GENERAL SAFETY The following section provides Warnings, Cautions and Notes covering general safety aspects for the Oryx DTS. Please read all of the safety and operational warnings before connecting and operating this product. WARNING! THIS IS A WARNING SYMBOL. THIS SYMBOL IS USED THROUGHOUT THE USER GUIDE WHENEVER THERE IS A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
50/125 multimode optical fibre whose end is terminated with an APC, angled polished optical fibre connector. The Oryx DTS should be interfaced to a test fibre, using patch cord or pigtail assembly, fitted with an APC connector. The far end of the test fibre should be terminated to prevent free-space emission of laser radiation from the fibre end.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 3 WARNING! DO NOT LOOK AT OR EXAMINE EXPOSED FIBRE CONNECTOR ENDS WHENEVER OPERATION. WARNING! AVOID EYE EXPOSURE TO THE INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION EMITTED FROM FIBRE CONNECTORS EXPOSED FIBRE ENDS. WARNING! DO NOT EXAMINE OR INSPECT EXPOSED FIBRE...
INTRODUCTION - SYSTEM OVERVIEW Figure 1 - The Oryx DTS The Sensornet ORYX DTS unit is an intelligent remote logging unit for collecting fully distributed temperature data over installed fibre optic cable. The device will autonomously record the signals from up to 4 fibres, store this data on-board in non-volatile memory and transmit the data back to a base station computer (or download to a local PC / laptop).
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Oryx its self is not required and only occurs through the Sensornet ODC software. Because of the sophisticated nature of the Oryx and the volume of data collected and transmitted back to the base station, a proprietary protocol has been established for direct communication with the Oryx.
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Page 6 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 • Self-protecting features – idle mode activated if environmental temperature out of range or power supply voltage outside limits...
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 7 OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS The following diagram illustrates the connections to the Oryx DTS unit. All electrical connections are by removable screw terminals and optical connectors are E2000 APC type. Figure 3 - Oryx Connector Panel...
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Page 8 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 The table below lists all of the electrical connections. TABLE OF CONNECTIONS Label Connection Note Negative terminal of supply Positive terminal of supply Ground Com Receive Connect to Tx terminal on PC / modem com port...
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CAUTION! If one of the internal optical connectors is damaged, the unit will need repair at Sensornet. Only remove the Optical Connector Panel if a dirty connector has been inserted or the optical connector loss cannot be reduced by cleaning the external connector.
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Video inspection scopes can also be used to view the condition of connectors. There are two methods for cleaning connectors and couplings which are approved by Sensornet Ltd. The technique used is dependent on the type of contamination. If the connector has been exposed to slight dust contamination, the preferred method is using a ‘cassette style’...
COMMUNICATIONS OPTIONS . Communication options Figure 5 - Communication options By default, the Oryx DTS ships with both com ports configured for direct serial (RS232) connection. This mode is used in the following situations: • Direct connection of PC or laptop to serial port •...
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Page 12 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 The Oryx DTS also supports modem commands (AT command set) for analogue communications links and this mode is used in the following situations: • A telephone line is used with an analogue modem •...
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 13 FRONT PANEL INDICATORS Figure 6 - Oryx Front Panel – description of labels below. INPUT POWER When illuminated, this indicates that power is applied and the DTS is in operation. OPTICS POWER When illuminated, this indicates that power is applied to the optics & laser unit.
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FAULT When illuminated, indicates a general system fault not specifically identified by the other panel indicators. STATUS This LED will flash during normal operation of the Oryx DTS. In general the flash rate is as follows: System idle: slow flash...
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES PHYSICAL INSTALLATION The Oryx DTS is designed for internal or external use but should be mounted within a suitable enclosure to protect against direct exposure to the elements. A sealed enclosure (to IP55 or better) is recommended in extremely sandy / dusty environments or offshore sea-based locations.
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No software is required to be installed on the Oryx unit itself, this comes ready programmed. NOTE: If Sensornet have supplied the computer hardware, this will have the ODC and ODV pre-installed and configured. The software is installed by simply inserting the CD into the computer. The installer should automatically launch, however if it does not, simply browse to your CD drive and double-click the setup.exe in the root folder.
A spreadsheet application can also be used to view the temperature data files. NOTE: The ODC software is included with the Oryx DTS. The ODV software is licensed on a per-computer basis (each instance on a different PC requires a new license).
