GSSI PaveScan RDM 2.0 User manual

MN36-716 Rev A

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® RDM
Manual
Copyright© 2020 Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved
including the right of reproduction
in whole or in part in any form
Published by Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.
40 Simon Street
Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 USA
Printed in the United States
SIR, RADAN, UtilityScan and PaveScan RDM are registered trademarks of
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® 2.0 RDM
Manual
Limited Warranty, Limitations of Liability and Restrictions
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. hereinafter referred to as GSSI, warrants that for a period of
24 months from the delivery date to the original purchaser this product will be free from defects in
materials and workmanship. EXCEPT FOR THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY, GSSI
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. GSSI's obligation is limited to
repairing or replacing parts or equipment which are returned to GSSI, transportation and insurance pre-
paid, without alteration or further damage, and which in GSSI's judgment, were defective or became
defective during normal use.
GSSI ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR INJURIES CAUSED BY PROPER OR IMPROPER OPERATION
OF ITS EQUIPMENT, WHETHER OR NOT DEFECTIVE.
Before returning any equipment to GSSI, a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be
obtained. Please call the GSSI Customer Service Manager who will assign an RMA number. Be sure to
have the serial number of the unit available.
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Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® RDM 2.0
Manual
MN36-716 Rev A

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® RDM 2.0
Manual
MN36-716 Rev A
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction..............................................................................................................1
1.1: Unpacking Your System .......................................................................................1
Chapter 2: Getting Started and Data Collection............................................................3
2.1: Start-up ...................................................................................................................3
2.2: System Settings....................................................................................................5
2.3: Data Collection Setup..................................................................................... 12
2.4: Calibration........................................................................................................... 19
2.5: Data Collection.................................................................................................. 23
Chapter 3: Data Playback and Export............................................................................... 29
3.1: Playback and Review Collected Files...........................................................29
3.2: Setting Up the Void Percentage Relationship........................................34
3.3: Exporting Collected Files................................................................................... 36
Chapter 4: System Shutdown and Updates ..................................................................41
4.1: System Shutdown................................................................................................. 41
4.2: Software Updates ................................................................................................. 42
Appendix A – Calculation of % Voids, % Compaction, or Density from
Dielectric......................................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix B – Choosing the Correct Lateral Offset ...................................................47
Appendix C – Valid Data Range..........................................................................................49
Appendix D – Export of Linear and Area Defects....................................................... 53

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® 2.0 RDM
Manual

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. PaveScan® RDM 2.0
Manual
MN36-716 Rev A 1
Chapter 1: Introduction
This manual describes the setup and data collection methodology for the PaveScan RDM asphalt density
assessment system. It is intended as both a reference and a teaching tool and it is recommended the entire
manual is read, regardless of the level of GPR experience.
If operation problems are experienced with your system, GSSI Technical Support can be reached
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm EST, at 1-800-524-3011, or at [phone] (International).
1.1: Unpacking Your System
Thank you for purchasing a GSSI PaveScan RDM (hereafter referred to as RDM). A packing list is
included with the shipment that identifies all the items included in the order. Please check the shipment
against the packing list upon receipt of the shipment. If an item is found missing or was damaged during
the shipment, please call or fax your sales representative to immediately report the problem.
The PaveScan RDM system contains the following items:
1 – Panasonic G1 ToughPad with preloaded OS and cable
1, 2, or 3 – Orange Sensor(s) with cable(s)
1 – 4 Wheel Cart
1 – PaveScan Concentrator Box
2 – Batteries
1 – Battery Charger
1 – Operation Manual
1 – Metal Plate
1 – Sensor Verification HDPE Block
1 – GPS (optional)
Note: Protect metal plate from scratching when unpacking and using.
Keep it in its protective case when not in use.
Note: Please see the PaveScan RDM 2.0 Quick Start Assembly
Guide for instructions to assemble your system.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started and
Data Collection
In Chapter 2, instructions for starting the RDM Software and setting up for data collection. The
calibration procedure for sensor(s) is also be explained in detail.
2.1: Start-up
1Press the button on the top panel of the concentrator box. The power light illuminates, and the sensors
are powered-up.
2Power-up the ToughPad computer by pressing and holding down the power button until the green
light just to the left of the power button lights up. The computer takes 20-30 seconds to start.
After it is fully started, the Main Menu of the PaveScan RDM application appears.
Main Menu
3If there are no sensor(s) detected by the system, the Collect button remains unavailable. Once the
sensor(s) are detected, the Collect button turns green and the Collect option is now available.

