What does the AvaTrace measure exactly?

The AvaTrace M80 device is designed to measure vibration velocity in millimetres per second (mm/s). It is targeted toward ground vibration from sources such as construction, demolition and blasting works. The AvaTrace does not measure Vibration Dose Value (VDV) directly and would not be considered suitable for this type of measurement.

What is the sensitivity of the Geophone sensor?

15 V/m/s

Why won't my unit connect to AvaNet?

This could be one of many issues; the most common being low battery power and/or poor network coverage. Make sure you have enough battery power in the instrument (i.e. > 6.6V). Poor network coverage can be caused by physical obstructions preventing adequate access to the mobile network. Try moving the instrument to a few different locations, preferably above ground level, and attempt to connect the unit. If good battery levels and strong network coverage are present and the unit still does not connect please contact Resonate Systems for further support.

What are the recommended battery levels for safe use of the AvaTrace?

We recommend changing the batteries at 6.6V. The fast flash on the battery LED indicator is triggered at 6.6V. It is not recommended to use battery voltages below 6.0V, but depending on temperature and radio communication an AvaTrace M80 may operate at voltages as low as 5.0V.

What is power saving mode?

To save battery power when the instrument is inactive it goes into a power saving mode. This occurs 12 hours after the measurement is disabled and no other activity is registered. When the AvaTrace wakes up from the power saving mode all LEDs lights up until the device is initialised and ready for use.

If a local SIM card is installed correctly but cannot connect to the network, is the international SIM activated?

No. If a local SIM card is installed correctly (detected by the instrument) the international eSIM will not be activated automatically.

My AvaTrace has been stolen. Can I use GPS to locate it?

Unfortunately, not. The AvaTrace M80 is not a GPS-enabled device. It is also unlikely that the mobile network provider will provide any location information if the unit is still connecting to the network. It is recommended setting the unit to inactive in the status column to prevent the unit from connecting to AvaNet.

How do I know that the AvaTrace is connected to AvaNet and is logging data?

When the Start/Stop LED indicator flashes slowly the unit is sampling. Successful connection to AvaNet is displayed by solid Connect and signal strength LED indicators. In the Instrument Panel of AvaNet, check the Last Connection field to see when the AvaTrace last successfully connected. Ensure that sampling is enabled by ticking the Sampling checkbox in the Aquisition and is not highlighted red or yellow. Also check the the required channels are activated.

What is the noise floor of the AvaTrace?

The noise spectral density for the AvaTrace M80 is typically around 0.35 μV/√Hz with a geophone sensor. With the filter profile for SS 480 48 66 (frequency range from 5 to 300 Hz) the noise floor is about 6 μV RMS. When the instrument is installed in the field, the noise floor is also affected by background vibrations and electromagnetic interference at the measurement location.

What does the arrow on the geophone represent?

The arrow on the top of the geophone represents the longitudinal axis. The arrow should always be visible when looking directly down on the sensor. This is good rule-of-thumb for checking correct sensor orientation.

How do I view additional columns in the table format?

AvaNet has a default display set for different pages. To add hidden columns to a view, click add columns in the menu bar above the table. In the pop-up window select a metadata category you would like to view and press Add to move it to the right-hand column. You can also rearrange the order of columns using the Move up and Move down buttons. Current view settings can be saved as a template that can be easily applied to the same table across multiple projects. To save a view, click save in the menu bar above the table. In the pop-up window give the report template a unique name and click Finish. This view will now be available as a selected option in the drop-down field in the menu bar above the table.

How do I return all true entries in an AvaNet column?

==true (alternative for all false entries is ==false)

Can I download waveform data for measured events?

Yes. Waveforms automatically become available through AvaNet for logged events, i.e. events that exceed both the Trigger Level and Waveform Transfer Threshold (set in the Instrument Panel). To find available waveforms, navigate to the relevant project and open the Measuring Point page from the left-hand menu. Select the check box next to each channel you wish to view and click View Measurements in the left-hand menu. Events with available waveforms will show a tick mark in the Waveform column. If a waveform is not available it may still be available on the unit. The user must manually request the retrieval of these waveforms. To do this you must add the Waveform Available and Request Waveform columns in the table (see How do I view additional columns in the table format?). To request a waveform from unit, edit the Request Waveform column for the relevant event, tick the check box and accept the change by clicking the green tick mark. The next time the unit connects to the server AvaNet will retrieve the waveform making it available for analysis and download. To download the waveform data to your local computer, tick the check box for logged measurement, click Archive in the top left-hand corner and choose Export As Text File. In the pop-up window click the drop-down list and select Waveform text files, avawav. Click Finish and choose your file destination. The data downloaded must be converted using the scaling factor included in the file.

How do I filter results in an AvaNet table?