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Page 18 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 The “Edit Measurement Configuration” button enables the user to set an active configuration. The default_idle configuration can be modified to start taking measurements although the user is recommended to enter a new installation name.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 19 While the ODC is downloading data from the Oryx device(s) connected, live temperature data can be viewed using the ODV software. Please see the ODV section later in this manual (Page 74).
THE ORYX DATA COLLECTOR (ODC) This section describes the use of the ODC software for communicating with & setting up the Oryx DTS. Please note that some details of the software may vary if your system is running a different version.
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It is recommended that the user uses the default ROOT folder which is “c:\Sensornet DTS”. To use a different folder instead, first uncheck the “use default” checkbox. Now clicking on the folder icon, allows the user to browse for a different folder.
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Page 22 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 10 - ODC Main Menu with no Oryx devices added EDIT BASE UNIT CONFIGURATION Select ‘Edit Base Unit Configuration’ to make the Base Unit aware of any Oryx devices and how to communicate to them. This will display the dialog window...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 23 Figure 11 - Base unit configuration screen To add an Oryx to the base station click “Add an Oryx...” on the communications tab. Once an Oryx has been added to the base station the user is able to configure and download measurements from the Oryx.
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Page 24 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 12 - Associating an Oryx with a COM port Select the COM port that the Oryx is connected to from the drop-down menu at the top (if a COM port is not listed, please see the trouble shooting section at the end of this manual).
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 25 Figure 13 - File saving settings The settings from the “Advanced” tab are used to set the frequency of communications and will become more important once additional Oryx devices have been added to your base unit. Figure 14 shows the options available and they are described below.
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Page 26 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 “ORYX CONNECTION SESSION LENGTH” The Base Unit will disconnect from an Oryx it is connected to after the time period specified. This will give the Base Unit a chance to connect to other Oryx devices attached to the Base Unit.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 27 Figure 14 - Base Unit Configuration – Advanced tab The settings from the “Root Folder” tab (see Figure 15) allows you to change the current ROOT folder of the Oryx Data Collector. Use the browse button to select a new folder to be used as ROOT.
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Root folder for the ODV (see “The oryx data viewer” on page 74), you will have to change the Root folder for the ODV as well. To do this delete the “C:\Program Files\Sensornet Oryx\ OryxDataViewer.ini” file. It will then prompt you to set the Root folder again when you launch the ODV application.
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 29 Select “Save & Exit” to store the settings and return to the main menu. CONFIGURING THE ORYX The main menu is grouped into two sections, on the left (background colour blue) are the actions relating to configuring the base-station server or laptop and on the right (background colour yellow), are those actions relating to setting up and controlling the remote Oryx unit itself.
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Page 30 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 ORYX SYSTEM CONFIGURATION This option enables the date & time stored on the Oryx to be updated as well as the communications parameters to be modified. If more than one Oryx has been set up on the base unit, select the appropriate Oryx from the drop down menu at the top of Figure 17.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 31 Figure 18 - Setting Oryx communication parameters NOTE: The COM1 & COM2 labels referred to in Figure 18 are the communications ports on the Oryx unit, not the base PC. By default, both the communications ports on the Oryx are configured for direct connection, not modem use.
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Page 32 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 • COM1&2 baud rate – Displays or selects the baud rate for each COM port. The baud rate may need to be reduced if excessive communication errors are reported • Update Oryx – Sends the displayed parameters to the Oryx unit. Any new...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 33 Clicking the button labelled “GO” will synchronise the Oryx date & time to that of the computer being used. When all the Oryx settings have been completed, click on the “Done” button which will return the screen to the ODC main menu.
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Page 34 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 NOTE: Different configuration files may be associated with a given installation name. This gives the user the option to modify the measurement parameters without changing the installation name. The configuration name is composed of the installation name, followed by a date code and time stamp with a file extension of *.cfg.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 35 The “Channel specific settings” tab is where the detailed measurement settings are entered. A particular channel of the Oryx (channel 1 to 4) is selected from the drop down menu near the top of the window (Figure 21). A channel is made active by selecting the ‘channel details’...
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Page 36 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Once all measurement parameters have been set, the user is ready to upload the configuration to an Oryx. Select the Oryx required and click “Upload”. The user is prompted to correct any errors in the configuration and warnings (such as Channel X not activated) are displayed.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 37 fibre cable attached to each channel. The user is initially prompted to select an Oryx and is then presented with the first screen of the configuration wizard. The details of the configuration wizard and DTS measurements with the Oryx are described in detail under “Oryx configuration wizard”, page 52.
