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I need to use a sensor that isn't listed here, what are my options?
DM Devices offer a number of different inputs including:
- Digital Inputs
- Analogue (0-30V) inputs
- 4-20mA Inputs
- Bluetooth®
- I2C
- 1-wire
- SDI-12
- RS232
- RS485
Check each individual product's datasheet for the full specification, but inputs are generalised here:
Input | Requires Integration? | Device |
| Digital Input | No | Dart2 (Ignition + 2) G100 (Ignition + 4) G120 (Ignition + 6) G62 Cellular (Ignition + 2) G62 LoRaWAN (Ignition + 2) Falcon (2) SensorData Sigfox (2) SensorData LoRaWAN (3) SensorNode LoRaWAN (2) |
| Digital Inputs with Pulse Count | No | SensorData Sigfox (2) SensorData LoRaWAN (3) SensorNode LoRaWAN (2) Eagle (3) Falcon (2) |
| Analogue Inputs (0-30V) | No | G120 (1) G62 LoRaWAN (1) Falcon (1) SensorData LoRaWAN (1) SensorData Sigfox (2) SensorNode (2) Eagle (2) |
| 4-20mA | No | Eagle (2) |
| Bluetooth® | Generic Tag data can be read and passed on to a 3rd party server without firmware integration via this method: Integrating Tags. Also see 3rd Party Bluetooth® Tag Support | Remora2 G120 Eagle |
| I2C | I2C is the low level communication protocol. Most I2C sensors will need to be integrated into device firmware. Typically this is not a lengthy or difficult task. Contact us for details | SensorData Sigfox SensorData LoRaWAN SensorNode LoRaWAN Falcon Eagle |
| SDI-12 | In general most SDI-12 tags that follow the spec should work. However not any generic SDI-12 commands can be sent using our devices, see Eagle: SDI-12 configuration and compatibility | SensorData Sigfox SensorData LoRaWAN Eagle |
| 1-Wire (for iButton or other sensors) | May require integration | Dart G62 Cellular Eagle |
| RS485 | Yes | Eagle. RS485 has different implementations. To read an RS485 sensor a custom FW integration will be required. |
| RS232 | The RS232 Passthrough Mode can be used for many simple applications. More complex features are often better handled by custom FW integration. | G120 |
Input Descriptions
- Digital Inputs:
- Used to determine on/off status. Will be registered as 0 (off) or 1 (on).
- Typical applications include panic buttons, door open closed, monitoring engine on/off, run hours when connected to a PTO
- Analogue Inputs:
- Can be connected to a variety of sensors e.g. Temp Sensor, ultrasonic sensor etc, that output a certain voltage based on the temp/distance etc. This can be thought of as a voltage input.
- Can also be used to read 4-20mA signals when combined with a sense resistor.
- 4-20mA:
- Common sensor output. Sensor will output 4mA when at the minimum of its range, and 20mA when at the maximum.
- BLE:
- Some Digital Matter Devices have a BLE 5 Module on board. This means that any sensor that uses Bluetooth could be integrated into the device FW so the sensor can be read.
- I2C:
- Inter-IC communication. Low level communication interface which is used on many different sensor types.
- SDI-12:
- Commonly used in the Ag-Tech space for soil moisture probes etc.
- 1-wire:
- Generally used for i-Button Tags and readers. But some 1-wire sensors (e.g. temp) exist
What Sensors do DM products support:
The following table lists some sensors we have seen in use with our devices, or integrated at the request of partners. This is not an exhaustive list, and not all have been thoroughly tested by DM, instead we rely on the feedback from our reseller partners.
| Sensor Type | Interface | Model | Supported Devices |
| Temperature | I2C | DM I2C Temperature Probe This uses the TMP75 chip. You can build your own probes using this chip and they will work with our devices as a useful custom option - see Digital Matter I2C Temperature Probe Pinout | All DM devices with I2C input |
| Temperature | I2C | Texas Instruments TMP117 (I2C) Integrated circuit - not a full probe. Probes need to be built. The Eagle and Falcon will attempt to sample from these 4 addresses, 0x90, 0x92, 0x94, 0x96 So ensure your probe is constructed to give the chip one of these. | Eagle, Falcon |
| Temperature + Humidity | I2C | DM I2C Temp/Humidity Sensor | All DM Devices with I2C input |
| Temperature + Humidity | I2C | (I2C) Amphenol T9602 Temp/Humidity Sensor Internally - this sensor uses this TELAIRE chip. So any other sensors which use this chip will also work. | Eagle, Falcon |
| Ultrasonic Range (For tank Level) | I2C | Maxbotix MB7040 (I2C) | Eagle, Falcon, SensorData LoRaWAN, SensorNode LoRaWAN |
| Infrared Spot | I2C | MLX90614 Infrared Thermometer | Eagle, Falcon, SensorData LoRaWAN, SensorNode LoRaWAN |
| Infrared Camera | I2C | MLX90640 | Eagle, Falcon (V2.0 only) |
| Pressure | I2C | WNKxxxx I2C.(Specifically the WNK8010-TT) has been integrated, but other sensors of this family will also work. | Falcon |
| Fuel Level | Bluetooth | Technoton and Escort Fuel Probes | Eagle, G120, Remora2 |
| Cement Drum | RS232 | Dingtek Cement Drum Sensor Reports concrete drum RPM and rotation direction | G120 |
| Multi (Reed switch + temp + accelerometer) | Bluetooth | Laird BT510 Multi-Sensor | Eagle, G120, Remora2 |
| Inclination/Tilt Switch | Digital Input | Hummingbird 2-Axis Tilt Switch This device can be configured via DIP switches to toggle a digital output (Common, NO and NC contacts). Very useful for detecting events like bin lifts, or angles being exceeded (but we don't necessarily want to generate an accident event). | All |
Integrating sensors across multiple devices requires firmware development per device - as such a single sensor integration is not rolled out across all devices with the same input immediately (or even at all if it is not required).
If you want to use one of the above sensors with another device, contact us.
I need to use a sensor that isn't listed here, what are my options?
If an application requires a particular sensor that is not currently catered for, DM can integrate sensors. Typically a sensor which utilises one of the above inputs can be integrated with firmware development.
Most common are I2C sensors. I2C is a low level communication interface, so simply connecting an I2C sensor to a product with an I2C input in general will not work - the firmware must be modified.
Note for these sensors, The sensor should be able to be powered by a 3.3V source. As this is what is available to power sensors on DM devices. If it requires greater than this it will need to be powered externally to the device.
Please contact DM so that the sensor can be integrated into device firmware. Similarly if a particular Bluetooth® sensor is desired, contact DM for integration information.