Valeport va500 User manual

VA500 Altimeter
Operating Manual
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copied, reprinted or reproduced in any material form, either wholly or in part, and the contents of this
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whatsoever without the prior written consent of the Company.
Valeport Limited
St Peters Quay
Totnes
Devon, TQ9 5EW
United Kingdom
As part of our policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to alter, without prior notice, all
specifications, designs, prices and conditions of supply for all our equipment.
0430844c
May 2019
[phone]
[e-mail] | [e-mail]
www.valeport.co.uk
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Table of Contents
© 2019 Valeport Ltd Page 2
Table of Contents
..................................................................................................................................... 41. EU Declaration of Conformity - CE Marking
..................................................................................................................................... 62. Introduction
..................................................................................................................................... 73. Specifications
.................................................................................................................................... 73.1. Acoustic
.................................................................................................................................... 73.2. Pressure
.................................................................................................................................... 73.3. Data Acquisition
.................................................................................................................................... 73.4. Communications
.................................................................................................................................... 83.5. PowerRequirements
..................................................................................................................................... 94. Physical Characteristics
.................................................................................................................................... 94.1. Dimensions
4.1.1 Standard VA500 Altimeter
.................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.2 VA500 Altimeter with 90° Transducer
.................................................................................................................................... 10
..................................................................................................................................... 115. Configuration and Operation
.................................................................................................................................... 115.1. Using The Configuration Wizard
.................................................................................................................................... 145.2. Manually Configuring The Unit
.................................................................................................................................... 145.3. Instrument Settings
.................................................................................................................................... 155.4. Communications Settings
.................................................................................................................................... 165.5. Sampling Regime
.................................................................................................................................... 165.6. Output Format
.................................................................................................................................... 175.7. Range Settings
.................................................................................................................................... 185.8. Pressure Settings
.................................................................................................................................... 185.9. Appended DigiQuartzData Telegram (VA500P)
..................................................................................................................................... 196. Output Telegram Formats
.................................................................................................................................... 196.1. Valeport NMEA Telegram ($PRVAT)
.................................................................................................................................... 196.2. $SDDBTTelegram
.................................................................................................................................... 206.3. Tritech Telegram
.................................................................................................................................... 206.4. BenthosTelelgram
.................................................................................................................................... 216.5. Appended DigiQuartzTelegram (VP500P)
..................................................................................................................................... 227. Care and Maintenance
.................................................................................................................................... 227.1. Connector Care
..................................................................................................................................... 238. Wiring Information

Table of Contents
Page 3 © 2019 Valeport Ltd
.................................................................................................................................... 238.1. Instrument Connector
8.1.1 Extended Y Lead - Power/232 Comms / Analogue
.................................................................................................................................... 24
.................................................................................................................................... 258.2. Non Standard Instrument Connectors
8.2.1 Test Lead with 6 Way Female Impulse Connector
.................................................................................................................................... 26
8.2.2 6 Way XSG-6-BCL
.................................................................................................................................... 26
8.2.3 Test Lead with 6 Way Female RMG-6-FS Connector
.................................................................................................................................... 27

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 4
1. EU Declaration of Conformity - CE Marking

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
EU Declaration of Conformity- CE Marking
Page 5
Please note: Any changes or modifications to the product or accessories supplied, that are not authorised by
Valeport Ltd, could void the CE compliance of the product and negate your authority to operate it. This product
has demonstrated CE compliance under conditions that include the use of shielded cables. It is important that you
use shielded cables compliant with the product’s conformance, to protect from potential damage and reduce the
possibility of interference to other electronic devices.

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 6
2. Introduction
The VA500 altimeter has been designed with the objective of providing an accurate, reliable and robust
measurement of range from surface and underwater platforms. State of the art signal processing offers unrivalled
range and performance from a 500kHz transducer.
·millimetre precision
·0.1m – 100m range
·RS232 and RS485 serial outputs
·0-5V & 0-10V analogue outputs
·wide range power supply - 9 to 28 volts DC
·Low power - <125 mA @ 12V
all address the needs of the ROV, AUV and Hydrographic community in a compact and robust package.
The option of integrating a high accuracy pressure sensor (0.01%) as used in the miniIPS offers an unbeatable
package for your underwater positioning requirements.

