Houston Radar PNL10 User manual

PNL10
OEM Radar Speed Sign Kit
Installation and User Manual
K-Band Doppler Speed Measurement and Display Kit
Rev 6 May 28th, 2013
Amber LED option
While LED option

Houston Radar PNL10 User Manual
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The Doppler radar module incorporated in 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.
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.
The radar in this device carries FCC modular approval and as such is labeled with FCC
ID TIASS300. If this label is not visible when the module is installed inside another
device, then the outside of the device into which the module is installed must also display
a label referring to the enclosed SS300 module. This exterior label can use wording such
as the following: “Contains Transmitter Module FCC ID: TIASS300” or “Contains FCC
ID:
TIASS300.” Any similar wording that expresses the same meaning may be used.
Warning: The PNL10 is supplied in an open frame format with exposed electronics and
thus is a static sensitive device. Please use static precautions when handling. Warranty
does not cover damage caused by inadequate ESD procedures and practices.
Note: Specifications may change without notice.
Note: Not liable for typographical errors or omissions.

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Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 5
INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................. 6
DIRECTION POINTING:...................................................................................................... 6
RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURE FOR THE PNL10:................................................................ 6
HOOKUP:.......................................................................................................................... 8
Power Input: ............................................................................................................... 8
Data/PC Connection:.................................................................................................. 8
Measured Speed Output:............................................................................................. 8
IO CONNECTOR SIGNAL DESCRIPTIONS:........................................................................ 10
DB9 RS232 Female Connector:................................................................................ 10
AUX Connector:........................................................................................................ 10
USE................................................................................................................................... 11
FORCE ACTIVATING DISPLAY ........................................................................................ 12
TRIGGERING AN EXTERNAL CUSTOM MESSAGE: ........................................................... 12
COLLECTING AND ANALYZING IN-RADAR TRAFFIC STATISTICS............ 13
REAL TIME TRAFFIC STATISTICS IN THE RADAR:......................................... 13
Internal Clock:.......................................................................................................... 13
CONFIGURING THE PNL10: ..................................................................................... 14
Connect To The Unit:................................................................................................ 14
Read The Radar Configuration: ............................................................................... 15
Setup The Display Limits (Permanent Location, Rotary Switch Disabled): ............ 16
Setup The Display Limits (Portable Sign, Rotary Switch Enabled): ........................ 17
Setup White Strobe Configuration:........................................................................... 19
Setup Display Brightness Configuration:................................................................. 20
Setup Operating Mode Configuration:..................................................................... 20
Write the Configuration to the PNL10: .................................................................... 21
Setup Additional Configuration Options:................................................................. 22
Other GUI Options: View Raw Radar Config:......................................................... 23
Other GUI Options: Save Config To File:................................................................ 23
Other GUI Options: Load Config From File: .......................................................... 23
PNL10 SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................... 24
GENERAL ....................................................................................................................... 24
APPROVALS ................................................................................................................... 24
DATA INTERFACES......................................................................................................... 24
OPTICAL......................................................................................................................... 24
MECHANICAL................................................................................................................. 24
PERFORMANCE............................................................................................................... 25

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MECHANICAL OUTLINE DIMENSIONS:............................................................... 26
APPENDIX A: PLASTIC WINDOW LOCATION AND SIZE WHEN USING
FRONT METAL MASK................................................................................................ 27
APPENDIX B: ACTIVATE AN EXTERNAL LED MESSAGE ABOVE A PRESET
SPEED.............................................................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX C: EXPANDING TO AN OPTIONAL 3RD DIGIT TO MAKE A 3
DIGIT SPEED SIGN...................................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX D: KEEPING TIME WITH AN EXTERNAL CLOCK BACKUP
BATTERY....................................................................................................................... 30