Filtering tables is a great way to find the data you are looking for quickly. If you know the right command you may write it straight into the text box at the top of the relevant column. If not, click the? next to this box to help generate the code required for your filter.

How do I change the number of displayed lines per page in table view?

Select the menu item ”Preferences” which you will find in the menu ”Settings”. In the window that opens, select the desired number of rows and then click ”Finish”. The number of rows is now saved for future logins.

How do I search for values within a specific time period?

Sometimes you may want to display measurements for a period of time regardless of the date, e.g. every day between 07:00 – 18:00. In this case, you can use the "Time of day” instead of the column ”Time” which includes dates. Normally, the column ”Time of day” isn’t displayed, but you may add it by clicking the ”select columns” above the table. To enter the desired time interval, click the question mark to the left of the search field column ”Time of day”. This opens the dialog for advanced options that make your job of building up the search string. For example, to find out the range of 07: 00 – 18:00, do the following: 1) Select the option ”not before,” and enter 7:00 into the text field and click the ”And” 2) Select the ”not after:” and enter 18:00 into the text field and click the ”And” You have the following search string in the text field: > = 07:00:00 && <= 18:00:00 Click ”Search” to execute the search. The dialog closes and the table is updated. You can see the search string in the search field for the column ”Time of day” If you want to limit the search to be between certain dates, include the column ”Time” and simply choose the desired dates.

I am missing some older data in AvaNet. Is it still accessible?

Yes. To improve navigation speed and usability AvaNet hides older data. To see all data associated with that measurement point click full query in the menu above the table. To revert back to the reduced table, click partial query.

Why are settings in the Instrument Panel highlighted yellow or red?

The Instrument Panel contains all the settings associated with the selected AvaTrace M80 unit. When configuration settings do not match those currently loaded on the unit they will be highlighted in either yellow or red. Yellow highlighting means configuration settings have changed on AvaNet but not yet downloaded to the instrument. Settings changes are automatically pulled to the AvaTrace when the unit next connects to the server, either automatically or by pressing the connect button manually. Red highlighting means there is an error and the value shown on AvaNet is different from that on the unit. By clicking the red exclamation mark (!) the parameter will enter edit mode and display the current value stored on the unit. Either accept the current value by exiting edit mode; or change the value, exit edit mode and connect the unit to download the new settings.

What is the 'Raw Waveforms' checkbox in the Instrument Panel (Channel)?

By default, the AvaTrace stores filtered waveforms according to the selected channel filter profiles. If the *Raw Waveforms* box is ticked, raw unfiltered waveforms are be stored. This may be used when the end user would like to post-process the raw waveform data to extract information such as Whole Body Vibration (WBV) stats. N.B. All alarms and analytics will still be based on the filtered data.

What does the 'Auto Disconnect' checkbox in the instrument panel do?

By default, an AvaTrace M80 will automatically disconnect after successsfully downloading new settings and/or uploading any current data. If the 'Auto Disconnet' checkbox is left unchecked, then the next time the units connects it will hold the radio connection indefinitely. This may be helpful in situations such as attended vibration monitoring. We highly recommend leaving 'Auto Disconnect' enabled for long-term use to improve battery power conservation.

What do the signal strength values in the log file read out represent?

The RSSI parameter is the Received Signal Strength Indicator, as reported by the radio module (using the encoding specified in 3GPP TS 27.007): 0: -113 dBm or less 1: -111 dBm 2-30: -109... -53 dBm 31: -51 dBm or greater 99: not known or not detectable The BER parameter is the Bit Error Rate, as reported by the radio module (using the encoding specified in 3GPP TS 27.007): 0: less than 0.2% 1: 0.2% to 0.4% 2: 0.4% to 0.8% 3: 0.8% to 1.6% 4: 1.6% to 3.2% 5: 3.2% to 6.4% 6: 6.4% to 12.8% 7: >12.8% 99: not known or not detectable The SQ parameteris the combined assessment of the Signal Quality based on the RSSI and the BER estimates. It corresponds to the number of bars on the signal strength indicator. Two or three bars is normally sufficient for reliable AvaNet connections.

Why can I not add an instrument to a new project?

Instruments can only be added to new projects when no Measuring Points are currently attached to the unit. If an instrument is not available when setting up a new project, navigate to the Instrument Panel and within each channel tab select the blank entry in the Measuring Point drop-down list. Once completed for all channels the unit should now be available for subsequent projects.

How do I move an instrument to a new measuring point?

If you want to move to a new measuring point within the same project, select the measuring point in the list shown in the channel tab in the instrument panel. If you want to move the instrument to a measuring point in another project, detach the measuring point in the current project, switch to the new project and attach the new measuring point.

What is a Measuring Point Group?

