The VoBo platform is more than just a rugged, long-range LoRaWAN® endpoint bridge. It’s a complete system designed to simplify configuration, deployment, and data integration for your industrial and remote sensing applications. At the heart of this system is the VoBo itself, but surrounding it is a suite of tools and resources that make managing your VoBo devices and extracting insights as efficient and scalable as possible.
1. Volley Boast Customer Portal
The Volley Boast Customer Portal is your centralized hub for configuring your VoBo devices, decoding their payloads, downloading tools, and accessing support documentation. Here’s a breakdown of its key features.
VoBoConfig Tool
This powerful online tool generates downlink messages for all VoBo models, VoBo XX (GP-1 and HL-1), VoBo TC, and VoBo XP. Simply select your device model, firmware version, and the configuration parameters you want to change. The tool will produce the downlink in JSON, Hex, or Base64 formats. You can copy/paste the downlink message to send through your LoRaWAN® network server to make changes to the VoBo configuration over the air.
Payload Decoder
Paste your Hex or Base64 payload into the decoder, select the appropriate FPort, and decode your sensor data at the click of a button. This feature is especially helpful for manually decoding payloads when setting up a new application or troubleshooting.
Battery Life Calculators
Estimate the expected battery life based on your specific operating parameters using calculators for the VoBo XX and VoBo TC models. Tooltips assist in input selection with descriptions of each field.
Documentation
The portal includes comprehensive documentation organized by product. It includes installation manuals, datasheets, spec sheets, configuration downlinks, trigger downlinks, firmware release notes, and compliance certifications. Everything is available in downloadable PDF format.
Device Keys
The Private Downloads section provides secure, account-based access to your VoBo device keys. Users can search for their device keys by serial number or DevEUI.
2. Configuration
Configuring your VoBo can be done locally or remotely using several supported tools. Volley Boast also offers pre-configuration services before shipment. Here’s a look at the available options to configure your VoBo.
Serial Menu
The most basic configuration method is local, through a serial connection. This is done before deployment, with a computer in the lab using a USB to RS232 configuration cable. A terminal emulator, such as Putty, can be used to communicate with the VoBo through the serial menu to make changes to the parameters.
VoBoConfig Tool
The VoBoConfig Tool is a downloadable GUI that serves several functions. One function is to recover and save a configuration CSV file from a VoBo or download a saved configuration CSV file to the VoBo. Transferring saved configuration CSV files is the quickest method to configure a VoBo. Configuration CSV files can be saved for an application and reused to quickly configure VoBos for small or mass deployments.
Another method is to use the GUI to set up each configuration parameter for the application and then load the new parameter selections to the VoBo.
The serial monitor function allows you to see how the VoBo works as it operates, how it joins the network, reads all the input channels, and then transmits the payloads. This is very useful when setting up a new application or troubleshooting.
Downlinks
When a VoBo is deployed, it can be more convenient to make changes over the air with downlinks. To change configuration parameters remotely, a downlink can be sent through the LNS to make the changes. The VoBo Configurator can build the downlink message to send.
Pre-installed Configurations
If you know the settings that you’ll need in advance, or have a configuration CSV file saved, Volley Boast can install your custom configuration before shipping your VoBo devices. Your VoBos will arrive ready to install.
3. Standards
The VoBo meets or exceeds multiple industrial and wireless standards. This ensures the VoBo is compatible with your network and safe for a wide range of applications.
- NTRL Listed
- FCC/IC Certified
- LoRaWAN® Compliant
- Hazardous Area Certified
- Wide Operating Temperature Range
- IP66 / NEMA 4X
These certifications guarantee that VoBo devices meet stringent industrial and safety requirements for deployment in challenging environments.
4. VoBo Decoder
The VoBo Decoder supports all VoBo devices and is backward compatible with older VoBos to simplify payload decoding.
The LoRaWAN® network servers that have ready-to-use VoBo device profiles and decoder include:
- Actility
- Loriot
- Orbiwise
- The Things Stack
The decoder can also be downloaded as JavaScript and integrated directly into your network server’s decoder function or used in post-processing.
5. Support
Volley Boast offers extensive support options to ensure your deployment runs smoothly from start to finish.
Help Desk
The VoBo Help Desk is our primary support platform. In the Help Desk section of the portal, you can submit tickets, check on existing issues, and search the knowledge base for answers. This is the first place you’ll find the information and help you need. The team is ready to assist with any VoBo-related questions.
Sensor Compatibility
The VoBo is sensor-agnostic and supports a wide range of input types. If you are unsure whether the VoBo is compatible with your sensor, submit a ticket through the help desk or contact us at support@volleyboast.com.
Configuration
If you have questions about VoBo configuration methods or settings, the Volley Boast team is ready to assist. If you are unfamiliar with the VoBo, we recommend scheduling a video call to provide some training to get you started on the right path.
Installation
Download the installation guide for your VoBo to see the wiring and jumper arrangement for your sensors. If you need help, we can walk you through the installation process.
Form / info@
For general questions, you can contact us through the contact form on our website https://volleyboast.com/contact/, or email info@volleyboast.com.
Conclusion
The VoBo platform is built to deliver more than just reliable LoRaWAN® connectivity. With its powerful tools, broad sensor compatibility, certified standards, and extensive support infrastructure, it empowers users to build efficient and scalable monitoring systems in the most demanding industrial environments. From configuration to decoding, the VoBo ecosystem simplifies every step of your deployment process. The VoBo Platform enables you to deploy with confidence.