RK-1/TrafficViewer Online Manual

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This manual is currently growing, so please be patient, and feel free to recommend topics that you think should be included.

Introduction

The RK-1 is a full-function counter/recorder with two input channels. Each input event is time-stamped and recorded into Flash memory.

The RK-1 can be installed into an existing counter enclosure, replacing much of the existing electronics and utilizing the existing air switches, loop detectors, etc. Alternatively, the RK-1 may be installed into a new counter of the users design.

The RK-1 does not support any LCD displays or keypads that may be in existing equipment. All needed functions are implemented through the comm port connection to a PC or Laptop.

Using R&R Technologies, inc. TrafficViewer software, you can download, print reports, configure unit, export data, etc. Communications with the RK-1 is through the PC or Laptop's serial comm ports at 115,200 Baud.

Getting Started

This section describes the RK-1 connections and typical applications. The RK-1 features a 9 position screw terminal for all of its inputs and outputs.

Organization of the RK-1 screw terminals:

RK-1 from front

  1. V+ -- Optional positive input voltage to the RK-1. 5.5Vdc to 15Vdc. Required if +5 output is being used.
  2. Tx -- RS-232 transmit line to PC.
  3. Rx -- RS-232 receive line from PC.
  4. +5 -- Optional 5Vdc output. Up to 40mA. For powering external electronics.
  5. V- -- Ground or common, the minus input of optional input voltage.
  6. A -- Channel A input. Range 0 to 28Vdc, or contact closures to ground.
  7. B -- Channel B input. Range 0 to 28Vdc, or contact closures to ground.
  8. La -- Optional LED drive. Blinks each time Channel A data is recorded.
  9. Lb -- Optional LED drive. Blinks each time Channel B data is recorded.

The RK-1 is mounted via mounting holes in the four corners.

Connecting the RK-1:

Below are a variety of ways to connect up the RK-1. As shipped, the RK-1 is self-powered and does not need external power to run just the counter portion. The attached battery should last 5 years or more. The V+ is only required if the +5 output is going to be used to power external equipment (up to 40mA). The V+ could also be connected as an on/off signal for the RK-1 even if it is otherwise not needed. The LEDs shown in all the examples are optional, they do not need to be used, they only serve to indicate when an input signal has been detected and recorded.

Application 1 -- A two air switch vehicle counter (typical retrofit application).

The air switches are shown connected directly to the battery for power. Also, the air switch labeling is generic, the V+ pin may actually be labeled +12V, or +Battery; The SIG pin may be labeled OUT, Output, COUNTS, etc.; The COM pin may be labeled Ground, common, -Battery, etc. In this example, the +5 Volts output is not needed, so the V+ (battery connection to the RK-1) is optional. The RK-1 can monitor the V+ pin voltage and use it to stop recording if battery voltage goes too low. Alternatively, the V+ can be used to switch the RK-1 on/off via a switch if this type of configuration is desired.

RK-1 Application 1

Application 2 -- A two channel loop counter (typical retrofit application).

A two channel loop detector is shown connected to the +5 output of the RK-1 for power. Note that some loop detectors can run directly off of the Battery voltage, if this is the case, wire them up that way instead. The RK-1 can monitor the V+ pin voltage and use it to stop recording if battery voltage goes too low. Alternatively, the V+ can be used to switch the RK-1 on/off via a switch if this type of configuration is desired.

RK-1 Application 2

Application 3 -- A two channel Piezo sensor counter (typical retrofit application).

A two channel Piezo detector is shown connected to the +5 output of the RK-1 for power. The RK-1 can monitor the V+ pin voltage and use it to stop recording if battery voltage goes too low. Alternatively, the V+ can be used to switch the RK-1 on/off via a switch if this type of configuration is desired.

RK-1 Application 3

Application 4 -- A two channel laser counter using fiber optics.

The laser driver/detector is shown connected to the Battery for power. In this example, the +5 Volts output is not needed, so the V+ (battery connection to the RK-1) is optional. The RK-1 can monitor the V+ pin voltage and use it to stop recording if battery voltage goes too low. Alternatively, the V+ can be used to switch the RK-1 on/off via a switch if this type of configuration is desired.

RK-1 Application 4

Application 5 -- A two switch closure counter.

The switches could be any kind of switch closure such as PET sensors, relays, manual switches, etc. In this example, no battery is necessary since the RK-1 is self-powered.

RK-1 Application 5

Application 6 -- A two channel infrared phototransistor input counter.

The phototransistors could be pointing at a light beam which is broken when a vehicle (or pedestrian) passes in front. In this example, the light beam is mounted and powered separately, with its own power source such as a battery. In this example, no battery is necessary since the RK-1 is self-powered.

RK-1 Application 6

Application 7 -- A two channel signal cabinet counter.

The RK-1 can be installed into existing signal cabinets or other types of equipment to record output changes. The outputs must either be contact closures to ground, NPN Open collector outputs, or dc Voltage outputs that switch from 0 Volts to a maximum of 28Vdc. In this example, no battery is necessary since the RK-1 is self-powered.

