Difference between revisions of "RDTech UM series"

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{{Infobox multimeter
{{Infobox energy meter
| image              = [[File:UM24C_display.jpg|180px]]
| image              = [[File:UM24C_display.jpg|180px]]
| name                = RDTech UM24C
| name                = RDTech <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>
| status              = supported
| source_code_dir    = rdtech-um
| connectivity        = serial over Bluetooth
| connectivity        = serial over Bluetooth
| features            = measures USB devices; voltage, amperage, wattage, resistance, capacity, temperature, voltage over USB data lines (charging mode)
| measurements        = voltage, current, power, energy, voltage over USB data lines
| features            = measures USB devices; color display (26x26mm, 128x128px)
| website            = [http://rdtech.aliexpress.com/ rdtech.aliexpress.com]
| website            = [http://rdtech.aliexpress.com/ rdtech.aliexpress.com]
}}
}}


== What is it? ==
The RDTech <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> are USB load meters which can measure various properties for USB devices including their voltage, amperage, wattage, resistance, capacity, temperature, data line voltage, and charging mode.


A ~$13 USB load meter; it measures various properties for USB devices including their voltage, amperage, wattage, resistance, capacity, temperature, data line voltage, and charging mode. It can track up to 11 groups of mAh/mWh capacity data, one of which is ephemeral (and disappears after replugging the device), nine of which are persistent until cleared, and one of which whose recording is only activated above a certain current threshold (and which can be recorded in parallel with any of the other 10 data groups). It also allows graphing the amperage and voltage over time, on the device's display itself, as well as rotating the display contents into any orientation.
== Model dependent features ==


Unlike most devices of this type, this one communicates through serial-over-Bluetooth; the manufacturer provides apps (for Android and Windows, downloads including device documentation [https://www.mediafire.com/folder/0jt6xx2cyn7jt/UM24 here]), but not protocol documentation nor source code.
The RDTech <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> can measure supply voltage, supply current, supply power, cable resistance, charged capacity, (measurement device's) temperature, USB data line voltage, and USB charging mode. They can track up to 11 groups of mAh/mWh capacity data, one of which is ephemeral (and disappears after replugging the device), nine of which are persistent until cleared, and one of which whose recording is only activated above a certain current threshold (and which can be recorded in parallel with any of the other 10 data groups). They also allow graphing the amperage and voltage over time, on the device's display itself, as well as rotating the display contents into any orientation.


Note that this is specifically about the UM24'''C''' - the UM24 is the version *without* Bluetooth communication, although it's unclear whether the serial pads are still exposed and functional on that model. On the C model, the Bluetooth board is a separate layer (using an off-the-shelf serial-to-Bluetooth module) that connects to the serial pads using pogo pins.
The <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> are extremely similar, but have several differences:
 
* <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> supports USB-A male / USB-microB female line, USB-A female load.
* <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> supports USB-A male / USB-microB female / USB-C female line, USB-A female / USB-C female load.
* <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> supports USB-A male / USB-microB female / USB-C female line, USB-A female load.
* <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> supports USB 3.0 data passthrough; <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> are USB 2.0 only.
* <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> displays and sends 1mV / 0.1mA live resolution, <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> are 10mV / 1mA live resolution.  Note that this is applicable for instantaneous view only; aggregates are the same for all three models.
* <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> is maximum 3A current, <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> is 4A, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> is 5A.
* <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> only supports detection of unknown (normal) charging mode, QC2.0 and QC3.0, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> support detecting additional charging modes.  This does not affect the line/load from negotiating a charging mode, just the meter's ability to detect it.
* <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> have a switch which lets you turn on and off the Bluetooth functionality.
* <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> is not supported by their Apple app, only <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>.
 
The <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> is the most fully featured of the three, but is missing USB 3.0 data passthrough (<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> only). If you have to buy one, get the <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>, but if possible get both the <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>.  The <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> is a slightly older product feature-wise.
 
The meter can be connected to power by plugging it into any one of the supported line inputs (see above; the different line options vary by model).  Besides allowing for different connection options, there is a function within the UI to calculate the impedance of a cable by running a test first directly plugged in to a power supply, then unplugging and running again via the cable.  Otherwise, line functionality is identical no matter which line input you choose.


