The Portable Diagnostic Unit (PDU) is a compact power and communication device designed to quickly test and verify ShapeArray installations prior to configuration for automated data collection.


Step 1 - Charge the PDU

Measurand's PDU contains a 10.80 V, 3350 mAhr Lithium Ion Battery Pack that can be fully charged in under two hours. Measurand recommends that you fully charge your PDU prior to usage in the field. The PDU can be charged using the included wall charger or charged on the go using the included car charger. 


WARNING: Charging the PDU requires a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) 30 W charger that is capable of 15 V at 2 Amps. The PDU cannot be charged by plugging it in to a PC using the USB 2.0 Type A adapter. It will only charge with the USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into the included wall or car charger, or a charger matching the requirements above. In countries where the included wall charger cannot be used directly, Measurand recommends combining the included wall charger with a travel adapter to facilitate charging the PDU.


NOTE: Due to variability in the model of the included USB-C PD Car Charger, there may be multiple USB-C ports available. For proper charging of the PDU, a port that delivers at least 30 W must be used.



Figure 1: PDU with Accessories. (1) PDU, (2) USB-C PD Wall Charger, (3) USB-C PD Car Charger, (4) USB-C Cable, (5) USB-C to USB 2.0 Type A adapter


The Charge LED will illuminate to indicate the battery is being charged. Once the PDU is charged, the Charge LED will turn off and charging will stop. The PDU can be left plugged in; it will not be over-charged.


Step 2 - Connect the SAA to the PDU

Connect the ShapeArray to the PDU with the 4-pin circular connector (Amphenol connector) or the 5-pin terminal block (Phoenix connector).


Figure 2. The proper wiring for the 5-pin terminal block connector for the PDU


Figure 3. The proper wiring for a 4-pin Amphenol connector (disassembled) for the PDU


Step 3 - Connect the PDU to the PC Directly

Connect USB-C cable to the PDU and connect the other end to a laptop (use the provided USB 2.0 Type A adapter if needed).


Step 4 - Alternatively, Connect PDU to PC Wirelessly  

Alternatively, pair to the laptop using Bluetooth. The Bluetooth name is PDU-XXXX where XXXX is 4 alphanumeric characters. 


Click on your Start menu and select the 'Settings' option.

Figure 4: The 'Settings' option in the Start menu


In the 'Settings' window, select the 'Bluetooth & other devices' option. Enable the slider under Bluetooth and click the 'Add Bluetooth or device' button.


Figure 5: The Bluetooth & other devices section of the Settings window


In the 'Add a device' dialog, click the 'Bluetooth' option. A listing of discovered Bluetooth devices will be displayed. The PDU will be listed as PDU-####, where #### is an alphanumeric identifier. Click the 'Connect' button.


Figure 6: Add the PDU-#### Bluetooth device


The blue Bluetooth LED on the PDU will blink until it successfully connects with computer, at which point the blue light will remain solid on. In the Bluetooth & other devices window, a device named PDU-#### should appear under Other Devices with a status of paired.


Figure 7: PDU-#### is listed as paired under other devices when it is correctly configured


Step 6 - Start SAARecorder

Start SAARecorder. In SAASuite 3.0 or higher, the SAARecorder application is launched by clicking the Manual Data Collection button.


Figure 8: Launch SAARecorder from SAASuite by clicking the Manual Data Collection button


Click the Connect SAA button. 

Figure 9: The SAARecorder Startup window


In the Connect window, select the COM port you are using in the Serial Port(s) section. In the Connection to SAA section, select the SAA PDU option. If the PDU is connected wirelessly to a PC, ensure the Wireless checkbox is checked. 



Figure 10: The SAARecorder Connect window


To go to the data collection portion of SAARecorder, click the Start with found SAAs button. Otherwise, click the Next button and follow the steps listed below.

  

Step 7 - Add Timeout

Due to the possibility of interference with the wireless communications, it is necessary to add a timeout in SAARecorder. This is done in the SAARecorder Connect window by checking the Wireless checkbox. Once the box is checked, it is possible to modify the timeout from the default 500 ms. The recommended range for the timeout is 200 ms. to 500 ms.


Step 8 - Optional, Click on the Search Tab

Click on the Search tab in the Connect window of SAARecorder. This causes SAARecorder to look for ShapeArrays on each of the previously selected serial ports or SAA232-5 channels as described in the above mentioned guides. It tests communications with each microprocessor of a ShapeArray.


Figure 11: The Search tab in the SAARecorder Connect window


Each microprocessor has a unique serial number and is responsible for one item based on the model of ShapeArray connected: 
  • Models 1 and 2 SAAF and SAAScan: An octet (group of 8 segments) 
  • Model 3 SAAF and later: A segment (every segment has a microprocessor) 

If the search is successful and the expected devices are found, click the Next button, as shown in Figure 1 above. If any issues occur please refer to the Software FAQs.


Step 9 - Optional, Click on the Devices Tab


Some devices are not automatically detected. The Devices tab is where they would be added manually. Devices that have been previously found in the Connection or Search tab should appear here automatically. Some devices, such as piezometers and older ShapeArrays, need to be added manually. To add a device manually, click the Add Device link in the SAA Serial Numbers table.


Figure 12: The Devices tab in the SAARecorder Connect window


In the Enter Device Serial Number dialog, enter the Serial Number and COM Port and click the OK button. 


Figure 13: The Enter Device Serial Number dialog

Step 10 - Optional, Click on the Test Tab


The Test tab runs Basic and Voltage / Current tests on the devices before starting SAARecorder application. Each test can be performed by clicking their respective buttons. Both tests can be performed if desired. The SAARecorder interface for viewing and recording data can be started by clicking the Continue button or clicking the Save and Continue button.


Figure 14: The Test tab in the SAARecorder Connect window

Step 11 - Disconnect From the PC


Close SAARecorder to power down the ShapeArray. If applicable, disconnect the SAAFPU USB cable from the PC. Disconnect the ShapeArray from the SAAFPU.