Operational modes

Device operational modes

The device has 4 operation modes:

• Offline – device is not connected to the network. This means that the device can’t join to the LoRaWAN network or doesn’t receive confirmation on the sent keep-alive commands. In this mode the device uses one of the internal temperature control algorithms to achieve target temperature;

• Manual control – device is connected to the network; internal temperature control algorithm is disabled. Motor position is determined by the server. Default online mode for f.w. <= 3.4

• Automatic temperature control - device is connected to the network; internal temperature control algorithm is enabled; Target temperature is determined by the server. Default online mode for f.w. >=3.5

• Automatic temperature control with external temperature reading – device is connected to the network; internal temperature control algorithms are enabled; internal temperature sensor is disabled; Target temperature and sensor reading is determined by the server.

In f.w. versions <= 4.0, you MUST use confirmed uplinks in case you want to use Online manual control or Automatic temperature control with external temperature reading.

The offline mode is entered automatically when the device has lost connection with the server. If the device later restores its server connection the mode is changed automatically to the previously selected online mode.

SET

Byte index	Hex value - Meaning
0	0D – The command code.
1	00 – Online manual control mode. Default for firmware <= 3.4 !!! For firmware >= 5.0 - if the device doesn't receive command for motor position change by the server for 12 hours, it automatically switches to mode 01 (online automatic). 01 – Online automatic control mode. Default for firmware >= 3.5 02 – Online automatic control mode with external temperature reading !!! For firmware >= 5.0 - if the device doesn't receive command for measured temperature by the server for up to 12 hours, it automatically switches to mode 01 (online automatic). 03 - Online automatic control mode with external temperature reading directly from MClimate HT Sensor device. Only available for firmware >= 5.0 !!! See note box below and D2D communication page for details for details.

Selecting mode 03 automatically enables D2D communication with the HT Sensor with the configured LoRaWAN AppKey. Note that the HT Sensor itself needs to have its D2D communication enabled and operating prior to selecting mode 03 on Vicki, otherwise D2D might not be established. If D2D becomes broken for some reason, for example the HT Sensor is powered off, after 12 hours device mode will be automatically switched to 01 (online automatic).

Example command: 0x0D01

With the example command, online automatic control mode is chosen.

GET

This command is used to get Vicki online operational mode. Server sends the command code and the response is sent from Vicki together with the next keep-alive command. The sent command request and the received command response are described in Table 25. The keep-alive in the response is omitted for clarity.

Byte index	Sent request	Received response
0	18 – Command code.	18 – The command code.
1		XX – Device online mode value: 00 – Online manual control mode; 01 – Online automatic control mode; 02 – Online automatic control mode with external temperature reading.

Example downlink sent by the server: 0x18

Example command response: 0x1801 – Vicki works in online automatic control mode.

If you are in "02 – Online automatic control mode with external temperature reading" mode the Vicki will use an external temperature reading. This will not affect its Open window detection capabilities. It will still use its internal readings to determine whether or not the window has been opened, not the external temperature measurement. This mode is used when the measurements of Vicki's temperature sensor is not reliable - e.g. there's a cover in front of the radiator.

Since firmware >= 4.2, when in Vicki is in "Automatic temperature control with external temperature reading", Vicki reports the set ext. temp value in each keepalive message.

Keep in mind that this command is only available when the device is in operational mode "Automatic temperature control with external temperature reading". To set this operational mode, send downlink "0D02"

Set valve openness in percentage

This command only works in Manual mode.

SET

Byte index	Hex value - Meaning
0	4E – The command code.
1	XX - Valve openness percentage

Example command: 0x4E0A

0x0A = 10 = 10%

The valve will open 10% of its maximum capabilities.

Available temperature control algorithms

There are three available temperature control algorithms:

1. (deprecated) Equal directional control - available for f.w. < 4.2. (removed in 4.2)

2. (deprecated) Proportional control - available and default for f.w. versions >= 4.0 (removed in 4.3)

3. Proportional Integral control - available and default for f.w. versions >= 4.2 (only available algorithm in >= 4.3)

Once you have selected operational mode "Automatic temperature control", you have the option to set which temperature control algorithm you want to use.

Read more about Equal directional control algorithm.

Read more about Proportional control algorithm.

Read more about Proportional Integral control algorithm.

Temperature control algorithm selection and retrieval

This feature is available in firmware >= 4.0

The following commands are not supported in firmware >=4.3

SET

Byte index	Hex value - Meaning
0	2C – The command code.
1	XX – Value to set according to the desired temperature control algorithm to be used by the device. 00: Use the "Proportional control" algorithm (not available in f.w. >= 4.3) 01: Use the "Equal directional control" algorithm (not available in f.w. >= 4.2) 02: Use the "Proportional Integral control" algorithm.

Example command: 0x2C02 – Set the device to use the "Proportional Integral control" algorithm.

GET

Byte index	Sent request	Received response
0	2B – The command code.	2B – The command code.
1		XX – Indicate the currently used algorithm for temperature control. 00: Proportional control algorithm used. Default for f.w. >= 4.0 01: Equal directional control used. (deprecated in f.w. >=4.2) 02: For the device to use the "Proportional Integral control" algorithm. Default for f.w. >= 4.2

Example command: 0x2B

Example response: 0x2B00 – Currently the Proportional control algorithm is in use.

Device primary operational mode (heating/cooling)

This command is used to change the device primary operational mode. Possible choices are heating (default for the device) and cooling. Switching from heating to cooling mode is required, when during the summer, cold water flow through the radiator. At the cold radiator water period end, switch to heating mode is required. Note that for both modes device functionalities open window detection and internal temperature control algorithm are available. The command data is described in Table 30. The keep-alive in the response is omitted for clarity.

SET

Byte index	Hex Value - Meaning
Byte index	Hex Value - Meaning
0	1E - The command code
1	00 – Vicki operates in heating mode (default for the device); 01 – Vicki operates in cooling mode.

Example command: 0x1E00 - set Vicki to operate in heating mode

GET

Byte index	Sent request	Received response
0	1F – Command code.	1F – The command code.
1		00 – Device primary operational mode is heating; 01 – Device primary operational mode is cooling.

Example command: 0x1E

Example response: 0x1F01 - Vicki operates in cooling mode

When using Cooling mode (0x01 command parameter), the internal PI algorithms is not utilized. You would have to change to Manual control mode and controll the valve openness directly. Automatic Cooling mode control via the internal PI algorithm is planned to be implemented in a future Firmware version.