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Concept

Concept


Products: Commission, IP-IO , MP-C, MP-V, RP-C
Functionalities: Engineering, BACnet/IP devices
Product version: 3.1, 3.2
3/31/2020

RP Series Controller Onboard BLE

arrow1_rotationEngage App BLE Filter arrow1_rotationBLE Adapter arrow1_rotationDevice Management

You can use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect to both RP and MP Series SmartX IP controllers. Using BLE, you can commission SmartX IP controllers before there is an IP network infrastructure configured and also perform on-site commissioning more quickly and efficiently.

With the RP Series controller, you connect using its onboard BLE, or the BLE adapter and the SmartX Sensor. Through RP-C onboard BLE, you connect to a single controller at a time by logging in to the eCommission mobile application and clicking Bluetooth in the connect screen. In the Bluetooth Devices page, you can then discover a device and connect. For more information, see Connecting to a Controller through Bluetooth .

With RP-C onboard BLE, you enable access so the BLE radio can announce its presence to let users discover and connect. Similarly, you can disable advertising to prevent the BLE radio from advertising and prevent any user connections. For more information, see Enabling Bluetooth Access Using the Onboard BLE in the RP Series Controller .

Note:

There are three modes for enabling the RP-C onboard BLE:

  • Maintenance (default out of box)

  • Disabled

  • Engage App BLE Filter (see following section for more details)

In a factory fresh RP-C controller, onboard BLE is enabled and always advertising. Onboard BLE is then disabled when an RP-C is hosted under a SmartX Server. You can re-enable BLE using WorkStation, or the eCommission SmartX Controller mobile application for use with the Engage Mobile Application. Before you re-enable BLE for the Engage mobile application, however, you must perform the following actions:

  • Change the secure pairing PIN

  • Enable the RP-C onboard BLE in its secure state for Occupant App control by turning On the Engage Mobile App Filter. Only the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application supports this configuration.

The Engage mobile application uses BLE to communicate with SmartX IP controllers. It is recommended that you not use the default PIN after the first use. You configure the PIN for BLE access in the RP Series controller. For more information, see Changing the RP Series Controller Bluetooth 6-Digit PIN .

Engage App BLE Filter

When RP-C commissioning activities are complete, be sure to secure the controller by turning off the BLE Interface. This occurs automatically when the controller is hosted under an AS-P. If you plan to use the Engage Mobile Application to adjust comfort levels in spaces controlled by Connected Room Solutions, you should prepare the controller for secure communication with the Engage Mobile Application. You must do so by turning On both BLE and the Engage Mobile App Filter property in the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application. You configure the Engage Mobile App Filter property in the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application.

The eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application configures the RP-C for secure communication and ensures that only properties bound to the controllers Occupant App Menu(s) can be read or written over the BLE Interface. For more information, see Engage Mobile Application Menu Value Configuration ..

All other commands are disabled for traffic originating from the BLE Interface. As a result, applications such as the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application no longer work over BLE when the RP-C is in this secure state. To reinstate the commissioning level access to the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application over BLE, you need to establish an IP network connection to the RP-C to turn Off the Engage Mobile App Filter.

This table summarizes filter behavior.

With the Filter Turned On...

With the Filter Turned Off

You cannot connect to the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application with BLE

You can connect to the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application with BLE

You can connect to the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application with an IP connection

–

You can use the Engage mobile application

You can use the Engage mobile application

BLE Adapter

In the MP Series controller, you connect using the eCommission SmartX Controller mobile application BLE adapter through the controller’s sensor bus. You can also use the BLE adapter and the SmartX Sensor to connect in the RP Series controller.

With the BLE adapter, you use the SmartX Sensor to allow and disallow communication between the eCommission mobile application and the SmartX IP controller. For more information, see Enabling Bluetooth Access Using the BLE Adapter and SmartX Sensor .

In the BLE adapter, you establish a BLE connection to MP and RP Series controllers by wiring a SmartX Sensor to the controller and inserting a BLE adapter into the sensor. You then press the button on the front of the adapter to start advertising. For more information, see Connecting to a Controller with the Bluetooth Adapter .

Device Management

With both RP-C onboard BLE and the BLE adapter, you discover an RP Series controller or the adapter and connect. Once you connect, the Bluetooth Device Management page displays and you are prompted to enter a PIN if you have not already paired with a controller. You are not prompted to enter a PIN if you have already paired.

In the BLE adapter, the Bluetooth Device Management page allows you to view the properties of the device including the name, type, and serial number. You can also update the adapter firmware and change the PIN here.

For more information, see Updating the eCommission Bluetooth Adapter Firmware .

For more information, see Changing the PIN of the eCommission Bluetooth Adapter .

By contrast, you change the RP-C onboard BLE PIN in WorkStation and update the controller firmware with a download operation. For more information, see Changing the RP Series Controller Bluetooth 6-Digit PIN .

This table briefly explains and summarizes the major similarities and differences between RP-C onboard BLE and the BLE adapter.

Onboard BLE

BLE Adapter

Similarities:

Common pairing process

Controller or adapter discovery using the Bluetooth Devices page

Differences:

PIN configuration through WorkStation

PIN configuration in the eCommission mobile application

Functionality updates using a controller firmware download

Firmware updates wirelessly using the eCommission mobile application

Advertising initiated once enabled

Advertising initiated only after an adapter button push

Faster BLE connection provided a

Slower connection due to sensor bus speed limitations

  1. An IP connection is considerably faster than a BLE connection.

See Also

  • eCommission Bluetooth Adapter
  • Connecting to a Controller through Bluetooth
  • Enabling Bluetooth Access Using the Onboard BLE in the RP Series Controller
  • Engage Mobile Application Menu Value Configuration
  • Enabling Bluetooth Access Using the BLE Adapter and SmartX Sensor
  • Connecting to a Controller with the Bluetooth Adapter
  • Updating the eCommission Bluetooth Adapter Firmware
  • Changing the PIN of the eCommission Bluetooth Adapter
  • Changing the RP Series Controller Bluetooth 6-Digit PIN