RF-G5 MCP

Multilayer Communication Protocol

Talgil computing and control LTD
Naaman Center, Haifa-Aco road 7000
P.O.BOX 775 KIRYAT MOTZKIN 2610701, ISRAEL
TEL: 972-4-9506050, Fax: 972-4-8775949
Email:talgil33@netvision.net.il
Talgil Computing and control Guidance department

Installation instructions
&
Quick user manual
Document version 1.2
RF G5 Master Version 2.3
RTU RF ECO Version 3.1
SNIFFER Version V1.11
Dream 2 Version 4.106

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Table of content

Contents
Table of content ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
RF G5 MCP – General features (Brochure) ....................................................................................................................... 3
Image 1 –Hardware Definitions on Dream 2 .................................................................................................................... 4
Hardware Definitions on Dream 2 .................................................................................................................................... 5
Image 2- Installation of RF G5 Master and wiring to the Dream 2 controller. ................................................................. 6
Installing the RF G5 Master ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Image 3- RTU RF G5 ECO Installation instructions. ........................................................................................................... 8
Image 3 –Installation of RF G5 RTU................................................................................................................................... 8
Installing the RTU RF G5 ECO ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Image 4- RTU RF G5 Modular Installation instructions. .................................................................................................. 11
Installing the RTU RF G5 MODULAR............................................................................................................................... 12
Image 5- A map with description of RF G5 MCP system................................................................................................. 14
Introduction to RF G5 MCP SYSTEM ............................................................................................................................... 15
The TreeView (Sniffer) software ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 6- Treeveiw software ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 7 –TreeView (Sniffer) software log file. ............................................................................................................... 18
Description of the Sniffer results .................................................................................................................................... 19
Revision History .............................................................................................................................................................. 20

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RF G5 MCP – General features (Brochure)

The G5 radio RTU system of TALGIL offers a perfect solution for controlling distributed irrigation systems, when using cable is
impossible or undesirable. The system utilizes low transmission energy and therefore no licensing is required. Under good
conditions, the distance between two units in the communication chain can reach a distance of 3-4 km, but the full coverage of
the system is much bigger since the G5 RTUs can serve also as ROUTERs for other RTUs with up to 11 levels of repetition. The G5
radio RTUs are energized by standard Alkaline batteries and those serving as ROUTERS are energized by solar cells with
rechargeable batteries. For energy saving purposes the outputs activated by the system are pulse latching, therefore they are
suitable for use where no electric energy exists. The bidirectional communication between the RTUs and the control unit
enables not only activating remote outputs, but also reading remote inputs both digital and analog. To assure information
integrity, each communication gets a confirmation signal and failure is followed by retries.The G5 radio RTU has a modular
structure with a maximum capacity of 8 outputs and 4 digital/analog inputs. A G5 radio RTU system channel may handle up to
999 RTUs.

 General Information about RTU

 Multi repetition
 Self-healing
 Auto frequency select
 Retries

General features

 The point to point distance of 3-4km can be multiplied up to 11

times by using the RTUs as routers for others.
 Bidirectional communication.
 Powered by battery or solar energy.
 Up to 999 RTUs per channel.
 Automatic selection of the suitable frequency out of 16 optional
channels.
 Automatic selection of most suitable routing option.
 License exempt.
 Asynchronous communication
 I/O test mode
 Automatic shutdown of outputs on communication loss and
automatic recovery when communication regained.
 Visual and sound signaling of statuses by LED and buzzer
 Reporting RTU low battery
 Configurable wakeup signals.
 Existence of diagnostic RF sniffer tool.

G5 RTU RF ECO

 No. of outputs – 1 or 2 (2 wired latching)

 No. of digital inputs – 1 or 2
 No. of analog inputs – 2 (4-20mA or 0-5V)

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Image 1 –Hardware Definitions on Dream 2

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Hardware Definitions on Dream 2

In order to add the RF G5 to the Dream Hardware Definitions, go to the Setup

(Screenshot 1 on Image 1), then select the Hardware/Connection option
(Screenshot 2). For changing the Hardware Definitions, press Enter and insert
the “247” password (Screenshot 3). At the Hardware Definition screen press
Page Down button (Screenshot 4).

