Kustom Signals DRU III User manual

Directional
Radar
Unit
III
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
P/N 006-0891-00
REV. 0

Copyright 008
Kustom Signals, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in whole or in part in any form or by
any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise without prior written permission of Kustom
Signals, Inc., 93 5 Pflumm, Lenexa, Kansas 66 15-3347.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................1
SYSTEM OPERATION
Radar Rear View...............................................................
Configuration Options ......................................................3
Installation.........................................................................6
Monitoring Target Speeds.................................................6
Tuning Fork Test...............................................................7
GENERAL INFORMATION
Theory of Operation..........................................................9
Power / Data Connector ..................................................11
LED Indicator .................................................................11
Interference .....................................................................1
Recommended Care & Maintenance ..............................13
KSI Radar Microwave Emission ....................................14
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Troubleshooting .............................................................16
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Microwave ......................................................................17
General............................................................................17
REFERENCES
FCC Rules.......................................................................18
WARRANTY ..........................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
1
INTRODUCTION
This Directional Radar Unit, known as DRU III, is
designed and built for target speed sensing applications.
The DRU III has designed for flexibility, simple
operation, small size and extremely low current
consumption. The DRU III is intended for uses in traffic,
industrial, and sports products. Examples of these
applications are the Kustom Signals’ S.M.A.R.T. series
trailers, Pole Mounted Speed Displays and StealthStat
statistics gathering systems.
The DRU III is designed to be an extremely flexible unit.
Kustom Signals provides PC software to allow the user to
setup the DRU III to operate in many different
configurations.
The radar itself is incredibly simple to operate--just
connect it to a compatible display or PC, and power it up.
The DRU III will output RS 3 speed data in the selected
output protocol as long as the unit is powered.
With a size of only 3” x 3” x 1.5” the DRU III is a
complete one-piece unit, that can easily be mount to the
user’s equipment.
The DRU III sets a new standard for low current
consumption. This dramatically improves run times in
battery-operated applications.
The DRU III has Kustom Signals' uncompromising
quality inside to give you years of trouble-free, accurate,
reliable, speed measurements.

SYSTEM OPERATION
RADAR REAR VIEW
B
C
A
D
E
A. RUBBER WASHER: ( ea.) Rests on mounting screws
between mounting bracket and radar unit.
B. MOUNTING BRACKET SCREW: ( ea.) Connects
bracket to radar unit.
C. INDICATOR LED: Strongest target direction indicator.
D. OPTIONAL MOUNTING INSERTS: (4ea.) Provides
optional mounting for customer’s brackets.
E. POWER AND DATA CONNECTOR: Connections for
input power and bi-directional RS 3 serial data cable.

SYSTEM OPERATION
3
CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
The DRU III was designed to give the user a configurable
radar unit that can be setup for their needs. A simple PC
program let the user select:
1. Target Direction: The DRU III can output speeds for
targets traveling in the direction of:
a. Approaching Only
b. Receding Only
c. Approaching and Receding
d. Non Directional (all targets output)
. Sensitivity (Range): The DRU III can be set for
sensitivity from 5 (most sensitive) to 1 (least
sensitive).

SYSTEM OPERATION
4
3. Target Tracking: The DRU III can be set to Vehicle
or Sports tracking. With vehicle tracking, targets are
acquired with a longer tracking history and have a
second target hang time. Sports’ tracking has a quick
acquisition time and only a ½ second target hang
time.
4. Units of Measure: The DRU III can output speeds in:
a. Miles per hour (MPH)
b. Kilometer per hour (km/hr)
c. Feet per second (Ft/Sec)
d. Meters per second (Mt/Sec)
Note: All speeds are calculated in tenth units of
measure. The user selects if they want the output in
tenths or units.
5. Target Speed Limits: The DRU III can quickly be set
to the Standard speed range for speeds from 5 – 1 0
MPH or the Full speed range for speeds from 1 – 150
MPH. For more flexibility the user can input a Low
Cutoff limit (speeds below this are not reported) and a
High Cutoff limit (speeds above this are not
reported.)
6. Output Protocol: The DRU III can output one of
several different protocols. Including outputs in
HEX, ASCII, multiple targets, tenth units, and many
others.
7. Output Baud Rate: The DRU III can be set to output
RS 3 data at rates of (19 00, 9600, 4800, 400, or
1 00) baud.

