FreeWave provides everything you need to deploy remote data collection. This includes sensor devices, cloud-based data routing, data storage, analytics platforms, and connectivity hardware.

Unpacking your ModuSense

Everything required for the successful operation of the ModuSense is included in the box.

The contents of the box are:

• ModuSense and Solar Charger Assembly
• Bluetooth Antenna
• GPS Antenna
• Satellite Antenna
• #5 Hex Tool

If you have purchased a ready-to-deploy solution such as a water level monitoring solution, air quality monitoring or a weather station, there may be additional sensors in the box or shipped in additional boxes, please check your packing slip.

Adding your ModuSense to your account

Before deploying the ModuSense , you need to claim it, name it and make it your own.

To do this you need to register and log on to your account in the FreeWave Data Portal at portal.freewave.com or within the FreeWave Mobile App (Apple and Android).

Once logged in, you can use the ‘Claim a Device’ function to adopt the ModuSense . To do this you will need the unique Claim Code – found on the back page of this booklet.

Once successfully claimed, the ModuSense will appear in the Devices > Devices menu. From the device configuration screen, you can define how data from the ModuSense should be routed. If you have subscribed to the FreeWave Dashboards and Analytics Suite you can visualize the data within the FreeWave Data Portal or FreeWave Mobile App.

Setting up your ModuSense

All that is required to set up your ModuSense is to screw in the antennas in the relevant location.

When attaching the antenna, do not over-tighten. No tools are required to attach the antenna, finger tight is all that is needed.

If you are installing the ModuSense in a location with high winds and a tendency for rain, you may consider using Coax Tape to seal the connections. This is particularly important in extreme conditions since high wind can drive water up into these connections which may cause resistance and degradation of signal.

The antennas are labelled:

• SAT - Satellite
• BLE – Bluetooth Low Energy
• GPS – Global Positioning System

If you are using RS-485 sensors, these will be labelled with the expected sensor type on the enclosure itself above the attachment point.

The connectors on the metal assembly are also labelled the same as above. You can also refer to your included quick start guide.

If you plug a different sensor into an RS-485 port than expected, you will need to reconfigure the ModuSense i using the FreeWave Mobile App.

The #5 Hex Tool is supplied to loosen and tighten the brackets when required. The typical angle of installation is 45 degrees and faces the sun. (facing north in the southern hemisphere and south in the northern hemisphere).

The mounting bracket can be removed and re-attached at the other end of the solar panel when affixing to a pole or post.

Powering on your ModuSense

The ModuSense will be shipped in Storage Mode (see below). The internal battery ships charged and Storage Mode prevents any discharge that may occur from the device turning on or attempting to communicate during shipping.

Unpacking the ModuSense and exposing the solar panel to sunlight or bright fluorescent lights will be enough for the ModuSense to wake up and exit Storage Mode.

Once the unit has woken up, pressing the Power button will turn the ModuSense on.

Power on the ModuSense i only when outside with a clear view of the sky.

The ModuSense will acquire a GPS fix to get the latest time and location data.

Without satellite access during this sequence, the ModuSense may not boot.

When fully booted, the device lights will be off except for a regular green flash of the power light. This indicates the ModuSense is functioning correctly.

If any other lights are on or the power light is red rather than green, please consult the online support forum at support.freewave.com or contact the support team.

About Charging and Under Voltage Lockout (UVLO)

The FreeWave ModuSense Controller has improved power management which stops the controller from over-discharging the battery past the point where the battery can be charged.

In the above scenario, if the controller drops below 3.4V, the power circuit will stop all transmitting functions and effectively put the unit to sleep.

Once the sun reappears, the unit will turn itself back on when the solar power circuit begins charging.

ModuSense Testing

All FreeWave ModuSense are fully tested before shipping. This includes checking for transmission as well as testing the same type of sensor that you will be using with the ModuSense to make sure we are getting successful end-to-end transmissions.

We call this soak testing, and it ensures all functions are tested in real-world conditions before shipping the unit to you. This process also validates all connections and labels, ensuring no surprises when you deploy the ModuSense .

Storage Mode

If you are not planning to use the ModuSense immediately, and it will not be situated in sunlight (for solar charging), you can activate Storage Mode to protect the battery from discharge.

To do this, cover the solar panel with a piece of paper or cardboard - this is to avoid the unit powering on automatically when detecting enough light. Then simply hold down the power button for 6 seconds. You will see the Power, Communication and Status lights come on (green) and then count down (red) until all lights go out.

To exit Storage Mode you will need to expose the solar panel to bright sunlight.

Changing Supplied Brackets and the RF Environment

FreeWave ModuSense are tested in the same configuration that you have received them, this is a proven assembly and RF (Radio Frequency) environment.

Should you need to make changes to the brackets or antenna positions you need to do so in a way that does not degrade the performance of the ModuSense or void the warranty. Changes to the assembly and antenna positions could cause issues with the RF environment and this can include issues with satellite communications and/or Bluetooth device connections.

All satellite connections require a ‘ground-plane’ to make regular satellite communications. The ground plane is a conducting surface that serves as part of the antenna. The ground plane plays a major role in the performance of an antenna’s radiation pattern and signal strength. The ground-plane does not necessarily have to be connected to ground. The FreeWave supplied brackets act as the ground plane and have been tested to produce reliable and repeatable conditions for wireless communications.

If antennas are placed too close together or any material or structure is placed too close to an antenna it will likely affect the antenna performance.

In the case of Bluetooth devices, it is important that you have a clear line of sight between the Bluetooth antenna and the device being connected to, which can be up to 200 meters away.

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