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Specifications
Page 7
3. Specifications
3.1. Acoustic
State of the art signal processing technology provides stable, repeatable readings while allowing the range to be
extended to unrivalled distances for a 500kHz altimeter.
Type:
500 kHz broadband transducer
Range:
0.1m – 100m
Resolution:
1mm
Beam Angle:
±3°
3.2. Pressure
The optional pressure sensor fitted to the Altimeter is a temperature compensated piezo-resistive sensor, which
delivers the performance previously only available from a resonant quartz sensor at a more cost-effective price.
Type:
Temperature compensated piezo-resistive
Range:
10, 30, 100, 300 or 600 Bar
Accuracy:
±0.01% FS
Resolution:
0.001% FS
3.3. Data Acquisition
Sampling:
Continuous or data on demand (by serial command/TTL trigger).
Data Rate:
1, 2, 4 Hz
3.4. Communications
Digital Output:
RS232 & RS485 fitted as standard
Protocol:
4800 to 115200 baud, (8,1,N)
Formats:
Valeport NMEA / Tritech / Kongsberg / $SDDBT / NMEA
Analogue output:
0-5/0-10 V fitted as standard
RS485 is enabled by grounding pin 9 to pin 5 in the communications lead
see Wiring Information

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 8
3.5. Power Requirements
Input:
9 - 28 volts DC (isolated power supply)
Power:
<125 mA @ 12V

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
PhysicalCharacteristics
Page 9
4. Physical Characteristics
Housing:
Titanium (6000m rated)
Size:
48mm max Ø
43mm main body Ø
215mm length (including connector)
248mm length with pressure module fitted
Weight:
0.95 kg (air)/ ~0.7 kg (in water)
Connector:
SubConn MCBH10F (titanium)
4.1. Dimensions
4.1.1. Standard VA500 Altimeter

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 10
4.1.2. VA500 Altimeter with 90° Transducer

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Configuration and Operation
Page 11
5. Configuration and Operation
The VA500 is supplied with a Valeport Terminal, a terminal communications program and configuration tool
designed specifically for use with Valeport instruments.
Install the program by opening the install package on the supplied CD and follow the on screen instructions. Once
installed, launch the terminal program
5.1. Using The Configuration Wizard
Valeport Terminal can be used to manually connect and configure
the VA500 or can be used in the configuration wizard mode.
Click on the configure button to launch the wizard.
Select the COM port the VA500 is connected to.
The wizard is configured with the default settings of the unit but
can be altered if the unit has been modified.
Default ASCII settings are pre-configured and should not need
changing.

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0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
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Select the VA500 altimeter from the drop down list.
Select the Read Configuration from the instrument to determine
current settings
Or
Open previously saved configuration file to load a predefined
setup.
The first wizard screen will give information about the instrument.
These are settings that are set at the factory.
The next page defines:
Communications settings.
Analogue mode and limits.(See wiring schedule in section 6 for
analogue outputs)
Analogue range can be 0-5V or 0-10V
Analogue limit is the distance that equates to full scale voltage
output.
Serial Data format (see data format section for definition of
formats)
The next page defines:
Output units, can be seconds, metres, feet or fathoms.
Minimum range allows fixed returns close to the VA500 to be
filtered out.
Maximum range allows filtering of spiking in noisy environments or
in the presence of multiple echoes.
Sound speed is set to 1500m/s. To improve accuracy then the local
sound speed should be measured and applied here.
Error is the value returned when no echo is detected or it is outside
the minimum and maximum ranges defined.

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Configuration and Operation
Page 13
If the Altimeter is fitted with the optional pressure sensor, this can
be configured here.
Units can be dBar, metres or feet.
Tare allows the pressure sensor to be zeroed to atmospheric
pressure.
Latitude is used in the conversion from pressure to depth.
Continuous output rates can be 1,2 or 4 Hz
Alternatively the VA500 can be triggered with a serial command (S
followed by a carriage return) or via TTL (see wiring schedule in
section 6)
Once configuration is complete, the wizard will summarise the
commands to be sent to the instrument.
The configuration can also be saved to file for later use or
reference.
If the Run mode check box is ticked the instrument will start
outputting data into the terminal window behind once the
configuration is complete.

