Universal Device Test Guide

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Introduction

 

Universal Device Testing Guide can be applied to any Teltonika Telematics device. The purpose of this guide is to help new users get acquainted with Teltonika Fleet Management devices and test basic functions in 5 easy steps.

Once you are finished with basic testing, you will find additional instructions on how to test specific use cases and advanced features of our devices as well as remote tracker management platform and other solutions.

In case you have any questions regarding Teltonika devices or their features, do not worry - we have a well of knowledge called Teltonika WIKI, Teltonika Telematics Community page and our Official Youtube Channel, where you can find answers regarding our devices functionalities and specifications.

If you do not find answers to your questions online - do not despair, we have a highly professional team of support engineers who are willing to help and can be reached via Helpdesk.

Basic Testing

 

In this chapter, we will go through 5 easy testing steps which will help you get acquainted with Teltonika Telematics devices. We will cover everything you need to start using the device - from inserting a SIM card, powering the device, and ending with GPS track information directly from your vehicle to the server.

The video below shows the preparation of FMC880 device - please note that the initial steps are universal and can be applied to majority of our devices.


*Please note that the iot.truphone.com APN shown in the video should only be used with Truphone SIM cards - please contact Your network operator for the exact APN details, if You are using different SIM cards.

STEP 1: Prepare the Device

Result: Device has a SIM card installed and internal battery connected

All our devices use SIM cards for telecommunication, thus you will not be able to get any data and/or communicate with the device remotely without the SIM card. In this chapter, you will find a guide on how to insert a SIM card and connect the internal battery.

Note: Different Teltonika devices use different SIM card types: mini-SIM, micro-SIM, nano-SIM, and eSIM (which is soldered during device manufacturing process).


How to insert SIM card and connect the battery?

  1. Gently remove device cover using plastic pry tool from both sides as it is showed in a 1st picture.
  2. After opening device cover, you will see SIM card and battery connection slots.
  3. Insert SIM card as shown with PIN request disabled or read Security info (Universal Guide) how to enter it later in Configurator. Make sure that SIM card cut-off corner is pointing forward to slot.
  4. Connect the battery as shown on device. Position the battery in place where it does not obstruct other components.
  5. Attach device cover back. Device is ready to be connected.


You can find how exactly the SIM card has to be inserted (and battery connected, if the device comes with one) by seeing the pictures below:


Basic trackers

Fast & Easy trackers

Advanced trackers

OBD trackers

CAN trackers

Professional trackers

Autonomous trackers

E-Mobility trackers


 
SIM card insertion/removal must be performed when device is powered off – external voltage and internal battery disconnected. Otherwise SIM card might be damaged or device will not detect it.


STEP 2: Connect the device to PC

Result: Device is connected to the PC and powered with a power supply, allowing the user to configure it.

One way to control your device is by connecting it to a PC. During this step, we will introduce you to how to establish the connection.

How to install USB drivers (Windows)?

Download COM port drivers from Teltonika here and install them.

PC Connection (Windows)

Power-up device with DC voltage (10 – 30 V)* power supply using supplied power cable**. LED’s should start blinking, see “LED behaviour description”.

Connect device to computer*** using USB cable or Bluetooth® connection.


* FMB900, FMB910, FMB920, MTB100, FMB202, FMB204 devices support (6 - 30 V) DC power supply.

** FMP100, FMB002, FMB020, FMB003 can be powered up and configured via USB without any need for an external power supply.

*** If you would like to check how to connect your particular device to PC, please see device Teltonika WIKI documentation. Click on your device -> First Start -> PC Connection (Windows)

STEP 3: Configure the Device

Result: Device is configured to generate and send records to the specified server.

After powering up your device, it should be configured to meet your needs. Here you will find steps on how to prepare your device for a first start.


Configuration

At first, the device will have default factory settings set. These settings should be changed according to the user's needs.
Main configuration can be performed via Teltonika Configurator software. Get the latest Configurator version from here. Configurator operates on Microsoft Windows OS and uses prerequisite latest MS .NET Framework.

The configuration process begins by pressing on the connected device:

 

After connection to Configurator Status window will be displayed.

In the status window, you will be able to see crucial information that influences device operation such as GNSS and GSM statuses.

GNSS Info tab contains GNSS Status, Satellites, and Location information.

  • GNSS Status describes whether the module is ON, received/sent GNSS packets count, FIX status and FIX time
  • Satellites provide you information about visible and currently in-use satellites
  • Location provides you the coordinates, speed, altitude, and angle of your current location.

