CHESTER Input
CHESTER Counter is replaced by CHESTER Control which offers the same functionality.
This article describes the core functionality, hardware description, default configuration, and example JSON messages for the catalog application CHESTER Input.
Some of the basics are not provided, as they are common for all CHESTER catalog applications. Please see:
- Getting started on how to connect device to Cloud.
- Common functionality to know how LED, button and network configuration works.
- Platform Management on how to work with the interactive console.
Application Overview
The application CHESTER Input is used to measure and observe analog and digital inputs. The sampled analog values are aggregated, the aggregate measurements are buffered, and scheduled for later data transfer in the form of buffered data altogether with the timestamp annotations. Also, the changes on digital input (type trigger) can be tracked with the type of change and timestamp. The buffering strategy allows a higher number of events to be recorded while conserving data bandwidth and power required for data transfer.
CHESTER Input has these four inputs:
Type | Channel | Terminal | Input type | Input range | Typical use-case |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trigger | CH1 | A2 | Digital - NPN/PNP | 0 to 28 V | Switch, button, relay, PLC sensor |
Counter | CH2 | A4 | Digital - NPN/PNP | 0 to 28 V | Energy meter pulse outputs (e.g., S0) |
Voltage | CH3 | A5 | Analog - voltage | 0 to 28 V | Various voltage transmitters |
Current | CH4 | A7 | Analog - current | 0 to 24 mA | Various current transmitters |
All these inputs and their options are explained in more detail in the article Input Parameters and Behavior.
Application Variants
CHESTER Input can be ordered in one of these variants:
CHESTER Input
The catalog CHESTER Input hardware consists of the following ordering codes:
-
CHESTER-M-BCGLS
- Standard mainboard -
CHESTER-X0B:A
- Input module (4 channels)
See Ordering Codes for more details.
Firmware build shield options: ctr_ds18b20 ctr_lte ctr_x0_a
CHESTER Input Z
The catalog CHESTER Input Z hardware consists of the following ordering codes:
-
CHESTER-M-CGLS
- Standard mainboard -
CHESTER-X0B:A
- Input module (4 channels) -
CHESTER-Z1
- Backup module
See Ordering Codes for more details.
Firmware build shield options: ctr_ds18b20 ctr_lte ctr_x0_a ctr_z
CHESTER Input ZH
CHESTER Input ZH with external temperature and hygrometer.
-
CHESTER-M-CGLS
- Standard mainboard -
CHESTER-X0B:A
- Input module (4 channels) -
CHESTER-Z1
- Backup module -
CHESTER-S2
- External hygrometer
See Ordering Codes for more details.
Firmware build shield options: ctr_ds18b20 ctr_lte ctr_x0_a ctr_z ctr_s2
Input Parameters and Behavior
For the wiring diagram to CHESTER Input, please follow the terminal block description of the CHESTER-X0 extension module. The extension module CHESTER-X0 is installed in the left slot A, so you have to use the corresponding terminals A1 to A8.
Trigger
The trigger input can be connected to a PLC/sensor output (NPN/PNP), push button, switch, relay, etc. The behavior of the trigger input is configurable.
-
When the input changes, the timestamp of the change event is stored altogether with the active/inactive state, this information is buffered, and the buffer of the events is sent (at the latest) with the regular report (parameter
interval-report
). -
Optionally, input changes to the active (parameter
trigger-report-active
) or inactive (parametertrigger-report-inactive
) states can be reported immediately or with a configurable delay (parameterevent-report-delay
) to allow capturing multiple consequent input changes. -
Both NPN and PNP input logic types are supported (parameter
trigger-input-type
). -
The minimum level duration is configured separately for active (parameter
trigger-active-duration
) and inactive (parametertrigger-inactive-duration
) states. -
The maximum number of reports per hour is configurable (parameter
event-report-rate
). The event throttling limits communication bandwidth and preserves the battery lifespan.
Counter
The counter input can be connected to a PLC/sensor output (NPN/PNP), push button, switch, relay, etc. This input counts the total number of pulses in time.
-
The counter value is aggregated periodically (parameter
counter-interval-aggreg
), and the buffer of aggregated measurements is reported in a configurable interval (parameterinterval-report
). -
Both NPN and PNP type of input logic is supported (parameter
counter-input-type
). -
The minimum level duration is configured separately for active (parameter
counter-active-duration
) and inactive (parametercounter-inactive-duration
) states.
Voltage
The voltage input measures the voltage in the range from 0-28 V (overlaps the 0-10 V standard).
-
The voltage readings are sampled periodically (parameter
analog-interval-sample
). These readings are stored as a buffer of samples. -
The collected samples are aggregated periodically (parameter
analog-interval-aggreg
). The minimum, maximum, average, and median aggregates are computed from the buffered samples. These aggregated results are referred to as measurements. -
Each measurement has an associated timestamp. The buffer measurements are transferred as time-series data regularly (parameter
interval-report
).
Current
This input measures the analog current in the range from 0-24 mA (overlaps the 4-20 mA standard).
-
The current readings are sampled periodically (parameter
analog-interval-sample
). These readings are stored as a buffer of samples. -
The collected samples are aggregated periodically (parameter
analog-interval-aggreg
). The minimum, maximum, average, and median aggregates are computed from the buffered samples. These aggregated results are referred to as measurements. -
Each measurement has an associated timestamp. The buffer measurements are transferred as time-series data regularly (parameter
interval-report
).
Backup
CHESTER Input Z (equipped with CHESTER-Z1) can also report information on the backup battery and external DC power state.
-
The current battery voltage and external DC voltage are sent in every report.
-
When the DC power input changes, the timestamp of the change event is stored altogether with the connected/disconnected state, this information is buffered, and the buffer of the events is sent (at the latest) with the regular report (parameter
interval-report
). -
Optionally, DC power input changes to the connected (parameter
backup-report-connected
) or disconnected (parameterbackup-report-disconnected
) states can be reported immediately or with a configurable delay (parameterevent-report-delay
) to allow capturing multiple consequent input changes. -
The maximum number of reports per hour is configurable (parameter
event-report-rate
). The event throttling limits communication bandwidth and preserves the battery lifespan.
Hygrometer
The optional hygrometer in the CHESTER Input application represents an external temperature and humidity sensor.
-
The readings are sampled regularly (parameter
hygro-interval-sample
). These readings are stored as a buffer of samples. -
The collected samples are aggregated periodically (parameter
hygro-interval-aggreg
). The minimum, maximum, average, and median aggregates are computed from the buffered samples. These aggregated results are referred to as measurements. -
Each measurement has an associated timestamp. The buffer measurements are transferred as time-series data regularly (parameter
interval-report
).