Lightwave SF30/B, SF30, SF30/C Product Manual
www.lightware.co.za • info@lightware.co.za
SF30
SF30
Accelerated rangefinder Product manual
SF30 Accelerated laser rangefinder - Product Manual - Revision 5 of © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 20151 15
The SF30 is a high speed, light weight
laser rangefinder for mapping and
obstacle detection by robotic
vehicles such as UAVs.
The SF30 can take up to 18316
readings per second and can be
incorporated into scanning systems to
create 2D SLAM maps or 3D images.
The configurable features and
multiple hardware interfaces make
the SF30 easy to connect with
different types of controllers.
The SF30 uses a time-of-flight system
to make very fast and accurate
distance and speed measurements to
natural or artificial surfaces.
Features:
•
Very fast update rate of 18316 readings per
second on all models.
•
Measuring range > 100 m (SF30/C only).
•
Configurable to measure distance or speed.
•
Serial port, analog voltage, alarm and USB
interfaces.
•
USB port to change the alarm set-point, update
rate and resolution.
•
The host controller can change settings on the fly
via the serial port.
•
Compact and lightweight - 35 grams.
•
Easy to configure using the built-in menu and
LightWare Terminal software.
•
Fully calibrated and ready to run.
•
Accurate, reliable measurements in sunlight or
dark conditions.
•
Not affected by: speed; wind; changes in
barometric pressure; noise; ambient light; terrain
or air temperature.
www.lightware.co.za • info@lightware.co.za
SF30
SF30
Accelerated rangefinder Product manual
Table of contents
Table of figures
Figure 1 :: The main features of the SF30 3 ...............................................................................................................
Figure 2 :: LightWare Terminal showing menu options 4 ................................................................................................
Figure 3 :: Power from the USB port 6.....................................................................................................................
Figure 4 :: Regulated +5 V DC power supply connections 6.............................................................................................
Figure 5 :: USB communications 7..........................................................................................................................
Figure 6 :: Serial interface connections 8..................................................................................................................
Figure 7 :: An oscilloscope screen capture showing the serial port data 9...........................................................................
Figure 8 :: Analog voltage connections 11.................................................................................................................
Figure 9 :: Alarm interface connections 12................................................................................................................
Figure 10 :: Labelling on the SF30 13.......................................................................................................................
Figure 11 :: Dimension drawings of the SF30 14..........................................................................................................
Disclaimer
Information found in this document is used entirely at the reader’s own risk and whilst every effort has been made to
ensure its validity neither LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd nor its representatives make any warranties with respect the
accuracy of the information contained herein.
1. Overview 3 ...................................................................................................................................................
2. Quick start guide 4 ..........................................................................................................................................
3. Powering up the SF30 6 ....................................................................................................................................
4. Communicating with the USB port 7 .....................................................................................................................
5. System configuration 7 .....................................................................................................................................
6. Communicating with the serial port 8 ...................................................................................................................
7. The analog voltage interface 11 ..........................................................................................................................
8. The alarm interface 12 .....................................................................................................................................
9. USB port settings 12 ........................................................................................................................................
10. Instructions for safe use 13 ..............................................................................................................................
Appendix A :: Specifications 14 ..............................................................................................................................
Appendix B :: Dimensions 14 .................................................................................................................................
Appendix C :: Main cable type 1, 35 cm 15 .................................................................................................................
Revision history 15..............................................................................................................................................
SF30 Accelerated laser rangefinder - Product Manual - Revision 5 of © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 20152 15
www.lightware.co.za • info@lightware.co.za
SF30
SF30
Accelerated rangefinder Product manual
1. Overview
The SF30 high speed laser rangefinder is designed to detect obstacles or create maps from moving ground-based or arial vehicles. It
works by measuring the time it takes for a very short flash of laser light to travel to a surface and back again. The accuracy of the
measurement is not affected by the colour or texture of the surface, nor the angle of incidence of the laser beam. The SF30 is
virtually immune to background light, wind and noise, making it an ideal sensor to detect unexpected obstacles.
Operating from a regulated 5 V DC supply, the SF30 includes analog and digital interfaces that can be easily connected to a flight
controller or a standard processing platform. Each interface on the SF30 can be configured using a simple software menu that is
accessible through the built-in, micro-B USB port. The interfaces are as follows:
Serial port: Provides distance readings and other communications to an embedded host controller
Synchronisation: A logic level signal that provides a time marker for the serial port data
Analog port: An analog voltage proportional to the distance reading
Alarm: A logic level signal that warns when the distance measured is below a preset value
USB port: Connects to a Terminal application on a PC to allow settings to be entered.
Readings can be taken as isolated “snapshots” at a moment determined by the update rate setting, or they can be combined using a
digital filter into a smoothed time series. At the full speed of 18316 readings per second, a single flash of laser light is used to take a
measurement. The synchronisation signal marks the instant of the laser flash ensuring that the time of the measurement is known
precisely.
