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Stephen Harrison
Published © CC BY-SA

Remote System Monitor

Monitor a remote system (battery, power usage and sensors) with this Arduino MKR FOX 1200-based, Sigfox-connected solution.

AdvancedFull instructions provided12 hours14,497

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino MKR Fox 1200
Arduino MKR Fox 1200
×1
Lead acid battery (e.g. car battery)
×1
Latching Relay (16A)
×2
BD6211F
×2
7805 style buck converter
×1
Capacitor 10uF 10V
×2
Terminal block - 2 pin
×3
LED - 1206 case - reverse mount
Optional
×1
USB A Socket
Optional
×1
INA219
Current monitor
×1
Resistor 0R1 1210 case
Current sense resistor. If not using the PCB select a batter case style to better power handing (or a smaller value resistor)
×1
IRF7413
×3
MBRA140
×3
1117
3v3 regulator
×1
Capacitor 0.1uF 0805 Case
×3
Capacitor 1.0 uF 0805 Case
×5
Resistor 10k 0805
×3
Resistor 10R 0805 Case
×3
Resistor 100k 0805 Case
×3

Software apps and online services

Tinamous
Sigfox
Sigfox

Hand tools and fabrication machines

3D Printer (generic)
3D Printer (generic)
Used for the case only

Story

Read more

Custom parts and enclosures

Case

Case - OpenScad file

Case - stl

Schematics

Schematic

PCB

Code

RemoteSystemMonitor.ino

Arduino
// Arduino Low Power - Version: Latest 
#include <ArduinoLowPower.h>

// Arduino SigFox for MKRFox1200 - Version: Latest 
#include <SigFox.h>

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_INA219.h>

Adafruit_INA219 ina219;

bool fet1State = false;
bool fet2State = false;
bool fet3State = false;
bool outputRelay = false;
bool chargeRelay = false;
bool oshLed = false;

int loopCounter  =0;
bool debug = true;

// First run request downlink data
// from the Sigfox backend.
bool requestDownlinkData = true;

// status::uint:8 version::uint:8 temperature::int:8 current::int:16 voltage::uint:16 humidity::int:16 light::uint:8 light2::uint:8 lastStatus::uint:8
typedef struct __attribute__ ((packed)) sigfox_message {
  uint8_t status;     // status::uint:8 -> Split to 8 bits
  uint8_t version;    // version::uint:8
  int16_t temperature; // temperature::int:16:little-endian
  int16_t current;    // current::int:16:little-endian (e.g. 1159 mA -> 0487 but stored as 8704)
  uint16_t voltage;   // voltage::uint:16:little-endian
  int16_t currentOffCharge;   // currentOffCharge::int:16:little-endian
  uint16_t voltageOffCharge;   // voltageOffCharge::uint:16:little-endian
} SigfoxMessage;

// stub for message which will be sent
SigfoxMessage msg;

void setup() {
  pinMode(0, OUTPUT); // led
  pinMode(1, OUTPUT); // Fet1
  pinMode(2, OUTPUT); // Fet2
  pinMode(3, OUTPUT); // Fet3
  pinMode(4, OUTPUT); // charge relay FIN
  pinMode(5, OUTPUT); // charge relay RIN
  pinMode(6, OUTPUT); // output relay FIN
  pinMode(7, OUTPUT); // output relay RIN
  
  setFetOutput(1, fet1State);
  setFetOutput(2, fet2State);
  setFetOutput(3, fet3State);
  // On to indicate in setup
  setOshLed(true);
  
  // Intialize the relays to off
  // whilst in set-up. Force state so we know
  // the state their in and can then track it.
  setChargeRelay(false, true);
  setOutputRelay(false, true);
  
  //Initialize serial and wait for port to open:
  if (debug) {
    Serial.begin(9600);
  }
     
  // Initialize the INA219.
  // By default to (32V, 2A).  
  ina219.begin();
 
  setupSigfox();  

  if (debug) {
    Serial.println("System Monitor Setup Complete... V0.0.4");
  }
  
  // turn off the OSH Led now set-up is complete.
  setOshLed(false);
}

void setupSigfox() {
  if (!SigFox.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Shield error or not present!");
    return;
  }
  
  // Enable debug led and disable automatic deep sleep
  // Comment this line when shipping your project :)
  if (debug) {
    SigFox.debug();
  }

  // Output the ID and PAC needed to register the 
  // device at the Sigfox backend.
  String version = SigFox.SigVersion();
  String ID = SigFox.ID();
  String PAC = SigFox.PAC();

  // Display module informations
  Serial.println("MKRFox1200 Sigfox first configuration");
  Serial.println("SigFox FW version " + version);
  Serial.println("ID  = " + ID);
  Serial.println("PAC = " + PAC);

  Serial.println("");

  Serial.print("Module temperature: ");
  Serial.println(SigFox.internalTemperature());

  Serial.println("Register your board on https://backend.sigfox.com/activate with provided ID and PAC");

  delay(100);

