RainPoint: Multiple sensors, unique ID?

[garudaonekh]

It's a newbie question!

We'll need to use up to 10 to 20 soil moisture sensor of the same type for a big greenhouse(Rainpoint). Is it possible for a single receiver to distinguish each of them thru some ID or any mean? In the Rainpoint, there're 3 channel to switch(their LCD can only display 3 devices).

[zuckschwerdt]

We don't know. There is a maybe a unique ID. Look at the "Sync" and "ID" output. We have seen "AA81" for sync and "FE03", ""F703" for ID so far. The ID might be fixed and unique, or reset when you change batteries, or something else and not useful. Some info is in #1781

[garudaonekh]

I just ordered another 2 sensors so let wait and see when I use all three together

[garudaonekh]

Ok, I got two soil moisture sensors and set them both to channel 3(It has three channel to choose because their Receiver support only 3 sensors). It look like each of them have a difference id but I am not sure how unique they are because, it's only 4 digit id. I change the battery and the id still the same. Here's what I received:

[00] {370} 92 49 24 e4 e7 39 ce 72 49 ce 4e 4e 49 24 9c e4 9c e4 e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 c9 ce 72 73 9c e7 24 e7 24 92 72 00 
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.00 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 488.00 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 489.43 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
rainpoint_decode: {96} aa 81 03 03 b7 04 08 1c 60 00 54 15 
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
time      : 2022-01-28 22:33:43
model     : RainPoint-Soil                         id        : 0303
channel   : 3            Sync?     : aa81          Flags?    : b7            Status?   : 0408          Temperature: 28.0 C       Moisture  : 96 %          Integrity : CHECKSUM
pulse_demod_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor
bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 
[00] {2772} 55 55 55 54 cc cd 2a ad 4a ab 4a ab 53 4c b2 aa ac aa b5 2a aa d2 aa aa b3 33 33 2a ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff fd aa aa aa aa 66 66 95 56 a5 55 a5 55 a9 a6 59 55 56 55 5a 95 55 69 55 55 59 99 99 95 7f ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff fe d5 55 55 55 33 33 4a ab 52 aa d2 aa d4 d3 2c aa ab 2a ad 4a aa b4 aa aa ac cc cc ca 80 
RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor: Exact bit width (in us) is 492.40 vs 500.00, 201 bit measured
pulse_demod_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor
bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 
[00] {378} 92 49 24 e4 e7 39 ce 72 49 ce 4e 4e 49 24 e7 39 27 39 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 72 73 9c 9c e7 39 c9 39 39 c9 c9 ce 00 
RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor: Exact bit width (in us) is 492.24 vs 500.00, 201 bit measured
pulse_demod_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor
bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 
[00] {378} 92 49 24 e4 e7 39 ce 72 49 ce 4e 4e 49 24 e7 39 27 39 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 72 73 9c 9c e7 39 c9 39 39 c9 c9 ce 00 
RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor: Exact bit width (in us) is 492.22 vs 500.00, 201 bit measured
pulse_demod_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor
bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 
[00] {378} 92 49 24 e4 e7 39 ce 72 49 ce 4e 4e 49 24 e7 39 27 39 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 73 9c e7 39 ce 72 73 9c 9c e7 39 c9 39 39 c9 c9 ce 00 
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.86 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.14 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 492.00 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.43 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.14 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
Exact bit width (in us) is 490.14 vs 500.00, 28 bit preamble
rainpoint_decode: {96} aa 81 06 03 b7 04 00 1c 08 00 51 15 
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
time      : 2022-01-28 22:35:32
model     : RainPoint-Soil                         id        : 0603
channel   : 3            Sync?     : aa81          Flags?    : b7            Status?   : 0400          Temperature: 28.0 C       Moisture  : 8 %           Integrity : CHECKSUM
pulse_demod_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor
bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 
[00] {2780} 55 55 55 54 cc cd 2a ac d2 ab 4a ab 53 4c b2 aa aa aa b5 2a ac aa aa ab 2b 33 33 2a ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff da aa aa aa a6 66 69 55 66 95 5a 55 5a 9a 65 95 55 55 55 a9 55 65 55 55 59 59 99 99 57 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff fe d5 55 55 55 33 33 4a ab 34 aa d2 aa d4 d3 2c aa aa aa ad 4a ab 2a aa aa ca cc cc ca 80 

[zuckschwerdt]

Thanks! So Sync is really sync or device type. For ID we have seen "FE03", ""F703" and now "0303", "0603". That could be 8 bit of ID ("FE", ""F7" and "03", "06"), but it looks more like the first 4 bit are fixed and mean something else? So actually more like a "1 digit ID".

Do you get different values when you change batteries?

[garudaonekh]

Thanks! So Sync is really sync or device type. For ID we have seen "FE03", ""F703" and now "0303", "0603". That could be 8 bit of ID ("FE", ""F7" and "03", "06"), but it looks more like the first 4 bit are fixed and mean something else? So actually more like a "1 digit ID".

Do you get different values when you change batteries?

not changed when I change the battery.

