Product Link PL102C Module Diagnostics
The Product Link PL102C module does not contain LED lights or other physical diagnostic indicators.
Diagnostics Using Caterpillar Service Tool
Caterpillar Service Tool is a software program that is used to configure and display the parameters for the Product LinkPL102C module. Caterpillar Service Tool displays the status of the input and output parameters in real time. Caterpillar Service Tool displays the clock hour of the real time clock that is present in the module. Caterpillar Service Tool allows the service technician to send a message from the module in real time to test the sending and receiving capabilities of the module.
Caterpillar Service Tool Status Groups
There is a status tab that is available in Caterpillar Service Tool. The "Status" window displays the present information for the Product Link PL102C module. Illustration 1 shows the "Status" window that is used in Caterpillar Service Tool.
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| Illustration 1 | g01096092 |
Caterpillar Service Tool Status Tab | |
Click on the"Status" tab in order to select the "Status" window. The information listed in the "Status" window should be used in order to verify that the installation of the Product Link PL102C module has been successful.
PLM Status Section
The "Product Link Module (PLM) Status" section of the "Status" tab shown in Illustration 1 shows the current operational status of the Product Link PL102C module. Refer to table 1 for a list of the parameters and their meanings.
| PLM Status | ||
| Parameter | Parameter Mode | Parameter Description |
| Registration Status | Registered | The "PLM" is properly registered with the communications system. The "PLM" must be Registered for messages to be transmitted. |
| Unregistered | The "PLM" is not registered on the communications system and will not transmit any messages except a Registration command. | |
| Power Mode | Full On | The key switch and the engine are ON. |
| Power Mode 1 | The machine has operated in the last 48 hours. | |
| Power Mode 2 | The machine has not operated for more than 48 hours but less than 1 week. The "PLM" will wake up every 6 hours to send and receive messages. | |
| Power Mode 3 | The machine has not operated for more than one week. The "PLM" will wake up every 24 hours to send and receive messages. | |
| Key Switch Status | On | The machine key switch is in the on position. The "PLM" will be powered up. |
| Off | The machine key switch is in the off position. The "PLM" will periodically power up in order to send and receive messages depending on the Power Mode. | |
| Engine Running | Engine Running | The alternator R-Terminal reflects that the engine is running. |
| Engine Off | The alternator R-Terminal reflects that the engine is not running. | |
"Radio Status" Section
The "Radio Status" section of the "Status" window shown in Illustration 1 shows the current operational status of the Product Link PL102C module. Refer to table 2 for a list of the parameters and the definition of the parameters.
| Radio Status | ||
| Status | Parameter Mode | Parameter Description |
| System Id | Three digit number that represents the geographic location and service provider for the cellular radio service | |
| Transmit Status | Idle | Not transmitting any data |
| Transmitting | Transmitting data | |
| Microburst Coverage | Red | No cellular coverage exists in the area for the PL102C module. |
| Green | Cellular coverage exists in the area for the PL102C module. | |
| Microburst Registered | Red | No cellular connection between the PL102Cmodule and the service provider |
| Green | Cellular connection between the PL102C module and the service provider | |
| Real Time Clock | Provides a time stamp for Product Link PL102C module activities. The time is given in GMT. | |
| RSSI | Provides the signal strength received by the radio. To perform optimally, the Radio Signal Strength must be greater than -120. (1) | |
| ( 1 ) | If the radio signal strength drops below -120, there is not adequate cellular coverage to operate the Product Link PL102C effectively. Moving the machine may improve the signal strength. If moving the machine does not improve the cellular signal strength, satellite technologies may be more appropriate for the location and application. |
"GPS Status" Section
The "GPS Status" section of the "Status" window shown in Illustration 1 displays the current operational status of the Product Link PL102C module. Refer to table 3 for an explanation of the parameters for GPS Status.
| GPS Status | ||
| Status | Parameter Mode | Parameter Description |
| GPS Position Status | Antenna Open/Shorted | There is no antenna attached to the Product Link PL102C module or there is a problem with the cable (if attached). |
| No Usable Satellites | The antenna works but the machine is located in an area that does not allow the antenna to see satellites. Also, as the module powers up, the mode will be "No Usable Satellites" until satellites are found. | |
| GPS Receiver Powered Off | The GPS receiver is in "sleep mode". | |
| Doing Position Fixes | The GPS receiver is searching for satellites and calculating the machine position. | |
| GPS Time Stamp | The time stamp from the last fix is displayed. The time can be compared to the Real Time Clock time to verify the time since the last position was calculated. | |
| GPS Latitude | The last valid GPS Latitude is displayed. | |
| GPS Longitude | The last valid GPS Longitude is displayed. | |
| GPS Antenna | Red | The Product Link GPS antenna and the module are not communicating. |
| Green | The Product Link GPS antenna and the module are communicating. | |
| Satellites | The number of satellites visible to the GPS receiver antenna. | |
Product Watch Status
The "Product Watch Status" section of the "Status" window shown in Illustration 1, displays the current status of Product Watch.
The location of a machine can be tracked by Product Watch. Product Watch can report if a machine moves into a specified area. A report can be sent if a machine moves out of a specified area. Also, if a machine is operated outside of a specified time period a report will be sent.
Product Watch can be configured through the Caterpillar Service Tool or through Equipment Manager. Refer to table 4 for an explanation of the parameters for the Product Watch section.
On-machine Product Link configurations can be altered from Equipment Manager.
| Product Watch Status | ||
| Status | Parameter Mode | Parameter Description |
| Time Based Activation Status | Active | Time Based Product Watch has been properly configured and is currently activated. |
| Not Active | There is currently no Time Based Product Watch properly configured and/or it is not currently activated. | |
| Geographical Exclusion Activation Status | Active | Geographical Exclusion Product Watch has been properly configured and is currently activated. |
| Not Active | There is currently no Geographical Exclusion Product Watch properly configured and/or it is not currently activated. | |
| Geographical Inclusion Activation Status | Active | Geographical Inclusion Product Watch has been properly configured and is currently activated. |
| Not Active | There is currently no Geographical Inclusion Product Watch properly configured and/or it is not currently activated. | |
| Time Based Alarm | On | There is an active "Time Based Alarm". |
| Off | There is not an active "Time Based Alarm". | |
| Geographical Exclusion Boundary Alarm | On | There is an active Geographical Exclusion Boundary Alarm. |
| Off | There is not an active Geographical Exclusion Boundary Alarm. | |
| Geographical Inclusion Boundary Alarm | On | There is an active Geographical Inclusion Boundary Alarm. |
| Off | There is not an active Geographical Inclusion Boundary Alarm | |
PLM Commands
The Product Link module (PLM) Commands menu in the Caterpillar Service Tool allows the service technician to test the data sending capabilities of the Product Link module. Illustration 2 shows the PLM Commands menu in the Caterpillar Service Tool.
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| Illustration 2 | g01096112 |
Caterpillar Service Tool PLM Commands Menu | |