The RF G5 does not include an interface card. The RF Master G5 card has been
used as Master and Interface between the Dream 2 to the RTUs in the field.
Add one RF RTU Interface and press the Page Down button (Screenshot 5).
Select an available address for the Interface RF (Screenshot 6).

The Interface RF address number must be the highest of all the

Interfaces addresses which connected to the Dream 2. The reason is,
that the Interface RF holds the next ten addresses after his address.

On the right side of the Interface RF Address there is the Polling rate number.
The Polling rate is not relevant on RF G5. You can leave it as 5 (Default) as
described in screenshot 7. In order to exit from Hardware Definition screen,
press the Page down and F4 button. The Connections Definition screen will
appear (Screenshot 8).

Define the Outputs and Inputs connection which connected to RTUs RF in the
field. The Interface address should be the RF G5 address.

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Image 2- Installation of RF
RF G5 MCP. User manual & Installation instructions. July 2019 Sh
6 G5 Master and wiring to
the Dream 2 controller.
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Installing the RF G5 Master

1. Setting the RF G5 SYSTEM NUMBER - Every RF G5 system must use a unique
SYSTEM NUMBER. Make sure that in your vicinity there are no RF G5 systems
using your RF G5 SYSTEM NUMBER. In order to set the RF G5 SYSTEM
NUMBER, use the SYSTEM NUMBER rotary switches (Pointer 1).
2. Setting the RF G5 INTERFACE ID- The RF G5 INTERFACE ID can be defined on
Interface ID dip switch (Pointer 2). The Interface ID of the RF G5 system
Must have the highest address among the other addresses of the rest of the
Interfaces.
3. In order to improve the RF reception, install the RF G5 MASTER Antenna in a
high place. The top of the RF G5 MASTER Antenna must be installed on a
pipe made of non-metallic material.
4. It is recommended to install the RF G5 MASTER Antenna in a place which the
RF G5 MASTER Antenna will have a Line of sight with the RTU’s that
communicating directly with the RF G5 MASTER.
5. Connect the RS485 two wires which coming from the RF G5 MASTER (Pointer
3) to the Dream 2 Remote I/O plug (Pointer 4).
6. Connect the +12V and -12V DC wires which coming from the RF G5 MASTER
to the Dream 12V DC plug or to external 12V DC power supply (Pointer 5).

7. The RF G5 MASTER will select automatically the RF frequency. It examines

the frequencies and chooses the first best available frequency that will
find. If a foreign external transmitter will use the frequency which has
been used by the RF G5 System, the RF G5 System will skip to another
available frequency.

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Image 3- RTU RF G5 ECO Installation instructions.

Image 3 –Installation of RF G5 RTU.

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Installing the RTU RF G5 ECO

1. Connect the power supply to the Power supply terminal (Image 4 Pointer 1).
The power supply for End unit can be 6V DC (four batteries 1.5 Volts size C)
or 12V DC. If the RTU has been defined as ROUTER or it is reading Analog
inputs, the power supply voltage must be 12 V DC (Solar panel and
rechargeable battery or 12V DC power supply and rechargeable battery).

2. LEDs ON Button (2) turn on the POWER, NETWORK, RECEIVE, and

TRANSMIT LEDs. POWER LED turns on when there is power supply.
NETWORK LED turns on when the RTU is connected to the G5 SYSTEM,
RECEIVE and TRANSMIT blinks during receiving or transmiting data.

3. In order to change the RTU mode to a ROUTER , press the LEDS ON button
(2) then press the ROUTER button (3). The ROUTER LED will turn On.

4. Set the NETWORK ID (SYSTEM NUMBER) of the RF G5 system. In order to

set the RF G5 NETWORK ID, use the NETWORK ID rotary switches (4).

5. Connect an RF Programmer to the PC socket (5) to program the RTU. Use

the WORKBENCH ECO software.

6. Set the RTU ID (RTU address). In order to set the RF G5 RTU ID, use the RTU
ID rotary switches (6).

7. For your convenience, there is a Test outputs button (7) which enables
manually outputs and inputs test.

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8. In order to test any output, set the CH1 CH2 Jumper (8) to your preferred
output then press and hold the Test button until you will hear one long
beep, then, every short click will open or close the output.

9. If you have analog inputs, set the appropriate analog sensor type. In order to
set the analog sensor type, use the 4-20 mA or 0-5V dip switches (9).

