Fluke RPM4-AD User manual

© 2005-2007 DH Instruments, a Fluke Company
RPM4-AD™
Reference Pressure Monitor, Air Data Version
Operation and Maintenance Manual

© 2005-2007 DH Instruments, a Fluke Company
High pressure liquids and gases are potentially hazardous. Energy stored in these liquids and gases
can be released unexpectedly and with extreme force. High pressure systems should be assembled
and operated only by personnel who have been instructed in proper safety practices.
This instrument is not to be operated in any other manner than that specified by the manufacturer.
© 2005-2007 DH Instruments, a Fluke Company All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of DH Instruments, a
Fluke Company 4765 East Beautiful Lane, Phoenix AZ 85044-5318, USA.
DH Instruments makes sincere efforts to ensure accuracy and quality of its’ published materials; however, no warranty, expressed
or implied, is provided. DH Instruments disclaims any responsibility or liability for any direct or indirect damages resulting from the
use of the information in this manual or products described in it. Mention of any product or brand does not constitute an
endorsement by DH Instruments of that product or brand. This manual was originally composed in English and was subsequently
translated into other languages. The fidelity of the translation cannot be guaranteed. In case of conflict between the English version
and other language versions, the English version predominates.
Products described in this manual are manufactured under international patents and one or more of the following U.S. patents:
5,142,483; 5,257,640; 5,331,838; 5,445,035. Other U.S. and international patents pending.
AutoRange, AutoZ, DH Instruments,DH,DHI, CalTool, COMPASS, parallel measurement mode, //m mode, RPM4, QDUT, Q-RPT,
RPM4-AD and SDS are trademarks, registered and otherwise, of DH Instruments, a Fluke Company
Document No. 550148
051115
Printed in the USA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................I
TABLES ..................................................................................V
FIGURES................................................................................VI
ABOUT THIS MANUAL ............................................................VII
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................. 1
1.1 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................................................1
1.2 SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................2
1.2.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................2
1.2.2 PRESSURE MEASUREMENT SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................2
1.2.2.1 QUARTZ REFERENCE PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS (Q-RPT)..............................................................2
1.2.2.2 ON-BOARD BAROMETER ........................................................................................................................4
1.2.3 BATTERY AND CHARGER PACK................................................................................................................4
2. INSTALLATION .................................................................. 5
2.1 UNPACKING AND INSPECTION ............................................................................................................5
2.1.1 REMOVING FROM PACKAGING..................................................................................................................5
2.1.2 INSPECTING CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................5
2.2 SITE REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................................................6
2.3 SETUP .....................................................................................................................................................6
2.3.1 PREPARING FOR OPERATION ...................................................................................................................6
2.3.2 FRONT AND REAR PANELS........................................................................................................................6
2.3.2.1 FRONT PANEL ..........................................................................................................................................6
2.3.2.2 REAR PANEL.............................................................................................................................................7
2.3.3 POWER CONNECTION.................................................................................................................................7
2.3.3.1 85 TO 264 VAC, 50/60 HZ VAC POWER ..................................................................................................7
2.3.3.2 BATTERY PACK ........................................................................................................................................7
2.3.4 REMOTE [ENT] CONNECTION (FOOTSWITCH OR OTHER SWITCH)......................................................8
2.3.5 CONNECTING TO MEASURE PRESSURE (PS AND PT PORTS)..............................................................8
2.3.6 THE VENT AND ATM PORTS .......................................................................................................................9
2.3.7 CHECK/SET SECURITY LEVEL ...................................................................................................................9
2.3.8 SDS FULL TIME OFF ....................................................................................................................................9
2.4 POWER-UP AND VERIFICATION.........................................................................................................10
2.4.1 SWITCH POWER ON ..................................................................................................................................10
2.4.2 CHECK PRESSURE MEASUREMENT OPERATION.................................................................................10
2.4.2.1 CHECKING ABSOLUTE MODE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT.............................................................10
2.4.2.2 CHECKING GAUGE MODE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT...................................................................10
2.5 SHORT TERM STORAGE .....................................................................................................................11
3. OPERATION..................................................................... 13
3.1 USER INTERFACE ................................................................................................................................13
3.1.1 MAIN RUN SCREEN....................................................................................................................................13
3.1.2 FUNCTION / DATA KEYPAD LAYOUT AND PROTOCOL.........................................................................15
3.1.3 REMOTE [ENT] (ENTER) FOOTSWITCH...................................................................................................16
3.1.4 SOUNDS ......................................................................................................................................................16

