Frequently asked questions.

What types of remote assets can be monitored with Protexis Command devices?

Our satellite monitoring devices feature versatile I/O ports and communication interfaces that can monitor virtually any remote asset. Our advanced models provide up to 10 configurable I/O ports, each supporting multiple input/output modes including digital, analog, and current loop measurements.

Key Monitoring Capabilities:

  • Industrial Equipment: Pumps, compressors, generators, motors, and control panels

  • Environmental Sensors: Temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, and level sensors

  • Security Systems: Motion detectors, door sensors, and access control devices

  • Utility Infrastructure: Water tanks, fuel levels, power consumption, and valve positions

  • Agricultural Systems: Irrigation controls, soil moisture, weather stations, and livestock monitoring

  • Transportation Assets: Fleet tracking, cargo monitoring, and vehicle diagnostics

How do the RS-485 and RS-232 communication ports expand monitoring capabilities?

The built-in RS-485 and RS-232 serial ports dramatically expand monitoring possibilities by allowing connection to industrial protocols and existing equipment:

RS-485 Multi-Drop Network (Primary Industrial Bus):

  • MODBUS RTU/ASCII: Connect up to 16 industrial devices on a single bus

  • Device Types: Flow meters, pressure transmitters, temperature controllers, PLCs, SCADA systems

  • Network Benefits: Long-distance communication (up to 4,000 feet), noise immunity, multi-device support

  • Configuration Options: 2400 to 115,200 baud rates, 7/8 data bits, even/odd/no parity

RS-232 Point-to-Point Communication:

  • Direct Device Connection: Single device communication with full-duplex data transfer

  • Protocol Support: Custom protocols, legacy equipment, barcode scanners, printers

  • Auto-Power Management: Intelligent power cycling to conserve battery life

  • DTE Detection: Automatic device presence detection and connection monitoring

Can these devices operate as standalone monitoring units?

Yes, absolutely! Our monitoring devices are designed as standalone solutions that don't require external computers or controllers:

Standalone Operation Features:

  • Built-in Processing: Lua scripting engine for custom logic and data processing

  • Local Storage: On-device data logging and buffering during satellite outages

  • Autonomous Operation: Self-contained monitoring with configurable alarm thresholds

  • Battery Management: Intelligent power management with configurable sleep/wake cycles

  • GPS Integration: Built-in positioning for mobile assets and location-based alerts

Edge Computing Capabilities:

  • Local Decision Making: Process data on-device to reduce satellite transmission costs

  • Smart Filtering: Only transmit exceptions or significant changes

  • Adaptive Polling: Adjust monitoring frequency based on conditions

  • Custom Applications: Deploy industry-specific monitoring applications

What makes these devices suitable for harsh industrial environments?

Our devices are built for the toughest conditions with industrial-grade specifications:

Environmental Durability:

  • Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)

  • Enclosure Rating: IP67 sealed for dust and water resistance

  • Shock & Vibration: Designed for vehicle mounting and industrial machinery

  • Power Input: 9-32V DC range for industrial power systems

  • Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel and industrial-grade materials

Industrial Features:

  • Overcurrent Protection: Built-in protection on output ports (250mA max)

  • Noise Immunity: Filtered inputs and shielded communication ports

  • Power Isolation: Galvanic isolation for sensitive measurements

  • Fault Tolerance: Automatic recovery from power and communication failures

How does the satellite communication ensure reliable monitoring in remote locations?

The satellite-based communication provides global coverage where cellular networks are unavailable:

Satellite Network Benefits:

  • Global Coverage: Works anywhere on Earth with satellite visibility

  • No Infrastructure Required: No need for cellular towers or internet connections

  • Reliable Communication: Consistent connectivity in remote, harsh environments

  • Low Power Operation: Optimized for battery-powered applications

  • Message Reliability: Guaranteed message delivery with acknowledgment

Communication Modes:

  • Scheduled Transmissions: Regular data reports at configurable intervals

  • Event-Driven Alerts: Immediate transmission when alarms are triggered

  • On-Demand Queries: Request current data when needed

  • Bidirectional Communication: Send commands and receive responses

What industries and applications benefit most from this monitoring solution?

