28 January 2021 - Rick Wakeham
Featured in: Product information and OPTEX tech tips, Tech Tip, Vehicle detection
OPTEX OVS-GT vehicle sensor combines two technologies, micro-wave (FMCW) and ultrasonic technology to detect vehicles. It doesn’t require any equipment under the ground and can replace induction loops (sometimes called ‘magnetic loops’) for single lane applications. To make the installation as easy as possible our tech team has gathered some key information.
1. How to select between ‘vehicle protection’ and ‘vehicle activation’ mode
The vehicle protection mode in our manual (link) and quick reference guide (link) is when the system should detect a stationary or almost stationary vehicle. The vehicle activation mode is when the system should detect an approaching vehicle (at a speed ranging between 2 and 20km/h). Application examples:
2. Mounting height and level
For standard vehicles and vans, the optimal mounting height is 50cm, calculated between the bottom of the sensor and the road level - where the vehicles will be. If the sensor is on the curb or elevated section, the level difference needs to be taken into consideration.
The sensor should be level with the ground; if the latter is sloping the angle should be adjusted accordingly.
3. Vehicle protection mode settings
When detecting the presence of a vehicle as described in point one, the sensor should be mounted at 90⁰ angle of the vehicle. If the barrier is located on a bend, the angle should be adjusted to hit the vehicle at 90 degrees.
4. Vehicle Activation mode setting
The sensor’s optimum angle to the approaching vehicle is 30 degrees, however up to 45 degrees can be acceptable. The ViiK sensor has the capacity to be rotated up to 30 degrees within its housing. To facilitate wider angle or other scenarios such as avoiding obstacles, the triangular mounting bracket – OVS-TB01 – may be required.
5. Sensitivity settings
For standard vehicles, start with the factory default settings, and if required adjust one setting at a time, in one step increments.
If practical, start testing with the same vehicle to get consistent results. For example, If you expect motorbikes being detected: test the configuration with a motorbike.
6. Distance settings
Distance is controlled by the ‘Microwave Maximum Range’ setting. The range should be set to include a margin of -0.5m from the furthest point of the lane.
7. Human cancellation
The other key parameter is the human cancellation function. This feature is used to discriminate human activity. As above adjust if required using one step increments.
If you have any question regarding the installation of our Vehicle sensor, feel free to contact our tech team.
