RFbeam Microwave K-DT1 User manual

K-DT1 Portable Radar Doppler Target
User Manual
© RFbeam Microwave GmbH www.rfbeam.ch Page 1/9

K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
Features
•Handheld -Band Doppler Target Simulator
•Battery Operation
•Programmable Speed Range 1 ... 300km/h
•Programmable Movement Direction
•Programmable Signal Time
•3 Programmable Presets
•Standalone or Hosted Operation
•USB Interface to Hostcomputer
•Compact and Rugged Construction
•DT1-Remote PC Software included
Applications
•Mobile Test Equipments
•Production Final Inspection
•Incoming Components Inspection
•System Tuning and Adjustment
Overview
-DT1 is a portable moving target simulator for
-band Radar transceivers. It can be used for
calibrating and testing speed displays, door
openers, safety systems and other radar based
Doppler sensors. -DT1 uses a circular
polarized antenna. You can use -DT1 in any
orientation independently of the sensor
orientation.
A software generated modulation signal allows
generation of low distortion and directional
Doppler signals from 44Hz to 13.4kHz
corresponding to speeds from 1km/h to 300km/h.
Getting Started
This chapter explains the first steps of using the -DT1 device and the DT1-Remote Software.
E uipment Needed
●RFbeam -DT1 Device
●Four Size AA Batteries
●RFbeam USB Stick with DT1-Remote Software
●PC with Windows XP or higher
●Optionally an RFbeam ST100 Starterkit
DT1-Remote Software
-DT1 may be connected via USB to any Windows PC. The included DT1-Remote software allows
realtime remote controlling and configuring the presets of the -DT1.
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K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
Installing from USB Stick
1. Remove any -DT1 system connected to your system
2. Insert RFbeam USB memory stick and start setup.exe.
If your computer does not already contain the actual LabVIEW runtime engine, you will be asked
to accept licences of National Instruments.
3. If possible, accept all default program locations. Troubleshooting will be simplified like this.
4. Please be patient while LabVIEW runtime system is being installed.
5. You will find DT1-Remote under START-PROGRAMS-RFbeam-DT1 Remote
6. Plug your -DT1 system to a USB port of your PC. There should appear a “New USB Hardware
Found” message from Windows.
7. Windows will ask you for a hardware driver. Select to install it manually and chose the drive letter
of the USB stick. Ignore the Windows logo test message.
8. Start DT1-Remote Software.
As soon as -DT1 system has been connected, the search LED stops flashing and DT1-Remote
software is ready.
If -DT1 will not be found, please reinstall the hardware driver and try again. (See chapter FAQ
for more details).
DT1-Remote Screen
After launching the DT1-Remote Software, the screen below should appear.
Fig. 1: K-DT1 Screen
See chapter DT1-Remote Software for details on this software.
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K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
K-DT1 Handheld Operation
Controls
Using K-DT1
General Remarks
Prepare the settings as described in section Configuring -DT1
Maximum distance depends on the radar sensitivity and the amplitude settings of -DT1.
Using Default Preset
The default preset will be executed, until the programmed duration elapses.
1. Align the antenna (6) against the transceiver
2. Press the Power switch (3) for 0.5 seconds
> -DT1 begins simulating the programmed speed, amplitude and direction
> -DT1 stops after the programmed duration or after switching off manually with (3)
Selecting Another Preset
The selected preset will become the new default preset and will be executed, until the programmed
duration elapses:
1. Press Power switch (3) while pressing the Preset selector (2)
> -DT1 default preset LED (5) blinks
2. Repeat pressing the Preset selector (2) until the desired preset LED (5) flashes
> after 1 second, the selected LED (5) stops blinking and -DT1 runs the selected preset
> the selected preset will become the new default preset
Playing Around
If you own an RFbeam Starterkit (http://www.rfbeam.com/81.0.html), you may test all the -DT1
features by running the ST100 SignalViewer with a -LC1 or even better a -LC2 sensor.
© 2019 RFbeam Microwave GmbH www.rfbeam.ch Page 4/9
Fig. 2: Controls and Displays
(1) USB Connector
(2) Preset Selector
(3) Power On
(4) Power Indicator
(5) Active Preset
(6) Antenna

K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
DT1-Remote Software
Legend of Controls
(1) Doppler Signal ON/OFF
(2) Direction of Movement
(3) Doppler Amplitude (simulates
object distance)
(4) Object Speed parallel to (5)
(5) Object Speed parallel to (4)
(6) Select Speed Display Unit
(7) Copy Settings to Preset Memory
(8) Select Standard Preset
(9) Duration of Doppler Signal
(10) Save Presets to -DT1
This software allows real time control and configuring the -DT1 target. You can get help by moving
the mouse over the control elements. Menu „Help-Show Context Help“ opens a small window with
additional information.
