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NB3D-66 - Alpha Variant

NB3D-66 - Alpha Variant

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Replaced with C1 version
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The NB3D-66 is an Alpha release of the NB3D device. Future releases will have extended functionality as described below.

 

Overview

The NB3D-66 is a baton tag with an NBIoT radio operating on the Telstra network and is designed for pulse counting applications in Australia.

The NB3D device is a fully functional pulse counter ready for meter reading applications. Further functionality is being developed and will be released as an updated variant in the near future. These features include but are not limited to:

  • Remote firmware updates

  • Encrypted communications

  • Local storage of readings

  • Time-specific daily transmissions



 

How can I know if I have an Alpha variant of the NB3D device?

To distinguish the Alpha NB3D device, the product code has been modified to start with the NB3D-66 reference.

Future versions of the NB3D device will have the product code starting NB3D-C1, as per the standard Taggle product code logic.

Functional description

  • Baton Form Factor - Identical in shape and size as the https://taggle.jira.com/wiki/spaces/TKB/pages/6989840385 device.

  • Pulse Counting - Net flow with forward and reverse flags.

  • Tamper - Cut wire or un-plugged sensor.

  • Radio - Band 28 NBIoT radio using the Telstra network for communications via a Quectel BC66 radio modem.

  • Sampling and Transmission - 15 minute net flow pulse counting samples, with transmissions once per day.

  • Battery - The NB3D-66 has a D-cell battery.

  • Expected Battery Life - 15 years, dependant on variables including failure of the sensor (i.e. a PR7/Cyble device where the sensor battery is fully consumed).

  • Warranty - 10 years, sliding scale.

  • NFC - NFC enabled for commission and device status determination.

  • Swipe or Transmission Checking - NB-IoT radio coverage check, as a straight YES or NO via the Dataportal Survey system. No other data is provided (e.g. signal strength).

  • Environmental protection - IP68 rated.

  • Bracket - Same stainless steel bracket as SP3C, SP2A and HP3D. (Optional accessory, sold separately).

User Guides

No NB3D user guide is planned. The installation and activation of the NB3D devices is identical to the existing process for the Byron SP3C or HP3D baton tags. Key points for reference in this document are:

Datasheet

 

NB3D Data Transmission

Data delivery

The default operating mode is one data transmission per day, with one sample reading every 15 minutes, totalling 96 readings per day.

Data delivery is a rolling 24 hours after the Swipe event. This means an activation swipe at 4pm will lead to all future daily data deliveries occurring at 4pm.

Published data

The data we get from the NB3D is pulses, along with diagnostic data, swipe and electronic tamper/alarm information. Based on the destination for the data, the published fields vary as outlined below;

Meter Publishes via NB-IoT

NB3D Transmits

MQTT

CSV

Aqualus Water

Net flow

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Backflow direction flag

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery level

Yes

Yes

 

 

MCU Temperature (not water)

 Yes

 

 

 

Tamper 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Units of measure

The NB3D-66 uses the same K-factor as used with Byron devices.

External Antenna

The NB3D does NOT support an external antenna. For this situations customers should use the https://taggle.jira.com/l/cp/tppZCuq2 (CK2-C1-C-2B-0-0-PCA-AU).

Warranty

Product warranty is 10 years with a sliding scale.

Battery Life

Expected battery life for the NB3D-66 is 15 years.

  • The D-cell battery should last for 15 years based on 15 minute reads and daily transmits via NBIoT, when operating above ground and within NBIOT coverage (ECL0 , which is default extend coverage level).

  • Below ground or indoor installations with poor coverage/connectivity to the NBIoT network may led to additional battery demands on the device.

Frequency Asked Questions

How will the Alpha firmware (NB3D-66) differ from the commercial release version (NB3D-C1)?

The Alpha firmware behaves differently to planned commercial release version in the following ways:

  • NFC reading will NOT present the increments in the “Last Reading”, but will transmit the pulse counts via the radio transmission.

  • Radio transmission are a rolling 24 hours after the SWIPE Event, hence a 4pm swipe will mean all future daily data deliveries will occur at 4pm.

  • No encrypted radio transmissions.

  • No ability for remote firmware updates.

What are the differences between the NB3D-66 and future NB3D-C1 ?

  • The “66” uses the Quectel BC66, and the “C1” is planning to use the BC-660

What does the NFC read look like ?

Note images below show data for the Cockatoo device (CK2), but the output is similar for the NB3D (aside from the Product Code number).

The NFC screen below shows the device in FLIGHT MODE.

The NFC screen below shows the device in ACTIVATED mode, having exited FLIGHT MODE

Is the commissioning and activation process the same as the SP3C or HP3D?

  • Yes, plus the option using NFC.

What is the warranty ?

The warranty of the 10 years, with sliding scale.

What is the expected battery life?

  • 15 years.

Is the NB3D-66 a Class 9 Dangerous Good, and does it require special shipping requirements?

https://taggle.jira.com/wiki/spaces/TKB/pages/6420201523

What is the installation process for the NB3D-66?

Has the device been fully tested, including deployment to Aqualus Water and the Field Operations App?

  • Yes, the testing has been completed form the SOLD TAGS process, Aqualus Water Managed Models and a live deployment within the Field Operations App.

What is the default pulse counting logic ?