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The application can also be started via a desktop shortcut that appears on the desktop after the application
is shutdown.
Application Shortcut
(double-click to start)

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2.2: System Settings
There are several user-adjustable settings that are accessible from the Main Menu. Pressing System
Settings in the Main Menu displays the System Settings screen.
System Settings Screen
Survey wheel calibration is accessible by pressing this button (see page 6).
Shows the current version of the PaveScan RDM application.
Opens a screen enabling the editing of data files, modification of data file
information, and the removal of data files (see page 7).
Options for removing Files, Projects, and Project Groups. Project Groups are
added using this option as well (see page 10).
Options to modify the number of measurements per unit distance (see page 11).
Pressing this button opens this manual as a PDF file.
The button returns the user back to the starting menu which provides access to
collection and playback options.
Directs the user to options related to sensor settings and updating the application
software. Most of these options are password protected (see Page 11).

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Survey Wheel Calibration
Survey Wheel Calibration Screen
1To perform a survey wheel calibration, enter in the calibration distance. Recommended distance is
100ft/30m or more because the longer the calibration distance the more accurate the calibration.
2Next, line-up the cart at the starting point, and press Start.
3Move the cart along the length of the measured distance, then press Stop.
•Press Save to accept the new calibration number or Cancel to keep the old one.

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Project Defaults
Project defaults are all the settings that can be preset and are inherited in newly
created projects. These settings include units, GPS Settings, and preferences.
Pressing the Project Defaults button opens the Project Properties screen
containing these options.
Project Defaults Screen
Distance Units:Feet or meters can be selected for distance units. Note, once a project is created and
saved, the distance units cannot be modified.
Density Units: When Density is selected as the Calibration Type or for displaying measurements, the
user can adjust the density units. Options include: oz/in3, lb/ft3, g/cm3, and kg/m3.
Use Stationing Format: Check this to show distances in station format (for example, 5250 ft in station
format is 52+50).
Auto Start Distance: When this option is selected, the ending distance of the previous file is
automatically specified as the starting distance for the next file. The starting distance value is always
editable prior to starting data collection.
Apply Valid Data Range: When this option is selected, only measurement values within a specified
range are included in the file statistics. All values outside this range appear as zeros in the display. See
Appendix D for more details.
Canceling returns the user to the previous screen without saving any changes made
in the Project Properties screen or other screens accessed through it.

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The GPS Settings screen is shown below. The current GPS status is indicated on
the top right. NMEA GGA sentences are updated at the GPS update rate when the
GPS is properly connected.
GPS Settings Screen
Baud Rate:The Baud Rate of the GPS. The Baud Rate of the Garmin GPS that comes with the RDM
system is 9600.
Inline Offset (ft):The inline offset of the GPS relative to the center sensor. If the GPS is in front of the
center when looking in the direction of travel, the value is positive. If the GPS is in back of the sensor
(e.g. between the sensor and the Toughpad) the value is negative.
Crossline Offset (ft):The crossline offset of the GPS relative to the center of the cart. Typically, this
will be 0.0, but if the GPS is to the left of the center sensor looking in the direction of travel, the value is
positive. Correspondingly, if the GPS is to the right of the center sensor facing the direction of travel, the
value is negative.
GPS Time Lag (seconds): For high-accuracy GPS systems, the lag, or time difference between the
arrival of the PaveScan dielectric measurement and the GPS position information can be calculated and
entered here. This value is then used to correct the time synchronization between the two measurements.
Typically, to calculate the GPS time lag, a number of measurements are made traversing over a location
where the dielectric contrasts with the surrounding asphalt (which can be achieved by placing a metal
strip on the asphalt). The GPS coordinates at this dielectric contrast are also known. Then, the data are
exported to Google Earth using different GPS Time Lags and the lag used that most closely corrects the
GPS locations of the exported data is subsequently used as the entry for this field. The accuracy of the
Garmin GPS that comes with the PaveScan RDM isn’t high enough to warrant using the GPS Time Lag
correction. By default, this value is 0.0.

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There are numerous export options that provide extensive customization to
exported files and project statistics. These are described below.
Export Options Screen
Measurement Type: The measurement value to export. Dielectric is the default. This value is always
exported. Additional options are: Percent Voids, Percent Compaction and Density. For measurement
types other than dielectric, the core calibration information must be entered for the project (see Core
Calibration). If no core calibration information is available, zeros are exported in the measurement value
column.
Distance File Moving Average: When this value is non-zero, a central moving average of the size
specified is applied to each data point prior to export. For example, if a 0.5ft (20cm) moving average is
specified, each exported data point is an average of all the data points at the measurement location
± 0.25ft (± 10cm).
Distance File Measurement Interval: The output interval between exported measurements. For
general purposes where data may be obtained over a distance of hundreds of feet, an export interval of
0.5ft (20cm) is useful.
Time File Moving Average: When this value is non-zero, a central moving average of the time
specified is applied to each data point prior to export. The units are in seconds.
Time File Measurement Interval: The output time interval between exported measurements. The units
are in seconds.
Export Defects: Linear and 2-dimensional defect locations are exported to separate files when this box
is checked. See Appendix E for details.
Provide Segment Statistics: Check this selection box to provide statistics over specified distance
intervals. For example, exported statistics can be calculated for each station interval. The exported
statistics appear in the individual file segment statistics and the Selected Range statistics files.

