SOMMER USH-9 User Manual
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SOMMER USH-9 User Manual

Ultrasonic level sensor
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USH-9
Ultrasonic level sensor
User Manual
Setup version 2.43
2019-03-28
Sommer GmbH
All rights reserved.

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Summary of Contents for SOMMER USH-9

  • Page 1 USH-9 Ultrasonic level sensor User Manual Setup version 2.43 2019-03-28 Sommer GmbH All rights reserved.
  • Page 2 Sommer GmbH A-6842 Koblach This manual or parts of it may only be copied or passed on to third parties with written permission of Sommer GmbH. This applies to printed as well as digital issues of this manual. Sommer GmbH...
  • Page 3 CE compliance This product is in conformity with the following directives and standards: Directive 89/336/EEC EWG EN 61326 RoHS II Directive 2011/65/EU RoHS III Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863...
  • Page 4 Prior to installation of equipment inform the owner of the measurement site or the authority respon- sible for it. Upon completion, secure the installation from trespassers. Maintenance and repair must be performed by trained personnel or an engineer of Sommer GmbH. Only replacement parts supplied by Sommer GmbH should be used for repairs.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    6.3 Maintenance ........................13 7 Operation............................14 7.1 How to setup the USH-9 for snow applications ...............14 7.2 How to setup the USH-9 for water level measurements ............14 7.3 How to test the USH-9 ......................14 8 Communication ...........................15 8.1 Connector pin configuration....................15 8.2 Communication with a PC .....................15...
  • Page 6 10 Parameter definition ........................32 Appendix A Measurement values .....................47 A.1 Error and exception values ....................47 Appendix B RS-485 interface ......................48 B.1 Protocols..........................48 B.1.1 “Sommer” protocol .....................48 B.1.2 Standard protocol .......................49 B.2 Commands and answers .......................49 B.3 Error codes...........................51 B.4 Sommer CRC-16 ........................51 Appendix C SDI-12 interface......................52...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    It measures the transit time of an ultrasonic signal between a variable surface and the USH-9 sensor, and translates it to a level or distance. An integrated processor compensates the de- tected signal for temperature and filters interfering reflections of precipitation within the measure- ment path.

  • Page 8: Unpacking

    2 Unpacking When unpacking your USH-9 sensor box please make sure that the following items are present: USH-9 sensor Mounting bracket for Ø32…60 mm tubing MAIN sensor cable Manual on USB stick In case of missing or damaged items please contact your Sommer sales partner.

  • Page 9: Quick Start

    3 Quick start This section will guide you through the most important steps to set up a fully operating level monitor- ing system with an USH-9. It is divided into three main parts: installation, connection to a PC and sensor configuration.

  • Page 10: Specifications

    4 Specifications Physical and environmental Power supply 9…27 V; Reverse voltage protection, overvoltage protection Sleep mode: <0.4 mA Power consumption at 12 VDC Active measurement: typically 40 mA (max. 300 mA for 0.05 s) Shield heating (optional): 1 A RS-485 ASCII / Modbus RTU Outputs SDI-12 2 Analog outputs 4…20 mA (14 bit, max.

  • Page 11: Principles Of Operation

    5 Principles of operation The USH-9 is a sensor to measure distance contact-free. Ultrasonic pulses with a frequency of 50 kHz are emitted from the sensor-head and are reflected at any surface. The reflected signal is then de- tected by the sensor and from the travelling-time of the pulses the distance to the surface is calculated.

  • Page 12: Installation

    6. If the measurement spot is on or near a slope any snow gliding has to be ruled out. 6.2 Mounting The USH-9 can be mounted to a horizontal tube with the included bracket (max. tube diameter 60 mm) shown in...

  • Page 13: Power Supply

    Figure 3: Measurement spot and USH-9 position It is recommended to mount the USH-9 one meter above the maximum expected level and minimum 3 m above ground. The maximum mounting height is 10.5 m above ground. As an accessory, Sommer provides a 1.6 m long, rotatable cross-arm for easy sensor mounting.

  • Page 14: Signal Cables

    Consult an expert for advice. The USH-9 is protected against overvoltage. If a data logger is mounted to the mast, its ground lug must be properly connected to earth ground.