The manufacturer has indicated that the firmware is not designed to be upgradeable and doesn't provide updates; nevertheless, the SWIM pin for the on-board STM8 chip is exposed, as are the other necessary pins for STM8 debugging. It's unclear whether the chip will allow eg. dumping, though.
The manufacturer has indicated that the firmware is not designed to be upgradeable and doesn't provide updates; nevertheless, the SWIM pin for the on-board STM8 chip is exposed, as are the other necessary pins for STM8 debugging. It's unclear whether the chip will allow eg. dumping, though.


The load meter can be connected either by plugging it in directly using its USB male plug end, or by connecting it using a cable and the micro-USB port on top. These are functionally equivalent; in both cases, both power and data are passed through and measured in the same way. I've not observed any difference in measurements between these two modes of operation.
It's unclear whether measurement of data lines is accurate enough to theoretically be used as a logic analyzer, but given the strange stability of the values during testing (unlike the voltage on the power lines) and the low-end STM8 chip, I suspect it's not.
 
== Example use ==
 
<small>
  $ '''sigrok-cli -d rdtech-um:conn=bt/rfcomm/00-15-a3-00-4f-dd --scan'''
  The following devices were found:
  rdtech-um - RDTech UM25C with 6 channels: V I D+ D- T E
 
  $ '''sigrok-cli -d rdtech-um:conn=bt/rfcomm/00-15-a3-00-4f-dd --frames 10'''
  V: 5.19 V
  I: 0 mA
  D+: 0.00 V
  D-: 0.00 V
  T: 29 C
  E: 0 mWh
  ...
</small>


It's unclear whether measurement of data lines is accurate enough to theoretically be used as a logic analyzer, but given the strange stability of the values during testing (unlike the voltage on the power lines) and the low-end STM8 chip, I suspect it's not.
== Bluetooth communication ==
 
Unlike most devices of this type, these communicate through serial-over-Bluetooth (RFCOMM); the manufacturer provides apps (for Android, Windows and Apple iOS; downloads including device documentation [https://www.mediafire.com/folder/0jt6xx2cyn7jt/UM24 here]), but not protocol documentation nor source code.  On the C models, the Bluetooth board is a separate layer that connects to the serial pads using pogo pins (<span style="color:green">UM24C</span>) or scissor-spring tension pins (<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>, <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>).  <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> has a generic open module board with a Beken BK3231 chipset. <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> and <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> have a shielded DX-BT18 module board (which should be compatible with HC-05/HC-06).
 
There is no Enable pin passed between the Bluetooth board and the main board; the model name is (presumably) programmed into the module in Command mode at the factory, and the module is always in Data mode during normal operation. Some devices provide power switches for the Bluetooth module. Communication between the boards is done at 9600 8-N-1.
 
Note that this is specifically about the '''C''' models - the UM24, UM25 and UM34 are the exact same functionality but *without* Bluetooth communication.  The UM25 and UM34 have pads which you could solder a TTL adapter to (if you disassemble the device) and get the same functionality.  The UM24 has pads, but the firmware does not appear to support communication.


== Protocol ==
== Protocol ==


Clearer documentation (as well as a JS implementation of the protocol) are coming soon, but below are my rough notes of the protocol, that I've figured out by reverse-engineering the Android application. The device won't auto-send any data; you're expected to send 0xf0 any time you want new data, eg. on a timed loop.
Approximately 500ms after applying power, the device sends 0xff. However, this is usually before a Bluetooth connection can be established, so the host end will likely never see it.


All data returned by the device consists of measurements and configuration status, in 130-byte chunks. To my knowledge, it will never send any other data. All bytes below are displayed in hex format; every command is a single byte.
1-byte commands are sent to the device, and in the case of 0xf0, the device responds with a 130-byte data dump of the current device status.  All other commands return no acknowledgement.
 
Each device (<span style="color:green">UM24C</span>, <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>, <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>) has a similar command and response format, but the commands and responses vary slightly by device type. These variations are documented below.  Unfortunately this means you will need to know what type of device you are communicating with to take full advantage of it.


