TD-BLE
Definition and purpose of the sensor
High-precision fuel level sensors (FLS, also meters or sensors) of the Escort brand are designed to determine the filling level of petroleum products in fuel tanks, reservoirs and storage tanks. The TD-BLE meter (sensor) is used in transport technology as a fuel level meter, in industry - as a level meter for any light petroleum products. Escort FLS measurement type is capacitive. Its readings are based on the dielectric constant of the medium in which it operates; in this case, the medium is various types of light petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, motor oyil).
TD-BLE is a completely wireless self-powered FLS. Sensor data is transmitted in the form of Bluetooth packets in Advertising mode; data sending frequency - every 3 seconds (software version 1.3.4 and later) and every second (software version 1.3.0 and earlier). The frequency of measurement by the fuel level sensor is every 10 seconds, regardless of the software version.
More detailed technical characteristics are presented in the technical data sheet of the device.
Basic terms and concepts
- Fuel level sensor (FLS) - is a device designed to measure fuel level.
- Serial number - is a code consisting of a series of letters or numbers assigned to a product (sensor).
- Sensor name - designation of the sensor among BLE devices, consisting of the first two letters of the sensor model and the last 6 values of the serial number; for example, TD_100100;
- MAC address - is a unique identifier assigned to each piece of active equipment. Used to recognize devices on the network.
- Data packet - is a set of values transmitted by a device equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter, the structure of which is determined by the data transfer protocol.
- Data transfer protocol - is a set of specific rules or conventions of a logical level interface that defines the exchange of data between various programs or devices. In the case of the TD-BLE sensor, the Escort BLE protocol is used to transmit data packets.
- Advertising mode - is a data transmission mode in which the device “distributes” data packets at a certain frequency, regardless of the presence of a device receiving the data.
- Connection mode - is a data transmission mode in which the transmitter waits for a connection to the receiving device in order to begin transmitting data packets.
- RS-485 BLE base - is a device that relays data transmission and converts it from a Bluetooth packet into a data packet transmitted via the RS-485 interface in accordance with the LLS protocol.
- BA-BLE base - is a device that relays data transmission and converts it from a Bluetooth packet into a data packet transmitted via RS-485 and RS-232 interfaces in accordance with the LLS protocol.
TD-BLE design
Design of the 1st generation TD-BLE
File:First generation TD-BLE design ENG.png
Design of the 2nd generation TD-BLE
Connecting sensor to a smartphone
To configure the TD-BLE sensor, calibrate it and calibrate the tank, you should use the Escort Configurator application, available on iOS and Android devices (hereinafter referred to as the “application” or "app").
Geolocation and Bluetooth
Launch the app and activate Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone also check if application have access to geolocation as shown in this screenshots.
File:Android shutter geolocation and bluetooth ENG.png File:Android geolocation permission ENG.png
Connecting sensor
Click the Sensor Settings button. Next, select TD-BLE.
File:Android app main screen ENG.png File:Android select connection type TD-BLE ENG.png
Find the required sensor by entering the last 6 digits of its serial number. You can find the serial number on the sensor head.
Or, simply select the required sensor from the list and click the Connect button. On an Android device, you can click on the sensors name, and a package of data received in advertising mode will be displayed.
File:Android searching TD-BLE ENG.png File:Android Advertising TD-BLE ENG.png
File:ANDROID TD-BLE CONNECT.gif