  • Page 15: Operation

    Section 7.3! 7.3 How to test the USH-9 To test the USH-9 and to verify its distance/level measurements turn the device upside down so that it is facing the ceiling of a room. Now, click the button...

  • Page 16: Communication

    The analog outputs and the trigger input are referenced to GND on pin 1. 8.2 Communication with a PC Communication between the USH-9 and a PC can be established via the sensors RS-485 interface and the supplied USB to RS-485 converter. Perform the following steps to set up the communication be- tween the USH-9 and your PC: Wire colour of the provided “Sommer”...
  • Page 17 5. Connect the provided USB to RS-485 converter to the USH-9 MAIN cable and a USB port on your PC as illustrated in Figure 5. Verify that the newly created virtual COM-port has the following com- munication settings: - Baud rate...

  • Page 18: Connection To A Data Logger

    8.3 Connection to a data logger 8.3.1 RS-485 The USH-9 can be connected to a data logger via RS-485 according to Figure Figure 6: Wiring of the USH-9 with a data logger via RS-485 8.3.2 SDI-12 The USH-9 can be connected to a data logger via SDI-12 according to Figure 7.

  • Page 19: Analog Output

    8.3.3 Analog output The analog outputs of the USH-9 can be connected to a data logger according to Figure If a data logger is connected to the IOUT outputs the resistance of the logger Attention input(s) must not exceed 470 Ω.

  • Page 20: Configuration

    PC and displayed in the Parameter window. Now, the settings can be modified, saved in a parameter file on your PC and uploaded again to the USH-9. See Section for a complete list of sensor settings.

  • Page 21: General Settings

    Adjustment (C-C) With this function, the level measurement of the USH-9 is adjusted to the actual level measured by other means. It first initiates a measurement and then requests the actual level. Adjusting the level will update the parameter Distance, zero level.

  • Page 22: Serial Data Output

    Specifies the maximum required measurement distance and should be set to the mounting height of your USH-9 plus approx. 300 mm to account for the influence of temperature on the speed of sound. A shorter distance increases precision as the sensor can perform more measurements in the specified measurement interval.
  • Page 23 Index Measurement value Unit Description Level Distance Temperature °C Air temperature Status of snow cover, 3-digit number: snowfall snow cover emerges Status snow-depth limit exceeded Combinations of the above are possible Status limits for details Table 5: Main values appearance Special values The special values comprise the distance, signal quality and some more diagnostic values (see Table...

  • Page 24: Rs-485 Interface

    9.6.1 System key and device number The system key and device number are used to identify a USH-9 in a bus system. This is essential if multiple devices (USH-9 and data loggers) are operated within the same system. System key (D-I-B) The system key separates different conceptual bus systems.

  • Page 25: Operation Modes

    The sync sequence is the string UU~?~? and is sent directly before a command. It is used to synchro- nize the receiving UART. Prefix The prefix is an arbitrary character; the USH-9 uses a blank. This character is sent prior to any commu- nication. Then the time of the OP, prefix holdback is waited and the command is sent afterwards.
  • Page 26 1461| Level 1539| Distance 25.25| Temperature Status 3883; Closing sequence Table 8: Main values in “Sommer new” protocol Special values Special values are returned as in the following example: #M0001G03se05 921|06 49.7|07 2|08 11.76|D537; #M0001G03se Header with system key 00, device number 01 and string number 03...
  • Page 27 Closing sequence Table 10: Analysis values in “Sommer new” protocol 9.6.5.1 Standard protocol The Standard protocol is similar to the “Sommer” protocol with a simpler output for easier reading. Details of the format are described in Appendix B.1.2. Main values...

  • Page 28: Commands

    Measurement values can also be acquired via the Modbus protocol by a Modbus master. See Section for details. 9.6.6 Commands Commands can be sent to the USH-9 to start measurements, request complete measurement strings, request single values and to configure the device. A more detailed description is provided in Appendix B.2.

  • Page 29: Sdi-12 Interface

    SOMMER sensors for instrument configuration, e.g., 0XRB|! to set the measurement interval. 9.7.1 SDI-12 address (D-C) The USH-9 is identified with a unique address in the SDI-12 bus system. The default address is 0. 9.7.2 Measurement commands To acquire a measurement from a sensor two individual SDI-12 commands – trigger a measurement and request measurement values –...

