3. Installing and Testing the Survey Hardware
Introduction
Overview
There are a number of different components to install before surveys can be done. A basic ROMDAS system, comprised of the hardware interface and roughness meter, can typically be installed in about 2 hours. More complicated systems, such as the video, may take 3-4 hours. In general, less than a day is required to install a full ROMDAS system into a vehicle.
It is not necessary to have specialist tools or services to install ROMDAS, although access to a vehicle hoist or work pit is useful for installing the odometer sensor and bump integrator.
This chapter covers installing and testing the various ROMDAS instruments. It also includes setting up the system for using with digital cameras and voice recording.
Tools Required
The following tools are required:
Multi-meter
Sharp knife
Pliers
Screw Driver
Spanners
Electric Drill with 20 mm drill bit (for roughness meter)
Installing the Odometer Sensor
Types of Sensors
The installation requirements for the speed/distance sensor depend upon the type of sensor. Appendix A describes how the appropriate sensor should be selected. The main sensor is the generic fit Proximity Odometer sensor. The Proximity Odometer sensor magnets are affixed to the driveshaft to the inside of the wheel and monitored when the part rotates.
Other types of standard speed/distance sensors are also available for use with ROMDAS:
High Resolution DMI. This is the sensor used when high resolutions are required (see Appendix A). If you have LCMS/LRMS, Laser Profiler, or TPL modules then the HR DMI is the mandatory DMI sensor. This sensor should only be used on sealed roads.
Electronic Speedometer Sensor. This is used in vehicles that have electronic speedometers. It monitors the pulse line and returns a signal for each pulse. This works on most vehicles with the only problems reported with a Nissan utility.
For older vehicles with cable driven speedometers the following could also be used:
Screw-in Transmission Speedometer Cable Sensor. This connects at the junction between the speedometer cable and the transmission. It fits most modern Japanese vehicles and screws directly to
the transmission. The speedometer cable is then connected to the sensor. It is fast and easy to fit but it does not fit all vehicles.
Splice-in Speedometer Cable Sensor. This is spliced into the speedometer cable housing with the existing speedometer cable running through the centre of the sensor.
The standard sensors are illustrated in the following photograph.
Installation Instructions
Detailed instructions on installing the sensors are given in Appendix A.
Connecting the Power
Options
There are two options available for supplying power to ROMDAS:
Power Cable. This is used when there is only a single hardware interface needs to be powered the cable can be directly connected to the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.
Power Distribution Box. The distribution box is used when there are multiple instruments to connect (i.e. GPS, gyroscope, video system, etc.).
The power plug used for the ROMDAS instruments is through a two-pin screw in connector, shown in the next diagram. The pin connections and numbering are as follows. The figure shows the connections when looking at the plug.
Positive (+) Negative (-)
The installation requirements of both are different, as described next.
+
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Power Cable
The ROMDAS power cable1 is illustrated below and the labelled components are as follows:
Power In. The end of the cable with a cigarette lighter plug connected to it is used to power the ROMDAS unit. A 7 Amp fuse is contained in the cigarette lighter plug.
Interface Power. This cable provides power to the ROMDAS hardware interface. It has a screw-in plug.
Power Distribution Box
The ROMDAS power distribution box is shown next. It is used when there are multiple instruments that need to be run—typically a video system or a TPL and GPS. The power distribution box provides multiple power points for ROMDAS instruments, each individually fused.
The power distribution box has a battery cable. This should be run through the firewall of the vehicle to the engine compartment and the two circular connectors attached to the positive (RED wire) and negative (BLACK) wire terminals. Care should be taken to ensure that the wires are clear of all moving parts and high-tension leads.
The power distribution box should be positioned in the vehicle so that the On-Off switch is readily accessible and the instruments can be easily connected. Double-sided Velcro is supplied to help ensure that the power distribution box is held firmly in place.
1 The Power Cable replaces the ROMDAS Power Switch.
NOTE: The ROMDAS power distribution box should only be connected to a 12 V vehicle DC electrical system.
The Power Box has re-settable fuses. If the fuse has blown the red button will pop out. It needs to be pushed back in to reset the fuse.
Installing the Hardware Interface
Components
The following components are required for installing the hardware interface in the vehicle:
ROMDAS hardware interface
Cable ties
ROMDAS power cable
RS-232 cable
Reverse light cable (optional)
Adhesive Velcro
Positioning the Interface
The interface should be positioned in such a way that:
The lights on the interface are visible. This allows the operator to confirm that the data are being received.
It is protected from collateral damage such as being stepped on;
It is within reach of the cables.