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3.2 GENERAL OPERATING PRINCIPLES .................................................................................................16
3.2.1 Q-RPTS AND Q-RPT SELECTION..............................................................................................................16
3.2.2 GAUGE AND NEGATIVE GAUGE MEASUREMENT, DYNAMIC COMPENSATION
FOR ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE..............................................................................................................17
3.2.3 ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED MEASUREMENT...........................................................................................18
3.2.3.1 RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (ROTARY WING).............................................................................................18
3.2.3.2 RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (FIXED WING).................................................................................................19
3.2.4 PRESSURE READY/NOT READY ..............................................................................................................20
3.2.5 PARALLEL MEASUREMENT MODE (//MTM) (RPM4-AD A160K/A160K ONLY) .......................................20
3.2.6 DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENT MODE...................................................................................................21
3.2.7 AUTOZERO FUNCTION ..............................................................................................................................21
3.2.8 SDS SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................21
3.2.9 USE OF THE 12VDC BATTERY/CHARGER PACK ...................................................................................22
3.2.10 USING RPM4-AD WITH A PPC3 CONTROLLER/CALIBRATOR ..............................................................23
3.2.11 DIRECT FUNCTION KEYS SUMMARY ......................................................................................................23
3.3 DIRECT FUNCTION KEYS....................................................................................................................24
3.3.1 [RANGE] ......................................................................................................................................................24
3.3.1.1 RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (ROTARY WING).............................................................................................25
3.3.1.2 RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (FIXED WING).................................................................................................26
3.3.2 [UNIT]...........................................................................................................................................................27
3.3.3 [MODE] ........................................................................................................................................................30
3.3.3.1 DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENT MODE OPERATION .........................................................................31
3.3.4 [AUTORANGE] ............................................................................................................................................33
3.3.5 [LEAK CK]/RATE OF CHANGE MEASUREMENT .....................................................................................33
3.3.6 [DISPLAY]....................................................................................................................................................34
3.3.6.1 AVG (AVERAGE) .....................................................................................................................................36
3.3.6.2 RATE........................................................................................................................................................37
3.3.6.3 DEV (DEVIATION) ...................................................................................................................................38
3.3.6.4 RPT ..........................................................................................................................................................39
3.3.6.5 HI/LO ........................................................................................................................................................40
3.3.6.6 FREEZE ...................................................................................................................................................41
3.3.6.7 CLEAN .....................................................................................................................................................42
3.3.7 [HEAD] .........................................................................................................................................................42
3.3.8 [SDS] (SELF DEFENSE SYSTEM) .............................................................................................................43
3.3.8.1 SDS IN DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENT MODE ..................................................................................45
3.3.8.2 SDS IN PARALLEL MEASUREMENT MODE, RPM4-AD A160K/A160K ONLY.....................................46
3.3.9 [AUTOZ].......................................................................................................................................................47
3.3.9.1 [AUTOZ] IN GAUGE AND NEGATIVE GAUGE MODE ...........................................................................47
3.3.9.2 [AUTOZ] IN ABSOLUTE MODE...............................................................................................................48
3.3.9.3 AUTOZ IN DIFFERENTIAL MODE ..........................................................................................................51
3.3.10 [ENT] ............................................................................................................................................................52
3.4 [SETUP] .................................................................................................................................................53
3.4.1 <1RANGE> ..................................................................................................................................................53
3.4.2 <2RES> (RESOLUTION) .............................................................................................................................53
3.4.3 <3STAB>......................................................................................................................................................54
3.4.4 <4UL> (UPPER LIMIT) ................................................................................................................................55
3.4.4.1 OVER PRESSURE FUNCTION...............................................................................................................56
3.4.5 <5ATEST>....................................................................................................................................................56
3.5 [SPECIAL] .............................................................................................................................................56
3.5.1 <1AUTOZ> ...................................................................................................................................................57
3.5.1.1 EDIT AUTOZ ............................................................................................................................................61
3.5.2 <2REMOTE> ................................................................................................................................................61
3.5.2.1 <1COM1, 2COM2>...................................................................................................................................62
3.5.2.2 <3IEEE-488>............................................................................................................................................62
3.5.2.3 <4FORMAT> ............................................................................................................................................62
3.5.2.4 <5RS232 SELF-TEST>............................................................................................................................63
3.5.3 <3HEAD> .....................................................................................................................................................63
3.5.4 <4SDS>........................................................................................................................................................64
3.5.4.1 <1TEMP OPEN/CLOSE>.........................................................................................................................64
3.5.4.2 <2FULL TIME ON/OFF> ..........................................................................................................................65
3.5.5 <5PREFS> ...................................................................................................................................................65
3.5.5.1 <1SCRSVR> ............................................................................................................................................66
3.5.5.2 <2SOUND> ..............................................................................................................................................66
3.5.5.3 <3TIME>...................................................................................................................................................67
3.5.5.4 <4ID>........................................................................................................................................................67
3.5.5.5 <5LEVEL> (SECURITY)...........................................................................................................................68
3.5.6 <6PUNIT>.....................................................................................................................................................70
3.5.7 <7INTERNAL> .............................................................................................................................................74
3.5.7.1 <1BARO> .................................................................................................................................................74
3.5.7.2 <2READRT> ............................................................................................................................................75
3.5.7.3 <3RPT2X>................................................................................................................................................76
3.5.7.4 <4LO VNT> ..............................................................................................................................................76