=== Commands to send ===
=== Commands to send ===


Multiple commands may be sent at once; e.g. you could set the recording threshold to 0.28 A and rotate the screen by sending 0xccf2 immediately.  An exception appears to be requesting the data dump; it doesn't seem to return the 130-byte response unless you wait a bit after sending other commands.
Multiple commands may be sent at once; e.g. you could set the recording threshold to 0.28 A and rotate the screen by sending 0xccf2 immediately.  An exception appears to be requesting the data dump; it doesn't seem to return the 130-byte response unless you wait a bit (approximately 0.2 seconds) after sending other commands.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Byte !! Type !! Meaning
!Device !! Byte !! Type !! Meaning
|-----------------------------------
|-----------------------------------
| 0xf0 || device control || Request new data dump; this triggers a 130-byte response
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xf0 || device control || Request new data dump; this triggers a 130-byte response
|----
|----
| 0xf1 || device control || Go to next screen
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xf1 || device control || Go to next screen
|----
|----
| 0xf2 || device control || Rotate screen
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xf2 || device control || Rotate screen
|----
|----
| 0xf3 || device control || Switch to next data group
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> || 0xf3 || device control || Switch to next data group
|----
|----
| 0xf4 || device control || Clear data group
| <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xf3 || device control || Go to the previous screen
|----
|----
| 0xb0 - 0xce || configuration || Set recording threshold to a value between 0.00 and 0.30 A (inclusive); add the value after the decimal point to 0xb0 (0.00 is 0xb0, 0.30 is 0xce)
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xf4 || device control || Clear data group
|----
|----
| 0xd0 - 0xd5 || configuration || Set device backlight level between 0 and 5 (inclusive); 0 is dim, 5 is full brightness
| <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xa0 - 0xa9 || device control || Set the selected data group (0-9)
|----
|----
| 0xe0 - 0xe9 || configuration || Set screen timeout ("screensaver") between 0 and 9 minutes (inclusive), where 0 disables the screensaver
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xb0 - 0xce || configuration || Set recording threshold to a value between 0.00 and 0.30 A (inclusive); add the value after the decimal point to 0xb0 (0.00 is 0xb0, 0.30 is 0xce)
|----
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xd0 - 0xd5 || configuration || Set device backlight level between 0 and 5 (inclusive); 0 is dim, 5 is full brightness
|----
| <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> || 0xe0 - 0xe9 || configuration || Set screen timeout ("screensaver") between 0 and 9 minutes (inclusive), where 0 disables the screensaver
|}
|}


Line 58: Line 104:
!Offset !! Length !! Type !! Meaning
!Offset !! Length !! Type !! Meaning
|-----------------------------------
|-----------------------------------
| 0 || 2 || marker || Start marker (always 0x0963)
| 0 || 2 || model || Model ID (see below)
|----
|----
| 2 || 2 || measurement || Voltage (in centivolts, divide by 100 to get V)
| 2 || 2 || measurement || Voltage - <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>: millivolts (divide by 1000 to get V), <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>: centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
|----
|----
| 4 || 2 || measurement || Amperage (in mA, divide by 1000 to get A)
| 4 || 2 || measurement || Amperage - <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> tenth-milliamps (divide by 10000 to get A), <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>: milliamps (divide by 1000 to get A)
|----
|----
| 6 || 4 || measurement || Wattage (in mW, divide by 1000 to get W)
| 6 || 4 || measurement || Wattage (in mW, divide by 1000 to get W)
Line 78: Line 124:
| 98 || 2 || measurement || USB data line voltage (negative) in centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
| 98 || 2 || measurement || USB data line voltage (negative) in centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
|----
|----
| 100 || 2 || measurement || Charging mode; this is an enum, where 0 = unknown/standard, 1 = QC2.0, and presumably 2 = QC3.0 (but I haven't verified this)
| 100 || 2 || measurement || Charging mode index, see below
|----
|----
| 102 || 4 || measurement || mAh from threshold-based recording
| 102 || 4 || measurement || mAh from threshold-based recording
Line 98: Line 144:
| 126 || 2 || configuration || Current screen (zero-indexed, same order as on device)
| 126 || 2 || configuration || Current screen (zero-indexed, same order as on device)
|----
|----
| 128 || 2 || marker || Stop marker (always 0xfff1)
| 128 || 1 || unknown || See below
|----
| 129 || 1 || checksum/unknown || Checksum (UM34C) or unknown. See below.
|}
 
=== Known models ===
 
The Android app uses the first two bytes to determine the model number. The following models are known:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! ID !! Model
|----------------
| 0x0963 || UM24C
|----
| 0x09c9 || UM25C
|----
| 0x0d4c || UM34C
|}
 