ROMDAS is supplied with double sided Velcro tape, which is suitable for positioning the interface in many different ways and to hold it, steady. The photo to the right is an example of an installation at the rear of the centre console in a Pajero that was done using the adhesive Velcro.
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Connecting the Cables
Odometer Cable. The cable connecting the odometer sensor needs to be run into the vehicle. This is done either via an existing hole in the firewall or by drilling a new hole.
Roughness Cable. The BI extension cable should be run to the bump integrator if roughness is to be measured.
Power Cable. ENSURE THE POWER IS TURNED OFF BEFORE CONNECTING.
RS-232 Cable. The RS-232 cable should be screwed into the interface and then run to the computer.
The cables are usually wrapped together with tape or cable ties. For protection they should then be run under the carpets, seats, consoles to the point where the interface will be mounted before connecting them to the interface. The top of the interface is labelled with the location of the different connections.
Installing the Transverse Profile Logger
Instructions
The transverse profile logger (TPL) must be mechanically mounted on the front of the vehicle. It is connected to the computer via an Ethernet cable.
Detailed instructions on installing the TPL are given in Appendix D.
Components
The following components are required for installing the TPL:
TPL ( Housing with Master Controller, sensors and electronics)
Power and Ethernet Connection Cables
Installing the Video System
Instructions
Detailed instructions on installing the video system are given in Appendix E.
Components
To record video images data the following components are supplied:
Video camera
Firewire PCMCIA Card if computer does not have a Firewire port
Cables
Power supply
The components depending upon the type of video system purchased.
Positioning the Camera
The camera should be positioned on the vehicle so that it has a clear view of the road right-of-way. If the vehicle will be operated in rainy conditions it is advisable to mount the camera inside the vehicle otherwise it will be necessary to regularly stop and wipe clean the lens on the camera housing.
Installing GPS Receivers
Instructions
Detailed instructions on installing GPS receivers are given in Appendix F Components
To record GPS data the following components are supplied:
GPS receiver
Cable to supply power to receiver
GPS antenna
RS-232 cable to connect GPS receiver to computer Positioning the GPS Unit
The GPS receiver should be positioned so that it is clear of the floor. The receivers can be affixed using double-sided Velcro or with some receivers an optional kit is available to hold the unit.
The antenna is usually mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The antenna should have as clear a view of the sky as is practicable.
Activating GPS Measurements
Activating GPS measurements are described in Chapter 11.
Installing the Laser Profilometer
Instructions
Detailed instructions on installing the Laser Profilometer are given in Appendix C Components
The Laser Profilometer data gives the longitudinal profile of the pavement for determining roughness in IRI (m/km).
The following components are supplied with the Laser Profilometer:
Laser Unit
The following should be considered when positioning the Laser:
It must be mounted at least 430 mm away from the road surface when the vehicle is carrying its expected weight
It must be mounted as parallel as possible to the road surface Installing the Laser
Once a suitable position has been established the following is done:
Attach the laser to the mounting bar
Mount the High Resolution DMI to the wheel
Connect cabling
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Software setup
Digital Cameras
Overview
Digital cameras can be used during ROMDAS surveys for taking still photographs of roadside events, such as location reference points, structures, etc. By linking the digital photographs to keyboard events, ROMDAS will store the file name when the photograph is taken. The photographs can then be readily accessed from database management systems.
As many photos as required can be taken of each event.
Activating Digital Camera Photos
The settings for the digital photographs are located under:
Tools|Options|Digital Camera Settings
Selecting this gives the screen to the right. Where the user defines the digital photograph settings
Generate File Name: This will see the name of the photograph generated and stored with the data files.
Camera Type: The type of camera used. Each camera has its own unique naming convention which numbers the digital photographs sequentially, the following are the conventions used with each camera, where xxxxx is a sequential number.
Fuji MX 1200 DSCfxxxx.jpg
HP C20/C30 DSCxxxxx.jpg
Ricoh 6000 RIMGxxxx.jpg
Sony DSC-F505 DSCxxxxx.jpg
Defined Camera File Name: Additional cameras can be included by selecting NEW as the camera type and defining the camera name in the window to the top right. The character prefix and the number of characters are then defined based on the naming convention used by the camera (bottom right).
Using Digital Cameras in Surveys
Having activated the digital camera option it is necessary to associate a keyboard event with a digital photo (see Section 0) and/or enable digital photos to be taken at LRP’s (see Section 0).
