Decatur Electronics SVR DUAL User manual

User’s Manual
Rev 5-2-19
SVR DUAL™
Surface Velocity Radar
With
Water Level Sensor

Table of Contents
Welcome .............................................................6
About This Manual ....................................................7
1 Safety Information ....................................................7
2 Receiving Inspection ..................................................8
3 Getting Started .......................................................9
3.1 Introduction ......................................................9
3.2 SVR Dual™ Panel Connector .......................................9
3.3 Connecting the Standard Serial Cable ............................10
3.4 Mounting Conguration .........................................11
3.5 Mounting Examples..............................................11
3.6 Mounting Options ...............................................12
4 Conguring the SVR Dual™ ...........................................13
4.1 Equipment Needed ..............................................13
4.2 Set Up ...........................................................13
4.3 Conguration Program Screen ...................................13
4.4 Conguration Items Screen ......................................17
4.4.1 Address (1-247) for Modbus ....................................17
4.4.2 Software Version & Unit ID .....................................17
4.4.3 Measurement..................................................17
4.4.4 Target Report..................................................18
4.4.5 Target Average ................................................19
4.4.6 Auto/Manual Vertical COS Adjustment .........................19
4.4.7 Cosine Horizontal and Cosine Vertical ..........................20
4.4.8 Hold Time .....................................................21
4.4.9 Update Rate ...................................................21
4.4.10 Sensitivity ....................................................21
4.4.11 Water Distance Sensor Duty Cycle .............................21
4.4.12 RS485 or 4-20 mA Loop .......................................22
4.4.13 Baud Rate ....................................................22
4.4.14 Serial Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.5 Loading New Firmware & Conguring the SVR Dual™ .............24
4.6 Conguration Notes .............................................27
4.7 Surface Velocity Radar SVR Dual™ Command Set ..................28
4.7.1 Commands ....................................................28
4.7.2 How to Check Congure Settings...............................32

5 Performance Tips ....................................................33
5.1 How Radar Works ................................................33
5.2 Selecting the Correct Site ........................................34
5.3 Interference Sources and Remedies ..............................35
5.3.1 Angular Interference (Cosine Eect) ............................36
5.3.2 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) .............................37
5.3.3 Feedback Interference .........................................37
5.3.4 Multi-Path Beam Cancellation ..................................37
5.3.5 Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) .............................37
5.3.6 Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.3.7 Environmental Factors: Wind, Rain, Snow .......................38
6 Care, Cleaning, and Storage ..........................................38
7 Specications ........................................................39
7.1 Antenna Parameters .............................................39
7.2 Environment ....................................................39
7.3 Speed Range Parameters ........................................39
7.4 Power Consumption ............................................39
7.5 Water Distance Sensor Parameters................................40
8 Legal Requirements ..................................................41
8.1 Documents ......................................................41
8.2 FCC Statement...................................................42
8.3 Conditions.......................................................42
8.4 Installer Note ....................................................42
8.5 End User Note ...................................................42
9 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ....................................42
10 Warranty.............................................................43
11 Service Return Procedure.............................................44
12 How To Order Additional Products ....................................45
13 Appendix A - RS485 Notes ............................................45
14 Appendix B - Cable Options ..........................................46
14.1 S769-78613U-0 .................................................46
14.2 S769-78614-0...................................................46

SVR DUAL™User’s Manual
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Welcome To Decatur Electronics, Inc.!
Thank you for choosing this Decatur Electronics product—the SVR
Dual™ is a highly advanced, low prole, surface velocity radar (SVR)
with a water level sensor. The SVR Dual™ is extremely valuable for
measuring water surface velocity during high-velocity ows and
ood conditions where using contact measurement instruments
poses a risk to safety.
The SVR Dual™ provides simutaneous velocity and distance to water
measurement and incorporates many leading features such as cosine
error correction for the vertical and horizontal angle positions of the
transmitter to the target. The SVR Dual™ also contains a congurable
horizontal cosine adjustment that may be used when the angle of
the SVR Dual™ is not parallel to the ow of the target.
If you are as pleased with its performance as we think you will be,
ask your Decatur sales representative about other Decatur products
including the Genesis™ line of radars, the Onsite™ line of speed
trailers, dollies, pole signs and the Responder™ line of in-car video
systems.
Try any one of our products and see if you don't agree that it is the
best-in-class!
—The Management and Sta at Decatur Electronics

SVR DUAL™ User’s Manual
5
About This Manual
This manual contains valuable information to help you set up, use
and maintain your radar so you can optimize its life and keep it at
peak performance. Please take a moment to read through it, and
keep it handy for future reference.
Note the following symbols in this manual:
Indicates a warning message about safety
precautions. Please read it carefully.
Indicates a helpful tip or precaution to note.
1. Safety Information
All service needs should be referred back to the manufacturer.
WARNINGS
• Do not over voltage the radar - it can damage the unit!
• The SVR Dual™ is designed to operate o of standard
+12 VDC (+9 VDC to +24 VDC) from the serial cable.
WARNINGS
• Opening the SVR Dual™ automatically voids any
warranty still in eect. There are no user serviceable
parts inside.
• Do not expose the SVR Dual™ to excessive moisture.
Never submerge the device. The unit is only water
resistant providing the power/data cable is plugged in.
• Do not drop the SVR Dual™ on hard surfaces since
damage could occur. Units damaged by dropping or
abuse are not covered for warranty repair.
Violation of these guidelines may void the warranty.