[tipofthesowrd]

I've a new Rainpoint sensor (labeled TCS005FRF. Which, according the info online should transmit on 433.9 MHz.

However, I'm getting no useful info from the device. Also not when inserting the batteries

Does it need to be linked to the gateway before it starts transmitting values?

[zuckschwerdt]

Usually the sensor are not capable of receiving data -- pairing is just learning the sensor IDs in the head unit. The Rainpoint protocol we know isn't that complicated: https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/blob/master/src/devices/rainpoint.c#L25-L40

[tipofthesowrd]

With rtl_433 -R 195:vv -g 37 I'm getting some values, however very far from the required # bits. SNR doesn't seem to be the issue. I'm picking the TPMS values from my neighbours car with SNR over 12 dB

rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 76 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] {76} 92 49 24 92 49 24 92 49 24 80 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 7 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 7} 90 : 1001000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 7 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 7} 90 : 1001000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 7 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 7} 90 : 1001000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 4 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] { 4} 80 : 1000 rainpoint_decode: bit_per_row 76 out of range pulse_slicer_pcm(): RainPoint soil temperature and moisture sensor bitbuffer:: Number of rows: 1 [00] {76} 92 49 24 92 49 24 92 49 24 80

[zuckschwerdt]

If you are not sure about the transmission first try to grab a sample and verify the modulation and timings: https://triq.org/rtl_433/ANALYZE.html If that all fits then gather codes to pick apart.

[garudaonekh]

I've a new Rainpoint sensor (labeled TCS005FRF. Which, according the info online should transmit on 433.9 MHz.

However, I'm getting no useful info from the device. Also not when inserting the batteries

Does it need to be linked to the gateway before it starts transmitting values?

I've a new Rainpoint sensor (labeled TCS005FRF. Which, according the info online should transmit on 433.9 MHz.

However, I'm getting no useful info from the device. Also not when inserting the batteries

Does it need to be linked to the gateway before it starts transmitting values?

I do not think it is required to connect to its display panel first to unlock. This is true with Vegtrug MaXcare,i.e connect to FlowerCare software to activate first. You may try to switch among the three channel

[tipofthesowrd]

How can I switch channels? So far I've been unable to pickup anything, also not in gqrx or sdr#.

[garudaonekh]

There's a black switch near battery. it has 3 positions. Its LCD display support maximum 3 soil sensors that's why this sensor has a 3 channel switch.

[tipofthesowrd]

FWIW in my unit it's not a switch but a push button. When it's pushed for a few seconds a red light appears on the front for a few seconds

[garudaonekh]

[pswiatki]

Low-resolution picture, undiscernible. But this topic is quite interesting for me. Let me share my experience with similar sensors (TH, as in temperature/humidity). Got an Auriol weather station (sold by LIDL in Polska, where I live). Three remote TH transmitters were included in the kit together with the base station. I placed those around the house and monitored the parameters with rtl_433. Also, just to have a visual status of the sensors - I gave base station channels meaningful names to match the locations of the three sensors. All worked great. However, a year or so passed and I decided to get another such set to use in other locations of interest inside the building. This is where things got screwy. Base stations are practically useless - I never know what they show. My guess is their software only checks the channel setting, but not the ID of the remote sensor. Now it is only rtl_433 that registers all six sensors and I can analyze historical data on how the temperature and humidity change around the house (which was the original idea, of course). I can clearly see channel numbers repeated twice each time all sensors are picked up by the RTL receiver, but six unique ID values. Here are the pictures:

As you can see, the sensor shows its data on a little LCD, so I know the base station shows results from the wrong transmitters (it just so happens that they operate on the same "channel" - 1 or 2 or 3). Sometimes the base station shows horizontal segments (dashes) only. I belive it might indicate a "collision" on a given channel, i.e. transmitters interfere with each other.

[pswiatki]

This is the confusion of the base station:

All sensors in range, naturally.

[garudaonekh]

This is the confusion of the base station:

All sensors in range, naturally.

Is there a binding mechanism? For example, I have 6 sensors with 2 LCD display panel and within each other range so it should be binding to separate LCD gateway(3 each).

[pswiatki]

I guess the makers did not think through the concept well enough. I read reports of people's base station picking up sensors from their neighbours (who happened to get the same model - possibly from the same source, too). All the user can find in the instructions manual is that they should match the channel number of the sensor with the base station (if it is a single channel version) or - as is the case with the base station above - with the desired position on the display. When I saw alternating (that is: jumping too greatly to be real and believable) readings on the LCD I was immediately suspicious. Thought I could have an inadvertent picking up of some neighbours equipment, but quickly realized it randomly picked up my own sensors (have six of them in total, but only three channels in each of the devices).

[tipofthesowrd]

Mine is a pushbutton iso a switch to select a channel. Pressing the button does not give any indication there is any activity on 433 MHz. Upto now no values found in RTL_433

[anthyz]

I have the sensor labeled TCS005ARF which has the channel switch near the batteries and is decoded by rtl_433. On the box it came in the RF frequency spec is, “433.92MHz ASK.” According to the manual for the TCS005FRF model, the button by the battery is used to connect the sensor to their wifi water timer, and the RF frequency spec is “433.92MHz FSK.” Unless the docs are wrong, rtl_433 needs a new decoder for the FSK version of the sensor.