Installing Additional Communication Ports
Overview
Most computers, particularly Laptops, come with no or only a single COM port. When using ROMDAS it is usually necessary to add extra COM ports via a USB to Serial (RS-232) converter.
All devices require drivers to run under Windows. These should be supplied with the system otherwise they can be located on the ROMDAS CD under the Software|Drivers folder.
Once a device is installed, it should be verified from the Windows Control Panel.
Select Start|Settings|Control Panel
Select System | Device Manager and the window to the right is opened. This lists the devices installed on the computer.
Expand the entry for Ports (COM & LPT)
The available ports will be listed, such as shown below which gives the available ports with a Socket IO dual PCMCIA card.
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Setting Communication Parameters
Assigning COM Ports
It is necessary to assign the communication (COM) ports that each instrument will operate at. These are defined through the Setup Options dialog form for each device:
The following should be noted:
Each instrument must be assigned to a different COM port if it is to be used simultaneously. The drop down list will list the available COM ports and any existing ROMDAS Instrument COM port assignments
Some instruments need to have Baud rate and other serial parameters set to match the settings on the instrument. Where this is applicable an additional Set button will be available beside the COM port drop down list as in the following GPS settings form.
The table below lists the appropriate values for the different instruments used with ROMDAS.
Instrument Supplier Settings
These settings cannot be changed for the following instruments: -
Hardware interface DCL 38400,N, 8,1
These settings must match the settings on the Instrument but usually are set to:
GPS – Garmin GPS18 /12XL Garmin 9600,N, 8,1 GPS – Trimble SPS 461 Trimble 56,000,N, 8,1 Laser Surveyor Laser Atlanta 4800,N, 8,1
Testing the Instruments
Overview
The final step of the installation process is to test the instruments using the Test menu:
Test Hardware Interface
The ROMDAS hardware interface has a series of LED's on the unit to assist with testing and diagnostics.
The chart below summarises how these are used to investigate problems with the interface or the connections when executing a roughness survey, either in a vehicle or with the ROMDAS tester.
Hardware interface v5.4 and V6.0
Turn On Interface
If RED LED goes out or is intermittant there is a problem with the power to the unit
If the ODO LED is not blinking when driving check the odometer sensor and cabling or connect the tester
If the BI LED is not blinking check the cabling to BI or connect the tester
Test GPS
The ‘Test GPS’ option is used to test the receiver to ensure that data are being received. A successful test shows:
The instrument is connected to the appropriate port; and,
The correct instrument settings are in the ROMDAS software. As described in Chapter 0, there are several different ways of data being transmitted from the GPS receiver to ROMDAS and it is important that the system be properly set.
Select the type of GPS to use
Trimble instruments should use Trimble TSIP protocol settings if available.
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Other instruments NMEA
Select Tools|Test Instruments|Test GPS
Select Start
The data from the GPS receiver will be logged to the PC. It will be converted to the latitude, longitude and altitude. The Data Received box will show the actual NMEA sentences being received. The screen below is an example of such data.
NOTE: It is common for receivers to take several minutes to initialise and begin logging their data.
The following should be noted with regard to this test:
If the GPS time is displayed but there is no position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) this is because there are insufficient satellites in view. Try moving the antenna
If there is no GPS time:
Ensure that the antenna can see satellites (i.e. is it outdoors in an open area?)
Check the communications parameters and COM Port through the Test COM Port menu Test TPL
The ‘Test TPL’ option is used to test the Transverse Profile Logger instrument. This instrument is used to obtain the transverse profile of the road to measure rut depth.
Connect the TPL Master Controller
Select Test|Test Instruments|Test TPL
Test Laser Surveyor
The ‘Test Laser Surveyor’ option is used to test the hand-held Laser Surveyor instrument. This instrument is used to obtain the position of objects adjacent to the road.
Select Test|Test Instruments|Test Laser Surveyor
Point the laser at an object at least 5 m away
Press the trigger
The screen should display the distance to the object, its bearing and the slope.
If there is no data received check the communications parameters and COM Port through the Test COM Port menu.
Test Geometry
The ‘Test Geometry’ option is used to test the ROMDAS Geometry Unit.
Connect all cables
Start the Geometry test
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Test TPL-LRMS
The ‘Test TPL-LRMS’ option is used to test the ROMDAS LRMS Laser.
Connect all cables
Connect the power to the LRMS
Start the TPL_LRMS test
Test Laser Profilometer
The ‘Test Laser Profilometer’ option is used to test the ROMDAS Laser IP connections.
Connect all cables
Connect the power to the Laser
Start the laser Connections test
The display will be as shown below showing the IP connections of each unit.