A Shire council approached us for a road closure warning system as part of a flood mitigation plan.
Extreme rainfall is becoming more frequent and it causes disruptive road flooding and public safety concerns.
A system was needed to activate four LED warning signs when the road flooded.
Council required the remote control and monitoring of the LED flood warning signs, which are to be operated from a high level sensor in a local creek.
An efficient, low power radio communication system was needed, together with the ability to send SMS text alerts to staff phones.
After reviewing the Shire council’s requirements, we specified a QTech Multi Point Controller and a 4G SMS Lite as the ideal solution.
To help achieve efficient radio communications, we suggested moving the proposed Master site. The Master was moved to a higher site, which provided good line of sight to all warning signs, as its elevation was over 75m.
The Master is a Multi Point Controller (PD8620) which communicates to four slave radio modules. The slave radios are Wireless Point to Point (WP2P) – Digital radios (PD8810-WP2PE).
Signs A & Sign B only require one radio as they are close to each another.
A WP2P radio was installed at Sign C, Sign D, and the level sensor site.
At the Master a 4G SMS Lite (PD8640-4G) was used to provide cellular communication of any warning activation. Part of the completed installation is below:
Antennas are always an important consideration to achieve reliable communications.
A high gain Collinear antenna (PD9242) is to be installed at the Master and directional Yagi’s (PD9225) at each of the radios.
To ensure good cellular communication the SMS Lite was also specified a high gain collinear (COL7195).
Reception of each point back to the Master was tested and achieved successfully.
There are many types of water level sensors available, including float, ultrasonic and tilt switches. Our wireless road closure warning system simply requires a volt free, contact closure to be wired into the digital input of the WP2P radio module.
In this application, all the WP2P radio modules also have spare inputs and outputs, which could be used for future expansion or system changes. The MPC supports up to eight slave WP2P modules so more could be added.
Home security is increasingly important – your house alarm monitoring can be sent directly to your phone with our 4G SMS based solution.
Do you have a house alarm system but it doesn’t provide you with alerts when you are away?
Can existing alarm systems be configured to send SMS/text messages?
Is there an alternative to paying a subscription for an alarm monitoring service?
The QTech SMS Lite provides a solution to all of these questions and provides house alarm monitoring by SMS text message.
The SMS Lite is a quality, low-cost option for existing alarm systems, and it can be retro fitted to many models of alarm panel.
The SMS Lite has three switched inputs which are wired to the relay outputs of the alarm panel.
The function of the alarm panel relays are usually programmable for conditions including “alarm has been triggered”, “mains power loss”, “tamper detection/panel open” and “keypad is in” use etc.
The SMS Lite is simple to configure, sends text messages on the 4G network and is secured with a PIN to prevent unauthorised users. The SMS Lite has a sophisticated escalation sequence to ensure someone acknowledges the alarm in a timely manner, maybe even a neighbour of family member.
The SMS Lite inputs also have a programmable “debounce” time to help prevent nuisance messages being sent, when activated.
There are many other applications where the SMS Lite can provide remote monitoring and control via SMS messages. Some of the most popular include remote generator control, heating/HVAC control and bilge pump/jetty lighting.
Alternatively, the wireless point to point systems can be used to transmit the relay signal over a distance of several kilometres. This allows you to bring many status signals to a central location or control room to improve site security for remote buildings etc.
DATRAN Australia helps provide a wireless traffic control solution.
We were recently involved in a project with AGD Systems Pty, a leading provider of traffic signals and transport systems.
The requirement was to provide a traffic control system to operate traffic lights, along a driveway over 150m long. The driveway was narrow, had a blind bend and a safer traffic solution was required.
The challenge was to achieve this without digging up the driveway to lay cables and conduit.
AGD Systems’ inground vehicle sensors and traffic lights were installed at each end of the driveway and AGD Systems also manufactured two electrical control cabinets. Digital I/O versions of WP2P Wireless Point to Point systems were then installed in each cabinet to provide a radio link between the master and slave control panels.
The WP2Ps have three switched inputs and three relay outputs. Simply close a contact at one end, and the relay operates at the other. The WP2Ps are low power 900MHz radio systems which run on 12V DC and are ideal for being solar powered.
With optional antennas, a range of several kilometres can be achieved between the WP2P modules. For more challenging applications, a repeater can also be used.
