The ALTA Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor Configuration and Installation Guide
Sensor Overview
ALTA Wireless Ultrasonic Ranging Sensors send out a high-frequency sound pulse and then time how long it takes for the echo of the sound to reflect. The Ultrasonic Sensor uses the speed of sound and the time difference between sending and receiving the sound pulse to determine the distance to an object.
ALTA Ultrasonic Sensors are impervious to the target surface and color. They feature autocalibration algorithms that allow them to adapt to variable environmental conditions and compensate for temperature and humidity effects.
Settings to Configure
- Name—Enter a unique name for your ALTA Ultrasonic Sensor to easily identify it in many iMonnit views and notifications.
- Heartbeat Interval (Minutes)—Set the expected time between communication from the device to the gateway while in the Normal State and without any data-triggering events.
- Aware State Heartbeat (Minutes)—Set the expected time between communication from the device to the gateway while in the Aware State.
- Assessments per Heartbeat—Configure how many times between Heartbeats the sensor will check its measurements against its thresholds to determine whether it will enter the Aware State.
- Aware State—A mode the sensor will enter when specific thresholds are exceeded. This allows the sensor to operate at higher power consumption only when you are monitoring near-critical application conditions.
- Below—Assessments below this value will cause the sensor to enter the Aware State.
- Above—Assessments above this value will cause the sensor to enter the Aware State.
- Aware State Buffer—Prevents the sensor from bouncing between Standard Operation and the Aware State when the assessments are very close to a threshold.
For example: If you set a Maximum Threshold to 200 cm, the Aware State Buffer is set to 10 cm. Once the sensor takes an assessment of 200 cm and enters the Aware State, it will remain in the Aware State until the readings drop to 190 cm. Similarly, the reading must rise 10 cm above the Minimum Threshold to return to Standard Operation.
- Synchronize Off (Default)—The next report will occur one Heartbeat after the last report time. This allows devices to self-optimize network traffic patterns and reduce congestion.
- Synchronize On—Aligns the next report with UTC (Global) time, regardless of the last report time. This allows multiple devices to generate reports in a synchronized manner. Aware State Transitions will still report on a threshold breach, but the following report will return to the next aligned report interval.
Warning: Too many synchronized reports will increase network congestion. We recommend that no more than 10 devices per gateway are synchronized.
For example: The Heartbeat is configured to 60 minutes, and the device reports at 1:47 PM.
If Synchronization is Off, the next reports are expected at 2:47 PM, then at 3:47 PM.
If Synchronization is On, the next reports are expected at 2 PM, then 3 PM.
List of Sensor Scale Settings
- Choose Measurement Scale
- Centimeter
- Inch
- Feet
- Yard
- Meter
- Display
- Distance
- Depth
Installation Steps
If this is your first time setting up your Monnit system, you must set up your iMonnit account and connect your ALTA IoT or Ethernet Gateway to iMonnit before registering your sensor. See this article for steps to start: Creating an iMonnit account.
Then, follow the steps below.
Step 1.
We recommend reading the article Ultrasonic Sensor Installation Considerations before beginning your installation.
Step 2.
Remove the sensor from the package. If installing an industrial sensor, attach the antenna.
Step 3.
Register the sensor in iMonnit. Only install the batteries once told to do so in iMonnit.
Step 4.
Determine the sensor’s installation location. We recommend placing the sensor in the location and ensuring it reports to the gateway before final installation. See this article if you’re using an ALTA Site Survey Tool to perform a site survey to determine sensor installation location.
WARNING: Tanks with liquid must be vented. Otherwise, condensation will accumulate on the lens and render readings inaccurate.
Step 5. (Industrial Ultrasonic Sensor with lead)
- Drill a 1.5” hole in the top of the tank, trailer, container, or structure you will monitor.
- Disconnect the lead cable from the sensor housing.
- Remove the nut from the bulkhead fitting. The fitting has left-handed threads; turn it counterclockwise to tighten it.
- Feed the lead cable through the hole from the inside and secure the bulkhead in place with the nut.
- Attach the lead to the sensor housing.
- Secure the lead cable to the surface using a method best suited for your application.
- Attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.
Alternative Method
- If access to the inside of the tank, trailer, container, or structure is impossible, drill a 1.73” hole instead.
- Insert the horn and secure it in place. If needed, seal the hole in a manner of your choosing.
- Secure the lead cable to the surface using a method best suited for your application.
- Attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.
Bulkhead Adapter Fitting
Material: PVC
Inner thread: ¾ NPT (1” diameter)
Step 5. (Enterprise AA Ultrasonic Sensor)
After verifying the sensor is communicating with the gateway, mount the leaded end of the sensor to the tank, trailer, container, or structure you will monitor using the provided screws or double-sided tape. Ensure the lead end is as far from the measured surface as possible.
Attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.
