Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding SubStation and Cloud Networking
This guide focuses on connecting SubStations to a BaseStation 3200 using cloud network communication. SubStations serve as wireless extensions of the BaseStation 3200, allowing you to consolidate multiple controllers into a single programmable interface. This is particularly useful for retrofit projects where running physical wiring between controller locations is not practical or cost-effective.
A BaseStation 3200 can support up to eight SubStations for a total of 200 zones across all devices. This zone count represents the maximum capability of a BaseStation 3200 and cannot be exceeded. The BaseStation 3200 can also handle up to eight water sources, which may be a limiting factor in your system design depending on your site requirements.
Example Site Configuration
The example site discussed in this guide demonstrates the power of SubStation technology for retrofits. The site originally had 11 separate controllers managing approximately 140 zones spread across multiple locations. The field wiring was conventional, and trenching new wire to consolidate zones and manage flow from multiple water sources was not realistic.
The solution involved installing one BaseStation 3200 and four SubStations, reducing 11 independent programming interfaces down to a single interface. Where controllers were located side by side, powered BiCoders were used to bring zones into a SubStation, further streamlining the installation. Whenever a wired connection is possible, it will be more cost-effective and reliable than wireless communication methods.
Communication Methods for SubStations
SubStations can communicate back to a BaseStation 3200 using several different methods:
- Ethernet connection over a local area network (LAN) – Requires a dedicated ethernet cable drop at each controller location. This is practical for new installations in master-planned communities but typically not feasible for retrofits.
- WiFi network – Requires accessible WiFi access points on a common network. Individual residential WiFi networks cannot be used reliably. This method is rarely practical for most irrigation installations.
- Ethernet radio to gateway – Each SubStation has an ethernet radio installed that communicates to the BaseStation 3200 location, which then has a communication module (typically a cell modem) connecting to the cloud. This is a device-to-device communication method that is reliable and can streamline costs.
- Cloud networking module – Each device communicates independently up to the cloud using a cell modem or WiFi, and devices share information through the cloud. SubStations cannot talk directly to the BaseStation 3200 but communicate through the cloud networking component.
Cloud Network vs. Ethernet Radio Configuration
The primary difference between ethernet radio and cloud network configurations lies in how devices communicate. With an ethernet radio setup, each SubStation communicates directly to the BaseStation 3200 location through radio signals, and then one communication module at the BaseStation connects everything to the cloud for access through BaseManager.
With cloud networking, each individual device connects to the wide area network independently and shares information amongst all devices through the cloud. The SubStation cannot talk directly to the BaseStation 3200 but communicates with it through the cloud networking component.
The biggest advantage of cloud networking over ethernet radio is the ease of setup. Cloud networking does not require a radio site survey to qualify the signals between SubStation and BaseStation 3200. You simply install the cloud network module with the cell modem card and connect it to the cloud, where all devices connect through a handshake protocol and exchange information with each other.
Configuring the SubStation
1. Turn the SubStation dial from Run to Setup to access the setup menu.
2. Navigate to Network Setup and then to Communication Setup. Configure your communication module (cell modem) settings. This step should be completed before proceeding with the BaseManager setup.
3. Navigate to BaseManager Setup and press OK to open the menu. Enable BaseManager by pressing the plus sign to change the status to enabled. Press Back to exit this menu.
4. Navigate to BaseManager Info and press OK. The display will show "Registering" as the status. Wait patiently for the SubStation to generate a PIN code. This process may take up to a minute as the controller needs to reach the top of the minute on its internal clock to facilitate the function.
5. Once the PIN code appears on the display, record this information. You can take a photo of the screen for reference. This PIN code will be needed when adding the SubStation in BaseManager. Note that the PIN code is case-sensitive, so pay careful attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.
6. Press Back to exit the BaseManager Info menu, then navigate to IOT Server Setup and press OK.
7. Enable the IOT server by pressing the plus sign to select "Yes" for using the IOT server.
8. Turn the dial back to Run. The SubStation configuration is now complete, and you will not need to return to the SubStation for further programming.
Adding the SubStation in BaseManager
1. Open a web browser and navigate to baselineapps.net. Do not log in directly to BaseManager.com, as you will not have access to the necessary admin functions for adding SubStations. You must log in through baselineapps.net to access the full app manager functionality.
2. Log in with your username and password. From the main screen, navigate to the Admin section rather than going directly into BaseManager.
3. Select Manage SubStations from the admin menu.
4. Click Add SubStation. The system will take a moment to load the form.
5. When the form appears, enter the following information:
- Give the SubStation a descriptive name
- Enter the activation PIN code from the SubStation display (remember this is case-sensitive)
- Select the site where this SubStation will be located
- Add any other optional information as needed
6. Click to add the SubStation. The PIN code associates this specific SubStation with your account, ensuring it is uniquely identified as yours.
Connecting the SubStation to the BaseStation 3200
1. Return to the Admin section and select Manage BaseStation 3200s.
2. Locate your BaseStation 3200 from the list. If you have multiple controllers, use the descriptive name you assigned during setup. If necessary, you can identify the correct controller by its serial number or MAC address, which is absolutely unique to each device.
3. Click Edit for the BaseStation 3200 you want to configure.
4. Scroll down to the 3200 Managed SubStations section. Initially, this will show no SubStations connected.
5. Click Select a SubStation and choose the SubStation you just added from the dropdown menu.
6. Select the option to connect with the IOT Server (cloud server).
7. Click Save to complete the configuration.
8. Verify that the SubStation status shows as "Connected." Once connected, you have complete access to the SubStation through your BaseStation 3200.
Completing the Setup
Once the SubStation shows as connected in BaseManager, no further work is required at the SubStation itself. All programming and configuration is done through the BaseStation 3200 interface. You can now proceed with your normal configuration process, including searching for and assigning two-wire devices, just as you would with any standard two-wire installation. The SubStation functions as a wireless two-wire path, sending two-wire communication over the network connection.
The configuration process requires three steps at the SubStation itself and three steps at the app manager level. By completing the SubStation configuration while in the field, you eliminate the need to return to the SubStation location for any additional setup. All future programming and adjustments are handled remotely through the BaseStation 3200.
Security Protocols
All wireless communication through cloud network modules uses the same security protocols regardless of the communication method. Every connection from the server to the controller, from SubStation or Flow Station through the cell modem, employs 256-bit encryption, which is the highest level of encryption currently available in the market. This encryption is further wrapped with an additional security layer, making it even more secure. These security protocols are acceptable by even the most stringent IT department security requirements.
5G and Future Compatibility
The cloud network modules currently utilize 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology. While 5G networks are being implemented, they are primarily designed to increase the speed of video data transfer, which requires far more bandwidth than irrigation control systems need. The 4G LTE data component will remain suitable for the foreseeable future, and the system will be able to utilize 5G towers with 4G LTE data communication. The industry commitment to 4G LTE extends at least ten years or more into the future.
5G technology is intended to add towers and increase bandwidth in geographical areas to support more connected devices and faster data transfer. However, for irrigation control applications, 4G LTE provides more than adequate data transfer capabilities for reliable communication.
Browser Compatibility
BaseManager is compatible with all major web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. However, Microsoft browsers are consistently less reliable than other options. For the best experience, use Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari when accessing BaseManager and performing SubStation configuration.
Video Walkthrough
Video originally published October 2020.
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