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Step 3: Network Logger Setup

This step configures the OpenRVDAS sensor-to-network logger, which enables data transmission from a physical sensor to the CORIOLIX network infrastructure.

[!NOTE] Prerequisites - Sensor record created in CORIOLIX (Step 1) - Parameters configured (Step 2) - Physical sensor connected to OpenRVDAS peripheral system - SSH access to the OpenRVDAS peripheral system - Administrative privileges on the logging system

Overview

The network logger (wire2net) component:

  • Reads data from the physical sensor via RS-232 serial connection
  • Formats the data for network transmission
  • Sends data streams to the central CORIOLIX system
  • Provides local buffering and error handling

Setup Process

1. Access the Peripheral System

SSH to the OpenRVDAS peripheral system where the RS-232 instrument is connected:

ssh username@peripheral-system-ip

Replace username and peripheral-system-ip with actual credentials and system address.

2. Run the Configuration Script

Execute the cruise configuration script with the wire2net flag:

cd /path/to/openrvdas/scripts
./create_cruise_configuration --wire2net --sensor-id=SENSOR_ID

Parameters: - --wire2net: Enables sensor-to-network logging mode - --sensor-id: Use the sensor ID created in Step 1 - Additional options may be available depending on the OpenRVDAS version

3. Verify Configuration

Check that the configuration was created successfully:

ls -la /path/to/openrvdas/configs/

Look for the sensor configuration file, typically named: [sensor_id]_wire2net.yaml

4. Restart Logging Services

Restart the logging system to activate the new configuration:

sudo systemctl restart openrvdas-logger
# or
sudo service openrvdas-logger restart

5. Verify Data Flow

Check that data is flowing from sensor to network:

# Check log files for the sensor
tail -f /var/log/openrvdas/[sensor_id]_wire2net.log

# Monitor network traffic (optional)
sudo tcpdump -i eth0 port [configured_port]

Configuration Details

Wire2Net Settings

The configuration script will create settings for:

  • Serial Port Configuration
  • Port: /dev/ttyUSB0 (or appropriate port)
  • Baud Rate: As specified in sensor documentation
  • Data Bits: Usually 8
  • Stop Bits: Usually 1

  • Parity: Usually None

  • Network Settings

  • Destination IP: Central CORIOLIX system
  • Destination Port: Configured network port

  • Protocol: Usually UDP for real-time data

  • Data Processing

  • Message parsing based on regex from Step 1
  • Timestamp addition
  • Data validation checks

Example Configuration

# Example wire2net configuration
sensor_id: "WIND001"
serial_config:
  port: "/dev/ttyUSB0"
  baud_rate: 9600
  data_bits: 8
  stop_bits: 1
  parity: "none"

network_config:
  destination_ip: "192.168.1.100"
  destination_port: 8001
  protocol: "udp"

data_processing:
  message_format: "[regex_from_step1]"
  timestamp_format: "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S.%f"
  validation_enabled: true

Monitoring and Verification

Check System Status

# Check if the logger process is running
ps aux | grep [sensor_id]

# Check system logs
journalctl -u openrvdas-logger -f

# Monitor data throughput
netstat -an | grep [configured_port]

Data Validation

Verify that data is being properly formatted and transmitted:

  1. Check raw sensor output: 

    screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600

  2. Verify network transmission: 

    tcpdump -i eth0 -A port [configured_port]

  3. Review log files for errors: 

    grep -i error /var/log/openrvdas/[sensor_id]_wire2net.log

Common Configuration Issues

Serial Port Problems

  • Permission denied: Add user to dialout group 

    sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

  • Port not found: Check physical connections and port assignments 

    dmesg | grep tty
ls -la /dev/tty*

Network Issues

  • Connection refused: Verify firewall settings and network connectivity
  • No data transmission: Check IP addresses and port configurations

Data Format Issues

  • Parsing errors: Verify regex pattern matches actual sensor output
  • Incomplete messages: Check for proper message termination characters

Troubleshooting Commands

# Test serial communication
minicom -D /dev/ttyUSB0 -b 9600

# Check network connectivity
ping [destination_ip]
telnet [destination_ip] [destination_port]

# Validate configuration syntax
python -c "import yaml; print(yaml.safe_load(open('config.yaml')))"

# Monitor system resources
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When the network logger is successfully configured and running, data from the sensor will be transmitted to the central CORIOLIX system. Proceed to Step 4: Data Logger Setup.

Additional Resources