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Page 38 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 24 - ODC Process Log Displayed logs can be filtered on a per-Oryx basis via the drop-down selection panel at the bottom of the window and un-checking the ‘verbose’ option will only display any error logs that have occurred.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 39 Figure 25 - Oryx Status Panel A description of each of the information fields is given in the table below. Label Description Note Updated at Time stamp at last status All errors and reported...
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Page 40 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Installation The name of the current User set configuration file Serial # Oryx serial number Factory set Next measurement cycle The time the next due at measurement cycle will start System ok Green if system healthy...
During operation, the ODC stores various data and configuration files within the Root folder specified at setup (see page 22). An example of the expanded directory route is shown in Figure 26. Directories are indicated by blue rectangles and files by yellow rectangles. Figure 26 - Oryx DTS file structure...
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“Installation_name/Channel/Year/Month” hierarchy as shown in Figure 26. Full Data Set files are the complete data set generated by the Oryx DTS system after every repetition of the measurement cycle. These contain the distributed temperature data, raw signal data and various installation details – name, time, date etc.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 43 Other files types are described in the table on page 44. Figure 27 - Example of the ddf data file type imported into spreadsheet Given the potentially large quantity of data that the DTS records, the *.ddf files (full data set) can be up to ~800kb in size while the *.dtd files (temperature only) can be...
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Oryx and tracks errors and significant events on the Oryx device itself. Both of these files are useful in diagnosing faults and should be sent to Sensornet if a fault needs to be reported SUMMARY OF THE ORYX DTS FILE TYPES...
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The user can select which data file types are saved on the base station (see Figure 13), Sensornet recommends checking the following options: *.ddf data and/or *.dtd data; *.tdf data; *.tcd data and/or WITSML if required. The *.raw files are useful for...
BACKGROUND TO DTS Principle of operation The Oryx DTS system uses a short optical pulse to illuminate the glass core of an optical fibre. As the optical pulse moves down the core of the optical fibre, it is subjected to different types of radiation scattering.
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(this is known as bare fibre). The core & cladding guide light travelling down the fibre. The Oryx DTS system is optimised to use a 50/125 optical fibre which has a core diameter of 50 microns and a cladding diameter of 125 microns.
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1.2 to 1.5dB/km at a wavelength of 975nm. This is the wavelength of the light used in the Oryx DTS system. Signal loss is an important consideration when designing and calibrating an optical fibre sensing network. The known signal losses of the optical fibre are used to optimise the DTS system.
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 49 • The cable design can drastically increase or decrease the bend sensitivity of the optical fibre. Increased bend sensitivity can lead to increased noise levels being observed. • The cable environment & insulation should be considered. If one side of...
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Page 50 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 interface is shown in Figure 30 & details of the graphical pallets in the following figures. Wizard stage Configuration file loaded (if “Load file“ selected) Main graphical display Scale Legend Information Cursor control...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 51 opposite line to track the movement on-trace, enabling easy reading of values at a particular distance for instance. Right click to obtain the cursor context menu. Figure 32 - The Cursor control pallet The graph pallet (Figure 33) sets the function enabled when the cursor is positioned over graphical area.
Collecting data The Configuration Wizard is used to create a new configuration file whenever the Oryx DTS system is connected to a new installation. Configuration files contain important calibration information for an individual installations ensuring the DTS can accurately measure temperature. The DTS system is pre-calibrated for use with common types of 50/125 graded index multimode optical fibre.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 53 Figure 35 - Installation name screen of the configuration wizard After entering a name for the installation, each channel can be activated (Figure 36) and set up in turn. If a channel is not activated, the indication button is not illuminated and no further setup of that channel will be processed (the wizard will skip to the next channel).
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Page 54 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 37 - Configuration wizard – data collected The red & blue traces represent the Stokes and anti-stokes signals respectively. Some key features to note about the raw signal traces are: • The section from -50 to 0m is the internal reference oven of the DTS •...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 55 Length (dispersion) Correction The next stage of the Configuration Wizard is to perform a length or dispersion correction. The length correction process ensures that the DTS measures the distance along the optical fibre with an optimum spatial resolution. The DTS is pre- calibrated for most common multimode optical fibres but may require fine adjustment.