SYSTEM OPERATION
5
8. Output Update Rate: The DRU III can be set to
output packets of speed data at rates of (8 times per
second, 4 times a second, times a second, once a
second, upon speed change, or when the user’s
equipment polls for data)
Note: If Output Update Rate is set to upon speed
change, the DRU III outputs speeds immediately
when the speeds changes by at least one unit or once
every two seconds if the speed is not changing.
If the DRU III is set to the Polled output, data is
output when the DRU III receives characters [“*P”]
or [“*P”0x0D].
9. During the configuration session, the Status box will
display information about the connected DRU III and
the status of the configuration operations.
To configure your DRU III unit, connect the DRU III data
connector to the PC comm. port 1 and apply power to the
DRU III. Click the Reset & Capture button to capture the
DRU III for configuration. You can click the Read Settings
button to populate the configuration screen with the current
DRU III settings. Make any required changes in the
configuration options and click the Write Settings to store
these changes in the DRU III. When finished, click the
Release button to return the DRU III to normal operation
with the new configuration settings.

SYSTEM OPERATION
6
INSTALLATION
Install the DRU III unit into your system as follows:
1. Mount the radar in its bracket.
. Attach the end of the power/data cable to the 6-pin
connector on the back of the DRU III. Ensure the plug
and socket is aligned properly before tightening the
screw ring. Ensure the connection is firm and tighten
the connector’s screw ring.
3. Plug the other end of the cable’s data leads to a
compatible display or PC.
4. Connect the cable’s power leads to 8 – 16.5VDC
source.
MONITORING TARGET SPEEDS
Aim the radar carefully, as nearly as possible directly in
the target path.
Once the radar has been properly set up and powered it is
ready for use. Acquiring and displaying valid target
speeds requires proper antenna aiming.
Be alert to terrain or roadside features, which can cause
interference, incorrect readings, or display blanking.
(Such features include power lines, radio/TV transmitters,
bridges, guardrails, signs, buildings and other large
reflectors, etc.)

SYSTEM OPERATION
7
TUNING FORK TEST
The DRU III unit can be configured to output speeds of
targets that are approaching only, receding only, both
approaching and receding, or all targets including non-
directional targets. Tuning forks can only be reliably
read in the all targets mode. (Tuning fork signals are
generally non-directional targets).
NOTE: Some display systems only display non-
directional target for a short time after power up.
A 35 MPH (or 45 KPH) tuning fork is supplied with the
radar. Strike the tuning fork on a hard, non-metallic
surface. Hold the vibrating tuning fork approximately one
inch in front of the antenna. The output speed should
register "35" ("45"). Please note--readings of ±1 MPH
(KPH) are considered acceptable.
If the proper reading is not obtained:
1. Make sure that Kustom Signals K-Band tuning forks
have been used ("K-Band" is stamped plainly on each
fork). A different band tuning fork, or tuning forks
designed for other manufacturers' radar, will not give
the proper readings.
. Striking the tuning forks too hard may produce false
overtones, which may be read as speeds above or below
those specified. These possible false readings are
momentary, and the proper readings should appear as
the false overtones dissipate. Do not move the tuning
forks after placing them in front of the antenna.

SYSTEM OPERATION
8
3. Extremely cold or extremely hot tuning forks may give
readings slightly above or below those specified, due to
the effect of extreme temperature on the metal. If this
is the case, warm or cool the forks to normal room
temperature before use.

GENERAL INFORMATION
9
THEORY OF OPERATION
Block Diagram:
+1 VDC Input
The Directional Radar Unit (DRU III) transmits a radio
frequency of 4.1 5 Gigahertz, in accordance with
Federal Communications Commission regulations. When
the transmitted signal strikes a moving target, it returns at
a different frequency because there is relative motion
between the two objects (radar unit and target). Targets
approaching the radar will return an echo higher than the
transmitted frequency. Targets receding from the radar
will return a lower frequency echo.
K-Band 0dB(EIRP)
Transceiver Module
Mixers / Preamplifier
Power
Supply
5 VDC
PGA A/D
Flash
DSP
RS 3 Serial Port
EE Memory
LED

GENERAL INFORMATION
10
This returning signal is mixed with the transmitted signal
in a balanced I/Q demodulator mixer. The difference in
frequency (Doppler frequency) is proportional to the
speed of the target; the difference in phase is related to
the direction of target travel. These returned echo signals
are a very low level. The Preamplifier and
Programmable Gain Amplifier stages increase the signal
levels.
The signals are then converted from analog to digital by
the A/D converter. This digital signal stream is feed to
the Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The DSP transforms
the data to the frequency domain, where the data is
analyzed and processed to find valid targets.
To become a valid target the signals must meet the
criteria setup by the user for target directionality and
speed limitations. The DSP will convert the speed of the
valid targets into the unit of measure set by the user and
output the RS 3 data via the serial port.

