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How can I get the release information about the software installed on my PIEPS-DSP?
During power-on you have to keep pressed the "?"-button. Then you'll get
information about the software release installed.
Sequently the beacons shows the release information about the display software,
the DSP main software and the software used during production:
Currently it's supposed to get u2.8, U2.8 and I2.8 .
Subsequently the internal serielnumber is shown.
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How can I check, either having a PIEPS-DSP with Option-Pack (or "Advanced") or not?
Is there a way to get it by an update?
PIEPS-DSP beacons with Option-Pack are marked with the text "Option-Pack" at the left hand side from the display!
Due to the fact, that there is a different electronic inside (installed additional
sensors), an update isn't available!
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PIEPS-DSP cannot receive signals from old analogue units!
Our PIEPS-DSP receives signals from all 457 kHz beacons which transmit within standard parameters.
Since 1991 there has been European STANDARD EN282:1991 which accurately specifies the permissible tolerance of the transmission frequency (457000 Hz +-100Hz).
Since 2001 the frequency tolerance has been reduced to +-80Hz and Standard EN300718-1, 2, 3 has been specified.
Due to the fact that the signal filtering in the PIEPS-DSP operates fully digitally, signals from faulty and old analogue units, which are outside this statutory tolerance, are also received without any problem by the PIEPS-DSP in standard mode without any reduction in range up to a variation of -150 Hz to +100 Hz.
From firmware release V2.8 (Autumn 2005) the whole range of -500 Hz to + 500 Hz will also be scanned for faulty units using the SCAN function.
Detection of a faulty unit is indicated by the display "500" after the SCAN function and the PIEPS-DSP works with this extended bandwidth until the next activation of the SCAN button!
Therefore, the PIEPS-DSP is the only beacon worldwide which can fulfill the requirement for constant range over the whole frequency range.
Units, which cannot be located by the PIEPS-DSP in standard mode, are definitely faulty or transmit outside the legally specified tolerances. Such units must be phased out as quickly as possible.
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Are there any old versions of PIEPS-DSP with software errors?
There is no old software version with software errors!
Some optimizations and improvements, which are abstracted in the new release V2.8, were made as part of continuing development.
However, reception from old and faulty units has been improved.
Therefore, the update to the new Version 2.8 is in fact absolutely recommended but not necessarily compulsory!
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Why is it becoming more difficult with an increasing number of avalanche victims to identify individual transmitters?
Why can only a maximum of 4 transmitters be displayed?
Already identified (masked transmitters) will be displayed or received again after a certain amount of time!
The reasons for this problem are the not always accurately definable overlays of individual transmission signals. According to the standard, large tolerances with regard to pulse/pause times are permissible, which leads to increased error frequency.
Old analogue units, which also still transmit a weak continuous signal in addition to the pulsed transmission signal, are particularly problematic.
Should the marking function not produce the desired success due to adverse overlays, the SCAN function should be used. The marking function is deleted again and the original search status restored with the SCAN function. This enables an overview of the number of avalanche victims and their distance.
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I keep getting the following information again and again when switching on E04 E22 E23!
The new PIEPS-DSP avalanche beacon also has a special auto test for all 3 receiving antennae to control the transmitter, plus the reception amplifier.
These messages may occur particularly with the antenna and receiver test due to external influences (other beacons in the surrounding area).
If a message appears when switching on the unit, the distance to other beacons should be increased without fail (5 to 10 meters).
Other electronic equipment such as mobile phones, radios might affect the auto test and would, as a further consequence, also considerably interfere with normal operation.
These messages might appear for a short time after the unit has been switched off, but these are irrelevant.
Summary of potential messages:
- E04 Transmission field strength too low >> Low batteries, transmitter detuning due to iron.
- E22 Received power from all 3 antennae >> Antenna detuning due to iron, other beacons in the immediate environment (less than 5 meters), interference due to other electronic equipment.
- E23 Receiver amplification >> Other beacons in the immediate environment (less than 3 meters), interference due to other electronic equipment.
- E25 Transmission frequency outside the permissible range >> Other beacons in the immediate environment (less than 5 meters) transmit at a frequency outside the standard tolerance, interference due to other electronic equipment.
- E27 Processor error >> Equipment may not be used anymore.
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Why are there more frequent problems with marking (masking) with old analogue units and why are there frequent error displays in the determination of the number of avalanche victims?
Some analogue or only partially digitally operating units transmit a continuous signal in addition to the normal pulsing transmission signal.
This continuous signal leads to detection of an additional transmitter depending on the search speed and impedes the marking of a detected transmitter.
In order to increase marking security, the signal level is checked very accurately with this function. Only those signals are marked which were able to be received for 2-3 seconds in a stable state with the same signal strength.
Any movement during marking should be avoided at all costs.
Nevertheless, if there is no success after 3 attempts, operate using the SCAN function due to the overlay problems.
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The search speed in position-finding is subjectively slow! Why is there a time delay between the transmission signal and the display?
Particularly with multiple burials the measuring time must be increased to 1300ms because of the 1300ms period permitted in accordance with the standard. Only then can an assessment be made as to which signal can be displayed.
Even if the search speed has to be reduced in this case, security is increased considerably in the event of indistinct overlaps.
The search speed with the PIEPS-DSP has only been limited by the data specified in accordance with the STANDARD.
From Release V2.8 the display speed has been adapted to the currently sought (strongest) signal!
Processor and measuring speed of the electronics has therefore no effect on the display speed.
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The unit consumes enormous quantities of batteries and displays 74% very quickly!
The PIEPS-DSP sets new standards in the matter of power consumption thanks to its intelligent power management and proves in practice to be the unit with the longest battery life!
Battery life in transmit mode at 10ºC ambient temperature is typically more than 600 hours, in reception mode at -20ºC typically 3 hours at +20ºC typically 24 hours.
As it is a safety unit, we have taken all potential negative effects into account with regard to battery quality, temperature etc. and included corresponding safety reserves.
According to the standard, every avalanche beacon should have built-in flat-battery detection. If a flat battery is displayed, a beacon must be able to transmit for at least another 24 hours at +10ºC and ready to receive for 1 hour at -10ºC according to the STANDARD.
The PIEPS-DSP indicates a flat battery by displaying 01% i.e. after which the unit can still function efficiently for at least 24 hours in transmit mode and 1 hour in reception mode.
When a trip is started, there should be a display of at least 01%. There is no problem whatsoever if e.g. more than 70% or only 5% is displayed.
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Why does the PIEPS-DSP or avalanche beacons display e.g. 49 metres with an actually measured distance of 30 meters?
The distance displayed on a beacon can only be an approximate distance display.
The distance is determined via the signal strength which is dependent on the strength of the transmitter and on environmental effects.
The distance display on the PIEPS-DSP is designed so that the maximum possible distance is displayed.
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