FAQs about the CTM-200

The CTM-200 is a fully featured, industrial ruggedized wireless router. Once purchased, the first thing you need to do is activate it on the wireless network you want to use it on. The device ships without a wireless data card. The CTM-200 supports several form factors and wireless radio manufacturer brands. Typically, Cypress will install and configure the wireless data card or module into the device free of charge, all that is required is the data cards be shipped to Cypress prior to install.

It supports CDMA/EV-DO, Rev 0/A and GSM/GPRS/HSPA cellular data networks and 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi networks. The CTM-200 has multi-mode (cellular/Wi-Fi) support available as an option. To change a CTM-200 from CDMA/EV-DO to GSM/GPRS/HSPA support the RF data device or module will need to be replaced within the device. This switch typically can be done by the end user, by using an available adapter kit.

4G networks:

• LTE

3G networks:

• HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access)
• HSUPA (High Speed Upload Packet Access)
• EV-DO, Rev A (Evolution Data Optimized, Revision A)
• EV-DO, Rev 0 (Evolution Data Optimized, Revision A)
• UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)

2G networks:

• 1xRTT (1xRadio Transmission Technology)
• EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution)
• GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

Note: HSPA is used where the cellular device supports both HSDPA and HSUPA technology.

The CTM-200 supports data cards or modules with the following form factors:

• USB "thumbstick" or USB modem, this form factor has a USB device connector on one end.
• Mini-PCI express, this is typically a factory installed module.

All cards or modules must have an external antenna connector interface as part of their design.

Yes. One of the key features of the CTM-200 platform is the ability to support new technologies as they emerge. Typically, the upgrade process involves either a simple "card swap" or a "device form factor swap". In either case the process is quite simple and usually involves some minor changes such as changing out the external antenna connection. Contact Cypress for details on obtaining an upgrade kit. For "device form factor swap", Cypress recommends shipping the CTM-200 back to Cypress for the upgrade as it typically involves working with some static sensitive components.

Yes, satellite data device support is coming soon for CTM-200 devices. Contact Cypress Solutions for more details.

Currently, they do support co-existing satellite modem installations. We realize that cellular coverage is limited and in some cases satellite communication must be used to provide a communication link from a remote asset. The CTM-200 has internal logic to monitor, the "signal strength" of its cellular connection. The device can trigger one of its "digital outputs" when cellular coverage drops beneath a user defined limit. This output, if connected to a relay controlling the power to a satellite modem, can power on a satellite modem when the cellular connection is not available. The CTM-200 will continue to monitor the cellular signal, when cellular coverage is re-established, the same output will be triggered to turn the satellite modem off. With this system, expensive satellite communications are used only when necessary. Note: This switch over from cellular to satellite does not transfer the data flow from the cellular CTM-200 to the satellite modem. The satellite modem will be responsible for forwarding relevant information such as GPS location from its own processor. Not all data cards or modules support the reporting of RSSI values to the modem, in such a case this command will be disabled.

Yes. To take advantage of the CTM-200's features, proper antenna connections must be made. If the cellular antenna is not connected, the device may fail to negotiate a connection to the wireless network. If the GPS antenna is not connected, the CTM-200 will not obtain a GPS fix.

The CTM-200 has 2 antenna connections:

RF or Cellular Connection
This connection is an SMA JACK or TNC JACK, depending on what form factor was purchased. You will need a matching SMA PLUG or TNC PLUG to connect the antenna. The antenna should be an antenna designed to match the type of RF card or module installed in the CTM-200. For example a "dual band" antenna supporting both 800 Mhz frequencies and 1900 Mhz frequencies is required for a cellular wireless connection.

GPS Antenna
This connection is an SMA JACK. You will need a matching SMA PLUG to connect the antenna. To use GPS antennas with an MCX PLUG, an SMA to MCX adapter is required. The GPS antenna should be an active 3.3 V LNR antenna.

Antennas come in various form factors depending on the application. For mobile applications there are "tri-band" antennas that combine the RF and GPS into one antenna. For fixed site there are "high gain" antennas for use in environments where the wireless signal is weak. Contact Cypress Solutions for help in selecting an antenna right for your application.

The CTM-200 can be used 3 different ways when using the MODBUS protocol:

MODBUS Slave
As a MODBUS Slave device, the CTM-200 can "read" and "write" MODBUS messages based on the state of the analog or digital inputs and state of the device outputs. In this scenario, the CTM-200 is an actual MODBUS device; all that is required is to assign the CTM-200 a modbusid using cmd modbusadd and set the CTM-200 into mode 6 using cmd mode 6. MODBUS message format is defined here.

MODBUS Slave GATEWAY
As a MODBUS Slave GATEWAY device, the CTM-200 will enable connected MODBUS devices to communicate with a MODBUS MASTER. The MODBUS devices can be connected to the CTM-200 via the serial port or the Ethernet port. In the case of the serial port, only one connection is allowed. If the Ethernet port is used, multiple devices can be connected by using an Ethernet HUB. Note: In this case the CTM-200 could also be configured as its own MODBUS device with connections to its I/O; all that is required is that it have its own MODBUS ID.

MODBUS Master Serial GATEWAY
As a MODBUS Master Serial GATEWAY device, the CTM-200 will enable a MODBUS Master Application (typically a desktop PC running MODBUS Master software) to communicate with remote MODBUS Slave devices using a serial port connected to the CTM-200. The CTM-200 will map the modbus ID's to IP addresses that the slave devices are connected to. The connection to the MODBUS master can only be serial interface for MODBUS Master Serial GATEWAY. If an Ethernet connection is required, the MODBUS Master Application must handle any IP address conversions; the CTM-200 can be used for the wireless link configured as a standard always connected CTM-200, ie mode=2.

The CTM-200 reporting works based on triggers, reports and messages.

A trigger is an event that serves as a stimulus for a report. A trigger can be generated based on a variety of conditions, time, distance, max/min speed, accel/decel, heading, input, ignition, engine diagnostic parameters, power status, etc.

A report is a configuration for messages that are to be delivered. The report defines whether the message(s) are to be sent locally, remotely and the type of communication, UDP, TCP, email, sms, serial, etc. Up to 999 reports can be configured.

A message is a predefined string of information usually formatted as an NMEA style sentence. 33 predefined messages exist that provide data such as GPS information (speed, heading, etc), input status, device diagnostic data, engine diagnostics, odometer, engine hours, etc. If required, a trigger can generate multiple reports. Reports can have up to 4 messages defined. Messages do not have to be linked to the trigger. For example, a trigger based on a GPS condition, such as distance traveled, can result in an engine diagnostic message being generated.