INVT TBox Series Industrial Internet Data Transmission Terminal

1 Product Overview

The INVT TBox series industrial Internet data transmission terminal is an industrial-grade wireless data transmission device based on carrier 4G networks. It provides stable and reliable remote data acquisition, program upload/download, and debugging functions to meet the long-distance data transmission requirements of demanding industrial environments.

The product integrates multi-network access capabilities, including 4G, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. It provides routing and switching, VPN pass-through, and virtual serial port pass-through functions. Equipped with RS485 and RJ45 dual interfaces, it supports mainstream industrial protocols such as Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, S7, PPI, MC, and FINS. Through the INVT Industrial Internet Platform, it enables cloud-based device data access, remote monitoring, and intelligent operation and maintenance management.

1.1 Product Features

1. Standard set-up for easy operation
   • Provides standard RS485 interfaces for direct connection to serial devices for data sampling.
   • Provides standard RJ45 network ports: WAN and LAN ports can be switched through the switch. LAN ports can be directly connected to network devices for data collection. WAN ports can be used for networking.
   • Intelligent data terminal, able to enter the data transmission state once upon power-on.
   • Adopts standard rail installation.
   • Powerful industrial Internet platform for easy device management.
   • Easy system configuration and maintenance interface.
2. Powerful functions
   • Supports remote data monitoring.
   • Supports VPN pass-through (mainland China only), able to remotely upload, download, and monitor PLC programs through network ports and VFD remote oscilloscope.
   • Supports virtual serial port pass-through, able to remotely upload, download, and monitor PLC programs through serial ports.
   • Supports remote upgrade of application programs and policy files.
   • Supports 4G and Wi-Fi routing functions, providing network access for other devices (Wi-Fi routing is only supported in Wi-Fi version).
   • Supports multiple network access methods such as 4G, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet (Wi-Fi only supported in Wi-Fi version).
   • Support APN (operator APN information is required for overseas).
   • Able to upload only the data with changes, achieving the traffic saving mechanism.
   • Supports 4G base station positioning.
   • Supports access to third-party platforms and provides data in JSON format.

1.2 Product Specifications

1.3 Model Description

The TBox series industrial Internet data transmission terminal has the following model structure:

TBox - * * - * *

• Product series name: TBox: TBox series industrial Internet data transmission terminal
• Wireless communication method: Empty (Default): 4G and Wi-Fi; 4G: Only support 4G
• International version: Empty (Default): CN version; EU: European version; LA: Latin American version
• Data collection method: Default: RS485 and network port; 0: RS485; 1: Network port

Note: Only product models with Wi-Fi come with Wi-Fi related functions and accessories.

1.4 Port Description

1.5 Indicator Description

2 Installation

2.1 Overview

TBox series industrial Internet data transmission terminal must be installed properly to achieve the designed function. Generally, the installation must be done under the guidance of certified and qualified engineers.

Note: Do not conduct installation with the power on.

2.2 Unpacking Inspection

Before unpacking, check whether the package is in good condition and its product information is the same as on the order. The packing materials should be well maintained during inspection for future transshipment. If any question, please contact the supplier.

Table 2-1 Standard accessories

Table 2-2 Optional delivery accessories

2.3 Outline dimensions and weight

The outline dimension example of the IP20 model is shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1 Outline dimensions of TBox (Unit: mm)

A diagram showing the dimensions of the TBox device. The main dimensions are 114mm width, 122.6mm height, and 55.7mm depth.

3 Quick Startup

3.1 IoT module use instructions

3.1.1 Installation instructions

Equipment required: Networked computer, 4G data transmission terminal, IoT SIM card

1. Insert the SIM card into the card slot.
2. Connect the power cable, RS485 communication cable, and network cable based on the port description.
3. Connect 4G antenna and Wi-Fi antenna.
4. Power on and start the 4G data transmission terminal.
5. When the NET indicator flashes rapidly, the network is ready; when the RUN indicator flashes rapidly, data is being collected.
6. Go to the real-time monitoring interface to review relevant information on the IoT monitoring platform.

3.1.2 Monitoring platform operation instructions

You can monitor relevant devices through the following three methods. For information on how to obtain the account and password, please refer to section 3.1.3 Monitoring platform account.

• Host controller software: IWOstudio
• Web: IWoscene industrial IoT application platform
• Mobile: INVT Cloud APP

3.1.2.1 Monitoring devices via the IWOstudio

1. Download IWOstudio from the official website (www.invt.com), install, and then open it.
2. Enter the account and password to log in and enter the network configuration interface. Note: For account information, refer to 3.1.3 Monitoring platform account.
3. If it is your first time using the software, you need to add a device type. Choose New > New device type at the bottom left corner. If it is not your first time adding a device type, proceed to Step 5.
4. Enter the Type name of the device, and click OK. If the message "Successfully created" appears, the creation of the device type is complete.
5. Choose New > New device at the bottom left corner.
6. Enter Adapter ID, Adapter key, Device name, select Device type, and click OK to complete the process. Note: Adapter ID is the S/N code of the IoT terminal, and Adapter key is the six-digit number under the QR code next to the S/N code.
7. Add the communication type.

