Product Guide

Station Screen Interface

Configure your FieldKit Station using the station screen.

Either for convenience or help with troubleshooting, sometimes you will directly configure your FieldKit Station using the station screen.

We believe that documentation is important. So while early versions of FieldKit will automatically start recording data, we’re working on new functionality to encourage users to realize the benefits of deploying in order to start recording data. That’s how this Product Guide is written. Also, in early versions of FieldKit, the visual design of the station screen has not yet been deployed. With screen design in beta, a key difference is the WiFi Icon. Currently the same icon displays regardless of whether you are connected via the Station WiFi (access point) or a WiFi Network (internet).

Buttons

Scroll through the pages of the station screen menu by pressing the physical “up” and “down” buttons located below the screen on the Upper Board. Select menu options by pressing the middle “select” button.

Upper Board Annotated

Startup Sequence

When turning on your station (using the top left ON/OFF switch), the screen display turns on and the display startup sequence begins. The Conservify logo appears briefly followed by the station name and startup diagnostics.

Once the station has successfully booted up, the display turns off. Pressing any button below the screen (or the Wake button) turns the display back on. After a period of inactivity, the display will then turn off.

When your station is running low on battery, the station conserves power by disabling the screen display and startup sequence. Press any button below the screen (or the Wake button) to turn the display back on.

Header

The persistent header icons provide a quick glimpse into the station’s status:

Battery Status

The number of bars in the Battery icon corresponds to how much battery life is remaining. More bars mean more battery life. Remember to charge your battery or swap it out for a new one regularly.

Recording Status

If the Recording icon (a large dot) is flashing, the station is recording data.

WiFi Connection Status

If the WiFi icon is flashing, the station is broadcasting its Station AP (Access Point) but you are not yet connected via your phone. You may open your phone’s WiFi Settings, locate the Station AP and connect to your station. Then proceed to the mobile app.

If the WiFi icon is static, your phone is already connected to your station.

GPS Fix

When the GPS icon appears, the station’s coordinates are known.

Sensor Readings

A paginated sensor readings menu sits in the center of the display. Scroll through the latest readings on each sensor.

Station Screen Interface

Main Menu

To launch the main menu from the home screen, press the middle “select” button. Navigate to the menu options by pressing the “up” and “down” buttons. Select an option by pressing the “select” button.

Readings

Scroll through the latest readings on each sensor, plus power, memory, and uptime diagnostics. Hit “select” to go back.

Info

  • (Back)
    Navigates back one menu.
  • Build
    Displays the Firmware Build number.

Schedules

  • (Back)
    Navigates back one menu.
  • Readings
    Set your preferred data capture schedule from the options offered. Configure data capture schedule in the app for more customization. Note that more frequent intervals of data capture will drain the battery faster.

Network

  • (Back)
    Navigates back one menu.
  • Enable
    Turns on the Station AP (access point), so that you can connect to your station with your phone. If your Station AP or saved WiFi network is currently broadcasting, it instead will say “Disable,” and selecting Disable will turn off your station’s network.
  • Choose:
    • (Back)
      Navigates back one menu.
    • Create AP
      When you first hit the Wake button, your station creates its own Station AP (access point), and subsequent button presses will simply enable the Station AP again or connect the station to the last network it used. Selecting “Create AP” functionality does the same thing as hitting the Wake button for the first time, i.e. your station creates its own Station AP (access point).
  • Upload Rsm (under development)
    If your station has been configured to periodically upload data directly to the web portal*, use this option to force a data upload (both data readings and metadata) from your station straight to the portal, resuming from the last point of data upload.
  • Upload all Meta (under development)
    If your station has been configured to periodically upload data directly to the web portal*, use this setting to force a data upload from your station straight to the portal of all metadata.
  • Upload all Data (under development)
    If your station has been configured to periodically upload data directly to the web portal*, use this setting to force a data upload from your station straight to the portal of all data readings.
  • WiFi Duration
    Choose how long your Station AP remains active (after being triggered by the Wake button or the Network > Choose> Create AP or Network > Enable options on the station screen).

When your station is set to “Idle Off” and becomes idle, i.e. you are no longer actively connecting to it via the app, it will turn off its Station WiFi. This saves power.

When set to “Always On”, the Station WiFi or saved network remains active. This drains the battery faster, so it should only be used with stations directly plugged into a power source (versus using a battery or solar panel). In the app, you can then configure your station to periodically upload data directly to the web portal at set intervals.*

*Coming Soon: In the app under Station Settings > Networks > WiFi > Upload Schedule you can enable Station WiFi to be “Always On” by setting a data upload schedule for your station to upload data straight to the web portal (bypassing the app). Enabling “Always On” only works for stations powered from the wall.

Modules

  • (Back)
    Navigates back one menu.
  • Status
    Scroll through the Modules and hit “select”.

    • (Back)
      Navigates back one menu.
    • Home
      Takes you back to the home screen.

Tools

  • (Back)
    Navigates back one menu.
  • Self Check
    Runs a self check and displays the status of various hardware components.

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  • Watch GPS
    Enters a diagnostic mode that displays live GPS information. Used mostly for troubleshooting.
  • GPS Mode
    Allows the user to configure the station for Fixed Mode or Moving Mode. In Fixed Mode the GPS will only be used periodically to verify the time. In Moving Mode the GPS will be left and frequently polled for location. Note: using Moving Mode will have a significant impact on battery life.
  • SD Upgrade
    With a microSD card containing new firmware inside the station microSD card holder, your station will be rebuilt with updated firmware. Read more about updating your firmware.
  • Flash SD
    Writes flash memory to the microSD card for diagnostics/debugging purposes when troubleshooting. You’re unlikely to use this unless instructed to do so by the FieldKit support team.
  • Format SD
    Formats the microSD card that is inserted in a way that the station can read the card. This will also delete all data off the card.
  • Run Fsck
    Runs a file system check to verify the integrity of readings in memory. Used mostly for troubleshooting.
  • Export CSV
    Exports all the readings in memory to CSV files on the currently inserted microSD card. You might use this functionality in the field if you want to check the data on-the-fly. To do this, you would export to CSV on the station, then insert the microSD into your phone or another device using a microSD card adapter, and then review the data.
  • Factory Reset
    Should be used with caution. Erases all readings and configuration for the station, returning to factory defaults. Sensors will remain calibrated. Note: Your station’s default name may change after a factory reset due to changes in firmware.
  • Restart
    Restarts the station, flushing any logs and data to memory, ensuring that important information has been written to the microSD card.