Xeos Technologies Inc. Hades User manual

Hades User Manual
SUBMERSIBLE GNSS / LED FLASHER
Version 1.0
December 2020

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 2
Shipped From
Contact Us
Email
[email protected]
Phone
[phone]
Fax
[phone]
Website
www.xeostech.com
Specifics
This manual version is written with respect to Hades firmware build 6458. If you wish to acquire
the latest firmware for your device, contact [email protected]
Version History
Regular checks for the latest manual are suggested. Be sure to check Xeos Technologies’ manuals
page to compare versions and download the latest version.
Version No.
Date
Description
1.0
Dec 2020
Base document, split from Hades Manual

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 3
Table of Contents
Shipped From.................................................................................................................................. 2
Contact Us....................................................................................................................................... 2
Specifics........................................................................................................................................... 2
Version History................................................................................................................................ 2
Overview......................................................................................................................................... 5
Hades Operation............................................................................................................................. 5
Using the Magnetic Switch......................................................................................................... 5
Operational Tips......................................................................................................................... 6
Installation.................................................................................................................................. 6
Hades Communication.................................................................................................................... 7
RS-232 Connection..................................................................................................................... 7
Diagnostic State..................................................................................................................... 7
NMEA Output............................................................................................................................. 7
Operation............................................................................................................................... 8
1-PPS Output .............................................................................................................................. 8
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App....................................................................................................... 9
Acquiring Firmware Version ......................................................................................................... 10
Resetting the Device ..................................................................................................................... 10
Restoring Factory Defaults............................................................................................................ 10
Strobe Configuration..................................................................................................................... 11
Strobe Number and Interval .................................................................................................... 11
Underwater Strobing........................................................................................................... 11
Strobe Disable .......................................................................................................................... 12
Semi-permanent Disabling .................................................................................................. 12
Timed Disabling ................................................................................................................... 13
Disabling the Magnetic Switch...................................................................................................... 13
The Hades’ Sensors....................................................................................................................... 14
Water Sensing .......................................................................................................................... 14
Light Sensing............................................................................................................................. 15
Tilt Sensing ............................................................................................................................... 16
Bluetooth ...................................................................................................................................... 17

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 4
Firmware Updates......................................................................................................................... 18
Updating via Bluetooth ............................................................................................................ 18
Updating via Serial ................................................................................................................... 20
Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 20
Process................................................................................................................................. 20
After Updating –Bluetooth Name ........................................................................................... 22
Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................ 23
Appendix A: Technical Specifications ........................................................................................... 24
Appendix B: Pinouts...................................................................................................................... 25
Appendix C: Engineering Diagrams............................................................................................... 26
Appendix D: Legacy Features........................................................................................................ 27
Magnet On/Off Procedures (Pre-6411) ................................................................................... 27
Warranty, Support and Limited Liability....................................................................................... 28

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 5
Overview
The Hades is a submersible GNSS receiver and LED flasher, designed to provide position to an
AUV and surface visibility for recovery. It is a main-source powered, integrated remote head
portion of a beacon that does not include Iridium capabilities. Track the asset’s position as it
surfaces and is provided a location by the Hades. The GNSS module also allows the user to track
the path taken by the asset and a velocity at which it is traveling. The GNSS and LED combo
provides a multi-dimensional recovery aid which delivers unparalleled visibility in even the worst
conditions.
A descendant of the Hades beacon, the Hades is fully submersible and has been rated to 7,500m
(11,000 m option available) below surface. The solid-state surface sensor provides a measure of
reliability unavailable in mechanical methods.
See www.xeostech.com for details or call [phone].
Hades Operation
The Hades is designed to run with as little user-input as possible. NMEA operation will begin
approximately 30 seconds after power has been connected, however the time to first fix (TTFF)
can vary, with most cases generating a TTFF of 30 –60 seconds.
Using the Magnetic Switch
While the Hades can be turned on and off by simply removing power, this is not always a feasible
option. The Hades beacon can turned on or off via an external magnet near an internal magnetic
reed switch, and operation can be identified by viewing the LED through the top of the Hades.
To turn the Hades on, press the magnet against the glass ring for a 1/2 second and then remove
it for a 1/2 second. Do this twice, and the Hades will respond by showing a dim LED, then a bright
LED, followed by several flashes (self-test period) before strobing begins normally.
To turn the Hades off, repeat the above procedure with the magnet. Contact with the magnet
will show the bright solid LED, and after two taps, will show a bright LED, followed by a dim LED
before turning off. For Hades using firmware lower than build 6411, see below.
Note: If after turning the Hades ON, the self-test period described above lasts noticeably longer
than 10 seconds, this indicates a SELF-TEST FAILURE. Contact [email protected] if this
occurs.
ON/OFF Magnetic Switch

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 6
Operational Tips
It is important to let all LEDs stop illuminating before initiating another action.
Cycling power for any reason, such as using the magnetic switch or removing the bottom
end cap, will initiate start-up mode.
The beacon requires a good view of the sky for any test. It is necessary that any tests be done
outside of a building, far from potential obstructions.
Installation
When installing the Hades there are several factors that can influence performance.
The Hades’head should be pointing toward the sky.
GNSS performance may suffer if large angles of the horizon are blocked, such as if the Hades
is next to a wall.
Do not use conductive material at the top of the Hades around the glass lens; this will cause
the water sensor to fail.