DATRAN Australia have a wide range of wireless and cellular monitoring control systems available. The popular SMS Lite is a 4G text/SMS controller that is a low-cost way of getting important alerts direct to your phone.
Are you looking for a wireless traffic control or monitoring solution?
This may include warehouse facilities where stop go signals are needed. This is often required when fork lift trucks are operating to give staff advance warning that a fork lift truck is moving towards them. This helps provide an additional level of safety, not just relying on the horn blast as the truck goes through the screen doorway.
These automatically map the I/O between up to four WP2P modules.
The WP2P systems are used in many other applications including remote starting of generators, advertising signs and are often used in the agricultural sector for irrigation systems and valve control.
Please contact us now to discuss the best option for your requirement.
The repeater enables WP2P systems to cover a far greater distance or to operate in locations with obstructions such as hills, vegetation or buildings. The repeater allows the radio signal between the WP2P modules to be diverted around or over the obstruction, essentially allowing the system to “see” around corners. Each WP2P module in a system has a unique address that allows multiple systems to be used in the same location. Similarly, the repeater module is also tied to a specific set of WP2P modules which increases communication reliability.
Configuring WP2P modules in a system to use a repeater is simple and straight forward. There is a selector DIP switch labelled “RPT” inside the case.
The repeater module needs to be configured with the same radio address as the modules – this is done by us prior to dispatch.
The repeater can be used with both our Digital WP2P and Analogue & Digital WP2P systems.
Antenna selection needs to be carefully considered when using the a repeater. The repeater needs to “see” both WP2P modules so it is unlikely to use a directional high gain Yagi. The two WP2P modules in the system can use high gain Yagi antennas if the distance demands it. Typically the repeater will use the 6dB Whip antenna for long range systems.
Recently we were approached by Think Water who were experiencing issues with an existing orchard irrigation controller. The system had become unreliable and they needed a solution which would allow them to control 9 irrigation valves in an orchard.
The site had power available at the control shed but none at the valves. Each valve ranged from 300 to 700 metres away from the shed containing the irrigation control and although the terrain was flat, the antennas needed to be elevated above trees to achieve line of site.
Taking in the above considerations, we were able to resolve the orchards problem by creating a custom orchard irrigation controller solution using:
Since there was no power at the valves, each WP2P radio was housed in our made to order solar station (RSS01). The enclosure also included a latching solenoid interface module for the control of the valves.
The below diagram shows the application and highlights the QTech products used in the system. The maximum number of valves the Multipoint Controller can control is 8 but since the customer needed 9, we used two and split the inputs. The orchard can add control of up to 7 more valves if required in the future.
We pride ourselves on being able to create solutions for any industry. If you have a problem that you think needs a tailored application then…
The SMS Lite can monitor if the bilge pump is running and if the water level sensor has been activated and sends SMS/text messages to you or others.
The text messages from the SMS Lite will give you an early warning that further action maybe required.
The SMS Lite has four inputs and two outputs – all of which can be utilised to provide a flexible solution for boating needs.
Security – add a door switch or sensor and receive a text if anyone boards or enters the cabin.
Shore power supply – monitor the supply and receive a text if the power is disconnected.
Battery monitoring – the SMS Lite automatically sends a text message if it’s supply voltage drops below 10.5V DC. Alternatively you can add a voltage sensing switch to your supply to know if the battery is draining, or someone has forgotten to switch the isolator off.
Remote bilge pump start – if your bilge pump isn’t automatic, then send a text to start it if water level is detected.
Float switch – receive a text when the bilge float switch detects rising water.
The bilge pump is a crucial system for all vessels, but is easily forgotten about until an emergency strikes. Please take this opportunity to ensure it is clean, clear of debris and is well maintained.
The SMS Lite has also been used to remotely switch on jetty lighting – not only is this a navigation aid when it is dark but improves safety – all achieved by simply sending a text message.
After mooring, wouldn’t it then be nice to return home and the heating or lighting was already on for you. By installing another SMS Lite a home, you can achieve this and more.
The Latching Solenoid Driver, LSD01, allows you to remotely control latching irrigation valves using QTech wireless controllers. The LSD01 operates the popular 12 Volt 4 Ohm DC single coil latching solenoid irrigation valves. This gives you the option to interface to the Baccara and Burmad type valves widely used in irrigation systems. The LSD01 is designed to interface directly with the QTech WP2P, Multi-point Controller, SMS Controller, SMS Lite and DATRAN RTU products.