When generating a 'Vibrations, triax and air blast' measuring point in project set up, AvaNet automatically generates three measuring points associated with a single location: Transverse, Vertical and Longitudinal along with a fourth 'group' point which is associated with the three directional points. For a measurement point assigned demo, the associated points will be would be labelled demo-tram, demo-long, demo-vert and demo (The latter being the group measurement point). A group measurement point can also be created manually. The measurements for which there is a waveform uploaded to AvaNet appear in this group. Note that it does not include all measurements above the trigger level unless they also have a waveform in AvaNet. For all measurements above the trigger level, a waveform will exist on the unit, but they will not be uploaded to AvaNet unless the waveform threshold has been exceeded. If a measurement has exceeded the trigger level but not the waveform threshold the waveform may still be requested and thus uploaded to AvaNet. This is not a fast process and is not recommended as standard practice. Once the waveform has been requested and thus exists in AvaNet the measurement will appear in the Group Point.

Why is the Measuring Point Group table empty?

A Measuring Point Group contains Logged Event data (i.e. measurements that exceed both the channel Trigger Level and W aveform Transfer Threshold). If the Group table is empty you will need to request waveforms for specific Logged Measurements, i.e. measurements that exceed the Trigger Level but not the Waveform Transfer Threshold. See Can I download waveform data for measured events? for more information.

Why don't I have an instrument error alarm group?

The most common error here is selecting the finish button within the project set up wizard before the alarm set up section. Ensure you keep clicking next until the end of the wizard. Another issue may be related to user permissions. Contact Resonate Systems to ensure you have the appropriate permissions.

An SMS-alarm directly from the instrument arrives faster compared to the one sent from the alarm group in the AvaNet. SMS from the instrument are sent directly through your local network whereas SMS from AvaNet must be sent to the cloud and then to your phone, thus the slightly longer delay. Alarms sent directly from the instrument are limited to two recipients. Whereas, SMS from AvaNet may be sent to multiple recipients. To add a recipient to an alarm group it is required that the recipient is a registered user of the AvaNet. To send an alarm directly from the instrument only requires a cellphone number.

What is a Measuring Point Day (MPD)?

When an AvaTrace M80 unit connects to AvaNet a 'Measuring Point Day' (MPD) is registered. The unit does not have to be sampling for this to occur. Simply a connection is sufficient to accumulate an MPD. MDPs are used for billing purposes to determine the total AvaNet daily access fees for unit owners.

I'm thinking about purchasing an AvaTrace device. Are there any additional operational costs/subscriptions to use this product?

Yes. AvaTrace devices have two additional costs associated with their operation: mobile network connectivity and an access fee to the AvaNet web portal. Mobile network connectivity is generally managed by the owner of the unit. The devices run on machine-to-machine or M2M services and many service providers are available in Australia. Depending on configuration settings, AvaTrace M80 devices should not require large volumes of data per month. Typically, a 30MB plan should suffice. A daily access fee is charge per Measuing Point Day (MPD). Resonate Systems handles the invoicing for these charges either on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the number of units owned. See What is a Measuring Point Day (MPD)? for more information.

What is a 'self-test' and when does it occur?

A 'self-test' is the method by which the AvaTrace determines correct geophone sensor operation. A 'self-test' occurs when an AvaTrace commences sampling and then once a day, generally overnight, for each day the unit is active. A 'self-test' will also be carried out if a channel’s status changes from inactive to active whilst the unit is sampling.

Does the log file report each time a self-test error is conducted?

Once a measurement has started, the self-test is not completed until after the unit has finished connecting to AvaNet. A successful test is not deemed a critical event and will not trigger a reconnection to AvaNet. Under normal circumstances a successful test will not be reported in the log files immediately. A failed test is a critical event and will schedule an automated connection attempt to AvaNet to update the log files and process an instrument error notification.

How do I rectify a self-test error?

A self-test error occurs when there is an issue with the incoming signal from the geophone. The most common source is a misaligned geophone. Ensure that the vertical (up), and horizontal (lateral) axis of the geophone are aligned appropriately. For visual reference, the arrow on the geophone should always point in the longitudinal axis.Other checks that you can carry out include checking that the trans cable is connected to the trans input and the vertical cable is connected to the vertical input etc. Checking that the TNC connectors are fully screwed in. You may try un-connecting and reconnecting these points. Checking the number and location of connected cables corresponds with the active channels in AvaNet. Checking that the cable isn’t damaged. Please note that once a self-test error has been triggered, the warning in AvaNet will only be removed by a positive self-test. Self-tests however are usually completed after the unit has connected to AvaNet on measurement start, thus the results will not be pushed to AvaNet until there is a reason to connect again (a positive self-test error does not trigger connection). If the measurement button is not flashing fast there is no error associated with the incoming signal. If you wish to remove the warning message in AvaNet, simply press the connect button.

What is a DPU Error Code warning?

This error can be ignored. It is a warning relevant to the developers that gives them a feel for how the power is affecting the units. It does not affect the general operation of the unit.