  • Page 30: Sensor Configuration Commands

    Section 10. To configure the primary settings of a USH-9 via SDI-12 send the following commands to the sensor (replace the sensor address 0 if required): 1.

  • Page 31: Analog Output

    Modbus device address (D-I-I) The Modbus address of the USH-9. Default is 35. 9.9 Analog output Measurement values of level, distance, temperature and a status can be returned by two analog 4…20 mA signals. These can be configured in IOUT settings.

  • Page 33: Parameter Definition

    10 Parameter definition The settings of the USH-9 can be read and changed with the PC software Commander (see Section 9.1). Main menu Measurement trigger Interval Measurement interval Level and distance Technics Special functions Measurement table The parameters are arranged in a main menu with submenus. In the terminal program menu items are selected by entering the letter left to the label.
  • Page 34 C-C Adjust level Function to adjust the level measurement of the USH-9 to the actual level. It first initiates a measure- ment and then requests the actual level. Adjusting the level will alter the parameter Distance, zero level.
  • Page 35 C-E Distance, far limit Maximum distance expected between the sensor and the snow surface. A shorter distance increases precision. Adjust this value to the mounting height of your USH-9 plus approx. 300 mm to compensate for temperature effects on the speed of sound.
  • Page 36 C-I Rate of change, filter (RoC) Switch to filter the level measurements of the USH-9 for abnormal level shifts. Parameter Description USH-9 suppresses fast level shifts caused, e.g. by animals passing the measurement spot, or interfering signal reflections during heavy snowfall.
  • Page 37 Parameter Description comma dot (default) D-C SDI12 address The address is a unique identifier of the sensor within a SDI-12 bus system. Value Range 0…9, a…z, A…Z 0 (default) D-D Units and decimals In this submenu the variable units are defined. Units and decimals Level, unit Level, decimals...
  • Page 38 In this submenu the temperature sensor of the USH-9 is configured. Temperature Offset 0.000 °C Adjustment Test D-E-A Offset Offset of the USH-9 temperature sensor. An offset might be required if the sensor needs to be matched to an external reference. Unit °C Value range -9ˈ999.99…99ˈ999.99 0 (default) D-E-B Adjustment Function to adjust the measurement of the USH-9 temperature sensor.
  • Page 39 Level limit, 20 mA is applied, status, level limit otherwise 0 mA. If the USH-9 detects a snow cover 20 mA is applied, otherwise 0 mA. A status, snow settling snow cover is detected if Snow settling, strength drop exceeds the spec-...
  • Page 40 If the USH-9 detects snowfall 20 mA is applied, otherwise 0 mA. Snow- fall is detected if Snowfall, precipitation limit is exceeded and the tem- status, snowfall perature is below Snowfall, max. temperature. If any limit mentioned above is violated, 20 mA is applied, otherwise status, all limits 0 mA.
  • Page 41 Only available if Snow application is active; used to report snowfall. The USH-9 returns precipitation as dimensionless value that represents both, precipitation type and intensity. To identify precipitation as snow and to trigger the status “snowfall”, the value must exceed the specified limit, and the air tem- perature must be lower than Snowfall, max.
  • Page 42 300 (default) D-H-D Reset behavior The USH-9 keeps certain sensor data in its memory, e.g. the measured data for calculation of the mov- ing average. This setting defines whether the acquired sensor data are deleted upon a sensor reset or not.
  • Page 43 RS-485 interface only with a time delay. Option with the lowest power consumption. D-H-F Sommer ID The Sommer ID is used to define stations within the Commander software. The ID is preset in the device and corresponds to its serial number. For more information please consult the Commander manual.
  • Page 44 Serial data can be transmitted to a recording device automatically without a request. However, many devices demand a wake-up sequence before they can receive and process data. The USH-9 has the option to send a sync sequence and a prefix before data are transmitted (see Section 9.6.4). The fol-...
  • Page 45 Unit Milliseconds Value range 0…5ˈ000 300 (default) D-I-H MODBUS, set default Only available in terminal mode. The Modbus protocol demands a defined setting, including multiple parameters. This command sets all these parameters automatically (see Appendix D.1). D-I-I MODBUS, device address Unique device address for the Modbus protocol.
  • Page 46 Parameter Description no par, 1 stop (default) No parity and 1 stop bit no par, 2 stop No parity and 2 stop bits even par, 1 stop Even parity and 1 stop bit odd par, 1 stop Odd parity and 1 stop bit D-J-C Minimum response time Setting of this parameter avoids interference of communication at the RS-485 interface.
  • Page 47 Displays information about the sensor and the software version. E-C View setup All parameters of the USH-9 are listed in the terminal window. E-D Continuous meas. mode (temp). Inactive in the Commander menu. This feature can be triggered under the Measurement tab with the command Start polling measurements.