=== Charging modes ===
 
Not all devices support detection of all listed charging modes, but the index between devices is consistent (e.g. index 1 will always be QC2).
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Index !! Display !! Meaning
|-----------------------------------
| 0 || UNKNOWN || Unknown, or normal (non-custom mode)
|----
| 1 || QC2 || Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
|----
| 2 || QC3 || Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
|----
| 3 || APP2.4A || Apple, max 2.4 Amp
|----
| 4 || APP2.1A || Apple, max 2.1 Amp
|----
| 5 || APP1.0A || Apple, max 1.0 Amp
|----
| 6 || APP0.5A || Apple, max 0.5 Amp
|----
| 7 || DCP1.5A || Dedicated Charging Port, max 1.5 Amp (D+ to D- short)
|----
| 8 || SAMSUNG || Samsung (Adaptive Fast Charging?)
|}
|}


== Board pictures ==
=== Unknown response fields ===
 
Bytes 128+129 are not entirely known yet.  They are believed to be stop markers.
 
On <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> and <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>, all observed units seem to be 0xfff1 so far.
 
On <span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span>, the last two bytes vary each time the device is polled.  The values drift up and down over time, but will change completely after a device reset.  For example:
 
<pre>
2019-02-09 16:55:35,150 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x79cd
2019-02-09 16:55:47,837 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x75f8
2019-02-09 16:55:49,031 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x78c3
2019-02-09 16:56:08,855 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x7bd9
[reset]
2019-02-09 16:58:01,091 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x2c2d
2019-02-09 16:58:52,247 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x19e5
2019-02-09 16:59:10,683 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x19e5
2019-02-09 16:59:29,816 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x18ea
</pre>
 
These are most likely checksums of some sort.  Here's some full sample dumps:
 
<pre>
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 14 00 44 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8c
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 14 00 45 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fc 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8f
</pre>
 
Samples 3 and 4 are identical, but were captured at different times.  Samples 1 and 2 have two bytes different (44 -> 45 earlier and 01 -> 00 later) which should have an identical result if it were a simple sum, but result in 688c -> 688d.  Samples 2 and 3 have two bytes different (14 -> 15 and 45 -> 46, a cumulative difference of 2), but both result in 688d.  Samples 4 and 5 have one byte different (fe -> fc), but result in 688d -> 688f.
 
All of these suggest some sort of "add if even or subtract if odd" iteration, but I haven't been able to find a process which results in the expected checksum differences.
 
== Checksum (UM34C) ==
 
The last byte of the packet is a checksum and can be calculated using the following Python snippet:
 
<pre>
def checksum(pkt):
    positions = [
        1, 3, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 23, 31, 39, 41, 45, 49, 53, 55, 57, 59, 63,
        67, 69, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97, 99, 109, 111, 113, 119, 121, 127,
    ]
 
    csum = 0
    for pos in positions:
        csum = csum ^ pkt[pos]
    return csum
</pre>
 
Note: The checksum only covers odd bytes of the packet!
 
== Hardware ==
 
=== <span style="color:green">UM24C</span> ===


Not great pictures, but hopefully they'll be useful.
Not great pictures, but hopefully they'll be useful.
Line 115: Line 258:
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Links ==
=== <span style="color:blue">UM25C</span> ===
 
User perceivable peripherals:
* USB-A male, and USB-B micro female, and USB-C female for "the line" (host / power adapter provides supply to the device under test)
* USB-A female, and USB-C female connect to the device under test
* slide switch to enable Bluetooth communication
* Bluetooth status LED (blinks when enabled and idle, steady when connected)
* four push buttons "in each corner" of the display
* square colour dot matrix display, optionally rotated to any of four orientations in software
 
Hardware components on the PCB:
* STM8S005 microcontroller
* U4 and U6, SOT23-6 and smaller, unknown chips near the shunt, markings "CAEU" and "AB14"
* R010 shunt
* M5333B voltage regulator
* Bluetooth module on separate PCB, DX-BT18 by DX-SMART, local LED, local regulation with power switch, UART communication to the main board
 
<gallery>
File:Rdtech-um25c-pcb-top.png
File:Rdtech-um25c-pcb-bottom.png
File:Rdtech-um25c-pcb-rf-zoom.png
</gallery>
 
== References ==
 
* [https://rdtech.aliexpress.com/store/923042 RDTech AliExpress store]
* [https://github.com/rfinnie/rdumtool rdumtool repo by rfinnie at github] - RDTech <span style="color:green">UM24C</span>/<span style="color:blue">UM25C</span>/<span style="color:darkorange">UM34C</span> Bluetooth interface tool (Python 3)