Houston Radar PNL10 User Manual
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Houston Radar directional Doppler radar speed
sign kit PNL10. This state of the art two-digit speed display with integrated ultra-low
power 24GHz K-band microwave Doppler radar is specifically designed for the license
free solar power or battery operated speed sign and traffic calming sign market.
Utilizing high performance, ultra low power DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology
and microwave components based on a planar patch array antenna with integrated low
power PHEMT oscillator, you will find that this high quality product meets your exacting
standards for performance and reliability.
Some of the highlights of this product include:
Zero cables highly integrated design assembles into your enclosure in minutes
10.5” (27cm) digit height with 30% inter-character separation is matched to 300+ ft
(90+ m) detection range of the radar for optimal display legibility
Best in class power efficiency achieved by:
Low power SS300 radar directly drives display thus eliminating display controller
Built-in ambient light sensing and automatic brightness control
Ambient temperature compensation of the LED drive voltage
High efficiency boost regulator for LED drive voltage
When no traffic is present, the radar automatically powers down display further
reducing power consumption to only 0.1W
Wide input supply voltage operation allows flexible power supply options ranging
from 3, 4 or 5 cell Lithium Ion packs to 6 or 12V Lead Acid batteries without
sacrificing sign efficiency
Built-in rotary switch allows user to set cutoff and violator speed alerts in the field
without connecting to a computer
White LED strobe light and display flashing can be optionally activated to draw
attention to speeding
An expansion connector allows addition of a third digit or a fixed custom external
message, e.g “SLOW DOWN” when speed violation is detected
Built-in radar is FCC approved with CE mark and available in 24.125GHz and
24.200GHz versions for worldwide deployment
Advanced In-Radar Traffic Statistics collection option now available

INSTALLATION
PNL10 is supplied in an “open frame” format. It requires a weatherproof enclosure before
it may be operated outdoors.
Direction Pointing:
The SS00 radar used in the PNL10 is directional in nature. It may be configured
to detect and measure the speed of incoming or outgoing traffic. It then rejects
traffic moving in the opposite direction. Direction of detection is configured via a
bit in the MO variable in the radar. In the usual “speed sign” configuration the
radar is set to measure and display speeds of incoming vehicles and is the default
shipped from the factory.
To achieve optimal performance please follow a few simple rules:
PNL10 should be pointed into the direction of the oncoming traffic.
PNL10 should be placed along the size of the road to minimize the angle of the
oncoming traffic to the sign.
oIf it cannot be placed right along the side of the road, it should be pointed
at least 100-150 feet up the road into oncoming traffic.
The radar in the unit may pickup rotating fans, compressor blades, etc. Avoid
pointing it at any machinery containing moving parts.
PNL10 should be mounted at least 3 feet high from the ground for proper
operation and at least 5 feet high for maximum pickup distance
PNL10 utilizes 15viewing angle LEDs. For maximum visibility of the digits the
sign should be pointed at the incoming traffic with better than 10accuracy.
Alternatively, the sign may be oriented towards traffic to maximize the LED
brightness from the desired viewing location on the road. We suggest providing
an adjustable mounting bracket for your enclosure that will allow at least a 15
horizontal rotation to allow the user to make an adjustment during installation.
Recommended Enclosure for the PNL10:
The PNL10 display kit must be protected by a weatherproof enclosure for outside use.
The following needs to be observed for optimal performance:
1. Any plastic cover or window in front of the unit may be mounted as close to the
LEDs as desired. However, please consider any potential damage from flexing
due to an external impact on the sign face (vandalism, etc.) being transferred to
the PNL10. For maximum field reliability we recommend that you test the

Houston Radar PNL10 User Manual
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proposed enclosure design to ensure the front face does not flex sufficiently to
transfer an impact to the PNL10.
The PNL10 provides a clear hole in the center to allow you to pass a bracing
standoff through it to transfer any face impact to the back of the enclosure. Do not
mount the PNL10 using this center hole. The center standoff should be mounted
from the rear of the enclosure and clear through the PNL10 display PCB and stop
at the front face. This will allow any front face impact force to transfer to the rear
wall of the sign enclosure.
2. The optimum material for the front window/face is Lexan (Polycarbonate) plastic.
3. The optimum thickness of polycarbonate window/sign face is half wavelength at
24.125Ghz or about 137mils to 146mils (3.5 to 3.7mm) thick.
a. Commonly available ¼” or 3/8” thick Lexan is not optimal and will
reduce pickup range. 3/16” thick Lexan is a better choice if the
recommended thickness is not available. For metric sizes, 4mm thick
Lexan is a reasonably good choice.
b. Frosted (anti-glare) plastic have been successfully used as well. It does not
matter which side (into the sign or into the traffic) the frosting faces and is
left to your discretion.
4. Other plastic materials may be used as a front window, but the optimum thickness
will wary with the material’s dielectric constant. Please contact Houston Radar for
details.
5. If you want to make a metal mask to hide the electronics on the PNL10 PCB with
holes for the LEDs to pass through, you must provide a plastic window for the
radar microwave beam to pass through. The location and size of this window is
shown in Appendix A.
A dxf drawing to use as a template for the metal mask is available. Please contact
Houston Radar for the drawing.
We strongly recommend that you prototype and test your enclosure on the road to
verify that the radar detection range is not affected by your choice of plastic and
mechanical design prior committing to full production.

