NX21

Telemetry Unit

USER MANUAL
Version 1.5

© Nortech Management Ltd, United Kingdom NOV 2016

www.nortechonline.co.uk Doc Ref D_000344
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Telemetry Unit

Publication Notice

Copyright © Nortech Management Limited (NML). All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose. NML may make changes or improvements in the software, equipment, or specifications
described in this document at any time and without notice. These changes may be incorporated in
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This publication could contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. NML shall not be
liable for any damages (including, but not limited to, consequential, indirect or incidental, special
damages or loss of profits or data) even if NML have been informed of their potential occurrence,
arising out of or in connection with this document or its use.

English Edition

IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines Inc.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademark names used in this manual are hereby acknowledged.

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Contents
1. NX21 RTU Description 4
Operation 4
Central Host User Interface 4
Communications 4

2. Product Hardware and Lifetime support 5

3. Photograph 6
4. Wiring Connections 7
5. Commissioning / Field Support Kit 8
6. RTU Specification 9
Clock 9
Inputs / Outputs 9
RTU Events 9
Binary Inputs 9
Analogue Inputs 9
Datalogging of Analogue Inputs 10
Log Sizes 10
Input monitoring during host calls 10
Temperature 10
Signal Strength 10
Calls between RTU and Host 10
Reconfiguration of the RTU settings 10

7. Typical RTU Operation 11

Cold Start. 11
LEDs 11
Reason for the RTU to call the Host 11
Calls to the Host 11
Call Retry Algorithm 11
Incoming Calls 11
8. Communication Methods 12
Local Only 12
GSM / GPRS Modem 12
Selecting GSM or GPRS connection type 12

9. Wiring Diagram 13
10. Mounting Drawing 14
11. Specification 15
Battery Life 15
EMC Tests 15

12. Options and Accessories 16

Transducer Power Supply Daughter Board 16
NXD8 “1 in, 2 out” daughter board 17

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1. NX21 RTU Description

Operation
The NX21 RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) is suitable for alarm and condition
monitoring applications as well as datalogging applications. The NX21
monitors equipment status via digital inputs and analogue inputs.
The NX21 can be supplied with a long-life lithium battery pack allowing
monitoring at sites where an auxiliary supply is not available. Operational life
of up to 10 years is possible between battery replacement depending on the
configuration of the RTU sampling and reporting settings.
Typical applications include:
 General plant alarm panel monitoring
 Tank Level Monitoring
 Circuit Breaker operation monitoring
 Telecommunication base station monitoring

Central Host User Interface

For UK customers the NX21 can be remotely monitored from a set of Nortech
webpages called “Web iHost”. These are accessed via a unique username and
password. Once inside the Alarm displays, events histories and NX21
configuration can be viewed and managed.
For larger customers a dedicated iHost System can be installed at their own
premises.
The functionality of the User Interface is described in a separate document.

Communications
As standard the NX21 will be supplied with a quad band GSM/GPRS modem
and antenna. This provides low cost wide area wireless communications
between the NX21 site and the Central Host.
For datalogging applications where no remote gathering of data is required
then the modem can be omitted.

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2. Product Hardware and Lifetime support

The NX21 product is available with either a high density set of connectors
(NX61 pcb option) or a set of screw terminals (NX21 pcb option).

pcb Photograph Comment

designation
NX21 2 part screw terminals.
Quad band modem.
External SIM card holder.

NX61 High density connectors.

Quad band modem.
External SIM card holder.

Depending on the part number selected the NX21 can be supplied in a number
of different packages including enclosures, batteries, brackets, cabling etc.
All pcb footprints mount inside the 130x130x75 mm enclosure.

Note modems vary depending on the age of the unit.

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3. Photograph

NX21 pcb variant No. Description

1 Test Button and 2 LEDs for
TX/RX
2 16-bit Microprocessor
3 COM1 RTU configuration port
4 Analogue Inputs
5 Digital inputs 1 – 8
6 Digital inputs 9 – 12
7 GSM/GPRS modem
8 Antenna Connection
9 SIM Card Holder
10 Battery / DC power connection
11 Temp Transducer
NX61 pcb variant

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4. Wiring Connections

The RTU requires a power supply from either a Long-Life lithium battery pack
(in which case there is no need for any auxiliary power supply) or from a
constant DC source fed via a Nortech DC Supply Board.
Digital Inputs are monitored using internal pull-ups, there is no opto isolation
between the RTU and the equipment being monitored. Where opto-isolation is
required for a particular application plug in daughter board are available.
Analogue inputs are monitored via 0-25mA inputs and are therefore suitable
for use with externally powered 4-20mA sensors. There is an 18V switched DC
supply available as an optional extra which can be used to supply power to
external 4-20mA sensors.
A wiring diagram is included in this manual.

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5. Commissioning / Field Support Kit

Connect the NX21 to the PC using the NXA-0100 programming lead

NXA-0100 serial cable plugged into the
RJ45 socket as shown in the earlier
photograph.
Run the “NX-FSK” Field Support Kit
software on the laptop.
The Field Support Kit PC software allows
users to interrogate the current status
and settings of the NX21 as well as look
at archived logs.

