APPLIED ACOUSTICS MiniPod User manual

MiniPod Receiver
Operation Manual

MiniPod Receiver Operation Manual
RFR-101G-8000/1
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Revision History
Issue
Change
No.
Reason for change
Date
1
First Issue
09/05/19
2
2462
Addition of GPS Update Rate
22/12/20

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Table of Contents
REVISION HISTORY .......................................................................................................................................... 2
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE MINIPOD RECEIVER ....................................................................................... 5
OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
2. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.............................................................................................................. 6
PACKING LIST .................................................................................................................................................... 6
INSTALLATION /ALIGNMENT................................................................................................................................. 6
POSITIONING OF RF ANTENNA.............................................................................................................................. 6
MINIPOD ALIGNMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 7
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................... 7
3. SOFTWARE OPERATION ......................................................................................................................... 8
INITIAL CONFIGURATION...................................................................................................................................... 8
NORMAL OPERATION........................................................................................................................................ 10
MAIN DISPLAY ................................................................................................................................................. 10
POD LIST......................................................................................................................................................... 12
EXTENDED INFO................................................................................................................................................ 13
MODIFYING MINIPOD CONFIGURATION............................................................................................................... 13
SYSTEM MESSAGE AREA ................................................................................................................................... 14
MENU............................................................................................................................................................. 14
PROGRAM OPTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 15
4. END OF LIFE RECYCLING / DISPOSAL .................................................................................................. 17

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Thank you for choosing applied acoustics ltd as one of your equipment suppliers. We
hope you experience many years of reliable operational use from our products.
modulus technology ltd carries out all technical support, servicing and repairs. If you
have any technical issues with our products please contact the modulus technology
team:
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web: modulustechnology.com
Applied Acoustic Engineering Ltd has made every effort to ensure that the information
contained in this manual is correct at time of print. However our policy of continual product
improvement means that we cannot assume liability for any errors which may occur.
These written instructions must be followed fully for reliable and safe operation of the
equipment that this manual refers to. Applied Acoustic Engineering Ltd cannot be held
responsible for any issues arising from the improper use or maintenance of equipment
referred to in this manual or failure of the operator to adhere to the instructions laid out in
this manual. The user must be familiar with the contents of this manual before use or
operation.

MiniPod Receiver Operation Manual
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1. Introduction to the MiniPod Receiver
Overview
The MiniPod Receiver is a hardware and software solution to receive GPS data from RF
enabled MiniPods.
The MiniPod Receiver software, connected via a USB interface to a RFR-101G, receives
the RF transmissions from connected MiniPods and the GPS receiver within the MiniPod.
The windows based, MiniPod Receiver software, is used to display any received GPS
data, this data can then be fed, either via Ethernet or serial interface, to the client
navigation / logging application.
MiniPod Receiver (RFR-101G)
MiniPod 101G
Mini Pod Receiver Software

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If multiple MiniPods are used, the output from each MiniPod can be prefixed with a
unique numerical identifier to enable identification of the GPS data.
The system supports differential corrections (received via a PC serial port). These are
then sent to each connected MiniPod to improve position accuracy. The differential
corrections may be input in either RTCM V3 or CMR format.
2. Installation Instructions
Packing List
•MiniPod RF Receiver [RFR-101G-7000]
•USB 2.0 Cable Assembly [ELD050194]
•MiniPod RF Receiver Cable [RFR-101G-4000]
•MiniPod RF High Gain Antenna [EMD050040]
•MiniPod Software Support Disc [BCN-101G-8006]
Installation / Alignment
Positioning of RF antenna
Connect the High Gain Antenna to the RFR-101G via the RF Receiver Cable.
The RF antenna should be mounted at the highest point of the vessel, as practical to do
so, and face towards the target with an unobstructed line of sight. Objects around the
antenna may cause interference with the signals and result in errors.
Ensure the MiniPod BCN-101G internal antenna is in alignment with directional RFR receiver
antenna
RF Antenna
USB Interface
Power LED

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MiniPod Alignment
The MiniPods must be installed with the antenna label (shown below) pointing towards
the RF Antenna to ensure reliable transmission of RF data.
Software Installation
Prior to installing the software on the Windows PC, please connect the RFR-101G into a
USB port of the PC and then wait for windows to install the required driver. Once
installed the device will be shown in the windows device manager as a ‘USB Serial Port’
(FTDI driver)
Install the ‘MiniPod Receiver’software by running the ‘Setup.exe’ package supplied

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3. Software Operation
Initial Configuration
When the software is run for the first time the following screen will be displayed
At first run, no MiniPods are approved to connect to the receiver. Therefore, when a new
MiniPod attempts to connect to the receiver, the following prompt will be displayed
If the MAC address displayed matches the MAC address (as printed on the MiniPod
Label) of a MiniPod that you wish to receive data from then press ‘Yes’. Once approved,
this MiniPod will be added to an ‘Approved’ list. You will no longer be prompted when
this MiniPod connects in the future.
If you do not recognise the MAC address displayed then press ‘No’, this device will then
be added to a ‘Blocked’ list. The MiniPod will be removed from the network if it attempts
to reconnect in the future.

