Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a category from the section below to find answers to commonly asked product questions.
- I purchased a CTM-15X Modem. Now what do I need to do?
- What wireless networks does the modem support?
- What wireless data cards or modules does the CTM-15X support?
- Can I change the data card in my modem to a newer model?
- Can CTM-15X modems use 2 way satellite communications for wireless data transfer?
- Do I need an antenna for my modem to work?
- What kind of antennas and antenna connections do I need for my modem?
- How does the modem support MODBUS protocol?
- How does the modem generate messages?
The CTM-15X 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 modem ships without a wireless data card. The CTM-15X supports several form factors and wireless radio manufacturer brands. Typically, Cypress will install and configure the wireless data card or module into the modem free of charge, all that is required is the data cards be shipped to Cypress prior to install.
It supports CDMA/EV-DO, rev0/A and GSM/GPRS/HSPA cellular data networks and 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi networks. Only one type of network support is available at a time on a modem. To change a modem from CDMA/EV-DO to GSM/GPRS/HSPA support the RF data device or module will need to be replaced within the modem. This switch typically can be done by the end user, by using an available adapter kit.
3G networks:
3G networks:
- EV-DO, Rev A (Evolution Data Optimized, Revision A) - Download speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps, Upload speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps (typical 700Kbps-1.5Mbps download, 300-400 Kbps upload)
- EV-DO, Rev 0 (Evolution Data Optimized, Revision A) - Download speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps, Upload speeds of up to 153 Kbps (typical 400-700Kbps, 30-60 Kbps upload)
- HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access)- Download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps (typical 1.5-2Mbps)
- HSUPA (High Speed Upload Packet Access) - Upload speeds of up to 2.0 Mbps (typical 300-400Kbps)
- UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) 384 Kbps
- 1xRTT (1xRadio Transmission Technology) - up to 153 Kbps download/Upload speed (typical 40-60 Kbps)
- EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) 236 Kbps
- GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) - 56 Kbps
The CTM-15X modem supports data cards or modules with the following form factors:
- PC-CARD or CARDBUS
- Express Card (a narrower version of PC-CARD)
- 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.
Yes. One of the key features of the CTM-15X 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 the modems be shipped back to Cypress for the upgrade as it typically involves working with some static sensitive components.
No, Satellite data device integration has not been implemented on the CTM-15X series modems. However, the modem does 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-15X modem has internal logic to monitor, the "signal strength" of its cellular connection. The modem 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 modem 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 to 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 modem's features, proper antenna connections must be made. If the cellular antenna is not connected, the modem may fail to negotiate a connection to the wireless network. If the GPS antenna is not connected, the modem will not obtain a GPS fix.
The CTM-15X Modem 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 modem, 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 either an SMA JACK or MCX JACK, depending on what form factor was purchased. You will need a matching SMA PLUG or MCX PLUG to connect the antenna. 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.
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 modem, 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 either an SMA JACK or MCX JACK, depending on what form factor was purchased. You will need a matching SMA PLUG or MCX PLUG to connect the antenna. 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-15X modem can be used 3 different ways when using the MODBUS protocol:
MODBUS Slave
As a MODBUS Slave device the modem can "read" and "write" MODBUS messages based on the state of the modems analog or digital inputs and state of the device outputs. In this scenario the modem is an actual MODBUS device, all that is required is to assign the modem a modbusid using cmd modbusadd and set the modem into mode 6 using cmd mode 6. MODBUS message format is defined here.
MODBUS Slave GATEWAY
As a MODBUS Slave GATEWAY device the modem will enable connected MODBUS devices to communicate with a MODBUS MASTER. The MODBUS devices can be connected to the modem 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 modem 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 modem will enable a MODBUS Master Application(typically a desktop PC running MODBUS Master software) to communicate with remote MODBUS Slave devices remotely using a serial port connected to the modem. The modem 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 modem can be used for the wireless link configured as a standard always connected modem, ie mode=2.
MODBUS Slave
As a MODBUS Slave device the modem can "read" and "write" MODBUS messages based on the state of the modems analog or digital inputs and state of the device outputs. In this scenario the modem is an actual MODBUS device, all that is required is to assign the modem a modbusid using cmd modbusadd and set the modem into mode 6 using cmd mode 6. MODBUS message format is defined here.
MODBUS Slave GATEWAY
As a MODBUS Slave GATEWAY device the modem will enable connected MODBUS devices to communicate with a MODBUS MASTER. The MODBUS devices can be connected to the modem 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 modem 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 modem will enable a MODBUS Master Application(typically a desktop PC running MODBUS Master software) to communicate with remote MODBUS Slave devices remotely using a serial port connected to the modem. The modem 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 modem can be used for the wireless link configured as a standard always connected modem, ie mode=2.
The CTM-15X reporting works based on triggers,reports and messages.
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.
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.