After adding a device for the first time, you need to add a communication type. Click the added device to enter the communication type management interface, and then click New.

Create a communication type: Enter any alias in Alias, and select an Address Table. If no address table is available, click + next to Address Table to create a new one.

Create a new address table: Enter any name in Address Table Name, select a brand (such as INVT, Inovance, Siemens, Delta, Xunjie, Mitsubishi, and Omron) from Brand, select a model from Brand and model, choose the desired protocol from Agreement, and click OK.

In the New Comm type page that pops up, set the communication parameters, and click Save and Incremental Sync.

The communication type must be added upon first use. For subsequent use of the same communication type, you can select it directly.

Step 8 Add a connection address.

Address adding parameters: Fill in Collection addr name freely, select the address table you just created from Address Table, and select an option from Data Type, Address Type, and Address based on actual needs. Other parameters such as Unit, Base value, Scale factor, and Decimal places have default values and can be left unchanged or modified as needed. After completing the setting, click Save.

Repeat the address adding process until all the addresses have been added. Then click Synchronize collection address.

On the collection address synchronization interface, select the target adapter, and click "The agreement is delivered." If the distribution is successful, the distribution status becomes succeeded.

The collection address configuration is completed.

Step 9 Check data monitoring.

Go back to the monitoring interface to view the collection address data that has just been configured.

3.1.2.2 Monitoring devices via the web portal

1. Enter iot.invt.com in the address bar of Google Browser and press Enter to visit the login page of the industrial IoT application platform. Note: For account information, refer to section 3.1.3 Monitoring platform account.
2. After successful login, the homepage appears as shown below. Under Add devices quickly, enter the adapter number, secret key and device name; select the device type according to the monitoring type; select TBox as the adapter type; and keep the default communication mode 485, which can be changed to LAN if a network port is used. Then click Submit after confirming the input is correct. Note: If the device has already been added via the IWOstudio or the app, this step can be skipped.
3. Enter the adapter number in the search box on the homepage. Select the desired adapter to view its monitoring state.
4. Access the device to view monitoring parameters. If the device's data collection address has already been added via the IWOstudio or the web portal, you can directly view the collected and uploaded data on the monitoring interface.
5. If the device is added for the first time, you need to click Communication Type at the top right corner to add the communication type.

Click +Add on the communication type management interface.

Fill in the communication type name, and select the address table. If there is no address table available, click Click Add to create a new one.

Click +Add on the address table management interface.

Add address table information based on actual needs, and click Save.

Return to the communication type filling interface, select the address table you just added, and set the communication parameters based on actual needs. Then click Save and distribute.

Step 5 Add the data collection address. The collection address needs to be added for the first time.

Go back to the device data monitoring interface, select the communication type you just added from the red drop-down list box shown below, and click Refresh. Since no monitoring data is displayed, you need to add the data collection address before monitoring the data.

Click View collection address.

Click +Add on the collection address management interface.

Fill in add related information. Fill in the name freely, and set the data type and address based on actual needs. If you need to set more parameters, click More to configure. After the input, click Save.

Repeat the address adding process until all the addresses have been added. Then click Synchronize collection address.

On the collection address synchronization interface, select the target adapter, and click "The agreement is delivered."

The collection address configuration is completed.

Step 6 Check data monitoring.

3.1.2.3 Monitoring devices via the app

1. Download and install the INVT Cloud app on your mobile device. Note: In Android, search the app store or Google Play for INVT to download; in iOS, search the App Store for INVT to download.
2. Open the INVT Cloud app, enter the account and password to log in. On the homepage, tap the + icon at the top right corner; enter the Adapter code, Secret key and Device name, and select Device type; and then tap Submit to complete the device addition. Note: For account information, refer to section 3.1.3 Monitoring platform account.
3. Enter the adapter number in the search box. Select the desired adapter to view its monitoring state.

3.1.3 Monitoring platform account

You can register a monitoring platform account via the web portal or app, and the same account and password can be used on all three monitoring platforms.

3.1.3.1 Registration via the web portal

1. Enter iot.invt.com in the address bar of Google Browser and press Enter to visit the login page of the industrial IoT application platform.
2. Click Register.
3. Fill in the Company name, User name, Password, and confirm the password again. Enter your Mobile number, click Verification code, fill in the verification code received via SMS, and enter the invitation code. Invitation code: You can obtain it through the higher-level user account. If there is no higher-level one, you can fill in dbf20a (INVT administrator invitation code). Review and check the User Privacy Agreement, click Register, and wait for review. You will receive a notification via SMS once approved.

3.1.3.2 Registration via the app

1. Download and install the INVT Cloud app on your mobile device. Note: In Android, search the app store or Google Play for INVT to download; in iOS, search the App Store for INVT to download.
2. Open the INVT Cloud app, and click Registered.
3. Fill in the Company name, User name, Password, and confirm the password again. Enter your Mobile number, click Verification code, fill in the verification code received via SMS, and enter the invitation code. Invitation code: You can obtain it through the higher-level user account. If there is no higher-level one, you can fill in dbf20a (INVT administrator invitation code), review and check the User Privacy Agreement, click Register, and wait for review. You will receive a notification via SMS once approved.

