Setup Mode

Instructions on using the setup available from MCU version 1.01.

Setup mode is intended as a way for users to verify basic Sentinel operation in the field prior to leaving the deployment location

You do not have to use it, but it is strongly encouraged when deploying a device. It allows you to determine:

• A functioning connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel without booting the Sentinel.

• In case you're working with a satellite Sentinel:

  • Whether Sentinel has a time sync and confirms a GPS lock if using Swarm (satellite) - it won't guarantee satellite communication via Swarm (i.e. transmission of insights) but will confirm GPS satellite communication. Without GPS satellite communications, chances of Swarm satellite communication are greatly reduced.

• In case you're working with a LoRa Sentinel:

  • Enables verificaction of connection to the gateway with LoRa.

• In case you're working with a Cell Sentinel:

  • Enables verificaction of cell connectivity.

Please verify your software version with us prior to following the next steps.

---

If your Sentinel is running the correct software version please proceed as detailed in this video:

1. Insert the SD card (Spypoint cable) and switch on the camera trap - enter the menu (M - in case of the Browning model used in the video).

2. Turn on the Sentinel and wait until the red light starts to pulsate - make sure the camera trap stays in the menu until then.

The Sentinel is in setup mode as soon as the red lights starts to pulsate (~every second).

3. You can now exit the camera trap menu.

4. From now on you can and should trigger the camera and confirm that the Sentinel is correctly detecting the trigger event.

You can keep triggering the camera as often as you want during setup mode

Step 4 is important to verify a valid connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel. If you cannot confirm this during the setup mode it is recommended to proceed to steps 6 & 7 and wait until Setup mode finishes before processing to section D.

6. At some point after entering setup mode (<1min) yellow (orange) and red lights will start to pulsate concurrently (~every second).

Note, you can trigger the camera during the concurrent yellow and red lights. However, to confirm any of the processes in A), B) & C), and effectively exit the setup mode you'll have to stop triggering the camera for at least 30s (see video).

A) Satellite	B) LoRa	C) Cell
The concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights (time sync) should not take more than 3min (without camera triggering). In certain environments the time sync can take longer. Please contact and ask about the designated maximal time sync duration. If the time sync does not complete before the designated maximal time sync duration, this means that the Sentinel is unable to connect to an overhead GPS satellite, reducing the probability of being able to connect to a Swarm satellite lateron, which will compromise data transmission via satellite. In such a case, it is recommended to move the Sentinel to a different place with better connectivity and try again. Sometimes simply moving the Sentinel to the other side of the tree or a few meters away can fix this problem.	Cessation of the concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights indicates successful connection to the gateway. Typically, the lights last for about ~1min or less without camera triggering. If the Sentinel can't connect to the gateway the lights can go on indefinitely. Move Sentinel and gateways closer together

7. After the concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights stop, the Sentinel will exit the setup mode and initiate the boot sequence with a pulsating yellow (orange) light (~every second; <1min, see video).

---

Common troubleshooting

If the Sentinel does not enter setup mode:

• Check that you're on the correct software version - contact:

• Check whether the camera is taking pictures & whether there is a card error.

If the Sentinel enters the setup mode, but you cannot confirm a valid connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel:

• Let setup mode finish (all the way until step 7) and troubleshoot the connection between the camera trap and the Sentinel outside of the setup mode.

  • If the Sentinel is stuck and doesn't reach step 7, switch the Sentinel off and turn it on again without triggering the setup mode. Proceed to section D.

For stellite, if the time sync takes longer than the designated maximal time sync duration:

• Move to a different place and restart timing the process (concurrently pulsating yellow & red lights). You do not have to restart the whole process.

---