AGD 331 User manual

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PRODUCT MANUAL
©AGD Systems Limited 2016 Doc. Ref. 331 PM ISS2
331
Low Power In-Sign Radar Traffic Detector

2
INTRODUCTION
Product & technology 3
Key features 3
Product introduction 4
Typical applications 5
Product overview 5
INSTALLATION
Radar mounting 6
Radar installation - Range 7
SYSTEM HARDWARE OVERVIEW
Power & communications 8-9
RADAR CHARACTERISTICS
General 10
Antenna plots 11
Frequency variants 12
RADAR COMMANDS & CONFIGURATION
Radar command overview 13
Command list 14-15
Output configuration string 16
RS232 output message 17
Firmware update 18
Dip switch SW2 configuration 19
Dip switch SW1 configuration 20
Rotary switch SW3 configuration 21
HELP
Troubleshooting 22-24
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Product specification 25
MANUFACTURING TEST PROCESS
Hyperion Test Equipment 26
END OF LIFE - DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS (EOL)
AGD331 radar traffic detector 27
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety precautions 28
Low power non-ionising radio transmission and safety 29
DISCLAIMER 32
Warranty 32
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3
INTRODUCTION
PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY
KEY FEATURES
• Target speeds reported based upon multiple
configurable parameters
• Range to target up to 180 metres
• Speed measurement 11kph – 160kph
• Bi-directional discrimination
• Two independent FET switched outputs
• RS232 serial communications for configuration and data output
• Simple set-up option using rotary switches
• Patent pending
331
The 331 detector is a true ranging FMCW radar
designed for OEM integration into Vehicle
Actuated Sign (VAS) applications.
Operating in the 24GHz K-band, the 331 offers
accurate speed and range measurement while
discriminating between advancing and
receding traffic.
Technical advancements allow for extremely
low power consumption while maintaining
vehicle detection distances up to
180 metres.

4
INTRODUCTION
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
The 331 radar is a ground-up development by AGD using the latest power saving radar technology. The heart of
the radar’s design is a unique pulsed, frequency modulated transceiver linked to a 32bit ARM Cortex processor.
This helps deliver market leading radar performance while maintaining extremely low power usage.
Traditional Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler radars for sign driving applications have no ranging capability.
The 331 contains filter-down technology from AGD high grade enforcement products, this furnishes the radar
with a full multi-target acquisition platform, accurate range measurement, and adjustable output rate of targets.
To the VAS designer, this simply means the system power is more efficiently managed by the ability to select the
area of interest accurately (regardless of vehicle size).
Designed to be simple to use and quickly deployed into the end users sign solution, the 331 range and low speed
can be set-up and adjusted via rotary and dip switches conveniently located on the rear of the unit. Additional
parameters are accessible via an RS232 serial interface.
Utilising the same compact form factor as the AGD 330 radar, the 331 radar offers a direct physical retrofit
solution, for those wishing to add more functionality.

5
INTRODUCTION
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
Sign Activation - Speed Sign Activation - Warning
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Power-up and output
detect LED
Power input, RS232
and switched output
connections
Expansion socket
Switch 1
(Low speed threshold)
Switch 3 (Range)
Switches 2 (DIP)
* SW1 and SW3 can only be used to set the low speed threshold and range on switched output 1

6
INSTALLATION
RADAR MOUNTING
Installation of the radar within the sign should be in
accordance with the table below which specifies the
spacing (D) of the radar module PCB assembly from the
inside front surface of the sign. These measurements
are based upon a typical polycarbonate fascia and have
been tested to provide optimum radar performance.
In the instance of different thickness front panel
materials, customers are advised to contact AGD
systems for further information and technical support.
Standard fixing of the radar module is based upon a set
of four mounting holes with the dimensions shown in
the diagram on the right.
The recommended material situated in front of a K-Band radar is 4mm thick polycarbonate.
The relatively wide beam profile of the K-band radar module ensures good detection coverage of single or dual
lane approaches with relatively little adjustment of the sign in relation to the direction of approaching targets.
Mounting of the radar within the sign is recommended at between two and five metres from the ground
(optimum 3m).
D=15mm
62mm
55mm 65mm
The radars planar antenna
should be 90
0
to the road
surface, inclines in the road
surface should be catered
for by adjusting the 331
radars mounting angle.
Front screen material thickness Recommended Spacing D Comments
0.5mm 15mm +/- 1mm Spacing for 0.5mm material is not critical
1.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm
2.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm
3.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm
4.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm Spacing for 4mm material is not critical
5.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm
6.0mm 15mm +/- 1mm
Holes 4mmØ

