Indigo LPR Camera Intermittent Disconnections Diagnosis... | terminalfaults.org

Technical Background:

Fiber optic cables transmit data via light. A cut disrupts light transmission, resulting in signal loss. LTE connectivity relies on radio waves. Signal strength (RSRP) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are critical for stable connectivity. Port Forwarding (443, 8000) allows external access. Ambient temperature below -40C can affect electronic components.

Symptoms:

Intermittent disconnections of the Indigo LPR camera. Frequency of disconnections is correlated with reported Bell MTS fiber cuts. Confirmation required that 'disconnections' are defined as a complete loss of video feed or failure of LPR data transmission.

Possible Causes:

Bell MTS fiber cut causing a complete loss of network connectivity to the LPR camera.
Fiber cable damage near the camera enclosure (connector issues, bending beyond specification).
If using a cellular (LTE) backup, weak or intermittent LTE signal (low RSRP, SNR) due to weather or network congestion.
Power supply fluctuations impacting the camera's network interface card (NIC).
Firmware bugs in the LPR camera's network stack.
Configuration errors in port forwarding or firewall settings (ports 443 and 8000).

Solution:

1

Confirm Bell MTS fiber cut incidents in the area via their outage map or customer service.
2

If using a cellular (LTE) backup, check the LTE signal strength (RSRP and SNR) at the camera location. Use a signal analyzer app or the camera's built-in diagnostics (if available).
3

Verify the physical integrity of the fiber optic cable near the camera. Look for any signs of damage or excessive bending.
4

Ping the LPR camera's IP address from a computer on the same network. If the ping fails, the camera is not connected.
5

Perform a traceroute to the LPR camera's IP address to identify the point of failure in the network path.
6

Examine the LPR camera's power supply voltage with a multimeter (if accessible and safe to do so without opening any secured enclosures). It should be within the manufacturer's specified range.
7

If the power supply is good and a cellular connection is being used, check the APN and confirm that it is setup correctly for the carrier.

Safety Warning:

Ensure the LPR camera's power supply is disconnected before inspecting any cabling. Avoid direct eye exposure to the fiber optic cable end if disconnected; laser light can cause eye damage. Since this is a commercial kiosk environment, ensure safe handling by qualified personnel. Do not attempt to open the LPR camera casing if it's a secured device (PCI-PTS compliance) as this will damage the anti-tamper mechanisms.

Prevention:

Implement a redundant network connection (e.g., cellular LTE backup) for critical LPR camera operations. Ensure proper cable management to prevent strain on fiber optic connectors. Protect the camera and cabling from extreme weather conditions (e.g., using a heated enclosure). Regularly check the LPR camera's logs for network connectivity errors.

Expert Tip:

Many LPR cameras have a 'heartbeat' feature that periodically pings a server. If this is failing, it may be easier to diagnose than trying to watch video. Ensure the date/time is synchronized. LTE connections often require reboots following firmware upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

•What is the RSRP and SNR value when the disconnections occur?

Low RSRP and SNR indicate weak LTE signal. Target RSRP should be greater than -80 dBm and SNR > 20dB.

•Are there any error messages in the LPR camera's system logs?

Review logs for network-related errors (e.g., DHCP failure, DNS resolution issues, TCP connection resets).

•What is the uptime of the camera before each disconnection?

A pattern of consistent uptime before disconnection might indicate a timer-based failure or scheduled event causing the issue.

Technical Background:

Symptoms:

Possible Causes:

Solution:

Safety Warning:

Prevention:

Expert Tip:

Frequently Asked Questions

•What is the RSRP and SNR value when the disconnections occur?

•Are there any error messages in the LPR camera's system logs?

•What is the uptime of the camera before each disconnection?

Related questions

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Symptoms:

Possible Causes:

Solution:

Safety Warning:

Prevention:

Expert Tip: