Hookup
Power Input:
The PD420 radar features wide operating input voltage range of 5.5V-18V. In a typical
application it may be powered from a nominal 12V DC source and will feature best in
class operational power consumption of 30mA (PD420, average). There is no other
FMCW ranging radar in the world that comes close to this ultra-low power usage.
Competing products may require up to 20 times more power.
The ultra-low operational power translates directly into a longer battery life or gives you
an option to power the unit from a smaller battery and smaller solar panel.
Note: The radar employs aggressive power saving measures that include turning off parts
of the circuit that are not being used at any particular instant. To get a measure of the true
power usage, a multimeter that has an averaging function and does not suffer from
autoranging (range hunting) during measurements must be used. Otherwise you will get
instantaneous readings that will fluctuate from 3 mA to 40 mA.
Your power supply must be capable of supplying up to 40mA of current for up to 5
seconds at startup while the radar is initializing its internal systems.
Serial Connection
The radar features a true RS232 interface that is used to output target information,
indicate lane presence, access statistics data and configure the unit. RS232
2
In intersection mode when detecting only one closest lane the setback requirement can be reduced to 4 feet (1.2 m)
PD420 with vertical angle of 45º or PD420 with vertical of 60º
Number of 12
feet (4m) lanes
Minimum Setback (ft)
Highway/Intersection
Minimum Setback (m)
Highway/Intersection
Minimum
Height (ft)
Minimum
Height (m)
1
2
6
1.8
4
1.2
2
10
3.0
17
5.2
3
13
4.0
17
5.2
4
15
4.6
20
6.1
5
17
5.2
21
6.4
6
20
6.1
23
7.0
Radars are equipped with a green status LED. When power is applied and
radar is taking measurements this LED is blinking to indicate normal
operation.
