Oceanscience HydroLink ML4 Series User manual

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HydroLink ML4 Series
Wireless Data Transceivers
Quick-Start Guide
and
User’s Manual
110 Copperwood Way, Suite E
Oceanside, CA 92054
760.754.2400

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Table of Contents
Title Page Number
Quick-Start Guide ...............................................................................................................3
Overview..............................................................................................................................4
Section 1: Configuring the ADCP....................................................................................4
Section 2: Configuring a secondary instrument ............................................................5
Section 3: Remote transceiver setup................................................................................5
Section 4: Base transceiver setup and system power up ..............................................6
Section 5: WinRiver setup.................................................................................................6
Section 6: Connections and wiring ..................................................................................7
Section 7: Power requirements.........................................................................................7
Section 8: Antennae requirement.....................................................................................8
Section 9: RS232 interfacing..............................................................................................8
Section 10: Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................9
Section 11: Technical specifications..................................................................................10
Section 12: Regulatory information..................................................................................10
Section 13: FCC notification...............................................................................................10

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QUICK START GUIDE FOR THE OCEANSCIENCE RIVERBOAT
Using an RD Instruments WorkHorse series ADCP
If this is the first time you have used your Oceanscience Riverboat system we highly recommend
you familiarize yourself with the setup procedures prior to field deployment. Testing in the office
can save valuable field time. While testing the transceivers in close proximity it is advisable to
unscrew the MaxRad antenna from the boat. This avoids the possibility of over-modulation.
The most important phase of setup is configuring your ADCP so that it will communicate through
the modems. This is done by setting the baud rate of the ADCP to 19,200 bps. This matches the
baud rate of channel 1 of your HydroLink ML4. (See section 1, Configuring the ADCP, for details
on how to do this).
The next step is to install the ADCP, GPS, or depth sounder on the Riverboat (see Riverboat
Assembly Instructions).
Install the Remote transceiver in the Riverboat (see section 3, Remote transceiver setup).
Establish communications between your transceivers by completing section 4, Base Transceiver
Setup and System Power up.
Confirm ADCP and depth sounder data transmission through the transceivers (section 5, WinRiver
Setup).
You can confirm GPS data transmission in the same manner but, your GPS antenna must have an
unobstructed view of the sky.
If you are receiving data from all three sensors you can simply turn off the Riverboat toggle and
disconnect power to your Base transceiver. Once in the field, you can apply power and should be
ready to begin your discharge measurements.

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Overview
Thank you for purchasing an Oceanscience Group product. It is our intention to provide our
customers with the latest technologies, the highest quality manufacturing and the most efficient
customer service and support. This manual outlines the use of HydroLink ML4 series Wireless
Data Transceivers with specific references to their use with The Oceanscience Riverboat for ADCP
deployment.
Simply put, the HydroLink transceivers eliminate the need for data transmission cables.
Please note: The transceivers have a fixed data transmission rate (baud rate). In order to send
data through them, your instruments and laptop or other receiving device must be set to the
same baud rates as those installed in the transceivers. The default baud rates for your ML4
series transceiver are 19,200 bps for Com 1, and 4800 bps for Com 2, Com 3 and Com 4. This rate
is optimized and cannot be altered except by The Oceanscience Group. The HydroLink ML4
Wireless Data Transceivers are pre-configured for high-speed data communication and each pair is
programmed to communicate only with one another.
Configuring the ADCP: Com 1, Baud Rate of 19,200 Kbps
The following procedure explains how to set the baud rate and save it in the ADCP. This procedure
assumes that you will be using the program BBTalk supplied by RD Instruments.
Begin by configuring the baud rate of the ADCP to match the baud rate of the radio. If these do
not match, the ADCP cannot communicate through the transceiver.
1. Connect the ADCP to the computer and apply power (see the appropriate
ADCP User's Guide).
2. Start the BBTalk program and establish communications with the ADCP by choosing
Workhorse, the appropriate Com, and Next. If this is the first time using the Workhorse choose
Next at the “Port Settings” window. When the “Options” window appears place a check in
the boxes labeled Send CK on baud rate change, and Use Software Break.
3. Wake up the Workhorse by sending a break signal with the blue (===) button.
4. Send the command CR1 to enter setup.
5. Find the baud rate on the table below that matches the baud rate of your Oceanscience
HydroLink transceivers (Com 1 = 19,200 bps; Com 2 = 4,800 bps; Com 3 = 4,800 bps;
Com 4=4,800 bps). Send the corresponding
CB command.
Table 1: Baud Rate
Baud Rate CB Command
4800 CB311
9600 (default) CB411
19200 CB511
38400 CB611
57600 CB711
115200 CB811
6. In BBTalk, press F5 and change the settings to match your CB command settings. Press OK to
exit the communication setup screen.

