Industrial multi-interface LoRaWAN controller with solar power

UC501 has 2 GPIO ports, which can be configured by software as Digital Input, Digital Output or Pulse Counter.

This enables contacts and alarm signals to be monitored, pulses from meters to be counted, or basic control of external devices to be performed.

The recommended maximum input-signal frequency in Pulse Counter mode is 4000 Hzfunction.

The controller has 2 analogue inputs with 12-bit resolutionfunction.

Each channel can be configured to operate with a 4–20 mA or 0–10 Vfunction.

This enables direct operation with industrial level, pressure, flow, temperature, humidity and other process-variable transmitters.

One serial port can be switched by software between RS232 and RS485function.

Both interfaces support transparent transmission, while RS485 additionally supports Modbus RTUfunction.

This allows power analysers, meters, inverters, PLC controllers, transducers and other industrial devices to be connected.

UC501 has 1 SDI-12 interface compliant with standard V1.4function.

SDI-12 is used in professional meteorological, hydrological, agricultural and environmental sensors, allowing the controller to support advanced measurement stations.

Transparent transmission is also available.

UC501 can directly supply power to connected sensors and measurement devices.

Available are 2 outputs 3,3 V and 2 switchable 5 V / 9 V / 12 V outputsfunction.

The 3,3 V outputs can operate continuously, while for 5/9/12 V the advance power-on time before data reading can be set within the range 0–10 minutesfunction.

Variant 868M supports, among others, the European frequency plan EU868, as well as IN865 and RU864.

The maximum transmit power at 868 MHz is 16 dBm, and receiver sensitivity reaches −137 dBm at 300 bpsfunction.

UC501 supports activation via OTAA and ABP and operating modes Class A and Class C. Class C can be used in applications where rapid reception of downlink commands is important.

Designation EA — External Antenna specifies the variant equipped with an external antenna connector.

UC501-868M EA has 1 × SMA Female 50 Ω, enabling use of a LoRaWAN® antenna suited to the specific installation.

The external antenna can be positioned in a more favourable location than the controller itself, which can be important where structures, vegetation or other radio obstacles block the installation.

UC501 has integrated solar panel rated at 6 V / 1,7 Wfunction.

Solar energy can be used to recharge the internal batteries, reducing service requirements and enabling long-term operation away from the power grid.

For installations requiring a different photovoltaic-module position, Milesight also provides the optional CS0X panel available in pole-mounted or wall-mounted versions.

UC501 uses 2 rechargeable ICR18650 batteries with a capacity of 2550 mAh eachfunction.

The batteries work with the integrated solar system, storing energy for periods with limited sunlight.

The controller can also be powered by external voltage 5–24 V DC via an M12 connector, allowing the power method to be flexibly adapted to a specific project.

Function Threshold Alarm enables an event to be reported when a configured limit value is exceeded.

Change Alarm allows a response to a specified change in the measured value relative to the previous reading.

These mechanisms enable faster reporting of important events without requiring a very short fixed transmission interval.

UC501 can locally store up to 600 data recordsfunction.

Functions Data Retrievability and Data Retransmission enable measurements to be read later and resent after communication is restored.

This reduces the risk of gaps in data history during temporary LoRaWAN® coverage loss or gateway unavailability.

UC501 can be activated and configured using NFC and the Milesight ToolBox appfunction.

Inside the device there is a USB Type-C port intended for configuration and the service console, and a Power/Reset button.

Downlink communication support also allows selected device parameters to be changed remotely via LoRaWAN®.

UC501 is designed for continuous operation in demanding field installations.

The enclosure has an ingress protection rating of IP68. The manufacturer defines the test conditions as device immersion at a depth of 1 m for 7 daysfunction.

The operating temperature range is from −20 to +60°C, and permissible relative humidity from 0 to 95% non-condensing.

The UC501 enclosure dimensions are 116 × 116 × 45,5 mm, excluding protruding connectors.

The manufacturer provides for device mounting on a wall or pole, enabling the controller to be placed directly near connected sensors.

Sealed M12 connectors and the IP68 enclosure allow the device to be used as a field integration point for several wired sensors.