Vaisala MD30 User manual

System overview
This document instructs MD30 mobile sensor installation for the RoadAI systems and the other data
collection systems.
Mobile sensor
MD30
Bluetooth
module enclosure
RoadAI mobile app RoadAI online map
MD30 and Vaisala RoadAI system
MD30 and other data collection system
Mobile sensor
MD30
In-cabin data
collection system
Online server
Other MD30 instructions include:
1. Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Product and Package Description Reference Guide
2. Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Reference Guide
For RoadAI system:
1. RoadAI provisioning setup
2. RoadAI with MD30 Usage Instructions (available in the Help section of RoadAI online map)
For other data collection system:
1. Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Interface Description
Hand tools not supplied by Vaisala. For more information, see Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Product
and Package Description Reference Guide.
If you have trouble setting up MD30, see Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Maintenance and
Troubleshooting Reference Guide and https://www.vaisala.com/en/support/md30.
M212169EN-D
Setup Guide Installation and Calibration
Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30
PUBLISHED BY
Vaisala Oyj
Vanha Nurmijärventie 21
FI-01670 Vantaa, Finland
© Vaisala 2020
All rights reserved. Any logos and/or product names are trademarks of Vaisala or its individual partners.
Any reproduction, transfer, distribution or storage of information contained in this document is strictly
prohibited. All specifications — technical included — are subject to change without notice.

Installation location
c
aa
bb
b
Sensor location on vehicle
c
b
aa
d
Sensor facing front
Installation position suitability
for measurements
Table 1 Sensor location on vehicle
a
b
c
d
Installation position suitability for
measurements
Front of
vehicle
(behind
plow)
Side of
vehicle
Back of
vehicle
Under
vehicle
XsSurface state ++ ++ + ++
TsSurface temperature ++ ++ + +++
TaAir temperature ++ + − − − −
TdDew point and frost point temperature ++ + − −
RH Relative humidity ++ + − − − −
Install the mobile sensor outside the vehicle. Install the mobile device (phone or tablet), Bluetooth
module, and other equipment and accessories inside the vehicle.
You can detach the surface temperature sensor and air temperature and humidity sensor and install
them separately if needed. See Mounting temperature sensors separately (with optional accessory kit)
(page 4).
Depending on the vehicle, you may need to use a custom installation extension.
Make sure that air can flow freely through the hood. This helps to keep the hood clean.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
2

Mounting MD30 on vehicle
!
h
h = 20 ... 110 cm
[7.87 ... 43.31 in]
1
2
3
4
Figure 1 Mounting height and angle
1. Fix with M6 × 25 mm screws (min. 3 pcs).
2. Push the sensor to the bracket.
3. Tighten the screws (2 pcs).
4. Remove the cover.
5. To finalize the mounting, apply electric joint compound to the connector between the mobile
sensor and 8-m extension cable.
To order electric joint compound (12475SP), see Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Maintenance and
Troubleshooting Reference Guide.
a b c d
a. Use pliers to remove the orange part from the male connector, apply electric joint
compound, and insert the orange part back.
b. Repeat for the female connector.
c. Apply electric joint compound on top of the female connector.
d. Connect the 8-m (26-ft) extension cable to the mobile sensor.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
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Mounting temperature sensors separately
(with optional accessory kit)
Install one of the temperature sensors or both separately. Recommendations for optimal performance:
• HMP113: mount to a location with good air flow and away from heat sources such as car engine.
• MT10: mount under the vehicle and away from heat sources, reflections from sky, and sunlight.
1
2
3
1Surface state sensor
2Surface temperature sensor MT10
3Air temperature and humidity sensor HMP113
1
2
3
For installation details, see Mounting Temperature Sensors Separately Installation Guide.
To order relevant accessories (MD30EXTSET), see Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Maintenance and
Troubleshooting Reference Guide.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
4

Cabling and Calibration
To complete the MD30 installation, perform the listed steps based on your system type.
Instructions for RoadAI systems
If you are using MD30 through a mobile device (RoadAI), continue with the following instructions in
this order:
•Cabling Bluetooth module enclosure (page 6)
•Pairing Bluetooth module (page 7)
•Calibration step 1: window cleaning (page 9)
•Calibration step 2: plate reference (page 10)
•Calibration step 3: dry road reference (page 12)
•Verifying RoadAI operation (page 14)
Instructions for other data collection systems
If you are using MD30 with some other data collection system, continue with the following instructions
in this order:
•Cabling and data transfer (page 16)
•Calibration step 1: window cleaning (page 18)
•Calibration step 2: plate reference (page 19)
•Calibration step 3: dry road reference (page 21)
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
5