  • Page 48: Appendix A Measurement Values

    Appendix A Measurement values A.1 Error and exception values Measurement data may be returned with the following values: Value Description Initial value: No measurement has been performed yet (position of decimal 9999.998 character is irrelevant). Conversion error: Caused by a technical problem (position of decimal character 9999.997 is irrelevant) 9999999...

  • Page 49: Appendix B Rs-485 Interface

    Appendix B RS-485 interface B.1 Protocols B.1.1 “Sommer” protocol The data string of the “Sommer” protocol has the following format: #M0001G01se01 1461|02 1539|03 25.25|04 0|3883; Header The header (#M0001G00se) identifies the data by system key, device number and string number.

  • Page 50: Standard Protocol

    CRC-16 4-digit hex number End character <CR><LF> Control characters Carriage return and Line feed Table 17: End sequence of the “Sommer new” protocol B.1.2 Standard protocol The data string of the “Standard” protocol has the following format: M_0001 1461 1359 25.38...
  • Page 51 CRC-16 4-digit hex number End character Table 20: Structure of commands and answers Commands The following commands can be used with the USH-9: Command Description Trigger a measurement Return measurement values _dd0cv Return a single measurement value with index dd (see Section 9.5)

  • Page 52: Error Codes

    Table 22: Error codes B.4 Sommer CRC-16 The CRC-16 (cyclic redundancy check) used in data transmission of Sommer devices is based on the ZMODEM protocol. When data are exchanged between two devices the receiving device calculates the CRC-value. This value is compared to the CRC value sent by the other device to check if the data were transmitted correctly.

  • Page 53: Appendix C Sdi-12 Interface

    This manual covers the main aspects of SDI-12 communication. Detailed information can be found at http://www.sdi-12.org. SOMMER devices with SDI-12 communication listen to standard commands as listed in the SDI-12 spec- ifications of version 1.3. Additionally, for instrument configuration a set of extended SDI-12 commands is implemented in all SOMMER sensors.

  • Page 54: Requesting Continuous Measurements

    C.2.1 Reading and writing sensor configurations The configuration parameters of a SOMMER sensor are read with the command aXRpp! and written with the command aXWpp=vvv!, with a the sensor address, pp the parameter identifier and vvv the value of the parameter.

  • Page 55: Adoption Of Settings

    Reading and writing a configuration value within a table Some SOMMER sensors are equipped with multiple transducers and their settings are listed in a table (see example below). A value within such a table is addressed by its row-index (01, 02 …) and column- index (A, B …).

  • Page 56: Appendix D Modbus

    Appendix D Modbus D.1 Modbus default settings The default settings are configured by the command MODBUS, set default: Baud rate 19ˈ200 Data bits Parity even Stop bits Flow control none Table 23: Default Modbus settings D.2 Modbus Configuration Function 04: Read input registers (read only) The measurement values are stored in the same sequence as listed in Section 9.5.
  • Page 57 Var. 3 Dist. max. echo Dist. last echo Distance 0 C Case temperature °C/F Error code 65533 Device type and configura- 320X unsigned tion Device 65534 Software version XYYZZ unsigned info 65535 Modbus implementation 10100 unsigned version Table 24: Function 04 Read input registers Function 06: Write single registers and Function 03: Read holding registers Register Variable...
  • Page 58 Run indicator status Modbus implementation 27 74 10100 version Separator " " Vendor string 53 6F 6D 6D 65 72 20 "Sommer " response Separator " " Device configuration 52 47 2D 33 30 20 20 “RG-30 “ Separator " "...

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