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2. Receiving Inspection
When you receive your SVR Dual™:
• Inspect it for any freight damage that might have happened
during shipping or unloading. Take pictures to document any
damage.
• Notify the freight company immediately of any damage,
preferably while the driver is present.
• Record the damage on the bill of lading and keep a record of the
problems or damage.
• The package should include the following pictured items along
with this User’s Manual.
SVR Dual™ Flash drive with manual &
software
S769-78613A-0
Serial cable

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3. Getting Started
3.1 Introduction
The SVR Dual™ is a low prole surface velocity radar specically
designed to measure water velocity and distance and then export
that information as RS232 data via the special serial cable. This allows
the SVR Dual™ to be used for a wide range of water applications.
The SVR Dual™ comes with software on a ash drive that allows the
user to congure certain parameters of the SVR Dual™ for specic
applications. Refer to Section 4 for conguration information.
3.2 SVR Dual™Panel Connector
The SVR Dual™ housing has an 8-pin panel connector which will
receive a variety of cable options. The standard cable is the serial
cable which comes supplied with the SVR Dual™. The 8-pin connector
and it's pin out appears below.
Figure 3.2
SVR Dual™Housing Connector
Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = RS485- or Analog output
Pin 3 = LVL sensor
Pin 4 = SDI-12
Pin 5 = RS485+ or Analog output +
Pin 6 = RS232 TX output from radar
Pin 7 = RS232 RX input to radar
Pin 8 = Power in

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3.3 Connecting the Standard Serial Cable
The SVR Dual™ operates o of +12VDC and comes with a cable that
has two connectors. The circular connector plugs into the SVR Dual™
and the DB-9 serial connector (shown in Figure 3.2b) is used for
powering and communicating with the SVR Dual™. When connecting
the cable it is important to understand that unlike standard RS232
serial connectors that have no +12VDC provisions, the SVR Dual's™
serial connector has two pins dedicated to B+ and ground for the
purpose of powering the unit. Figure 3.3 shows the pin arrangement.
Figure 3.3
Serial Connector
Top Row Bottom Row
Pin 1 = +12VDC (power) Pin 6 = N/C
Pin 2 = RS232 TX / RS485 + Pin 7 = N/C
Pin 3 = RS232 RX / RS485 - Pin 8 = Remote On
Pin 4 = N/C Pin 9 = Ground (power)
Pin 5 = RS232 Ground
RS232 / RS485
• The SVR Dual™ will come set to RS232 or RS485 from
the factory. If the unit is set for RS485 mode, then pins
2&3 above will assume this operation. All other pins are
unchanged.

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3.4 Mounting Conguration
The SVR Dual™ comes equipped with four mounting holes on the
reverse side (See Figure 3.4). Use these holes only to mount the
SVR Dual™ .
Figure 3.4
Arrows indicatie mounting hole locations.
.
The unit can be mounted in a variety of ways using a horizontal or
vertical pipe. The mounting bracket can be attached to the top or
the rear of the unit. The bracket of the unit is then attached to a pipe
using high strength 1/2 inch wide stainless steel adjustable hoops.
3.5 Mounting Examples
The following examples show standard mounting and positioning of
the SVR Dual™. It is important to make sure that the unit is parallel
with the surface of the water. If need, a level can be placed on the
unit to insure level. In the examples below, a standard pole is used.
Figure 3.5b
Figure 3.5a
SVR parallel to water surface

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3.6 Mounting Options
Shown below are the various mounting options for the SVR Dual. It
is important to remember that which ever option is chosen that the
SVR Dual be kept parallel with the water surface.
Vertical Mounting Option
Figure 3.6a
Vertical Mounting Option
.
Horizontal Mounting Options
Figure 3.6b
Horizontal Mounting Option
.
Figure 3.6c
Horizontal Mounting Option
.

