DU-180
Definition and purpose of the sensor
Definition and purpose of the sensor
Angle sensor "ESCORT DU-180” (hereinafter – sensor) designed to measure tilting angle of tilting parts of different machinery and mechanisms (for example: excavator bucket, jib crane). It provides, in cooperation with GPS/GLONASS terminal, transmission the accurate tilting angle of a controlled mechanism to the monitoring program with data displaying as the time diagram.
More detailed technical specifications are presented in the device's data sheet.
Basic Terms and Concepts
Serial number - code consisting of letters and numbers assigned to a device (sensor).
Data transfer protocol - a set of specific logical-level rules or conventions that govern the exchange of data between different programs or devices. For DU-180, the main transmission protocol is LLS via the RS-485 interface.
Data transfer mode - this is a type of boundary between two objects or nodes, which are regulated by a special accepted standard and implemented using established methods, tools and rules. DU-180 has the following operating modes:
- RS-485
- Frequency
Interface - a physical connection method and/or a set of software tools that allows data to be transferred between two or more devices.
RS-485 - digital data transmission mode. The sensor waits for a corresponding request from the receiving device. Works using the LLS protocol. Based on CNT, a value is generated in conventional units
Converter - digital converter RS-485 to USB (С200М или С200М2) for configuring wired sensors.
Frequency - zero angle corresponds to the frequency of 300 Hz. Maximum angle corresponds to the frequency of 480 Hz. Frequency is formed in the green wire.
Navigation terminal - the main element of the system for monitoring the operation of transportation carried out by means of satellite communication. Without it, it is impossible to control transportation, to determine the coordinates of the vehicle location. It collects information from sensors and on-board system of the vehicle, and then transmits it to the device/server, which belong to the controlling specialist.
DU-180 sensor's design
DU-180 sensor's design
Scope of Supply
Connection to the sensor, setup via the configurator on a PC
In order to connect DU-180 to the computer you will need an RS-485-USB adapter (we recommend using Escort C200M and C200M2). Strictly follow the connection algorithm described below. Download and install the configurator 1.0.2.38. This will install the drivers for the C200M converter. If other model of converter is used, install the driver for it.
1. Open the configurator
2. Connect the converter to the computer (the sensor must be de-energized)
3. Select (1) the COM port that appears (selected automatically if only one external device is connected as a virtual serial port)
4. Connect DU-180 to the converter and press (2) DU 180 in the configurator (this must be done in the first 15 seconds after connecting the sensor to the power supply or to the converter using the connector). After that, the DU-180 settings interface should be displayed. If this does not happen, then disconnect the sensor connector from the converter, the converter from the computer connector, close the configurator and start the connection from point 1.
Connection diagram
DU-180 setup interface
1. COM port number
2. Selecting the sensor type (DU-180).
3. Current address of the connected sensor.
4. Sensor operating mode
5. Setting sensor parameters.
6. Field for changing the network address.
7. Current angle
8. Button for setting zero degrees for current conditions.
9. Button for saving parameters.
Connection to the sensor, setup via mobile application on Android
Wired sensors can be connected to a smartphone with the Escort Configurator application. To do this, you will need:
- A smartphone with a Bluetooth Android system with OTG technology support
- An RS-485 - USB converter, for example, Escort C200m2
- USB-OTG adapter for connecting the converter to a smartphone
Attention! You cannot update the firmware on the sensor through the application on the smartphone, this can only be done using a computer and the Bootloader program.
After connecting the sensor to the smartphone, you can connect:
- Change the network address
- Select the sensor operating mode
- Connect the sensor to your smartphone according to the diagram
- Check that the converter is turned on (there is a power indication), on some models the OTG mode must be enabled manually in the phone settings
- Select the RS-485 tab (1)
- Select Fuel level sensor (2)
- When connecting for the first time, the phone should ask for access to the converter, click OK
- If such a request does not appear and the sensor is not detected, try connecting additional power to the sensor according to the connection diagram, also check that the power indication on the converter is active and that the OTG mode is enabled on the smartphone
- If, after asking for permission, you receive the error “Unable to connect the device,” this is normal. Just select the fuel level sensor again.
- If you are using a C200M inverter, you can connect an additional power supply to the inverter. To do this, you need to take a power supply for charging your smartphone with a microUSB connector and connect it to the C200M using the ADD PWR connector
- Once connected successfully, you will see the main screen of the sensor.
Operating principle and mode settings
DU-180 transmits the current angle via the RS-485 interface (LLS protocol), or via the frequency interface (in Hz). The tilt angle value is within 0–180 degrees (300–480 Hz). If the tilt angle exceeds 180 degrees, the countdown starts from 0. Additionally, information about the operation is transmitted via discrete outputs. In this case, voltage appears or disappears on them. Discrete outputs (green and purple) should be connected to the contact registration device (for example, the analog terminal input) as Normally Open (or Normally Closed - depends on the mode) plus - the voltage at the terminals can be from 4V to the power source voltage. It is prohibited to connect a load to discrete outputs. In addition, the DU-180 sensor can transmit the tilt angle relative to another DU-180 sensor, the so-called differential mode. In this case, the angle of one sensor relative to the other in Hz will be used.
Garbage truck mode
This mode is used to control the tilt angle of the garbage truck lifting frame. The current tilt angle will be transmitted via the RS-485 interface, and the discrete outputs will transmit the triggering events (crossing the control angles)
This mode sets two angles Top and Down. To set the sensor angles in the Garbage Truck mode:
- Place the sensor in the operating position and press Set Zero
- Select Garbage Truck mode
- Enter the value for Top and click Save the parameters to device.
- Enter the value Down and click Save the parameters to device. The Down must be less than the Top
- If necessary, set the network address and click Save the parameters to device again.
