Racelogic VBOX User manual

Speed Sensor User Manual
•01 - VBOX Speed Sensor Introduction
•03 - Installing your VBOX Speed Sensor
•04 - VBOX Speed Sensor LED Indicators
•05 - VBOX Speed Sensor Configuration
•06 - VBOX Speed Sensor Digital Input
•06 - Speed Sensor Dual Antenna Setup
•Speed Sensor - Updating the Firmware
•07 - VBOX Speed Sensor RS232/NMEA Output
•08 - VBOX Speed Sensor CAN output
•09 - Speed Sensor PIN OUTS
•10 - VBOX Speed Sensor Technical Specification
•11 - VBOX Dual Antenna Speed Sensor Technical Specification
•11 - VBOX Speed Sensor Inventory
•12 - VBOX Speed Sensor EC Declaration of Conformity
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01 - VBOX Speed Sensor Introduction
Speed Sensors (VBSS25/VBSS100)
The Racelogic Speed Sensors feature versions with 25 Hz and 100 Hz update rates.
Based on a range of high-accuracy GNSS engines, you can use the speed sensor to perform non-contact sensing of
velocity, providing signal output data on CAN, analogue, digital and serial. This allows for easy integration with data
loggers and testing applications.
You can assign the analogue output to vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, or lap beacon
marker with user selectable scaling. You can configure the digital output as either a digital speed pulse output or a lap
beacon marker.
You can use the speed sensor straight from the box and it will output digital and analogue signals according to the
default settings. You can change the settings in the VBOX Setup Software. You can find more information about how to
configure the Speed Sensor in Chapter 5 of this user guide.
The VBOX Speed Sensors are also compatible with the VBOX Test Suite software.
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Features
RLVBSS25 RLVBSS100
GNSS Receiver GNSS Receiver
CAN Bus Output includes: Speed, Heading, True
Heading, Brake Stop Distance, Radius of Turn, Position
CAN Bus Output includes: Speed, Heading, True
Heading, Brake Stop Distance, Radius of Turn, Position
RS232 Serial Output of NMEA, position, velocity and
time
RS232 Serial Output of NMEA, position, velocity and
time
User-configurable Analogue and Digital Output User-configurable Analogue and Digital Output
Virtual Lap Beacon Output Virtual Lap Beacon Output
Rugged Deutsch ASDD Autosport connector Rugged Deutsch ASDD Autosport connector
High-quality aluminium enclosure High-quality aluminium enclosure
IP66 rated: water and dustproof IP66 rated: water and dustproof
Wide 7 to 30 V operating range Wide 7 to 30 V operating range
Low-current consumption Low-current consumption
Online VBOX Test Suite compatibility Online VBOX Test Suite compatibility
Compatible with DGPS Basestation
CAN stabilisation
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03 - Installing your VBOX Speed Sensor
Mounting
The VBOX Speed Sensor should be securely mounted inside the vehicle, level with the ground. There are holes in the
ground plate that can be used to fasten the Speed Sensor to a suitable location in the vehicle. Make sure that the
surface with the LEDs and pin information is up.
Interfacing with the VBOX Speed Sensor
You can use the VBOX Speed Sensor in several different ways, and it is common for the end-user to integrate the
speed sensor connector into their own wiring harness. You can purchase a mating connector, Deutsch ASDD606-09PN,
from Racelogic for this purpose.
You should connect the GNSS antenna before you connect power to the Speed Sensor. This is because the Speed
Sensor will look for a connected GNSS antenna and automatically adjust its gain for optimum performance from the
connected antenna.
The GNSS antenna supplied with the Speed Sensor is a 5 V active antenna. For the best possible signal quality, it is
important to maintain a clean connection between the antenna and the Speed Sensor. Before you fix the antenna to the
Speed Sensor, make sure that there are no dust particles in either connector. Replacement antennas are
available from your Racelogic distributor.
The antenna is a magnetic mounting type for quick and simple mounting to the vehicle roof. For optimum GNSS signal
reception, make sure that the antenna is fitted to the highest point of the vehicle, away from any obstructions that may
block satellite reception. The GNSS antenna works best with a metal ground plane underneath (a metallic vehicle roof is
perfect for this).
