5.1.4
Transmitter and receiver failures
If the module is powered by correct voltage, the module communicates through the configuration port, responds
to the configuration commands but the radio-messages from the module are still not received steadily, the possible
reason of the trouble can be a failure of transmitting or receiving of radio signal. The typical indication of trans-
mitting or receiving failures is state of
”
partial” functionality with frequent breakdowns in the receiving data from
the module.
All above described troubles could have on common ground, which is unreliability of radio-communication caused
by one of these reasons:
•
weak radio-signal of Sigfox network in installation site. RF signal availability can be influenced by weather
conditions (rain, fog..), or by some changes in the transmitting or receiving side (around module installation
site as well as around Sigfox base station).
•
permanent or occasional shading of radio signal caused by construction works or any construction changes
within the premises, or by operation around the installation site (moving of machines, cars, etc.);
•
permanent, periodical or occasional interference (jamming) of radio signal from external source (another radio
system in the same frequency band, or industrial disturbance);
•
low level of transmitting signal caused by transmitter failure;
•
low level of receiving signal caused by receiver failure;
•
low level of transmitting and receiving signal caused by damage of antenna or antenna cable (if external
antenna used).
If above described indications of unreliable radio-communication become evident, proceed with troubleshooting of
the malfunctioning in following steps:
•
visually check surrounding of the installation site to find out if there are any changes that can influence radio
signal (e.g. new objects, things, machines...). If there are such negative circumstances, solve the trouble by
reorganization of the object or by relocation of the module or its antenna (if external antenna used);
•
visually check an external antenna and antenna cable (if used), possibly replace these elements for the spare
ones with proven functionality;
•
check correctness of module settings and perform the check of module overall functionality as described in
paragraph
•
replace the module according to the paragraph
and perform the setting and check of overall functionality
of the new module as described in paragraph
after that;
•
if the module is not properly working even after its replacement for proven device and equipment, the trouble
can be caused by weak signal of Sigfox network or interference (jamming) from external source in the instal-
lation site. In this case consult actual status of Sigfox coverage and its future development with your Sigfox
network provider.
5.2
Troubleshooting procedure
To identify a reason of device failure or any anomaly in its operation follow this procedure:
1. the module communicates normally, gas-meter readings are available, but the data are apparently incorrect.
In this case it is recommended to check functionality of the module subsystems in following order:
•
check correctness of central application configuration related to the gas-meter, especially correctness of
its ID, and correctness of initial value, multiplier and divisor;
•
check functionality of gas-meter revolving registration system (module input system) as described in
paragraph
”
Reading system failures”.
2. Data from the module are coming irregularly, with periodical breakdowns. In this case it is recommended to
check functionality of the module subsystems in following order:
•
check functionality of transmitting as described in the paragraph
”
Transmitter and receiver failures”.
•
check functionality of internal battery as described in the paragraph
”
Power supplying failures”;
3. No data are available from the WS868-PLE-I module. In this case it is recommended to check functionality
of the module subsystems in following order:
•
check correctness of setting of the module in the central system database;
•
check functionality of power supplying as described in the paragraph
”
Power supplying failures”;
•
check functionality of the system as described in the paragraph
”
System failures”;
•
check functionality of transmitting as described in the paragraph
”
Transmitter and receiver failures”.
WS868-PLE-I
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