Our solution excels in industries requiring reliable remote monitoring in challenging environments:

Oil & Gas:

  • Wellhead Monitoring: Pressure, temperature, and flow rate monitoring

  • Pipeline Surveillance: Leak detection, pressure monitoring, and valve control

  • Compressor Stations: Performance monitoring and predictive maintenance

  • Storage Tanks: Level monitoring and overflow protection

Water & Wastewater:

  • Pump Stations: Flow monitoring, pump status, and alarm conditions

  • Treatment Plants: Chemical dosing, pH monitoring, and process control

  • Distribution Networks: Pressure monitoring and leak detection

  • Reservoir Management: Level monitoring and quality parameters

Reservoir & Dam Monitoring:

  • Water Level Monitoring: Real-time level tracking with multiple sensor redundancy

  • Structural Integrity: Seepage detection, movement monitoring, and stress analysis

  • Emergency Action Plans: Automated activation of emergency protocols when thresholds are exceeded

  • Downstream Warning Systems: Automatic alerts to emergency management agencies and downstream communities

  • Regulatory Compliance: Automated reporting to state and federal agencies

  • Flood Control: Integration with weather systems for predictive flood management

Agriculture:

  • Irrigation Systems: Soil moisture, weather conditions, and valve control

  • Livestock Monitoring: Water levels, feed systems, and environmental conditions

  • Greenhouse Control: Temperature, humidity, and ventilation management

  • Crop Storage: Temperature and humidity monitoring for grain bins

Transportation & Logistics:

  • Fleet Management: Vehicle tracking, fuel monitoring, and maintenance alerts

  • Cargo Monitoring: Temperature, humidity, and security status

  • Railway Systems: Track monitoring and signal control

  • Marine Applications: Vessel monitoring and navigation systems

Manufacturing & Industrial:

  • Process Control: Temperature, pressure, and flow monitoring

  • Equipment Health: Vibration analysis, temperature monitoring, and predictive maintenance

  • Environmental Compliance: Emissions monitoring and safety systems

  • Quality Control: Process parameter monitoring and alerting

How does the system handle different types of sensors and data?

The flexible I/O system accommodates virtually any sensor type and data format:

Analog Input Capabilities:

  • Voltage Ranges: 0-3.3V and 0-5V support across different ports

  • Current Loop: 4-20mA support for industrial sensors

  • High Accuracy: 12-bit resolution with configurable filtering

  • Threshold Monitoring: Configurable high/low alarm limits

Digital Input/Output:

  • Contact Closure: Dry contact switches, relay outputs, and status indicators

  • Pulse Counting: Flow meters, energy meters, and event counting

  • Edge Detection: Rising/falling edge detection for state changes

  • Debouncing: Configurable input filtering for noisy environments

Built-in Sensors:

  • Temperature: -40°C to +85°C range with ±4°C accuracy

  • Voltage Monitoring: 9-32V input range for power system monitoring

  • 3-Axis Accelerometer: Motion detection, vibration monitoring, and orientation sensing

  • Multi-GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo positioning

Data Processing:

  • Real-time Calculations: On-device processing and filtering

  • Data Aggregation: Time-based averaging and statistical analysis

  • Custom Algorithms: Lua scripting for industry-specific calculations

  • Data Validation: Range checking and quality assurance

How does the emergency action plan automation work for reservoir monitoring?

Our advanced reservoir monitoring systems can automatically activate emergency action plans when critical thresholds are exceeded:

Automated Emergency Response:

  • Multi-Level Alerts: Progressive notification system based on severity

  • Agency Integration: Direct communication with emergency management agencies

  • Downstream Warning: Automatic activation of sirens, text alerts, and emergency broadcasts

  • Regulatory Reporting: Instant notification to state and federal oversight agencies

  • Response Coordination: Automated coordination with local emergency services

Emergency Action Plan Triggers:

  • Water Level Thresholds: Automatic activation when levels exceed safe operating ranges

  • Structural Alerts: Immediate response to detected seepage or movement

  • Weather Integration: Predictive alerts based on forecasted conditions

  • Equipment Failures: Automatic response to monitoring system failures

  • Communication Failures: Backup alert systems when primary systems are compromised

Compliance & Documentation:

  • Audit Trails: Complete record of all emergency activations and responses

  • Regulatory Compliance: Automatic reporting to meet dam safety requirements

  • Incident Documentation: Detailed logs for post-event analysis and improvement

  • Training Integration: Support for emergency response training and drills

This comprehensive monitoring solution transforms remote assets into intelligent, connected systems that provide real-time visibility and proactive maintenance capabilities, regardless of location or environmental conditions. The emergency action plan automation ensures that critical infrastructure failures trigger immediate, coordinated responses to protect public safety and meet regulatory requirements.