Network Connection

The Senquip QUAD can communicate with the Senquip Portal or a remote server via Wi-Fi or 4G LTE. Where both Wi-Fi and 4G LTE networks are selected, the Senquip QUAD will first attempt to connect via Wi-Fi and if that is unsuccessful, the device will then attempt to connect via 4G LTE. In the event that neither Wi-Fi or 4G LTE networks can be found, the device can be set to log data to internal memory and then upload it when a network becomes available (see Endpoint settings).

Wi-Fi specification

Wi-Fi on the Senquip QUAD is used to transmit data, to allow settings to be remotely updated, to allow in-field software updates and also to enable setup via an integrated web-server that can be accessed in setup mode via a mobile phone or other Wi-Fi device.

The Wi-Fi implementation supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. The Wi-Fi antenna is integrated into the Senquip QUAD. In typical applications, the range achievable with Wi-Fi is 500m.

4G LTE specification

4G LTE on the Senquip QUAD is used to transmit data, to allow settings to be remotely updated and to allow in-field software updates.

The 4G LTE implementation is designed for global use and supports Cat-M1 and NB-IoT in the following bands:

Device

LTE Category

Bands

QUAD-xx-G

CAT-M1 EGPRS

B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28/B39 850/900/1800/1900MHz

QUAD-xx-H

CAT-1 GSM / EDGE

B1/B3/B7/B8/B20/B28 B3/B8

A FAKRA-D (Violet) socket is provided on the bottom of the Senquip QUAD for connection of a 4G LTE antenna.

4G LTE Fakra socket

FAKRA-D 4G LTE antenna connector

Connecting to a Wi-Fi or LTE Network with the Senquip Connect App

The Senquip Connect App is a mobile application that allows users to connect to nearby Senquip devices using Bluetooth to configure networks and for data viewing. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices running recent firmware. See the Senquip Device Firmware Changelist for more information on compatible firmware versions.

Network configuration via Bluetooth is available when the Senquip device is in setup mode. To enter setup mode, press the setup button on the device. The green light will start to flash. Open the Senquip Connect App and scan for available devices. Devices in setup mode will allow connection for the purpose of network configuration. Press connect and enter the device setup password.

Example scan and connect screens in the Senquip Connect App

Scanning for Devices

Once connected to a device, select Configure WiFi or Configure Cellular / LTE.

Configuration screens in the Senquip Connect App

Configuring the Network

For Wi-Fi networks, the chosen SSID and password need to be entered. Further advanced Wi-Fi settings are available when using the embedded webserver or Senquip Portal for configuration.

For LTE networks, Auto APN can be enabled in which case the device will attempt to find a suitable APN for the network. Alternatively the APN for the network should be entered. In rare cases, a username and password are required for the SIM.

Press Submit to send the settings to the device. The device will save the settings and will reboot back into setup mode. To exit setup mode, press reset on the device. Continue device configuration using the Senquip Portal.

Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network with the Embedded Webserver

Once in setup mode, use the Network page to connect the Senquip QUAD to a Wi-Fi network.

On the Network page, press the Scan for Wi-Fi Networks button. After a few seconds, a list of SSIDs for visible Wi-Fi networks will be shown. Select the Wi-Fi network to which you would like to connect by selecting the SSID from the list. The SSID will automatically be copied to the Wi-Fi SSID field and you will be prompted for the network password. After entering the password, press Save Settings. You will be prompted to restart the device; settings will only be applied after a restart. To continue with setup, press CANCEL or to restart and apply your settings, press OK.

Save your changes

Save changes and reboot

After a reboot, the Senquip QUAD will attempt to connect to the specified Wi-Fi network. You can check if the Senquip QUAD has successfully connected to the chosen network by placing the device in setup mode and returning to the Network page. At the top of the page, the current network status will be shown. Note the IP address that your Wi-Fi modem has allocated to the Senquip QUAD; you can use this address to access the device directly on your WiFI network.

Check that you are connected

Note the IP address on your network

Further Wi-Fi settings are available by selecting the Advanced option. Once selected, a static IP address, netmask, gateway and DNS server can be specified.

The integrated web-server is normally only active in setup mode; it can however be made to be always on by setting the web setting to ON. This may be an advantage in systems where permanent power is available and the user wants to be able to make remote changes directly on the Senquip QUAD without having to access the Senquip Portal. Keeping the web-server active will require that the device remain awake at all times but does mean that the user can make instant changes to settings and see the latest measured data.

Access via local IP

Access via local IP

When connected to a Wi-Fi network, the Senquip QUAD may need to be able to make outgoing connections to remote services. To allow the device to make connections, some ports need to be enabled for outgoing connections on your Wi-Fi network.

Function

Port Number

Description

NTP Time

123

To be able to correctly timestamp measured data and for certain encryption functions the Senquip QUAD needs to know time accurately. Time is accessed by connecting to an NTP server on this port.

MQTT to Senquip Portal

8883

Secure communications with the Senquip Portal are established on this port.

OTA update

80, 443

Over the Air (OTA) is a method by which the Senquip QUAD software can be remotely updated. To enable remote software upgrades, outgoing connections need to be enabled on this port.

Note

If custom endpoints are enabled, additional ports may need to be opened.

The following Wi-Fi authentication modes are supported:

  • WPA

  • WPA2

  • WPA3

Wi-Fi settings

A full list of Wi-Fi settings is given in the table at the end of the chapter.

Connecting to an LTE Network with the Embedded Webserver

Once in setup mode, use the Network page to connect the Senquip QUAD to a mobile network.

In most cases only an APN will be required to establish a 4G LTE connection. Some service providers will require a username and password and some SIM cards will require a pin. If these are not needed, leave them blank.

For CAT-1 devices, an additional Connection Mode setting is available. This setting allows the selection of 4G or 2G, 3G, 4G mobile technology. 4G offers higher bandwidth and is recommended unless there are initial connection issues.

A Roaming option is available for SIM cards that offer connection to networks other that SIM card home network.

RSSI

Signal Strength

Meaning

0

-113dBm or less

Signal strength poor

1

-111dBm

Signal strength poor

2…30

-109… -53dBm

Medium signal strength

31

-51dBm or greater

Signal strength excellent

4G LTE settings

A full list of 4G LTE settings is given in the table at the end of the chapter.

Network settings

A full list of network settings is given in the table below.

Name

Item

Function

Internal Reference

Wi-Fi

Wifi

boolean

Connect to existing Wifi connection specified below.

wifi.sta.enable

SSID

text

Wifi SSID to connect to.

wifi.sta.ssid

Password

password

Wifi password to use for connection.

wifi.sta.pass

Static IP Address

text

Leave blank if assigned by DHCP.

wifi.sta.ip

Static Netmask

text

Leave blank if assigned by DHCP.

wifi.sta.netmask

Static Gateway

text

Leave blank if assigned by DHCP.

wifi.sta.gw

DNS Server

text

Leave blank if assigned by DHCP.

wifi.sta.nameserver

GSM

GSM

boolean

Enable the GSM connection.

gsm.enable

APN

text

Access Point Name of mobile operator

gsm.apn

Username

text

Username for data connection. Leave blank if not specified

gsm.user

Password

text

Password for data connection. Leave blank if not specified

gsm.pass

Connection Mode

preset

Select mobile technology (CAT-1 devices only)

gsm.scan_mode

Roaming

boolean

Enable network roaming

gsm.roaming