Using a Recon Field PC with a Soil Instruments C17 Inclinometer System



INDEX
1.     Introduction
2.     Field PC ‘Soft Reset’
3.     Field PC ‘Hard Reset’
4.     Preparing the Field PC
5.     How to backup your survey setup, database ‘DB_Inport2.sdf’
6.     Copying new In_Port files to the field PC
7.     Re-installing or repairing In_Port
8.     Configuring the field PC Bluetooth with an Inclinometer System
8.1.  Adding an Inclinometer to the ‘Device list’
8.2.  Setting up the Bluetooth Communication Settings
9.     Final function check of software installation


1.         Introduction 
In_Port is a software program produced by Soil Instruments Ltd for use with a TDS Recon field PC and the C17 Digital Inclinometer. These instructions will aid installation of the program onto a TDS Recon field PC.

2.         Field PC ‘Soft Reset’ 
If problems are experienced during the use of the field PC, such as an error message or the field PC freezes a safe option is a ‘Soft Reset’. If the field PC fails to operate after a soft reset, a last resort is to start again with clean and fresh field PC by performing a ‘Hard Reset’. Please consult Soil Instruments as your fault maybe simple and easily resolved without completing a ‘Hard Reset’.
  
To complete a ‘soft reset’ please perform the following step:


    Press and hold the power key for 3 seconds to display a 5 second countdown.
    Continuing to hold down the power key will cause a soft reset when the countdown reaches zero.
    Alternatively, if the power button is released during the countdown process, a ‘Power Menu’ will be displayed.  You can soft reset the field PC by selecting the ‘Reset’ option from the power menu.

The field PC will switch off and after a few seconds reboot and restart. The soft reset is now complete.

3.         Field PC ‘Hard Reset’ 
If problems are experienced with the use of the field PC, which are unable to be resolved with a soft reset or reinstallation of the software, as a last resort a hard reset can be performed. Please consult Soil Instruments as your fault maybe simple and easily resolved without completing a ‘Hard Reset'.
The hard reset will clear everything on field PC and restore the field PC to the factory settings, so any personal data should be backed up first. Your In_Port database 'DB_Inport2.sdf' will be safe on the Compact Flash ‘Storage Card’ along with the reinstallation software for In_Port.
To complete a ‘Hard reset’ please perform the following
        Press and hold the power key for 3 seconds to display a 5 second countdown.
        Continuing to hold down the power key will cause a soft reset when the countdown reaches zero.
        Immediately after the countdown is complete press and hold the Windows ‘start’ and 'ok' buttons. After a double beep, release the buttons.
        Once released, after a pause of approximately 20 seconds the field PC will request for you to confirm the ‘Hard Reset’ to do so press the ‘Enter’ key, to cancel press any other key.
        Upon completion of a reboot, the field PC will request you perform a screen alignment.
        Set the data and time to your local time zone.
        The field PC will give the option to setup a password. We would recommend skipping this option. If a password is set, please make sure this is supplied to Soil Instruments if the field PC is ever returned to the service department.
The ‘Hard Reset’ will now be complete. 

4.         Preparing the field PC
Field PC’s supplied direct from Soil Instruments will already be configured. If you have completed a Hard Reset, the field PC will return to its default settings and will require preparations as follows.
Setting the time & date
      On the field PC desktop, select the following.
      Start.
      Settings.
      System (tab menu).
      Clock & Alarms.
      Set the region to the local area. Then set the time and date. Then click ‘ok’.
Setting the Regional Settings
      On the field PC desktop, select the following.
      Start.
      Settings.
      System (tab menu).
      Regional Settings (scroll down to find).
      Use the drop down menu to select ‘English (United Kingdom)’.  Click ‘ok’.
‘English (United Kingdom)’ is required to be set for software compatibility. The field PC will require restarting for changed to take effect.
Customising the start menu
      Start
      Settings
      Personal (tab menu)
      Menus
      Start Menu
      Please make sure only five options are ticked
The field PC is now fully prepared for the installation.

5.         How to backup your survey setup, database ‘DB_Inport2.sdf’ 
Re-Installing the In_Port software onto the field PC will overwrite the previous installation of In_Port and replace your database with a new blank database.
If you wish to save the original database which contains your defined site names and boreholes, it must be backed up as described below.
Soil Instruments recommend regularly performing a backup of the database as a precautionary measure.
        Connect the field PC to your PC.
        The PC will recognise a device and configure the computer to enable the user to browse the field PC.