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 14
5.2. Manually Configuring The Unit
Alternatively the VA500 Altimeter can be manually configured via serial communications using a series of # code
commands. This can be with Valeport terminal or an alternative terminal program such as HyperTerminal.
Valeport Terminal is preconfigured with the required settings, but for reference the settings required to
communicate with the VA500 are:
Baud Rate:
115200 (can be 9600-115200)
Data Bits:
8
Parity:
none
Stop Bits:
1
Flow Control:
none
Send line ends with line feed
The unit can be stopped at any time by sending the ‘#’ character. The unit returns a ‘>’, and waits for a further
command. The unit can then be interrogated or configured using the following codes.
Note that all commands must be “sent” by pressing the Enter (carriage return) key, with the exception of the single
‘#’ character required to enter setup mode
Note that there is a “watchdog” function here – if the unit is interrupted with the ‘#’ character, and no further
command is received for a period of 5 minutes, the sensor will automatically begin sampling data using the
existing settings.
5.3. Instrument Settings
# code
Followed By:
Operation
#032
<CR>
Returns the software version number.
#034
<CR>
Returns the units serial number
#136
<CR>
Read PCB serial number
#138
<CR>
Send calibration date
#839
<CR>
Reads the transducer frequency

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Configuration and Operation
Page 15
5.4. Communications Settings
# code
Followed By:
Operation
#059
;baud_rate<CR>
Sets the units baud rate
2400,4800,9600,19200,38400, 57600,115200
RS485 is enabled by grounding a pin in the communications lead -
see Wiring Information
#001
;ALTIMETER_address<CR>
Sets the 485 address
#002
<CR>
Returns the address
#005
;ON<CR> or ;OFF<CR>
Turns ON or OFF address mode
#006
<CR>
Returns ON or OFF for address mode
Analogue Settings:
#094
;analogue_range<CR>
Sets the analogue output voltage range
0 – 0 – 5V
1 – 0 – 10V
#095
<CR>
Reads analogue output voltage range set
above
#096
;counts<CR>
Analogue output test.
#097
;Analogue range limit<CR>
Sets the range equivalent to full scale DAC
output
#098
<CR>
Reads the range equivalent to full scale DAC
output

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 16
5.5. Sampling Regime
# code
Followed By:
Operation
S
<CR>
Performs Single measurement
M
rate<CR>
Performs continuous measurement at set rate. If rate is
omitted then instrument performs continuous
measurements at previous rate.
1,2, or 4 Hz
#039
;ModeValue<CR>
Set mode without putting unit into run mode
Where
Mode = M
Value = 1,2 or 4 for Normal mode (M)
Mode = S for serial trigger single shot measurement
Mode = T for TTL trigger measurement
#040
<CR>
Read operating mode.
#028
<CR>
Puts unit into run mode
5.6. Output Format
See section 4 for detailed description of output formats
#089
<CR>
Reads current output format
#082
;SDDBT<CR>
;TRITEC<CR>
;BENTHOS<CR>
;NMEA<CR>
Sets output format (see section 4)

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Configuration and Operation
Page 17
5.7. Range Settings
The VA500 has a standard operational range of 0.1m to 100m. If required this can be restricted with the setting of
a minimum range and maximum range.
The default setting for sound speed used to calculate range is 1500 m/s
# code
Followed By:
Operation
#021
;Range_units
Set to either
0 – Seconds
1 – Metres
2 – Feet
3 – Fathoms
#022
<CR>
Read range units set above
#118
;0 or 1 or 2<CR>
Set Altimeter Error output message
Where 0=zero (0.000), 1=-999, 2=NR
#119
<CR>
Reads Altimeter Error output message
#823
;maximum range<CR>
set the maximum range that is considered when
processing data (acoustic returns beyond maximum
range are ignored)
#824
<CR>
Reads maximum range
#840
;minimum range<CR>
set the minimum range that is considered when
processing data (acoustic returns before minimum
range are ignored)
#841
<CR>
Reads minimum range
#830
; Value, <CR>
Variable to change the Speed of Sound ms-1
#831
<CR>
Reads the sound speed

