Nortek Aquadopp Current Profiler X2 Integration Guide

The following article provides information on the proper settings required for communication between a Nortek Aquadopp Current Profiler and an X2 data logger. Advanced information describes how the X2 detects and records data from the sensor and includes troubleshooting procedures for common error codes.

 

 

X2 Requirements

The X2 data logger includes a pre-loaded Nortek Aquadopp Current Profiler script. Use the CONNECT software to enable the script for sensor detection.

Configure Sensor Scripts

X2 Script Number	Communication Protocol	Baud Rate	Power Type	Warmup Period (sec)	Frame
3001	RS-232	9600	Continuous	5	N81

Note: Ports P1 and P2 on the X2 data logger share a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART). Thus, if one sensor communicating via RS-232 finishes its reading while connected to one of these ports, it will close the RS-232 channel on both ports. Considering the long warmup/measurement time for the Aquadopp (~65 seconds) and its lower 3000-level script number (3001), connecting the Aquadopp into these ports with another RS-232 sensor (using scripts higher than 3001) may interrupt the Aquadopp readings. It is always recommended to detect the Nortek Aquadopp in port P0 when using a second RS-232 sensor.

 

Nortek Aquadopp Current Profiler Configuration Requirements

Enable the following settings on the Aquadopp before connecting to the X2:

1. Communication
   1. Protocol: RS-232
   2. Baud: 9600
   3. 8 data bit
   4. 1 stop bit
   5. No parity
2. Power
   1. The X2 controls power to the Aquadopp, which will begin sampling and outputting data when this power is applied. This method, as an alternative to installing internal batteries, allows the Aquadopp clock and X2 clock to be out of sync and still able to capture data reliably. Thus we recommend the Aquadopp be deployed without internal batteries.
3. Number of Cells
   1. Due to the X2 buffer size limit of 512 bytes, the maximum number of cells the script can support is 52.
4. Average Interval
   1. Typical average intervals are 30, 60, 120, and 300 seconds. For accurate measurements, this interval must be set to less than the log interval.
5. Log Interval
   1. If deployed with internal batteries, the log interval must be set to the X2 log interval for proper data capture. As noted above, the log interval must be greater than the average interval.
6. Data Output Format
   1. The Aquadopp data output must be set to binary format.
7. Measurement Mode
   1. The Aquadopp must be in measurement mode before disconnecting from the PC. Measurement mode can be enabled by sending ST in the terminal emulator command line before exiting the software. The terminal will output ¶¶.
   2. If gathering data using the internal recorder, select On-line | Start With Recorder.
      • Close and select No when asked if you would like to stop data collection.
8. Disable Internal Diagnostics
   1. Internal diagnostics must be disabled within the Aquadopp as this internal measurement interrupts communication between the Aquadopp and X2. The X2 is expecting a certain size of data transferred, based on the parameters read during the sensor detection. Measurements from the internal diagnostics will increase the size of this data transfer and cause a mismatch with the expectations of the X2 data logger.
      1. See error code: -100008.0

 

 

Nortek Aquadopp Wiring Information

Figure 2: MCIL-8-MP sensor port on X2-CBMC/ MCIL-8 cable (male view)

Figure 3: X2 UW Sensor Port.

 

Nortek AWAC MCIL-8 Sensor Pin	Nortek Signal	NexSens MCIL-8-MP Wire Color*	NexSens MCIL-8/UW Plug Pin	X2 Signal	X2/X2-CBMC Sensor Port Pin
1	Power GND	Orange	2	GND	7
2	Power +	Black	5	12V	4
3	RS 232 Tx	Red	3	RS 232 Rx	6
4	RS 232 Rx	Brown	1	RS 232 Tx	8
5	RS 232 GND	Yellow	2	GND	7
6	Power Output	White	—	—	—
7	Analogue ch 2	Blue	—	—	—
8	Analogue ch 1	Green	—	—	—
Screen	GND	Bare	2	GND	7

*Wire colors only apply to NexSens MCIL/UW plug cables

 

Nortek Aquadopp Current Profiler Parameter List

Parameter	Unit	Description
Error Code	—	—
Battery	Voltage (V)
Sound Speed	Meters per second (m/s)	—
Heading	Degrees (deg)	—
Pitch	Degrees (deg)	—
Roll	Degrees (deg)	—
Pressure	Decibar (dbar)	Surrounding water pressure
Status	—
Temperature	Celsius (C)	—
Vel.x	Millimeters per second (mm/s)	Velocity for beam 1 (X or East)
Vel.y	Millimeters per second (mm/s)	Velocity for beam 2 (Y or North)
Vel.z	Millimeters per second (mm/s)	Velocity for beam 3 (Z or Up)
Amplitude 1	Counts	Signal strength for beam 1
Amplitude 2	Counts	Signal strength for beam 2
Amplitude 3	Counts	Signal strength for beam 3

 

 

Advanced Information

Example of X2 Sensor Detection

1. Turn power ON
   1. Wait for 5 to 30 seconds warmup
2. Send break.
   1. If the Aquadopp responds with either “AQUAPRO” or “AQUADOPP” to the break, the script has found a connected Aquadopp.
   2. If the Aquadopp responds with “Confirm:”, send “MC” command to switch to command mode then look for “AQUAPRO” or “AQUADOPP” from the response to the MC command.
3. Send “GC” command to get the configuration.
4. Parse GC respond for “number of cells” and “average interval”.
5. Save the number of cell and average interval to the X2 SDCard cfg file.
6. Send “ST” command to put the Aquadopp into measurement mode

 

Example of X2 Sensor Reading

 

Error Code:

 

Applicable Systems

Water current measurements from Nortek ADCPs are useful in coastal and ocean-based environmental monitoring applications.

• Water Current Monitoring Systems