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3.5.7.5 <5LOG>....................................................................................................................................................76
3.5.8 <8CAL> ........................................................................................................................................................77
3.5.9 <9RESET> ...................................................................................................................................................77
3.5.9.1 <1SETS>..................................................................................................................................................78
3.5.9.2 <2 UNITS> ...............................................................................................................................................78
3.5.9.3 <3ATEST>................................................................................................................................................78
3.5.9.4 <4 CAL> ...................................................................................................................................................79
3.5.9.5 <5 ALL>....................................................................................................................................................79
4. REMOTE OPERATION ....................................................... 81
4.1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................81
4.2 INTERFACING.......................................................................................................................................81
4.2.1 RS232 INTERFACE .....................................................................................................................................81
4.2.1.1 COM1 .......................................................................................................................................................81
4.2.1.2 IEEE-488 ..................................................................................................................................................82
4.2.1.3 COM2 .......................................................................................................................................................82
4.3 PROGRAMMING FORMATS.................................................................................................................82
4.3.1 CLASSIC PROGRAM MESSAGE FORMAT ...............................................................................................83
4.3.2 ENHANCED PROGRAM MESSAGE FORMAT ..........................................................................................83
4.3.2.1 USING COMMAND TYPE COMMANDS .................................................................................................83
4.3.2.2 USING QUERY TYPE COMMANDS ...................................................................................................84
4.4 COMMANDS..........................................................................................................................................85
4.4.1 PROGRAMMING MESSAGES ....................................................................................................................85
4.4.2 ERROR MESSAGESS.................................................................................................................................86
4.4.3 PROGRAM MESSAGE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW ..................................................................................87
4.4.4 PROGRAM MESSAGE DESCRIPTIONS ....................................................................................................88
4.4.5 REMOTE AIRDATA SETUP PROCEDURES............................................................................................107
4.5 STATUS REPORTING SYSTEM .........................................................................................................108
4.5.1 ERROR QUEUE.........................................................................................................................................108
4.5.2 STATUS BYTE REGISTER .......................................................................................................................109
4.5.3 STANDARD EVENT REGISTER ...............................................................................................................110
4.5.4 READY STATUS REGISTER ....................................................................................................................111
4.6 IEEE STD. 488.2 COMMON AND STATUS PROGRAM MESSAGES................................................112
4.6.1 PROGRAM MESSAGE DESCRIPTIONS ..................................................................................................112
5. MAINTENANCE, ADJUSTMENTS AND CALIBRATION ................115
5.1 OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................115
5.2 CALIBRATION OF QUARTZ REFERENCE PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS (Q-RPT).........................115
5.2.1 PRINCIPLE ................................................................................................................................................115
5.2.1.1 PA AND PM COEFFICIENTS ................................................................................................................116
5.2.1.2 AS RECEIVED AND AS LEFT DATA ....................................................................................................116
5.2.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED ..........................................................................................................................117
5.2.3 SET-UP AND PREPARATION...................................................................................................................117
5.2.3.1 RPM4 A160K/A160K (ROTARY WING).................................................................................................117
5.2.3.2 RPM4 A350K/A160K (FIXED WING) .....................................................................................................118
5.2.4 RECOMMENDED CALIBRATION POINT SEQUENCE............................................................................118
5.2.4.1 A160K Q-RPT CALIBRATION SEQUENCE ..........................................................................................118
5.2.4.2 A350K Q-RPT CALIBRATION SEQUENCE ..........................................................................................119
5.2.5 TURNING OFF ABSOLUTE AND NEGATIVE GAUGE MEASURE ME NT MO DE S ...........................120
5.2.6 Q-RPT CALIBRATION USING CALTOOL FOR RPTS SOFTWARE........................................................120
5.2.7 EDITING AND VIEWING Q-RPT CALIBRATION INFORMATION............................................................120
5.2.8 Q-RPT CALIBRATION/ADJUSTMENT WITHOUT CALTOOL FOR RPTS SOFTWARE.........................121
5.3 ADJUSTMENT OF ON-BOARD BAROMETER...................................................................................123
5.4 RELOADING EMBEDDED SOFTWARE INTO FLASH MEMORY......................................................123
5.5 SUBASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION ............................................................................124
5.5.1 MINI MICRO BOARD .................................................................................................................................124
5.5.2 POWER SUPPLY MODULE ......................................................................................................................124
5.5.3 DRIVER BOARD........................................................................................................................................125
5.5.4 ON-BOARD BAROMETER........................................................................................................................125
5.5.5 Q-RPT MODULE........................................................................................................................................125
5.5.5.1 HI Q-RPT MODULE ...............................................................................................................................125
5.5.5.2 LO Q-RPT MODULE ..............................................................................................................................125
5.5.6 DISPLAY ....................................................................................................................................................125

