Racelogic VBOX III User manual

VBOX III User Guide
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VBOX III 100Hz GPS Data Logger
User Guide

VBOX III User Guide
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VBOX III OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
FEATURES.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
OPERATION..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
GETTING STARTED..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16
VBOX III ‘.VBO’ FILE FORMAT.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
VBOXTOOLS SOFTWARE...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
LOCAL DGPS BASESTATION.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................20
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................21
FIRMWARE UPGRADES..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22
SPECIFICATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
CONNECTION DATA ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25
ANALOGUE INPUT CONNECTOR.................................................................................................................................................................................................................28
CAN BUS DATA FORMAT................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29
CONTACT INFORMATION..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................30

VBOX III User Guide
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EC Declaration of Conformity
We declare that this product has been tested to and meet the requirements of:
EC Directive 2004/104/EC
“Adapting to Technical Progress Council directive 72/245/EEC relating to the radio interference (Electromagnetic Compatibility) of vehicles and
amending directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their
trailers.”
And has also been assessed, via Technical Construction File, by an independent DTI Competent Body and found to be in conformance with the
essential requirements of:
EC Directive 89/336/EEC (and amending directives)
“Council Directive of 03 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility.”
DTI Competent Body responsible for issuing certificate of compliance:
3C Test Ltd,
Silverstone Technology Park,
Silverstone,
Northants
NN12 8GX

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VBOX III Overview

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Introduction
The VBOX III represents the 3rd generation of GPS data logging system from Racelogic. Using a powerful new GPS engine, the VBOX III can log GPS and
other data at 100Hz. The logged data is stored directly onto a compact flash card for easy transfer to a PC.
The VBOX III also sees the addition of 4 high-resolution analogue input channels to record data from external sensors and 2 CAN bus interfaces to allow
connection of Racelogic input modules while simultaneously transmitting GPS data on the second bus.
In line with previous VBOX models, the VBOX III is compatible with all of the existing peripherals including the Multifunction display, ADC03, TC8, FIM02
and Yaw rate sensor. *See Note
Features
Non-contact 100Hz speed and distance measurement using GPS
12.5ms Latency
4 x 24bit synchronous differential analogue inputs ±50v
2 x CAN Bus interface
RS-232 serial interface
Compact Flash Interface
2 x 16bit User configurable analogue outputs
2 x Digital outputs
Brake trigger Input with 100KHz scan rate
Wide 5.3V to 30V operating range *See Note
Logging rate selectable from 100Hz, 50Hz, 20Hz, 10Hz, 5Hz, 1Hz
40cm 95% CEP positional accuracy when used in conjunction with a
Local DGPS Basestation.
2cm 95% CEP positional accuracy with a RTK GPS upgrade option
and a RTK Basestation
* RACELOGIC external modules such as Multifunction display only operate from a 12v vehicle
supply. Therefore, when using external can modules, VBOX III supply must not exceed 15vDC.

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Optional Accessories
Description
Racelogic Part #
Brake Pedal Trigger
RLVBACS004
Hand-held brake trigger
RLVBACS009
Logging Start/Stop Switch
RLVBACS010
GPS Antenna Bundle x 5
RLVBACS0505
GPS Antenna Bundle x 10
RLVBACS05010
9Ah Battery Pack
RLVBACS051
Multifunction Display
RLVBDSP03
8 Channel (16bit) Analogue Interface
RLVBADC03
8 Channel (10bit) Analogue Interface
RLVBADC02
4 Channel Frequency Input Module
RLVBFIM02
8 Channel Vehicle CAN Interface
RLVBCAN01
8 Channel Thermocouple Interface
RLVBTC8
Can to Analogue Output Module
RLVBDAC01
Single Yaw Rate Sensor + 2 axis G Sensor
RLVBYAW02
Inertial Measurement Unit. 3 Yaw Rate Sensors & 3 accelerometers
RLVBIMU01
RTCM DGPS Basestation for 40cm positional accuracy
RLVBBS2
RTK DGPS Basestation for 2cm positional accuracy
RLVBBS3

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Operation
Power
The VBOX III can be powered from a wide range of voltage sources including the Vehicle Cigar adapter, an optional Ni-Mh battery pack or other source
provided by the user. The maximum operating voltage input must not exceed 30V DC. Failure to observe this could result in damage to the VBOX.
Warning
The VBOX can be connected to other Racelogic input modules including the ADC03, ADC02, TC8, FIM02 and Multifunction display. Please note that the
voltage supply to Racelogic modules connected to the VBOX will be at the same level as the VBOX power input. Therefore when using any of the Racelogic
peripherals with VBOX III, the input voltage must not exceed 15 volts. Failure to observe this could result in damage to the module and possibly the VBOX III
When running the VBOX from the rechargeable battery pack, the VBOX will sound a warning tone to indicate when the battery voltage is reaching the
minimum operating voltage level. When this tone is heard, the battery pack requires re-charging. The usable battery life, when used with a VBOXIII alone, is
in excess of 2Hrs.
Please also note that during extended use, the VBOX III case may become hot. This is normal, however it is good practice to mount the VBOX III in
a position where it has sufficient airflow around the case.
Buttons
The VBOX III has two membrane buttons on the front panel, LOG and FUNC. LOG is used to start and stop logging to the compact flash card, and FUNC is
used to switch between two sample rates, 100Hz and 20Hz.
Logging
The LOG button will override any of the automatic logging thresholds set in the VBOX. For example, if you have set the VBOX to log all the time, the LOG
button will toggle logging on and off. If you have set the VBOX to ‟log only when moving‟ and you are moving, pressing the LOG button will stop the VBOX
logging and close the file on the compact flash. Logging will now not continue even if you are moving until the LOG button is pressed again or the compact
flash card is removed and reinserted. The VBOX will then continue to log only when moving.
Every time the logging is toggled with the LOG button, a new file is created.
When the VBOX is logging, the blue CF light flashes. Do not remove the CF card or power down whilst this LED is flashing, if you need to remove the card or
power down whilst the CF light is flashing, then press the LOG button first to stop the VBOX logging.