GENERAL INFORMATION
11
POWER / DATA CONNECTOR
The user configures the format of the serial data that
comes out the data port. There are several different
protocol formats and baud rates to choose from. The pin
out for the Power / Data connector is as follows:
1. Brown – Input power (8 – 16 VDC)
. White – RS 3 data into the DRU III
3. Blue – RS 3 data out of the DRU III
4. Black -- Hold Control
5. Gray -- Ground
6. Pink – Open collector alarm
LED INDICATOR
The DRU III has a bicolor LED to indicate the status of
the current strongest valid target. The statuses the LED
can indicate are as follows:
1. Short burst of flashing red = DRU III is running, no
valid target present.
. Red flashing at 50% duty cycle = strongest target is
not moving.
3. Solid Red = strongest target is receding.
4. Solid Green = strongest target is approaching.

GENERAL INFORMATION
1
INTERFERENCE
Interference from any external event can influence the
operation of the radar. These influences can be natural or
man-made. A knowledgeable operator will not be
confused by these external influences.
Natural events such as driving rain or blowing dust can
cause a scattering effect, or diffusion, which can decrease
the effective range of the radar. Terrain can also affect
the radar's range. If the device be on a slight decline, the
antenna could be shooting short of the target. If on a
slight incline, it could be shooting over the target. Range
will be decreased in either case.
Man-made influences are by far the most troublesome,
because they generally involve electronic signals, which
may cause spurious displays. Power transformers, radio
transmitters, fans, etc generate electronic noise signals.
If the power supply voltage to the DRU III unit drops
below the level required for proper operation, power to the
microwave transmitter will be turned off. This prevents
false readings from occurring during periods of low
voltage.

GENERAL INFORMATION
13
RECOMMENDED CARE AND MAINTENANCE
The DRU III radar is a sturdy, reliable piece of equipment
designed and built to give trouble-free service. Following
certain basic care guidelines will help ensure you receive
that trouble-free service.
1. As with all electrical or electronic equipment, protect
from moisture. Should liquid of any kind get inside the
unit, remove power immediately and send for repair.
Prompt action can minimize damage.
. Over-current protection is provided by an internal
automatic resetting device. There are no user-
serviceable parts in the unit. NEVER wire directly into
AC current!!
3. Do not pick up or carry the DRU III by the power / data
cable. Do not yank or twist the cable, especially near
the base. Broken wires inside the cables are a common
cause of intermittent operation.
4. Use care when attaching or removing the power / data
cable to the DRU III to avoid bending or breaking
connector pins. Ensure the plug and socket are aligned
properly before tightening the screw ring.
5. Remove system power before connecting or
disconnecting any cable wiring.

GENERAL INFORMATION
14
KSI RADAR MICROWAVE EMISSION
A traffic radar operator may justifiably have some concerns
about the biological effects of exposure to the microwave
energy produced by the radar device. According to all
credible evidence, the emission levels resulting from traffic
radar use pose no threat whatsoever, either to the radar
operator or to target vehicle occupants.
One widely recognized authority for safe limits of
nonionizing radiation exposure is the American National
Standards Institute, which recommends a maximum power
density of 10.0 mW/cm for the frequency bands on which
Kustom Signals traffic radar systems operate (ANSI C95.1-
1994, "American National Standards Safety Levels with
Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency
Electromagnetic Fields, 300 KHz to 100 GHz").
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, an agency
of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, recommends
similar limits (Title 1 Code of Federal Regulation,
Subchapter J, Section 1030.10, "Performance Standards for
Microwave and Radio Frequency Emitting Products"). The
10.0 mW/cm limit is clearly accepted by most reputable
scientific and medical authorities.