CHCNAV AlphaUni 900 User manual

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CHCNAV AlphaUni 900
User Manual
Mobile Mapping | June 2020

Table of Content
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Table of Content
Table of Content...............................................................................................................2
1Reading Tips..............................................................................................................4
1.1 Copyright.................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Symbol Description .................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Service & Support .................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Disclaimer................................................................................................................. 4
2Using Requirements ..................................................................................................6
2.1 Using Environment................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Tips Before Using...................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Tips During Using ..................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Tips After Using........................................................................................................ 7
3Product Overview......................................................................................................8
3.1 Product Introduction................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Product Component................................................................................................. 9
3.2.1 Configuration List ........................................................................................ 9
3.2.2 Instrument Container................................................................................ 10
3.2.3 Orange Battery Container ......................................................................... 11
3.3 Product Details....................................................................................................... 11
3.3.1 AlphaUni 900 Hardware............................................................................ 11
3.3.2 Physical Characteristics............................................................................. 12
3.3.3 Electrical Characteristics ........................................................................... 12
3.4 Primary Sensor Introduction.................................................................................. 13
3.4.1 VUX-1UAV Laser Scanner .......................................................................... 13
3.4.2 High-precision IMU ................................................................................... 13
3.4.3 AT312 Antenna.......................................................................................... 14
3.5 Multi-platforms Introduction................................................................................. 14
3.5.1 Airborne Platform ..................................................................................... 14
3.5.2 Vehicle Platform........................................................................................ 15
3.5.3 Vehicle Platform with Ladybug5+ ............................................................. 18
3.5.4 Backpack Platform..................................................................................... 19
4Battery Container Overview..................................................................................... 20
4.1 Battery Container Introduction.............................................................................. 20
4.1.1 Battery Container Components ................................................................ 20
4.1.2 Orange Container Port .............................................................................. 21
4.1.3 Controller Box Port.................................................................................... 22
4.2 Functional Specification......................................................................................... 23
4.2.1 Orange Container Function....................................................................... 23
4.2.2 Controller Box Function ............................................................................ 25
4.3 Electrical Parameter............................................................................................... 27

Table of Content
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4.3.1 Battery Parameters ................................................................................... 27
4.3.2 Charger Parameters .................................................................................. 27
4.4 Operation Instruction............................................................................................. 28
4.4.1 Battery Installation Steps.......................................................................... 28
4.4.2 Containers Assemble Steps....................................................................... 31
4.4.3 Charge Steps.............................................................................................. 33
4.5 Common Problems & Solutions............................................................................. 34
5Product Using.......................................................................................................... 35
5.1 Advance Preparation.............................................................................................. 35
5.2 Equipment Installation........................................................................................... 35
5.3 Cable Connection................................................................................................... 35
5.4 LiDAR Power On ..................................................................................................... 35
6Capture Operation Instructions................................................................................ 36
6.1 Remote Controller Unit.......................................................................................... 36
6.1.1 Controller Interfaces ................................................................................. 36
6.1.2 Initialization Interface Description............................................................ 37
6.1.3 Main Display Interface .............................................................................. 38
6.1.4 System Setup Interface ............................................................................. 41
6.1.5 Laser Settings ............................................................................................ 42
6.1.6 Capture Process ........................................................................................ 43
6.2 Data Copy............................................................................................................... 43
6.2.1 Manual Copy............................................................................................. 43
6.2.2 Automatic Copy......................................................................................... 44
6.2.3 Data Structure........................................................................................... 46
7LiDAR Turn Off......................................................................................................... 47
8Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................... 48
9Matters Need Attention........................................................................................... 49
9.1 Important Notes..................................................................................................... 49
9.2 Product Transportation .......................................................................................... 49
9.3 Using Notes............................................................................................................ 50
9.4 Storage Notes......................................................................................................... 50