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4. Conguring the SVR Dual™
If you are needing to program the SVR Dual™ and it is not yet
connected to a system that will provide the 12 VDC needed to power
it then the S769-78614-0 programming cable may be needed. Refer
to Section 14.2 for more information regarding the cable.
Before proceeding make sure your computer has Microsoft®Net
Framework Version 4.0™ installed. If not, you can install it by going to:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa569263.aspx.
4.1 Equipment Needed
• SVR Dual™ radar device
• SVR Dual™ serial or programming cable
• PC with either a usable RS232 serial port or a USB-to-RS232
adapter.
• Conguration Program from ash drive
• 12V power supply
4.2 Setup
1. Connect the SVR Dual™ to the programming cable using the end
of the cable that has the red and black wire coming out of it.
2. Connect the red wire to the positive (+12 VDC) of the power
supply and connect the black wire to the negative (ground) side
of the power supply. Do not turn the power supply on.
3. Connect the other end of the programming cable to the serial
port of your computer. If you do not have a serial port and are
using a USB to Serial adapter make sure you have installed
the USB to serial adapter software (driver) rst. Then connect
the adapter to the programming cable. Plug the USB to serial
adapter into your computer's USB port.
4.3 Conguration Program Screen
1. Open and run the Conguration program; which is shown in
Figure 4.3a.

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Figure 4.3a
Conguration Program screen
2. The SVR Dual™ Conguration Program is designed to
automatically recognize the assigned USB port. However, if for
some reason it does not recognize the port you can nd what
port has been assigned by checking "Device Manager/ Ports" on
your computer. The port assignment will appear as "USB Serial
Port". Note the port assignment. The example in Figure 4.3b
shows that Port 4 has been assigned. Your port assignment may
be dierent and the port assignment can change the next time
the USB to Serial adapter is plugged in to the computer.
Figure 4.3b
Device Manager screen

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3. From the Conguration Program/Com Serial Port Settings
screen (Figure 4.3c) click on the down arrow and select the COM
port that your PC has assigned. If you are connecting through
the computer's serial port, it will normally be "Com 1" or "Com
2". If you are using the USB to Serial adapter, use the port shown
in Device Manager/Ports. Once the correct port is known, the
Device Manager/Computer Management screens can be closed.
Figure 4.3c
Comm port selection
4. Once the COM port has been selected, left click on the "Open
Port" button. A "COM port OPEN" message will be displayed
indicating that the COM port is now active. (See Figure 4.3d)
Figure 4.3d
Press the Open Port button
5. Press the CONFIGURE button. (Figure 4.3e)
Figure 4.3e
Press the CONFIGURE button

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6. Within 3 seconds of pressing the CONFIGURE button, apply
power to the SVR Dual™ unit.
7. The Congure program will bring up the "SVR Dual Conguration
Items" dialog box. (Figure 4.3f)
Figure 4.3f
Conguration Items screen
8. Select new options for programming as desired. An explanation
of the settings is described in Section 4.4.
9. Once new options have been selected, press the OK button. The
Congure program will upload the new settings and the SVR
Dual™ will start.

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4.4 Conguration Items Screen
The "SVR Dual Conguration Items" screen allows for the setting of
several dierent parameters so that you can tailor the SVR Dual™ to
your application. An explanation of each setting starting at the top of
the conguration screen follows:
4.4.1 Address (1-247) for Modbus
Address 0-9 can be used to set the unit for SDI-12 use. The modbus
setting is also used in conjunction with the Serial Protocol settings
when the A5SNSNSS.SSSCS HEX WITH CHECKSUM is selected.
4.4.2 Software Version & Unit ID
Pre-set at the factory.
4.4.3 Measurement
Select the speed format that the SVR Dual™ is to use. For the
SVR application, only "fps" or "m/s" is recommended
• Miles-per-hour - Select "mph"
• Kilometers-per-hour - Select "km/h"
• Meters-per-second - Select "m/s"
• Feet-per-second - Select "fps"
You can set "MAX" and "MIN" speeds by changing the settings in
the "MAX Speed" and "MIN Speed" window as shown in Figure
4.4.3a.
Figure 4.4.3a
MAX and MIN setting window
If your SVR is running software version 3.6 and above then it will
set the speed range automatically. On earlier versions you will
need to choose a range of speeds to process by selecting either the
Legacy units "High Speed" or "Low Speed" button. The maximum
and minimum speed range for each of the speed formats will
be displayed in the "Max unit speed"and the "Min unit speed"
windows as shown in Figure 4.4.3b. The speed ranges for the
various selections are:

