Tips on use of Bluetooth Radios with ADCP’s

Tips on use of Bluetooth Radios with ADCP’s

Please note:

The use of brand names does not constitute endorsement by the USGS or USGS personnel. Information provided in this presentation is for informational purposes only.

OverviewOverview

Available wireless radio options for data transfer systems. 900 MHz systems WiFi systems Integrated systems Bluetooth systems

Bluetooth configuration examples Common issues

Radio ModemsRadio Modems

Allow scientists to make ADCP measurements and collect general environmental data remotely.

Increases the versatility of ADCP’s; measurements can now be made off of bridges, cableways, and other methods.

Increased safety margin, by keeping scientists “off the water”.

One Person ADCP Measurements

One Person ADCP Measurements

Traditionally have been conducted by two people. Two person measurements work well for flood

conditions and complicated measurement sites due to safety considerations.

Two person measurements may be costly and time consuming.

Mechanical meter measurements are typically conducted by one person.

Many USGS offices are using various techniques for making one person ADCP measurements.

Dollies, Hand Held Golf carts, and tablet PC’s among some of the techniques used.

One Person Cart SystemsOne Person Cart Systems

Internal Bluetooth Enabled Tablet PCInternal Bluetooth Enabled Tablet PC

Shown is an example of a tablet PC and a Samsung Q1 Ultramobile PC, both with built in Bluetooth/WiFi radio. Note: External Bluetooth may still be desired for extended range.

900 MHz/2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum

900 MHz/2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum

Reliable, easy to use, proven technology Extended range of 5 miles up to 60 miles Needs serial port on laptop FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) High speed 115.2 Kbps throughput Throughput limitations when multiplexing RS-232/485 protocol Use 10-15 volt power supply Cables and batteries increase the amount of

equipment at the laptop end May be expensive (~$3,500 - $6,000+ depending on

setup)

Freewave® ModemsFreewave® Modems

12V battery

Base Modem

WiFiWiFi Used in many commercially available products (PC’s, phones,

PDA’s) High speed 115.2 Kbps throughput FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) RS-232/485 protocol Up to 200 foot range Capable of high throughput with multiple devices Possible data phasing issues Limited testing with environmental data collection systems Slightly more complicated setup Can order Oyster PE Riverboat without the Oyster PE and the

wiring will work for a WIFI setup without hull modification Slightly higher cost than Bluetooth (~$700)

WiFi Serial ModemsWiFi Serial Modems

gridconnect© Wi232TM

Freewave® HT PlusTM

Lantronix© WiBox®

More information on WiFiMore information on WiFi

Iowa City Field Office Wibox configuration Wiring diagram for Impulse cable Photographs Setup Instructions Contacts

Jason McVay 319-358-3636 jcmcvay@usgs.gov Scott Strader 319-358-3620 srstrade@usgs.gov

Other Wireless optionsOther Wireless options

Remote PC to land based laptop or PDA. Examples include the Ocean Science Oyster

PC and other small computers. Sontek RiverSurveyor

BluetoothBluetooth Used in many commercially available products

(PC’s, phones, PDA’s, etc.) May be used with DB9 (serial connector), USB, or

internal Bluetooth device 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radio FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) Low cost, low power consumption Class 1 - 1000 meters, Class 2 - 10 meters RS-232/485 protocol High speed 230.4 Kbps throughput Uses 5-12 volt power supply Less hardware complexity (No long wires and large

batteries to carry around) About $260 pair

Lots of Bluetooth Radios Available!Lots of Bluetooth Radios Available!

gridconnect© Blue Port adaptor

Stevens®

SharkTM Bluetooth adaptor

gridconnect© Firefly adaptor

gridconnect© Blue Plug adaptor

Parani-SDTM Bluetooth ModemsParani-SDTM Bluetooth Modems

Most commonly used and best tested in the USGS (also known as Promi)

Should soon be stocked by the HIF

Integrated Radio SystemsIntegrated Radio Systems

StreamPro uses Bluetooth to connect to PDA StreamPro measurements now possible with

Winriver II Sontek Offers integrated Spread Spectrum or

Bluetooth radio with their ADP’s.

Integrated Radio SystemsIntegrated Radio Systems

Teledyne RD-Instruments© StreamProTM

Sontek©

RiverSurveyorTM

AntennasAntennas Proper antenna must be used for the type of

radio system or decrease in range or damage to radio may occur.

Dual band antennas operate at 900MHz or 2.4 GHz.

Use of higher gain antennas will result in increased range.

