Overview
The iTwin IoT platform is compatible with the Geokon GeoNet 8800 series wireless datalogger. This guide will quickly walk you through the setup GeoNet connection process and configuring associated vibrating wire sensors on the logger.
This article will cover the following topics:
Geokon GeoNet Setup
1. Make sure you have turned on at least one gateway Thread that is within range of the Geonet node and is Always On power mode. If you do not have any Threads on your project, follow this link to learn how to add a Thread.
2. Attach the antenna to the Geonet Node.
3. Confirm the Dipswitch settings are preconfigured to the iTwin option. Important snipits from the Geokon manual are included below. The full Geokon GeoNet 8800 manual can be found .
4. Prior to installing the D cell batteries, ensure that the battery select switch is set to the “OFF” position (Figure 8). Configure the battery-type switch setting to the correct setting. (For units manufactured prior to June 2017, move the battery select switch to the OPPOSITE setting of the type of battery that will be installed.)
5. Insert the batteries.
6. Toggle the switch to the "On" Position to turn it on. The LED on the right side should flash once. After roughly 2 minutes of boot cycle the GeoNet will go into "Hunt Mode". The GeoNet will look for a Thread every 10 minutes and then revert to the default hourly reading frequency once it has reestablished connection to a Gateway Thread. The connection status of the GeoNet can be determined by clicking the Status button on the side of the Device and looking at the status indicated by the light. Once the GeoNet has connected, you can add the Device to the iTwin app.
Adding A Geokon GeoNet
7. Select the Icon on the left side of the page to access the connections page.
8. Select at the top of the connections column.
9. Select Geokon in the manufacturer column on the left-hand side of the page.
10. Click the button under GeoNet.
11. Input the serial number of the GeoNet that you would like to add to the iTwin platform. The serial number can be found on a sticker, on the left side of the unit, labeled SN.
Note: If the GeoNet has not connected to a Gateway Thread you will see the above "invalid Serial Number" error. Make sure to check the status of the GeoNet before trying to connect.
Modifying Sampling and Reporting Interval
Your newly added GeoNet will now show up on the connections page as "GeoNet" plus its Serial Number. You may now begin configuring the GeoNet.
1. Highlight the box to the left of the GeoNet in the connections column.
2. Click on the GeoNet name in the Devices and Sensors column to access the Edit Configuration page.
3.Clicking the button will take you to the configuration page for each wired VW you have in this GeoNet.
4. Here you can change the name of the GeoNet. it is recommended to keep the Serial Number in the name next to the changed name for easier troubleshooting.
5. The sampling interval can be changed from 5 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the desired sampling frequency of the wired sensors.
6. The reporting interval tells the strand when to send data via radio to its connected Gateway Thread. It is recommended that this interval matches the wake duration of the connected Gateway Thread to allow for easier data transmission.
Note: It is recommended to keep the reporting interval shorter or the same as the sampling interval to make sure that the GeoNet does not build up a large backlog of data.
7. Setting the location of the GeoNet will allow you to view the connection in the correct location in the Spatial Module. This can also be done by dragging and dropping the GeoNet icon in the Spatial Module.
8. Notes can be added in this section for any important information about the setup or use of the connection.
Note: Be sure to hit apply after any changes have been made to the configuration or they will not save.
Vibrating Wire Configuration
The Vibrating Wire Sensor on the GeoNet will need to be configured to the specific VW sensor you are using. First, navigate to the device in the 'Devices & Sensors' list on the right-hand side of Network and click the device you wish to configure.
You will be taken to the 'Details' tab for the selected device. Click the 'Edit Configuration' tab in the side navigation menu. Finally, click the blue "Edit Configuration" button under VW Channel Information.
Within the configuration modal you should specify the input type, sensor category, and sensor type for each channel. Dependent on your inputs, different parameters will be available for selection.
Click Apply when finished and make sure to click Submit within the configuration page to write the settings. Once saved, the configured vibrating wire sensor will populate beneath the GeoNet Device and can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow.
Additional calibration factors and other parameters will need to be entered for some types of vibrating wires, see the Vibrating Wire article for details.
Please note: Check the firmware version of the Geonet you plan to install. FW vers. 784 and 786 may not function properly when connected to iTWin IoT and should not be used. FW vers. 793 and later may result in issues with older GeoNets equipped with a multiplexer.