Houston Radar Armadillo Tracker User manual

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Armadillo®Tracker
Multi-Lane Bidirectional Traffic Statistics
Gathering Device
Installation and User Guide
Rev 2.1, October 24, 2023
Houston Radar Armadillo® Tracker Non-Intrusive Multi-Lane Bidirectional Traffic Statistics Gathering Device

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This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation. The device must be located 20 cm or more from persons. The device must not be co-located with other
transmitters.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Any modification or use other than specified in this manual will strictly void the certification to operate the device.
This product contains a rechargeable Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (LiFePO4). Charging must be performed indoors in a dry
environment only by the provided LiFePO4 battery charger. Do not charge unsupervised or hidden from view. Do not expose the
charger to rain, water, or moisture. Securely cap the connectors on the bottom when installing the unit outdoors.
Battery must be recycled or disposed of properly per local recycling regulations or may be returned to us for recycling.
Do not crush, pierce, or incinerate the product or the battery. Discontinue use immediately if any leaking occurs.
Product contains no user serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to open or repair. Doing so will void the warranty.
Specifications may change without notice.

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Contents
1.0 A Look Inside an Armadillo Tracker Radar.......................................................................5
2.0 Hardware Included With the Armadillo Tracker ..............................................................6
3.0 Preparing the Tracker for Use..............................................................................................7
3.1 Fully Charge the Tracker Battery .....................................................................................................7
3.2 Select Installation Location.............................................................................................................8
3.3 Set the Time, Speed Units and data collection Speed Range...........................................................10
4.0 Installation ............................................................................................................................10
4.1 Mounting Position........................................................................................................................10
4.2 Mounting the Tracker...................................................................................................................11
4.3 Aiming the Tracker .......................................................................................................................11
4.4 Power ON and Verify Detection ....................................................................................................12
4.5 Optional Solar Panel.....................................................................................................................13
4.6 Optional Armadillo Booster Pack ..................................................................................................14
5.0 Retrieving Data from the Tracker Using Houston Radar StatsAnalyzer ......................16
5.1 Wired USB Interface .....................................................................................................................16
5.2 Wireless Bluetooth Interface ........................................................................................................16
5.3 Retrieving Data Using USB or Bluetooth Connection......................................................................17
6.0 Importing Data into Houston Radar StatsAnalyzer to Generate Reports.....................20
6.2 Stats Analyzer Configuration Window...........................................................................................22
6.3 Importing Data into Projects.........................................................................................................23
6.4 Prepare Project for Analysis..........................................................................................................26
6.5 Organizing Data............................................................................................................................28
7.0 Analyzing Data and Generating Reports...........................................................................29
7.1 Date Selection View .....................................................................................................................29
7.2 Manage Imported Data tab...........................................................................................................30
7.3 Lane Configuration tab .................................................................................................................30
7.4 GPS Location Map tab (OPTIONAL) ...............................................................................................31
7.5 Conduct Data Analyses / Generate Reports...................................................................................32
7.6 Navigating StatsAnalyzer’s Reports Window .................................................................................32
7.7 Available Reports in StatsAnalyzer................................................................................................34
7.8 Export and Print Data from StatsAnalyzer .....................................................................................37
8.0 Additional Operations in StatsAnalyzer............................................................................40
8.1 Adjust the Radar Clock..................................................................................................................40
8.2 Adjust Speed Units .......................................................................................................................41

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8.3 Enable Bluetooth Pin for Secure Login...........................................................................................42
8.4 Advanced Menu ...........................................................................................................................43
9.0 Application Note: Armadillo Tracker Classification Feature.........................................45
10.0 Using the Houston Radar Smartphone App....................................................................46
10.1 How to Download the Android App.............................................................................................46
10.2 How to Download the iPhone App. .............................................................................................47
......................................................................................................................................................47
10.3 Direction Verification using your smartphone .............................................................................49
10.4 Downloading Data via your Cell Phone........................................................................................50
11.0 Setting up the Cellular Modem.........................................................................................52
11.1 Network Setup ...........................................................................................................................52
11.2 Modem Setup.............................................................................................................................53
11.3 Create Remote Radar Connections Within StatsAnalyzer .............................................................54
12.0 Houston Radar Tetryon™Cloud Server.........................................................................56
12.1 Tetryon Live Charts for Armadillo Tracker, Individual Location.....................................................57
12.2 Tetryon Historical Charts for Armadillo Tracker, Individual Location ............................................58
12.3 Tetryon Historical Charts for Armadillo Tracker, Multiple Locations .............................................59