3.2 Network configuration on the app

1. Set the DIP switch of the IoT terminal to LAN.
2. Power on the data transmission terminal, and wait for about 1 minute to ensure the terminal has started successfully.
3. Open the INVT Cloud app, log in with your account, password, and verification code, and select the user agreement to access the homepage. Then tap WIFI Config.
4. Firstly, connect to Bluetooth. Tap the Bluetooth icon at the top right corner, tap the corresponding Bluetooth name (the Bluetooth name is the S/N code of the IoT terminal) for connection. If you cannot find the corresponding name, you can scan the barcode on the IoT terminal label for identification.
5. After connecting, enter the Wi-Fi name and password, and tap Configure. The Wi-Fi configuration is completed when you receive a message indicating success. Note: When Wi-Fi is available, the IoT terminal will prioritize using it.

3.3 VPN pass-through configuration

Note: At present, VPN pass-through is only used in China.

1. Open the host controller software IWOstudio.
2. Click Configure tool in the menu, then click VPN transmission.
3. Enter the user name and password to log in.
4. On the main interface, and select the corresponding adapter ID, and select the server node. Once the device is connected successfully, the device IP and gateway IP will be automatically read. If the detected device IP does not match the actual IP, you must manually set it according to the actual device IP. The gateway IP is the IP (default is 192.168.1.1) of the collection terminal (Tbox) while the device IP is the IP (default is 192.168.1.10) of the device (such as VFD, PLC) connected to the collection terminal. As long as the local IP is in the same network segment as the gateway IP, it can be set arbitrarily.
5. After the settings are complete, click Connect VPN. The connection process will take one to two minutes.
6. The VPN status is Transmitting, indicating that the VPN channel has been successfully established and the connection is successful. If you need to exit VPN pass-through, you need to click Disconnect VPN.

3.4 Virtual serial port pass-through configuration

1. Run the host controller software: IWOstudio.
2. Click Configure tool in the menu, and click Serial port transmission.
3. Enter the account and password to log in.
4. After logging in, enter the main interface of the software, and select the ID of the adapter that needs to be connected to the upgraded PLC. Click Start Transmission, click OK in the pop-up window, and remember the serial port number at this time.
5. Open the PLC host controller software (using Auto Station as an example). On the main interface, choose Tool > PLC Communication > Connect. A communication configuration window pops up.
6. In the Communication Config window, choose Modbus protocol, and click Modbus setting. In the Modbus Protocol window that displays, select the serial port number +1 for serial port of connecting the PC to the PLC (for example, if the serial port of the virtual pass-through tool is set to COM5, then the serial port number for connection is set to COM6); set the serial port communication parameters according to the PLC; and click OK to complete the settings.
7. Perform program upload, download, running, stop, and other debugging operations as if you were on site.

3.5 FAQs

1. After power-on, the power indicator does not flash or light up.
   Answer: Check whether the power supply voltage polarity is reversed, and whether the input voltage 24V and GND are in consistent with the silkprint on the casing.
2. When 4G network is used, the network status indicator keeps flashing slowly, and the status offline is displayed on the web portal.
   Answer:
   1. The SIM card is not installed properly. Power off and re-install it for a good connection.
   2. Move the 4G antenna to a place with good signal.
   3. Ensure that the SIM card is activated and has remaining balance.
3. Data uploading doesn't match the web page display.
   Answer:
   1. Re-power on and upload all data again.
   2. Check whether the policy file and device type match. If not, please contact the manufacturer.
4. The 4G network indicator and signal indicator flash normally but the web system displays no data.
   Answer: Check whether the communication cable between the Modbus terminal device and IoT transmission terminal is well connected.
5. In the web system, only data content can be displayed, and commands cannot be issued.
   Answer: Check whether the signal enabling switch of the Modbus terminal device is turned on.
6. When VPN pass-through is enabled, the device IP displayed by the VPN pass-through tool does not match the actual device IP.
   Answer: The device IP displayed by the VPN pass-through tool is MSIP set in the IoT module strategy file. When the device IP displayed by the VPN pass-through tool is inconsistent with the actual device IP, you can modify the MSIP in the strategy file to keep consistent with the actual device IP.
7. Enter the VPN pass-through, and programs cannot be downloaded remotely.
   Answer:
   1. VPN pass-through is only applicable to devices whose programs are downloaded through network ports. For devices whose programs are downloaded through serial ports, you need to use virtual serial port pass-through.
   2. Ensure that the laptop computer has only one networking method. If there are other networks, disable other network cards and disconnect VPN pass-through, then enter VPN pass-through again.
   3. Ensure that the actual IP of remote device is in the same network segment with LAN port gateway of the module.
8. Downloading programs remotely through virtual serial port pass-through failed.
   Answer: Increase the main mode timeout time when setting the host controller communication. It is recommended to be at least 8000ms.