GSM Info tab contains GSM Status, Records, GPRS Traffic, SMS Count, and Sockets information

  • GSM Status describes modem status, SIM state, GPRS status, signal level, and operator code
  • Records provide you information about sent records count and the date of the last record sent/server response
  • GPRS Traffic contains information about data usage
  • SMS Count shows you sent/received SMS count
  • Sockets provide status about AVL Data server communication
GNSS/GSM Status
Illustration Description of most important parameters
  Module status - here you will be able to see whether the module is ON or in Sleep mode.
Fix Status - Fix/No Fix. For a GNSS fix, at least 4 visible satellites are needed, thus for best performance, the device should be facing an open sky.
  Signal Level - make sure that the signal is available in order to send the data to the server.
Type - AVL Data sending status.
Socket - Closed or Server domain and port which is used when sending AVL Data via TCP/UDP.

Various Status window tabs display information about GNSS, GSM, I/O, Maintenance and etc. configuration can be loaded and saved to the device. After changing the configuration, make sure that modifications are saved by clicking "Save to device" button. To restore default configuration, click "Reset configuration" button.

  Note: make sure that "Records Saving/Sending Without TS" in System Tab is configured as "Always" for testing purposes.

This will allow the device to send the data even if there is no GNSS fix (which is hardly obtained inside the buildings) and/or time synchronization.

The most important configurator section is GPRS – where all your server and GPRS settings can be configured and Data Acquisition – where data acquiring parameters can be configured.

GPRS Settings
Illustration Parameter ID Description
  2001 Access Point Name is a gateway between mobile operator and public internet.

It can be obtained from your SIM card provider.

When correct APN settings will be entered device will connect to the internet.

Note: we do have an auto APN functionality, which is described here

2003 APN password (if there are no APN password, empty field should be left)
2002 APN username (if there are no APN username, empty field should be left)
  2004 Domain/IP of destination server
2005 Port of destination server
2006 Data sending to destination server protocol (0 – TCP, 1 – UDP)
 
Picture 4: SMS communication between user and device

Note: If you do not have GPS tracking service yet, you can use Teltonika TCP/UDP listener to receive data from the device and Teltonika parser to parse received information. Software can be downloaded from here. Archive password: 1234


If you do not want to configure your device via configurator, you can quickly set up your device GPRS settings by sending this SMS command to it:

"  setparam 2001:APN;2002:APN_username;2003:APN_password;2004:Domain;2005:Port;2006:0"

Note: Before SMS text, two space symbols should be inserted.

After successful GPRS/SERVER settings configuration, device will synchronize time and update records to the configured server according to the Data Acquisition time intervals. The default configuration has optimal parameters present to ensure the best performance of track quality and data usage. However, for testing, we do recommend these Data Acquisition settings:

Testing Data Acquisition settings
Illustration Parameter ID Description
 
Picture 5: Recommended Data Acquisition values for testing purposes
10000 Min period indicates time interval in seconds in order to acquire new record.
10004 Min Saved Records defines the minimum number of records in one data packet that can be sent to the server.
10005 Send Period indicates time interval in seconds after which the device checks whether it has generated enough records based on theMin Saved Records parameter. If enough records are generated, the device will send them to the server. If the interval is set to 0 seconds, the device will not send any records to the server.


Note: If the link with the server is already open, records are sent to the server immediately after they are generated.

The device will generate periodic records and send them to the server based on Data Acquisition settings.

Using these settings, the device will make a periodic record every 30 seconds and will send it every 30 seconds

After testing, Data Acquisition settings should be configured according to your needs.

The device will switch operating mode between On Stop and Moving based on configured corresponding movement source status.

More details about devices configuration using Configurator and more information about your particular device can be found Teltonika WIKI documentation. Click on your device -> Configuration.

STEP 4: Mount the Device

Result: Device is mounted in an optimal location, allowing it to have good GNSS and GSM connectivity.

Different types of devices have specific mounting instructions: some of them are simple plug-and-play, while other hard-wired devices require professional installation. Please find your specific device mounting instructions Teltonika WIKI documentation. Click on your device -> First Start -> Mounting recommendations and precautions.


Installation instructions

 

STEP 5: Track the Device

Result: User is able to track his device on the tracking platform.

Last but not least step for Basic Testing would be to get data/track from your device.