There are two members of the SF30 family: the SF30/B has a maximum measuring range of 50 meters; and the SF30/C has a
maximum measuring range of 100 meters. Both SF30 models have settings to smooth the distance measurements if higher resolution
is required or use the raw results if higher speed is needed.
Figure 1 :: The main features of the SF30
SF30 Accelerated laser rangefinder - Product Manual - Revision 5 of © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 20153 15
www.lightware.co.za • info@lightware.co.za
SF30
SF30
Accelerated rangefinder Product manual
2. Quick start guide
1.
CAUTION - The SF30 laser rangefinder contains a laser and should never be aimed at a person or an animal. Do not look
at the beam directly with optical instruments.
2.
Download LightWare Terminal software from www.lightware.co.za > Library > Documents > Software onto your PC.
Open the installer package and follow the installation instructions. Everything needed for communicating with SF30 will
automatically be installed.
3.
Plug the “micro-B to type A” USB cable provided into the SF30’s micro USB connector and connect the other end to your
PC. This provides both power and communication to the unit.
4.
Start the LightWare Terminal software and click the “Connect” icon to open a communications port.
5.
If the connection isn’t made automatically, click the “Laser” icon and select the correct USB port from the list shown.
6.
Press the <SPACE> key to display the main menu. This menu includes a list of all the settings that can be changed in
the SF30.
7.
Menu item number “1: Active data port” selects which port will output the distance data. The value toggles between
“Serial” and “USB”. Set this to “USB” by pressing the <1> key.
8.
Press the <SPACE> key to start taking distance measurements. The results will be displayed in the Terminal window.
9.
Information regarding the other menu items, and how to use them for your application, is contained in the body of this
manual.
10.
Press the “Disconnect” icon before unplugging the USB cable.
Figure 2 :: LightWare Terminal showing menu options
SF30 Accelerated laser rangefinder - Product Manual - Revision 5 of © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 20154 15
www.lightware.co.za • info@lightware.co.za
SF30
SF30
Accelerated rangefinder Product manual
A summary of the settings available through the USB port is given in the table below:
Setting Values Description
1: Active data port
Serial distance in m <->
Serial speed in m/s <->
USB distance in m <->
USB distance plus
speed in m/s <->
USB speed in m/s <->
USB speed in kph <->
USB analog voltage <->
Selects the serial or USB port to output distance or speed data.
2: Resolution /
Smoothing filter
0.25 m <-> 0.12 m <->
0.06 m <-> 0.03 m <->
Smoothed
Selects the resolution of each reading taken or activates the
digital filter to smooth the output.
3: Serial port
update rate
@ 0.25 m 1 ... 18316 / sec
Sets the rate at which new results are output from the serial
port when it is selected using “1. Active data port”.
The actual value may be lower than the entered value
depending on the setting “2: Resolution / Smoothing filter”.
Only whole number fractions of 18316 will give an exact match
between the entered and actual values.
@ 0.12 m 1 ... 9158 / sec
@ 0.06 m 1 ... 4579 / sec
@ 0.03 m 1 ... 2289 / sec
@ Smoothed 1 ... 2289 / sec
4: Serial port baud rate 9600 ... 921600
Selects the baud rate for the serial port. If the “3. Serial port
update rate” setting is too high for the selected baud rate then
a warning notice will be displayed.
5. Analog port
update rate
@ 0.25 m 1 ... 18316 / sec
Sets the rate at which the analog port and the alarm signal are
updated with distance readings.
The actual value may be lower than the entered value
depending on the setting “2: Resolution / Smoothing filter”.
Only whole number fractions of 18316 will give an exact match
between the entered and actual values.
@ 0.12 m 1 ... 9158 / sec
@ 0.06 m 1 ... 4579 / sec
@ 0.03 m 1 ... 2289 / sec
@ Filter 1 ... 2289 / sec
6: Analog maximum range
256 m <-> 128 m <-> 64
m <-> 32 <->
16 m <-> 8 m
Selects the maximum distance that produces 2.56 V on the
analog port. This value changes the scale of the analog output.
7: Alarm activation distance 0.5 m ... 254 m
Sets the distance below which the alarm signal will change to a
low state. There is hysteresis on this setting equal to the “2:
Resolution / Smoothing filter” setting or 0.06 m whichever is
the greater value.
8: Alarm latch Off <-> Active
Enables the alarm signal latch. This keeps the alarm in the
active low state after an alarm event until it is cleared by
sending the “#X” command to the serial port, or by pressing
<X> on the keyboard.
9: USB port update rate 1 ... 1144 / sec
Sets the rate at which new results are output from the USB port
when it is selected using “1. Active data port”.
The maximum value is limited to 1144 readings per second.
Only whole number fractions of 18316 will give an exact match
between the entered and actual values.
SF30 Accelerated laser rangefinder - Product Manual - Revision 5 of © LightWare Optoelectronics (Pty) Ltd, 20155 15
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