G120 Quick Start Guide
This article is intended as a complete guide to the available Iridium System parameters, and also to describe how the Iridium connection operates on the G120. For a cheat sheet to quickly get up and running, see the G120 Iridium Quick Start Guide
Introduction
The G120 has the option of being connected to an Iridium Edge module. The Iridium Edge module contains an Iridium SBD modem and antenna, which allows the G120 to send data when the cellular network is not available (e.g. out of mobile coverage areas). Because of the higher costs of Iridium SBD data, the G120 firmware has been designed to allow it to be configured to only send a subset of the normal data based on the applied parameters. Upon returning to coverage the full data set (stored in device memory when out of coverage) is uploaded to the server.
Key Considerations/Caveats
- The G120 + Iridium is not a device to be used permanently out of coverage. It is a 'hybrid' device designed to rely on the cellular network, but use Iridium as a stop-gap when out of coverage.
- Firmware and parameter updates can only be done in cellular coverage
- Telematics Guru only processes the Iridium records to handle alerts, and update the map. Iridium data is not used in reports, the trip history view etc. As soon as the device comes back into coverage and uploads its stored data these will be updated.
- The G120 talks to the Edge modem via the RS232 interface. So the RS232 port cannot be used for other purposes when we are using it for Iridium.
Iridium Set Up Check List
(Steps 1 and 2 are the minimum requirement to have a device connect via Iridium.)
- Install Iridium Edge Modem and device according to the wiring diagram/install guide provided by Iridium.
- Enable Iridium Parameter set to Yes
- If any input changes are required to be transmitted via Iridium (e.g. duress buttons), the input mask must be set. (See more about Bit Masks below)
- Enter the decimal representation in the parameters - in this instance 12.
- Set out of GSM coverage timeout and in trip logging period if alternate parameters are desired.
Bit Masks.
To determine the bit mask:
If we require Digital Inputs 2 and 3 to be sent when they become active over Iridium), the binary representation of this is 1100 - bits 3, 2, 1, 0. So if you need Digital input 1 and Ignition, You add the decimal value together to get the Input mask value which is 2. Or if you need to upload if any of Digital Inputs 4, 5 or 6 are activated, the bit mask value is 8 + 16 + 32 = 56
Binary bits are counted from right to left, and the right most (least significant) bit is bit 0
Bit value (decimal) | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Digital Input name | Digital Input 7 | Digital Input 6 | Digital Input 5 | Digital Input 4 | Digital Input 3 | Digital Input 2 | Digital Input 1 | Ignition |
Hardware Required
The G120 is the updated version of the G100, boasting an improved feature set.It is capable, as per the G100 to be used as an Iridium Hybrid device, however the implementation is slightly different.
The Iridium satellite constellation provides L-band voice and data coverage to devices utilising an Iridium modem all over the earth's surface. So a G120 Iridium hybrid device can provide location updates when out of cellular coverage.
The G100 used a Flexi card slot so that an Iridium modem could be fitted to the device. This is not the case with the G120.
The components needed for out of coverage Iridium tracking with a G120 are:
- G120 Device (standard unit - supplied by DM)
- Iridium Edge Module - not supplied by DM, can be sourced via other suppliers
- G120 Iridium wiring harness - supplied by DM
The DM Iridium harness simply terminates the following wires of the standard G120 harness with a M12-8 connector, so it is plug and play with the Edge Module
- Power on Iridium edge is a separate red wire that is bundled with the G120 to Iridium Edge cable and needs to be connected direct to power as well as the G120 Vin
- RS232 RX (pin 22 on G120)
- RS232 TX (pin 21 on G120)
- GND (taken back to G120 GND)
- SW GND (pin 11 on G120) - controls on/off of Edge
Note the input voltage range of the G120 is 8-45V DC
The diagram below states 9-32V, since this is the range for the Edge and this must be adhered to
The Iridium Edge module is a self contained Iridium modem + antenna, which can be mounted in the location an Iridium antenna would be traditionally mounted. From there it connects via a harness to the G120.
The Iridium Edge is simply the pictured box, with a cable coming out which is terminated with a M12-8 connector on the end. It requires a 9-32V power source and will not run on the G120's internal battery.
The Iridium Edge module communicates with the G120 via the G120's RS232 interface. The RS232 interface wires are available on the standard G120 harness - so partners can wire their own connections if desired.
Building your own Harness
If you wish to build up your own harness, the necessary connections are given here:
The Iridium harness developed by Digital Matter starts with the standard G120 - 24 way molex and with the required Iridium Edge wires bundled and terminated with a female M12-8 connector. The Iridium Edge module features the corresponding M12-8 male connector for easy plug and play.
If you wish to make your own harness, you will need to source a female M12-8 connector. The connector on the Iridium edge is IP67 rated, so it is worth ensuring that the female for the G120 side is also IP67 rated to ensure the rating is maintained across the connection.
