All notable changes to the PCR2 Firmware will be documented in this file.
The format is based on Keep a Changelog, and this project adheres to Semantic Versioning.
Starting with this version we managed to include all device types and all supportet LoRaWAN regions into an universal (big fat) firmware.
Regions include:
| PCR2-EU868 | set conntype 1 |
|
| PCR2-AS923 | set conntype 2 |
|
| PCR2-AU915 | 72 channels or 8 subbands | set conntype 3 |
| PCR2-US915 | 72 channels or 8 subbands | set conntype 4 |
| PCR2-IN865 | NEW | set conntype 5 |
Device types include:
| -IN | Indoor people counter | set devtype 0 |
| -OD | Outdoor Model, 12VDC | set devtype 1 |
| -XIO | Industrial Counter with digital outputs | set devtype 4 |
| -ODS | Outdoor Models, Solar | set devtype 5 |
| -ODA | Outdoor Models, AC-powered | set devtype 6 |
| -ODB | Outdoor Models, External Battery | set devtype 7 |
| -ODBS | Outdoor Models, External Battery + Solar | set devtype 8 |
Important: When updating from a version prior to V4.0.0 the device will come up as a ‘PCR2-EU868-IN’ by default. You need to set the region and device type once. Please see the update instructions for details. Devices ordered from Parametric will be shipped with this inital configuration already done.
We updated the LoRaMac stack to V4.4.7.
This implements LoRaWAN specification 1.0.3 and LoRaWAN Regional Parameters v1.0.3revA
Payload lengths have been a source of annoyance especially for customers in LoRa regions with limited airtime capacity. Config payloads (37 bytes) simply did not go through when the devices were running on DR0.
That’s why we’ve reduced the length of all payloads to less than 10 bytes, so they work smoothly in all major regions.
The large config payload has been replaced with an device id uplink at device startup.
Device configuration can be changed by short configuration downlinks, changing only one setting at a time. This is much easier to handle than the huge configuration string before.
New payload types:
Please have a look at our payload documentation page that also includes a link to our GIT repo with example code
PCR2 can now be used either as a totalizer or interval counter.
For this purpose there is a new CLI command set sumup to switching the device’s mode to sum up. This can also be done later by a config downlink.
Use the the application downlink to zero counters remotely as sum up does count up to a maximum of 65535 and then needs to be reset.
Application uplinks now include a message number to prevent data loss.
This counter increases as soon as the device receives a confirmed uplink ACK, which means that the data was successfully delivered. In this case the device takes the next counter value pair with a new message number.
The following server log shows a situation where the ACK from the LoRaWAN Gateway has not been received by PCR2. In this case, the data will be resent with the same message number and up to 10 times.
be 01 00 a5 00 05 00 04 00 01
be 01 00 a5 00 05 00 04 00 01 <- ACK not received, repeated data
be 01 00 a5 00 02 00 0B 00 02 <- ACK received, new data
...
...
New CLI commands help finding LoRaWAN issues:
lora get snr signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in dBlora get rssi to get received signal strength (RSSI) in dBmlora get fcnt to get last uplink Fcntlora get dr to get current uplink dataratelora send triggers an uplinklora set ula let you change the number of Join/Uplink attempts before device restarts (default is 10)CLI commands with only a CR will be accepted as well. PuTTY and other terminal emulation programs tends to not sending CR + LF. So we made it possible to either send CR or CR+LF.
There is a new blink code informing the user about non optimal settings or placement of the sensor.
Reduce sensitivity in this case or place the device more than 50cm away from the moving objects or consider ceiling mounting.
Small bug fix for PCR2-ODS devices.
Update if your PCR2-ODS device does not restart after connecting the battery.
New interlocking in the firmware between radar and LoRa HF to reduce distortions. Small bugfix on solar powered devices where power input reading sometimes stopped.
Update when see frozen voltage levels on ODS devices or unexpected countings.
