Interlogix Concord - CDMA Module LED Guide

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LEDs

The CDMA radio module has five LEDs marked L1 (red), L2 (yellow), L3 (yellow), L4 (green), and L5 (yellow).

The Concord gateway has seven LEDs: three at the top and four status LEDs on the side near the panel connectors.

The following is a diagram of the Alarm.com Concord CDMA Module and Concord gateway.

Radio LEDs

The following are the radio LED descriptions.

L1 (Red)

L1 flashes 1-8 times when there is an error. If there are two or more errors at the same time, the errors flash one after the other. The LED stays off for at least four seconds between errors.

For more information about the L1 flash descriptions, see Error troubleshooting on LED 1.

L2 (Yellow)

L2 flashes with every communication between the module and the panel. Normal pattern calls for a series of quick flashes every two seconds in Idle Mode or four seconds in PowerSave Mode. Occasionally, this flashes to indicate Z-Wave status.

For information about L2 Z-Wave statuses, see LED 2 flashes.

L3 (Yellow)

L3 flashes with every communication between the module and its radio unit in Idle Mode, and with every communication with Alarm.com in Connected Mode. In PowerSave Mode, this LED flashes in unison with LED 2.

L4 (Green)

L4 indicates the CDMA signal level as a number of flashes (0 to 5 bars) while in Idle mode. A level of 5 bars is obtained only in the strongest signal conditions. Signal level is updated every ten seconds if it fluctuates, or every 30 seconds if it is stable.

In Connected mode, L4 blinks 2 seconds on and 2 seconds off. To put the module into Idle mode to view signal strength locally, either:

Enter programming and check L4 while in programming.
Remove power to the panel and then re-apply power. The L4 LED flashes the signal level upon powerup.

For more information about finding the signal strength remotely, see Find the signal strength of an Interlogix Concord 4.

L5 (Yellow)

L5 indicates Z-Wave errors. For information about L5 Z-Wave errors, see LED 5 flashes.

Normal radio LED behavior

The following table shows the normal LED pattern for the three module modes.

LED	Idle	PowerSave	Connected
L1	Flashes errors	Flashes errors	—
L2	Communication with panel	Communication with panel	Communication with panel
L3	Communication with radio unit	Same pattern as L2	Communication with Alarm.com
L4	Signal level (0-5)	—	2 seconds on/ 2 seconds off
L5	Flashes errors	—	—

Module LEDs

The status LEDs, located on the left side of the module, indicate the current signal and status of the Concord's wireless gateway module.

Note: The top green LED is not used.

Red status LED

On: The module is in range and registered with the network.
Off: The module is out of range and not registered with the network.
Blinks: The module is registered, but out of range.

Yellow status LED

On: LED stays on after the module sends the first message and Alarm.com receives that message.
Off: LED is off until the module sends a message.
Blinks: The module is sending the first message.

Green status LED

Off: The LED is off as soon as Alarm.com receives a message from the module (off most of the time).
Blinks: The module is sending a message.

The LEDs at the top of the module indicate the communication between the module and the panel.

Power LED (Green)

Stays on as long as the module has power.

Bus LED (Red)

Flashes when signals are sent between the panel and the module.

Auto LED (Red)

Indicates module/data transceiver activity.

CDMA phone test

Sending a phone test is required for successful communication and must be sent before any other signals are sent. The CDMA phone test tells the module to store three useful pieces of information: the Alarm.com serial number, the reporting bits, and the ISMI number. This information can be accessed by entering programming and viewing the text for sensors 94, 95, and 96.

Before sending the phone test, the bottom red status LED should be on and the yellow status LED should be flashing. Verify Access Code Lock (ACL) is turned off. For more information about ACL, see the 7-flash error in the table for Error troubleshooting on LED 1.

Send a phone test using the keypad to test the module communication with Alarm.com. For more information about sending a phone test from a Concord 4 panel, see Send a communication test from an Interlogix Concord 4. After the phone test is sent, the keypad goes into system programming to program Sensor Text 94, 95, and 96, and reads several panel options (i.e., Entry Delay and Smoke Verify). Once the module is done with system programming, the values in the Sensor Text 94, 95, and 96 can be checked. The yellow status LED remains on once the phone test is completed.

