iLOC™

Follow Avatar Anthony Caplin
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iLOC is a standard feature of all RD8200 locator models. iLOC lets you control the TX-10B Bluetooth transmitter remotely using your locator. With iLOC you can adjust the output frequency, power settings and use SideStep. iLOC commands are sent over a Bluetooth module that can operate at distances of up to 450m / 1400ft in direct line of sight.

To use iLOC, the transmitter and locator must be paired.

NOTE: The RD8200 locator wireless features may be subject to national and or local regulations. Consult your local authorities for more information.

NOTE: Operating in built up areas and in areas with high electromagnetic interference may reduce iLOC’s performance.

WARNING! Do not attempt any wireless connection in areas where such technology is considered hazardous. This may include: petrochemical facilities, medical facilities or around navigation equipment.

 

Switching iLOC On

By default RD8200 locators and Bluetooth enabled transmitters are shipped with the iLOC function disabled.

To switch iLOC On:

  1. Press the power key.png key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the iLOC menu using theup arrow.png or down arrow.pngkeys.
  3. Press the antenna key.png key (locator) or the measure key.pngkey (transmitter) to enter the iLOC menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the ON option.
  5. Press the frequency key.png key to switch Bluetooth ON and return to the previous menu.

Switching Bluetooth off

You can switch Bluetooth off to prolong battery life or comply with regulations in areas where wireless communications are considered hazardous.

To switch Bluetooth off:

  1. Press the power key.png key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the iLOC menu using the up arrow.png or down arrow.pngkeys.
  3. Press the antenna key.pngkey (locator) or the measure key.pngkey (transmitter) to enter the iLOC menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the OFF option.
  5. Press the frequency key.pngkey to switch Bluetooth off and return to the previous menu.

Pairing to an iLOC  transmitter

To pair to a transmitter you require an iLOC enabled model such as the Tx-10B.

Before you begin, try to switch off all nearby Bluetooth equipment as they may interfere with the locator and transmitter's pairing process.

On the locator:

1. Press the power key.pngkey to enter the menu.

2. Scroll to the iLOC menu using the up arrow.pngor down arrow.png keys.

3. Press the antenna key.png key to enter the iLOC menu.

4. Scroll to the PAIR option.

On the transmitter:

5. Press the power key.png key to enter the menu. 

6. Scroll to the iLOC menu using the up arrow.png or down arrow.png keys. 

7.Press the measure key.pngkey to enter the iLOC menu. 

8. Scroll to the PAIR option.

Starting the pairing process: 

9. Press the frequency key.png key on the transmitter followed by the frequency key.pngkey on the locator.

NOTE: You should press these keys within a 30 second window otherwise the connection may time out. 

10. The transmitter and the locator will now attempt to pair.

 

When pairing is in progress, the transmitter and locator will display a flashing Bluetooth icon. Pairing can take up to a minute. If the pairing process is successful, the transmitter will display the icon and the locator will display a persistent Bluetooth icon for the duration of the connection.

If pairing fails, ensure that any nearby Bluetooth devices are switched off or invisible then repeat the process.

Once the locator and transmitter have successfully paired the transmitter should be power cycled to complete the process. You can then use iLOC to remotely change the transmitter’s output frequency and power levels from the locator. 

 

Troubleshooting

Successful wireless communication depends on a number of factors including: battery life, electromagnetic interference, device memory and physical obstructions.

Ensure that the RD8200 locator, transmitter and any other wireless device is sufficiently charged for wireless communication.

Excessive electromagnetic interference can limit the range of wireless communication and / or corrupt data.

Although iLOC can successfully function at distances up to 450m (1400ft) in direct line of sight, your PDA (or notebook) and the RD8200 locator must be within 10m (30ft) to maintain a wireless connection.

Resetting connections

If you experience problems with the RD8200 wireless iLOC  technology features, Radiodetection recommends resetting the connection and then pairing your device again.