Reduced output power on US915 and AU915 versions to reduce distortions
Update when you see unexpected countings on US915 or AU915 devices
Fixed data rates (LoRaWAN regional parameters)
Update when you do not see config payloads on AS923, US915 or AU915 devices
Fixed a problem with delayed start of the device
Update recommended for all devices running V3.12.0 —
Added support for new Rev.05 boards and PCR2-ODBS (exernal batt and solar) devices
Minor bugfixes
Additional Documents:
With this firmware you can now choose between two radar frequencies. This can help avoiding interference with other radar sources such as alarm systems or door openers. Use this if you think there is another 24GHz source nearby. You could also use it to have two PCR2 facing each other. In this case PCR2 #1 should have channel 0 enabled, PCR2 #2 should be set to channel 1.
The stability of PCR2-ODS with integrated SBX solar chargers has been improved. We have added more checks in the internal communication between radar mainboard an SBX.
Long-term stability of person detection has been improved (FFR radar algorithm updated to V1.6.0)
Power consumption has been reduced by -20% due to optimized sleep time configuration.
New Configuration Payload V6 includes radar channel switching. But device still accepts V5 config payloads. So there is no hurry to re-write your paylods decoders if you do not need to remotely switch channels.
Following CLI commands have been replaced to be in sync with payload descriptions:
Additional Documents:
Please update your encoders/decoders to the new Configuration Payload V6. Update PCR Setup Tool V6.19.0 or newer to access PCR2 with firmware V3.11.x
Finding the right sensitivity is now easier as we introduced autotuning. This can be done via PCR Setup Tool, CLI or with the new Configuration Payload V5. Autotuning will be turned off automatically after 20 detections.
Improved object counting in a wider range of sensitivity settings as well as with certain usual types of radar reflections. Asymmetric counting (more RTL than LTR) at inaccurate sensitivity settings no longer occurs.
For US915 or AU915 users we fixed the prolem with config downlinks not beeing received due to limited airtime in these LoRaWAN bands. We also updated some default values based on customer feedback to make defaults be a good starting point for most users.
Radar can be disabled by configuration downlink. This allows to save energy on solar powered devices.
AppEUI/JoinEUI is now 8CAE49CFFFFFFF01 for all PCR2 in preperation for our future Join Server
Additional Documents:
Please update your encoders/decoders to the new Configuration Payload V5. Update PCR Setup Tool V6.18.1 or newer to access PCR2 with firmware V3.10.x —
Updated Radar Algorithm for PCR2 indoor models. Users are now able to disable the AutoSens mode. This is useful in noisy environments.
Update to a newer version if you have issues with near field counting
Fixed some LoRaWAN networking issues for AS923 devices.
Improved measurement accuracy for PCR2-IN and PCR2-XIO devices on situations where people passing by very close to the sensor (less than 2 m)
Fixed a problem with channel masks on US915 devices. Improved the USB driver to work better with Windows 10.
No config payloads on US915 devices due to payload length restrictions. Update to a newer version if you need this.
FFR 1.4.5 firmware is now included in the main firmware and will be automatically updated. During the update both LEDs blink fast for about 30s
Update if you have problems with US915 device and a gateway with 8 channels only
Update introduces the new FFR Radar Processing. Better performance for PCR2-IN/XIO when people pass by very close
Added Support for PCR2-ODS devices New CLI commands to read out SBX parameters
Fixes a problem with XIO Downlinks
Minor bugfix with sum counters and CapacityLimit can be set to more than 1000 Update when using CapacityLimit with more then 1000 persons
PCR2-XIO devices switch to RC mode when receiving an XIO downlink payload. Update if you are using XIO Downlinks. —
Introduces Extended Payload with sums. PCR2-IN and PCR2-XIO are Class C devices now. Added Extended payload (Uplinks in intervals, Downlinks to clear sum) Added a XIO Payload. (Downlink to set outputs, Uplink to check result)
Fixes a problem with radar communication that could lead to an unplanned restarts.
First relase that introduced CapacityLimit Mode —
Changed some default settings
Changed some default settings
Power consumption optimizations
First version for PCR2 Rev.03 devices