Note that it is important to have a clear sky view when you are using any GNSS equipment. Objects in the surrounding
area, such as tall buildings or trees, can block the GNSS signal and lead to a reduction in the number of satellites that
are being tracked and could introduce reflected signals that can decrease the accuracy of the system. Clouds and other
atmospheric conditions do not affect the performance.
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GNSS antennas require a ground plane to operate correctly. This helps reduce unwanted reflections of the GNSS signal
caused by nearby objects. Usually, the metal roof of a vehicle will perform this function, however, if a test requires
the antenna to be placed either off the vehicle or on a vehicle that does not have a metallic roof, you must use a special
ground plane antenna. This has an internal ground plane and can operate perfectly without the need to be mounted on a
metal surface. Ground plane antennas are available from your Racelogic distributor.
Power
The VBOX Speed Sensor can be powered from a wide range of voltage sources including a Vehicle Cigar adapter, a
Racelogic Li-ion battery pack or other sources provided by the user. The maximum operating voltage input must not
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exceed 30 V DC. Failure to observe this limit could result in damage to the speed sensor.
Note: There is no power cable supplied with the VBOX Speed Sensor, but this is available to purchase separately.
Note: During extended use, the Speed Sensor's case may become hot. This is normal, however, it is good practice to
mount the VBOX Speed Sensor in a position where it has sufficient airflow around the case.
Hardware
Connect the serial plug to the computer's serial port with an RLCAB093 loom – you can also do this via a serial > USB
converter if required.
Note: The RLCAB093 loom is not supplied with the VBOX Speed Sensor, but is available to purchase separately.
Dimensions
VBSS25 VBOX Speed Sensor 25 Hz
L 102.6 mm* x W 89 mm x H 32 mm
*Including connectors
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VBSS100-V4G VBOX Speed Sensor 100 Hz
L 127.6 mm* x W 92 mm x H 28.1 mm
*Including connectors
Outputs
There are 4 different types of outputs from the VBOX Speed Sensor:
• Analogue
• Digital
• CAN
• RS232
GPS Coldstart
You may need to perform a GPS Coldstart when:
• The GPS/GNSS engine has locked up.
• The Speed Sensor is struggling to acquire satellite lock
A GPS coldstart forces the GPS engine to reset its downloaded almanac of current satellite positions. This can be useful
if the Speed Sensor is having trouble locking onto satellites, which typically occurs if the unit has not been used for
several weeks or if it was last used a long distance (over one thousand miles) away from the current location.
After performing a GPS coldstart, leave the Speed Sensor powered up in a static location where the antenna has an
unobstructed view of the skies until the ‘GPS’ LED becomes solid green.
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How to perform a coldstart
There are two ways to perform a coldstart on the Speed Sensor.
• Software
1. Open the VBOX Setup Software.
2. Select the Speed Sensor from the drop-down connection menu and connect to the unit.
3. Press the GPS Coldstart button on the General tab to activate the procedure.
4. The LED's on the Speed Sensor will all turn red, and return to normal function when the coldstart procedure
has been completed.
• Digital Input
1. Connect the Speed Sensor to a PC using the RS232 connector of the RLCAB093 loom.
2. If the Speed Sensor's Digital Input is configured to Lap Pulse mode, you can perform a coldstart by grounding
the input while connecting the Speed Sensor to power.
3. When this is done correctly, the LEDs on the Speed Sensor will all turn red before returning to normal function
when the coldstart procedure has been completed.
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04 - VBOX Speed Sensor LED Indicators
There are 3 LED indicators at the top of the VBOX Speed Sensor. These show the status of operation.
PWR LED
This LED indicates if the VBOX Speed Sensor is powered and working correctly.
Solid green LED = OK
Solid red LED = power is on, but the unit is not working correctly.
SATS LED
• A flashing red LED indicates that there are no satellites in view.
Sequence showing 0 Satellites
• A flashing green LED sequence indicates the number of satellites currently being tracked. Each flash indicates a
satellite with a short pause between each sequence.