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Page 56 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 38 - Length (dispersion) correction incorrect Figure 38 & Figure 39 show the effect of incorrect and correct settings (use the graphical zoom feature to clearly see the effect of alignment). The adjustment is made by either clicking &...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 57 Figure 39 - Length (dispersion) correction correct Setting the Measurement Range The next screen allows the user to specify the measurement range. The maximum fibre length is measured by default but the user can reduce the range to avoid unnecessary data being collected (and reduce data transfer times).
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Page 58 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Leaving the differential correction method set as ‘single-ended’, click ‘Next’. Temperature Slope Calibration Three methods of setting the slope correction are provided: • Fixed value • Matched sections • Temperature reference sections Each of these is described below.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 59 Figure 40 - Slope calibration – fixed value Slope Calibration – Matched Sections If matched sections are selected from the slope calibration drop down menu, the user will be required to enter the distance values for the start and end points of two zones or sections.
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Page 60 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 41 - Slope calibration – matched sections Slope Calibration – Reference Sections This method of slope calibration is a development of the matched sections discussed above. The user is required to enter the distance values for two fibre sections but now each section can be at a different temperature.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 61 The user can also specify a single point in the fibre as a reference instead of a zone or section. This may be more appropriate if independent measurements or the PT100 probe is used to measure only a short section (<2m) of fibre.
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Page 62 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 43 - Offset correction – point reference type selected Setting the calculation method Once the offset calibration is complete, if any of the calibration options have been set as ‘matched sections’ or ‘reference section’ the user will be presented with a screen to set the method of the calibration calculation (Figure 44).
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 63 Figure 44 - Setting the method of slope and offset calculation Once the method has been selected, click ‘Next’ to proceed. Adding Zones The user is presented with the option to add ‘zones’ or regions of the fibre cable which can be monitored for average, maximum, minimum or variance (maximum minus minimum) temperature.
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Page 64 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 45 - Setting a zone Figure 46 - The list of defined zones...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 65 Click ‘Next’ to proceed. Setting the Spatial Averaging & Measurement Time The user is then prompted to set the spatial averaging and measurement time. The spatial averaging does not affect the way the DTS takes measurements but simply combines a certain number of adjacent measurement points into one data point by calculating the mean of those temperature points.
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Page 66 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 47 - Setting the Repetition time and number of measurements The repetition time is the time taken for one complete measurement cycle and includes the measurement time for each channel and any idle time. For example in Figure 47, two channels are configured to measure for 30 seconds each with an idle time of 60 seconds and then the cycle repeats.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 67 This completes the configuration wizard setup and the user is returned to the main menu to begin collecting data from the Oryx.
Page 68 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 DOUBLE-ENDED MEASUREMENTS INTRODUCTION TO DOUBLE-ENDED As briefly discussed on page 57, an effect known as ‘differential loss’ within the sensing fibre can affect the calibration accuracy of any DTS system and needs to be corrected for.
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 69 In the case of two fibres in one cable, the physical range of the DTS system is halved, since the effective fibre length is twice the cable length. 0 shows an example double-ended ‘U’ type installation with typical appearance of the temperature traces recorded from either end of the fibre and the combined result.
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Page 70 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 channel version). Click the “Measurement Config Wizard” button on the ODC main menu (Figure 7) and follow through the procedure up to the differential loss configuration screen. Figure 49 - Combined (Double-ended) measurement selected for differential loss correction.
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150m to 200m at the end of the traces. See Figure 51. Since the very last ~50m of fibre is the internal reference section of the Oryx DTS, the actual fibre cable end position is approximately 50m less than the point at which the raw data signals drop to zero.
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Page 72 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 51 - Setting the fibre end point Once this is done, the reverse raw data signals will start and end at exactly the same positions on the length scale – see Figure 52. The combined (red)
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 73 NOTE: Other features along the installed cable can also be used to align the forward and reverse traces. Choosing a feature near the centre of the cable will ease this process since the signal levels are approximately equal at this position.
DTS temperature traces recorded by the Oryx. This section provides information on installing and using this software. NOTE: The user cannot modify any settings on the Oryx DTS using this software. Use the ODC software to change settings and configuration SOFTWARE INSTALLATION &...
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 75 Figure 54 - License configuration Sensornet will then send a “Site Key” which should be entered to validate the software. Transferring the license The ODV license may be transferred from one PC to another. A USB memory stick or similar is needed to do this.
