Related Manuals for Vemco VR2C
Summary of Contents for Vemco VR2C
- Page 1 Using a cabled receiver with the ability to deliver real time data. www.vemco.com 9 July 2018 DOC-5073-11...
- Page 2 Summary of Manual This manual is intended to provide our users with the information they require to use our VR2C receiver. VEMCO highly recommends that the user fully read the manual before using the equipment or VUE software. Section 1: Introduction...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Connecting to the PC ....................8 VR2C Communications Package – RS232 ............8 2.2.2.1 2.2.2.2 RS232 Screw Terminal and VR2C External Cable Pinout ........8 2.2.2.3 USB to RS232 Converter Installation ..............9 VR2C Communications Package – RS485 ............10 2.2.2.4... - Page 4 Example 1: Starting a Study ................42 3.2.6.2 Example 2: Entering Real-Time Mode .............. 43 3.2.6.3 Example 3: Updating the VR2C Clock .............. 43 3.2.6.4 Example 4: Erasing Data Logs................44 3.2.6.5 Example 5: Placing VR2C in Suspend Mode ............ 44...
- Page 5 5.2.2.4 O-ring Inspection ....................53 5.2.2.5 Closing the VR2C Case ..................54 5.2.2.6 Resetting the VR2C Battery Usage Indicator ............ 56 6 Troubleshooting ..............57 Dented Threads ......................57 Pressurized Case ......................57 7 Appendices............... 58 Contact Information ......................58 VR2C Specifications .......................
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Page 6: Introduction
Lithium D cell battery. 1.1.1 VR2C Modes of Operation The VR2C is usually in one of two operational modes – either acoustically dormant in Suspend mode or actively listening and recording detections in Record mode. 1.1.1.1 Suspend Mode... -
Page 7: Vr2C Case
VR2C-180kHz operates at 180 kHz. The receiver frequency chosen depends on the type of coded tags that will be used. For example, if tags operating at 69 kHz are being used then the VR2C-69kHz must be used. -
Page 8: Case Parts
The Release Valve will open if the internal pressure is greater than the external pressure (see section 6.2). Never cover this valve. Cable Tie Groove: These grooves (there are two) are used to attach the VR2C to a line. Identification Label: Contains product name and model number, contact information, serial number, and important warnings. -
Page 9: Status Light (Led) Flashes
Status Light (LED) Flashes The red Status Light on the side of the VR2C case flashes based on the task being performed or the status of the receiver. The flashes can be interpreted using the table below. The Status Light is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and has been referred to as such in past documentation. -
Page 10: External Connector
It must be connected to a cable or the Subconn dummy plug when deployed. 1.3.2.1 External Power The VR2C external connector allows for the receiver to be powered from an external power source. The external power specifications are: External DC Voltage: +10 volts to +32 volts Typical Power Consumption (@12V): 2 –... -
Page 11: Getting Started
3. Use the VUE Software to communicate with the VR2C (section 3.1.2) and start a study (3.1.6) 4. Ensure the VR2C can detect tags by performing an in-air test (section 2.4). 5. Place the VR2C back in Suspend Mode (section 3.1.8) if you are storing it for an extended time period. -
Page 12: Connect Vr2C To Pc
Connecting a cable to the VR2C Connect the 5 m cable supplied in the communication package (see section 2.2.2) to the VR2C by following the steps below. This procedure is the same for any cable but we’re starting with the short cable to familiarize you with the receiver and also to test the receiver. -
Page 13: Connecting To The Pc
2.2.2 Connecting to the PC Connecting a VR2C to a PC in a lab setting is best accomplished with the use of a VR2C Communication package. There are currently two different VR2C Communication packages reflective of the different cables that can be used for communication, RS232 or RS485. The communication packages are intended to allow the customer to communicate with the VR2C in an office or lab setting using a PC. -
Page 14: Usb To Rs232 Converter Installation
COM port and assigns a COM port number to it. This COM port number should be noted as the VUE software utility needs this information to communicate with the VR2C. 1. Plug the USB to RS232 converter into a USB port on the PC. -
