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Offline willy bayotTopic starter
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« on: March 22, 2010, 02:58:20 am »
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Hi all,

We are now working on the new features we want to implement on our PPM instrument, it will be identified as 'PPM-MarkIV'.

The following add-ons will be available:
1. Automatic sensor tuning based on the local precession frequency.
     On the MkII and MkIII, the tuning capacitors were put in operation through a manual DIP switch. On the MkIII, we had added an automatic procedure to measure the local frequency but the operator had still to setup the DIP switch at installation time.
On the MkIV, there will be a fully controlled tuning capacitor sub-system. Before starting a survey in a new region of the world, the operator will just have to push a menu key to execute the tuning procedure which will be entirely automatic.

2. GUI option module
    This is a Graphical User Interface with Touch Pad based on an intelligent 3.5" QVGA module (see picture attached) replacing and upgrading the functions of the character-based LCD and five-key keyboard of the base unit.
Apart from its neater aspect on the control box (see picture attached), what can you expect from this option to add-on to the existing features of the MkIII or the base MkIV units?
  • Easier  Menu navigation
  • Simpler system parameter setup
  • Real-time graphical plot of the measured field gradients
  • Review on screen of a captured survey grid uploaded from its SD Card file
  • Integrated post-processing of a captured survey grid without any need to upload to a PC
  • local 2D plotting of a post-processed survey grid with zooming and panning operations
This module will be an option on the base MkIV unit. Thus, the MkIV units will also exist in their base version using the LCD and Keyboard.
The already shipped units will be upgradable with this module.
This upgrade will be user-installable for MkIV units but will need a factory upgrade for MkII and MkIII units.

Willy

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Offline GoldDigger1950
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« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2010, 04:58:37 pm »
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Be sure to put a replaceable plastic cover over the QVGA module because of the grit on detectorists fingertips. Dirt and grit will surely render the glass unusable in a matter of weeks. Alternatively, continue to use external buttons as well as the touch screen for those who don't want to scratch the glass. A display with such detail would be useless if fuzzy.

Also, allow a freeze time for the image so that those with less than perfect vision can bring the display closer to see it.

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Offline willy bayotTopic starter
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« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2010, 01:47:50 am »
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Thank you very much for your advices.

We'll indeed put a thin and flexible plastic sheet over the screen for two main reasons:
1. Ensure the dust and water tightness.
2. Mechanical protection against scratches.
The picture I have attached is just an early mechanical prototype.
However, we need to use a sheet that is flexible enough to allow the resistive touch pad to operate. This also means that its material will not be scratch-proof and we'll need to plan for its replacement after a time of operation.

We could indeed keep the option of a few real keys for the real-time operation of the instrument during the survey. Essentially, one pause/resume, one start/stop buttons.

During survey, each picture will stay still for one second since this is the maximum reading rate of the instrument. Thus, the operator will have ennough time to read the dispalyed values and plots.

Willy
Hi,

This is two pictures of the GUI in operation.
The first one is the real time display as a running bar chart.
The second one is the 2D plot displayed on the GUI after executing the post-processing locally.

Willy
Better picture quality
Willy
More screen shots.
Look at the beginning of the progress event list there:

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Willy
Latest screen dumps of the GUI


-         The HOME screen :

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http://users.skynet.be/fa352591/HOME2.JPG


-         The System Parameter setup screen :

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http://users.skynet.be/fa352591/SYSTEM1.JPG


-         The Grid management screen :

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http://users.skynet.be/fa352591/GRID.JPG


-         The Real-time survey screen :

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http://users.skynet.be/fa352591/R1D.JPG


-         The 2D plot of a survey grid :

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http://users.skynet.be/fa352591/R2D.JPG


Willy



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Offline Smokin_Cache
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« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2010, 06:21:11 pm »
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Check out the zagg screen protectors. I have these on phones and on my E-trac. Amazing stuff

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www.zagg.com


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Offline willy bayotTopic starter
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« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2010, 04:43:54 am »
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Hi all,

We have now received and tested a new batch of PPM-MarkIV boards.
These have the following extra capabilities on top of the ones of the MarkIII systems:
- GUI module option
- Controllable back-lighting of LCD for night operation (when no GUI option)
- Integrated GPS option (internal chip + patch antenna)
- Automated sensor tuning procedure based on the local precession frequency


Basic MarkIV configurations are immediately available. The price structure and the operator manuals will be updated in a few days.

The GPS driver and the automated sensor tuning control firmware code are still under test but the boards are designed and built to provide these capabilities.

Willy

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Offline willy bayotTopic starter
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« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2010, 02:00:46 pm »
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Hi,

The latest software changes have given a huge improvement on the performance of our MarkIV system.
We have added a digital bandpass filter stage before the signal processing stages.
The net (proved) results are the following:
a. In the field, it is now possible to get very reasonable results with an UNTUNED sensor. We do not say that this what we recommend as normal operation mode but it is making the initial setup of the instrument much easier to perform by non-technical people.
b. With the tuned sensor, the instrument is now able to be operated inside a building and still give reasonably good readings.
c. Passing over a large, massive target does not anymore disturb the system, it stays synchronized and gives valid readings even if the signal magnitude naturally decreases with the high field gradients. This gave bad readings on the previous versions of the PPM.

All these experimental results go in the direction of making the instrument much easier to setup and operate. It was already very much immune against various electromagnetic disturbances but, now, it is much less sensitive to large field gradients.

This feature is obviously going to be integrated in the first available MarkIV systems as soon as it will be thoroughly tested.
Moreover, this feature will be made available as an upgrade to any existing user of the MarkII and MarkIII systems.

Willy

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Offline Orcaman
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« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2010, 02:40:57 pm »
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Hi Willy, so a ballpark figure for your boat towed magnetometer is??? Shocked
Do you have the facilities to produce a few at a time?
 [idea]Send me one for a 'field test' in real conditions Great

Cheers,

Andrew

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Offline willy bayotTopic starter
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« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2010, 07:21:59 am »
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Hi,

We have now decided about the price structure of the new PPM MarkIV system and the web site has been updated with all necessary info and manuals.

Willy

Posted on: December 11, 2010, 07:08:57 AM
Quote:Posted by Orcaman
Hi Willy, so a ballpark figure for your boat towed magnetometer is??? Shocked
Do you have the facilities to produce a few at a time?
 [idea]Send me one for a 'field test' in real conditions Great

Cheers,

Andrew


A boat towed mag based on our MarkIV system just requires the standard PPM MarkIV unit and the sensor coils enclosed inside a watertight container replacing the container used for underground surveys. We have already done this as a prototype for a client using a PVC tube with thick walls and two caps with double O'rings for pressure protection. The sensor cable has to be extended to any required length using a shielded cable fixed in parallel with a towing cable.
For more details about this, see the topic 'PPM-MarkIII for underwater surveys' in this forum.

We have the capability to have this pressure-protected container being made by a local professional mechanical company or we can provide the drawings to be used for building it.
The pricing structure of the various packaging of the MarkIV system is published on our web site there :

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« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2010, 03:25:09 pm »
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Hi

i am among the first owners of the ppm Mark-ii
i am very pleased with unit ppm. actually go much deeper than most everything  we tried.!!!

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« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2010, 06:31:05 am »
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Here are several images from research done by our own units, but also by our friends, who have in their possession.

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{alt}

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{alt}

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{alt}




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http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2926/kamposstoxoi.jpg




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