  // Send the module to the deepest sleep
  SigFox.end();
}

void loop(void) 
{ 
  float shuntvoltage = 0;
  float busvoltage = 0;
  float current_mA = 0;
  float loadvoltage = 0;
  
  // V and I when not charging
  // to give an idea of the state of the battery
  float current_off_charge_mA = 0;
  float busvoltage_off_charge = 0;
 
  // Ensure output relay and charge relay are on by default
  // now that we're monitoring.
  setOutputRelay(true, false);
  setChargeRelay(true, false);
     
  // Flip the LED to show we're doing stuff.
  setOshLed(true);

  // Meaure normal running voltage/current.
  shuntvoltage = ina219.getShuntVoltage_mV();
  busvoltage = ina219.getBusVoltage_V();
  current_mA = ina219.getCurrent_mA();
  loadvoltage = busvoltage + (shuntvoltage / 1000);
    
  if (debug) {    
    Serial.println("-------------------------------------------------------");
    Serial.println("Charger connected: ");    
    Serial.print("Bus Voltage:   "); 
    Serial.print(busvoltage); 
    Serial.println(" V");
    
    Serial.print("Current:       "); 
    Serial.print(current_mA); 
    Serial.println(" mA");
    Serial.println("");
    
    Serial.print("Loop counter:  "); 
    Serial.print(loopCounter); 
    Serial.println("");
    
    Serial.println("");
  }
          
  // Flip the LED to show we're doing stuff.
  setOshLed(false);
       
  // 6 (loops) * 10s (delay) gives approx 1 minute 
  // so send an update to Sigfox rather than (when debugging)
  // having to wait the full 15 minutes for a transmission.
  if (loopCounter == 12) {

    // TODO: Don't disable charge relay when voltage is low
    // as we might not be able to re-enable it.
    //
    // Once every Sigfox transmit cycle, disconnect the charger
    // to measure the raw battery voltage and actual load current
    // (otherwise load current excludes current from the charger).
    setChargeRelay(false, false);
    // Little delay to let the battery chemistry settle a little.
    delay(2000);
    current_off_charge_mA = ina219.getCurrent_mA();
    busvoltage_off_charge = ina219.getBusVoltage_V();
    setChargeRelay(true, false);  

    if (debug) {
      Serial.println("Charger disconnected: ");
      Serial.print("Charge Off Voltage:  "); 
      Serial.print(busvoltage_off_charge); 
      Serial.println(" V");
      
      Serial.print("Charge Off Current: "); 
      Serial.print(current_off_charge_mA); 
      Serial.println(" mA");
      
      Serial.println("");
    }
  
    // remove once we have the device details
    //setupSigfox();
    sendToSigfox(busvoltage, current_mA, busvoltage_off_charge, current_off_charge_mA);
  }

  // Reset the loop counter after (hopefully) 15 minutes.
  if (loopCounter > 6 * 15) {
    loopCounter = 0;
  }

  // Monitor every 10s. (2s delay in relay clickyness).
  delay(8000);
  //LowPower.sleep(8 * 1000);
  loopCounter++;
}

void setOshLed(bool state) {
  //Serial.println("Setting OSH LED");
  digitalWrite(0, state);
  oshLed = state;
}

void setOutputRelay(bool state, bool force) {
  
  // Unless forced, ignore instruction if relay already in correct state
  // to save power.
  if (!force) {
    if (outputRelay == state) {
      return;
    }
  }

  if (debug) {    
    Serial.print("Setting output relay: ");
    Serial.println(state);
  }
  
  digitalWrite(6, state);
  digitalWrite(7, !state);
  outputRelay = state;
  
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(7, LOW);
}

void setChargeRelay(bool state, bool force) {
  // Unless forced, ignore instruction if relay already in correct state
  // to save power.
  if (!force) {
    if (chargeRelay == state) {
      return;
    }
  }

  if (debug) {    
    Serial.print("Setting charge relay: ");
    Serial.println(state);
  }
  
  // FIN/RIN order swapped on charge compared to output.
  digitalWrite(5, state);
  digitalWrite(4, !state);
  chargeRelay = state;
  
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(5, LOW);
}

void setFetOutput(int fet, bool state) {
  if (debug) {    
    Serial.print("Setting FET: ");
    Serial.print(fet);
    Serial.print(" State: ");
    Serial.println(state);
  }
  
  switch (fet) {
    case 1:
      fet1State = state;
    case 2:
      fet2State = state;
    case 3:
      fet3State = state;
    default:
      // Invalid fet!
      return;
  }
  
  digitalWrite(fet, state);
}

// B7: Battery Flat
// B6: Charge Relay state
// B5: Charging
// B4: Reserved
// B3: Output relay state
// B2: Fet 1 state
// B1: Fet 2 state
// B0: Fet 3 state
byte getStatusFlags(float voltage, float current_mA, float current_charger_off_mA) {
  byte status = 0;
  