Reporting information

To get the serial number, the IMSI number, or the current list of what the module reports to us, perform a CDMA Phone Test using the installer code. Give the module a few minutes to program the values, and then view the sensor text.

To view the sensor text:

Enter System Programming on the keypad.
Go to Sensors.
Go to Sensor Text.
Go to the sensor number. The text for the following sensors display:
- Sensor 94—IMSI number.
- Sensor 95—Type of monitoring station reports enabled. For information about the codes displayed, see the following table.
- Sensor 96—Module Serial Number.

The following table is a reference for the reporting bits that are sent to the monitoring station.

Reporting bit	Event
B	Phone Test
E	Alarms
F	System Troubles
G	Sensor Troubles
H	Arm/Disarm
J	Sensor Bypass
K	AC Power Failure
L	Phone Failure
M	Panel Programming
N	Tamper
O	Cancels
P	Normal Activity
Q	Modem On Line
R	Pings
S	Crash & Smash
V	Panel Low Battery

Troubleshooting procedures

Verify power

Verify the module is powered directly off the battery and not off of the control panel. The gateway is equipped with three LEDs at the top marked PWR, BUS, and AUTO. The following is the normal behavior of these three LEDs:

PWR should be lit and steady.
BUS should blink several times a second.
AUTO should blink once every 2 seconds most of the time. It blinks every time an exchange takes place between the panel and the radio module.

If the LEDs are not behaving as described in the preceding list, verify the module is wired correctly.

During idle periods, the panel pings the radio module every 2 seconds. If no response is received for 30 seconds or more, the panel issues a Bus Failure Unit AM X message, where X is the bus module number for the gateway.

Note: The CDMA radio goes into PowerSave Mode if the battery voltage is below 11.5 V. If the module is not sending signals, verify the voltage of the battery using a voltmeter. While in PowerSave Mode, the radio LEDs L2 and L3 still show activity.

Verify the module is enrolled in the panel

Each module installed in the panel, including the keypad, has an 8-digit ID printed on it. The 8-digit ID of the module appears in System Programming if the module is successfully enrolled in the panel.

To verify the module is enrolled in the panel:

Go to System Programming.
Scroll to Accessory Modules.
Press [#][#].
Scroll through the list of bus modules programmed into the panel and verify the 8-digit ID printed on the module appears in the panel's list of module IDs.
If the module does not appear, power-cycle the panel and check the list of bus devices again.
If it still does not appear in the list of bus devices, manually enter the 8-digit ID into the panel. Exit programming, and then conduct a manual phone test.

Check for bus module trouble

Press the Status key (star key) and look for one of the following trouble messages:

Bus Failure Unit X, where X is the bus module number for the gateway—One or more of the bus modules is malfunctioning. Determine if the gateway is the malfunctioning module.
Bus Failure Unit AM X, where X is the bus module number for the gateway—The Automation Module (i.e., the gateway) is unable to communicate with the radio.

Bus Failure Unit X

The panel could be having trouble communicating with the gateway—which is one of the bus modules.

Verify there is only one automation module installed. An automation module similar to the one mounted in the Alarm.com gateway can be used to interface with a home automation system.

Go to System Programming.
Scroll to Accessory Modules.
Press [#][#].
Scroll through the modules until the number shown in the Bus Failure Unit X message is found. Next to that number is an 8-digit module ID. Each module installed in the panel, including the keypad, has one printed on it.
- If the ID in the display matches the one on the gateway, verify the gateway wires.
- If there is not a module ID in the panel or keypad that matches the malfunctioning module ID, this module may be an old gateway or an old automation module that was removed from the panel. Modules that are removed are not automatically erased from the panel's memory. Having a prior automation module or gateway in memory prevents the new gateway from working correctly. If absolutely sure that the malfunctioning module can be removed, press [D] on the keypad to remove the module ID and then exit System Programming.

Bus Failure Unit AM X

This is an indication that the radio module is not responding to the periodical ping messages that the panel sends every 2 seconds. The following are some possible reasons.

