Summary

Spaceti Sensor Gateways are aggregation devices for other Spaceti sensors. They collect messages from various devices and resend them to the cloud. Usually, Gateways are connecting to the Internet with mobile connectivity 3G/LTE modem (Serial Number SHU0L…) but there is also just Ethernet connected version of Gateway (Serial Number SHE0L…)

List of steps:

Depending on the type of Gateway, the placement of the device during installation is different.

1.1. Mobile connectivity Sensor Gateway

During the installation of Mobile connectivity Sensor Gateways there are two main concerns - all the installed sensors should have good connectivity to the Gateways and Gateways themselves should have a good connection to the mobile network.

Gateways should be installed in the manner that they are not visible for the building tenants. At the same time, it is not suitable to hide them behind metal objects like printers, etc. The best way to hide gateways is to put them under the table or behind shelves. Gateways are sometimes installed inside the floor boxes or inside the false ceiling. However, this may decrease sensitivity.

Sensor signal quality

Gateway coverage for sensors to connect heavily depends on the number of factors, namely: wall thickness and material, blockers in space (metal lockers, signal blocking glass, etc.), mutual location and floor layout.

The typical maximum of connection between sensor and HUB is 40 - 60 m within the line of sight.

Note: The range for stable connection depends on the thickness of walls/blockers in space etc. It’s recommended to check HUB coverage directly on-site.

The standard number of sensors connected to one Sensor Gateway is 70-100, however, it is not limited to a specific number. Sensor Gateway can “overlay” each other, the messages from the sensors are delivered to the backend through several Gateways and filtered there. This increases the robustness of the solution.

Sometimes (depending on the building) messages from sensors can be received by the Sensor Gateways on another floor, so it can be a good idea to place Gateways in a zigzag between floors.

Picture: This picture shows the optimal placement of one Sensor Gateway, sensors in the blue area have good signal quality, in the yellow area - the moderate but still usable quality of the signal, and in the red area - poor quality. To cover the floor like this 4-5 Gateways are required.

Mobile signal quality

In order to check the quality of the mobile signal, it is enough to check your mobile phone. If the cellular icon shows more than half of the signal and your connection is either 3G or LTE, it is usually sufficient. The signal from the cellular base stations is typically much worse in the middle of the building, so it is better to place Sensor Gateways closer to the windows. Metal objects or printers are usually blocking the signal.

Warning: If the mobile signal inside the building is insufficient everywhere only Ethernet Sensor Gateways can be used.

Warning: It is very important to check beforehand the mobile signal inside garages where the connectivity may be very poor and also make sure there are power sockets placed at a discrete place.

1.2. Ethernet Sensor Gateway

In terms of the Ethernet Sensor Gateways, there are already predefined Ethernet sockets where Gateway can be plugged. If not, use the same rules as in the “Sensor signal quality” chapter above to cover the whole floor evenly and with good quality.

According to the Ethernet sockets, only two rules apply:

The installation process is very simple regardless of the type of Sensor Gateway (MEC1). Here are the steps for each type. You can also check the video tutorial here.

2.1. Mobile connectivity Sensor Gateway

2.2. Ethernet Sensor Gateway

Warning: Make sure that Sensor gateway is connected to the local network which does not block incoming/outcoming traffic - see “IT requirements above”.

2.3. Ethernet Sensor Gateway PoE

Warning: It’s mandatory to use only PoE adapters that come included in the package with proper power output and connector. See the Sensor gateway datasheet for better understanding.

Warning: Make sure that Sensor gateway is connected to the local network which does not block incoming/outgoing traffic - see “IT requirements above”.

Even when there are no Spaceti sensors in the range of the Gateway it is possible to check that Gateway is working. In Papertrail it is enough to filter the Events by the Gateway Serial Number. Every 15 minutes hub is sending a special type of message that is displayed as Hub SHU0L2V100N.... keep-alive. Status byte: 0x00.

If you see this message for the specific Gateway, it means that this device is working correctly. Also, if you see several messages from different sensors that have a hub field filled with the Serial Number of Gateway you are checking right now, it means that this Gateway is functional.