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5.6 Q-RPT MODULE PNEUMATIC SCHEMATIC AND VALVE STATES .................................................126
5.6.1 RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (ROTARY WING)..............................................................................................126
5.6.2 RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (FIXED WING) ..................................................................................................127
6. TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................................129
7. APPENDIX......................................................................133
7.1 REMOTE [ENT] ...................................................................................................................................133
7.2 UNIT CONVERSION............................................................................................................................134
7.2.1 PRESSURE................................................................................................................................................134
7.2.2 ALTITUDE..................................................................................................................................................134
7.2.3 AIRSPEED .................................................................................................................................................135
8. WARRANTY ....................................................................139
8.1 OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................139
9. GLOSSARY.....................................................................141

TABLES & FIGURES
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Table 1. Quartz Reference Pressure Transducer (Q-RPT) module designations and ranges ................... 3
Table 2. RPM4-AD packing list .................................................................................................................... 5
Table 3. Making pressure connections to RPM4-AD................................................................................... 8
Table 4. Position designators of Q-RPTs in an RPM4-AD system............................................................ 16
Table 5. Settings and what they are specific to (range, measurement mode, Q-RPT, system) .............. 17
Table 6. Summary of RPM4-AD function key operation ............................................................................ 24
Table 7. Available unit of measure types by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (rotary wing).................................................................................... 28
Table 8. Available unit of measure types by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (fixed wing) ..................................................................................... 28
Table 9. Default [UNIT] choices by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4 A160K/A160K (rotary wing).......................................................................................... 29
Table 10. Default [UNIT] choices by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4 A350K/A160K (rotary wing).......................................................................................... 29
Table 11. AutoZ ON and OFF.................................................................................................................... 59
Table 12. Security levels............................................................................................................................ 69
Table 13. Available unit of measure types by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (rotary wing).................................................................................... 71
Table 14. UNIT function - available units of measure................................................................................ 72
Table 15. Available unit of measure types by active Q-RPT and measurement mode,
RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (fixed wing) ..................................................................................... 73
Table 16. READRT - display update rates................................................................................................. 75
Table 17. Reset – Sets............................................................................................................................... 78
Table 18. Reset – Cal ................................................................................................................................ 79
Table 19. Reset – All.................................................................................................................................. 79
Table 20. COM1 Pin Designations and Connections ................................................................................81
Table 21. COM2 DB-9F Pin Designations ................................................................................................. 82
Table 22. Program Message List............................................................................................................... 85