Connections are as follows.
| Iridium Edge Pin | G120 Pin | Comment |
| 5 (External Power) | 24 (Ext Power), or loose | The Power pin on the edge can be joined to the one on the G120, so the installer only needs to connect 1 wire to power. Or it can be left loose and both the Edge and G120 power must be connected. |
| 2 (Ground) | 20 (Ground) - Black wire | Any ground on the G120 harness can be used as they are equivalent. 20 is convenient though. |
| 3 (Edge RX) | 22 (G120 TX) | |
| 4 (Edge TX) | 21 (G120 RX) | |
| 6 (On/Off) | 11 (Switched Ground 1) |
Pin out for the Iridium Edge connector (looking into the connector) is as follows.
The numbers in brackets relate to the G120 pin as above.
Note
the Iridium Edge needs to be mounted with a clear view of the sky. It is worth creating a harness long enough to allow this. Typically 2m between the G120 and edge should be enough for most vehicles.
- Construct your own harness (See Previous Tab)
- Use the Digital Matter Iridium harness in addition to a suitable M12-8 extension cable such as the following: Right Angle M12 to Straight M12 Cable assembly, 8 Core 2m Cable
Switching To Iridium
The G120 will always attempt to send data on the cellular network as a priority.
If the GSM modem cannot REGISTER on the network within the Out of GSM Coverage Timeout (5 min default), then the assumption is made that the modem is out of GSM coverage the Iridium Modem will be used. As soon as the GSM Modem gets signal and is able to register on the network then the Iridium connection will no longer be used.
Default Behaviour
For a device on defaults, when in coverage it will log and upload according to it's regular parameters as below:
- Hourly Heartbeats
- Beginning and end of trip positions and uploads
- Logging on 60s time elapsed, 500m travelled, heading change, distance travelled, speed change, etc (there are many things the G120 can be configured to record!)
Iridium Default Parameters
- Enable Iridium
- Enable or disable the iridium fail-over
- Digital Input Active/Inactive Mask:
- This is a bit mask controlling which digital input changes are logged. Active applies to the input going on. Inactive applies to the input going off. The number entered is the decimal conversion of the binary value for the bit mask.
- 0 = no digital input logging
- 1 = input 0 (ignition) is logged - there is no need to set this as the Ignition is logged anyway.
- 2 - in binary this is 10, so only input 1 is logged, useful for panic buttons!
- 3 - in binary 11, so input 0 and 1 are both logged
- Out of GSM coverage timeout
- How long, in minutes, before a failure to upload is considered a GSM failure and the device fails over to Iridium
- In trip logging period
- How often to log an Iridium record when in a trip
- Heartbeat period
- How many times a normal heartbeat should happen before an Iridium heartbeat record is logged.
- For example, if the normal heartbeat is 1 hour, setting this to 5 would result in an Iridium heartbeat every 5 hours.
Iridium Logging
The following records will be uploaded when the G120 is using Iridium.
- Trip Start/End
- This will always be logged and sent when on Iridium
- Digital Inputs
- Optional logging and uploads of Digital Inputs 0 to 7, if configured in the parameter masks. Allowing for important inputs to be sent e.g. panic buttons.
- Period In Trip
- A position update is sent every In Trip Logging Period (default 10 mins as per Iridium parameter tab shown above)
- Accident/Rollover
- Accident log reasons will always be logged and uploaded, giving an immediate notification of this.
Heartbeat
When out of trip, it will heartbeat according to it's Iridium heartbeat parameter - which is specified as a multiple of the GSM heartbeat. 2 hours by default.
Note
The device will still log (but not upload) all the same records that it would while in GSM coverage and store these in memory. This means the complete, 30 second, turn by turn trip record data will be sent to the server upon returning to GSM coverage.
Records Sent over Iridium
Given we only have a 20 byte record (see Record Size below) to work with, only a subset of the complete data is sent with each Iridium upload. The message will contain,
- The log reason (why the record was generated) - e.g. Heartbeat, Trip Start, Elapsed Time
- Trip Status bit - to say if it is currently in or out of trip
- Sequence Number + Date Time
- GPS position - Lat and Long
- Current speed
- Current Heading
- Digital Inputs 0-7
In order to estimate your required usage you will need to estimate how long the G120 will be operating with no GSM coverage and what your parameters are set to.
Calculating Iridium Data
Digital Matter offers Iridium Data bundles for devices using the Telematics Guru platform.
The package you need depends on your requirements, and the amount of time the asset will spend out of coverage.
- 3KB
- this for light compliance, where tracking outside mobile coverage is essential for safety etc, approx 150 messages per month, for vehicles that “may” go out of coverage
- 8KB
- This plan is the normal, approx 400 messages per month, for vehicles that go out in and of coverage regularly but not for particularly long periods
- 15KB
- This plan is approx 750 messages, for vehicles that go out of coverage often but are generally based in mobile coverage
- 30KB
- is approx 1500 messages, for vehicles that go out of coverage a lot and stay out (exploration, remote camps, construction and civils equipment).
You can also use the attached spreadsheet to estimate the amount of monthly uploads you will get over Iridium based upon time spent out of coverage and device settings.
This will help with choosing your plan and adjusting your settings to stay within the upload limit, to avoid overage charges.
NB: This calculator is basic, and doesn't account for trip start/stop uploads, or uploads due to digital input changes. Use as a guide only - your time spent out of coverage/in trip will vary regardless.