Rigado Cascade-500 Series IoT Gateway User Manual

Introduction

Cascade-500 series Gateways are part of Rigado's Cascade Edge-as-a-Service solution, offering powerful and cost-effective edge network infrastructure for large-scale, low-power wireless deployments. Cascade gateways provide commercial and enterprise IoT project and product teams with flexible edge computing power, a robust containerized application environment, and a variety of wireless device connectivity options.

Models Included in This Document

Revision History

1 Planning

Planning is key to the success of any hardware installation. There are many things to consider when installing a wireless system into a space. Key elements for consideration are listed in the sections below.

1.1 Coverage

In a typical commercial space, expected coverage area is about 4,000 sq. ft. per Gateway. However, the area of coverage for each Gateway is dependent on the layout and construction of the facility where it is installed. A Gateway in an open floor plan will have a larger coverage area than a closed floor plan with many walls. Building construction materials also affect coverage – drywall and glass permit more coverage than brick and concrete. Note that brick or concrete walls should be planned around, as signals have poor penetration through these types of walls. If coverage is required on both sides of a brick or concrete wall, plan for a Gateway on each side.

If a higher level of coverage planning precision is required, Rigado suggests using a Wi-Fi site planning tool to simulate coverage. There are multiple planning tools available online, both free and professional. For use in this application, it should allow for changing the Access Points transmit power and characteristics for the Rigado Gateway.

1.2 Connections

Connectivity is an important consideration when planning a new installation. To function properly, the Gateway needs both power and internet connection. For power, the options are Power over Ethernet (PoE) or AC wall power (adapters available upon request). For internet connection, the options include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or LTE (Cascade-500-W and Cascade-500-X only).

Rigado suggests using PoE-enabled Ethernet for the Gateway connection. PoE provides both power and data to the Gateway with only one cable for installation. When using Wi-Fi or LTE connectivity, network credentials need to be pre-loaded onto gateways before installation on site.

1.3 Placement

Correct placement of Gateways is important in achieving the desired coverage. Generally, mounting Gateways up high and out of reach is recommended, as this improves line of sight while decreasing the likelihood of physical tampering. Avoid mounting gateways near large metal obstructions or objects – such as in support beams or HVAC ducts – as it is not recommended to mount the Gateway directly to any large metal surface.

Gateways do not need to be visible for operation. When mounting above drop ceilings or in open office style spaces, it is recommended to mount the Gateway below the level of any ceiling HVAC ducts to avoid dead spots.

2 Gateway Hardware

2.1 Specifications

2.2 Electrical Specifications

2.2.1 Operating Conditions

2.2.2 USB Connector Power

2.2.3 Power Consumption

2.2.4 Absolute Maximum Ratings³

¹ USB is an output only – do not attempt to power the unit via the USB connector.
² Power consumption is dependent upon unit configuration (SKU) and application. Numbers provided in this table describe a Cascade-500-W unit connected to a cellular network, powered over Ethernet, without USB load.
³ Do NOT operate the unit under these conditions.
⁴ The unit will NOT operate over this voltage range. Prolonged exposure to these conditions is NOT recommended.
⁵ Operating over the extended temperature range may result in reduced performance.

2.3 Interfaces

Interface features are described throughout this section, including power and data connectivity, and button and LED location and behavior.

Figure 1 – Cascade Gateway – Back View

Description of numbered ports:

• 1: Ethernet Connector: 10/100 Base-T RJ-45 connector with PoE Support.
• 2: Reset Button: Provides soft and hard reset capabilities based on press duration.
  • Quick Press (< 2 seconds): Soft Reboot
  • Short Press (2-4 seconds): Network Reset
  • Long Press (10-15 seconds): Hard Reset
  • Very Long Press (> 30 seconds): Factory Reset
• 3: USB Connector: USB 2.0 Type-A connector providing High Speed (up to 480Mbps) USB host access.
• 4: Barrel Jack: 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel jack for 5V DC input. Requires an AC/DC wall adapter rated up to 2A.

