Racelogic VBOX 3i User manual

Quick Start - VBOX 3i
Required equipment (All supplied as standard unless specified):
•VBOX 3i
•GPS/GLONASS antenna
•RS232 cable
•Laptop PC (not supplied)
•Cigar lighter 12 V adapter lead
•Blank compact flash card
•VBOX software CD
1. Mount the VBOX3i GPS/GLONASS antenna in
asuitable position on the roof of the vehicle. The
ideal position is in the centre of the roof away from
any objects that may shadow the GNSS signal
such as roof bars.
This creates a large metal object underneath the
antenna to shield it from signals reflected by the
ground that can cause multi-path errors.
Note: See these articles if having difficulty
obtaining satellite lock: Satellite elevation mask
GNSS Cold Start
2. Screw the gold SMA connector on the antenna
cable firmly onto the VBOX 3i 'Antenna' socket,
making sure that the socket on the VBOX 3i is free
from any contamination.
Note: It is important to connect the antenna to
the VBOX 3i before power is connected.
The VBOX 3i adjusts the signal gain to the
antenna based on the current incoming
GNSS signal strength.
3. Connect the power connector to the socket marked ‘PWR’ on the VBOX 3i.
When power is connected, the red ‘PWR’LED will illuminate and all of the other LEDs will flash once then go
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off.
4. Allow the VBOX 3i time to acquire satellite lock (this should take no longer than a few minutes) before moving
off to log data. It is good practice to do this at the beginning of your day; after you have done this satellites will
be instantly picked up and locked onto, even after periods of the power being switched off or overhead
obstructions blocking the view of the sky.
If the VBOX3i has not been used for a long time or if it was last used many miles from its current location, it
may take time to find satellite lock. If this situation arises perform a GNSS Cold start to reset the
GNSS engine.
5. The ‘SATS’LED will be lit solid red when no satellite lock has been obtained, once the VBOX 3i gets a lock on
visible satellites, the ‘SATS’LED will flash green /orange to indicate the number satellites. At a normal test
track facility you should expect to see between 7 – 12 satellites being received by the VBOX 3i. When
the VBOX 3i has a lock on 4 or more satellites, then the VBOX 3i is ready to use.
Note: If fewer than 7 satellites are consistently seen the position of the GNSS antenna on the vehicle may not
be ideal, or the nature of the test surroundings may not be ideal; see troubleshooting section on antenna
positioning.
6. Now simply drive the vehicle. In the VBOX 3i’s default mode it will log all data when the vehicle is moving at a
speed above 0.5 km/h and stop recording when the vehicle’s speed goes below 0.5 km/h.
The blue 'CF'LED on the front panel of the VBOX 3i will flash to indicate when data is being logged to the CF
card.
7. When you have finished your first test with the VBOX 3i, come to a halt, wait until the blue 'CF'LED stops
flashing before removing the CF card. Logging can be stopped at any time by pressing the ‘LOG’button to
close the current file.
Note: If the IMU integration feature of the VBOX 3i is to be used refer to this article ‘IMU Integration’.
Important - Do not remove the CF card or power down whilst the CF LED is flashing. If you need to
remove the card or power down whilst the CF LED is flashing, then press the LOG button first to stop
the VBOX logging. Failure to do so will result in data loss or corruption.
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