PPM Utility Program Description (Version 9/2/2012)

1. Introduction

This program runs on Windows-based systems (XP, W7) to manage resources and remote control a PPM loaded with the MarkVIB version of Firmware.

It is able to control and manage any PPM MarkVIB configuration (Basic LCD-based, Optional GUI-based or Blind) by connecting to its specific serial control link.

For all types of PPM configuration, the program remotely manages the system parameters and the Survey Grid files. For Blind systems (no User interface device), it is also their unique but comfortable and sophisticated User Interface. This case is especially designed for underwater survey systems.

2. Installation procedure

The installation package is available on our Web Site here: PPM Utility Package as a ZIP file.

You should download it and unzip it in a user accessible folder of your XP or W7 system.

If the program has already been installed on the same system, it must be de-installed now using the 'Manage Programs' tab of the Windows Configuration Panel.

Run the SETUP.EXE program contained in the unzipped folder.

It will install all the necessary components and files and create a shortcut in the start program list.

You will also need to execute the FTDI driver installation from here : FTDI_Setup. This will install the drivers necessary to communicate to the PPM through the USB-to-Serial cable.

3. System parameter Setup

· Initial Setup

At first execution of the program, it will fail to find a parameter file named DEFAULT_P.TXT in the newly installed directory path.

The Application Data folder is automatically created and the factory-based Default file is copied in it.

The System Parameter file (GLOBAL_P.TXT) is also missing and is created empty.

The Main program screen is displayed.

Click on the 'Parameter File' then, 'Edit Global_P' menus to get this screen:

You see that some important parameter values are still missing.

Click on 'Reset' button to reset the Global parameters to default values

Click on the 'Save' button.

You will see this warning message popping up for a few seconds since there is not yet any PPM connected and powered-up:

· Updating Global Parameters

The usual global parameters to be set are displayed in the GLOBAL_P Edit Screen.

- The Local B value will be automatically set by the tuning process described later in this document.

- The Operation Mode and the GPS Option selection panels are used when changing of operation mode. At this time, leave them with their default values.

- The Gradient Threshold defines the threshold expressed in nT over which a field gradient will generate an audible warning with the buzzer.

- The Gradient Filter is used to define the number of seconds of previous readings to calculate the difference between the average of those previous readings and the latest reading, this difference being called 'field gradient'.

- A small value (like 4) will only generate field gradients when the average value of the few previous readings are different from the latest reading. This will remove the slow variations of magnetic field over the whole survey but emphasize the quick variations of field generated by targets.

- A larger value (like 255) will use many previous readings to calculate the average. Thus, the field gradient will show the variations of magnetic field compared to the average field value over the whole survey.

- The Towing Rope Length is only used for underwater surveys based on GPS fixes, it is used to correct the GPS fixes taking into account the azimuth of the course and the length of the towing cable and calculate the actual GPS fixes of the sensor and not of the boat.

· Updating Default Parameters

The full default parameters are displayed in the DEFAULT_P Edit Screen.

This screen displays all the system parameters with the values which will be set when pushing on the 'Reset' button.

The initial values are factory-based but an expert can modify them provided he knows what he is doing.

To get more details about these parameters, go to the full operator manual of the PPM MarkIVB.

4. Connecting PPM system

The PC is connected through any of its COM port (including through 'Serial to USB' devices) to the PPM system with a baud rate of 115200 Bauds.

Make sure the connected serial link is present and its communication parameters are correctly set using the Peripheral management tab of the Configuration Panel.
When using a serial-to-USB device, it must at least be plugged in the USB socket to be seen by the Windows system.

Connect the cable to the PPM and power up the PPM.

Click on Click on the 'Parameter File' then, 'Download' menus.

You must now see a quick scan of all the COM links known by Windows.

When one of them correctly answers to the WHO-ARE-YOU message, you will get this type of popup message:

followed by this message if the PPM has no local SD Card:

If the PPM has a local SD Card and a GLOBAL_P.TXT file was found on it, the text of the Information box will be:

Parameter File Uploaded from PPM

The connected COM number has been recorded and it will be used first for the next times you connect the program.

The two systems are now successfully connected and ready to cooperate.

5. Remote Survey File Management

6. Tuning Management

Tuning will measure the local value of the earth magnetic field and set the parameters of the system accordingly. Go to the operator manual to study the details and precautions to take before doing a tuning process.

Tuning is started by pushing on the 'Tuning/Start' menu of the main screen.

The main screen will modify its contents as follows:

This is the list of actions and results coming from the tuning process as well as the initial values which were used to make the calculation.

The final two lines show the Auto-Tuning (AT) parameter value and the Local B (SB) value. These values have been automatically set in the GLOBAL_P parameter file.

The long information grey line is the Application Data path where a text file has been written.

This file can later be read by pushing on the 'Tuning/Review' menu entry. Its content will display in Notepad.