* [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/RD-UM24-UM24C-for-APP-USB-2-0-LCD-Display-Voltmeter-ammeter-battery-charge-voltage-current/32845522857.html Direct AliExpress UM24C link] (select "UM24C" under "Color")
[[Category:Device]]
* [https://rdtech.aliexpress.com/store/923042 RDTech AliExpres store]
[[Category:Energy meter]]
* [https://github.com/rfinnie/rdumtool rdumtool - RDTech UM24C Bluetooth interface tool] (Python 3)
[[Category:Supported]]

Latest revision as of 18:42, 24 March 2023

RDTech UM24C/UM25C/UM34C
UM24C display.jpg
Status supported
Source code rdtech-um
Connectivity serial over Bluetooth
Measurements voltage, current, power, energy, voltage over USB data lines
Features measures USB devices; color display (26x26mm, 128x128px)
Website rdtech.aliexpress.com

The RDTech UM24C, UM25C and UM34C are USB load meters which can measure various properties for USB devices including their voltage, amperage, wattage, resistance, capacity, temperature, data line voltage, and charging mode.

Model dependent features

The RDTech UM24C, UM25C and UM34C can measure supply voltage, supply current, supply power, cable resistance, charged capacity, (measurement device's) temperature, USB data line voltage, and USB charging mode. They can track up to 11 groups of mAh/mWh capacity data, one of which is ephemeral (and disappears after replugging the device), nine of which are persistent until cleared, and one of which whose recording is only activated above a certain current threshold (and which can be recorded in parallel with any of the other 10 data groups). They also allow graphing the amperage and voltage over time, on the device's display itself, as well as rotating the display contents into any orientation.

The UM24C, UM25C and UM34C are extremely similar, but have several differences:

  • UM24C supports USB-A male / USB-microB female line, USB-A female load.
  • UM25C supports USB-A male / USB-microB female / USB-C female line, USB-A female / USB-C female load.
  • UM34C supports USB-A male / USB-microB female / USB-C female line, USB-A female load.
  • UM34C supports USB 3.0 data passthrough; UM24C/UM25C are USB 2.0 only.
  • UM25C displays and sends 1mV / 0.1mA live resolution, UM24C/UM34C are 10mV / 1mA live resolution. Note that this is applicable for instantaneous view only; aggregates are the same for all three models.
  • UM24C is maximum 3A current, UM34C is 4A, UM25C is 5A.
  • UM24C only supports detection of unknown (normal) charging mode, QC2.0 and QC3.0, UM25C and UM34C support detecting additional charging modes. This does not affect the line/load from negotiating a charging mode, just the meter's ability to detect it.
  • UM25C and UM34C have a switch which lets you turn on and off the Bluetooth functionality.
  • UM24C is not supported by their Apple app, only UM25C and UM34C.

The UM25C is the most fully featured of the three, but is missing USB 3.0 data passthrough (UM34C only). If you have to buy one, get the UM25C, but if possible get both the UM25C and UM34C. The UM24C is a slightly older product feature-wise.

The meter can be connected to power by plugging it into any one of the supported line inputs (see above; the different line options vary by model). Besides allowing for different connection options, there is a function within the UI to calculate the impedance of a cable by running a test first directly plugged in to a power supply, then unplugging and running again via the cable. Otherwise, line functionality is identical no matter which line input you choose.

The manufacturer has indicated that the firmware is not designed to be upgradeable and doesn't provide updates; nevertheless, the SWIM pin for the on-board STM8 chip is exposed, as are the other necessary pins for STM8 debugging. It's unclear whether the chip will allow eg. dumping, though.

It's unclear whether measurement of data lines is accurate enough to theoretically be used as a logic analyzer, but given the strange stability of the values during testing (unlike the voltage on the power lines) and the low-end STM8 chip, I suspect it's not.

Example use

 $ sigrok-cli -d rdtech-um:conn=bt/rfcomm/00-15-a3-00-4f-dd --scan
 The following devices were found:
 rdtech-um - RDTech UM25C with 6 channels: V I D+ D- T E

 $ sigrok-cli -d rdtech-um:conn=bt/rfcomm/00-15-a3-00-4f-dd --frames 10
 V: 5.19 V
 I: 0 mA
 D+: 0.00 V
 D-: 0.00 V
 T: 29 C
 E: 0 mWh
 ...

