Professional Documents
Culture Documents
User Manual
(from AquaProfiler® Software Release 2.3.1; 07/2015)
Gewerbestraße 61A
87600 Kaufbeuren
Germany
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 4
6.2.1.3 Step 3: Determine measurement time and sensor settings and effect zero calibration
of pressure cell ............................................................................................................. 28
6.2.2 Carrying out measurement .......................................................................................... 31
6.2.2.1 Step 1: Set starting point ............................................................................................. 34
6.2.2.2 Step 2: Measurement of velocity profiles at specific verticals (V-Profile) .................... 37
6.2.2.3 Step 3: Set end point ................................................................................................... 42
6.2.2.4 Depth mark .................................................................................................................. 43
6.2.2.5 Vertical edges .............................................................................................................. 44
6.2.2.6 Insert and delete verticals during measurement ......................................................... 45
9 APPENDIX ................................................................................................... 59
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Product description
The mobile acoustic AquaProfiler® M-Pro measuring system is based on the Doppler
principle using the Doppler frequency shift of acoustic pulses reflected from particles in
the water in order to measure the velocity distribution and water depth at a vertical in
one single measurement. Therefore the sensor is mounted on a common Ø 20mm
wading rod and placed either on the riverbed (up-looking orientation) or below water
surface (down-looking orientation) at the specific verticals. The including software Aq-
uaProfiler® starts the measurement, records and evaluates measurement data and fur-
ther calculates the discharge according to DIN EN ISO 748.
Fields of application
The measuring system was developed specifically for applications in small streams,
rivers and channels. Typical applications range from a water depth of about 0.15 m to
1.0 m, if measurements are made standing in the water. For measurements from
bridges, the system can be used for water depths of up to 3.0 m.
®
Included in delivery of the AquaProfiler M-Pro are:
Optional Accessories
Wading rod
Spare rechargeable battery pack
Vehicle charger
Robust field laptop or HDA-Pro (Tablet PC)
Pole / rod mount bracket for HDA-Pro
A further component is the sensor cable that connects sensor and transmitter via a fix
cable gland serving for power supply and data transmission.
In the standard configuration the sensor cable is delivered with a length of 5 meters.
Cable lengths of 10 meters are optionally available.
On the fixing plate there is a fixture for the wading rod and a locking screw for fixing
the sensor to the rod. You will also note an engraved arrow marking the positive flow
direction.
Pressure cell
The integrated hydrostatic pressure cell exactly determines the insertion depth of the
sensor. Prior to each measurement, this pressure cell needs to be calibrated in air un-
der current air pressure conditions at site.
Temperature sensor
The integrated temperature sensor measures the water temperature, which is an im-
portant variable for the calculation of sound velocity and therefore important for deter-
mining flow velocities, water depths and discharge.
Wading rod
Connection cable
to transmitter
3.2 Transmitter
The transmitter (Fig. 2) receives the measured signals via the connection cable. An in-
ternal signal processor amplifies and digitizes the signals which are transmitted wire-
less via WLAN to the field laptop or HDA-Pro for further evaluation.
The power supply of the transmitter is ensured via a connection cable from the battery
pack to the transmitter.
Battery pack
Transmitter
Antenna
Power on / off
3.3 Battery
The separate rechargeable battery powers the transmitter (Fig. 4). With a fully charged
battery an operation of up to 8 hours is provided. The battery can be recharged up to
2000 times.
Battery status
The charge condition of the battery is indicated after pushing the check button that can
be found at the front of the transmitter (Fig. 3).
The actual state of charging is shown on the LED indicators on the bottom left (Fig. 4).
Please note that an empty battery pack should be charged for at least 2 hours.
on = charger is connected
on = charging
3.5 Accessories
The rod is delivered in 1.00 m segments. The segments are screwed together via hex-
agon socket screws.
For a better positioning of the sensor in the water, a handle with bubble indicator will
be mounted onto the wading rod (Fig. 6). This helps to correct the position of the sen-
sor during measurement in case it differs from the vertical.
3.5.4 Backpack
Upon delivery a weather proof backpack is included allowing a safe transport of the
measuring devices to the field. Thanks to this backpack both devices (transmitter and
battery pack) can easily be worn on your back during measurement.
®
Installation Guide of AquaProfiler
If an older software version already exists on your PC, remove it first before you
start the installation.
http://aquaprofiler.seba-hydrometrie.eu/
download/AquaProfiler/AquaProfiler_setup.zip
Click > Browse to select installation folder or enter folder name under
> Folder:
Click > Disk Cost… to check available drives to make sure you have
enough space for the installation.
