Datalogger

A datalogger (also know as data acquisition system or DAS) is piece of electronic equipment which converts an input into a digital time series representation. Immense care should be taken when setting up and programming a datalogger. It is highly recommended that only experienced users program their own dataloggers and all others should consult a PASSCAL staff member for assistance.

While specific procedures and programming details will vary between the various types of dataloggers, there are several things that hold true when working with any datalogger.

The datalogger should be:

The RT130 can be configured using any PalmOS device that has a serial interface and the program PFC-130, but the PASSCAL Instrument Center exclusively uses and provides Sony Cliés.

 

The following is an example outline of an RT130 configuration using the PFC-130 program. The outline is intended as a quick reference guide only and is not a substitute for training or reading the official manufacturer's manual. For detailed information on programming the RT130 using PFC-130, consult the manufacturer's RT130 information page and brochure.

PFC-130 Quick Reference Guide to Programming

Note: Items marked with * are information that will be written to the log file, but will not affect the operation of the RT130.

RT130 log files are most easily viewed and interpreted with the program LOGPEEK. LOGPEEK is part of the PASSOFT software package.     This figure shows how LOGPEEK looks under normal operation. For more help or detail please see the Help section within LOGPEEK.  

 

This shows a short summary of what fields are displayed graphically in LOGPEEK and what they mean.

Willard is Quanterra's program to program and control Q330's. It is a standalone Windows program which allows you to set parameters, monitor data acquisition, storage, gps power cycling, sensor control, and much more. It is a very powerful and complex program which does not lend itself to a brief 'walkthrough' via a webpage.

Due to its complexity and ability to control every aspect of a Q330, it is very easy to make a severe mistake which would make the Q330 not function as intended. We highly recommend that only experienced users of Willard program Q330 parameters. You should contact a PASSCAL staff member if you have any questions regarding using Willard to program a Q330.

During training at PASSCAL, users receive a walkthrough of Willard.

 

To program a Q330 with a Clié you need to use either the "Q330 B147" or "Q330 1.491t" program. These programs can be found on the main menu of any Clié received from PASSCAL. These programs are used to send or retrieve parameters/configurations, change station names, change IP addresses, and to send commands to a Q330.

Important note: To program a Q330S (which is different from a normal Q330) you MUST use the program "Q330 1.491t"

Upgrading Q330 firmware is done with the program Willard.

 

Setup: Download the required firmware from http://q330.com/ Place the firmware into a folder with the name of the firmware (in this example the folder name would be "1.80"). Note: This is important because all Q330 firmware files are named identically. To keep them separated, they must be stored in separate folders.

 

Willard:

Power up the Q330 and connect it to computer via console cable.

Start Willard and select console registration.

 

Select "No" if asked to create a dataless station.

 

 

 

 

Open the Windows control panel by pushing start button and then Settings and Control Panel.

 

 

 

Look under Ports (COM & LPT) to find the available com port numbers. In this picture we know that it is the “Keyspan” on COM 4 because we were using a Keyspan adapter.

 

If the Dataless Station panel appears select No. Otherwise proceed to the next step.

RT130 data is downloaded from the CF cards to .zip files using the NEO program.  The NEO program is included in the PASSOFT software package and can be started from the command line or from the NEO button on PASSCAL field computers. After the data is downloaded it should be reviewed to make sure that it is complete and two backup copies should be made.
 

This page is meant as a quick reference guide for using the Clié program "PFC-130" to load configuration parameters to a RT130. When deploying RT130's in the field, you will be provided an installation worksheet which covers the same steps but with more detail specific to your experiment.

Basic Guide for Loading Parameters to a RT130 from a Clié

1. Open PFC-130, on the Clié

2. Select Work with Configuration

3. Load (Load Configuration Pre-Written or Loaded Config File)

4. Select OK

5. Verify Configuration Name top of screen

6. Send to DAS

7. Select OK

8. Select Done

9. Re-Enter Work with Configuration

10. Select from DAS (Load from DAS)

11. Edit

12. Confirm Experiment Name

The Mini-Hub is functionaly identical to the normal, full-sized, hub except it can only program 3 texans at a time (instead of the normal 15). It was designed in-house to act as a light weight and more portable version of the full-sized hub for when field conditions require the texans to be backpacked into a remote site.

Programming texans is identical when using either the normal hub or the mini-hub. See the Texan Programming with Pocus page for more details.