IEEE 802.15.4 Communication

Presentation

In an EcoStruxure system where IEEE 802.15.4 wireless devices are connected to a Panel Server, these wireless devices are required to withstand EMC levels as per IEEE 802.15.4 standard for proper device performance. For details about supported Schneider Electric IEEE 802.15.4 wireless devices, refer to the relevant Panel Server firmware release notes:

• DOCA0249•• EcoStruxure Panel Server Entry - Firmware Release Notes

• DOCA0178•• EcoStruxure Panel Server Universal - Firmware Release Notes

• DOCA0248•• EcoStruxure Panel Server Advanced - Firmware Release Notes

DANGER
HAZARD OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, EXPLOSION, OR ARC FLASH Use IEEE 802.15.4 communication only with ComPacT, PowerPacT, MasterPacT MTZ, and other qualified devices. Failure to follow these instructions will result in death or serious injury.

IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication devices provide a compact and high-density metering solution with numerous and accurate data for building systems. These wireless devices can send temperature, humidity, energy, power, current, voltage, and power factor to the Panel Server.

Wireless devices are connected downstream to the Panel Server.

All wireless devices are connected on the same channel. If you change the channel, the wireless devices scan other nearby channels until they reestablish communication with the Panel Server. The scan function can be disabled on compatible devices if required. Refer to Manage Scan Function.

The maximum number of wireless devices that can be connected to one Panel Server is detailed in the related topic.

The Panel Server Universal (hardware version 002.000.000) and Panel Server Advanced can be connected to an external IEEE 802.15.4 antenna to extend the wireless network.

Availability

This function is available on Panel Server Entry, Universal (except Wired by Design models), and Advanced.

Setting the Parameters

• With EcoStruxure Power Commission software

• On the Panel Server webpages, at Settings > Wireless devices > Network configuration

Configuration Settings

WARNING
UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION OR ALTERED FEATURE OF PROTECTIVE DEVICES When installing a Panel Server in a metallic enclosure, and connecting it to an external IEEE 802.15.4 antenna, do not install this antenna within the enclosure. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

Correct operation of protective devices installed in a metallic enclosure can be altered by a high level of IEEE 802.15.4 network radio frequency transmission power.

The following table describes the settings and where they are available.

Setting the Communication Period for Device Family

The communication period defines the frequency (in seconds) at which each wireless device sends data to the Panel Server. This is only applicable to real-time data and not to alarms that are immediately notified in case of event.

Set the communication period for all discovered devices that support this feature, and for each family of devices.

Any change to the communication period takes time to be applied on devices, as it is not applied until the next communication with the device.

The communication period can be changed as follows, if needed:

1. Select the required communication period from the Communication Period list.

2. Apply the selected values.

3. Save your settings by clicking the icon at bottom right of the screen and selecting Save. The communication period change is applied at the next communication with the device.

Manage Dynamic Antenna Selection

Dynamic antenna selection is an advanced function intended for use with specific configurations containing TH110 and CL110 ambient sensors, where fading issues are observed. It is only available when Internal is selected in Antenna selection. The function should be used with caution. You should understand the consequences of the action before selecting it.

The dynamic antenna function analyses the signal quality of the available internal antennas to select the antenna that provides the best signal. The analysis takes n minutes to complete, where n = 10 x ambient sensor communication period. When the default communication period is set (120 seconds), the analysis takes approximately 20 minutes.

During the analysis, the Panel Server switches between the available internal antennas (antenna A and antenna B), spending an equal time on each, to assess the quality of the signal. Data acquisition is impacted during the analysis if some devices do not have good signal on one or other antenna. Based on the result of the analysis, the Panel Server chooses the antenna with the best signal quality. If neither antenna is fully satisfactory, Antenna switching mode is automatically activated. The system switches between antennas after every n minutes, where n = 2 x ambient sensor communication period. In this way, the switching period remains below the communication loss trigger.

Devices may have better signal quality on one or other of the antennas. Switching between antennas allows the Panel Server to maintain communication with all devices, but the frequency of the communication is reduced.

The function also offers the possibility of activating automatic analyses. When activated, the Panel Server launches an automatic analysis when it detects a communication loss with a device.

You can launch an analysis when you want by clicking Launch analysis.

Follow this procedure to activate dynamic antenna selection:

1. Click the button to enable Dynamic antenna selection.

2. If not required, click the button to deactivate Automatic analysis (enabled by default).

3. Save your settings. After saving the settings the Launch analysis button is active.

4. Click Launch analysis.

5. Check the Analysis status:

   • Successful: the analysis is complete and the result is displayed below and executed.

   • In progress

   • Canceled: the analysis can be canceled if one of the following actions is initiated during an analysis:

     • Adding or removing a device

     • Changing the channel configuration

     • Changing the ambient sensor communication period

     • Clicking on Stop analysis

6. When the analysis is successful, check the analysis result:

   • AntennaA

   • AntennaB

   • Antenna switching mode

Manage Channel Scan Function

Disabling the scan function is an advanced feature and should be used with caution. You should understand the consequences of the action before disabling it.

Connected IEEE 802.15.4 wireless devices scan other channels to reestablish communication with the Panel Server in the event that communication is lost. If the channel setting for wireless devices is changed manually on the Panel Server webpages, wireless devices scan nearby channels until communication is established. This function can be disabled on compatible devices to help reduce disturbance on other IEEE 802.15.4 wireless devices.

To disable the function on the webpages at Manage scan function, click the Scan activation toggle switch. The switch is green when the function is enabled (default configuration) and white when disabled.

When the function is disabled:

• Connected devices do not scan to find a new channel if communication is lost with the Panel Server. They continue to communicate on the current channel at every communication period.

• It is not possible to modify the channel configuration settings on the webpages. You must reactivate the scan function in order to make modifications to the settings.

Status on wireless device can be one of the following:

• In progress

• Applied on all devices

  NOTE: Devices not compatible with disabling of scan function continue to scan.

• Not applied on all devices

The following table indicates devices which support disabling of the scan function. The list is not exhaustive.

Settings of Wireless Devices Discovery

The following table describes the settings available in the Panel Server webpages.