7. Real-time Survey Session Management

· Non GPS based Operation modes (Static, Mobile, Base)

A real-time session is started by Clicking on the 'Session' button of the main screen.

The PPM/GPS Viewer screen is displayed with this File Save Path Selection screen and an automatically-generated file name with a current timestamp formatted as 'GDddhhmm.TXT'.
It is the survey grid file where the readings will be stored.

The following screen will be displayed.
Pushing on the 'RUN' button starts the session.

- The UTC field shows the reading timestamps in seconds.

- The Field Gradient is displayed in Green if the S is smaller than 20

- The Field gradient values are plotted horizontally.

Pushing on 'PAUSE' button temporarily pauses the session and pushing on 'RUN' resumes it.

During a pause, clicking on any point in the PPM plot will display the corresponding values of the timestamp, possibly the row/column if operation mode is 'Mobile' and Field Gradient there.

Push on 'End' to terminate the session and close the output file.

· GPS-based Operation modes (GPS or UTM)

This screen will be displayed for GPS based Operation mode.

Just after power up, if the system was left without power for a long time, the super-cap used as storage by the GPS chip will have discharged and its content lost. In that case, the GPS will make a 'cold start' and the latitude/longitude will display null values until the boot is terminated, this could take a minute or two. During all that time, you will see a blinking "I AM ALIVE" indicator.

If the system was not powered down for a long time, then, the GPS will only make a shorter 'warm start'.
The SV value is the number of satellites in view. You should wait until you get at least 7 there to get a good precision on the fixes.

You should wait until you get a value of HDOP (Horizontal Dilution Of Precision) close to 1 to get a good precision on the fixes.

However, as soon as you see non-null latitude/longitude values, you can start a session by pushing 'RUN' button.

When visible GPS satellites are close together in the sky, the geometry is said to be weak and the Dilution Of Precision (DOP) value is high; when far apart, the geometry is strong and the DOP value is low. Thus a low DOP value represents a better GPS positional accuracy due to the wider angular separation between the satellites used to calculate a GPS unit's position.

Note: With an HDOP <= 1 and SV >= 7, one can expect an average global fix precision of less than one meter. In full open country or at sea, SIRFIII GPS devices will usually give that quality of fixes or even better. This range of precision is valid for the PPM surveys over wide area where a GPS support is needed (e.g. underwater surveys).

Pushing on the 'RUN' button starts the session.

- The UTC field shows the UTC from the GPS.

- The longitude and latitude are displayed in decimal degrees with a precision of 7 decimal positions.

- The altitude in meters and Azimuth in degrees are displayed.

- The Field Gradient is displayed in GREEN if the S is smaller than 20 otherwise it is set to 99999 and colored in RED.

- The Field gradient values are plotted vertically.

- The GPS fixes are plotted in XYZ mode using hollow circles whose diameter depends on the field gradient and color depends on the sign of the gradient, Green for positive, red for negative values.

Pushing on 'PAUSE' button temporarily pauses the session and pushing on 'RUN' resumes it.

During a pause, the Latitude/longitude, SV and HDOP values are still refreshed every seconds but the readings are stopped.

Clicking on any circle in the GPS track plot will show the corresponding point in the PPM plot with an horizontal black line and will display the values of the UTC, the latitude/longitude and Field Gradient there.

Clicking on any circle in the point in the PPM plot will show the corresponding GPS track circle with an large black cross.

Push on 'End' to terminate the session and close the output file.

8. Reviewing Survey Files

Push on the 'Replay Grid' menu on the Main screen to review existing grid files.

The PPM/GPS Viewer screen is displayed with a File Open Path Selection screen listing all the files with extension 'TXT' on the Application Data folder. You can select one of those but you can also change of folder and select one file from there.
It is the survey grid file where the readings will be reviewed.

After pushing OK button, you get this screen.

If the 'Fast Review' is checked, the whole grid file is read and displayed in one shot.

If it is un-checked, each reading is displayed and plotted. It is possible to pause and resume the plotting with the 'Pause/Run' button.

If the file was not captured in GPS mode, the viewer screen will appear as an horizontal PPM reading plot.

In pause or at the end of the reading, the precise localization of specific readings as described in the real-time session chapter will also be active.

The 'Replay' button will combine the existing plot with the plot of a newly selected file.

The 'Clear' button will clear the plot(s).

In all cases, 'Exit' button will close this screen.

9. Upgrading Firmware

The upgraded firmware versions are available as files with extension '.FWP' for PPM firmware and extension '.FWG' for GUI firmware.

When receiving a new firmware file through EMail, you must first copy it on your SD Card and make sure it is the only file with that extension on it. If there was any before, delete it.

To upgrade the firmware of the GUI, you should follow the instructions in the MarkIV operator manual.

To upgrade the firmware of the PPM, you should push on the Firmware Download' menu on the Main screen of the PPM Utility program. It will find the first file with extension '.FWP' and load the flash of the PPM with it.