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• For"mph": Low Speed is 0.1 - 13.6, High Speed is 0.2 - 45.0
• For "km/h": Low Speed is 0.1 - 20.0, High Speed is 0.2 - 70.0
• For "m/s": Low Speed is 0.1 - 6.1, High Speed is 0.2 - 20
• For "fps": Low Speed is 0.1 - 20, High Speed is 0.2 -70
As an example, Figure 4.4.3b shows the speed range when the
"High speed" and "m/s" speed format is selected for legacy units.
Figure 4.4.3b
Speed range for meters-per-second
The speed range can be adjusted within those ranges by changing
the speed readings that appear in the "MAX Speed"and "MIN
Speed"windows. As an example, when "m/s"and "High speed"
is selected the minimum and maximum speeds that can be
processed are 0.1 to 20.0 m/s respectively. However, if the SVR
Dual™ is going to be used in an application where speeds above
15 m/s are to be ignored, then the "MAX Speed"can be changed
to 15 and no speed above 15 will be processed. Likewise, if the
SVR Dual™ is to be used where no speeds below 10 m/s need to be
considered then setting the "MIN Speed"to 10 will cause the SVR
Dual™ to not report any speeds below 10 m/s.
4.4.4 Target Report
The "Target Report" has four selections and allows you to set the
direction of the SVR Dual™. It is recommended that the user start
with the "All" selection when rst setting up the SVR Dual™.
All - Tracks the strongest overall target signal regardless of
direction.
• Approach and Recede - Tracks the strongest true directional
target coming towards or going away from the SVR Dual™. This
mode contains directional ltering that will lter out any signal
that doesn't have a good directional signal.

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• Approach - Tracks the strongest true directional target coming
towards the SVR Dual™. This mode contains directional
ltering that will lter out any signal that does not have a good
directional signal.
• Recede - Tracks the strongest true directional target going
away from the SVR Dual™. This mode contains directional
ltering that will lter out any signal that does not have a good
directional signal.
Figure 4.4.4
Target Report
4.4.5 Target Average
On versions 3.6 and higher the ability to set the average target
time has been added. The target average can be set for either
"Instantaneous" or up to 1,200 seconds.
Figure 4.4.5
Target Report
4.4.6 Auto/Man Vertical COS Adjustment
On the SVR Dual™ the Vertical COS Adjustment is disabled and will
show the "Manual Vertical" button as having been selected.
Figure 4.4.6
Vertical COS Selection

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4.4.7 Cosine Horizontal and Cosine Vertical
For bridge-type installations where the SVR Dual™ is over the
water and pointing slightly down, the horizontal angle can be
entered here to ensure that the SVR Dual™ calculates the correct
speeds. Keep the angles between 0 and 45 degrees for maximum
accuracy. Default is "0".
Figure 4.4.7a
Horizontal Cosine settings
The vertical cosine is permanently set at 40 and can not be changed
by the user.
Figure 4.4.7b
Horizontal Cosine settings
When setting the cosine remember to take into account the cosine
angle of the ow of the river. If the SVR Dual™ is installed so that
it is aimed downstream then the cosine angle error is calculated
as the dierence between the vertical angle of the mounted SVR
Dual™ and the cosine angle of the river ow. (Subtract the angle of
the river ow from the angle of the SVR). As an example, if the SVR
Dual's™ mounted vertical angle is 30 degrees and the river ow is
10 degrees then the resultant cosine angle is only 20 degrees. (In
this case 20 degrees would need to be entered into the vertical
cosine angle to get the most accurate nal reading.)
Likewise, if the SVR Dual™ is mounted in such a way that it is
pointed upstream and if we use the same angles as in the previous
example, then the nal angle would be the two cosine angles
added together (40 degrees).

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4.4.8 Hold Time
The "Hold Time"value indicates the length of time in milliseconds
the speed is displayed after the target moves out of range. The
default "Hold Time" is 1000 milliseconds.
Figure 4.4.8
Hold Time
4.4.9 Update Rate
The selected speed format will be sent in whatever time interval (in
seconds) that you set. The "Update Rate"can be as low as 1 second
or as high as 8 seconds. The "Update Rate"and the amount of serial
port activity do not aect the measurement accuracy of the SVR
Dual™. The default rate is 1 Second.
Figure 4.4.9
Update Rate
4.4.10 Sensitivity
The SVR Dual™ has a sensitivity range of 1-100 and is shipped with
the range setting at the (100) maximum. It is recommended that
the setting be left at 100.
Figure 4.4.10
Sensitivity Setting
4.4.11 Water Distance Sensor Duty Cycle
The duty cycle of the water distance sensor can be congured to
cycle on/o as determined by the user. See Section 7.4 for more
information.
Figure 4.4.11
Duty Cycle Setting

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4.4.12 RS485 or 4-20 mA Loop
Click on either the RS485 or the 4-20 mA button to choose which
format that is to be used. RS485 is the default
Figure 4.4.12
Update Rate
4.4.13 Baud Rate
The "Baud Rate" can be 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400,
57600, or 115200 bits per second. The SVR Dual™ always uses 8
bits, no parity, and one stop bit for its serial port conguration. The
default baud rate is 9600.
Figure 4.4.13
Baud Rate
4.4.14 Serial Protocol
Currently there are seven protocols available along with three
options as shown in Figure 4.4.12.
Figure 4.4.14
Serial Protocols & options