7
INSTALLATION
RADAR INSTALLATION - RANGE
The 331 is a true ranging radar that allows the user to select at what range the radar needs to start reporting on
tracked targets.
Each target needs to return sufficient signal in order for the radar to track its range. A target returns signal
related to its Radar Cross Section (RCS) which is in part related to the reflecting area of the target. Targets that
have a larger Radar Cross Section (RCS) will return a higher signal than those with a smaller RCS.
For example: If the detection range is set at 80 metres then all targets that have enough reflective power before
this point will be tracked. Only when the target is at 80 metres will detection occur, allowing for accurate
actuation of the sign at the correct range.
Maximum
Range 180m
Dual Lane
Detection 25m
Minimum
Range 16m

8
SYSTEM HARDWARE OVERVIEW
POWER & COMMUNICATIONS
Terminal Connections
Pin No. Function Power Off Power On - No Detect Power On - Detect
1 +5.5 to 15V dc - - -
2 0V dc / RS232 GND / Switched GND - - -
3 RS232 TX - - -
4 RS232 RX - - -
5 Switched Output 1 (FET1) High ΩHigh ΩLow Ω
6 Switched Output 2 (FET2) High ΩHigh ΩLow Ω
7 No function - - -
Power
The radar is powered using a DC voltage in the range
of 5.5 – 15V dc. The power is applied to terminals 1 and 2
located at the bottom of the radar.
Power consumption 15mA @12V
* Please note that terminal 2 also serves as the
RS232 GND connection and the 0V potential
for FET 1 and 2 switched outputs.
Power-Up Sequence
Upon initialisation from power-up or *REBOOT! the LED will
flash five times to indicate the radar has powered-up correctly.
FET Switched Outputs
The switched outputs are driven via Field Effect Transistors (FET) that are
biased toward 0V. All external equipment should be connected to the same 0V.
When the FET is low impedance (<25Ω), the host equipment will be at the same potential as 0V.
When the FET is high impedance (>100kΩ), this will be the same as an open switch.
The field effect transistors are rated at:
Max Voltage 15V
Max Current 50mA
*All connections should be made to the unit before applying power.
15mA
5.5 6 8 10 12 14 15
331 CURRENT
Supply voltage (v)
Supply current (mA)
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
9
8
5.5 6 8 10 12 14 15
331 CURRENT
Supply voltage (v)
Supply current (mA)
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
15mA
65mA - AGD330
FIG 1: SUPPLY CURRENT VS. SUPPLY VOLTAGE

9
SYSTEM HARDWARE OVERVIEW
POWER & COMMUNICATIONS
RS232 UART Interface
A UART interface is provided that uses RS232 voltage levels on the terminal connector:
Communications can be established with the 331 Radar using MS-226 (FTDI USB-232 converter) cable assembly
(pictured) supplied separately. The wire ends should be connected as
FTDI Wire Colour 331 Terminal Connection Function
Black 2Ov
Yellow 3TXD
Orange 4RXD
DEFAULT UART SETTINGS
Parameter Setting
Baud rate 115200
Data bits 8
Parity None
Stop bits 1
Flow Control (handshaking) None
Transmit Delay 0

RADAR CHARACTERISTICS
GENERAL
Radar Antenna
The antenna design is a planar patch array with the following performance:
Operating Frequency Band and Power
The radar frequency and power is as follows:
10
Parameter Specified Notes
Horizontal Beam-width 30˚ approx -3dB
Vertical Beam-width 30˚ approx -3dB
Side-lobe Suppression 16dB Minimum
E-Field Vertical Plane Polarised
Parameter Specified Notes
Centre Frequency 24.200GHz* FCC variant uses 24.125GHz
Frequency Modulation 14MHz
Power <100mW eirp
Field Strength <500mV/m @3m
Transmit Duration Time 10mS
ITU Code 13M3FXN