Page 15: Vr2C Communications Package - Rs485
DB9 to screw terminal block (RS485 version) VR2C external cable with flying leads VEMCO Product CD including VUE software USB to RS485 converter and terminal block 2.2.2.5 RS485 Screw Terminal and VR2C External Cable Pinout Screw Flying Lead from Signal Name Label VR2C Cable... -
Page 16: Communication Tasks
Communication Tasks Communication with a VR2C receiver can be performed by using the VUE PC software or with ASCII commands. Detailed instructions for using The VUE software is useful for in lab configurations, offloading VUE software are found in complete VRL files from the receiver, or whenever you can section 3.1. -
Page 17: Testing
It is important to keep the VRL files as a record of the receiver’s configuration. Tests can, and should, be done in both air and water. The VR2C can detect coded tags in air, but at a much reduced range compared to their range capabilities in water. -
Page 18: Communication
3 Communication Communication with a VR2C receiver can be established using the VUE PC software or using ASCII commands. The VUE software is useful in lab configurations, offloading complete VRL files from the receiver, or whenever you can communicate with the receiver using a laptop or PC. Using VUE with a VR2C is explained in section 3.1... -
Page 19: Establish Communication
VR2C case. Enter this serial number in the box and click OK. The VR2C serial number may already be in the drop-down list if VUE has previously been used on this PC to connect to the VR2C. Click the down arrow to show the list of candidate VR2C serial numbers (see photo on right). -
Page 20: Network Link (Optional)
Therefore, baud rates cannot be changed through a network link network link connection connection. Be sure to pre-configure the VR2C to the baud rate used by the serial device server it will be connected to. VEMCO - VR2C Manual... - Page 21 VR2C is contained in the center of the window. A tilt of 0° indicates VR2C is vertical with hydrophone pointing up. Checking “Save to File” will create a file in which all received detections The Detection Monitor section displays detections from that point forward are saved.
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Page 22: Change Baud Rate
There are two baud rates involved with the VR2C: 1. the baud rate used between the VR2C and VUE during the current communication session, and 2. the baud rate used for communication with a host device (datalogger, PC, serial terminal, etc.) after the VR2C has disconnected from VUE (section 3.1.5 contains more information about using a host). -
Page 23: Logging Options
Baud Rates Two baud rates are shown in the information given on the VR2C Receiver Tab page. The “Current Baud” value is the baud rate used to communicate with VUE during this session. The “RTM Port” information includes the VR2C permanent baud rate, which may not be the same as the “Current Baud”... -
Page 24: Real Time Mode Configuration
When enabled, RTM allows a host (for example: datalogger, PC, serial terminal) to simply listen to the VR2C serial port and pipe the receiver’s ASCII input data stream to a file or straight to a terminal where it can be easily read without complicated interpretation. As well as this automated data flow, RTM can also be used in a polled configuration where the VR2C outputs the ASCII tag detection information only when instructed to do so. - Page 25 Tag records sent as soon as received; soon as they occur. A VR2C status line is also outputted based on the status line sent at set period set in the Status Interval box. This value must be between 1 second to 65535 seconds (default is 60 seconds).
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Page 26: Start A Study
Review the PC clock time listed in the dialogue box that opens. The PC time and UTC offset must be correct as the VR2C will be set to UTC time based on these settings. If the PC time and UTC offset are correct, then click the “OK”... - Page 27 STEP 5 Enter a description of the study in the Study Configuration window. This information is stored in the VR2C and offloaded with the data. It can be very useful when data is being organized in the VUE software. The station name can be selected from a list of existing stations (if a database is open) or by simply typing in the “Station Name”...