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 18
5.8. Pressure Settings
The pressure sensor fitted to the VA500 measures absolute pressure, i.e. it includes atmospheric pressure. The
pressure tare function allows the atmospheric pressure (as measured by the sensor before deployment) to be
removed from the readings, so the output is simply pressure of water. Note also that by taking a tare reading at
any fixed point in the water column, readings will then be output relative to that point.
# code
Followed By:
Operation
#009
;<CR> or ;VALUE<CR>
Sets the tare value in systems with pressure fitted.
;<CR> = Makes device take a reading to use as
tare. ;VALUE<CR> = User entered value in units as set
by #018 command.
#010
<CR>
Returns the tare value
#011
;ON<CR> or ;OFF<CR>
Turns Tare function ON/OFF
#012
<CR>
Reads Tare mode
#016
;Latitude <CR>
Sets Latitude
#017
<CR>
Reads Latitude
#018
;Pressure units<CR>
Set to either
0 – dBar
1 – Metres
2 – Feet
#019
<CR>
Read pressure units
#083
;0 or 1 or 2 or 3
Setup the pressure output format
Where
0=not fitted, 1=PPPP.P, 2=PPP.PP, 3=PP.PPP
#084
<CR>
Returns the set pressure range
5.9. Appended DigiQuartz Data Telegram (VA500P)
The VA500P can be configured to output an additional DigiQuartz type telegram appended to the conventionally
selected and configure telegram. This allows a separate pressure data telegram to be broadcast to an INS, for
example.
This DigiQuartz type telegram contains the instrument pressure reading in PSI, not corrected for latitude and the
tare NOT applied, i.e.PSIA.
In addition the psia unit can be included in the telegram if required.
These commands are not part of DataLOG x2. You will need to use a Terminal program to configure the
telegram.
See section Appended DigiQuartz Telegram (VP500P)
# Code
Followed By
Operation
#042
;0 or ;1
Enable/Disable DigiQuartz output telegram (appended to existing output)
#043
<CR>
Read DigiQuartz output (on or off)
#044
;0 or ;1
Enable\Disable DigiQuartz units (psia) text appended to DigiQuartz output
telegram
#045
<CR>
Read DigiQuartz units (psia) text appended to DigiQuartz output telegram (on
or off)

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
Output Telegram Formats
Page 19
6. Output Telegram Formats
If the optional pressure sensor is fitted and enabled then the only data format that supports this is the Valeport
NMEA format. A number of other formats have been implemented to provide compatibility with existing systems.
6.1. Valeport NMEA Telegram ($PRVAT)
$PRVAT, xx.xxx,M, xxxx.x, dBar*hh<CR><LF>
Field Number:
1. Range from transducer
2. Units
3. Pressure
4. Units
5. Checksum
Example:
$PRVAT,00.115,M,0010.1,dBar*39
$PRVAT,00.116,M,0010.0,dBar*3d
6.2. $SDDBT Telegram
$SDDBT,x.x,f,x.x,M,x.x,F*hh<CR><LF
Sounder, Depth: Depth below transducer
Field Number:
1. Depth, feet
2. f = feet
3. Depth, meters
4. M = meters
5. Depth, Fathoms
6. F = Fathoms
7. Checksum
Example:
$SDDBT,0.4,f,0.1,M,0.1,F*02
$SDDBT,0.4,f,0.1,M,0.1,F*02
NB: This format limits the resolution of the altimeter to 0.1m

© 2019 Valeport Ltd
0430844c - VA500 Altimeter
Page 20
6.3. Tritech Telegram
xx.xxxm<CR><LF>
Example:
00.126m
00.124m
6.4. Benthos Telelgram
Rxx.xx<cr><lf>
where xx.xx can range from 0.10 to 99.99. If no echo was received the output
will be R99.99E<cr><lf>.
Example:
R00.13
R00.12