Reading Tips
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1 Reading Tips
1.1 Copyright
Copyright 2019-2020
CHC | Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. The CHC are trademark
of Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Limited. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Trademarks
All product and brand names mentioned in this publication are trademarks of their respective
holders
1.2 Symbol Description
Forbid
Warning
Important note
Operate & Using tips
1.3 Recommendations
CHCNAV provides below documents for user:
▪AlphaUni 900 multiplatform LiDAR user manual
It is recommended for user to read above documents before first time using.
1.4 Service & Support
CHCNAV website: www.chcnav.com
Email: [e-mail] | [e-mail]
Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone]
1.5 Disclaimer
▪The customer should use and maintain the equipment in accordance with the
requirements of the manual. If the service life of equipment is affected due to improper
use or maintenance, even broken, CHCNAV will not bear the relevant responsibility. All
repairs and maintenance services resulting from this will be charged at standard prices.
▪The customer should provide a stable vehicle roof rack in accordance with the

Reading Tips
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requirements of the technical indicators. If the equipment is broken or damaged due to
3rd brand’s reason, CHCNAV will not bear the relevant responsibility.
▪During the transportation, if the equipment is damaged due to improper logistics
operation, CHCNAV will not bear the relevant responsibility.
▪During equipment using time, if customer disassembles and assembles the equipment
without CHCNAV’s suggestions & permission, and resulting in damage, CHCNAV will not
bear the relevant responsibility.
▪Customer should use default batteries and accessories. If use non-dedicated batteries,
the charger may cause unexpected situations like explosions, fires etc. The use of non-
original accessories is not eligible for warranty; if occur accident, the manufacturer will
not bear the corresponding responsibility.

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2 Using Requirements
2.1 Using Environment
▪It is not recommended to use in rainy, snowy, or foggy weather for safety. Also the point
cloud data will have more noise.
▪It is not recommended to frequently use in dusty environment, which will affect the
service life of equipment.
▪It is forbidden to expose the device and accessories under extreme temperature. The
environment temperature must not be lower or higher than the specification
temperature.
▪When the equipment is transferred from a cold environment to a warm environment,
water may condense on certain components inside the scanner. To avoid this, it is
recommended to place the scanner in a sealed plastic bag before transferring. When the
condensate is evaporated, then turn on the plastic bag.
2.2 Tips Before Using
▪Check whether the laser glass is normal, if there is dust exist, please use the cleaning kit
to clean it.
▪Check whether the ports are clean, and whether the pins are normal.
▪Check whether the connecting cables are reliable and stable, and whether the GPS cable
is stable and normal.
▪Check whether the remote controller has sufficient power.
2.3 Tips During Using
▪When using, make sure that all cables and ports are connected correctly.
▪After powered on, check whether the connection between remote controller and
equipment is normal, and whether the status of tracking satellite and board is normal
(the "A" icon in the CHCHAV logo on the upper left side of the controller will display
orange which indicate the connection is normal, otherwise, the communication is
abnormal if always show gray).
▪Place equipment at an open sky area with good GPS signal during powered on.
▪If the buzzer sounds abnormally during the capture process, please check immediately
whether the equipment status is normal.
▪Before start work, check the remaining capacity of the scanner memory card. If the
remaining capacity is less than 10% or does not meet the current collection capacity

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requirements, the laser data file need to be deleted in advance.
▪Before start work, please check whether the controller’s laser parameter settings are
correct. If not correct, please reset it again according to the project requirements.
2.4 Tips After Using
▪After using, unplug the cable first, then place the equipment into equipment case and
accessories into accessory case.
▪During transportation, take care the equipment and try to avoid bump.