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Page 28: Offload Data
3.1.7 Offload Data Detection and event data must be offloaded from a VR2C before it can be viewed. Follow the steps below to offload data using VUE. STEP 1 STEP 2 Click the “Offload data” icon in the Establish communication... -
Page 29: Enter Suspend Mode
When the receiver is about to be used again, communicate with a PC and start a from Suspend mode new study (section 3.1.6) to turn the acoustic receiver on. The VR2C cannot by starting a study. detect acoustic tags when the acoustic receiver is in Suspend mode. -
Page 30: Additional Device Options
3.1.9.1 Install Firmware Firmware refers to the internal software that operates a VR2C receiver. It is not to be confused with VUE, the PC software used to communicate with the receiver. Firmware updates are rare and will occur to either deal with a hardware change or occasionally for a significant addition to functionality. - Page 31 Before beginning, use Step 1 in the previous section to prepare for the update. Once the preparations are completed, select “Install Firmware” on the VR2C tab. A window titled “Select Firmware File” will appear. Select the most recent firmware file that matches your model of VR2C (based on operating frequency).
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Page 32: Reset Battery Usage Indicator
If there are multiple VR2C receivers attached to a single cable deployment, ensure that only the furthest VR2C on the cable has RS485 Terminations enabled. -
Page 33: Set Local Options
To close the VUE communication session with the VR2C, select the “Close view” button on the VR2C Receiver Tab ribbon. A window will appear to confirm that you want to close the VR2C receiver tab and disconnect from the receiver. Closing the communication session leaves the VR2C in whatever state it was in when the Close view button was selected. -
Page 34: Ascii Communication
The VR2C supports communication with a host using a defined ASCII command set. This ASCII command set allows for basic configuration of and data retrieval from the VR2C using any host with serial IO capability (PC with serial terminal program, third-party datalogger, etc.). This provides a very generic way to communicate with the VR2C (including retrieval of tag detection information) without the need to be running VUE. - Page 35 A new command line will time-out after 30 seconds and any commands entered will not receive a response. Always enter ASCII commands on a new command line (press “Enter” just before entering a command). VEMCO - VR2C Manual Jul 2018...
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Page 36: Ascii Command Set List
ASCII QUIT command. Once disabled, the serial transceivers need to be enabled again prior to sending any additional serial commands to the VR2C. The transceivers can be enabled by sending the receiver any ASCII character followed by a short delay of at least 100ms. -
Page 37: Ascii Command/Response Format
= one of the ASCII commands listed above in section 3.2.2 \r = carriage return (0x0D) The VR2C responds to every ASCII command with a response packet. Response packets are structured as follows: *SSSSSS.P#CC[LLLL],response,status,#HH\r\n Where SSSSSS = serial number of device... -
Page 38: Serial Communication Port Control
3.2.5.1 Serial Communication Port Control 3.2.5.1.1 BAUDRATE=x The BAUDRATE command sets the baud rate of the VR2C’s serial port. The host’s serial port must use the same baud rate as the VR2C for successful communication. The VR2C supports a variety of baud rates: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200. -
Page 39: Start
= Raw memory used in percent = Tilt information in G’s as X.XX:Y.YY:Z.ZZ. Note: +1 on the X axis with 0 on the Y and Z axis indicates that the VR2C is vertical with the hydrophone pointing upward Note: The XYZ tilt information is only available on certain VR2C hardware versions... -
Page 40: Erase
3.2.5.2.7 STORAGE The STORAGE command places the VR2C into the low power SUSPEND mode. This command is intended to be used prior to storing the VR2C for an extended time in order to help conserve the internal battery power. The VR2C must not be in RECORD mode when issuing the STORAGE command. -
Page 41: Real-Time Mode (Rtm)
RTM allows a host (eg. third-party datalogger, PC, serial terminal) to simply listen to the VR2C serial port and pipe the VR2C’s ASCII input data stream to a file or straight to a terminal where it can be easily read without complicated interpretation. Alternatively, RTM can be used in a polled configuration where the VR2C outputs ASCII tag detection information only when explicitly instructed (polled mode), rather than on an automatic schedule. -
Page 42: Rtm232
The VR2C supports several ASCII RTM Mode commands. 3.2.5.3.1 RTM232 The RTM232 command starts the VR2C in real-time mode and causes the receiver to transmit the real-time output on the RS232 communication lines. Command: *450088.0#25,RTM232\r Response: *450088.0#25[0009],OK,#9A\r\n 3.2.5.3.2 RTM485 The RTM485 command starts the VR2C in real-time mode and causes the receiver to transmit the real-time output on the RS485 communication lines. - Page 43 This profile outputs tag detection records on a schedule based on the status line interval. The VR2C will output the status line followed by all the tag detection records received since the last status line transmission. The default status line interval is 60 seconds, but it can be user...