Cabling Bluetooth module enclosure
1. Select a suitable location for the Bluetooth module enclosure in the vehicle cabin.
2. Open the enclosure by removing the 4 screws and the lid.
3. Route the extension cable from the mobile sensor towards the Bluetooth module enclosure.
4. Connect the extension cable wires in the Bluetooth module enclosure as shown in the following
figure.
Follow the instructions that are relevant to your version of the Bluetooth module enclosure.
GREEN TX
BROWN RX
PINK +
YELLOW GND
WHITE -
Splitter
(optional)
Extension cable
8 m (26 ft)
Power cable
Connect last!
Vehicle power
outlet
12 ... 32 VDC
North America version
(BM10-NA)
RoadAI mobile device
Bluetooth
module enclosure
BLACK RED
n/a WHIE YELLOW PINK
5 6 71 2 3 41 2
GREEN BROWN n/a
Global version (BM10)
5. Route the power cable from the Bluetooth module enclosure next to the vehicle power outlet and
connect it.
If you use a splitter, connect that first. You can use the existing plug or unscrew the plug, strip the
cable, and connect the wires.
6. Attach the lid to the enclosure. Tighten the cable glands.
7. Attach the enclosure to a suitable location in the vehicle cabin using adhesive tape or other
fasteners.
8. Secure the MD30 cable and connector to the vehicle with cable ties.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
6

Pairing Bluetooth module
• If you have not set up the RoadAI mobile
app, go to setup.vaisala.ai on the web and
follow the instructions. Check also that you
have the Vaisala RoadAI mobile setup email
which contains your login credentials.
• When done, make sure that the mobile
device is showing this screen.
1. In the RoadAI mobile app, select the menu. From the menu, select Sensor.
2. Select Bluetooth pairing.
3. Pair the mobile device with the Bluetooth module, which is shown with a serial number. Check the
serial number from the cover of the Bluetooth module enclosure. When paired, select the small
arrow to go back.
4. Select the menu. Select Sensor.
5. Select the sensor you just paired.
There is a notification about the need to calibrate. Ignore the message for the time being (next
step is calibration), and the mobile device starts to show measurement data.
6. The app opens showing the measurements. Install the mobile device holder on the vehicle
dashboard or on the windshield.
In the RoadAI menu, select Camera View and verify that the camera has a clear view of the road.
1
43
65
2
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
7

Calibration overview
MD30 calibration is a 3-step process. Make sure that you complete all the steps before starting to use
MD30 for the first time.
Window cleaning Dry road reference
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Plate reference
!
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
8

Calibration step 1: window cleaning
2 31
1. Remove the hood by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Apply glass cleaner on the window of the surface state sensor. Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Clean also the hood.
3. Attach the hood to the body by turning the hood clockwise.
Make sure that the markings in the hood and sensor body are aligned.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
9

Calibration step 2: plate reference
The reference setting is performed using the reference plate.
Requirement Description
Mobile sensor placement Installed on vehicle
Vehicle position At a standstill
Reference plate surface Dry, no condensation
Conditions, indoors Clean and dry space
Conditions, outdoors No precipitation or fog
Plate adjustment minimizes the eects caused by dierent installation heights and dierences
between individual mobile sensors. Repeat this procedure when changing the installation position.
Keep the reference plate container closed when not in use. Handle the reference plate
with care and keep it clean. Avoid scratching the surface. The reference plate is made of optically
reflective material.
CAUTION!
1. Check that the markings in the body and hood are aligned.
2. Open the reference plate container. Check that the reference plate is clean and dry. If it is not,
carefully remove the dirt.
3. Place the reference plate as shown.
1 2 3
H20
!
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
10

4. Check that the mobile sensor is powered and operational (green LED in the mobile sensor is
blinking).
Check that there are no error messages by scrolling right in the RoadAI app measurement grid.
5. In RoadAI mobile app, go to the menu and select Set Reference > Plate Reference.
The adjustment takes typically 30 seconds.
If the adjustment is not successful, repeat the procedure.
6. In the RoadAI mobile app, check that the calibration is successful by checking from errors that
calibration has not been interrupted.
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Calibration step 3: dry road reference
Sensor needs a reference of how local dry road looks like. The reference setting is performed while
driving on the most common road surface type in the road network. This optimizes the sensor
performance on the road type in question.
Do one of the following:
• Option A: drive on local dry road with the most common surface type.
• Option B: use factory coecients temporarily before local dry road becomes available.
• Option C: copy local dry coecient values from another sensor.
Option A: driving on local dry road
Drive on dry road for 30 seconds to get an average reference from local road.
Requirement Description
Mobile sensor location Installed on vehicle
Vehicle position Moving
Surface state Completely dry road surface
Surface condition Old asphalt; avoid newly laid asphalt
Surface material Prefer asphalt over concrete unless concrete is the
most common surface material in the area of interest
Recommended for first-time use of sensor and first adaptation for the specific road surface type.
1. Select a location where the road surface type is representative of the most commonly existing
surface type in the area of interest.
2. Check that the mobile sensor is reporting data and there are no errors.
3. In RoadAI app, select Set Reference > Road Reference.
4. Drive for a minimum of 30 seconds on dry road. Check possible error messages.
If the RoadAI app indicates that the measurement is done, the calibration was successful.
30 s
5. When measurement is done, write down the surface coecients to use later on with another
sensor. Scroll right in the Sensor View. If the adaptation was not successful, repeat the procedure.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
12