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3 Product Overview
3.1 Product Introduction
AlphaUni 900 is one of the most advanced multi-platform lidar measurement system in the
field of photogrammetry and remote sensing. The system integrates one high-precision laser
scanner and one inertial navigation system. Due to its small structure and light weight, it is
suitable for data collection on various mobile platforms. As an advanced mobile measurement
equipment which integrates various high-precision sensors, the AlphaUni 900 can quickly
collect real-time 3D data on the surface of an object to achieve professional and efficient
geographic mapping information. The product diagrams are shown below:

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3.2 Product Component
3.2.1 Configuration List
AlphaUni 900 multiplatform LiDAR system configuration list is shown below:
N
Classification
Name
Model
Number
1
AlphaUni 900
LiDAR system
AlphaUni 900
1
2
Standard
Accessories
Remote controller
RC-8
1
3
GPS antenna feeder
1
4
Indoor power supply line
1
5
CN power line
1
6
Data copy line
1
7
UNF antenna
2
8
8G USB flash
1
9
Softdog
1
10
Clean suits
1
11
Transport container
1
12
Standard
Capture &
processing
Software
CoCapture
1
13
CoPre
1
14
Airborne
Standard
Configuration
XT60 airborne power line
1
15
Airborne antenna
1
16
Airborne connection suite
1
17
Airborne
Optional
Configuration
AS-C240 camera system
AS-C240
1
18
AS-C420 camera system
AS-C420
1
19
Accessories container
1
20
BB4 Multi-rotor UAV
BB-4
1
21
KK4 Multi-rotor UAV
KK-4
1
22
KK6 Multi-rotor UAV
KK-6
1
23
X-C Fixed Wing UAV
1
24
Vehicle
Standard
Configuration
XT90 vehicle power line
1
25
Vehicle antenna
1
26
Vehicle connection suite
1
27
Panorama camera
ladybug5+
1

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28
Vehicle
Optional
Configuration
Vehicle based panoramic platform
AS1300HL-Pano
-set
1
29
Simple vehicle platform
Mag-mount
1
30
Vehicle extension platform
Roof rack extension
1
31
Other
Professional backpack
Backpack frame pro
1
32
Multiplatform backpack
Lidar backpack
1
33
22000mAh smart battery
2
34
PC520 charger
1
35
PC1080C charger
1
36
CoMapping
1
37
CoProcess V1.0
1
38
CoRefineV1.0
1
39
CoSurvey for CAD V1.0
1
40
CoPower V1.0
1
41
CoManager V1.0
1
42
Inertial ExplorerV8.7
1
3.2.2 Instrument Container

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3.2.3 Orange Battery Container
3.3 Product Details
3.3.1 AlphaUni 900 Hardware
▪ON/OFF: Power on or power off the instrument with green light.
▪ODO: Wheel encoder interface.
▪FAN: Fan connect interface.
▪DC24V: Power interface with DC24V.
▪CAMERA: External camera connect interface.
▪DATA: Data copy interface.
▪GNSS-S/GNSS-M: GNSS antenna interface, always choose GNSS-M.

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3.3.2 Physical Characteristics
Instrument shape size
31.66*20.9*15.6 (cm)
Instrument weight
4.5 kg
Roof rack extension size
72*31*12 (cm)
Roof rack extension weight
16.6 kg
3.3.3 Electrical Characteristics
Input voltage
DC24V (11~32 V)
Rated power
75 W (Max)
Working temperature
-10 °C to +40 °C
Storage temperature
-20 °C to +50 °C
Humidity
<80%, non-condensation

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3.4 Primary Sensor Introduction
3.4.1 VUX-1UAV Laser Scanner
3.4.2 High-precision IMU
The standard update rate is 200Hz, but the option is up to 600Hz.
Orientation accuracy
0.01。
Attitude accuracy
0.005。
Positioning accuracy
≤ 1cm
Heading error
≤ 0.03。
Data updating rate
200 Hz
Weight
140 g

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3.4.3 AT312 Antenna
The AT312 is a CHC designed versatile geodetic GNSS antenna which can meet multiple
requirements of any land surveying, construction, and engineering applications.
Signals tracking
GPS L1,2,5 GLONASS L1,2,3 BDS 1,2,3 Galileo
Dimensions
154mm*63mm (6.1in*2.5in)
Phase Center Accuracy
+/- 2mm
Working Temperature
-40。C to +85。C
Connector
TNC Female
Weight
450g
3.5 Multi-platforms Introduction
3.5.1 Airborne Platform
3.5.1.1 Airborne installation steps
▪Push the slider of scanner into the quick-release clamp which on the bottom of the
airborne load plate in the direction of the arrow until hear a fix sound.
▪Tighten the side screw bolts to make it stable and finally finished the installation.
3.5.1.2 Airborne disassemble steps
▪Hold the bottom of scanner with left hand and turn the handle bolt on the side of the
quick release fixture counterclockwise with right hand until the threaded part of the
handle bolt disengages.
▪Pull the handle bolt back to the maximum position with the right hand and keep it. The
left hand can translate the scanner to the head direction to complete the separation of
the scanner and quick-release module.