- Page 44 This profile outputs tag detection records only when explicitly triggered by enabling the VR2C serial transceiver (refer to Section 3.2.3) and sending the RTMNOW, RTM232 or RTM485 command. The VR2C will output the status line followed by all the tag detection records received since last triggered.
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Page 45: Rtminfo
> 3.2.5.3.5 RTMINFO The RTMINFO command is used to retrieve information regarding the VR2C’s RTM. This information includes whether RTM is enabled (and on what communication lines) as well as other RTM configuration settings related to RTM data output timing and format. -
Page 46: Rtmoff
*450088.0#25[0009],OK,#9A\r\n 3.2.5.3.7 RTMAUTOERASE=x The RTMAUTOERASE=x command is used to force the VR2C to automatically erase detection log data in order to ensure that the detection log never fills up (which would result in detections not being stored). When the threshold is set to a non-zero value, the receiver will automatically keep the desired portion of the detection log free after each RTM output (erasing data as required to do so). -
Page 47: Readend
3.2.5.4.2 READEND The READEND command sets the VR2C’s internal detection log read pointer to the end of the detection log. Command: *450088.0#25,READEND\r Response: *450088.0#25[0009],OK,#9A\r\n 3.2.5.4.3 READREC The READREC command causes the VR2C to transmit the detection record referenced by the internal detection log read pointer. -
Page 48: Example 2: Entering Real-Time Mode
Example 3: Updating the VR2C Clock TIME= To periodically make corrections to the VR2C internal clock, send the command. The clock can be set at any time and does not require the study to be stopped or the data logs to be erased. -
Page 49: Example 4: Erasing Data Logs
Example 4: Erasing Data Logs If the detection log fills up (DU=100.0 in the status line), the VR2C will stop recording new tag detections to memory (and the RTM output will also stop showing new detections). To avoid this, the detection log will need to be erased periodically. -
Page 50: Attachment Methods
4 Attachment Methods How a VR2C is deployed is driven by the environment in which it is being deployed and the type of study being performed. Some important points to keep in mind when designing a deployment plan for your VR2C receivers are explained here. -
Page 51: External Cable
External Cable The VR2C uses an external cable to connect to other devices. VEMCO has successfully used cable with the following specifications: 2 Twisted Pair - 18 AWG stranded tinned copper (STC); 0.070” PP insulated; Individual foil shield, Drain (Twisted Pair coloring scheme: Pair 1: Green/White; Pair 2: Red/Black) ... -
Page 52: Maintenance
5 Maintenance Cleaning Instructions Clean the VR2C with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use solvents. Do not use a scraper or abrasive cleaner on the LED window or the seal surfaces. Battery The VR2C can be powered externally from a DC power source and/or internally by a single “D” size 3.6 Volt Lithium battery with a connector attached –... -
Page 53: Battery Installation/Replacement
It is vitally important that the electronics inside the receiver case do not come in contact with any water or the receiver will be damaged. For this reason, VEMCO recommends the VR2C be opened in a controlled environment and not in the field or on the deck of a boat. Continued…... - Page 54 DO NOT impact the threads on the Don’t allow water to enter the upper VR2C or they will dent and prevent the housing where the electronics are VR2C case from closing. See the housed. Do not allow water to come Trouble Shooting section of the Appendix for tips on thread care.