Figure 2 – Cascade Gateway – Top and Bottom View

Description of numbered elements:

• 5: Front Button: Located on the face of the Gateway. Not enabled on the default Gateway configuration.
• 6: Multi-color LED: Located near the user button, provides visual indication (red/green/blue). Refer to docs.rigado.com for LED behavior details.
• 7: Cable Cover: Snap-in cover on the back for improved cable management, allowing hidden cable routing. Removable.

Figure 3 – Cascade-500-W/X Gateway – Back View

Description of numbered ports:

• 8: SIM Card Slot: Push-push type slot for a micro SIM (3FF), located on the back near the USB connector and reset button.
• 9: Antenna Connector: Two SMA type connectors for cellular antennas. Only provided antennas for Cascade-500-W and Cascade-500-X are certified for cellular networks.

3 Mechanical Information

3.1 Cascade-500 and Cascade-500-A Dimensions

Dimensions: Length: 127 mm (5.0 in), Width: 127 mm (5.0 in), Height: 30 mm (1.18 in).

3.2 Cascade-500-W and Cascade-500-X dimensions

Dimensions: Length: 196 mm (7.71 in) ±3 mm, Width: 38 mm (1.5 in). Includes dimensions for antennas: 153 mm (6.0 in) and 171 mm (6.7 in).

4 Installation

4.1 Equipment

Each Cascade Gateway comes with the following equipment in the box:

• 1 x Cascade Gateway
• 2 x Cellular Antennas (Cascade-500-W and Cascade-500-X only)
• 1 x Power supply with international adapters (optional)
• 1 x Wall/Ceiling Mount Kit:
  • 1 x Cascade mounting bracket
  • 1 x Cascade ceiling backer plate
  • 4 x M3 x 50 mm Length, Pan Head, Phillips #1, Machine Screw
  • 4 x Screw, Pan Head Phillips Sheet Metal #6/18x1.25"
  • 4 x Drywall Anchor, #6 Screw, 1-1/4" Length

4.2 Mounting Tools

To use the Wall/Ceiling Mount kit provided, the following tools are required (not included):

• Phillips screwdriver
• Drill and drill bit - 3/16" (5 mm) for wall, or 1/8" (3-4 mm) for ceiling mounting
• Drywall saw or keyhole saw for 1" (25 mm) cable pass-through hole

4.3 Mounting Instructions

Rigado recommends mounting the Gateway on a wall or ceiling, at least 6ft (2m) off the ground. If mounting on a wall, position the unit so that the connectors (USB, Ethernet, etc.) are facing down. This will ensure the mounting bracket attachment mechanism is secure against incidental removal.

Step 1: Mark Hole Locations

Use the mounting bracket as a template to mark the hole locations on the wall or ceiling. For wall mounting, use a 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit. For ceiling tile mounting, use a 1/8" (3-4 mm) drill bit. If a hole is needed for cable routing, mark this in the appropriate cable opening space in the mounting bracket.

Step 2: Attach Mounting Bracket

Wall Mounting: Push the provided drywall anchors into the drilled holes, then place the mounting bracket snugly against the wall. Using a screwdriver, screw the wall mount screws into the drywall anchors.

Ceiling Mounting: Place one ceiling mount screw through a mounting bracket screw hole, and push through the corresponding drilled ceiling hole. Use this screw to guide placement of the ceiling backer plate to the opposite side, then use the screwdriver to screw in this and the remaining ceiling mount screws.

Step 3: Mount Gateway

Once the mounting bracket is installed, line up the four hooks of the mounting bracket with the corresponding holes on the back of the Gateway and press the two together. To lock in place, slide the Gateway over towards the cabling hole until it clicks into place.

4.4 Hole Drilling Template

This template is at scale and can be printed for use. It indicates: 3/16" (5 mm) hole for wall, 1/8" (3-4 mm) for ceiling, and approximately 1" (25 mm) hole for cable pass-through.