Sequence showing 1 Satellite
Sequence showing 4 Satellites
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EVENT LED
Flashes in time with the digital pulse output.
Digitial Output set to 'Speed'
If the digital output is set to speed, the Event LED will flash green in time with speed at a rate of 1/10th of the digital
output.
Digitial Output set to 'Lap Pulse'
If the digital output is configured for the Lap Pulse, the Event LED will light up in green for 1 second when the start line
is triggered. The Event LED and Sats LED will both light up in green for 1 second when the finish line is triggered.
Note: The ALL the LEDs will be constantly red for the duration of a coldstart.
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05 - VBOX Speed Sensor Configuration
The VBOX Speed Sensors have default settings applied so that you can use them straight out of the box. You can,
however, also configure the settings for your Speed Sensor, by using the VBOX Setup software, which you can
download here.
Software connection
Use the drop-down menu in the Connection area on the Connect screen to select the COM port you have connected
the Speed Sensor to. When you have connected a COM port, the radio button under the drop-down menu will turn green
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and say 'Connected'. Click on the Disconnect button to disconnect the currently connected COM port.
Note: You may see an auto-detect message if the baud rate has been changed from the default value. Select ‘Yes’ to
allow the different baud rates to be scanned.
Setup options
General Tab
Menu name/
button Description/function
Connection
This menu contains the Selected
com port drop-down, along with a
refresh button and a Disconnect
button.
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Menu name/
button Description/function
VBOX Information
This area will provide information
about the unit type, software
version, serial number and installed
firmware version currently being
used.
GPS Information Technical information about the
GPS engine in the connected unit.
GPS Coldstart
This feature clears the
almanac stored in the GPS engine.
You should only use this when your
device is struggling to gain SAT
lock.
Load/Save configuration
You can save the configuration you
set up to a file for later use and you
can load a saved configuration file if
you have a suitable one already set
up. Note that these files should be in
the .sscfg format.
Language Change the operating language.
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Menu name/
button Description/function
Diagnostics
Displays live GNSS data and basic
current setup.
Write to unit
After making changes to the setup,
you must click the Write to unit
button to upload the settings to the
Speed Sensor.
Close
When you have completed your
setup or you want to cancel your
setup without writing anything to the
unit, click on Close to close the
setup window.
CAN Tab
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Settings
Menu name/
button Description/function
Baud Rate
The software has 4 common baud
rate values: 1 Mb/s, 500 kb/s, 250
kb/s or 125 kb/s.
You can also select a custom baud
rate.
CAN termination
You can enable or disable the
internal CAN termination resistance
here.
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Menu name/
button Description/function
CAN delay
Only available on 100 Hz units.
Enabling this feature will fix the
CAN latency at 15.5 ms.
Note: While the unit still transmits all
channels, it will stabilise Speed on
CAN ID 302 when this feature is
enabled.
You can find more information
about the CAN delay
function here.
Transmitted Identifiers
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Menu name/
button Description/function
Send
You can select if a CAN message is
switched on/off by ticking or un-
ticking this box for the
corresponding message.
Identifier (hex)
These columns allow you to modify
the CAN IDs transmitted by the
Speed Sensor. Default values are
the Racelogic standard ID’s of
0x301, 0x302, 0x307, etc. In
the Actual column, you can change
the ID value, and by ticking the
Xtd box behind the Actual ID value
you can extend the identifier format
from standard 11-bit to extended
29-bit.
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Menu name/
button Description/function
Data bytes
These are the different channels
available under the different
messages. You can find more
information about the CAN output of
the Speed Sensors here.
GPS Tab
Menu name/
button Description/function
DGPS Mode
This feature gives you the option to
enable differential GPS:
None – Differential GPS is off.
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Menu name/
button Description/function
SBAS – SBAS differential
corrections are received from the
nearest Geo-stationary GPS-SBAS
satellite.
GPS Settings
This is where you can change the
update rate of the GPS engine and
set a minimum speed output value if
required.
The Leap second value was
increased to 18 seconds as
of December 2016 – you can find
more information about this, here.
Serial Tab
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