The IPC unit is a device designed to control and co-ordinate the collection and transmission of remote environmental data such as soil EnviroSMART soil moisture information over radio. Typically sensors are located remotely from a base station. As such radio connection of outlying probes is the best option.  An example of a radio data collection system is presented on the right. Note that data from outlying stations can be 'repeated' to base via an intermediary IPC point.

The IPC device is provided with software  which allows the settings of to control the EnviroSMART probe for soil moisture measurement.

Soil moisture information received at the final receiver station is stored in dBase format and exported in a format to allow you to use your EnviroSCAN analysis software.

You may have a variety of sensor types throughout the EIT network. Since each IPC node can support three devices then it is possible to measure, for example,  soil moisture at various depths as well as two weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation, leaf wetness and wind speed.

Data is collected by the EIT Base station and may be automatically uploaded to a PC via GSM, land line or direct cable connection

EIT Long Distance Repeater Networks
 

The IPC device can support  external radios transmitting at power ranges up to 5 watts. This allows the repeating of small clusters of short range radio over a much longer range to a Base station. The IPC is able to 'listen' for incoming data on the low power radio network. In order to keep power requirements to a very minimum ( 2 mA ) the IPC is able to power down the high power radio during transmissions. On receipt of a valid signal from an outlying station, the IPC powers up the repeater radio and sends data to the Base station.

EIT Long distance repeater station. EIT provides repeater stations to send data over greater distances to a Base station. We use and recommend the Australian designed GME TX 3600 data radio.  The photo to the right shows the white IPC controller mounted in a steel enclosure. The 5 watt repeater (TX 3600) is mounted vertically to the left of the IPC unit.  This station would be deployed at the red dot locations shown in the diagram above. The IPC repeater station will also act as a data collection source and thus can act as a long range transmitter only without repeater functions if needed.

EIT Base station with GSM connection The EIT Base station may comprise of R Tech series data recorder. This data recorder will support 94 data channels via radio.  Pictured to the right is the data recorder hosued in lockable steel enclosure. Data is uploaded to a remote PC via a GSM modem located on the door of the enclosure.   The TX 3600, 5 watt data radio is positioned above the data recorder.   The antennas provide data communication for the GSM modem and radios.

IPC Specifications
Input options (std)	0 - 1 volt DC + RS 232 + RS485 Input options    3 * SDI-12 + 1 * 10 bit analogue + RS232 0- 2.5 V and 0 - 5.0 V + RS 232 input
Minimum scan period	10 seconds
Sensor settling time	1 - 999 seconds (user adjustable)
Operating current	4 mA in standby  Up to 200 mA during UHF power up (typically less than 1 second)
Programming software	Windows 95 and later
Size	90 mm * 35 mm * 120 mm
Weight	300 gms
EIT sensors supported	SDI - 12, RS 485, RS232, voltage, ambient air, soil temperature, solar  radiation, wind speed, wind direction, leaf wetness, Sentek EnviroSMART soil probes.
Communication protocol	Modbus ASCII
Applications	For use where radio is required to provide a data link between remotely positioned sensors and a base station data recorder or PC. The IPC controls the 'power up' functions of sensors and radio thus greatly reducing field power requirements.

433 MHz Radio module specifications

Supply voltage Power requirements Transmission power Range Enclosure size Enclosure type Antenna type Connections Radio module Radio module Radio approval Operating temp.

12 Volts DC. ( 9 - 15 volts ) Standby mode - 4 mAmps , Transmit mode -  40 mAmps 25 mWatts 1.0 kilometer,  line of sight in open, relatively RF free environment. 110 mm * 65 mm * 65 mm Powder coated aluminum Stainless steel - 1/4 wave whip - height 290 mm.  Internal connectors for power and SDI connections. External DB 9 for programming Radiometrix UHF FM Data Transmitter 433.92 MHz EMC  conforms to EN 301 489-3  Approved to EN 300-220-3 -10 Deg C to + 55 Deg C