Low radio signal level. The radio module stops responding to panel pings if it failed to send or to receive messages to and from Alarm.com because of poor radio coverage. For more information about troubleshooting signal, see Signal troubleshooting on LED 4.
The radio module also sends Low signal level messages. This feature causes the panel to beep repeatedly and can be turned off if the customer does not want it to beep. For more information about troubleshooting signal, see Wireless coverage tips.
The radio module is not activated on the wireless network. Contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support.
The module is defective or it cannot communicate with the panel. This is very rare. For more information about troubleshooting communication, see Verify power.

Error troubleshooting on LED 1

Use LED 1 (visible at the bottom of the radio) to determine what the issue is. If there is no LED activity, check the module power. If there is LED activity, use the following table to troubleshoot the behavior.

The troubleshooting chart shows the number of consecutive flashes and its corresponding issue.

Note: It may take up to 10 minutes before L1 detects and flashes an error code.

Flashes	Issue
1	Module cannot communicate with the panel. Try power cycling the panel. If the error persists lift the module out of the panel and re-insert it. If the error is still observed try a different module. Finally, if that does not fix the problem try a different panel.
2 then 4	The module provisioning process could not be completed.
2 then 5	The module provisioning process could not be completed because the module is currently roaming on the carrier's network.
3	The module is trying to register on the CDMA network. If it persists for more than a few minutes, the module is having problems registering. Check L4 for signal level. If signal level is lower than 2 bars, change the panel's location or use a remote antenna option.
4	The module is registered on the CDMA Network, but cannot connect with Alarm.com. Contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support.
5	The radio portion of the module is not working correctly. Check LEDs. If it lasts more than 5 minutes, the module may need to be replaced. This error is extremely rare, so verify that L1 is flashing 5 times before contacting Alarm.com CORE Technical Support.
6	This is an error only if it persists for more than a minute. Otherwise, it's an indication that the module is fixing an unusual condition regarding communication with the CDMA network.
7	Access Code Lock is ON: The module cannot perform certain operations with the panel. This option should be turned off at the panel. In System Programming, press [0003] to access this option and turn it off.
8	If it persists, the account may have been set up incorrectly. Contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support. You will be asked to check the serial number of the module.

No LED 1 issues, but still no signals

If there is no LED activity, verify power. For more information, see Verify power.
Send a manual phone test using the installer code. For information about sending a phone test, see Send a communication test from an Interlogix Concord 4.
If there are still no signals, try tripping a panic alarm. If the LEDs are working properly but signals are not transmitting, it is likely a coverage problem or an activation issue (less likely). Troubleshoot signal level. The module may need to be relocated to get better coverage. If necessary, contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support.

Note: A phone test can only be performed six times in a 24 hour period. If more than six phone tests need to be sent, power cycle the module to perform more phone tests, or wait 24 hours to perform more phone tests.

Signal troubleshooting on LED 4

If there is no LED activity, verify the module power. For more information, see Verify power.
Send a manual phone test using the installer code. For information about sending a phone test, see Send a communication test from an Interlogix Concord 4.
If there are still no signals, try tripping a panic alarm. If the LEDs are working properly but signals are not transmitting, it is likely a coverage problem or an activation issue (less likely).
If there are still no signals, check the coverage to verify there is network coverage at the installation location. To check coverage for the location, see Alarm.com's Check Coverage. The location should be in a moderate coverage area, at minimum.
Use LED 4 on the radio module to determine the signal. If the module is in Connected Mode, enter installer programming mode to force the module into Idle Mode for a signal level reading and a registration status.
- If there at least 2 bars but the module is still not communicating, contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support.
- If there are less than 2 bars, make sure the module is not underground, in a closet, or surrounded by any metal. Move the module and use LED 4 to find a good coverage area. Keep in mind that it may take L4 a minute or 2 to read and display the signal level at any new location.

Note: Finding a way to expose the module's antenna is also a good way to increase the signal level.