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 7
Hades Communication
There are four methods of communication associated with the Hades:
1. Locally over the RS-232 connection for diagnostic command and control
2. NMEA output from Hades
3. Pulse per second (1-PPS) output from the Hades
4. Locally with Bluetooth
For local connections, see the Pinouts near the end of this document.
RS-232 Connection
The Hades has a diagnostic RS-232 port with which users can send commands to the Hades for
command and control, as well as receive responses to those commands. Limited NMEA data can
be also be streamed from this port if the diagnostics are off, or full NMEA data can be streamed
if diagnostics are turned on for a limited time.
Port settings for the RS-232 diagnostic port are as follows:
Baud Rate
57.6k
Parity
None
Data Bits
8
Stop Bits
1
All commands sent to the Hades must begin with a dollar sign ($) and end with a carriage return,
line feed, or both.
Diagnostic State
On start-up, diagnostics will be disabled on the Hades, but can be enabled by issuing the
command $diag 1, and disabled with $diag 0 (this also applies when communicating via
Bluetooth, but is handled by the application on connection). The Hades will accept commands
and send appropriate responses in either “diag” state, but not stream more detailed diagnostic
data when diagnostics are off with the exception of some NMEA sentences (GGA and VTG) if that
setting is enabled and running.
NMEA Output
The Hades is outfit with a dedicated serial output line, to provide continuous NMEA-0183 updates
to a connected device. The port settings of this line are:
Baud Rate
9600
Parity
None
Data Bits
8
Stop Bits
1

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 8
GNSS updates can include both NMEA sentences and a connection to the GNSS receiver’s PPS pin
(if pin availability allows). Enabled NMEA Strings include:
PSRFEPE
Estimated position errors
GGA
Fix information
GNS
GNSS Fix Data
GLL
Geographical Position-Latitude/Longitude
GSV
GNSS Satellites in View
ZDA
UTC Date/Time and Local Time Zone Offset
RMC
Recommended Minimum Specific GNSS Data
VTG
Course over Ground and Ground Speed
The above sentences may come with Talker IDs of GP (GPS) GL (GLONASS) or GN (Global
Navigation/Multi-constellation).
Operation
The Hades’GNSS receiver will initialize approximately 30 seconds after power-up, provided other
tasks are not currently underway, such as a Bluetooth connection.
If the device has recently submerged but not yet entered Underwater Mode, NMEA will be on,
but not have useful data if the device cannot see GNSS constellations.
The Hades will also output NMEA sentences from the regular diagnostic line. When diagnostics
are on, all sentences are output. When diagnostics are off, only GGA and VTG sentences are sent.
If NMEA is to be turned off immediately, over serial, use the command:
$pwr g 0
To resume NMEA streaming, issue the command:
$pwr g 1
1-PPS Output
1-PPS is a one pulse per second signal which is enabled after the receiver has achieved a position
fix. Using the falling edge of the pulse to indicate the time mark, this time mark is within 1 μs of
epoch and normally within 100 ns. Pulse width is 250 ms.
The 1-PPS output is disabled 5 seconds after the position fix becomes invalid, such as when the
Hades is underwater.

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 9
Xeos Beacon Bluetooth App
Select Xeos products can be configured locally using the Xeos Beacon Android App. This method
of communication requires no disassembly.
The Bluetooth app allows for communication, configuration, logging and firmware updates. A
detailed document on how to use the application can be found here.
See the Bluetooth section for Bluetooth functionality as it pertains to the Hades.

Hades User Manual Version 1.0 10
Acquiring Firmware Version
The $ver command will return a summary of both firmware and hardware versions. This is
useful when verifying if the version in the device is the latest version:
Apollo_NMEA v1.27-6458. dev:6 Hw:3.1-0 SN=274 IMEI: GPS: IRD:
Reset: Count=6, Current=(S), Prev=(cleared)
Version Readout
Firmware Version
Product; Major, minor, build of firmware
Hardware Revision
Hardware revision, set during assembly
Serial
The unit’s serial number
GPS Firmware Version
Firmware version of GPS chip
Iridium Version
Firmware version of Iridium modem (Not Applicable)
Reset Count
The number of resets since firmware was uploaded
Current
Cause of last power off
Previous
Cause of previous power off, not used in Hades
Resetting the Device
In the event the device requires a soft reset, the command
$resetnow
Will restart the device and wipe non-persistent settings (magnet/strobe time disabling,
diagnostic state).
Restoring Factory Defaults
In the event the device requires a restoration of default settings, the command
$factorydefaults
Will restart the device and wipe all settings changed from the original configuration.