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7. Send the command CK to save the new baud rate setting (this may not be necessary if there is a
check in the box “send CK on baud rate change”).
8. Click File, Close to exit the terminal window.
The ADCP is now set for the new baud rate. (The baud rate will stay at these settings until you
changed back with the CB-command.)
Configuring all Secondary Instruments: Com 2, Com 3, Com 4 Baud Rate of 4800 Kbps
The baud rate of your GPS, echosounder, or other secondary device must match the Com 2, 3, or 4
baud rate. When you are setting an instrument’s baud rate you are setting its RS232 data rate.
Note: If using an Oceanscience supplied instrument, the baud rate has been pre-set to the correct
rate.
When instrument set up is complete, install both instruments on the Riverboat (see the Riverboat
Assembly Instructions).
Remote Transceiver Setup
The ADCP is now ready to communicate with the laptop through the HydroLink transceivers.
Place the remote transceiver in the Riverboat as shown in figure 2. Attach the antenna cable to the
TNC connector. Connect the ADCP harness to the radio, then the depth sounder and/or GPS as
shown in figure 2. The 8-pin connectors are keyed and will only attach to the transceiver when
oriented correctly. Do not force the connectors. Slide the transceiver into the compartment as
shown in figure 3 with a thin foam spacer between the radio and the boat hull.
Figure 2 Figure 3
Antenna ADCP GPS DS

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Now install and connect the battery with the battery cable (see figure 6). Connect the other end of
the battery cable to the red wire with the male fast-on that is part of the ADCP cable.
Figure 6
Finally you will need to make the switch connections. There are two leads coming from the on/off
switch. The other switch lead will connect to the power(V+) lead of the ADCP cable.
Base Transceiver Setup and System Power up
Setup for your base system is done using the cables supplied. Figure 11 shows the equipment
needed for your base system.
HydroLink ML4 “Base” unit Figure 11
MagMount Antenna Data Cable
Data Cable
ADCP Base Cable
Attach the base unit antenna. Apply power to the base through the black Kobiconn DC connector
with either a DC power adapter or an ADC wall transformer. The base LEDs should all be red at
this point.
Flip the toggle switch on the Riverboat to turn on the power. (Confirm power to your instruments-
is your battery charged?)

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Shortly after both units are powered up they should establish a communications link with each
other to complete the connection. Refer to Table ML4-1 below to confirm that a proper link has
been established. This table is also printed on both transceivers. (In this initial test condition, with
ADCP and both transceivers powered up and the laptop off, transceiver LEDs should conform to
line two on the table “link established, remote sending data”.)
Table ML4-1
Status Remote Transceiver Base Transceiver
LED 1 LED 2 LED 3 LED 1 LED 2 LED 3
Power On, No Link SR SD SR SR O BR
Link Established,
Remote sending
data
SG IF IF SG IF IF
Link Established,
Remote sending
data
SG SR SR SG SD SR
Link Established,
Base sending data SG SD SR SG SR SR
Setup Mode SG SG SG SG SG SG
Legend:
BR Blinking Red
IF Intermittent Flash Red
O Off
SD Solid Red, Dim
SG Solid Green
SR Solid Red, Bright
WinRiver Setup
Start the base PC and the corresponding application software.
Open your Acquire version of WinRiver. Go to settings and open the heading communications. Click
add, then Broad Band ADCP, then Next. You will be asked “on which port is it attached?” Port
identification may be different for each laptop so make sure the correct port is chosen. Once you
have chosen a port and clicked next, you will be prompted for the baud rate. Select the same baud
rate that is being used by the HydroLink transceivers and ADCP. Set parity at none and stop bits at
1. Click next and be prepared to wait a few seconds. The general screen should appear with two
boxes; check use software Breaks (===) only. Click finish. If you have other devices, such as a GPS or
depth sounder, continue to add them using these same steps. If you have no other devices, move
on to the next step.
Setup the ADCP using the ADCP Configuration Wizard according to USGS standard practice.
Now you’re ready to tryout your ADCP. First, turn the Riverboat power switch on and confirm
that LED 1 on the remote transceiver is green. If it is, choose acquire and start pinging in WinRiver.
The control window will appear, followed by the ADCP wakeup message and you will begin to
hear a quiet pinging noise coming from your ADCP.
Congratulations! Your system is ready to begin making river discharge measurements!

