data send to IoT platform via NB-IoT network. 

The PS-NB series sensors include Thread Installation Type and Immersion Type, it supports different pressure range which can be used for different measurement requirement. 

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

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

PS-NB is powered by 8500mAh Li-SOCI2 battery, it is designed for long-term use up to severa years.

PS-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
• Measure air / gas or water pressure
• Different pressure range available
• Thread Installation Type or Immersion Type
• Multiply Sampling and one uplink
• Support Bluetooth v5.1 remote configure and update firmware
• Uplink on periodically
• Downlink to change configure
• 8500mAh Battery for long term use
• IP66 Waterproof Enclosure
• Uplink via MQTT, MQTTs, TCP, or UDP
• 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

Current Input (DC) Measuring :

• Range: 0 ~ 20mA
• Accuracy: 0.02mA
• Resolution: 0.001mA

Voltage Input Measuring:

• Range: 0 ~ 30v
• Accuracy: 0.02v
• Resolution: 0.001v

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 Probe Types 

1.4.1 Thread Installation Type

• Hersman Pressure Transmitter
• Measuring Range: -0.1 ~ 0 ~ 60MPa, see order info.
• Accuracy: 0.2% F.S
• Long-Term Stability: 0.2% F.S ±0.05%
• Overload 200% F.S
• Zero Temperature Drift: 0.03% FS/℃(≤100Kpa), 0.02%FS/℃(＞100Kpa)
• FS Temperature Drift: 0.003% FS/℃(≤100Kpa), 0.002%FS/℃(＞100Kpa)
• Storage temperature: -30℃~80℃
• Operating temperature: -20℃~60℃
• Connector Type: Various Types, see order info

1.4.2 Immersion Type

• Immersion Type, Probe IP Level: IP68
• Measuring Range: Measure range can be customized, up to 100m.
• Accuracy: 0.2% F.S
• Long-Term Stability: ±0.2% F.S / Year
• Storage temperature: -30℃~80℃
• Operating temperature: 0℃~50℃
• Material: 316 stainless steels

1.5 Application and Installation

1.5.1 Thread Installation Type

Application:

• Hydraulic Pressure
• Petrochemical Industry
• Health and Medical
• Food & Beverage Processing
• Auto-controlling house
• Constant Pressure Water Supply
• Liquid Pressure measuring

Order the suitable thread size and install to measure the air / liquid pressure

1.5.2 Immersion Type

Application:

Liquid & Water Pressure / Level detect.

The Immersion Type pressure sensor is shipped with the probe and device separately. When user got the device, below is the wiring to for connect the probe to the device.

1.6 Sleep mode and working mode

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

Working Mode: In this mode, Sensor will work as LoRaWAN Sensor to Join LoRaWAN 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.

1.7 Button & LEDs

1.8 BLE connection

PS-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.

1.9 Pin Definitions & Switch

PS-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.

1.9 BLE connection

PS-NB support BLE remote configure.

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. 

1.10 Mechanical

2. Use PS-NB to communicate with IoT Server

2.1 Send data to IoT server via NB-IoT network

The PS-NB is equipped with a NB-IoT module, the pre-loaded firmware in PS-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 PS-NB.

Below shows the network structure:

There are two version: -GE and -1D version of PS-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 PS-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 PS-NB and user will be able to see data in DataCake. See here for DataCake Config Instruction.

2.2 ​Payload Types

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

Includes:

• General JSON format payload. (Type=5)

• HEX format Payload. (Type=0)

• ThingSpeak Format. (Type=1)

• ThingsBoard Format. (Type=3)

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=3,5            // Use MQTT Connection & Json Payload

2.2.1 General Json Format(Type=5)

This is the General Json Format. As below:

{"IMEI":866207053462762,"temperature":29.2,"humidity":54.2,"battery":3.27,"signal":24,"Model":PS-NB, "1":{28.2,48.3,2023/08/10 08:00:37},"2":{28.1,49.1,2023/08/10 07:57:37},"3":{28.1,48.5,2023/08/10 07:54:37},"4":{28.2,48.6,2023/08/10 07:51:37},"5":{28.1,48.9,2023/08/10 07:48:37},"6":{28.2,48.8,2023/08/10 07:45:37},"7":{28.2,48.8,2023/08/10 07:42:37},"8":{28.0,48.8,2023/08/10 07:39:37}}

Notice, from above payload:

• Temperature , Humidity , Battery & Signal are the value at uplink time.

• Json entry 1 ~ 8 are the last 1 ~ 8 sampling data as specify by AT+NOUD=8  Command. Each entry includes (from left to right): Temperature, Humidity, Sampling time.

2.2.2 HEX format Payload(Type=0)

This is the HEX Format. As below:

f86620705346270501650dde130000000000000fae000064e2d74f10b2000064e2d69b0fae000064e2d5e710b2000064e2d47f0fae000064e2d3cb0fae000064e2d2630fae000064e2d1af011a01e864d494ed011801e864d4943

Version:

These bytes include the hardware and software version.

Higher byte: Specify Sensor Model: 0x01 for PS-NB

Lower byte: Specify the software version: 0x65=101, means firmware version 1.0.1

BAT (Battery Info):

Ex1: 0x0dde = 3550mV

Signal Strength:

NB-IoT Network signal Strength.

Ex1: 0x13 = 19

0        -113dBm or less

1        -111dBm

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

31      -51dBm or greater

99      Not known or not detectable

IN1 & IN2:   

IN1 and IN2 are used as digital input pins.