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Output Distance Segment Interval: When Provide Segment Statistics is checked, this is the segment
interval over which the statistics are calculated.
Output Descriptive Header Lines: Check this selection box so show all the available information on
the file when the file is exported. The extended header appears as a series of lines at the top of the
exported file.
One Measurement Per Output Row: Check this selection box to export multi-sensor data in a format
with all measurement values in one column. When this box is unchecked, multi-sensor data from one
measurement location are written to one row.
Press the Save button to save all changes made in the Project Properties screen
sub-screens (i.e., GPS, Lane Names, and Export Options).
File Management
Options for removing Files, Projects, and Project Groups. Additionally, file
properties, such as starting distance, and Y-coordinate, can be modified. Currently
Files and Projects are not deleted. They become invisible to the user, similar to the
recycle bin in Windows.
File Management Screen
Opens a screen enabling editing of project group names and the creation of new
project Groups.
Opens a screen enabling the editing of project names, modification of project
properties, and the removal of projects.

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Opens a screen enabling editing of data file name and other information.
Collect Options
The user may modify the number of measurements per unit distance. The options
are “Walk”, “Fast Walk”, “Vehicle”. The measurement densities corresponding to
these options are 10 scans/ft (40/m), 5 scans/ft (20 scans/m), and 2 scans/ft
(8 scans/m). It is best to set the option to match the pace of the user and “Walk” is
typically used. There is an over-speed indicator on the data collection screen so the
user can adjust walking speed to ensure no measurements are skipped.
Advanced Options
Advanced Options Screen
Select the Advanced button to check for updates, modify sensor settings or customize new project
information fields and exported file information. Sensor settings are not typically modified after they are
entered the first time a sensor is attached to the PaveScan system.

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2.3: Data Collection Setup
1Clicking on the Collect button from the Main Menu screen displays the Sensor Detection screen.
Sensor Detection Screen
2The detected sensors appear in this table and the Collect Preview button is enabled. The user can
press Collect preview to preview collection using the last calibration.
NOTE: The sensors serial numbers are displayed once the sensors are detected. They may NOT be in
order. That option comes later.

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3If a connected sensor does not appear, press Detect Again to retry.
4Once all sensors are detected press the Next button.
5The following screen appears. The user selects an existing project or a new project. Only existing
projects containing the detected sensors are recalled.
Project Types Screen
6After pressing the Existing Project or New Project buttons, the Project Settings screen appears. This
screen contains numerous items that the user can use to fill in project-specific information.
•For New Projects, enter the new project name, then press .
•For Existing Projects, the button is enabled.
•When is pressed, enter a new project name and then press .
•The “Save As” option is useful to create a new project from an existing project’s settings.
Note: If the Status changes to “Sensor Not Found” (which may happen infrequently), turn
off the sensors by pressing the button on the top panel of the concentrator box, shutdown the
application as described in Chapter 4, then follow the Start-up procedure described in Section
2.1.

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Project Info Screen
The options shown allows filling in details related to the project. Adjustable options here are:
Project Group: Specify the group the file belongs to. Suggestions for Group Names range from highway
or road names to years and months. New Project Groups can be created and edited in the System Settings
(Button Sequence: )
Project Name: The name associated with the project. Project names must be unique. Click the New
Project button to create a new project. When this is done, a screen appears asking to inherent the settings
for the current project. Select yes to use the same settings as the current project or cancel to inherit the
default project settings.
Number of Sensors: The number of sensors attached to the concentrator box. 1, 2, or 3 sensors. This is
a read-only field and is present for informative purposes only.
Location: Optional entry for specifying information related to where the data are being obtained. This
information is exported with the data.
Reference Line:Optional entry for specifying the reference used for the lateral coordinates assigned to a
file. Examples include: curb, outside lane stripe, or pavement edge. This is included in the exported data.
See Appendix C for more details on specifying the Lateral Offset Reference.
Equipment Operator: Optional entry for specifying who is operating the equipment. This is included in
the exported data.
Comments: Project-specific comments that is included in the exported data.
Lift:Optional entry for specifying the asphalt lift being measured.
Enabled after a project is saved, this option is the Mix Calibration button, which allows
the user to specify the calibration information that is required to generate % voids,
%compaction, or densities from dielectrics.