Houston Radar PNL10 User Manual
Page 8 of 32
Hookup:
Power Input:
The PNL10 may be powered from a DC supply with output voltage between 5.6 and
18VDC. This allows great flexibility in power options including 6V or 12V (nominal)
lead acid batteries (SLA), 3, 4 or 5 cell Lithium Ion (LiOn) or Lithium Iron Phosphate
(LiFePO4) cells. In all cases, a highly efficient input power regulation system in the
PNL10 adjusts the LED drive voltage to the optimum level required by the sign based on
ambient temperature. There is no other speed sign in the world that even comes close to
the resulting ultra-low power usage of the PNL10. Competing products may consume up
to 5 to 10 times more power. This ultra low operational power translates directly into a
longer battery life or gives you an option to power the unit from smaller batteries and
smaller solar panels.
As an example of the PNL10’s prowess, a 3 cell 96WHr ultra thin and light LiFePO4
battery pack weighing less than 1Kg will power the entire sign on the road for over 2
weeks of continuous operation! A convenient
battery life calculator
is available on our
website to estimate the run time under different traffic and power supply situations.
Data/PC Connection:
The PNL10 features a standard RS232 interface that is used to configure the sign as
explained later in this document. It also sends out the measured speed over this interface
when a vehicle is detected which may be used to an external controller board to monitor
the speed measured by the radar in the PNL10 kit or display on a connect PC running our
Stats Analyzer or Configuration software programs.
Measured Speed Output:
In addition to showing the measured speed on the LED digits, the PNL10 will also send
out the speed via the ASCII interface as a 3-digit speed with an optional direction
indicator in standard resolution mode. Extended resolution mode adds up to 3 digits after
the decimal point. The format is:
[?,+]nnn[\r,\n] or in extended resolution mode [?,+]nnn[.n[n[n]]][\r,\n]
The format of the speed output can be adjusted to any combination of:
“?”: Optional prefix sent when 000 selected to be sent when no vehicles are detected
“+”: Optional prefix sent when nnn speed is sent for incoming vehicles
“nnn”: Three digit ascii speed in the units selected via the UN variable
“[.n[n[n]]]”: Optional decimal point with up to 3 digits of extended resolution selected
via UN variable.
“\r”: Carriage Return character, optional line ending
“\n”: Line Feed character, optional line ending
Please see serial port configuration section for details on how to select the above format.