Digital Inputs: Monitoring External Signals

Digital inputs allow you to monitor external signals and events in your telematics system. This guide covers their functionality and applications.

What Are Digital Inputs?

Digital inputs detect the state (ON/OFF, HIGH/LOW) of external signals:

• Door sensors: Open/closed detection
• PTO status: Power take-off engagement
• Panic buttons: Emergency alerts
• Limit switches: Position detection

How They Work

Detection Types

Type	Trigger Condition
Positive trigger	Voltage applied (typically 12V)
Negative trigger	Ground connection
Pulse counting	State changes counted

Signal Characteristics

• Voltage range: 0-30V DC typical
• Debounce: Filters noise/bounce
• Sampling rate: How often state is checked

Common Applications

Door/Trunk Monitoring

Track when compartments open:

• Use case: Delivery verification, security
• Connection: Door switch or contact sensor
• Alert: When door opens in geofence

PTO (Power Take-Off) Status

Monitor auxiliary equipment:

• Use case: Concrete mixers, dump trucks, cranes
• Connection: PTO engagement signal
• Report: PTO operating hours

Panic/SOS Button

Emergency alerts:

• Use case: Driver safety, robbery alert
• Connection: Hidden button in cab
• Response: Immediate notification

Seatbelt Detection

Safety compliance:

• Use case: Driver safety programs
• Connection: Seatbelt buckle sensor
• Alert: Driving without seatbelt

Trailer Connection

Detect trailer attachment:

• Use case: Fleet asset tracking
• Connection: Trailer plug or sensor
• Report: Trailer usage time

Rinho Device Inputs

Spider IoT

• 1-2 digital inputs
• Configurable trigger
• Event logging
• Pulse counting option

Smart IoT

• 4+ digital inputs
• Multiple trigger modes
• Advanced filtering
• Analog option available

Installation Guide

Planning

1. Identify what you need to monitor
2. Locate signal source in vehicle
3. Determine trigger type needed
4. Plan wire routing

Connection Types

Positive Trigger (Voltage Sensing)

Signal source (+12V when active) → Input terminal
Device ground → Vehicle ground

Negative Trigger (Ground Sensing)

Input terminal → Switch → Vehicle ground
(Input has internal pull-up)

Wiring Tips

• Use appropriate gauge wire
• Protect connections from moisture
• Secure wiring away from moving parts
• Use proper connectors

Platform Configuration

Basic Setup

1. Enable the digital input
2. Name it descriptively (e.g., "Rear Door")
3. Set trigger type (positive/negative)
4. Configure debounce time

Event Configuration

Define what happens when input changes:

• Send immediate alert
• Log event with timestamp
• Trigger other actions
• Generate reports

Example Configurations

Application	Trigger	Debounce	Alert
Door sensor	Negative	500ms	Yes
PTO	Positive	2s	No (log only)
Panic button	Negative	100ms	Yes (priority)
Seatbelt	Positive	3s	Conditional

Advanced Uses

Conditional Logic

Combine inputs with other data:

• Door open + ignition off = Alert
• PTO on + movement = Safety alert
• Panic button + location = Emergency response

Reporting

Generate reports on:

• Input activation frequency
• Duration in each state
• Correlation with other events
• Historical trends

Troubleshooting

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
No detection	Wrong trigger type	Check configuration
False triggers	Electrical noise	Increase debounce
Intermittent	Loose connection	Secure wiring
Inverted state	Polarity error	Swap trigger type

Best Practices

• Label all wires: Document connections
• Test before deployment: Verify operation
• Use debounce: Prevent false alerts
• Monitor regularly: Check for issues

Conclusion

Digital inputs expand your monitoring capabilities significantly. Rinho devices offer flexible input options for various applications.

Need help configuring inputs? Contact us.