- Page 55 The internal casing surrounding the electronics is not waterproof and is therefore susceptible to water damage when the lower housing is removed. Water, even condensation from a humid environment, may enter the case and damage the electronics. VEMCO - VR2C Manual Jul 2018...
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Page 56: Disconnecting And Removing Battery
5.2.2.2 Disconnecting and Removing Battery After opening the VR2C case as described in “Opening the VR2C Case” (section 5.2.2.1), follow the steps listed below to disconnect and remove the battery. STEP 1 STEP 2 Place the two sections of the VR2C on a stable,... -
Page 57: Inserting Or Replacing Battery
5.2.2.3 Inserting or Replacing Battery With the used battery removed from the VR2C case as described in section The Battery Status must 5.2.2.2, follow the instructions listed below to install a new lithium battery be reset every time the (see section 0 for battery model number). -
Page 58: O-Ring Inspection
5.2.2.4 O-ring Inspection O-rings located in the end-cap of the VR2C case are crucial to the watertight seal of the receiver. Each time an O-ring is disturbed, for any reason, it must be checked before the unit is sealed again. Something as simple as a stray hair could be the difference between a successful study and a damaged receiver. -
Page 59: Closing The Vr2C Case
Return the retaining O-ring Check that the into its groove. Receiver Locking Ring is able to spin freely. 5.2.2.5 Closing the VR2C Case STEP 2 STEP 1 Inspect the O-ring surface Remove any old on the inside lower portion desiccant packs... - Page 60 O-ring on the outside of the upper housing. A desiccant pack has been included inside the VR2C to reduce the occurrence of condensation inside the case. This pack should remain in the receiver case during storage and deployment. We recommend that you replace the desiccant pack with each battery replacement cycle.
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Page 61: Resetting The Vr2C Battery Usage Indicator
5.2.2.6 Resetting the VR2C Battery Usage Indicator The VR2C Battery Usage Indicator needs to be reset immediately Only reset the Battery after a new, fresh battery is installed so the battery usage reported will Usage Indicator when a be accurate. This resetting can be performed using VUE (see... -
Page 62: Troubleshooting
This can be identified by its increased weight and a sloshing sound when the case is moved. The VR2C case will also be very difficult to open, if at all possible. If you suspect there is compressed air in the receiver case, then check for air or water leaking from the seams in the case where the main cylinder meets the hydrophone head or the main cylinder meets the lower housing. -
Page 63: Appendices
7 Appendices Contact Information VEMCO 20 Angus Morton Drive Bedford, Nova Scotia Canada B4B 0L9 Phone: +1-902-450-1700 Fax: +1-902-450-1704 Web Site: www.vemco.com VEMCO - VR2C Manual Jul 2018... -
Page 64: Vr2C Specifications
VR2C-180kHz: Approximately 5 months Memory 16 Megabyte Non-volatile Memory -5°C to +40 °C Operating Temperature NOTE: Water in which VR2C is deployed must not freeze. Storage Temperature -5°C to +50 °C Static Depth Rating 500 meters (730 psi) Ingress Protection IPX8 to rated depth RS232: Supports single receiver with cable length up to 15.2 m (50 feet) -
Page 65: Warranty And Disclaimer
VEMCO’s liability, and the Buyer’s exclusive remedy under this warranty, as to a defect in material or workmanship, is limited to the repair of such defect in the accessory, equipment or part in which the defect appears or, at VEMCO’s option, to the replacement of such accessory, equipment or part with a similar item free from defect. As to any item repaired by VEMCO or furnished as a replacement by VEMCO, VEMCO’s liability and the Buyer’s exclusive remedy to the repair or replacement of such item for any further defect in material or workmanship,... -
Page 66: Index
Erase data logs, 44 Period, 18 Real-Time mode, 36 Modes of Operation Start a study example, 42 Record Mode, 1 Update VR2C clock, 43 Suspend Mode, 1 Usage case examples, 42 Real Time Mode (RTM) Battery Setup in VUE, 19...