Battery status Green: Full Battery, Red: Low battery, Orange: Charg-
ing, Flashing red: Running on Hot-swap battery.
Power Supply
Charging of battery packs
Fully charge the battery pack before using for the first
time. The battery begins to charge as soon as the tab-
let PC is connected to the external power source. The
new battery should be fully charged before the tablet
PC is disconnected from the external power source.
The battery pack is fully charged when the battery
LED indicator turns OFF. It takes approximately 3
hours to fully charge the battery from empty.
WLAN activation
Press menu button 1 time and choose “Device”.
Select WiFi to activate. Uncheck WiFi to turn it off.
®
The following steps are necessary in order to setup the AquaProfiler M-Pro:
Down-looking
The sensor is mounted upside down onto the rod (base plate facing up) and positioned
just below the water surface. The two beams of the transducer traverse the water col-
umn from the top down to the river or channel bed.
Up-looking Down-looking
The sensor orientation is set via AquaProfiler® software prior to each measurement of
a vertical.
After opening the program, the user interface shows three menu bars:
The file list with all files for one measurement is shown on the left side of the user
interface in tree structure (Fig. 11).
®
Fig. 11: User interface AquaProfiler software
The following table provides an overview over the three menu bars with their functions
and menu points:
Main menu
®
Update > Download of latest AquaProfiler version
from the internet
Submenu
Open > Open existing data files (*.hvd) for further data pro-
cessing or comparison with new measurements.
(This function is equivalent to the > file > open func-
tion in the main menu).
Data export > Export of measuring data in TXT format / CSV and
in XML format for further data evaluation in dis-
charge measurement applications SoftwareQ and
BIBER.
Add new measurement > Create data file for a new measurement
Delete item > Delete data files, verticals
? > User manual as PDF file
Measuring menu
In order to select the measuring points of the verticals, a measuring tape or rope with
respective markings should be available.
A two person field team is most ideal to carry out the measurement. One person holds
the wading rod, carries the backpack with transmitter and battery pack and places the
measuring system to the measuring point of the specific vertical. The second person
operates the laptop or HDA-Pro.
The field team shall be equipped with suitable weatherproof working gear (e.g. rubber
boots, waders).
During the measurement it is important to hold the wading rod with the measuring sys-
tem vertically. Therefore check and correct the position of the wading rod with help of
bubble level in the handle. Although the two ultrasonic sensors compensate a possible
inclination it is always recommended to correct the vertical position to avoid inaccura-
cies during measurement.
At the measuring site the channel shall be straight, the cross-section and slope shall
be uniform. The flow of water through the cross-section shall follow more or less paral-
lel flow lines.
®
The AquaProfiler measuring system can be applied from a water depth of 15 cm.
The measurement shall ideally be carried out from suitable bridges or fixed walkways.
If bridges and walkways cross the river in an oblique angle (Fig. 12), the angle bet-
ween the bridge profile and the theoretical profile perpendicular to the flow direction
has to be determined to adjust velocities at all verticals (see also DVWK Guidelines
301/1990).
The specific angle is entered in the software and the distances of the verticals are cal-
culated accordingly (see Chapter 6.2.1.3 & 7.1 ).
α: oblique angle
α
Flow direction Theoretical
e
dg
cross section
bri
perpendicular
to flow
It is also possible to stand directly in the water during the measurement. In that case
the user has to place the rod and measuring system in a sufficient distance beside his
body to minimize disturbances of the natural flow conditions.
The number of verticals depends upon the channel width and shall be selected accord-
ing to DIN EN ISO 748 (see Tab. 1).
The horizontal distance between the verticals shall be marked at the measuring tape or
rope. The principle procedure of a discharge measurement along a cross-section con-
sidering the specific verticals defined in the AquaProfiler® software is described in de-
tail in Chapter 6.2.2).
Before starting the measurement, check once again the whole system:
6.2.1.1 Step 1:
Establish communication to sensor
>
WLAN signal strength is displayed.
Button
WiFi refresh > Click to renew WLAN connection if connection has
failed.
Window
Profiler > Internal data of sensor (Vsensor 1, Vsensor 2,
Water level W1, W2, temperature T)
6.2.1.2 Step 2:
Define data files and information for measuring site
The new created data file is shown on the left side of interface in tree structure.
6.2.1.3 Step 3:
Determine measurement time and sensor settings and effect zero cali-
bration of pressure cell
Angle to flow [°] > Angle between the bridge profile and the theoretical
profile perpendicular to flow direction (see Fig. 12).