Bluetooth communication

Unlike most devices of this type, these communicate through serial-over-Bluetooth (RFCOMM); the manufacturer provides apps (for Android, Windows and Apple iOS; downloads including device documentation here), but not protocol documentation nor source code. On the C models, the Bluetooth board is a separate layer that connects to the serial pads using pogo pins (UM24C) or scissor-spring tension pins (UM25C, UM34C). UM24C has a generic open module board with a Beken BK3231 chipset. UM25C and UM34C have a shielded DX-BT18 module board (which should be compatible with HC-05/HC-06).

There is no Enable pin passed between the Bluetooth board and the main board; the model name is (presumably) programmed into the module in Command mode at the factory, and the module is always in Data mode during normal operation. Some devices provide power switches for the Bluetooth module. Communication between the boards is done at 9600 8-N-1.

Note that this is specifically about the C models - the UM24, UM25 and UM34 are the exact same functionality but *without* Bluetooth communication. The UM25 and UM34 have pads which you could solder a TTL adapter to (if you disassemble the device) and get the same functionality. The UM24 has pads, but the firmware does not appear to support communication.

Protocol

Approximately 500ms after applying power, the device sends 0xff. However, this is usually before a Bluetooth connection can be established, so the host end will likely never see it.

1-byte commands are sent to the device, and in the case of 0xf0, the device responds with a 130-byte data dump of the current device status. All other commands return no acknowledgement.

Each device (UM24C, UM25C, UM34C) has a similar command and response format, but the commands and responses vary slightly by device type. These variations are documented below. Unfortunately this means you will need to know what type of device you are communicating with to take full advantage of it.

Commands to send

Multiple commands may be sent at once; e.g. you could set the recording threshold to 0.28 A and rotate the screen by sending 0xccf2 immediately. An exception appears to be requesting the data dump; it doesn't seem to return the 130-byte response unless you wait a bit (approximately 0.2 seconds) after sending other commands.

Device Byte Type Meaning
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xf0 device control Request new data dump; this triggers a 130-byte response
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xf1 device control Go to next screen
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xf2 device control Rotate screen
UM24C 0xf3 device control Switch to next data group
UM25C/UM34C 0xf3 device control Go to the previous screen
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xf4 device control Clear data group
UM25C/UM34C 0xa0 - 0xa9 device control Set the selected data group (0-9)
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xb0 - 0xce configuration Set recording threshold to a value between 0.00 and 0.30 A (inclusive); add the value after the decimal point to 0xb0 (0.00 is 0xb0, 0.30 is 0xce)
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xd0 - 0xd5 configuration Set device backlight level between 0 and 5 (inclusive); 0 is dim, 5 is full brightness
UM24C/UM25C/UM34C 0xe0 - 0xe9 configuration Set screen timeout ("screensaver") between 0 and 9 minutes (inclusive), where 0 disables the screensaver

Response format

All byte offsets are in decimal, and inclusive. All values are big-endian and unsigned.

Offset Length Type Meaning
0 2 model Model ID (see below)
2 2 measurement Voltage - UM25C: millivolts (divide by 1000 to get V), UM24C/UM34C: centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
4 2 measurement Amperage - UM25C tenth-milliamps (divide by 10000 to get A), UM24C/UM34C: milliamps (divide by 1000 to get A)
6 4 measurement Wattage (in mW, divide by 1000 to get W)
10 2 measurement Temperature (in Celsius)
12 2 measurement Temperature (in Fahrenheit)
14 2 configuration Currently selected data group, zero-indexed
16 80 measurement Array of 10 main capacity data groups (where the first one, group 0, is the ephemeral one) -- for each data group: 4 bytes mAh, 4 bytes mWh
96 2 measurement USB data line voltage (positive) in centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
98 2 measurement USB data line voltage (negative) in centivolts (divide by 100 to get V)
100 2 measurement Charging mode index, see below
102 4 measurement mAh from threshold-based recording
106 4 measurement mWh from threshold-based recording
110 2 configuration Currently configured threshold for recording (in centiamps, divide by 100 to get A)
112 4 measurement Duration of threshold recording, in cumulative seconds
116 2 configuration Threshold recording active (1 if recording, 0 if not)
118 2 configuration Current screen timeout setting, in minutes (0-9, 0 is no screen timeout)
120 2 configuration Current backlight setting (0-5, 0 is dim, 5 is full brightness)
122 4 measurement Resistance in deci-ohms (divide by 10 to get ohms)
126 2 configuration Current screen (zero-indexed, same order as on device)
128 1 unknown See below
129 1 checksum/unknown Checksum (UM34C) or unknown. See below.