  // Upper Nibble (Charging/Battery)
  // Battery flat
  if (voltage < 10.5) {
    status |= 0x80; // 1000 0000
  }

  // Charger relay status
  if (chargeRelay) {
    status |= 0x40; // 0100 0000
  }

  // +ve current flow to the battery means it's charging.
  if (current_mA > 0) {
    status |= 0x20; // 0010 0000
  }

  // Not sure what this means...
  if (current_charger_off_mA > 0) {
    status |= 0x10; // 0001 0000
  }

  // Lower Nibble (Outputs)
  // Output relay enabled.
  if (outputRelay) {
    status |= 0x08; // 0000 1000
  }

  if (fet1State) {
    status |= 0x04; // 0000 0100
  }

  if (fet2State) {
    status |= 0x02; // 0000 0010
  }

  if (fet3State) {
    status |= 0x01; // 0000 0001
  }

  return status;
}

void sendToSigfox(float busvoltage, float current_mA, float busvoltage_off_charge, float current_charger_off_mA) {
  if (debug) {    
    if (requestDownlinkData) { 
      Serial.println("**** Sending to Sigfox with downlink *****");
    } else {
      Serial.println("**** Sending to Sigfox *****");
    }
  }
  SigFox.begin();

  // Wait at least 30mS after first configuration (100mS before)
  delay(100);
  // Clears all pending interrupts
  SigFox.status();
  delay(1);

  // Bytes 0 and 1
  msg.status = getStatusFlags(busvoltage_off_charge, current_mA, current_charger_off_mA);
  msg.version = 3;
  
  msg.temperature = (int16_t)(SigFox.internalTemperature() * 10);
  
  // Charger connected
  // 2000mA is max for PCB (32768 max for signed int. i.e. +/-32 Amps)
  msg.current = (int16_t)(current_mA); 
  // 12.13 -> 1213 (65535 max i.e. 655 Volts)  
  msg.voltage = (uint16_t)(busvoltage * 100); 
  
  // Charger Off (Isolated).
  msg.currentOffCharge = (int16_t)(current_charger_off_mA); 
  msg.voltageOffCharge = (uint16_t)(busvoltage_off_charge * 100);

  Serial.println("Sending packet...");
  SigFox.beginPacket();
  SigFox.write((uint8_t*)&msg, 12);
  // endPacket actually sends the data.
  uint8_t lastMessageStatus = SigFox.endPacket(requestDownlinkData);
  
  if (requestDownlinkData) {
    parseDownlinkData(lastMessageStatus);
  }
  
  SigFox.end();
  
  // Ensure downliad link is cleared after sending to Sigfox.
  // TODO: Re-enable this every 6 hours (Max 4x per 24 hours).
  requestDownlinkData = false;
  
  if (debug) {    
    Serial.println("Status: " + String(lastMessageStatus));
  
    if (lastMessageStatus > 0) {
      Serial.println("No transmission!");
    }  
  }
}

void parseDownlinkData(uint8_t lastMessageStatus) {
  if (lastMessageStatus > 0) {
    Serial.println("No transmission. Status: " + String(lastMessageStatus));
    return;
  }

  // Max response size is 8 bytes
  // set-up a empty buffer to store this. (0x00 == no action for us.)
  // each byte has meaning for control.
  uint8_t response[] = {0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00 };

  // Response packet needs parsePacket to be called
  // before being read.
  if (SigFox.parsePacket()) {
    
    Serial.println("Response from server:");
    int i = 0;
    while (SigFox.available()) {
      Serial.print("0x");
      int readValue = SigFox.read();
      Serial.println(readValue, HEX);
      response[i] = (uint8_t)readValue;
      i++;
    }

    // byte 0 - relay control.
    parseRelayControl(response[0]);
    // byte 1 - FETs control
    parseFETControl(response[1]);
    // byte 2 - GPIO output?
    
  } else {
    Serial.println("No response from server");
  }
  Serial.println();
}

void parseRelayControl(uint8_t value) {
  // TODO: implement.
  // 00 : Ignore
  // 01 : Off
  // 10 : on
  // 11 : invalid
  // Bits 7 & 6 = > Output relay
  // Bits 5 & 4 = > Charge relay
  // Bits 3 & 2 = > Ignored
  // Bits 1 & 0 = > Ignored
  Serial.println("Setting relays from:");
  Serial.println(value, HEX);
  Serial.println("");
}

void parseFETControl(uint8_t value) {
  // TODO: Implement.
  // 00 : Ignore
  // 01 : Off
  // 10 : on
  // 11 : invalid
  // Bits 7 & 6 = > Fet 1
  // Bits 5 & 4 = > Fet 2
  // Bits 3 & 2 = > Fet 3
  // Bits 1 & 0 = > Ignored
  Serial.println("Setting FET outputs from:");
  Serial.println(value, HEX);
  Serial.println("");
}

Github Repository

Credits

Stephen Harrison
18 projects • 51 followers
Founder of Tinamous.com, software developer, hardware tinkerer, dyslexic. @TinamousSteve

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