Instruction manual

4
Copyright ©2009 Diamond Traffic Products
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Counter Serial Number:
The counter contains a built in firmware serial number, which is set at the
factory. This is included with all data files so that determining which counter
collected that data can be easily identified. You can optionally set your own
serial number using the Alt+F10 function from the main counter link screen in
Centurion Software.
Counter Call-Back:
The counter has an optional Call-Back function which allows you to program
the counter with a phone number for it to call if a lane should go down. After
making the call, the counter will connect to a remote PC running the Centurion
Software and then issue a report telling you the Site, Time, Date, and Lane(s)
which failed. See section 7 for more information on counter Call Back.
Loop Sensor Parameters
Some advanced loop operations include adjustable frequency for each loop,
sensitivity, loop field voltage and scanning rates, in additional to contact
closure style settings.
Weigh-In-Motion:
The Phoenix II supports a WIM option. To view some sections of WIM
programming and setup, see the programming chart that diagrams keypad &
computer access to various functions that is provided with the WIM board.
1.e. Loop Board Monitoring
The counter has a built in function to insure that your loop boards are functioning properly. Basically, when you use
loops for data collection, the counter checks every five minutes to see if any loop activations have occurred. If they have
not, then the counter goes into a special function which sends a command to the loop board to see if it is responding. If
it isn’t, then the loop board is restarted and all loops are retuned for proper operation.
Why, you may ask, should a loop board shut down? Generally this is caused by one of two things:
 Lightning Strike: Sometimes if a lightning strike is close enough to the loops in the road a large static charge can
be transmitted through the loops into the loop board circuitry. The loop board has some electronic protection
against this and it will probably not cause any damage when the unit is grounded (unless the lightning is very
close), it may cause the loop board to lock up or shut down. The loop board monitoring function will detect the
loop board failure and will restart the loops between 5 and 10 minutes later. With the original Phoenix unit it is
highly recommended that you install external RF and lightning protection either at terminal strips or built into the
external loop harness. The Phoenix II provides a heavy duty grounding strap on the counter case that must be
connected to provide adequate surge protection.
 Other Electrical Noise: Similar to a lightning strike, other sources of strong electronic signals can cause the loop
board to detune. For example, a strong C.B. broadcast from an illegal transmitter. The loop boards in your
counter are the best available, but it is possible for a strong electrical interference to cause premature shutdown.
Once again, the loop board monitoring function will detect and retune the loops to correct operating parameters.
1.f. Counter Firmware Configuration
Although not essential to know, it will help you understand your traffic counter if you know how the internal programming
works inside your counter. This section of the manual is not required to operate the Phoenix unit.
There are three separate programs which operate inside the Phoenix II. The first (and most important one) is the
EPROM. This is a physical integrated circuit (IC) inside your counter which is programmed at the factory and installed in
your counter. Whenever you turn the counter on, the microprocessor inside the counter starts running the firmware
program contained inside the chip. The very first screen that appears on the display of the counter will show you the
name and version number of this EPROM firmware version (for example: Phoenix v3.01a).
The EPROM firmware contains all of the necessary programming (such as the vehicle classification routines) and
routines that store data into memory. You may at some time want to perform an upgrade of this Firmware to add new
features to your counter or to fix issues found in the programming of the Firmware. On older Phoenix models this is
done by taking your counter apart, removing the old EPROM, and installing a new EPROM that you receive from the