5 Gateway Setup

Before the Gateway is permanently installed, look at the bottom (mount side) and record the unit Serial Number (1) or scan the 2D barcode (2).

5.1 Initial Boot

At first power on, the Gateway's LED indicator will display the boot status. The status of the Gateway can be determined using the following table:

5.2 Edge Direct Connection

Once the Gateway is successfully booted, it should show up on the Edge Direct homepage. To find the Gateway, navigate to ‘Gateways' and look for the matching serial number. Select that unit and a live status page will appear, showing current status and utilization. Edge Direct is the primary user interface for configuring the Gateway's applications and updates. For further details on Gateway configuration reference our Edge Direct documentation at docs.rigado.com.

5.3 Troubleshooting

Should you experience issues with any of the above steps, or with the Cascade-500 Gateways in general, please visit our technical documentation portal at docs.rigado.com. If you have an issue that is not resolved in our documentation, or if you have a more application-specific question, please reach out to us at support@rigado.com.

6 Regulatory Information

6.1 Authorized Countries and Territories

Each of the specific Cascade-500 series models are authorized for use in the following countries:

6.2 FCC Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

The following information is provided in compliance with FCC regulations:

Name: Cascade-500 Series IoT Gateway

Model numbers: Cascade-500, Cascade-500-A, Cascade-500-W, and Cascade-500-X

Company Name: Rigado, Inc.

Company Address: 200 Hawthorne Ave. SE, Ste. D-400, Salem, OR 97301

Company Contact: support@rigado.com

6.3 IC Statement

This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's license-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference. (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

French Translation: L'émetteur/récepteur exempt de licence contenu dans le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) L' appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage; (2) L' appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

CAN ICES-3 (B) / NMB-3 (B)

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. (Cet appareil numérique de la Classe B conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada).

6.4 CE Statement

Rigado, Inc. declares that the Cascade-500, Cascade-500-A, Cascade-500-W, and Cascade-500-X comply with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU and (RoHS 3) Directive 2015/863. A copy of the Declaration of Conformity is available on request.

Rigado, Inc. 200 Hawthorne Ave. SE, Ste. D-400, Salem, OR 97301, support@rigado.com

Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020: Requires that products imported into the EU must include the name and contact information of an entity with a physical presence in the EU on the product, package, or included with the shipment. That entity, referred to as an economic operator, would be the primary contact point for any regulatory concerns an EU member state may have and would also need to be the one to hold a copy of the EU declaration of conformity that Rigado provides. Rigado does not have a physical presence in the EU, nor does Rigado import product into the EU, and the responsibility of complying with this regulation lies with the entity shipping the product into the EU.

The full text of this regulation is available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32019R1020, though article 4 is the relevant section. The European Commission has issued a guideline document specific to article 4, and is available at https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/44908/attachments/2/translations/en/renditions/pdf

6.5 RF Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with the radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and any part of the human body.

6.6 Non-modification Warning Statement

Changes or modifications to this equipment that are not expressly approved by Rigado could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

6.7 Taiwan (NCC) Statement

Original Chinese Text: 取得審驗證明之低功率射頻器材,非經核准,公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。低功率射頻器材之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信;經發現有干擾現象時,應立即停用,並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。前述合法通信,指依電信管理法規定作業之無線電通信。低功率射頻器材須忍受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。應避免影響附近雷達系統之操作。高增益指向性天線只得應用於固定式點對點系統。

6.8 Brazil (Anatel) Statement

Original Portuguese Text: Este equipamento não tem direito à proteção contra interferência prejudicial e não pode causar interferência em sistemas devidamente autorizados.

6.9 Product Insert – Compliance Information

The following images show the regulatory insert provided within the product packaging. This includes FCC, ISED (Canada), Taiwan (NCC), Brazil (Anatel) statements, along with CE, RoHS, and other certification marks.