To reset the wireless iLOC connections:

  1. Press the power key.png key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the iLOC menu using the up arrow.png or down arrow.png keys.
  3. Press the antenna key.png key on the locator and the measure key.png key on the transmitter to enter the iLOC menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the RESET menu.
  5. Select YES using the up arrow.png or down arrow.png keys.
  6. Press the antenna key.png key to enter the iLOC menu.
  7. Re-pair your devices. 

 

Bluetooth error codes

If an error occurs when attempting to perform any Bluetooth command using the locator to the transmitter, the LCD will display a code to help you resolve the problem on the locator.

The codes are as follows:

BT Code

Description

BT001

Bluetooth not configured for this unit

BT002

Internal Bluetooth error

BT003

Locator not paired with transmitter

BT005

Paired but connection attempt failed. Power cycling may be required

BT006

Corrupt response received from transmitter

BT007

Indeterminate response received from transmitter

BT008

No response received from transmitter

TX???

Transmitter unable to change to the requested frequency – check that the transmitter model is set correctly

 

 

Using iLOC

Locator and transmitter need to be switched ON and paired to use iLOC.

For optimum performance:

  • Minimize obstructions in line of sight.
  • Raise the transmitter off the ground by 30-60cm (1-2ft).
  • Point the screen of the locator towards the transmitter.

 

mceclip0.png

Using iLOC

 

NOTE: If any iLOC commands fail, move closer to the transmitter and repeat the process.

 

iLOC functions

Changing frequencies

Once the transmitter and the locator are paired, you can change the transmitter’s output frequency remotely using the locator:

  • On the locator, select the frequency you want by pressing the frequency key.png key until the frequency is displayed on screen.
  • iLOC commands are sent using the tx key.pngkey, press it to send the new frequency to the transmitter.
  • The locator’s LCD will display SEND momentarily and then OK if the transfer is successful.
  • If the transfer is unsuccessful, the LCD will display an error code. Refer to the table of Bluetooth error codes and their meaning.

If the process fails, you may be out of range or there may be an error in the connection. Move closer to the transmitter and retry the procedure. If the connection continues to fail, return to the transmitter and reset the connection using the procedure described in this article 'Resetting connections'.

NOTE: If you are locating a sonde frequency, an iLOC command to a paired transmitter will automatically set that transmitter to standby to eliminate interference from the transmitter.

Adjusting power

iLOC lets you adjust the transmitter’s power output remotely; you can also put the transmitter into standby mode and then wake it remotely.

To adjust the power output:

  1. Transmitter power options are located in the TXOUT menu on the locator. Press and hold the tx key.pngkey to display the TXOUT menu.
  2. Press the antenna key.png key to enter the TXOUT menu.
  3. Scroll up or down through the power output options; these are: STDBY: Transmitter standby mode, the connection is still active but the output is disabled. LOW: Low power output. MED: Medium power output. HIGH: High power output. BOOST: Temporarily boosts transmitter power output to its maximum level. 
  4. Once you have selected the mode you want, press the frequency key.png key to confirm. 
  5. Press and hold the tx key.png key to select the new setting and exit the menu. 
  6. Press the tx key.png key once to send the settings to the transmitter.

NOTE: Once you have stored the transmitter power setting in the locator, the locator will change the transmitter to that setting when you change the frequency with the locator.

Sleep / wake the transmitter

To help you prolong battery life you can put the transmitter in standby mode (sleep), and reactivate it again, using the locator.

To put the transmitter into standby mode, set the TXOUT menu on the locator to STDBY using the “adjust the power output” procedure described above. 

This will disable the transmitter output.

To re-activate the transmitter output, select any power mode from LOW to BOOST using the same procedure.

If the process fails, you may be out of range or there may be an error in the connection. Move closer to the transmitter and retry the procedure. If the connection continues to fail, return to the transmitter and reset the Bluetooth connection.

 

SideStep™

If you are using a preferred locate frequency and having difficulty locating the utility, interference could be affecting the locate signal. SideStep allows the locator to change the locate frequency by several Hertz.