After crossing the triggering angles, the state of the discrete outputs will change according to the table. It is possible to record the fact of a complete cycle of lifting and lowering of the waste container
Dump truck mode
This mode is designed to control the angle of inclination of various elements of vehicles: dump truck body, crane boom, tanker hatch, etc. The sensor will transmit the angle value via RS-485 interface, and discrete outputs will trigger the crossing of control angles.
In this mode, two angles Top and Down are set. To set the sensor in Dump truck mode:
- Place the sensor in the operating position and press Set zero
- Select Dump Truck mode
- Enter the value for Top and click Save the parameters to device - Top control angle.
- Enter the value for Down and click Save the parameters to device. The Down must be less than the Top - Down control angle
- If necessary, set the network address and click Save the parameters to device again.
When the triggering angles are crossed, the state of the discrete outputs will change according to the table. You can use both discrete outputs or one of them for triggering.
Frequency mode
This mode is used to control the tilt angle of a vehicle component when the head unit (terminal) does not have digital inputs. The angle is transmitted through the frequency channel (green wire) in the range of 300Hz (0) - 480Hz (180).
The crossing of the control angle (parameter Down) is signaled by the disappearance of voltage on the purple output of the sensor.
To set the sensor in Frequency mode:
- Place the sensor in the operating position and press Set zero
- Select Frequency mode
- Enter the value for Down and click Save the parameters to device.
- If necessary, set the network address and click Save the parameters to device again.
The operation of the purple output is described in the table:
Bucket mode
This mode is designed for use on excavators to control the bucket operating time. The angle is periodically measured and compared with the previous one, if the angle changes and the difference between the current angle and the previous angle is greater than the set delta, the green output will show a voltage signaling a trigger. If the angle stops changing or the difference between the two angles is less than the set delta, then after expiration of digital output turn off the voltage on the green output will disappear.
In this mode the angle is transmitted via RS-485 interface.
The parameter Digital output turn on sets the angle measurement interval, at the beginning of which the current angle value is memorized. After expiration of this delay, the new current value is read, compared with the previous value, if the difference is a certain angle, which is greater than or equal to the “Delta” value, then the green discrete output will show a positive voltage (triggering, “sensor in operation”). If the “sensor in operation” and the difference value has not exceeded the set angle, the delay for switching off is started (parameter Digital output turn off) and if during this time the difference of angles does not exceed the set Delta value - the voltage on the green output disappears. This separates the working and idle time of the implement.
To set the sensor in Bucket mode:
- Place the sensor in the operating position and press Set zero
- Select Bucket mode
- Enter the value for Delta, Digital output turn of, Digital output turn off and click Save the parameters to device.
- If necessary, set the network address and click Save the parameters to device again.
Plow mode
The mode is designed for installation on the “plow” type devices of snowplows used for road clearing. In this mode the sensor will transmit information that the plow is lowered and is in working position, the algorithm of operation allows to avoid false messages about the end of work when the plow is raised when passing obstacles.
The plow must have a significant stroke to avoid false alarms caused by road irregularities (the difference between the raised and lowered angles must be greater than the vehicle inclination on irregularities).
Zero is set in working position when the plow is lowered. The sensor crosses the “TOP” and “DOWN” boundaries as the machine moves from the travel position to the working position. When the “DOWN” angle is crossed to a lower angle, the “Digital output turn on” delay timer is started. If at the end of the “Digital output turn on” timer the current angle does not exceed the “DOWN” angle, the discrete output (green) will trigger and a positive voltage will appear on it.
When the "DOWN" limit is crossed in the direction of a larger angle (when the moldboard is raised), the "Digital output turn off" timer is started. If the current angle remains greater than the "DOWN" limit when the "Digital output turn off" timer expires, the discrete output will open. If the sensor crosses back the “DOWN” boundary towards a smaller angle, the running "Digital output turn off" timer is reset.
If it crosses “TOP” towards a higher angle, the discrete output will open momentarily. This is done in order to get a clearer readout of the discrete outputs switching (short-term raising and lowering of the gun during obstacle avoidance and turns is avoided).
To set the sensor in Frequency mode:
- Place the sensor in the operating position and press Set zero
- Select Plow mode
- Enter the value for Down, Top, Digital output turn on, Digital output turn off and click Save the parameters to device.
- If necessary, set the network address and click Save the parameters to device again.
Difference mode
Difference tilt sensor is a conventional angle sensor DU-180 with the ability to independently send requests via RS-485 interface and, based on the data received from the second sensor connected to it, produce a differential angle difference between the two devices. This mode is used to reduce false alarms due to the tilt of the entire vehicle.
The RS-485 outputs of both sensors should be connected to each other to exchange data between them (Line A of one sensor should be connected to line A of the second sensor, similarly for line B) The sensor sending the requests is the “master”, the second sensor is the “slave”. In this mode, the master will transmit the differential angle (angle between the two sensors + base frequency 300Hz) as a frequency signal via the green wire. The frequency will vary in the range from 300 to 480 Hz, which corresponds to the angle value in the range from 0 to 180 degrees.
To configure the Slave sensor for difference mode:
- Place the sensor on the moving element of the vehicle in the operating position and press the
Set zero
- Select one of the modes (any mode except Master)
- Set network address 1 and click Save the parameters to device
For Master sensor:
- Position the sensor on a fixed place of vehicle and click Set Zero
- Activate Master mode
- Set a network address other than the second sensor and click Save the parameters to device.
Sealing the sensor
Firmware update (FW)
If you are using a .CRI file, you must use this bootloader.
If you are using a .BIN file, you must use this bootloader.
Firmware instruction (TD-150 example)
You can find the latest firmware version in the downloads section of our website.