RK-1 Application 7

First time setup:

Once you have wired the RK-1 into your application, the first thing to do is verify that the wiring is correct and that the RK-1 is operational. First, let us check that the RK-1 is operational. You do not need to apply power to the RK-1 for this first step, the RK-1 has its own built in battery which will power the communications.

  1. Install the TrafficViewer software on your computer. You may get the latest copy of this from TrafficViewer download. Copy the TrafficViewer installer onto your computer in any appropriate directory, then "Run" the installer (In Windows, click on "Start", click on "Run...", browse to the TrafficViewer installer file and double click on it).
  2. Connect a standard serial cable to your PC's com port. If your PC does not have a serial port, but does have USB ports, you will need to acquire a USB to serial converter and install it on your computer.
  3. Attach the serial cable to a RK-1 unit.
  4. Start the TrafficViewer software. You should see the RK-1 status screen appear.
  5. Click on the Reset Unit button. WARNING! This is very important to do before the first time you use the unit.
  6. Enter a unit ID by clicking on SetID button. This is optional and can be set whenever you wish.
  7. Disconnect the serial cable from the RK-1 unit.

If in step 4 the RK-1 status screen does not show, check your wiring. The most common error is to reverse the Tx and Rx lines going to the DB-9 connector. The second most common error is to get the pinout on the DB-9 connector "backwards". In the drawings above, the pin locations on the DB-9 are shown as if you were looking into the "front" of the connector. Most DB-9 connectors do have pin numbers embossed next to the pins, but they may be difficult if not impossible to read.

TrafficViewer Software

The R&R Technologies TrafficViewer software is the key to the RK-1 unit's features. With TrafficViewer, you can configure the RK-1 data into your desired studies and reports. The RK-1 unit simply stores raw time-stamps of channel inputs, it is up to the TrafficViewer software to analyze the data and separate it into the proper bins, studies, and intervals.

Preferences

When you first load up the software you will probably want to review and change the Preferences. To do this, just click on the "Preferences" button. Here you will want to enter your company or organization name, this will appear on reports. You will also want to select the default data directory, when opening and saving files this directory will be the directory you start in when choosing the filename and where to save. The "Measure" selection here is currently only used to format the date in the software and on reports.

Connecting With The RK-1 Unit:

It is very simple to connect your RK-1 unit to your computer so you can download data, reset the unit, or enter a new unit ID into the unit. You must have a standard 9-pin serial cable or a USB-to-serial cable for laptops and other computers that don't have a com port on them.

You will have to have a com port in the range of COM1 thru COM8. Com ports above COM8 are not scanned by the software. Some USB-to-serial cables may be occasionally assign the com port above COM8. You can change this to a different com port by going into the windows Device Manager. Note: You may need to reboot your system after changing it.

Once the TrafficViewer software is loaded simply click on the "Scan for Unit..." button. When the unit is connected you will see the window change and you will then be able to see the Model, Firmware Version, Unit ID, Serial Number, and various other bits of information about the unit that is plugged in.

Note: The software may automatically connect to your unit without having to press the "Scan for Unit..." button.

"Reset Unit" and "Edit Unit ID" Buttons

You will see these buttons ("Reset Unit" and "Edit Unit ID") when a unit is connected. These buttons will both send commands to the unit. You will always want to reset your unit after you first receive it, you will also want to reset your unit after you have downloaded the data out of it. Resetting the unit erases all data currently in the RK-1 unit and sets the time in the unit to the current time on your computer. So if you want to sync a watch up to the time of the unit you will want to set your watch to the time on your computer that you reset the RK-1 with.

The Unit ID can be used for anything you want. It can be a unique identifier that you will be using for the unit or whatever else you may find a use for. The Unit ID is actually stored inside of the unit and it will never been cleared or changed unless you choose to edit the unit ID again. The Unit ID can be up to 32 characters in length, anything longer will simply be cut off.

Downloading Data From The RK-1

Once you have connected to a RK-1 unit, click on the "Download Data" button. You will see a small download indicator which will move from the left to the right showing how much has been downloaded. If you don't have much data this will happen very quickly. You will now see a screen where you can set the locations for all of your studies and any comments you may want to make about the studies. Once you are done click on the "Continue" button. You will now see a quick data summary screen.

Reports, Exports, and Data Files

The summary screen shows a brief summary of the data retrieved. If you want to save, export, or print a study then click on either "Save", "Export", or "Print".

Both "Print" and "Export" have very similar screens where you can choose which columns you would like to export or print, and if the time is slightly off you can enter a number of minutes to skew the data slightly -- to start on an even hour for example.

If you save a study (highly recommended), you will be able to load it up at a later time by choosing "Open Data File" from TrafficViewer's opening screen.

Contacting Us

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E-Mail: support@vehiclecounts.com
Phone: 971-732-5075
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Address:
VehicleCounts.com
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