The Field Support Kit is described in a

separate document.

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6. RTU Specification
Clock
The RTU has an internal Real Time Clock (RTC). The clock is synchronised
with the Host during every communication.
Date/time stamping in Event and System logs is to 0.1 second granularity.
The RTC has a drift of 1/1,000,000.
Inputs / Outputs
There are 12 digital inputs. These are configured to operate as Binary Inputs.
There are 2 analogue inputs with 8-bit resolution each with 4 threshold
settings.
RTU Events
Power up from ‘cold’ (Cold Start) will usually be configured to initiate a call to
the host.
Binary Inputs
The RTU reports the current status of all binary inputs to the host during
every call.
The RTU is able to detect binary state changes of 250ms duration or longer.
Once an event has been detected then the RTU can be configured to “fast
scan” the binary inputs for up to 4 minutes during which time inputs changes
of 10ms duration will be detected.
Binary inputs are configured to detect OPEN or CLOSE or BOTH changes of
state.
Binary inputs can be configured as “latched” with an associated latched timer,
in this mode when a change of state occurs the RTU will ignore further
changes of state on that input until the timer has expired.
When a monitored change of state occurs a date/time stamped “binary input
change” log entry is made.
Binary input change of state can be configured to initiate an immediate call to
the host.
Analogue Inputs
The RTU reports the last reading of the 8-bit analogue value of each input to
the host during every call.
Each analogue input has 4 threshold levels associated with it. If during a
reading a threshold level has been crossed since the last reading then the RTU
adds a date/time stamped entry in the “analogue threshold” log. The
hysteresis for threshold crossings is 5. The 8-bit value of 0 - 255 corresponds
to a 0 - 25mA level on the input. e.g. 200 = 19.61mA.
Analogue inputs crossing threshold can be configured to be logged and initiate
an immediate call to the host.
It is possible to provide power to external 4-20mA type sensors via a switched
output power line on the board. A Nortech DC-DC step up board is needed for
this option. The powering of the external sensors can be synchronised with
the reading of the analogue input levels.
The 2 analogue inputs are read at configurable intervals in the range 1 to
4000 minutes. When the time for the analogue reading to occur is reached
the analogues and the external switched power line are energised for a
“stabilise” time prior to taking a readings.

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Datalogging of Analogue Inputs

Analogue inputs can be configured for datalogging their value each time they
are read. If enabled then the RTU stores the current level and the date/time
the reading was taken. During the next contact with the Host these datalogs
will be transferred.
Log Sizes
Logs are stored in non-volatile memory.
With the standard memory the RTU can store:
 100 Binary Logs
 1500 Analogue threshold crossings and datalogs
 100 RTU and communications events
When a log fills then the 100th (1500th) entry is stored as a “buffer overrun”
and then the log loops back and overwrites the oldest data.
Input monitoring during host calls
Inputs continue to be monitored during calls to the Host. If a binary or
analogue input event takes place during a call the Log entry is still be made.
Temperature
The RTU takes a temperature reading using it’s on board sensor at the same
time as the analogue inputs have been configured to be read. The last
temperature reading taken is reported to the Host during every contact.
Signal Strength
The RTU monitors the GSM/GPRS signal strength during each call. The last
measured signal strength is reported to the Host during every call.
Calls between RTU and Host
When the RTU calls the Host the Host software answers the call and initiates a
transfer of data in both directions using a secure protocol. During contact
with the Host the RTU acts as a slave serving information to requests by the
Host acting as master. Information from the RTU is stored in the Hosts
database where users may view it.
Reconfiguration of the RTU settings
The operational behaviour of the RTU including which inputs are enabled, how
data is stored and reported to the Host and how often contact with the host is
required are all configurable centrally from the Host without the need for a
site visit.
When a Host User makes changes to these settings at the Host the new
settings will be loaded into the RTU during the next contact between the Host
and the RTU.

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7. Typical RTU Operation

Assumes a GSM modem is fitted.
Cold Start.
The RTU should be configured to monitor processor power up after periods
without mains and battery back-up power, this is known as a “Cold Start”.
The RTU will then initiate a call to the host when a Cold Start event takes
place.
LEDs
The Processor LEDs are used to indicate current operation state of the NX21
along with communication state.
Mode Green LED Red LED
Normal Operation, OFF OFF
Using modem, dialling, Follows TX Follows RX
communicating etc.....
End of a Successful call..... 5s ON then OFF OFF
End of a failed call.... OFF 5 s ON then flashing (see
below) during retry
algorithm.
During retry algorithm.... OFF Flashing 200ms ON, 2s
OFF
End of Retry Algorithm... same Flashing 200ms OFF
as normal operation. ON, 2s OFF

