Confirming sensor operation - AdvanceGuard

Owned by James Eadie
Last updated: Feb 02, 2022 by Charlotte Dakin-Norris
6 min read



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Confirming sensor operation

In order to test the output of the radar sensor, you will require:

  • A portable computer running Windows 7 or 10,
     

  • A CAT 5, 5e or 6 network cable (straight or crossover wiring).

Preparing your computer 

IMPORTANT: Ensure that your computer has its IP address set to operate within the same subnet as the radar sensor. 

The IP address (e.g. 192.168.0.1) of the radar sensor is preset before leaving Navtech Radar Limited according to client specifications and on the Series 200 & 300 radar will be declared on a label attached to the outer casing.

  • The subnet mask of the radar sensor is often preset to 255.255.255.0 but could also be set wider (such as 255.255.0.0) if requested.

  • Thus, if the sensor IP address is 192.168.0.1 and the mask is 255.255.255.0, then your computer must use an IP address in the range: 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254


Note: If you are connecting to the radar via an Ethernet switch rather than making a direct link, it is important that no other radar client software is already connected before using radar view.


Connecting your computer

You can connect your computer at any point along the signal link from the radar sensor, either directly into the sensor mounted socket; at the pole mounted enclosure (if the signal link is joined there) or at the far end of the link where it will join the RPU (Radar Processing Unit) system. Note: The sensor can be powered on or off while connecting and disconnecting the network link.

The network controller within the radar sensor is autosensing so that you can use either straight through or crossover cables and it will adjust its operation accordingly.

To connect to your computer

  1. Connect a link cable between your computer and the network port, either on the sensor or elsewhere along the signal path.

  2. Ensure that the radar sensor is powered on and is rotating - you can faintly hear the rotor when it is running.

Testing a Sensor

Using the Vertex Interface

The HDR radar sensor has a built in web interface (known as Vertex) which provides default user level access to the radar. Vertex allows you to view various operational data as soon as it opens (e.g. IP address, serial number, System Uptime and Radar health, etc.) However, to make any changes you will need to Login.

When first connecting, ensure there is nothing else on the network that is using the same IP address. If necessary, connect a computer directly to the Ethernet port of the radar unit and access Vertex directly in order to change the IP address. For further details:

To Access the Vertex Interface

To access the Vertex interface please refer to these instructions: Vertex User Guide | Accessing the Radar Interface.

You should now see the Vertex interface opening page:

Within the basic view (when not logged in to the sensor), Vertex provides four main pages, accessible from the four buttons in the top left corner:

Status: Displays basic static settings (i.e. Auto-Hostname, Radar serial number, IP address, etc.) plus dynamic graphs (arranged on two tabs in the lower portion of the page) that provide Temperature and Rotation details.

Each graph shows the following about each parameter:

  • Actual Value (Blue):  Instantaneous value.

  • Expected Value (Green):  Expected value based on the configuration of the radar.

  • Min / Max Values (Red):  The min & max allowed values for each metric.

System Information: Provides three pages of detailed settings under the sub headings of System, Radar and Advanced. Click the System Information option to reveal the three sub-headings.

Log Viewer: A full list of all sensor activities. Viewing is possible while not logged in, however, you must log in if you wish to download the record.

Radar Data: Allows you to view the live radar data.

Two other buttons are shown at the top right corner of the page:

Report: Click on this option to display a configuration summary report that details all of the key sensor settings.

Login: Click on this option to login so that changes can be made to the service due date. See setting the service date below for details.

Using the Log Viewer

The radar stores a record of activities in order to assist diagnostics. Due to memory restrictions, newer entries will overwrite the oldest and so the log does not retain all historical information.

  1. Select the Log Viewer button.

  2. Enter the number of records that you wish to view and click Go.

  3. The requested number of log entries will be displayed with the most recent at the top of the page:

     

  4. The numbering starts from the latest entry and work backwards in time.

Viewing Radar Data

  1. Click on the Radar Data button to view live radar data:

     

Note: This is a graphically intensive process and update may be slow, depending upon your PC hardware.

Logging in to Vertex

In order to change any radar details, you first need to login to Vertex. To do this please follow these instructions: Login | User Login to Vertex.

Changing the IP Address(es)

Once you are logged in it is then possible to change various details, such as the radar sensor’s own IP address, its Subnet mask, the Gateway IP address and/or the NTP (Network Time Protocol - where the sensor should derive its time information ) address.

To change IP details

  1. Click on the System Configuration button on the left side to display the following page:

     

  2. As required, change the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and/or NTP Address to suit the installation and then click the Apply button in the lower right corner.

  3. Click the Commit Changes button to save the settings to the sensor memory.

  4. Click the Action button at the top of the page and then click the Reboot option to restart the radar sensor.

Additional information regarding Vertex can be viewed in the Vertex User Guide.

  Caution - HDR 100/200/300 Series Power removal

Next: Levelling a sensor