10. Connect ANALOG SENSORS to the ANALOG INPUTS TERMINAL (10).

11. If you have digital inputs (Dry contact Water meter, Fert meter, Pressure
sensor, DP sensor) connect the Digital Input to the Digital Inputs terminal
(11).

12. Connect the solenoids (Or other output device l-ike Latch realy or Pump
switching device) to the Outputs terminal (12).

13. In order to improve the RF reception, install the RF G5 RTU Antenna (13)
in a high place. The top of the RF G5 RTU Antenna must be installed on a
pipe made of non-metallic material. In addition, the RF G5 RTU Antenna
should have a Line of sight with the RF G5 Master or with a ROUTER.

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Image 4- RTU RF G5 Modular Installation instructions.

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Installing the RTU RF G5 MODULAR

1. Connect the power supply to the Power supply Terminal (Image 4 Pointer
1). The power supply for End unit can be 6V DC (four batteries 1.5 Volts size
D) or 12V DC. If the RTU has been defined as ROUTER or it is reading Analog
inputs, the power supply voltage must be 12 V DC (Solar panel and
rechargeable battery or 12V DC power supply and rechargeable battery).

2. LEDs ON Button (2) turn on the POWER, NETWORK, RECEIVE, and

TRANSMIT LEDs. POWER LED turns on when there is power supply.
NETWORK LED turns on when the RTU is connected to the G5 SYSTEM,
RECEIVE and TRANSMIT blinks during receiving or transmiting data.

3. In order to edit or set the RF parameters, connect an RF PROGRAMMER

device to PC RF connector (3).

4. In order to change the RTU mode to a ROUTER , press the LEDS ON button
then press the ROUTER button (3). The ROUTER LED will turn On.

5. Set the NETWORK ID (SYSTEM NUMBER) of the RF G5 system. In order to

set the RF G5 NETWORK ID, use the NETWORK ID rotary switches (5).

6. Set the RTU ID (RTU address). In order to set the RF G5 RTU ID, use the RTU
ID rotary switches (6).

7. Connect an RF Programmer to the PC RTU connector (7) to program the

RTU. Use the WORKBENCH MODULAR software.

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8. For your convenience, there are TEST JUMPER and TEST ROTARY SWITCH (8)
which enables selection of desired output or inputs test.

9. Test outputs button (9) enables manually outputs and inputs test.
In order to test any output, set the TEST JUMPER and TEST ROTARY SWITCH
to your preferred output then press and hold the Test button until you will
hear one long beep, then, every short click will open or close the output.

10. If you have digital inputs (Dry contact Water meter, Fert meter, Pressure
sensor, DP sensor) connect the Digital Inputs to the Digital Input terminals
(10).

11. Connect the solenoids (Or other output device like Latch realy or Pump
switching device) to the Outputs terminal (12).

12. In order to improve the RF reception, install the RF G5 RTU Antenna (12)
in a high place. The top of the RF G5 RTU Antenna must be installed on a
pipe made of non-metallic material. . In addition, the RF G5 RTU Antenna
should have a Line of sight with the RF G5 Master or with a ROUTER.

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Image 5- A map with description of RF G5 MCP system.

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Introduction to RF G5 MCP SYSTEM

The MCP (wirelesses Multilayer Communication Protocol) used to convey
information between the Master unit and RF RTUs. The RF G5 system units
used for operation of irrigation heads which installed away from the Dream 2
controller. The advantage of the RF G5 on the previous RF generations is the
ability to add to the RF system up to 11 layers. It means that the user can
define a repeater to repeater 11 times. In this way, the RF system can handle
irrigation heads which are more than 20 km far away from the Dream 2.
Another advantage, the RF G5 system use an asynchronous communication
protocol. In other words, the RF G5 system transmits information when
there is a change in outputs or inputs state. In this way, the RF system saves
energy and does not send unnecessary information to the air. In order to
make a good RF communication between the Master unit to the End units,
three preconditions (FDL) must be met:

1. Free frequency-the frequency which has been used by the RF system

must be free and clear.
2. Distance- the Distance between the RF Master to the Routers or End
units which communicate directly with the RF Master, must be not more
than 2.5 kilometers.
3. Line of sight- there must be Line of sight between the RF Master to the
Routers or End units which communicate directly with the RF Master.

