TrafficXHub
The TrafficXHub™ is a roadside travel time sensor designed to detect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals from passing devices. This page walks you through the hardware components that make up the unit, how each part functions, and how to physically install it in the field. Whether you're setting it up for the first time or referencing it during maintenance, you'll find everything you need here.
Components
The TrafficXHub™ has two main components: the sensor and the antennas.
Sensor
The sensor is the main component of the system and is responsible for the following tasks: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning, data storage, sensor status monitoring, LED control, and communication via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular modem.
The image below shows the layout of the sensor mainboard, including the key components referenced throughout this section.
Power Supply
The sensor can be powered through three different sources: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), AC, or a 12V Solar Panel/Battery.
Power Switch
The power switch turns the sensor ON and OFF when the AC or Solar Panel/Battery power sources are used. Note that PoE does not use a power ON switch — power is supplied directly through the Ethernet cable. Once the sensor is powered ON, the processing unit starts the scanners and other processes until the sensor is fully functional and connected to the SMATS server.
LEDs
The TrafficXHub™ has eight LEDs that indicate the status of the sensor's power supply, internet connection, GPS, and scanners. You can turn the status LEDs ON or OFF for power saving in solar-powered deployments or when running a range testing mode.
The images below show the LED positions on the unit and Table 1, which describes each LED and its corresponding status definitions.
Ethernet and External Antennas Connections
On the bottom side of the sensor, you'll find one Ethernet port and two N-Type RF connectors, as shown in the image below. The Ethernet connector can be used to connect a PC for sensor configuration, or for LAN/PoE connectivity. The two N-Type connectors are used to attach the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas to the sensor.
External Antennas
The TrafficXHub™ can detect the following signal types: Bluetooth Classic (Discovery), Bluetooth Connected, Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE) Discovery, and Wi-Fi from active devices. Two RF 2.4GHz antennas connect to the N-Type connectors on the bottom of the sensor.
Installation
The TrafficXHub™ is designed for roadside deployment and mounts to a pole using pole-mount brackets and clamps. The image below shows a typical field installation setup.
The recommended mounting height is 3 meters above the ground, and the sensor should be positioned at least 2 meters away from any other RF transmitter to avoid interference.
External Antenna Installation
Two RF antennas are used for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth detection. These antennas are dust and water-resistant, but to make them fully waterproof, the connection between the antenna and the enclosure body must be sealed with self-fusing tape.
To prevent water intrusion, follow these steps:
- Firmly hand-tighten the antenna.
- Remove the backing film from a piece of the provided self-fusing tape.
- Begin wrapping the tape around the antenna joint, starting below the coupling ring. Stretch the tape 100% as you wrap to ensure good compression around the connector, as shown in the image below.
Mounting Plates and Brackets
Two pole-mounting brackets are used to secure the sensor to a pole. The image below shows how the mounting brackets should be attached to the sensor case.
Important Note
Make sure all bolts are tight before leaving the installation site.
SIM Card Installation (Mini/2FF Size)
If your deployment requires cellular connectivity, you'll need to install a SIM card into the TrafficXHub™. Follow the steps below carefully.
Step 1: Locate the Telit LE910 module in the centre of the TrafficXHub™ board. Disconnect the two patch antennas from the board - these are found between the screws on the Telit module.
Step 2: Unscrew the two screws on the Telit module. Gently hold the module in place with your finger while removing the screws - when you let go, the module will pop up. Remove the Telit module. Underneath, you'll find the SIM card holder.
Step 3: Remove the grey dummy placeholder by pulling on its tab. Insert your SIM card — you'll hear a click to confirm it's seated correctly. To remove the SIM card later, push it further into the holder and release; it will click and pop back out slightly so you can slide it free.
Step 4: Reinsert the Telit module by placing it in at a 45-degree angle, then press it down flat and screw it back in. Finally, reconnect the two patch antennas to the module board.
