Installation & Configuration

FAQs

Find answers to your frequently asked questions on using a DFS 700 unit in a traffic situation, installing the unit, hardware, communicating with the unit, DFS-CAS software and the data the units stores about traffic

DFS 700 FAQs (pdf, 185KB)

Installation & Configuration

• Portable and permanent options for use in any location
• Can be easily installed by one person
• The closed design ensures protection against rain, moisture and dirt
• Low maintenance and long life performance
• Easy to use set-up procedure
• Configure or download data on-site or from your office (via GSM modem)
• Sends self-diagnostic SMS warning messages when the battery is low and the memory full (via GSM modem)
• Maximum and minimum speeds can can be set to avoid deliberate speeding
• Display can be set for specified periods (e.g. weekdays, rush hours) to save on energy costs
• Display can be set to show posted speed limit only
• Flashing option available for extra impact

Firmware & Software

Firmware

Before upgrading the firmware, we recommend that you determine whether this is really necessary. Therefore, have a look in the firmware release notes to see what changes have been implemented with newer versions. If any of the described changes are relevant to you, then use the latest version of the firmware since they are incremental and contain all previous changes.

3M cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by firmware upgrades.

Firmware Upgrade Procedure (pdf, 590KB)

Firmware Release Notes (pdf, 121KB)

Latest Firmware for DFS 700 (zip, 35KB)

Software - 3M DFS-CAS Software

All the settings on the Driver Feedback Sign DFS 700 are made using the supplied DFS-CAS PC software. This software program is used to perform configuration and data analysis. Furthermore, diagnostic information and traffic data can also be retrieved.

Tutorials are available to you for all details on how to configure the Driver Feedback Signs DFS 700 and how to manage speed data in DFS-CAS.

Current version of DFS-CAS software is: v1.2.1

A tip: in order to know your version of DFS-CAS software, please click on [?] in the main menu of DFS-CAS software and select [about DFS-CAS].

Tutorials

Filling DFS and location library, establishing connections and checking status

How to "create" DFS and location in the library and establish connections in DFS-CAS software to communicate with your Driver Feedback Sign DFS 700 unit and check its status.

More details:

For each DFS unit, a DFS item has to be created in the "DFS list" of DFS-CAS software. As many locations as required can be created in "Location list" in order to manage speed data for each of those locations. A communication via Bluetooth is demonstrated. The COM port used here as an example in this video will depend on the COM port indicated by your Bluetooth driver. Then you will be shown how to check the status of the DFS 700 unit. The error code on the GSM communication indicates that there is no GSM modem connected to the unit

Setting DFS 700 parameters in the software 3M DFS-CAS

How to set the parameters of your Driver Feedback Sign with the DFS-CAS software: speed display, log levels and scheduling.

More details:

Once the communication is established with the DFS unit, the parameters can be read from the DFS unit. The speed registration and the speed display are set separately in the configuration menu. The upper speed limit display - above which no more speed is displayed in order to avoid speed challenges - is set as "Red display ... to ...".

Extracting data from the DFS unit to the DFS-CAS software

How to download speed data from your Driver Feedback Sign unit and assign the data to a location in DFS-CAS software.

More details:

Once the communication is established with the DFS unit, data can be downloaded onto your hard drive. The fastest method is with the USB cable (the download has been shorten in the video). Then data have to be assigned to a location chosen in the "Location list". The user has to determine manually the time period which corresponds to the location. Speed measurements can be viewed day by day. Statistics are presented in the tutorial below.

Creating and saving graphs

How to exploit downloaded data in DFS-CAS software.

More details:

With data assigned to a location, it is easy to create statistical reports and graphs with the "Create report" command. Data timeframe has to be selected and filters can be set to fine tune the reports. Statistical information is displayed at the bottom of the table. 8 reports are available and integrated into the DFS-CAS software. They can be customised and saved to your computer in several formats.