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Page 76 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 55 - Setting the ODV ROOT path Clicking on the folder icon, allows the user to browse for a folder. Once the browse window has the desired folder open (i.e. the folder you wish to use as root is open and displayed in the “look in”...
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(Figure 58). Clicking the “view system settings” button enables the Oryx factory settings to be viewed which may be useful for trouble-shooting by Sensornet. These settings cannot be altered by the user.
NOTE: The ‘current’ data is only the most recent set of data downloaded from the Oryx DTS by the ODC. This might not be the latest data actually on-board the Oryx due to, for example, connection problems between the base unit and remote Oryx device.
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 79 Please see the section on the Oryx configuration wizard, page 52, for a description of the individual configuration settings. The data from each channel may be viewed individually using the selection menu shown in Figure 60. Historical data may also be viewed by clicking on the “Historical”...
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Page 80 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Figure 62 - Displayed file details Just below the units selection, are displayed some details about the data file that is currently being displayed (file path, name, measurement start time & date). These details are automatically updated as new data arrives (see Figure 62).
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 81 Zones Data Display Figure 63 - The Zones data display When “Zones data” is selected, the temperatures of any defined zones are displayed as a function of time (zones are defined within the ODC). The user can select to display the average, maximum/minimum &...
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Page 82 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 If the autoscale ‘padlocks’ are closed, the plot will automatically scale correctly for new data. Raw Data Display This display shows the Stokes and anti-Stokes signals generated by the DTS. These raw signals are very useful for checking the quality of the fibre optic line and roughly measuring the losses along the cable and at joins in the fibre.
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 83 DTS signals propagate both ways along the fibre, it is convention to record and specify losses on a one-way basis. As seen in the figure above, the measured loss of the fibre cable in this measurement (for Stokes) is approximately 2.5dB total (between the two cursors) or 1.24dB/km (which is typical for good fibre at the DTS...
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Page 84 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 First ensure the correct Oryx is selected and then click the “Browse” button to load data. The user is presented with the window shown in Figure 66 From here, the desired installation (configuration) name, channel, year etc can be selected. Click “Load Day Data”...
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 85 Figure 67 - Selecting data files The “Load Installation Data” button (Figure 66) will load all data associated with the particular installation name selected – i.e. over all months and all channels. Please be aware that this could be a significant number of files and severely slow the computer.
Page 86 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 CARE & MAINTENANCE The Oryx DTS is designed for low maintenance operation. There are no moving parts inside the DTS and user maintenance is limited to cleaning of the optical connectors. External connectors should be cleaned before insertion into the Oryx. Specialist connector inspection microscopes are useful for verifying that connectors are clean and free of foreign material.
Channel names - De-select read only permissions for all files and folders in C:\Sensornet DTS and all files and folders in the Oryx ROOT folder - ODC should be run under administrator privileges No communications...
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Oryx date-time - Re-boot computer and then synchronise the Oryx date- incorrect time Should a fault need to be reported to Sensornet, please include the following (if possible): The Oryx serial number A full description of the fault An example *.ddf file of good data before the fault occurred Example *.ddf and *.raw files with the fault occurring...
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 89 SPECIFICATIONS PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Performance measured with the Oryx DTS at 25° C ambi ent temperature unless otherwise specified. Sensornet Ltd reserves the right to modify these specifications at any time. Parameter Unit Value...
Page 90 Oryx DTS User Manual v4 NOTES: 1. -10° C to +150° C. Temperature accuracy can be imp roved dependent upon calibration at installation. 2. Optical loss based on Stokes OTDR measurement from the DTS internal reference oven. Includes 0.3dB for optical connector loss. (One way losses quoted).
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Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 91 Communications / Output Item Details Comments Serial RS232 x2 Defaults: 115200b/s; 8 data bits 1 stop bit; No parity Max cable length On-board storage 32MB Equivalent to ~600 measurements at full range Ext. Modem...
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1. All models are Class 1M Laser products. 2. 95% RH max. non-condensing. 3. When moved between places of differing temperature, the Oryx DTS should be allowed to reach ambient temperature before measurements are attempted. 4. SR-15.8W power draw at 22° C ambient, 18W at temp erature extremes. Excludes any communications module 4a.
Oryx DTS User Manual v4 Page 93 DIMENSIONS WARRANTY The Oryx DTS is guaranteed against manufacturing defects for one year from date of purchase. Should there be a fault with the system, please contact Sensornet Ltd for assistance.
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