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Collar Configuration and Setup
The following instructions describe how to configure and setup the Clark ATS collars using the collar configuration software (collar configuration and deployment instructions,collar configuration software). The first step is to verify that the single-board computer (CF2) is operating properly. This is done by connecting a serial cable, equipped with a stereo plug on one end, to the stereo jack connector on the collar printed circuit board (PCB). The other end of the cable, equipped with a DB-9 connector should be plugged into the serial communication port of your PC computer. The serial cable can be ordered from Persistor Instruments (P/N: CAB-COM2-RCP) or you can build it from an existing 9-contact serial cable and a stereo plug kit. While using a terminal emulation program (e.g., Motocross which is shipped with CF2 orders), check that you get a prompt when power is applied to the CF2/GPS power connection on the collar hardware. A valid prompt means the CF2 is operating correctly.
Once the user has verified the CF2 is operating correctly, the next step is to check the GPS receiver. Make sure the GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky. We typically take advantage of the 3 m (15 ft) length of cable shipped with the antenna in order to place the antenna outside (e.g., on a build roof) during testing. Connect the MCX plug connector on the cable to the MCX jack connector on the collar PCB. Once the connections are made, apply power to the CF2/GPS main power of the collar hardware. There are at least a couple of ways to evaluate the functioning of the GPS. You can use a user-built GPS configuration board/cable which forms a connection between the 6-pin GPS configuration header on the collar PCB and a serial communication port on your PC. The GPS outputs can then be viewed on the PC monitor using a terminal emulation program (e.g., u-Center) to evaluate whether the GPS is acquiring fixes properly. Typically, it should not take more than a minute or two for the GPS to start acquiring 3-D fixes. These data can be viewed in the "Messages View" terminal of the u-center AE program (see the u-center AE support document for details). Alternatively, you can load the Basic Collar program on the CF2 (see instructions below) and allow the collar to operate the GPS and store incoming GPS fixes on the CompactFlash (CF) memory card. First, plug in the stereo/serial cable into the PC and collar PCB as done above. Start the terminal emulation program on the PC and then apply main power to the collar PCB. The collar output on the monitor should indicate that the collar has initiated and then will periodically power up the GPS receiver to acquire GPS fixes.
If the GPS is working correctly, then the user can configure the GPS Receiver for use in the Clark ATS. Currently, the user-built GPS Configuration board mentioned above must be used to configure the firmware on the GPS receiver. In the future, configuration of the GPS will be done using software loaded and executed on the CF2. Since the GPS configuration board will soon be obsolete, we will not be providing instructions for assembly and use this board except under special requests. Please check back later to obtain the new GPS Configuration software and instructions for its use.
Once the GPS Receiver is configured, the user can proceed to set up the rest of the collar. Connect the collar PCB to your PC using the serial cable equipped with the stereo plug. At this time, be sure a new CF memory card is fully inserted into the slot on the CF2. Open the terminal emulator program (e.g., Motocross). Reapply main power to the collar PCB. After you see that the CF2 has signed on, type "format" at the prompt in Motocross and then hit the "Enter" key. Then type "Yes" and hit the "Enter" key in response to the prompt indicating that this will erase all data on the card. Formatting the card helps ensure that there will be no communication errors between the CF card and the CF2. Formatting also erases any pre-existing programs resident on the card that might otherwise, have been accidentally executed during collar deployment. We have also found that you can save some headaches by formatting CF cards only in the CF2 they will be used in. These cards should then be kept paired with their respective CF2s.
When the card is done formatting, the next step is to load the Radio Configuration program onto the collar. This is done by selecting the "Transfer" menu in the Motocross program. You can also use the "F7" key for a shortcut to this menu. Once the "Load" interface is displayed, browse to the folder on your PC containing the file named "CollarConfig.RUN" and double click on the file name. This should start loading the configuration program into the flash memory of the collar's CF2. This can take several minutes. Once the program is loaded, you will be returned to the prompt Motocross. At this prompt, type "GS CONFIG". Sometimes the "G" will already be at the prompt, sometimes it won't. Just be sure that the prompt reads "GS CONFIG" then press the "Enter" key to execute the collar configuration program.
The configuration program should save fairly quickly. Once the prompt returns, run the configuration program by typing "CONFIG" at the prompt and then pressing the "Enter" key. The program will cycle through baud rates until it can communicate with the radio. It will prompt the user to input all the timing characteristics of the system. That is, it will ask when the user wants the collar to start gathering data. This is useful to allow the user to setup the collar several days before they will go into the field. Then it will prompt for the duty cycles of the GPS and the NMEA Beacon. Finally, it will ask when the user wants the collar to cease gathering data. This creates a file named "time.txt" that the user can edit anytime to alter any of these parameters.
The program will finish and reset the radio. If the user does not want to test the radio, skip to instruction 8. Connect the proper antenna to the radio. Now load the radio test program. This is done EXACTLY the same way as described in instruction 5, only load the file named "RadTest.RUN". After the file is loaded on the CF2, type "GS RADTEST" and press the "Enter" key. Once the program is saved, type "RADTEST" at the prompt and press the "Enter" key. The program will indicate what it is doing at this time. This program simply transmits a short message over the radio. Please connect a base-station radio and verify that data is transmitted correctly. To stop the program, simply disconnect, and then reconnect power to the CF2/GPS. Please erase the program after the radio is verified by typing "erase RADTEST.pxe" at the prompt and pressing the "Enter" key.
Collar Deployment
- Download a description of the main collar program (Rev.D.0) here.
- Download the main collar program (Rev.D.0) with remote release (RDO) functionality here.
- Download the main collar program (Rev.D.0) with UHF tranmitter control functionality here.
- Download the source code for the main collar program (Rev.D.0) here.
Once the collar has been configured using the procedures described above, the user is now ready to load the main program onto the Clark ATS Collar. There are currently two program options. The first uses the Remote Drop Off FET (RDO) to control the Remote Drop Off mechanism. This will activate the RDO at the date and time specified in the "time.txt" file. To use this program, load the file named "CollarRDO.APP" using the "Transfer/Load" interface of the terminal emulator (Motocross) program. The second option is to use the RDO FET to control a secondary UHF transmitter. This will activate the external UHF transmitter while the collar hardware is sleeping, and shut down the UHF transmitter while the collar is awake. This helps to avoid Radio Frequency interference and conserve power. To use this program, load the file named "Collar.APP" using the "Transfer/Load" interface of the terminal emulator (Motocross) program.
When the program is finished loading (Which can take several minutes), the collar is ready to go. Simply type "BOOT APP" at the prompt and press the "Enter" key. Wait to see the program start, and kill the power. The next time power is applied, the program will automatically run. The next time power is connected to the collar, be sure the following conditions are met: a) All antennas are appropriately connected and b) The GPS Antenna has a clear view of the sky for AT LEAST ten minutes following the application of power to the system. The Clark ATS collar is now ready for deployment.
