Operating the Campbell CR1000 data logger in conjunction with the RockBLOCK RTU satellite modem (utilizing the CRBasic program)

In the realm of remote monitoring and control, a new player has emerged that is making waves in industries such as agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas. The RockBLOCK RTU, a low-power, rugged, waterproof remote I/O device, is designed for harsh outdoor environments and offers a solution for real-time data transmission from remote locations via satellite communication.

At the heart of this system is the integration with Cloudloop Data, a flexible data management platform. This integration allows for data visualization, storage, and forwarding, making it an invaluable tool for those working in challenging environments.

To set up this integration, the CR1000, a data logger, is connected to the RockBLOCK RTU. The Serial COM2 TX of the CR1000 is connected to the RX (PINK) on the RockBLOCK RTU, with a baud rate of 19200 set for seamless communication.

The RockBLOCK RTU system supports a structured data format with channels CH16 to CH31 mapped to General Purpose Sentence (GPS) data. Each channel supports 5-digit values (00000 to 65533) and comma-separated values within the data string.

The CRBasic code, which runs on the CR1000, plays a crucial role in the data transmission process. It constructs data strings in stages to accommodate memory constraints, adding STX (0x02) at the beginning of the string and ETX (0x03) at the end. The code also calculates a checksum for a specified portion of the string and adds it in a formatted way (5 digits, zero-padded).

To configure Cloudloop for RockBLOCK RTU, channels are created, set as analog inputs, and the General Purpose Data String-related Device Channel Configuration is configured. The CRBasic code then outputs the final string to COM2, which is sent via the RockBLOCK RTU to the Iridium's Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite service for global two-way communication.

With the introduction of Cloudloop Data, email alerts depending on thresholds and actions, such as controlling a separate RockBLOCK RTU, can be set. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience and control to the system.

In summary, the RockBLOCK RTU, in conjunction with Cloudloop Data, offers a robust and reliable solution for real-time data transmission from remote locations. Its integration with Ground Control's Cloudloop Services Suite (Subscription Manager and Cloudloop Data) makes it an essential tool for industries where timely and accurate data is critical.