Known models

The Android app uses the first two bytes to determine the model number. The following models are known:

ID Model
0x0963 UM24C
0x09c9 UM25C
0x0d4c UM34C

Charging modes

Not all devices support detection of all listed charging modes, but the index between devices is consistent (e.g. index 1 will always be QC2).

Index Display Meaning
0 UNKNOWN Unknown, or normal (non-custom mode)
1 QC2 Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
2 QC3 Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
3 APP2.4A Apple, max 2.4 Amp
4 APP2.1A Apple, max 2.1 Amp
5 APP1.0A Apple, max 1.0 Amp
6 APP0.5A Apple, max 0.5 Amp
7 DCP1.5A Dedicated Charging Port, max 1.5 Amp (D+ to D- short)
8 SAMSUNG Samsung (Adaptive Fast Charging?)

Unknown response fields

Bytes 128+129 are not entirely known yet. They are believed to be stop markers.

On UM24C and UM25C, all observed units seem to be 0xfff1 so far.

On UM34C, the last two bytes vary each time the device is polled. The values drift up and down over time, but will change completely after a device reset. For example: 

2019-02-09 16:55:35,150 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x79cd
2019-02-09 16:55:47,837 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x75f8
2019-02-09 16:55:49,031 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x78c3
2019-02-09 16:56:08,855 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x7bd9
[reset]
2019-02-09 16:58:01,091 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x2c2d
2019-02-09 16:58:52,247 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x19e5
2019-02-09 16:59:10,683 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x19e5
2019-02-09 16:59:29,816 DEBUG: Start: 0x0d4c, end: 0x18ea

These are most likely checksums of some sort. Here's some full sample dumps: 

0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 14 00 44 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8c
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 14 00 45 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fe 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8d
0d 4c 01 fc 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 15 00 46 00 00 00 00 00 0b 00 00 00 38 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0a 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 04 00 01 86 9f 00 00 68 8f

Samples 3 and 4 are identical, but were captured at different times. Samples 1 and 2 have two bytes different (44 -> 45 earlier and 01 -> 00 later) which should have an identical result if it were a simple sum, but result in 688c -> 688d. Samples 2 and 3 have two bytes different (14 -> 15 and 45 -> 46, a cumulative difference of 2), but both result in 688d. Samples 4 and 5 have one byte different (fe -> fc), but result in 688d -> 688f.

All of these suggest some sort of "add if even or subtract if odd" iteration, but I haven't been able to find a process which results in the expected checksum differences.

Checksum (UM34C)

The last byte of the packet is a checksum and can be calculated using the following Python snippet: 

def checksum(pkt):
    positions = [
        1, 3, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 23, 31, 39, 41, 45, 49, 53, 55, 57, 59, 63,
        67, 69, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97, 99, 109, 111, 113, 119, 121, 127,
    ]

    csum = 0
    for pos in positions:
        csum = csum ^ pkt[pos]
    return csum

Note: The checksum only covers odd bytes of the packet!

Hardware

UM24C

Not great pictures, but hopefully they'll be useful.

  • UM24C board 1.jpg
  • UM24C board 2.jpg
  • UM24C board 3.jpg
  • UM24C board 4.jpg
  • UM24C board 5.jpg
  • UM24C board 6.jpg
  • UM24C board 7.jpg

UM25C

User perceivable peripherals:

  • USB-A male, and USB-B micro female, and USB-C female for "the line" (host / power adapter provides supply to the device under test)
  • USB-A female, and USB-C female connect to the device under test
  • slide switch to enable Bluetooth communication
  • Bluetooth status LED (blinks when enabled and idle, steady when connected)
  • four push buttons "in each corner" of the display
  • square colour dot matrix display, optionally rotated to any of four orientations in software

Hardware components on the PCB:

  • STM8S005 microcontroller
  • U4 and U6, SOT23-6 and smaller, unknown chips near the shunt, markings "CAEU" and "AB14"
  • R010 shunt
  • M5333B voltage regulator
  • Bluetooth module on separate PCB, DX-BT18 by DX-SMART, local LED, local regulation with power switch, UART communication to the main board
  • Rdtech-um25c-pcb-top.png
  • Rdtech-um25c-pcb-bottom.png
  • Rdtech-um25c-pcb-rf-zoom.png

References

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