A 12V DC (+/- 10%) power supply is required, at an operating current of 2 to 12mA. The 12V DC supply is applied to the +12V and GND terminals of the LSD01. • The solenoid valve is controlled by the RLY terminals on the LSD01, which operate as a trigger. When the RLY terminals are closed the solenoid valve will turn ON. When the RLY terminals are opened the solenoid valve will turn OFF. • The solenoid valve coil wires are connected to the LSD01 terminals labelled BLK and GRN.
Note – If the solenoid valve operates in reverse, simply swap the BLK and GRN wires on the LSD01.
We are often called upon to help establish remote control solutions for challenging terrain.
A pump specialist in the North Island of New Zealand recently asked for help with this rural control system. However, when we reviewed the location we found an incredibly challenging elevation profile! The system spans almost 4km which can be achieved with our wireless control systems – more challenging are the site locations in the steep valleys.
In this application there are multiple sites for the pump stations and the water storage reservoirs which serve a local farming community.
A QTech Multi Point Controller system with our high gain antennas provided the wireless control solution. The multipoint controller was used with five WP2P modules in a master slave arrangement.
There are many remote control systems available from us. These include both digital and analogue I/O WP2P systems, the WP2P star configuration system and the Q48 P2P which has eight digital inputs and outputs.
Remote control sports lighting is achieved with QTech Wireless Point to Point (WP2P) modules. Typical applications include rugby fields, cricket pitches or even car parks.
This will save you the time and effort of going to each lighting tower before and after each game.
A vandal resistant antenna is mounted on the electrical panel at each lighting tower. The system has a range of hundreds of meters from the control room, making it ideal for virtually any sports facility.
Control of the lighting towers is by a simple switch closure in the control room – a wireless alternative to cable systems, without having to install hundreds of metres of cable.
The WP2P low voltage relay outputs are integrated into the existing electrical lighting control circuit.
If needed, signals can also come back to the control room from each lighting tower, this could be Status OK/Door Open/temperature alert etc.
The systems use our 900MHz ISM band digital radios – ideal for use in both Australia and New Zealand.
System Selection
Choosing which system to use primarily depends on how many lighting towers etc you need to control.
There are two options: the Multi Point Controller system and the WP2P Star system.
Multi Point Controller Option
This system remotely controls up to eight lighting towers. It also has a simple yet powerful configuration tool that provides you extra control options.
The Multi Point Controller is installed in the control room and connected to control switches.
Tip – Each module has 3 outputs, so each tower could have high/medium/low light control options etc.
WP2P Star Option
This system remotely controls up to three lighting towers. This is the entry level system and virtually plug and play.
The master module is installed in the control room and connected to three control switches.
Tip – Mount the master module at a lighting tower, then four towers can be controlled by just visiting one tower.
Vandal Resistant Antenna
Our recommended antenna is the ruggedised low profile antenna which is only 16mm high.
Output Hold and Repeater Operation
Both the Multi Point Controller and WP2P Star systems have an Output Hold function. This is essentially a failsafe, so that if the radio communications are interrupted, the lighting can remain on.
WP2P modules have two configurable options: “Output Hold” and “Talk via Repeater”. See the WP2P System User Guide for further details.
WP2P Star systems also support the WP2P Repeater functionality. This allows communication range to be extended. The WP2P master and all slaves must be configured to use it. All slaves must be able to see the repeater as all communications will be via the repeater, even if a slave is close to the master module.
If you have a unique or demanding application that needs wireless remote control, please contact us to discuss our complete range of control systems, alternative power supplies and antennas for longer distances.
Watch QTech’s short YouTube training video to learn how to select the correct antenna for our WP2P and SMS controllers.
Selecting the correct antenna is really important and will ensure you have the most reliable communications. The antenna is the “eyes and ears” of any communication system.
DATRAN Australia stocks a wide range of 900MHz antennas and cellular antennas for 3G and 4G networks. We also stock a wide range of directional high gain Yagi antennas, omni directional whip antennas, low profile vandal resisting antennas and mounting kits.
More training videos are available covering topics such as power supply selection, line of sight, wiring, configuration and firmware upgrades.