Example:

09 (H): (0x09&0x08)>>3=1    IN1 pin is high level.

09 (H): (0x09&0x04)>>2=0    IN2 pin is low level. 

TimeStamp:   

Unit TimeStamp Example: 64e2d74f(H) = 1692587855(D)

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

2.2.3 ThingsBoard Payload(Type=3)

Type3 payload special design for ThingsBoard, it will also configure other default server to ThingsBoard.

{"IMEI":"866207058378443","Model":"PS-NB","idc_intput":4.002,"vdc_intput":0.000,"battery":3.518,"signal":24}

2.2.4 ThingSpeak Payload(Type=1)

This payload meets ThingSpeak platform requirement. It includes only four fields. Form 1~4 are:

Temperature, Humidity, Battery & Signal. This payload type only valid for ThingsSpeak Platform

As below:

field1=5.86&field2=3.531&field3=0&field4=21

2.3 ​Uplink Payload

2.3.1 Sensor value, FPORT=2

Uplink payload includes in total 27 bytes.

If the cache upload mechanism is turned on, you will receive the payload shown in the figure below.

NOTE:

1. Only up to 10 sets of latest data will be cached.

2. Theoretically, the maximum upload bytes are 215.

2.3.2 Battery Info

Check the battery voltage for PS-NB.

Ex1: 0x0B45 = 2885mV

Ex2: 0x0B49 = 2889mV

2.3.3 Probe Model

PS-NB might connect to different kind of probes, 4~20mA represent the full scale of the measuring range. So a 12mA output means different meaning for different probe.  

For example.

User can set different probe model for above probes. So IoT server is able to se identical how it should parse the 4~20mA or 0~30v sensor value and get the correct value.

2.3.4 0~20mA value (IDC_IN)

Payload Example:

27AE(H) = 10158 (D)/1000 = 10.158mA.

Connect to a 2 wire 4~20mA sensor.

2.3.5 0~30V value ( pin VDC_IN)

Measure the voltage value. The range is 0 to 30V.

Example:

138E(H) = 5006(D)/1000= 5.006V

2.3.6 IN1&IN2&INT pin

IN1 and IN2 are used as digital input pins.

Example:

09 (H): (0x09&0x08)>>3=1    IN1 pin is high level.

09 (H): (0x09&0x04)>>2=0    IN2 pin is low level.

This data field shows if this packet is generated by Interrupt Pin or not.  Note: The Internet Pin is a separate pin in the screw terminal.

Example:

09 (H): (0x09&0x02)>>1=1    The level of the interrupt pin.

09 (H): 0x09&0x01=1              0x00: Normal uplink packet.

0x01: Interrupt Uplink Packet.

2.3.7 Sensor value, FPORT=7

Multiple sets of data collected are displayed in this form：

[voltage value1], [voltage value2], [voltage value3],…[voltage value n/2]

2.4 Test Uplink and Change Update Interval

By default, Sensor will send uplinks every 2 hours & AT+NOUD=8

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 Multi-Samplings and One uplink

To save battery life, PS-NB will sample temperature & humidity data every 15 minutes and send one uplink every 2 hours. So each uplink it will include 8 stored data + 1 real-time data. They are defined by:

• AT+TR=900        // The unit is seconds, and the default is to record data once every 900 seconds (15 minutes, the minimum can be set to 180 seconds)

• AT+NOUD=8     //  The device uploads 8 sets of recorded data by default. Up to 32 sets of record data can be uploaded.

The diagram below explains the relationship between TR, NOUD, and TDC more clearly:

2.6 Trggier an uplink by external interrupt

PS-NB has an external trigger interrupt function. Users can use the PB15 pin to trigger the upload of data packets.

AT command:

• AT+INTMOD         // Set the trigger interrupt mode

• AT+INTMOD=0    // Disable Interrupt

• AT+INTMOD=1    // Trigger by rising and falling edge

• AT+INTMOD=2    // Trigger by falling edge

• AT+INTMOD=3    // Trigger by rising edge

3. Configure PS-NB

3.1 Configure Methods

PS-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+INTMOD            : Set the trigger interrupt mode

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

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+NOUD  : Get or Set the number of data to be uploaded

AT+CDP     : Read or Clear cached data

AT+SHTEMP:   Get or Set alarm of temp

AT+SHHUM:   Get or Set alarm of moisture

AT+SERVADDR :   Server Address

UDP Management

AT+CFM  :    Upload confirmation mode (only valid for UDP)

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

AT+CDP               : Read or Clear cached data

4. Battery & Power Consumption

PS-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

7. Troubleshooting

7.1 Water Depth Always shows 0 in payload

If your device's IDC_intput_mA is normal, but your reading always shows 0, please refer to the following points:

1. Please set it to mod1

2. Please set the command AT+PROBE according to the model of your sensor

3. Check the connection status of the sensor

8. Order Info

Part Number: PS-NB-Txxx-YY or PS-NB-Ixxx-YY

XX: Pressure Range and Thread Type  

YY: 

• GE: General version ( Exclude SIM card)

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

9. ​Packing Info

Package Includes:

• PS-NB NB-IoT Air/Water Pressure Sensor  x 1

• External antenna x 1

Dimension and weight:

• Device Size:  cm

• Device Weight: g

• Package Size / pcs :  cm

• Weight / pcs : g

10. 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.