Remote Controlling K-DT1
-DT1 may be remotely controlled by the DT1-Remote software. The realtime remote control part is
called Live Setting on the left half of the Software panel. Please connect -DT1 to a USB port before
changing any controls.
Switching ON/OFF
Click [Target ON] key (1) to toggle speed simulation on and off. Shortcut key [F2].
Setting Speed
Speed setting may be controlled by different methods:
- Move needle (5)
- Type value or use spin controls in (4)
- Use [PageUp] and [PageDown] keys on PC keyboard
- Shortcut key: [F4], then cursor up/down
Setting Movement Direction
Toggle the direction with control (3). This control changes the sign of the 90° phase shift between the
I and Q channel.
Note: Direction is only detectable by „stereo“ sensors like -LC2, -MC1, -MC2 etc.
Setting Signal Amplitude
Simulate object distances by adjusting the signal amplitude (3).
This may be useful for testing system sensitivity. Please note, that a 100% amplitude produces not a
big Doppler signal at the sensor system:
In 1m distance, you get approximately:
200mVpp at the “High Gain Output” of -MC1
120uVpp at the output of a -LC1
60uVpp at the output of a -LC2
© 2019 RFbeam Microwave GmbH www.rfbeam.ch Page 5/9
Fig. 3: DT1-Remote Software Screen
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2
3
4
5
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6

K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
Configuring K-DT1
-DT1 starts up with a “default preset”. This is one of three configurable presets. All presets can be
configured by means of the DT1-Remote software or with a terminal software.
Default preset can also be selected manually directly with the -DT1. See chapter Selecting Another
Preset.
Storing Settings as Presets
1. Select the desired parameters in the Live Setting section with controls (1) to (6)
2. Copy these parameters to the desired preset with selector (7)
3. Save presets with control (10)
Set Signal Duration
-DT1 sends a Doppler signal, until signal duration has elapsed and then switches off.
1. For each preset, you may select an individual duration with control (9).
Value range is 0.1 to 60sec. Value 0 means 'unlimited' (switches off after 3 minutes timeout for
battery saving).
2. Save presets with control (10)
Set Default Preset
Default preset will be active after normal power on of the -DT1. It may later be altered directly at the
-DT1.
1. Select default preset with (8)
2. Save presets with control (10)
Getting Help
Get help by selectig Menu-Help.
Get tips by moving cursor over the controls.
K-DT1 USB Serial Interface
-DT1 can optionally be operated by a terminal program or by customer software.
The USB port is represented as serial interface by the driver software, that has been installed
according to chapter Installing from USB Stick.
1. Connect -DT1
2. Start DT1-Remote software or check the windows control panel to get the assigned COM port.
Close DT1-Remorte software before opening terminal software!
3. Open a terminal program like Windows Hyper Terminal
4. Select the appropriate COM port. All other settings are not used.
5. Press [Enter]. Now, the following screen (Fig. 4) should appear:
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K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
Terminal Mode: Remote Control
RFbeam K-DT1 24GHz Doppler Target #09200100
==============================================
Program Versio V1.00 Aug 21 2009
Default Preset : 1 [0= o e, 1..3=Preset]
[d] Directio of Motio : 0 [0=Forward, 1=Backward]
[s] Speed : 3 [001..300km/h]
[r] Reach : 100 [001..100%]
[t] Target O /Off : 1 [0=Off, 1=O ]
[p] Presets Setup
[x] Back to ma ual mode
->
Fig. 4: K-DT1 Terminal Remote Control Dialog
These settings are directly executed, as long as -DT1 remains connected to the USB port.
With [p], you will be able to configure the preset memory.
Terminal Mode: Preset Setting
For using presets please refer to chapter Using -DT1.