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Reference Information
Connections and Wiring
The HydroLink ML4 supports RS 232 with 8-pin circular Micro-Change connectors. The ML4 is
designed to operate as a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment). When connecting to a DCE (Data
Communication Equipment), a straight cable should be used. When connecting to another DTE, a
crossover serial cable must be used. The crossover cable must have TD and RD crossed (pins 2-3
and 3-2).
The Base Transceiver should be connected to the computer. The Remote Transceiver should be
connected to the instruments. Transceivers are provided as a matched pair that communicates only
with each other. Each unit of the pair (set) is programmed with a unique serial number ID.
When using the cables provided by The Oceanscience Group, note that the 8-pin circular connector
is keyed and will not align in any way except in the correct alignment. Once the keyway is
properly aligned, the backshell of the connector should be screwed to finger tightness. This
connector is IP68 rated when properly connected.
The antenna connector is type TNC and care should be given so as to not cross-thread the
connector. Again, finger tight is adequate when threading on the antenna cable.
Power Requirements
The HydroLink ML series transceiver should be powered from a ‘clean’ DC power source. Input
voltage range must be between 10V and 14V.
Power source should be capable of supplying a peak current of 1.0 Amp.
Power cable to the transceiver should be routed away from the antenna. Close proximity between
the two may result interference.
Transceiver input power is reverse-polarity protected.
Antennae Requirements
When purchased as part of The Oceanscience Group Riverboat System, the remote (boat)
transceiver utilizes a rugged 2.4GHz/900MHz antenna, while the base unit comes equipped with
an omni-directional antenna. All antennae, their connectors and cables have 50ohms of impedance.
Using other antennae, connectors, or cabling could result in unsatisfactory results.

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Placement of your HydroLink ML4 base unit may have a significant impact on its performance. In
practice you should also place the transceiver away from computers, telephones, answering
machines, and other similar equipment.
Generally, the higher the antenna, the better the communications link - height is everything! To
improve the data link, Oceanscience offers directional and omnidirectional antennas with cable
lengths ranging from 3 to 200 feet and of varying gain.
When using an external antenna, placement of that antenna is critical to a solid data link. Other
antennas in close proximity are a potential source of interference. It is also possible that slight
adjustments in antenna placement (as little as 2 feet) will solve noise problems. In extreme cases,
such as when the transceiver is located close to pager or cellular telephone transmission towers,
noise may be reduced by special filters available from Oceanscience.
RS232 Interface
Because the transceivers’ serial data parameters are fixed, instruments and any related application
PC software must be set to match. The serial data rates for the HydroLink ML4 are 19,200 bps on
Com 1 and 4,800 bps on Com 2 and Com 3.
When configuring the instrument and application software to match the transceiver, the PC and
instrument should be connected directly. If using a GPS provided by Oceanscience there is no need
to change the baud rate as they are configured at the factory.
Do not attempt to change instrument settings using the transceivers. Communication is not
possible until the instrument and application software settings match those of the transceivers.
Some instruments transmit or receive control pulses using the computer RS232 com port. Because
the transceivers transfer binary data, with a pre-defined data byte length, attempting to send
control pulses using the transceivers is not recommended. A specific example of this is the “wake-
up” or break command used by some ADCP manufacturers. The standard “wake-up” command is
a 300 ms pulse sent from the computer comm port to the ADCP. If this pulse is routed through the
transceivers, it will not be recognized by the ADCP. The solution to this format conflict is to use the
ADCP alternate “wake-up” command of three ASCII equals signs” = = = “. Using this alternate
control command maintains the binary data format and will be recognized by the ADCP through
the transceivers.
Some GPS instruments transmit and receive data using the NMEA 0183 V3.0 or higher spec. This
specification calls for a RS-422 transmission format, not RS-232. All instrumentation connected to
the transmit and receive data lines of the transceiver should be verified to use RS-232 format.

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If using a Trimble DSM132 and you experience garbled data or are having problems establishing
communications with your GPS, you should restore the unit to factory settings by performing the
following steps:
•Press the varrow 6 times. This places you at the Clear BB RAM? screen.
•Press >once to highlight the No.
•Press vonce to change to Yes.
•Press the enter key and all factory defaults will be restored.
Troubleshooting
This section lists some problems that you might encounter while using your HydroLink ML4
transceiver:
Symptom Possible solution
I cannot connect. •Make sure that you have connected power to your transceivers. The LED
indicator should emit a green light when powered up, being ready to send and
receive data then turning blue.
•Your remote instrument is not configured to use the same serial settings (e.g.
baud rate) as your HydroLink ML4.
•Your transceivers are too far away from each other. Move them closer or raise the
base antenna.
•Check all cabling connections.
The link between my
transceivers
disconnects.
•There is substantial interference.
•Your transceivers are too far away from each other. Move the two devices closer
to each other or raise the base antenna.
There is no color on
the LED indicator.
•Make sure that power is connected to the device by checking: data/power circular
connector on HydroLink face, quick-disconnects, battery connections are polarity
correct, Kobiconn DC adapter is connected, toggle switch is in the “on” position.
I’m receiving data but
it’s garbled.
•Verify the baud rate on your data instrument matches the baud rate of your
HydroLink ML4. If your GPS is Trimble DSM132, restore unit to factory defaults
(see section 5, RS-232 Interfacing).
I have no power. •Check your battery, battery connections, and fuse.