farm management software limitedGPS Tilt Sensors
Mid-Tech Tilt Sensor
Farm Data offers a tilt/slope sensor from Mid Tech. This device works with any GPS receiver that outputs NMEA 0183 data via a serial port. The GPS plugs into the Tilt Sensor and it has a serial output that goes to a device such as a Pocket PC or Titan with Site Mate. Site Mate will then receive the tilt corrected GPS data.
Tilt Sensor Operation
Farm Site Mate must be software version 11.31 or higher to be compatible with the Tilt Sensor. When operating the Tilt Sensor the position data coming from the GPS receiver will be compensated for vehicle tilt errors and then corrected information will be sent to Site Mate.
When the vehicle experiences a sideways tilt, any guidance information is affected: For example, if the GPS sensor is 12 feet (3.65m) above the ground, a 10-degree tilt gives a 2-foot (0.61m) positioning error.
Tilt Sensor Functions
There are three LEDs visible on the Tilt Sensor which indicate the following:
- Blue - Blinks two times per second when the unit is powered and running
- Green - Steady ON when tilt correction is enabled, OFF otherwise
- Yellow - Blinks one time per second when valid GPS location data is being received (NMEA-0183 GGA)
Tilt Sensor Mounting Recommendations
- Mount as close to the center of the vehicle side to side as possible.
- Mount sensor on a parallel plain to the GPS antenna so both the antenna and the sensor tilt the same degree.
- Mount so the sensor is level and connector is pointing upward.
- Sensor should be rigidly mounted to minimize vibration, because vibration will degrade the ability to sense tilt.
- Mid-Tech recommends using nuts and bolts or self tapping screws through the two mounting holes on each end of the sensor.
- The arrow on sensor decal must point toward the front of the vehicle.
- Do NOT mount near extreme temperatures, upside down, or on its side.
Configuring Site Mate for the Tilt Sensor
The Configure tab has a section for entering the settings that are necessary in order for Site Mate to work with the Tilt Sensor. These settings include:
- Antenna Height – Enter the distance from the Tilt Sensor to the GPS Receiver Antenna that you are using. This distance will be used in computing the tilt adjustments.
- Tilt Calibration – The Tilt Calibration is used to tell Site Mate that the Tilt Sensor is mounted in a parallel plain with your GPS receiver and that the implement that it is being used with is on a flat surface.
Tilt Sensor Wiring Connections
Raven TM1 Tilt Sensor
- Works in the same fashion as the above diagrams.
- Works with all Raven GPS Guidance equipment such as the Viper Pro, Envizio Pro and Cruizer. Will Not work with Farm Data Software's Site Mate and Guide Mate Programs.
Raven GPS Enhancer
Designed to Enhance Smart Trax Steering kit to Decimeter accuracies (5-10cm RMS swath-to-swath accuracy at 20 minutes with the Phoenix 300 GPS receiver using OmniSTAR HP as a differential signal..- Designed to correct Roll, Pitch and Yaw of the machine
For further information
Call us on 0800 37 10 88
Fax 03 327 7954
Postal Address
Farm Management Software Limited
P O Box 121
Kaiapoi
North Canterbury