RT Range Setup: Fixed Point Sensor Point to Sensor Point Set up Guide

To start, you need to open up the RT Range software and click "Configure RT-Range" to begin the configuration process.

Once you have opened the RT-Range Configuration software you will make sure your desired unit is selected in the IP address drop down menu, set your data rate to either 100 Hz or 250 Hz (pick the one that matches the data rate you selected to configure to your RT in NAVconfig), then you will set your number of targets (between 1 and 4) to the desired number of targets you wish to test with. You will select "Fixed Point" as your target type. 

Once you name your target(s) I advise that you continue on to the "Car Range Measurements" tab in the RT Range configuration software. You will have two tabs on this section of the configurations: "Hunter" and "Target1".

Within these tabs you will see a "Physical Dimension" section and a "Lever Arm" section. In the Hunter tab, this is for the physical dimension of your Hunter vehicle and the lever arm is referencing the specific location of the INS in your vehicle. Add the physical dimensions of your Hunter vehicle (At least the length and the width, height is not relevant for this testing). In this example we will use the default values. In the Target tab, you will enter the physical dimensions of the structure of your fixed point.  

NOTE: The image on the right side of the Range Measurements tab is only a canvas that changes it's axis values based on the dimensions you enter for length and width. These values are used to simulate the length and width of your test vehicle, this image is on both Hunter and target tabs and it is meant to be a visual aid. The vehicle in the image is not accurate to your physical test vehicle nor the target/fixed point. Again, it is just a visual aid!

Regarding the target and red box in the image, these are your sensor point and INS respectfully. We typically advise that the target is set to (0,0) on the image as this will be directly on the most front part of your Hunter vehicle. The red box represents your INS (RT 3000 v3 in this case) and its location is set in the Lever Arm tab. It is very important to know that the position of your INS is set with respect to your sensor point. So moving the sensor point around in the image after setting the INS position will change the inputted values for your INS position. You can move the sensor point around with the cursors found on both axis of the diagram. 

NOTE: In the INS to Sensor Point section of the screen you will see under the "Direction" column: Forward, Left, and Up. Forward is in the direction of the bottom of the image. 

To measure your INS position, you can simply measure from the center point of the back bumper of your hunter vehicle (backwards and to the right in this case) to where the INS is located. Typically measuring to the sign in the image below which is found on the top of the INS and 50 mm into the box is the recommended reference point. 

Switching to the target tab, I have entered a length and width of 1 foot (0.305 meters). The picture adjusts itself accordingly and is set with the sensor point and lever arm in the center of the diagram. Typically the sensor point is set to the back of the target/fixed point as that location signifies where the hunter vehicle will make contact with the target if they were to touch. This is purely up to the preference of the user and the test(s) they are conducting! If you are more interested in the point of contact, then you should move the sensor point to the edge of the structure of your fixed point closest to the sensor point of the Hunter vehicle.  

NOTE: You will notice there is an option to relocate the INS using the lever arm tab. Since we are using a fixed point, it will not have an INS to measure it's position and therefore, we will not need to pay attention to this section of the RT Range setup. You can however, place it where the sensor point is or directly in the center where the software generates it's default position. 

At this point of the configuration, you will need to return to the Hunter/Target setup tab to complete the final step of the setup! This is where you will determine the distance between the Hunter and fixed point at the beginning of your test scenario.

Now click on the "..." under IP address/location and you will be prompted with a Fixed Point Target Setup screen. Select "New from RT", Name your fixed point however you see appropriate. Then you will choose to get your position from the RT in the Hunter vehicle. Finally you will reach the "Offset Setting" section; this setting will tell your Hunter exactly where the fixed point is in relation to the INS inside the hunter vehicle. This is very important when setting up range testing!

Using a tape measure or any other distance measuring tool, measure the distance between the sensor point of your Fixed Point and the INS in the vehicle. Typically this is done with two measurements being forward/backward and left/right. Enter those values in their respective areas and click the save button. 

NOTE: It is a common mistake made by many users to set the distance between the two sensor points on the Hunter and Fixed Point, but this is incorrect practice and can result in inaccuracies up to 10+ meters when approaching your target with heading angles that differ from the original heading angle of the Hunter in reference to the sensor point of the Fixed Point. 

From this point forward, you can skip to the options tab and customise your data output to further accommodate your testing requirements and continue to commit your RT Range configuration. 

Once you have committed your configuration you will be redirected to the RT Range software where you will want to select "Real Time Display". 

This opens two windows with one displaying real time information being output by the RT Range software and the other is a very small window known as the NAVconnect window which is located in the top left corner of the image above. Maximise the NAVconnect window and you will be met with all of the live units that are configured in the RT Range software. 

Right click on your Hunter unit anywhere along the row it is displayed in and click: Connect to -> Real Time. You can now minimise this screen and click on the Bird's Eye View option under the Display Data tab. This will allow you to watch an animated display of your Hunter moving around your fixed point during your testing.