This can be done by using either simple TCP/UDP listeners or pre-made tracking platform like listed here.

Below you can find steps on how to set up a simple TCP/UDP listener on your personal computer.

  1. Open TCP/UDP port
  2. Go to Java Parser First Start Guide

Below you can find pictures of how the track looks on different pre-made tracking platforms:

 

 

Advanced Testing

 

In this chapter, we will review advanced device functionalities to get the most out of your Teltonika Telematics device. We will go through some of the specific, widespread use cases, however, keep in mind that device scenarios are not limited to just that. Available device functions can accomplish a much wider range of application scenarios, which will be limited only by your imagination!

Advanced SMS capabilities

Teltonika devices have a broad SMS usage spectrum including advanced device configuration and debugging. A full list of SMS commands can be found here.

For example, one of the most widely used SMS command for configuring the device is "setparam". Below you can see a description of this command:

Setparam changes parameter value. Command structure is: "<SMS_Login><Space><SMS_Password><Space>setparam<Space>[Parameter ID] : [New Parameter Value] ; [Parameter ID] : [New Parameter Value]..." Parameter ID consists of 3 or 5 digits. A detailed list of parameters and identifiers can be found here.

  You can also find parameter ID by hovering the mouse pointer over specific parameter in the configurator.

SMS command is limited to 160 characters.

Example:

"setparam 101:1" will change ignition setting to "DIN1".

Answer:

"Param ID:101 Value:1"

Example:

"setparam 101:2;138:1" will change ignition setting to "Accelerometer" and movement source to "Ignition"

Advanced Use Case configuration

Our devices can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be. Having one firmware and one configurator for all the devices allows different devices to be used in a broad spectrum of use cases. Other use cases have specific devices assigned.

To show how easy it is to use our devices in different use cases we prepared a technical description of what steps are needed to integrate our device into your use case.

Each category explains what parameters have to be configured and why as well as showing examples of what information you should expect on your server and how to read it.

General use case descriptions, an overview of the most commonly used solutions, their topologies, and possibilities, provided on the Teltonika website USE CASES.

Specific technical use case instructions can be found here.

Solutions

 

In this section, we will get acquainted with our most useful and simple to utilize solutions which will provide remote access, management, and control of your device as well as external devices like tachograph.

FOTA WEB

FOTA WEB – a brand new and exciting solution for remote access to your Teltonika Fleet management devices! FOTA WEB enables firmware upgrades, configuration changes, remote device debugging of FMx devices, as well as CAN adapter updates without a need of a dedicated application – everything is achieved through your regular Web browser, from any device. By default, the device connects to FOTA WEB every 720 minutes (parameter is configurable). For more information click here. If you would like to have your own FOTA WEB account, please contact your Sales Manager. Short video about FOTA WEB.

Moreover, we also have a desktop FOTA solution: desktop FOTA is the predecessor of FOTA WEB, which is mainly used for updating EOL (End-Of-Life, - FM5300, FMA120, etc.) devices. We strongly advise to use our newest FOTA WEB platform for OTA changes.

Note: FOTA WEB meets all GDPR requirements thus we do not store, track or analyze your personal data.

WEB Tacho

Teltonika WEB Tacho is an online service that allows to remotely download Tachograph files from supported tachographs, using Teltonika professional trackers. Files are stored on server, in defined format (.DDD, .V1B, .C1B, .TGD). Files can be downloaded – directly from the website, receive in Email, receive to a defined FTP server. For more information click here. If you would like to have your own WEB Tacho account, please contact your Sales Manager.

Protocols

 

Our devices communicate using unique Teltonika's protocols. Protocols are applied for different usage scenarios using Codecs. Each Codec has its own structure and application scenario. A codec is a device or computer program for encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal.

Data sending protocols

Each Codec used by Teltonika devices has a different purpose. For example, Codec 8 Extended is main FM device protocol used to send data to server, while Codec 12 is used for device-server communication using GPRS messages. All information about Teltonika's communication protocols used by FM devices can be found here.

Protocols implementation

TCP/UDP listener and AVL Records parser, which source code could be used as a template for developing your own server, can be helpful for implementing protocols. A full software pack can be downloaded from here. Archive password: 1234.


Each device I/O parameter has its own unique ID, which is called AVL ID. Once the TCP/UDP listener and AVL Records parser are implemented, received AVL IDs descriptions can be checked in the AVL ID list page for your specific device (for example: FMB120 ).