Reason for the RTU to call the Host

When the user presses the test button the RTU initiates a call to the Host.
When the “Next Routine Call” date/time is reached/exceeded the RTU initiates
a call to the Host.
When an event takes place that is configured to initiate a call to the host.
Calls to the Host
When the RTU initiates a call to the Host it waits the ‘call in delay timer’ period
before dialling.
The RTU keeps track of, and reports to the Host, a set of call success
statistics.
Call Retry Algorithm
If a call to the Host fails then the RTU retries to a total of 10 times over a
period of approximately 20 minutes. The interval between retries varies
between RTUs so that different RTUs don’t have the same retry interval
algorithm. If all 10 attempts fail then the RTU will start retrying again
(another 10 attempts) 24 hours later. During this period if any other events
occur requiring the RTU to call the Host it should do so in the normal manner.
Incoming Calls
When using the lithium battery pack the RTU switches off the modem except
when required to call the Host. Therefore the Host is unable to initiate contact
with the RTU.
When an external DC power source is used the RTU keeps the modem
powered up between calls and the Host can call (“poll”) the RTU which will
answer the call.

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8. Communication Methods
Local Only
Plug in the Field Support Kit lead into COM1 and download onto PC the
contents of the RTUs logs.
GSM / GPRS Modem
A GSM/GPRS modem can be directly fitted to COM 0 at Nortech. Serial
communication and power is provided by this connection.
The RTU communicates using the NX protocol over GSM and GPRS networks.
Various settings need to be set in order for the RTU to use the GSM / GPRS
modem, these will usually be configured by Nortech as part of the pre-delivery
checks.
A SIM card is needed to gain GSM / GPRS Network access. The SIM card
needs to be CSD Data enabled and/or GPRS enabled.
Selecting GSM or GPRS connection type
The NX21 supports both Circuit Switched Data and GPRS connections types.
The choice of which type to use is software switchable either as a factory
configured option by Nortech or by the user using the Field Support Kit.
Each option in turn has it’s own settings which are used to connect to the
Host. GPRS needs Host IP addresses setting, CSD needs Host phone numbers
setting etc.
The software switch is available from firmware v10 onwards.
For help in deciding on which option to use please contact Nortech.

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9. Wiring Diagram
Digital Inputs should be volt-free dry contacts.
Analogue Inputs should be 4-20mA.
Only use a lithium battery pack or DC power board supplied by Nortech.

NX21 pcb variant

NX61 pcb variant

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10. Mounting Drawing

The NX21 can be supplied in a number of different enclosure sizes depending
on the application.
The standard enclosure is 130x130x75 mm and weighs approx 0.7 kg
complete with the battery.
Pressure equalisation vents and other features to combat condensation may
be fitted on request.

130 x 130 x 75 enclosure

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11. Specification

Battery Life
The standard lithium battery pack is a 3.9V, 32Ah unit. The drain on the
battery is affected by a number of factors including:
 Power supply being provided for external 4-20mA sensors.
 Number and length of GSM modem calls and call attempts.
 Configuration settings for analogue input scan interval and stabilise time.
 Configuration of scan duration and fast scan period of digital inputs.
 Input wiring impedance.
 Temperature.
It is therefore not possible to give a firm indication of the battery expectancy
without knowing details of the application and configuration settings selected.
As a rough guide a battery life of between 5 and 10 years is achievable.

EMC Tests

Independent EMC testing has been carried out on the NX21 product and
passed to the following standards.

Emissions
EN61326-1 EN55022 Radiated Emissions

Immunity
EN61326-1 EN61000-4-2 ESD
EN61000-4-3 Radiated Immunity
EN61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field

Environmental
Enclosure Rating: Where supplied the enclosure is suitable for outdoor use.
Humidity: 0-95% non condensing
RTU PCB: -20 to +70 degrees C.

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12. Options and Accessories

Transducer Power Supply Daughter Board

The daughter board allows external 4-20mA transducers to be powered
directly from the NX21.
The 18V power supply output is switched by the NX21 processor and is usually
synchronised with taking analogue readings.

Note: The power daughter board requires a larger enclosure. The

NX21 with modem and antenna, battery and daughter board can be
supplied in an enclosure 180 x 182 x 90 mm.

Analog Power Board Connections

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NXD8 “1 in, 2 out” daughter board

The NXD8 requires a specific version of firmware to operate.
Digital inputs 2-8 are not monitored when the NXD8 is fitted.
The NX21 + NXD8 takes a single relay input, monitors it using digital input 1
and controls an output relay which can be wired to external equipment.
The output relay is controlled by the NX21 to follows the status of the input
relay.

NXD8 Photo

Legend:
1: Plug into NX21
2: Output relay
1 3: Wiring for Input and Output relays

NXD8 Wiring connections

Pin 1 Input Relay – must be volt free
Pin 2
Pin 3 Output Relay – volt free
Pin 4

NXD8 installed on NX21

Legend:
1: Input and Output Relay
connections
2: M3 mounting screw
3 3: Additional mounting point if
required.
4: LED and button still
accessible.

4
Pin 4
3 Pin 3
1
Pin 2
Pin 1

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