Presets Setup Page
==================
[q] P1 Directio of Motio : 0 [0=Forward, 1=Backward]
[w] P1 Speed : 3 [001..300km/h]
[e] P1 Reach : 100 [001..100%]
[r] P1 Time : 0 [001..600x100ms, 0=e dless]
[t] P2 Directio of Motio : 0 [0=Forward, 1=Backward]
[z] P2 Speed : 113 [001..300km/h]
[u] P2 Reach : 100 [001..100%]
[i] P2 Time : 60 [001..600x100ms, 0=e dless]
[o] P3 Directio of Motio : 0 [0=Forward, 1=Backward]
[p] P3 Speed : 9 [001..300km/h]
[a] P3 Reach : 100 [001..100%]
[s] P3 Time : 10 [001..600x100ms, 0=e dless]
[c] Default Preset : 1 [0= o e, 1..3=Preset]
[l] Save a d Leave Preset Setup
->
Fig. 5: K-DT1 Preset Terminal Dialog
Refer to chapter Configuring -DT1 for parameter explanations.
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K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
Characteristics
Parameter Conditions / Notes Symbol Min Typ Max Unit
Operating conditions
Supply voltage Battery VccBatt 3.6 6 7 V
USB VccUSB 4.5 5 5.5 V
Supply current Operating Icc 340 mA
Standby Icc0 50 uA
Battery Lifetime Daily use 50 seconds, Alcaline cells Top 1 Year
Operating temperature non condensing Top 0 +60 °C
Storage temperature Tst -20 +80 °C
Doppler Simulator
Frequency range Transmit frequency of UUT fTG 24.000 24.250 GHz
Doppler frequency range Digitally adjustable fDoppler 44 13400 Hz
Simulated speed range Digitally adjustable vDoppler 1 300 km/h
Simulated speed resolution rDoppler 1 km/h
Output power range Adjustable simulated object distance Pout 1 100 %
Antenna gain 14 dBi
Antenna polarization Right hand circular polarized RHCP
Overall gain For circular polarized tranceivers 38 dB
For linear polarized tranceivers 32 dB
Out of band spurious -30 dBm
Aequivalent reflectivity For circular polarized tranceivers RCScirc 800 cm2
For linear polarized tranceivers RCSlin 200 cm2
Host Interface
USB Serial USB, Mini-USB connector
Body
Outline Dimensions 68x128x24 mm3
Weight Including batteries 185 g
Accessories
Case protection, Softcase, USB Cable, USB Memory Stick, 4 AA-size Alkaline Cells, Windows Software “DT-1 Remote”
Ordering Information
Part #: RFbeam -DT1
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K-DT1 DopplerTarget User Manual
FAQ
Q:
A:
Why does K-DT1 not connect to the DT1-Remote software?
Please try the following:
•Close DT1-Remote software and disconnect-reconnect -DT1. Restart the software.
•Close DT1-Remote software and connect -DT1 to an other USB port.
•Reinstall the driver file 'RFbeam_ -DT1.inf'. This file resides on the installation media and
also in the program file directory.
Q:
A:
What is the usable distance range?
This depends on your radar system. For traffic speed displays, a typical range will be around 3
to 5 meters.
Q:
A:
Why do I get different output amplitudes at the same radar transcei er?
For precision sensitivity tests, -DT1 and also the unit under test (UUT) should be
mechanically fixed.
You should also prevent objects nearby the direct link between -DT1 and the UUT.
Use distances >=30cm between -DT1 and the UUT.
Use absorber material (e.g. Ecosorb AN or Ecosorb LS from Emerson&Cuming) , if the test-
setting is placed on a table or in a test chamber.
A: What is the expected battery life?
With a daily use of 50 seconds, Alkaline cells should last about 1 year.
Q:
A:
Is battery loaded while K-DT1 is connected on USB port?
No. -DT1 is powered by the USB port during a host connection.
Q:
A:
How can I measure frequency and RF power of my transcei ers?
-DT1 is only a Doppler Simulator. For power and frequency mesurements, you may use the
RFbeam -TS1 system.
User Manual Revision History
Version Date Changes
1.0 15-Sept 2009 initial release
1.1 15-Oct 2009 corrected chapter Selecting Another Preset
1.2 16-Nov 2016 Changed adjustable speed to 300 km/h
1.3 23-Jan 2018 Changed operating system requirements
1.4 17-May 2019 Added simulated speed resolution in the characteristics
© 2019 RFbeam Microwave GmbH www.rfbeam.ch Page 9/9
RFbeam does not assume any responsibility for use of any circuitry described, no circuit patent licenses are implied and
RFbeam reserves the right at any time without notice to change said circuitry and specifications.