RFXtrx433XL with Serial over TCP issues

[sarreck]

Hi,

I am trying to get my RFXtrx433XL (board version 5.0, Firmware 1039) working with a Elfin-EE10 (Serial port RS232 to Ethernet serial port device server - Aliexpress link).

The device was tested to confirm it was working and then I followed the instructions in Section 19 of the manual to cut the trace. (If i bridge this trace the device still works over USB).

I have the EE10 connected to the headers on the RFXtrx433XL with 5v being supplied to the EE10 by the RFXtrx433XL.

When power is applied to the RFXtrx433XL via the USB interface the red light stays on and there is no functionality on the RFXtrx433XL

If I remove the 5v jumper supplying the EE10, connect the USB, wait for the yellow light and then connect the 5v jumper for the EE10 some functionality is provided. Powering both devices separately does not appear to change this behaviour, it looks like its a boot order issue.

I can then connect to the TCP IP and port with RFXmngr, however the functionality inconsistent and short lived.

An example log is as follows:

Code: Select all

================================================
11/05/2019 02:43:19:502= Reset receiver/transceiver
================================================
11/05/2019 02:43:19:951= Get Status
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:43:20:160
Flash the latest firmware!
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:43:20:249
================================================
11/05/2019 02:45:04:002= Reset receiver/transceiver
================================================
11/05/2019 02:45:04:463= Get Status
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:45:04:587
Packettype        = UNDECODED RF Message
UNDECODED ERROR: Unknown Sub type for Packet type=3: FF
================================================
11/05/2019 02:45:22:820= Get Status
================================================
11/05/2019 02:46:59:104= Get Status
================================================
11/05/2019 02:47:01:197= Reset receiver/transceiver
================================================
11/05/2019 02:47:01:714= Get Status
================================================
11/05/2019 02:48:24:288= Reset receiver/transceiver
================================================
11/05/2019 02:48:24:747= Get Status
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:24:833
 Buffer flushed due to timeout
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:28:357
 Buffer flushed due to timeout
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:29:947
Flash the latest firmware
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:31:288
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:33:189
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:36:422
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:6F
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:36:754
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:37:998
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:6F
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:38:606
 Buffer flushed due to timeout
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:44:504
Packettype    = WEIGHT
ERROR: Unknown Sub type for Packet type=5D:FF
Sequence nbr  = 253
ID            = FF59 decimal:65369
Weight        = 6553.5 kg
Signal level  = 0  -120dBm
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:44:828
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:EF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:46:755
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:46:768
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:DF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:48:479
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FB
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:48:503
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:FF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:49:663
ERROR: Unknown Packet type:EF
------------------------------------------------
11/05/2019 02:48:50:375
 Buffer flushed due to timeout

As you can see the "Get Status" command does not return a result, however the device is receiving RF packets.

Does anyone have any suggestions on getting a reliable setup using a TCP server with the RFXtrx433XL ?

Thanks.

[b_weijenberg]

Better to ask this question directly to support rfxcom.com

I suppose your RS232 module produces real RS232 (+12V/-12V) which will destroy the RFXtrx433XL!
This is written in the chapter 19 of the RFXtrx User Guide:
The serial interface is using logic level of 5V maximum.
WARNING: Do NOT connect a RS232 interface that operates at +/-12Volts!!

[sarreck]

Thanks for your advice, I will ask over there.

By the way I did check the logic voltage and it appears to be around 3.8 volts, so well within spec.