Z-Wave troubleshooting on LED 2 and 5

L2 flashes with every communication between the module and the panel. Normal pattern calls for a series of quick flashes every two seconds in Idle Mode or every four seconds in PowerSave Mode. L2 and L5 also occasionally flash in patterns to indicate Z-Wave status.

LED 2 flashes

The following table provides the description for the flashes on LED 2.

Flashes	Device Status/Error	Description
4	Add mode lasts 120 seconds or until a device is added.	In this mode, a device can be added to the local Z-Wave network. Devices cannot be added if they are already a part of a network.
2	Delete mode lasts 120 seconds or until a device is deleted.	In this mode, a device can be deleted from a Z-Wave network. A device can only be in one network at a time, and therefore must be deleted before it can be learned into a new network.
Solid	Successful add or delete node.	After receiving this signal, leave all devices by the GSM module for 1 minute. Locks must be left for 4 minutes.
Solid and 1 flash	Add node attempt failed because node already in a network lasts 60 seconds.	Device that was attempted to be added to a network is already in a network, and must be deleted before it can join a new network.

LED 5 flashes

The following table provides the description for the flashes on LED 5.

Flashes	Device Status/Error	Description
2	No other nodes are in the network. This lasts until a device is added to the network.	No devices have been added yet.
5	Learn mode error lasts 60 seconds.	The module failed to add in a device to the Z-Wave network.
6	No Home ID present. This lasts until the module connects to Alarm.com and is configured.	When the CDMA module first connects to Alarm.com, it is configured with a unique network ID.

Panel is extremely slow to respond or signals are not transmitted

The nature of the wireless module is such that it only immediately responds to commands sent from the website if the module is actively communicating with the wireless network in Connected Mode. For power management purposes, if it does not receive any commands or proactively send any signals for an extended period of time, the radio module goes into Idle Mode.

In Idle Mode, it sends alarm signals instantaneously. Any signal originating from the system itself is sent with no delay at all times (i.e., alarms, arming/disarming at the panel, AC failures, sensor low battery messages, etc.). If a command is sent to the system when it is in Idle Mode, there is a slight delay between when the signal is sent and when the panel responds. A signal has to first wake up the module.

When it acknowledges that wake up message, it receives our command. This is the system's normal radio communication pattern. The delay should never be more than about 2 minutes. If it takes longer than that or is not received, troubleshoot the signal using LED 4. Relocation of the module may be necessary. A remote antenna may also help.

Alarm is not reporting or is delayed

This may be due to the dialer delay on the panel. The panel has a built-in dialer delay which keeps the system from sending an alarm signal to the monitoring station for 30-45 seconds after the alarm is tripped. This delay is in place to reduce false alarms.

Alarm.com should still report a Pending Alarm on the Alarm.com website when a panel issues an alarm and is awaiting the expiration of the dialer delay. This comes to us immediately and once the dialer delay expires, the website either reports a typical alarm if no one disarmed the panel or a disarm canceled during the dialer delay.

Wireless coverage tips

Verify the antenna is installed.
- If using a 6' cable antenna, it can be run down the inside of the wall.
- If using a remote antenna with a 12 to 18 feet of cable, extend the antenna as high as possible in an area with good signal. This is probably the best option.
- If the module is mounted inside the panel, verify the panel is upright.
Verify the module is not inside of or leaning against a metal structure.
Try to move the module as high as possible in the house or if deep inside a building, try to move the module near a window. When the module is moved to a new location, wait for a few minutes before checking if coverage has improved. Use LED 4 to troubleshoot signal level. For more information about LED 4, see Signal troubleshooting on LED 4.
To force the module to read the signal level, enter installer system programming mode.
Power cycle the radio module.
- To power cycle the radio module:
  1. Unplug the panel from the power outlet.
  2. Disconnect the battery and power down the radio module completely.
  3. Wait 30 seconds.
  4. Reconnect the battery.
  5. Plug the panel into the power outlet.
If nothing works and the module is in an adequate coverage area, try a new radio module.

Note: Like other types of cellular communication, full coverage does not guarantee that the system operates correctly. The position of the system within the building, the antenna, the type of building, and interference from other electronic equipment are all factors that can affect communication.