The RF G5 system select automatically the first free available frequency.

But, if the distance between the Master to the End unit is more than 2.5
kilometers or there is no line of sight between the Master to the End unit,
the user can program any RTU and set it to work as a Router. A Router
can use as an End unit and can help to other RTUs in his vicinity and
improve the communication Between the Master to End unit. The system
defines the links between the End units and Routers and finds the best
Router in the vicinity of problematic End unit.
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Image 5 describes an example of RF G5 MCP system. RTU number 1 cannot

communicate directly with the Master because of a topographic barrier
(There is no line of sight). In addition, RTU number 2 is away from the Dream
2 controller (More than 2.5 kilometers). Therefore, the installer defined a
Router (RTU number 3) in the middle between the Master and RTUs 1 and 2.
There is no need to define the layer or the number of RTUs to serve or a
special arrangement of addresses (Like previous RF generations). It is defined
automatically. The same about RTUs 4 and 7 which use RTU number 6 as a
Router. RTU number 9 is a ROUTER on layer 2. RTUs 8, 10 and 11 helped by
ROUTER RTU 9 to communicate with the G5 center because of the high
distance between the Master to them.

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The TreeView (Sniffer) software

Since the RF transmission is invisible, Talgil computing and control ltd developed
a troubleshooting tool which helps to identify, examine and see what is
happening in the air. This tool called Sniffer. The Sniffer listens to the RF
communication and writes the results on the MCP Sniffer software. The user
can read and examine the results by reading the log files. The Sniffer and the RF
G5 Master have the same hardware but different firmware. The Sniffer
communication protocol is RS485 therefore, in order to connect the Sniffer to
the PC, connect an INTERFACE PC RS485 USB device to the PC. Open the
TreeView software and press the START CONNECTION button. TreeView
software will display on TOPOLOGY window the discovered RF units and their
interactionthes.

Figure 6- Treeveiw software

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SHOW DATA and SHOW LOG displays the communication between the end
units to the Master unit. The RF unit, Layer, ID, Network address, and
transmitted data of any Rf unit will appear DATA/LOG window.

Figure 7 –TreeView (Sniffer) software log file.

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Description of the Sniffer results

Figure 7 describes an example of a packet that has been sent by the End unit
number 1 to the Master unit. Here are the terms and their explanations:

1. Time-Any packet starts with the time of receiving the information.

2. Type-Every packet classified by type. Figure 7 describes a DATA type. It
means that the End unit sends information about Outputs, Digital and
Analog Inputs state.
3. Direction-Describes the packet direction. The End unit sends information
to the Master unit.
4. Layer-Determine the End unit layer. Layer 0 represent packets which
coming from the Master unit. Layer 1 represent End unit or Router which
communicating directly with the Master unit. Layer 2 means that there is
a Router in layer 1 which helps to the End unit on layer 2.
5. System number- Represent the RF G5 system number.
6. Unit ID- Represent the End unit address (RTU address).
7. Network address- Determines the address that the MCU grant to the End
unit.
8. Outputs State- The outputs state which has been sent to the Master unit.
The value represents a decimal conversion of two bits. The possibilities
are:
0= ‘00’- Two outputs are closed.
1= ‘10’- Output 1 is open.
2= ‘01’-Output 2 is open.
3=‘11’-Outputs 1 and 2 are open.
9. Image of Outputs- Represents the current outputs state on the End unit.
The Image of Outputs should be the same as the Outputs state.

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10. Inputs State- The current Inputs state of the End unit. The value
represents a decimal conversion of two bits. The possibilities are:
0= ‘00’- the two Inputs are opened.
1= ‘10’- Input 1 is closed.
2= ‘01’- Input 2 is closed.
3=‘11’- the two Inputs are closed.

11. Analog inputs- represent the value of the two analog inputs
measurements. A-1 =Analog input 1. A-2=Analog input 2.
12. RSSI- Received signal strength indication. Determine how the Master
unit hears the End unit.
13. Power- Determine how the Sniffer hears the End unit.

Revision History
The table below describes the changes which have been made to this
document.

Date Change Description

9 November 17 Writing the user manual.
15 July 2019 Edit RTU pictures. Add
the Treeview software.

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