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Sample rate
Pressing the FUNC button briefly flashes the LED‟s to indicate the current sample rate. A slow flash (once per second) on all the LED‟s indicates 20Hz, and
rapid flashing (5 times a second) indicates a 100Hz sample rate. A running sequence of lights indicates a sample rate other than 100Hz or 20Hz. Pressing
and holding the FUNC button for 5 seconds toggles the current sample rate. The sample rate can also be set in the VBOX software.
Default setup
The default factory settings are restored to the VBOX by pressing and holding the FUNC button, and then at the same time pressing and holding the LOG
button for 5 seconds. This will put the VBOX III into the default factory settings, 100Hz logging when moving, and the standard logging parameters : sats,
time, latitude, longitude, velocity, heading, height, vertical velocity, and brake trigger event time. (DGPS will be off by default.).
LED indicators
There are 3 LED indicators on the front panel of the VBOX. The first LED, PWR, indicates that the VBOX is powered correctly. The SAT LED is used to
indicate the number of GPS satellites that the VBOX has in lock. When no satellites are in lock, the SAT LED flashes slowly to indicate that the VBOX is
searching for satellites. When one or more satellites are in lock, the LED will pulse the satellite count repeatedly with a short delay.
The following diagram shows an example of SAT LED pulse sequence.
Sequence showing 1 Satellite
1
1
1
1
Sequence showing 4 Satellites
Delay
1
2
3
4
Delay
1
2
3
4
Sequence showing 0 Satellites
Delay (Approximately 1 second )
Delay (Approximately 1 second )

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Memory Cards
The VBOX III can accept Type-I compact flash memory cards. The memory cards must be formatted using FAT or FAT16 but not FAT32. This option is
normally selectable when formatting the memory card in a card reader connected to a PC.
When logging data to compact flash the blue CF LED will flash or be constantly illuminated. It is important not to remove the flash card while the blue LED is
illuminated. If the card is removed while the VBOX is writing data to it, there is a risk that the data file may be corrupted resulting in loss of data. To remove
the compact flash card while the VBOX is writing data, press the LOG button on the front panel of the VBOX and wait for the blue LED to turn OFF.
When a compact Flash card is inserted or removed while powered, the VBOX will re-initialise. This will reset any temporary parameters held in the VBOX. For
example, the CAN Bus parameter Distance from power-on will be reset to zero.
Note: The VBOXIII can log upto 32 CAN channels in addition to the standard GPS channels. This is limited to 16 CAN channels when the Kalman
Filter is enabled
GPS Antenna
The GPS Antenna supplied with the VBOX III is a 5v active antenna. For the best possible signal quality, it is important to maintain a clean connection
between the antenna and the VBOX. Before fixing the antenna to the VBOX, ensure that there are no dust particles in either connector. Replacement
antennas are available by contacting your VBOX distributor.
The antenna is a magnetic mounting type for quick and simple mounting to the vehicle roof. For optimum GPS 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 GPS antenna works best with a metal ground plane
underneath (eg. Vehicle roof).
Please also note that when using any GPS equipment, a clear sky view is
important. Objects in the surrounding area such and tall buildings or trees can
block the GPS signal causing a reduction or loss in the number of satellites
being tracked.

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OUT 1 & OUT 2
The OUT1 and OUT2 connectors each have 1 analogue voltage and 1 digital output. The digital output on connector OUT1 is a frequency/pulse output
corresponding to velocity. The pulse per meter range is adjustable in software. The digital output on connector OUT2 is a simple on/off state output. This
digital output can be associated with any of the data channels being logged by the VBOX. A threshold level can be set for the selected data channel where a
true condition gives a 5v output and a false condition gives a 0v.
i.e. Data channel –Speed, threshold 40Km/h. When speed is >40 output = 5V, speed ,40 output = 0V
A hysteresis and tolerance value can also be associated to this condition.
The default function of this digital output is to indicate the current logging status of the VBOX.
The analogue outputs on connectors OUT1 and OUT2 are both user configurable. For example, analogue output 1 could be configured to output velocity
while analogue output 2 might be configured to output lateral acceleration. The voltage range of both analogue outputs is 0 to 5v DC.