The configuration and software used to browse the PDA may vary depending on your computers setup. Windows Vista and above has a built in interface. Windows predating Vista, XP will require active sync to be installed.
       Once the field PC has successfully connected to the PC navigate to the field PC’s ‘Storage Card’.
       Locate the file named ‘Inport_DB2.sdf’ Please copy this file to your PC.

You have now successfully backed up the In-Port database containing all your survey setup. You can now disconnect the field PC from the PC

6.         Copying new In_Port files to the field PC
If you wish to upgrade to the latest version of In_Port please copy the files supplied by Soil Instruments onto your field PC storage card.
        Download the ‘Recon field PC In-port Software' at the bottom of the article.
        Extract the contents of this file to a location on your PC.

As an end result you will be left with two files, ‘In_Port.cab’, ‘sqlce30.ppc.wce4.armv4.cab’ and a folder named ‘Localisation Files’
        Connect the field PC to your PC.
        The PC will recognise a device and configure the computer to enable the user to browse the field PC.
        Once the PDA has successfully connected to the PC. Navigate to the PDA’s ‘Storage Card’.
        Copy the following files and folder to the field PC storage card.
        ‘In_Port.cab’
        ‘sqlce30.ppc.wce4.armv4.cab’ 
        ‘Localisation Files’
        If you receive a message asking for confirmation to overwrite existing file select ok.
        Then disconnect the field PC from the PC.

7.         Re-installing or repairing In_Port 
This process will install a new copy of the In_Port software onto the field PC. This will over write any original software and create a new empty database on the field PC storage card. If you wish to save the original database with your defined site names and boreholes, it must be backed up as described in section 4 above.
Sqlce30.ppc.wce4.armv4.CAB’ and ‘In_Port.CAB’ must be on the ‘Storage Card’ to complete an installation.  If these files are not present or you suspect they need replacing please follow section 5 above.
        Connect the field PC to your PC
        The PC will recognise a device and configure the computer to enable the user to browse the field PC.
        Once the field PC has successfully connected to the PC. Navigate to the PDA’s ‘Storage Card’.
        Select Sqlce30.ppc.wce4.armv4.CAB’ to start its installation.
        If a previous version of SQL Mobile 2005 is installed the user will receive a confirmation message to re-install. Select OK.
        The installation will continue and you will be asked if you wish to install SQL Mobile 2005 to the ‘device’ or ‘storage card’ Select ‘device’.
        Once the installation is complete, the field PC states it requires a restart. The field PC will request the user to confirm the restart. Select OK.
The field PC will restart. SQL Mobile 2005 installation is now complete. Please navigate back to the ‘Storage Card’ to continue
        Select ‘In_Port.cab to start its installation.
        If a previous version of In_Port is installed the user will receive a confirmation message to re-install. Select OK.
        The installation will continue and you will be asked if you wish to install In_Port to the ‘device’ or ‘storage card’ Select ‘device’.
        Once the installation is complete, the PDA will display a confirmation message. Select OK.
In_Port is now successfully installed on your field PC. If there is a previous database which needs to be restored please continue to the next step. If not please go to section 7. 
If restoring a database you will require to have the original backup file available on the PC to which the field PC will be connected.
       Connect the field PC to your PC.
       The PC will recognise a device and configure the computer to enable the user to browse the field PC.
       Once the field PC has successfully connected to the PC. Navigate to the field PC ‘Storage Card’.
       Please locate the backed up database file ‘DB_Inport2.sdf’ on the PC.
       Copy and paste the backed up ‘DB_Inport2.sdf’ file to the storage card.
       You will receive a message asking for confirmation to overwrite existing file. Select ok.
       The original database has now been restored.

8.         Configuring the Field PC Bluetooth with an Inclinometer System 
The connections using Bluetooth are configured and controlled with the ‘Wireless Manager’ on the field PC. This can be accessed by clicking on the Bluetooth icon under the date and time or by selecting Start/Settings/Connections/Wireless Manager.
The Bluetooth is switched on and off within the ‘Wireless Manager’ by tapping on the Bluetooth button, under this is will display ‘on’ or ‘off’
Within the wireless manager the configuration of the Bluetooth connection can be access from the menu at the bottom right and Bluetooth settings. The Recon can have multiple instruments listed under ‘Devices’ Tab. However, the field PC can only be configured to connect with one instrument at a time. This is defined under the ‘Com Ports’ tab and can be changed to connect to another inclinometer or Bluetooth device when you require.