Most radios are using SMC or N type connectors (watch for left hand threaded connectors).

Parani-SDTM Bluetooth ModemsParani-SDTM Bluetooth Modems

Published range for Parani-SD 100:

Stub Antenna to Stub Antenna (120 meters)Stub Antenna to Dipole Antenna (150 meters)Dipole Antenna to Dipole Antenna (200 meters)Patch antenna to Dipole Antenna (400 meters)Patch antenna to Patch Antenna (1200 meters)

Our testing has shown no range issues with a maximum tested distance of approximately500 feet.

Recommend using dipole Antennas (pictured)

Parani-SD 100 SetupParani-SD 100 Setup Setup Hardware (Most complicated part tends to be using

correct wiring and connectors) Add Bluetooth devices on computer and assign com ports;

alternatively, configure a Parani to automatically connect to your instrument.

Configure WRII (or other software) to work with the assigned comport and baud rate.

antenna cable

data cable DB-9 (Parani) plug – null modem and gender changer not required.

Riverboat data harness connector

Riverboat antenna connector

Parani antenna connector

Riverboat Pig TailsRiverboat Pig Tails

Parani Power SetupParani Power Setup

6V NimH battery

Parani SD 100

Alternatively you can wire the #9 pin on the Parani directly to the 12V battery in the River Boat.

Modem fits inside watertight boxModem fits inside watertight box

Parani Uses existing Riverboat antenna

Parani uses existing data cable from ADCP

HIF Developing EnclosureHIF Developing Enclosure

Drop in radio replacement for most common OceanScience Riverboat wiring (with adapters for less common connectors)

Can house a variety of small radios Still only a prototype

Parani with StreamProsParani with StreamPros

Can be configuredand paired witha specific StreamProonce, then user onlyplugs into serialport and turn on!

Step-by-step instructions available on the Hydroacoustics forum (hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/forum)

Laptop (ground) RadioLaptop (ground) Radio

Power is supplied via USB cable (included).

Shown is example of standard Parani to Parani setup on a traditional laptop. Notice the lack of bulky 12V batteries and long cables.

Internal Bluetooth Enabled Tablet PCInternal Bluetooth Enabled Tablet PC

Shown is an example of a tablet PC with built in Bluetooth/WiFi radio.

Most Common ProblemsMost Common Problems Power

Bad or low battery Blown Fuse

Disconnected cables

Serial Port Issues Comm Port Baud Rates FIFO Buffers Flow Control

Verify All ConnectionsVerify All Connections

Power on and connections snug

Check battery voltage > 12V - With battery under load (ON)

Look for corroded or broken cables and connector

All Serial Ports are not EqualAll Serial Ports are not Equal Many issues are caused by incompatible Many issues are caused by incompatible

USB to RS-232 or PCMCIA to RS-232 USB to RS-232 or PCMCIA to RS-232 convertersconverters Some models work better than othersSome models work better than others Some built-in serial ports have issuesSome built-in serial ports have issues

HIF stocks a USB to serial adapterHIF stocks a USB to serial adapter Two Serial PortsTwo Serial Ports Cheap ($49)Cheap ($49) Has been reliable with Has been reliable with

hydroacoustic equipmenthydroacoustic equipment Stock # Stock # 7011527

FIFO Buffers Should Be ONFIFO Buffers Should Be ON Need PR account to

change Accessed under

Control Panel, System, Device Manager, Port Properties, Advanced

Vaisala 555 data logger requires OFF

General Wireless SettingsGeneral Wireless Settings

Baud rate same as ADCP

Flow Control None (off)

Parity None

StopBits 1

Configuration screen for Parani Bluetooth radios

Other InformationOther Information Built in Bluetooth/WiFi radios may have limited

range Spread Spectrum Radios (Freewave’s) offer greater

range Bluetooth radios can be setup to send multiple

instrument data (ADCP/GPS/Depth sounder) by using a Bluetooth enabled laptop or a Bluetooth PCMIA card.

Bluetooth radios can be used to transfer data between many types of hydrologic instrumentation; it’s basically a wireless serial cable. (note: gender changer and null modem may be required on the instrument side and use of gender changer included with Parani radios has caused issues)

Other Information (cont’d)Other Information (cont’d)

When using multiple radios simultaneously there is a potential for computer conflict assigning comports.

When using multiple radios simultaneously there may be some data phasing issues.

Data phasing issues should not be present when using a remote computer, i.e. Oyster PE.

Questions?Questions?