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If not all the MiniPods connect press the ‘Network Joining’ button to allow other MiniPods
to join the network, this will allow 60 seconds for any remaining MiniPods to Join the
Network’.
Once all required MiniPods have been connected, the Pod List will show the data
received from each pod, however the Model Number and Serial Number data for each
MiniPod will be blank (as shown below).
To get the Model Number and Serial Number of each connected MiniPod, select ‘Get
ID’s’ from the Tools menu. Please note you may have to repeat the Get ID’s process
more than once to get data from all connected pods.
When this process is complete the Pod List should look similar to that shown below
If all MiniPods have not connected after 3 attempts please check MiniPod Settings via RS232
and ensure RF communication is enabled.
Refer to ‘MiniPod GPS Receiver Operation Manual’[BCN-101G-8002]

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The software must be restarted after initial configuration to ensure correct operation
Once the above process has completed, the software must be shut down and then
restarted to ensure all connected pods are set up correctly for reliable operation.
After initial configuration, the system will not be configured to output any of the
received GPS data.
Normal Operation
Each time the software is launched, the system will allow any connected pods to
stabilise RF data transmissions, which may initially result in checksum errors. Once all
the connected pods have stabilised, the network will be configured. Information will be
displayed in the message window to confirm this.
Main Display
The main display consists of the menu, a toolbar, a pod list area and a system
message area.

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System Messages
Pod List
Toolbar
Menu

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Pod List
This pod list area will display data and statistics from any pod currently connected to
the network. The following information is displayed for each connected MiniPod.
Model
The model number of the connected MiniPod.
Serial
The serial number of the connected MiniPod.
Data
The GPS data message received from the connected MiniPod.
ID
The ID number that will be prefixed to the selected MiniPods data, sent out of the serial
port and/or over ethernet
ID On
If selected, the ID will be prefixed to the output.
Diff. On
If selected, and differential corrections are being received, the corrections will be
transmitted to the seleced MiniPod’s GPS receiver to improve positional accuracy.
Port
The name of the output serial port that the selected pods data will be sent to. The serial
port communication speed is fixed at 115200,8,N,1
Errors
The percentage of GPS messages received from the connected MiniPod that were
invalid.

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Extended Info
The Pod List information can display extra information, by selecting ‘Extended Info’ from
the ‘Tools’ menu. If selected, three extra columns will be displayed for each connected
pod.
Bad
A count of invalid messages received from each connected MiniPod.
F/W Rev
The firmware revision running on the connected MiniPod.
Last Error
The time of the last invalid message received from the connected MiniPod.
Modifying MiniPod Configuration
To configure output options, ‘double click’ on the required MiniPod in the Pod List.
Alternatively, highlight the MiniPod in the pod list and press the ‘Edit Selected Pod’ on
the toolbar
The GPS data received from each MiniPod may be sent out of either the same, or
different serial ports, as specified by the user. If the same serial port is specified for
more than one pod, an ID (selected by the user) may be prefixed to the GPS data
transmitted. This enables identification of the MiniPod that the GPS data originated
from. The ID is also prefixed to the UDP data transmitted.

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System Message Area
The system will display various informational warning and errors messages in this area.
Menu
File
The pod configuration for the currently connected pods can be saved to a file. The
saved settings include ID, ID On, Diff. On and Output Port.
This saved file can then be recalled for future operations.
Receiver
The serial port that the receiver is connected to can be selected. However, the correct
receiver serial port should be automatically selected on start up.
Tools
•Get ID will call all the identification details from the connected mini pods and
populate the Pod list.
•Clear Error counts will reset the error details located in the pod list.
•Configure Network will set the relevant delays for the Mini-Pods that are
connected.
•Extended info toggles the extra pod list column on/off
•Options will take you into the program options menu as explained on the
following page.
Help
About will bring up the following menu which shows the current software version of the
application followed by the serial number of the RFR-101G and Network Port that it is
broadcasting across (if enabled). The link at the bottom will take you to the Modulus
Technology website where contact details for help and support can be found.
File
Open
Save
Save As
Receiver
Com 1
…
Com N
Tools
Get ID’s
Clear Error Counts
Configure Network
Extended Info
Options
Help
About

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Program Options
Differential Corrections
The MiniPods are able to receive differential corrections as RTCM or CMR improving the
accuracy of GPS position.
Under the section to the left, comport settings can be amended to reflect which port
differential corrections are input on to the user’s PC. The correct format must be
selected and the enabled box checked. When Show Events is ticked you will get a
screen similar to the below.
You must check ‘Diff. On’ on each MiniPod in order to use the corrections supplied.
E,5 in the GPGGA string shows that
corrections are being used.
These messages will not show if
‘Show Events’ is left unchecked.

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WiFi Channel Selection
The WiFi channel selection box will selected as channel 25 default this may be
amended in order to change the frequency band of operation depending on the
environment.
The below table shows the frequencies of operation
Note: Channel 25 is default due to being less likely to conflict with other devices.
Networking
This section enables the toggling on/off of broadcasting across Ethernet as well as
allowing the UDP Port to be changed.
The checkbox must be ticked to enable broadcasting.
GPS Update Rate
Once the MiniPods have stabilised the GPS update rate can be set for all MiniPods by
checking the corresponding frequency box. This will change the update rate wirelessly
during operation.

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4. End of Life Recycling / Disposal
Within the UK, all electronic components and batteries must be taken for
separate collection at the end of their working life under the Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 and Waste Batteries and
Accumulators Regulations 2009 respectively. The AAE Technologies Ltd group (AAE Tg)
of companies as UK manufacturers will responsibly dispose of any returned end of life
AAE Tg components/batteries through registered/approved recycling schemes. In
order to prevent uncontrolled waste disposal and promote recycling, please contact
Technical Support for a RMA number and return any end of life items (if safe to do so)
carriage paid by the sender to our UK head office