8.1.      Adding an Inclinometer to the ‘Device list’
      Switch on your Inclinometer reel.
      Open the ‘Wireless Manager’ from the Bluetooth icon on the field PC 'desktop' screen.
      Select ‘Menu’ from the bottom right hand corner and then select ‘Bluetooth settings’. 
Displayed will be all the Bluetooth devices used with the field PC. You can have multiple items listed without causing problems.
      Check your inclinometer DI#### is displayed. To ensure this is correctly setup, delete the setup by tapping on the device and holding for 2 seconds. A option menu will appear, select 'Delete'.
      Select ‘Add new device’.
The Bluetooth browsing screen will appear and look for any Bluetooth devices.
     A list of Bluetooth devices will be displayed select your device and click next.
An unsecured connection is required, as the Inclinometer reel is not configured to respond to a password request. So please leave the password blank.
      Do not enter a password. Select ‘Next’.
The C17 Inclinometer reel ‘Comms Ready’ blue LED should now be illuminated.
      When requested, please select ‘Yes’ to add the device to the list.
      It will request a password again. Enter the ‘0’ (zero) as a password and continue.
The C17 Inclinometer reel ‘Comms Ready’ blue LED should now switch off.
      You will then be presented with a partnership settings screen Tick the box to set the service as 'serial port' and Finish.
The partnership settings screen may display again. Simply tick the Serial port box again and select finish.
A message may appear ‘Your device did not connect with…’ Please ignore this message and select ‘OK’.
Your Inclinometer serial number should now be displayed within the Devices list. The device setup is now complete. Please continue to the section 8.2.

8.2.      Setting up the Bluetooth Communication Settings
Only one instrument can be setup using the field PC communications ports. Connecting another instrument to the field PC may automatically delete your inclinometer connection. Reconfiguration of the connection can be quickly and simply done as follows.
      If you do not have the Wireless Manager open already. Open the ‘Wireless Manager’ by selecting the Bluetooth icon on the field PC 'desktop' screen.
      Select ‘Menu’ from the bottom right hand corner and then select ‘Bluetooth settings’. 
      Enter the Com Ports Tab.
Displayed are the connections to Bluetooth instruments, the field PC can only be paired with one Bluetooth instrument at a time.
      Delete any devices setup with a Com port from the list.
      Select 'New Outgoing Port'.
      If you have more than one item in the 'Devices Tab', you will need to select the inclinometer you wish to use and select next.
      Leave the COM port number as the default, normally 'COM8'.
      Untick the ‘Secure Connection’ tick box. The ‘Secure Connection’ option box must be empty. Next select ‘Finish’.
The inclinometer Serial number will now be displayed and the Bluetooth configuration is now complete.

9.         Final function check of software installation 
The following is just to ensure the field PC operates and interacts correctly with the inclinometer. For completing an Inclinometer survey of a borehole, please consult the product manual or contact your supplier for training.

        Make sure the Bluetooth is enabled on the field PC. To switch on the Bluetooth – click on Bluetooth icon on the field PC desktop, turn on the Bluetooth and select ‘Done’ at the bottom left corner.
        Start the program In_Port To do this, select the following Start -> Programs -> In_Port.
If the program has already been used it will only be displayed within the Start menu.
        Check the version number which is displayed in the bottom right had corner, confirm that it matches the version of the recent program installed.
Before proceeding confirm the Inclinometer is switched on.
        Continuing in In_Port select the ‘User mode’ and the ‘Go’.
The field PC will now connect to the Inclinometer as configured in the Bluetooth settings. There will be a short wait while the field PC retrieves the probes calibration factors.
        The next window for the site selection will now appear.
Note the inclinometer ‘Comms Ready’ blue LED should now be illuminated and the Probe serial number will be displayed on the field PC screen.
        Select a site from the ‘Select Site’ drop down box. Remove the tick from the ‘Wait until stable’ tick box and then select ‘Get Readings’.
        Select a borehole from the ‘Borehole Name’ drop down box and take a reading by tapping on the READ button.
The Inclinometer reel buzzer will beep once to confirm the probe is taking a reading. Shortly afterwards it will then double beep to confirm the reading is complete. The field PC will then display a reading of ‘mm’ and the depth will change to the next depth to read.
The function check and field PC software installation is now complete.
        Select ‘Actions’ and ‘Exit’