Table 23. Error #s and Descriptions .......................................................................................................... 86
Table 24. 8 bit status byte register........................................................................................................... 109
Table 25. 8 bit standard event register .................................................................................................... 110
Table 26. 8 bit ready status register......................................................................................................... 111
Table 27. IEEE-488.2 common and status program message list .......................................................... 112
Table 28. Calibration point sequence, A160K Q-RPT ............................................................................. 119
Table 29. Calibration point sequence, A350K Q-RPT ............................................................................. 119
Table 30. Q-RPT module valve states, RPM4-AD A160K/A160K........................................................... 126
Table 31. Q-RPT module valve states, RPM4-AD A350K/A160K........................................................... 127
Table 32. Troubleshooting guide ............................................................................................................. 129
Table 33. Pressure unit of measure conversion coefficients ................................................................... 134
Table 34. DHI Authorized Service Providers ........................................................................................... 140

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Figure 1. Front panel.................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2. Rear panel .................................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 3. MAIN RUN screen display fields ................................................................................................ 14
Figure 4. Keypad layout ............................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 5. Battery pack/charger................................................................................................................... 23
Figure 6. Status register schematic ......................................................................................................... 109
Figure 7. Internal view.............................................................................................................................. 124
Figure 8. Pneumatic schematic and valve states, RPM4-AD A160K/A160K (rotary wing) ..................... 126
Figure 9. Pneumatic schematic and valve states, RPM4-AD A350K/A160K (fixed wing)....................... 127
Figure 10. Remote [ENT] connector schematic....................................................................................... 133

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Page VII © 2005-2007 DH Instruments, a Fluke Company
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This manual is intended to provide the user with the basic information necessary to operate an RPM4-AD
reference pressure monitor. It also includes a great deal of additional information provided to allow you to
optimize RPM4-AD use and take full advantage of its many features and functions.
This manual is specific to the “-AD” configuration of RPM4 (“AD” in front panel configuration window). If
you are not using an RPM4-AD, use the general RPM4 Operation and Maintenance Manual p/n 550129.
Before using the manual, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Table of Contents structure:
Sections 1, 2 and 3 should be read by all first time RPM4-AD users. Section 3 is most important for those
using the local front panel interface but should be read over by all users to familiarize themselves with
general RPM4-AD operating principles. Section 4 is for remote operation from an external computer. Section
5 provides maintenance and calibration information. Section 6 is a quick troubleshooting guide. Use it to
troubleshoot unexpected RPM4-AD behavior based on the symptom of that behavior. Certain words and
expressions have specific meaning as they pertain to RPM4-AD. The Glossary, Section 9, is useful as a
quick reference for exact definition of specific words and expressions as they are used in the manual.
For those of you who “don’t read manuals”, go directly to Section 2.3 to set up your RPM4-AD and
then go to Section 2.4 for power-up and verification. This will get you up and running quickly with a
minimal risk of causing damage to yourself or your RPM4-AD. THEN… when you have questions or
start to wonder about all the great features you might be missing, get into the manual!
Manual Conventions
(CAUTION) is used in throughout the manual to identify user warnings and cautions.
(NOTE) is used throughout the manual to identify operating and applications advice and
additional explanations.
[ ] indicates direct function keys (e.g., [RANGE]).
< > indicates RPM4-AD screen displays (e.g., <1yes>).

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