The theoretical distances are calculated according to
the angle (see also Chapter 7.1.)
Default setting: 0°
> Click right button to enter angle.
disable
Arrow marking on sensor plate reverse flow direc-
tion
After the selection and implementation of the cross-section, the sensor shall be placed
at the first vertical close to the bank and lowered to the river bed.
The direction arrow on the base plate shall point in (= parallel to) flow direction (see
software setting measuring menu > Settings > Positive flow direction).
The specific distance from the starting point (cross-section zero point) corre-
sponds to the position of the sensor, not to the position of the wading rod. The
distance between sensor and rod is 12 cm and has to be taken in account.
In certain cases it might become necessary to place the sensor reverse to the flow di-
rection. E.g. if a reading has to be carried out near walls with vertical edges and the
sensor has to be placed very close to the wall, you switch off the > positive flow option
before you start the new measurement (Fig. 13).
During the measurement of water level/ stage or depth mark the sensor can be placed
independently from the flow direction.
Flow direction
The wading rod has to be held perpendicular to the flow direction. No obstacles (e.g.
plants, floating refuse) shall be in the vicinity of the sensor.
Now discharge measurements at specific verticals are taken at the marked measuring
points along the cross-section (Fig. 14). The verticals (starting point, V-profile, end
®
point, depth mark) are defined in the measuring menu of the AquaProfiler software
(see Chapter 6.2.1).
For velocity measurements of single verticals (V-Profile) the sensor orientation (up-
ward-looking / downward-looking) can be changed, also within the cross-section ac-
cording to the measuring task (see 6.2.2.2).
The readings for every vertical are saved in data file, which are shown in tree structure
on the left site of the user interface.
Symbol Vertical
Starting point
V-Profile
End point
Depth mark
S E
V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8
right bank
left bank
river bed
0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 m
cross-section
S: Starting point
V: V-Profile
E: End point
For a more detailed description of the riverbed structure additional verticals (D = depth
marks) can be inserted to measure the water depth (Fig. 15).
S D E
V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8
right bank
left bank
river bed
0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 m
cross-section
S: Starting point
L: V-Profile
D: Depth Mark
E: End point
Fig. 15: Insert additional depth mark for a more detailed description of riverbed
The current water level for each vertical (V-Profile) can be entered manually to de-
termine exactly the cross-section if there are significant water level changes during
the measurement.
6.2.2.1 Step 1:
Set starting point
The starting point marks the intersection of water surface and river bank and defines
the start of the cross-section.
The starting point is set in the measuring menu under > Measurement.
The > Measurement menu comprises the following main functions:
Readings for temperature T and depth W are shown during the measurements. Val-
ues for stage and rest depth can be entered by the user for every single measure-
ment. Settings for the approximation of the velocity distribution curve are defined
after the measurement of a V-Profile (see Chapter 6.2.2.2).
> Stage [m] > enter value for current water level
(stage). The actual water level can be entered manu-
ally for each corresponding vertical (V-Profile).
> click right button to enter value by clicking
blue arrows up or down.
e.g.: 0.0 m
(zero-point = starting point)
6.2.2.2 Step 2:
Measurement of velocity profiles at specific verticals (V-Profile)
Prior to the measurement of the first vertical (V-Profile) mount the sensor according to
the desired sensor orientation (see 5.2.1, Fig. 10). Then lower the sensor to the bottom
at first vertical and enter the following settings:
Measurement V-Profile
Go to measuring menu and select > Measurement to open window
> Input distance and type
Window
Input distance and type > Type > select vertical
Click dropdown menu and select > V-Profile
> Select sensor orientation by clicking
Click green arrow up for upward-looking
(standard) sensor orientation.
After the measurement is finished the measuring results are plotted in a vertical ve-
locity profile. The corresponding data are listed in a table.
Furthermore the measuring results for water temperature (T) and water level (W) at
the vertical are indicated. A diagram of the cross-section shows the position of the
vertical, resp. the distances of verticals from starting point.
Calculation of Q
The software offers two options for Q calculation (no curve fitting & power law ap-
proximation), which are selected in the window > Approximation
Window
Approximation > enabled
Window
Approximation > enabled
For the following measurements the sensor is placed at the specific position of the ver-
tical, e.g. at 0.6 m, 1.2 m, 1.8 m, ..., 5.0 m. The measurements are carried out as de-
scribed above (select V-Profile, enter distance value, start measurement). New data
files are created automatically for every further vertical.