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3.5.2 Vehicle Platform
3.5.2.1 Simple platform
▪As shown in the figure below, push the antenna with the fixed fixture from the end of the
quick-release slider which locate at the bottom of the scanner to the direction of scanner
head. Tighten the bolt on the side handle of the antenna fixing fixture to complete the
scanner and antenna fixing.
▪Install the vehicle quick release platform at the proper position on the roof first, then push
the bottom slider of the V-shaped groove of scanner until a sound is heard.

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3.5.2.2 Extension platform
The roof rack extension platform is easy to assemble, and it also can easily solve “laser scanner
is covered” problem.
The installation steps are simple: Firstly, using 4 manufacture standard M8 screws to fix roof
rack and vehicle cross-bar (THULE brand is recommended). Then, unscrew the screws of roof
rack and adjust the extension length. The maximum length is 400mm which divided into 4
sections and each section is 100mm. The brand of vehicle cross-bar is chosen as THULE and
the maximum load weight is 70kg. Turning in clockwise direction to unscrew thumb screws
and turning in anti-clockwise direction to lock thumb screws.

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3.5.2.3 Vehicle disassemble steps
▪Same with airborne platform disassemble steps, turn the handle bolt on the side of the
vehicle platform counterclockwise until the threaded portion of the handle bolt is out of
engagement.
▪Pull the handle bolt to the maximum position with the left hand and maintain. Push the
scanner diagonally upward toward the scanner head to complete the separation.
▪The antenna removal method is the same as above.
3.5.3 Vehicle Platform with Ladybug5+
▪As shown in the figure, push the scanner bottom slider into the quick-release platform
with ladybug5 + in the direction of the arrow.
▪Tighten the side screw until scanner is stable.
▪Drag the bottom of the scanner with left hand and turn the handle bolt on the side of the
quick release fixture counterclockwise until the threaded part of the handle bolt
disengages.

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▪Pull the handle bolt back to the maximum position with the right hand and keep it. The
left hand can translate the scanner to the head direction until the separation complete.
3.5.4 Backpack Platform
3.5.4.1 Backpack install steps
Install the top slider of the scanner to the V-shaped chute of the backpack rod. Tighten the
handle bolts on the side of the scanner to complete the installation.
3.5.4.2 Backpack disassemble steps
Pull the handle bolt to the maximum position with the left hand and maintain and twist the
thumb screw with right hand until the threaded part of the handle bolt is out of engagement.
Push the scanner diagonally upward toward the scanner head to complete the separation.

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4 Battery Container Overview
4.1 Battery Container Introduction
AlphaUni 900 battery container is a small set of power supply unit which includes three parts:
orange container, controller box and battery charger. The number of used orange containers
is depending on user requirement. The container has following characteristics:
▪Support hot plug for orange container during external power supply process.
▪IP64 protection level.
▪Support both lead-acid cell and lithium battery.
▪Cable-less connection between orange container and controller unit.
▪Support plenty functions such as low voltage alarm, anti-reverse connection, and
overcurrent protection.
▪The battery container has RS485 communication function, which can transfer orange
container information into controller box and display it; Meanwhile, controller box also
transfers battery information into instrument.
▪Product power convert module can be upgraded and support maximum 500w output.
4.1.1 Battery Container Components
A set of AlphaUni 900 battery container has three components: orange container, controller
box and battery charger.
1. Orange Container 2. Controller box 3. A set of battery (3+1)