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Force Activating Display
In order to test integrity of the LED digits, to convert PNL18 into a slave display unit or ,
or for any other custom purposes, the user may activate PNL18 display by using the
following procedures:
Option 1:
1.
Make sure that PNL18 is connected to a computer or a controller with a standard
RS232 cable. PNL18 provides DB9 connector on the back for this purpose.
Optionally, a Bluetooth wire replacement may be utilized.
2.
Set RS232 parameters (baud rate, parity, etc.) to match that of the PNL18. For
PNL18 these parameters are configured via RS variable in DR600 radar non-
volatile memory as described in the DR600 manual.
3.
Provide power to the PNL18.
4.
After the initial count-up is completed, issue “bcd” command. This command
supports one or two parameters, must be terminated by a carriage return or line
feed and has the following format:
bcd:speed [flags]
where
bcd
is the command,
speed
is the value to be displayed and
flags
is an
optional parameter that can be used to activate or de-activate the white strobe or
an optional external message board. For example:
“
bcd:20”
will activate PNL18 and display the number 20
“bcd:55 1”
will change the number to 55 and activate the strobe
“bcd:55 0”
or
“bcd:55”
will turn the strobe off and continue to display 55
“bcd:0”
will deactivate display and turns off the digits. Speed value of 0 cannot
be displayed since it has a special meaning.
Note 1: bcd command overrides speed output from the detected targets but all other
PNL18 features such as brightness control and statistics collection remain operational.
Option 2:
1.
Press the button located on the back of the PNL18 to display value “88” and
activate the strobe for 60 seconds.
2.
Press the button a second time to cancel the PNL18 60 second “88” plus strobe
test output.
Triggering an External Custom Message:
LED Driver External Strobe (Slow Down) Output:
The PNL18 makes it very easy for OEM’s to connect an external custom LED string
message like the Houston Radar “SLOW DOWN” sign (or any string of LEDs arranged
in a local language). This message can be activated whenever the strobe is active and will
also blink if the strobe is configured to blink. This output will also be PWM controlled
according to the configuration applied to the PNL18. A second “THANK YOU”
message can also be activated by the PNL18 when the digits are turned on but the vehicle
is below the limit at which the strobe will be activated.
