Find the instrument specific software on our software page and install it on your PC. Installing instrument software does not require a license key. Always confirm that your software and firmware version is up to date. The Deployment software has been designed to aid you in the planning, execution, recovery, data retrieval and conversion. A thorough description of the software and its features can be found in the software's help section. Communication to your instrument can be established using either a Ethernet or Serial connection. Serial communication is available for all our sensors whereas Ethernet can be used with instruments from the Signature series as well as Generation 2 AWACs, Vector and 400 kHz 2D Horizontal Profiler.
Serial connection
Your instrument can communicate serially using either RS232 (Figure 1) or RS422 (Figure 2) communication protocol. Ensure that you are using the correct USB converter for the configured protocol on your specific instrument. Connect the serial cable to the converter, and insert it into the USB drive of the computer. For first time use, give the converter enough time to install its driver correctly. If the driver is not installed correctly, find the updated versions from our software page. In the instrument software, choose the correct serial port to use. If you are unsure about which port number to use, check the Device Manager on your computer.
To establish a connection, it is necessary to set the correct baud rate. The standard and available rates for you instrument can be found in the technical specifications available on our website. A higher baud rate speeds up large file transfers and is appropriate when you have a short serial cable and a relatively noise-free environment.
Changing communication protocol
For first generation Aquadopps and AWACs the communication protocol is decided by the harness, and in order to change protocol the harness itself has to be replaced. For more information about this please contact your local Nortek representative.
If your instrument has the option of Ethernet Communication (Signature or Generation 2 AWAC), you can change between the two available communication protocols (RS232/RS422) using commands. Note that Signature and AWAC 2 are by default delivered with RS232 as the communication protocol. For details on how to change the communication protocol please refer to the article How can I change the communication protocol from RS232 to RS422 on my Signature? or How can I change the communication protocol from RS232 to RS422 on my AWAC 2 by commands?
Generation 2 Aquadopps are by default delivered with RS422 as communication protocol. The communication protocol can be changed while connected in the Nortek Deployment software. For details on how to do so, please refer to the following article: How can I change the serial protocol on my Aquadopp 2?
Ethernet connection
Ethernet communication is handled by a dedicated network processor.
Do not use Power over Ethernet (PoE). Applying PoE will damage the instrument electronics.
💡 NOTE: For Ethernet communication to work, the instrument must be powered by an external power supply connected through the jack connector on the Ethernet cable. Internal or external batteries alone do not provide power to the Ethernet interface.
CONNECT THE CABLE BEFORE APPLYING POWER
If power is applied before the cable is connected to the instrument, the connector can be inserted incorrectly, causing power to be applied to the wrong pins. This will cause components on the board to burn out. If this occurs, you will see a loss of communication and you will need to return the instrument to Nortek for repair.
To establish communication through the Ethernet interface, follow the steps below:
- Connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the 6-pin connector on the instrument. Then connect the external power supply to the power jack on the Ethernet cable. The blue LED should illuminate within a few seconds.
- Connect the Ethernet connector directly to your computer or through an Ethernet switch.
- If you use a computer Ethernet port that has status lights, verify that the Ethernet link is active by checking for a solid green link light. If an Ethernet switch is used, the Ethernet port should also show an active Ethernet link.
- Go to the Connection page in the instrument software. If the software provides a choice of connection types, select Network. A list of all instruments available on the network is displayed, allowing you to locate and connect without knowing the instrument's IP address.
- A newly connected instrument may take a few minutes to appear while the network assigns it an IP address. If it is not listed, wait approximately 90 seconds and click Discover again.
- Select the instrument with the matching serial number and click Connect.
Only one client can be connected to an instrument at a time. If another user or application is already connected, you will receive a notification when attempting to connect.
Firmware upgrade
Nortek releases firmware updates multiple times per year. We are constantly improving our instruments functionality and components, so it is extremely important that the firmware on your instrument is kept up-to-date. Failing to keep the firmware updated may mean that your instrument will not work as intended. Updating the firmware will not affect your installed licenses. When you connect to an Instrument, the Deployment software will prompt you to update the firmware if a new version is available (when connected to the internet).
By the term firmware we are referring to the internal software of the instrument, as opposed to the instrument software running on a PC. When you purchase a brand new instrument, it has a firmware version matching the PC software, hence no firmware upgrade will be needed before you start using the instrument. However, new functionality (and in rare cases bug fixes) is likely to be offered in the future, requiring that the firmware is upgraded. New firmware is posted at the Nortek web, at https://www.nortekgroup.com/software. You will need to register to get access, but access is otherwise free of charge. Transfer data that you would like to retain to your PC before you upgrade the firmware, as any data recorded on the instrument will be erased to avoid inconsistencies.
To check for available updates when connected to our Deployment Software, click the Check for updates button. To upgrade firmware, upload a firmware file and then start the upgrade. Wait until the firmware upgrade is complete, this will be confirmed by the message "Your instrument was successfully upgraded!"
Deployment configuration
Once the connection to the instrument is established, the deployment plan needs to be configured and uploaded to the instrument. Details on the configuration and use of our deployment software can be found in its Help section.
For the theoretical background on the measurement principles of our instrument please consult our Documentation section.
Should you feel unsure about the your configuration, feel free to reach out to our support team for a second opinion and advise on how to optimize your setup.
Starting the instrument in air
Activating the instrument and allowing it to ping in air does not pose any risk of damage to the instrument. Indeed, operating the instrument in air is a standard procedure employed to determine its intrinsic noise floor.
It is therefore recommended to acquire a brief set of measurements in air, either at the commencement or conclusion of the deployment. Such in-air measurements provide an essential reference point for evaluating the noise characteristics of the instrument and enable a clearer distinction between genuine environmental signals and instrument-induced noise in the data collected underwater.
Updated