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Hookup:
Power Input:
The PNL10 may be powered from a DC supply with output voltage between 5.6 and
18VDC. This allows great flexibility in power options including 6V or 12V (nominal)
lead acid batteries (SLA), 3, 4 or 5 cell Lithium Ion (LiOn) or Lithium Iron Phosphate
(LiFePO4) cells. In all cases, a highly efficient input power regulation system in the
PNL10 adjusts the LED drive voltage to the optimum level required by the sign based on
ambient temperature. There is no other speed sign in the world that even comes close to
the resulting ultra-low power usage of the PNL10. Competing products may consume up
to 5 to 10 times more power. This ultra low operational power translates directly into a
longer battery life or gives you an option to power the unit from smaller batteries and
smaller solar panels.
As an example of the PNL10’s prowess, a 3 cell 96WHr ultra thin and light LiFePO4
battery pack weighing less than 1Kg will power the entire sign on the road for over 2
weeks of continuous operation! A convenient battery life calculator is available on our
website to estimate the run time under different traffic and power supply situations.
Data/PC Connection:
The PNL10 features a standard RS232 interface that is used to configure the sign as
explained later in this document. It also sends out the measured speed over this interface
when a vehicle is detected which may be used to an external controller board to monitor
the speed measured by the radar in the PNL10 kit or display on a connect PC running our
Stats Analyzer or Configuration software programs.
Measured Speed Output:
In addition to showing the measured speed on the LED digits, the PNL10 will also send
out the speed via the ASCII interface as a 3-digit speed with an optional direction
indicator in standard resolution mode. Extended resolution mode adds up to 3 digits after
the decimal point. The format is:
[?,+]nnn[\r,\n] or in extended resolution mode [?,+]nnn[.n[n[n]]][\r,\n]
The format of the speed output can be adjusted to any combination of:
“?”: Optional prefix sent when 000 selected to be sent when no vehicles are detected
“+”: Optional prefix sent when nnn speed is sent for incoming vehicles
“nnn”: Three digit ascii speed in the units selected via the UN variable
“[.n[n[n]]]”: Optional decimal point with up to 3 digits of extended resolution selected
via UN variable.
“\r”: Carriage Return character, optional line ending
“\n”: Line Feed character, optional line ending
Please see serial port configuration section for details on how to select the above format.

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The radar used in the PNL10 is the Houston Radar SS300. Please see the SS300 user
manual for more details on setting the output format and decimal point options. The LED
digits on the PNL10 will only display the whole integer speed even when the decimal
point is enabled.
This area deliberately left blank

IO Connector Signal Descriptions:
DB9 RS232 Female Connector:
Note 1: Pin 1 optionally connected to +VCC (supply +) if PCB pad labeled “DB9 PWR” near DB9
connector is bridged. This may be bridged by the OEM or by us if you require this feature.
AUX Connector:
You may optionally connect an off board speed selection switch, DB9 serial connection
port or ambient light sensor.
Note 2: Contact us for the part number and hookup schematic for the light sensor. Two different types of
sensors may be used, passive LDR or active IC (recommended). Internal light sensor must be disabled by
removing R24 on the front of the PCB in order to use an external light sensor.
Note 3: You may also connect an external BCD rotary switch or thumbwheel switch to use in place of the
on-board rotary switch. In this case the on-board switch must be set to the “0” position or removed at the
factory.
Connector
Pin #
Signal
Name
Direction
(wrt Radar)
Description
1
+VCCNote 1
PWRNote 1
Radar VCC (battery “+“ terminal) Note 1
2
RS232 TX
OUT
RS232 Serial port TX pin from sign
3
RS232 RX
IN
RS232 Serial port RX pin into sign
4
N/C
-
Do not connect
5
GND
PWR
Signal/PWR Ground
6
N/C
-
Do not connect
7
N/C
-
Do not connect
8
N/C
-
Do not connect
9
N/C
-
Do not connect
Connector
Pin #
Signal
Name
Direction
(wrt Radar)
Description
1
Vext0 Note 2
INNote 2
External Light Sensor Input Note 2
2
+ VCC
PWR
Connected to input supply voltage +
3
B1 Note3
IN
External BCD speed switch B1 pinNote3
4
RS232 RX
IN
RS232 Serial port RX pin into sign
5
GND
PWR
Signal/PWR Ground
6
RS232 TX
OUT
RS232 Serial port TX from radar
7
B4Note3
IN
External BCD speed switch B4 pinNote3
8
B2Note3
IN
External BCD speed switch B2 pinNote3