Introduction

 

The EOS Connected Bridge allows you to collect information and statistics about your EOS network. The information is sent to EOS Connected, Bever Innovations’ own web portal. The EOS Connected Portal allows you to keep track of your EOS luminaries’ power usage, device availability, ambient light and temperature and more.


When the EOS Connected Bridge is connected to an IC-U or Sign Controller in a price totem, it also allows you to manage display prices from within EOS Connected. 


The bridge can connect to the internet either using a wired Ethernet connection or by connecting to a cellular (mobile) network.


Table of contents


 

 

Placement considerations

 

The bridge should always be in range of your EOS network, e.g., have a good RF connection to at least one of the EOS devices in your network. The bridge has an optimized internal antenna. The two main factors influencing the quality of the RF connection are the distance between the bridge and closest EOS device, and obstacles blocking the direct line-of-sight between them. For example, a metal enclosure will result in a worse RF performance as compared to a plastic housing. 

 

If a cellular connection is required, make sure the bridge in a location where cellular reception is sufficient. Metal enclosures or constructions can greatly reduce or completely block cellular reception. A phone can be used to check reception at a specific location beforehand.

 

Regarding the EOS network, placement analysis is needed to find the optimal position of the bridge. The optimal position allows you to easily mount the bridge while the distance to the first EOS device is less than 30 meters with direct line-of-sight. The recommended distance reduces with line-of-sight obstructions. It is furthermore preferred that the bridge is placed such that it is in range of more than one Eos device enabling communication redundancy. With the bridge in place, you can easily check whether the bridge is part of the network by using the EOS Manager while being in range of the opposite part of the network.

 

A stand-alone housing for surface mounting the bridge is available as an accessory, allowing you to place the Bridge outside your main switch board. An external antenna is available to overcome the interference of the metal casing the Bridge may be placed in. Note that attaching an external antenna also requires a reconfiguration using the EOS Manager to inform the bridge to use the external antenna.    

 

Prior to the installation

 

Wired connection 

When using the wired Ethernet port(s) to connect to the internet, please note the following. The device will need to be able to connect to these domains to guarantee correct functionality:

 

https://api.eosconnected.com

Eos Connected server

8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4

Primary and alternative DNS servers*

 

Please make sure that these addresses are accessible from the network and are not blocked by a firewall.

Network configuration can be set manually through the Eos Manager app, or can be obtained automatically through DHCP (default).


* The DNS servers can be changed through the Eos Manager app if required.


Cellular connection 

As an alternative to a wired connection, a cellular internet connection is also possible.

 

To use the cellular connection, please note the following:

 

  • A SIM card with data plan should be supplied. This SIM card should be unlocked (should have no PIN code). Please note that the SIM card is still locked even if the PIN is 0000. Unlocking a SIM card can be done with any phone. However, most SIM cards are already shipped unlocked. Consult your mobile provider to check whether the SIM card supplied is locked or not.
  • A new SIM card should usually be activated before it can be used. Often this can be done through and app or website from the SIM card provider. Please consult your provider whether and how the SIM card can be activated.
  • To gain internet access an APN (access point name) needs to be provided. For most major mobile providers this APN is already known by the EOS Connected Bridge. However, some providers require a private APN to access the internet. Please consult our support department when deciding on a mobile internet provider.

 

Connections and interfaces

Below is an overview of the EOS Connected Bridge and connector layout. After installation, make sure to configure the bridge to integrate it into your EOS network. Please continue with configuration using the configuration manual.

 

 

 

 

Power connector

Two-pin screw terminals for DC power input. Connect a suitable 24VDC power supply that is capable of delivering at least 500 mA. Please watch the polarity of the pins. If article ‘EOS2-Bridge-Internet Full option (85-264VAC, IP65)’ (SKU 19639) is used, a suitable power supply is already installed and wired to the Bridge.

 

Primary and Secondary LAN port

The primary and (optional) secondary LAN ports are used to connect the bridge to the internet. The secondary LAN port can be used to connect other hardware such as the Bever Innovations InMo Controller.

 

RS422 interface

The RS422 connector can be used to connect to other devices such as an IC-U or Sign Controller.

 

USB host

The bridge features one USB host connector. This allows you to use USB devices such as USB memory sticks with the bridge.

 

Service port

This USB micro connector is used for servicing and testing the bridge.

 

SIM card slot

If a cellular connection is used instead of a wired LAN connection, a SIM card (micro format, size 3FF, 15x12 mm – see image below) should be installed. The SIM card should be fully inserted into the slot. 

 

 


 

 

Connecting the EOS Connected Bridge to an IC-U or Sign Controller

 

The EOS Connected Bridge can be connected to a Bever Innovations Interface Controller (IC or IC-U) or Sign Controller (SC) to obtain price data from the EOS Connected API, which then can be shown on a connected price display.

A special 4-wire RS422 cable assembly is available: 

  • For the IC(-U): OPT-Datacable for IDP Connection IC(-U) (SKU 20463)
  • For the SC: OPT-Datacable for IDP Connection (SKU 20453).

 

EOS Connected Bridge to IC(-U)

 

 

 

  

 

 

EOS Connected Bridge to Sign Controller

 

 

Protocol settings 

The protocol used between the IC(-U)/SC and the EOS Connected Bridge is iDP. The option ‘protocol out’ on the Bridge should be set to option 26. 

On the IC(-U) or SC the protocol should be set to iDP and the POS channel should be set to RS422 (note that the default POS channel for iDP is RS485). Baud rate for iDP is 19200, 8e1.