Option B: using factory coecients
Recommended to use factory default coecient values if typical local dry road is not available and the
values cannot be copied from another sensor for which dry reference has already been done.
1. In the RoadAI app, scroll right in the measurement grid to check that the sensor uses the
following co-ecient values: 3.696, 3.729, and 3.664
If not, select Set Reference > Manual Road Reference, and type the 3 values.
Option C: copying coecient values from another sensor
The sensor to which you are copying the values:
• Must have plate reference done
• Must be used in the same area as the sensor from which you copy the values
Recommended to copy dry road coecient values from one sensor to another when dry road
reference has been done on a similar road surface before and surface coecients are known.
1. Check the values from a sensor that you are using in the same area.
In the RoadAI app, scroll right in the measurement grid.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
13

2. For the sensor that you want to calibrate, go to the RoadAI app, select Set Reference >
Manual Road Reference, and type the 3 values.
Verifying RoadAI operation
1Connect the mobile sensor and mobile device to
the vehicle power outlet. Start the car.
2In RoadAI mobile app, enable Auto-record.
RoadAI automatically starts recording data when
the mobile device is connected to a charger and
stops when charging is disconnected.
3In the RoadAI mobile app, check Diagnostics.
Under heading Upload, check that uploading is
ongoing.
4Log in to the web app at https://map.vionice.io
and check that data is visible.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
14

Instructions for other data collection systems
If you are using MD30 with some other data collection system, continue with the following instructions
in this order:
•Cabling and data transfer (page 16)
•Calibration step 1: window cleaning (page 18)
•Calibration step 2: plate reference (page 19)
•Calibration step 3: dry road reference (page 21)
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
15

Cabling and data transfer
For direct data transfer from the mobile sensor to an in-cabin data collection system, implement the
MD30 interface. The data is transferred in binary format using RS-232 communication.
The MD30 interface is described in Vaisala Mobile Detector MD30 Interface Description.
1. Connect the open-ended extension cable to your vehicle system. The pinout is shown in the table.
Wire color RS-232/Power
Pink Vin+
White Vin−
Yellow GND (RS-232)
Green TX (RS-232)
Brown RX (RS-232)
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
16

Calibration overview
MD30 calibration is a 3-step process. Make sure that you complete all the steps before starting to use
MD30 for the first time.
Window cleaning Dry road reference
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Plate reference
!
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
17

Calibration step 1: window cleaning
2 31
1. Remove the hood by turning it counterclockwise.
2. Apply glass cleaner on the window of the surface state sensor. Clean with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Clean also the hood.
3. Attach the hood to the body by turning the hood clockwise.
Make sure that the markings in the hood and sensor body are aligned.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
18

Calibration step 2: plate reference
The reference setting is performed using the reference plate.
Requirement Description
Mobile sensor placement Installed on vehicle
Vehicle position At a standstill
Reference plate surface Dry, no condensation
Conditions, indoors Clean and dry space
Conditions, outdoors No precipitation or fog
Plate adjustment minimizes the eects caused by dierent installation heights and dierences
between individual mobile sensors. Repeat this procedure when changing the installation position.
Keep the reference plate container closed when not in use. Handle the reference plate
with care and keep it clean. Avoid scratching the surface. The reference plate is made of optically
reflective material.
CAUTION!
1. Check that the markings in the body and hood are aligned.
2. Open the reference plate container. Check that the reference plate is clean and dry. If it is not,
carefully remove the dirt.
3. Place the reference plate as shown.
1 2 3
H20
!
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
19

4. Check that the mobile sensor is powered and operational (green LED in the mobile sensor is
blinking).
5. Check that the sensor is not reporting errors.
Use the SEND DATA request, and check the unit status information and error bits from the
SEND DATA response.
SEND DATA
6. Give the following command and parameter:
SET REFERENCES PLATE
This changes reference value parameters 0x50, 0x51, and 0x52 (1 parameter for each laser).
• When started, changes status bit 1 (reference setting ongoing) to 1= ongoing.
• When finished, changes back to 0= not ongoing.
The adjustment takes typically 30 seconds.
7. Check that plate adjustment was successful.
Use the SEND DATA request, and check the unit status information from the SEND DATA
response.
SEND DATA
The command was successful if status bits 10 - 13 (reference setting interrupted due
to...) all have value 0(no error).
If the adjustment is not successful, repeat the procedure.
Setup Guide M212169EN-D
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