6.2.2.3 Step 3:
Set end point
S, D1 D2 D3 D4, E
V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10
rechtes Ufer
linkes Ufer
river bed
Gewässersohle
0,0 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 m
cross-section
S: Starting point
V: V-Profile
D: Depth Mark (with direction arrow )
E: End point
Fig. 16 shows the arrangement of the different verticals (starting point, V-Profile, depth
mark, end point) along the cross-section. Additional water level determinations by
measuring depth marks (D1, D2, D3, D4) and additional V-Profiles (V3, V8) are carried
out as close as possible to the vertical edges.
For further calculation and simulation of an angular cross-section the software
®
AquaProfiler requires a specification of the direction of the specific depth mark which
is defined by the direction arrows in the measuring menu. Thus, with the depth mark
selection, a specific direction arrow has to be entered as well. The arrow has to be set
in a way that it points from the vertical wall in direction of the water body.
Furthermore, the user has to enter equal values for the distance values from starting
point for D2 and V3 as well as for D3 and V8 (e.g. see Fig. 16: distance D2 and V3
from starting point = 1.25 m, distance D3 and V8 from starting point = 3.25 m) as well
as for the distance values for S and D1 and E and D4.
For the measurement of depth marks the sensor has to be placed parallel and very
close to the vertical wall. Since only the water level is measured, the position of the
sensor to the flow direction need not be considered.
Insert verticals
Delete verticals
Submenu
> Select data on the left side of interface or mark specific vertical in graph of cross-
section below.
(e.g.: Wertach\Hammerschmiede\2012-11-08\3,60[m])
The name of the selected data file is shown in the bottom left corner of the user in-
terface.
The deleted file is not erased but moved to the recycle bin. The data file can
still be restored as long as recycle bin has not been emptied.
7 Data evaluation
First, select the specific calculation method for Q. According to guideline DIN EN
ISO 748 two calculation methods are proposed:
mean-section method
mid-section method
Go to file name and select > Calculation method for specific Q calculation
Calculation method > Select calculation method for Q
Verticals summary > The measured and calculated data are listed in the
V Profile table.
(the example below shows the results for a cross-
section perpendicular to flow direction, e.g. angle to
flow = 0°)
3
Top Q [m /s]: fitted (power law) Q velocity curve segment below water surface
3
Mid. Q [m /s]: fitted (power law) Q middle velocity curve segment
3
Bot. Q [m /s]: fitted (power law) Q lower velocity curve segment above riverbed
3
Total Q [m /s]: total Q (Top Q + Mid. Q + Bot. Q)
Total Q [%]: percentage of partial discharge of total discharge at specific vertical
In the last column (Use for Q) the user can eliminate specific measuring data that
should not be considered in Q calculation. E.g. do not tick a vertical that should be
excluded from calculation.
The summary of the results of the cross-section is shown in the last row of the table.
If discharge is measured from a bridge, the flow might not be perpendicular to the
cross section but in an oblique angle defined by the bridge (see figure below).
a b
dg
a: distance (measured)
b: distance (calculated)
* input parameter software
In this case specify > Angle to flow in the measuring menu under > Settings.
Depending on the angle, the distance values will differ and are calculated accord-
ingly as well as other corresponding data (velocity).
Change setting for > Angle to flow
After the measurement of a cross-section is completed, the setting of > Angle to flow
can be modified by enter the value in the parameter list in the main menu under >
Tools > Parameter:
After the measurement of a cross-section is completed, the A-zone size can be modi-
fied for the entire cross-section (all verticals):
> Go to measuring menu and click > Measurement.
> Select file name (> Name) on the left side of user interface.
> Go to window > Approximation Enabled Expert and change A-zone size to
desired value.
> Confirm entry by clicking > Yes or click > No to cancel entry.
Example:
A data file was created in the submenu under > Add new Measurement under
the following name (see left side of user interface):
River: Wertach
Station: Hammerschmiede
Meas: 2012-11-08
D:\Dokumentation\AQP_Software\Data\River_Wertach\Station_Hammerschmiede\
Meas_2012-11-08.
And the measuring data of single measurements under Meas_2012-11-08 are saved
as single yyyymmddhhmmss.hvd – data files:
To view the data recorded on the HDA-Pro, you have to copy the data from the
HDA-Pro folder \Data into the folder \Data in the AquaProfiler working directory on
your PC.
Submenu
> Select data file in the file list (e.g. Station 2012-11-08)
> Go to submenu, click > Data export and select > Text file / CSV:
Window
File name > List separator: choose , or . as list separator
Data V-Profile
at 0.6 m
Approximation
Enabled
No curve fitting; original measuring data (raw data) are taken to plot velocity
distribution curve.