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1.0 A Look Inside an Armadillo Tracker Radar

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2.0 Hardware Included With the Armadillo Tracker
9.6V LiFePO4 Fast AC
Charger
Indoor Fast AC
Charger
with worldwide
plugs
900-0045
Y-Cable for Power &
USB Connection
110-0036
Long Range Class 1
Windows Bluetooth
Dongle
110-0020 & 110-0025
Universal Pole-
Mounting Bracket
and Sliding Plate to
Accommodate
Different Mounting
Heights
110-0059
2x Quick-Release
Mounting Clamps

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3.0 Preparing the Tracker for Use
Before deploying the Houston Radar’s Armadillo Tracker, one should take care to prepare the radar and installation
site. This chapter will detail the most common steps a user will take to do so properly.
3.1 Fully Charge the Tracker Battery
The Armadillo Tracker features a state-of-the-art Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery that will allow the unit to
run approximately 2 weeks on a full charge. Additionally, it will retain the charge for many weeks when switched off
and placed on the shelf, thus being ready when needed. Before deployment you must fully charge the battery using
the provided Fast AC Charger for the on-board fuel gauge to work properly.
Connect the provided Fast AC Charger to the black connector on the weatherproof Y-cable provided with the Tracker
and plug the circular connector into its mate on the bottom of the enclosure.
Plug the Fast AC Charger into a 110 to 240V AC wall socket. Ensure that the light on the Fast AC Charger turns on. A
red light means that the battery is charging. A green light means that the battery is fully charged.
The Fast AC Charger is NOT weatherproof. It must only be used indoors and under supervision. Do not charge in
locations which are out of sight. Houston Radar does offer a ruggedized AC charger suitable for use outdoors; please
contact [e-mail] or [e-mail] for more information.
Fast AC Charger and Y-Cable Connectors

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Do not mount on a stop sign
Ok to mount 100+ feet away from stop sign
3.2 Select Installation Location
*Follow this link to watch a short installation YouTube video for the Armadillo Tracker: http://youtu.be/QGLEoxRIM4c
A suitable installation location is one where the traffic flows freely and has at least 100 feet (30m) of unobstructed
road in either direction. Best performance is obtained at locations where traffic volume is not more than 1,200
vehicles/hour but the device will continue to collect data with slightly degraded counting accuracy up to 1,800
vehicles/hour.
Avoid mounting within 100 feet (30m) of congestion points such as stop signs, sharp turns, and traffic signals. Avoid
mounting where trees, branches, or other objects are obstructing the Tracker’s “view”of the traffic.
Mount on the side of a two-lane undivided road to monitor a single direction or both directions.

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Mount in the median of a four-lane divided road to measure both directions. Pick a location where the median is no
more than 12 (3.6m) feet wide.
Mounting on the side of a 4-lane divided road will allow the Tracker to capture only the closest two incoming lanes
accurately. Some data will be captured for the far lanes, which should be discarded after being imported for analysis.
To maintain specified counting accuracy, do not install on a road with more than two lanes in the same direction. Data
will be collected but with slightly reduced count accuracy from the 3rd lane.

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3.3 Set the Time, Speed Units and data collection Speed Range
By default, the internal clock of the Tracker is set to US Central Time, the Speed Units are set to Imperial (instead of
Metric and the minimum collection speed set to 12 (mph or km/h). The internal clock, units of measurement and
minimum collection speed should be set to the appropriate values before deployment.
Reference Section 8.1 to adjust the internal clock.
Reference Section 8.2 to adjust the Speed Units and Minimum and Maximum Speeds for data collection.
4.0 Installation
The Armadillo Tracker’s design allows for multiple suitable installation types. The Armadillo Tracker is commonly
mounted on posts and poles for which the user has right-of-way permission such as luminaires and MUTCD (or
equivalent) sign structures.
4.1 Mounting Position
The Tracker should be mounted within 12 feet (3.7m) of the first lane of traffic to be monitored. It is recommended
that the closest lane of traffic to be monitored has vehicles incoming towards the radar (incoming direction). This is a
best practice but not essential. Mounting the Tracker farther than 12 feet (3.7m) from the closest lane will limit the
radar’s counting accuracy for detecting vehicles traveling in the farther lane(s).
The Tracker should be mounted between 6 feet (1.9m) and 12 feet (3.7m) high off the ground. A lower mounting
height will increase the occurrences of occlusion. A higher mounting height may decrease the effective detection
range by creating a higher plane for the detection zone causing vehicles to be missed.
DO NOT mount the Tracker to structures that are not stable such as trees or guy-wires.