TN00215_3

IQ3 Auto-Frequency Selection Feature Use with IQ3V1.2.0 Software

Introduction

IQ3V1.1.1 first introduced software that had the ability to allow the metal detector to adjust it's
operating frequency during a Full product learn sequence, this feature is always set to on
during the factory build process.

A refinement to this process is introduced with IQ3V1.2.0 software. This Technical Note
describes how the refinements work and how the settings can be adjusted.

Frequency Band

The metal detector can either be set so that the operator can select any of the 70 available
frequencies, or one of seven frequencies available within a selected band:

• There are ten bands available, and no band contains the same frequency as another.
• The spread of frequencies available in each band is sufficient to cover all application
needs.
• The band can be chosen or banding turned off by the BAND field in the Configuration
Menu.

When the metal detector is commissioned, the selected band should be different to any other
detectors in the vicinity to prevent cross-talk.

Ferrite and Default Frequencies

The ferrite operating frequency should be chosen according to the guidance in table 1. This
will have been setup as part of the factory settings, but can be adjusted in the ferrite product
memory.

The default operating frequency is now to be set the same as the ferrite frequency and is
chosen according to the guidance in table 1. This will have been setup as part of the factory
settings, but can be changed by adjusting the DEFAULT field in the Configuration Menu. Note
a subsequent change to this frequency will reset the operating frequency of all menus to the
new value irrespective of whether the menu has been used or not.

Auto Learn Limits

A new menu has been created in the Service/Configuration list called Auto learn limits. The
entries are as follows:

Gain Limit: Default is MAX, but can be selected from MAX, MED, LOW or MIN. The
value set determines the gain level from which a Full learn will start from.

Normal drive: Default is HIGH, but can be selected from HIGH, MED or LOW. The value set
determines the drive level used for a Full learn for menus 1 - 100 when Metal film is set to
NO.

Film drive: Default is LOW, but can be selected from HIGH, MED or LOW. The value
set determines the drive level used for a Full learn for menus 1 - 100 when Metal film is set to
YES.

Threshold: Default is 2000. But can be set to any number below the Learn setup MAX
threshold value. The purpose of this setting is to put a cap on the allowable threshold for a
completed learn cycle.
Product Learn Sequence (not metallised film)

(On previous versions of software this was referred to as calibration)

1. As the product is passed, the detector will first check for any product effect. If there is
none, it will work in DRY mode using the ferrite learn values.
2. If there is a product effect, the detector will switch to the default frequency (now the same
as the ferrite frequency).
3. The detector will attempt to establish the phase angle (formerly called compensation
value) from the P and Q channels. If there is no danger of saturation (the gain maybe
adjusted), then the phase angle will be established and the learn process completed by
establishing a Threshold.
4. If there is a danger of saturation, the frequency will be reduced to the next one in the
band, and step 3 will be repeated at the new lower frequency. While the detector is
adjusting the frequency and gain values to prevent saturation, the message "Adjusting"
will be displayed.
5. In the second half of a Full learn cycle (when the threshold is calculated), result in a value
that is greater than the value set in the threshold limit menu. The value used is the actual
product threshold value before any tolerance (safety margin) is added. The detector will
reduce its selected operating frequency by one step and restart the Gain, Compensation,
Mode etc portion of the cycle, in an attempt to reduce the final threshold value to below
that set. Depending upon the tolerance value chosen the set threshold may be above the
entered limit, this is OK. This allows a more sensible operating frequency and threshold
value allowing a better product variation tolerance to be selected. It is expected that this
limit will only apply to products with inconsistent levels of conductivity.
6. If the phase angle cannot be established at minimum settings, then the message "Head
Overload" will be displayed. It will take some minutes to reach this point.

Product Learn Sequence (metallised film)

1. When auto frequency is set to YES in the learn setup menu an additional menu Metal film
YES/NO is available immediately after the Dry Product YES/NO menu. Answer YES.
2. In doing so the Film drive limit set in Auto learn limits will take effect plus the Full learn
cycle will start from a lower frequency than the ferrite value. The frequency will start from
the third frequency up for the selected band.
3. The detector will attempt to establish the phase angle (formerly called compensation
value) from the P and Q channels. If there is no danger of saturation (the gain maybe
adjusted), then the phase angle will be established and the learn process completed by
establishing a Threshold.
4. If there is a danger of saturation, the frequency will be reduced to the next one in the
band, and step 3 will be repeated at the new lower frequency. While the detector is
adjusting the frequency and gain values to prevent saturation, the message "Adjusting"
will be displayed.
5. In the second half of a Full learn cycle (when the threshold is calculated), result in a value
that is greater than the value set in the threshold limit menu. The value used is the actual
product threshold value before any tolerance (safety margin) is added. The detector will
reduce its selected operating frequency by one step and restart the Gain, Compensation,
Mode etc portion of the cycle, in an attempt to reduce the final threshold value to below
that set. Depending upon the tolerance value chosen the set threshold may be above the
entered limit, this is OK. This allows a more sensible operating frequency and threshold
value allowing a better product variation tolerance to be selected. It is expected that this
limit will only apply to difficult metal films.
6. If the phase angle cannot be established at minimum settings, then the message "Head
Overload" will be displayed. It will take some minutes to reach this point.

Compiled by: Chris Kaine & Colin Tagg

Version: 3
Date: 01/08/2007
 IQ3 Dry Tune Ferrite and Default Frequency Selection Chart for use with software V1.2.0 from 01/08/2007

TABLE 1 DRY Tune and Default Ferrite Frequencies

Smallest Freq1 kHz Freq2 kHz Freq3 kHz Freq4 kHz Freq5 kHz Freq6 kHz Freq7 kHz Freq8 kHz Freq9 kHz Freq10 kHz
Aperture Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8 Band 9 Band 10
Dimension mm
75 - 125 405 416 428 441 454 468 500 517 535 555
150 - 200 300 319 326 333 340 348 357 365 375 384
225 - 300 203 208 211 217 223 231 238 242 250 254
325 - 400 111 115 121 126 131 136 141 146 151 156
425 - 500 111 115 121 126 131 136 141 146 151 156
525 - 550 111 115 121 126 131 136 141 146 151 156

INSTRUCTIONS

Multiple orders for the same company should have a different band selected from which the Dry ferrite and Default frequency will be chosen in order to prevent cross
talk between units.

The criteria for selecting the Dry ferrite tune and Default frequency for will be as follows:

Both frequencies are selected from Table 1 according the aperture dimension and the set frequency band.

Example 1: I have a head whose smallest aperture dimension is 200mm and the set band is 2. Therefore a dry operating and default frequency of 319kHz will
be used.

Chris Kaine Page 3 01/08/07

Issue 4