> Export of approximated datan
To export approximated data tick checkbox under Approximation:
Approximation
Enabled
Measuring data are fitted to power law, considering the roughness of the river
bed.
Step 2: Choose evaluation program SoftwareQ or BIBER
> Click in under menu > Data export and select specific program:
SoftwareQ or
BIBER
Example:
One-point Measurement (0.6 x W) Range [mm] = 125
Velocity readings in 60% of water depth will be averaged over a range of
125 mm and taken as the mean velocity in the vertical.
When chosing multi-point measurement, please note what kind of data are
exported (approximated data or raw data).
The following options are possible:
2. Raw data
In this case only the measuring range (without blanking distance on top and
bottom) is being equally subdivided in the number of selected points.
If measurement points are located within the blanking distance, data export is
not possible and you will receive the following error message:
PC users may also use the clipboard function to copy and paste data tables (e.g. in
Excel) that are shown in the submenu under > Measurement and > Evaluation
without using the data export function:
1. Open data table (e.g under > Evaluation > Verticals summary) to copy.
2. Press the left mouse button, go to the first entry of data table (upper left site of
the table) and select all data. Selected rows are highlighted in blue (see example
below):
7.2.3 Report
Under > Report in the submenu, a report is generated that summarizes settings, re-
marks and the results of the measurement of a cross-section.
Submenu
> Select data file in file list (e.g. Station 2012-11-08) to generate results
> Click > Report
Submenu
> Select data on the left side of interface. The name of the selected file is also
shown in the bottom left corner of the user interface.
> Go to submenu and click > Delete item
The deleted file is not erased but moved to the recycle bin. The data file can
still be restored as long as recycle bin has not been emptied.
Main menu
> Click > Open > for window to choose data file directory.
> Select directory and then (at least) one *.hvd data file.
> Click > Open to open the files.
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The AquaProfiler M-Pro system requires no special maintenance.
After use, especially in muddy waters, rinse sensor and rod thoroughly with tap water
to avoid possible contamination and clogging of the sensors. After rinsing, dry sensor
and rods with a dry lintless cloth.
The ports for connection cables of battery pack und transmitter must be protected
against contamination.
Use the backpack for safe transportation and storage of the measuring system. The
devices will be protected from contamination and humidity.
When not in use, the antenna of the transmitter should be retracted to avoid damage.
9 Appendix
9.2 Calculation of Q
Definition of variables
M Measured area
um Velocity, measured
uf Velocity, fitted
z, A, B Distance above bottom
H Water level
N Number of cells
m Exponent power law
B z
Calculation method
A constant C has to be found to compare the measured velocity profile with the fitted
velocity profile. The areas above um and uf have to be equal. In other words: the aver-
age flow velocity for the measured velocity profile as well as for the fitted velocity pro-
file has to be the same.
∫ M
u f dz = ∫ u m dz
M
u f (z ) = C f (z )
∫ C f ( z )dz =∑ u mi CellSizei
M
Mi
N
∑u mi CellSizei ∑ u CellSizei
C= = i =1
Mi
∫
A
M
f ( z )dz
∫ B
f ( z )dz
Power law:
1
z m
f ( z) =
H
Determination of constant C:
∑ u CellSize
i
C= i =1
m +1 m +1
1 m m
A − B m
1
m + 1
m
H
m
u =C
m +1
1
z m
u f (z ) = C
H
Assumption:
It is assumed that velocity and depth in unmeasured edges between riverbank and first
and last measured vertical are zero.
The total flow is equal to the sum of the discharge in each segment, thus:
The cross-section is divided in discrete flow segments between the verticals as shown
below. The segments are limited by verticals defined by either half the distance to the
adjacent measured verticals (Fig. 19).
The computation is carried out at each vertical and the total discharge through the
section is obtained by summing these partial discharges as follows:
The value for v·d in the two half-widths next to the banks may be taken as zero.
9.5 Disposal
Note on the Implementation of EC Directive accord. to “Battery-Law”
In connection with sales of batteries and accumulators we, as a retailer are committed
to giving the following notice according to the “battery-law”:
9.6 Bibliography
DVWK, 1990 (now: DWA – German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste)
Guidelines 301/1990. Manual for Water Level Gauging and Discharge Measurements,
Hennef 1990.
This version of the document replaces all previous versions. The following table describes the
most recent changes:
2015-07-01 2.3.1. New design & function: AquaProfiler M-Pro User Manual_SEBA_2015-07
Down-looking sensor orientation [2.3.1]