[merbanan]

Record some samples and we can probably figure out if that is needed.

[tipofthesowrd]

I'm recording some samples with no water and with the sensor fully in water to check if I pick up the sensor.

I already attached the samples I have (the sensor was not in water). I just hope its the sensor. Since I added water in the sensors I'm not picking up any transmission.

My box also indicated TCS005FRF (double way version) however the frequency is reported as 433.92 MHz ASK (which I doubt). What worries me is the 'double way'

 rtl_433 -S unknown -Y autolevel -Y magest -M noise -M level
rtl_433 version 21.12-103-g8cdb233b branch master at 202205181328 inputs file rtl_tcp RTL-SDR
Use -h for usage help and see https://triq.org/ for documentation.
Trying conf file at "rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/home/pi/.config/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/usr/local/etc/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Trying conf file at "/etc/rtl_433/rtl_433.conf"...
Registered 186 out of 218 device decoding protocols [ 1-4 8 11-12 15-17 19-23 25-26 29-36 38-60 63 67-71 73-100 102-105 108-116 119 121 124-128 130-149 151-161 163-168 170-175 177-197 199 201-215 217-218 ]
Found Rafael Micro R820T tuner
Exact sample rate is: 250000.000414 Hz
[R82XX] PLL not locked!
Sample rate set to 250000 S/s.
Tuner gain set to Auto.
Tuned to 433.920MHz.
Allocating 15 zero-copy buffers
Estimated noise level is -17.5 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -14.5 dB
baseband_demod_FM: low pass filter for 250000 Hz at cutoff 25000 Hz, 40.0 us
Estimated noise level is -19.6 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -16.6 dB
Estimated noise level is -21.4 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -18.4 dB
Estimated noise level is -23.0 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -20.0 dB
Estimated noise level is -24.4 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -21.4 dB
Estimated noise level is -25.6 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -22.6 dB
Estimated noise level is -26.6 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -23.6 dB
Estimated noise level is -28.4 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -25.4 dB
Estimated noise level is -29.7 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -26.7 dB
Estimated noise level is -30.7 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -27.7 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -30.7 dB
Estimated noise level is -31.9 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -28.9 dB
Estimated noise level is -32.9 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -29.9 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -33.8 dB
Estimated noise level is -33.9 dB, adjusting minimum detection level to -30.9 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.1 dB, estimated noise -34.1 dB
Current noise level -34.2 dB, estimated noise -34.2 dB

g005_433.92M_250k.zip

[tipofthesowrd]

after capturing again some transmission I do think this is the correct device. I'm only picking up this transmission when the rainpoint is directly next to the SDR.

The PDV analysis guesses it (with FSK) as PWM modulated. Any hints on how to proceed?

g001_433.92M_250k.zip e

[garudaonekh]

after capturing again some transmission I do think this is the correct device. I'm only picking up this transmission when the rainpoint is directly next to the SDR.

The PDV analysis guesses it (with FSK) as PWM modulated. Any hints on how to proceed?

g001_433.92M_250k.zip e

How far apart?

[tipofthesowrd]

As in right next to each other without antenna connected 🤣

Op vr 24 jun. 2022 03:51 schreef GarudaOne @.***>:

after capturing again some transmission I do think this is the correct device. I'm only picking up this transmission when the rainpoint is directly next to the SDR.

The PDV analysis guesses it (with FSK) as PWM modulated. Any hints on how to proceed?

g001_433.92M_250k.zip https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/files/8965215/g001_433.92M_250k.zip e

How far apart?

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/issues/1931#issuecomment-1165097873, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AEDLMD3AED6CLHBRW4MA7HDVQUICJANCNFSM5LENXQHA . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[tcwatson]

@tipofthesowrd did you ever get this to work? I've just purchased the same TCS005FRF you have. I have openmqttgateway running on a lilygo_rtl_433, and while I can see the mqtt messages it publishes from the 433MHz messages from my weather station, nothing has been published for the soil sensor. Not sure if I just need a newer version of rtl_433 on my board, or if there's some initialization sequence with the device, or whether it works for anyone.

[tipofthesowrd]

Unfortunately, no I have never made any progress in trying to get this to work. I believe some sort of 2way communcation is needed since I never saw any RF messages leaving the device.

Op wo 23 aug 2023 om 00:05 schreef tcwatson @.***>:

@tipofthesowrd https://github.com/tipofthesowrd did you ever get this to work? I've just purchased the same TCS005FRF you have. I have openmqttgateway running on a lilygo_rtl_433, and while I can see the mqtt messages it publishes from the 433MHz messages from my weather station, nothing has been published for the soil sensor. Not sure if I just need a newer version of rtl_433 on my board, or if there's some initialization sequence with the device, or whether it works for anyone.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/merbanan/rtl_433/issues/1931#issuecomment-1688990713, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AEDLMDZK4ZKKPGCCKIPT4BLXWUUJZANCNFSM5LENXQHA . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>