Switches provide a means for setting various system variables within the dataTaker, which configure the logger as required. Switches and Parameters (See Section III ñ Parameter Commands) provide the bulk of the system configuration.

The Switches have two values ñ enabled and disabled ñ in contrast to the Parameters which allow system variables to be set to any value within a defined range.

The Switches are enabled and disabled by commands in the general format

/Switch       Enables the Switch
/switch       Disables the Switch

where

/                       is the Switch command identifier
S (upper case)      indicates switch is to be enabled
s (lower case)       indicates switch is to be disabled

The Switches have default settings, and are initialised to these default settings whenever the dataTaker is powered up, is hardware reset or a RESET command is executed. The Switches can also be forced to their default settings by the Default Switches command //.

The Switches can be changed at any time, producing an immediate effect.

The Switch commands for the dataTaker are listed by function and alphabetically in the following tables. These tables also indicate the default setting for each of the switches.

The particular function of each Switch command are also detailed and discussed in the relevant sections throughout this manual.

Description of the Switch Commands

The function and operation of each of the Switch commands is briefly described below, and where appropriate reference is made to sections elsewhere in this manual for further description of use.

/A ñ Alarms Display Switch

The display of alarm state and messages on the display panel is normally disabled (/a).

The state of individual alarms can be enabled using the List/Edit keys of the keypad, and display of the state all alarms can be enabled by /A (See Section III ñ Alarms).

/C ñ Channel Identifier Switch

Data returned to the host computer is normally prefixed with the channel number (/N) and channel type identifier (/C) to identify the source of the data. This switch only has effect if the Channel Number Switch is enabled.

The channel identifier can be disabled (/c) to reduce the length of the data string (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/D ñ Date Switch

The date or day number that channels are read or calculations performed can be automatically returned with real time and logged data (/D). The format is defined by Parameter31.

The date or day number is normally not returned with the real time or logged data (/d). (See Section III ñ  Real Time Clock).

Alphabetical Listing of the Switches

 

Switches			Default Setting
Enable	Disable	Function
/A	/a	Display alarm state and messages	/a
/C	/c	Return channel identification with data	/C
/D	/	Prefix date/day to returned and logged data	/d
/E	/e	Echo command characters	/E
/F	/f	Fix internal scan table and schedules	/f
/H	/h	Fixed format data mode	/h
/J	/j	Over range error carry	/J
/K	/k	Analog to digital converter autocalibration	/K
/L	/l	Return logger address with data	/l
/M	/m	Return warnings and error messages	/M
/N	/n	Return channel number with data	/N
/O	/o	Overwrite oldest data in data store	/o
/Q	/q	Programming from memory card	/Q
/R	/r	Return data to host computer in real time	/R
/S	/s	Synchronize schedules to real time	/S
/T	/t	Prefix time to returned and logged data	/t
/U	/u	Return units text with data	/U
/V	/v	Speaker control (Geologger)	/v
/W	/w	Return intermediate/working data	/w
/X	/x	Display progressive min and max	/x
/Y	/y	Priority for returning data	/y
/Z	/z	Return alarm messages	/Z
//		Set all switches to defaults

 

 

Functional Listing of the Switches

 

Switches			Default Setting
Enabled	Disabled	Function
Schedules
/F	/f	Fix internal scan table and schedules	/f
/S	/s	Synchronize schedules to real time	/S
/R	/r	Return data to host computer in real time	/R
/Y	/y	Priority for returning data	/y
Real Time Clock
/D	/d	Prefix date/day to returned and logged data	/d
/T	/t	Prefix time to returned and logged data	/t
Alarms
/A	/a	Display alarm state and messages	/a
/Z	/z	Return alarm messages	/Z
Communications
/E	/e	Echo command characters	/E
ADC Settings
/K	/k	Analog to digital converter autocalibration	/K
Data Logging
/O	/o	Overwrite oldest data in data store	/o
Memory Card Programming
/Q	/q	Programming from memory card	/Q
Format of Returned Data
/C	/c	Return channel identification with data	/C
/H	/h	Fixed format data mode	/h
/L	/l	Return logger address with data	/l
/M	/k	Analog to digital converter autocalibration	/M
/N	/n	Return channel number with data	/N
/U	/u	Return units text with data	/U
Miscellaneous
/J	/j	Over range error carry	/J
/V	/v	Speaker control (Geologger)	/v
/W	/w	Return intermediate/working data	/w
/X	/x	Display progressive min and max	/x
//

 

 

/E ñ Echo Switch

All commands received by the dataTaker are normally echoed back to the host computer (/E).

Echo can be disabled (/e) if required. Echoed commands can be used to determine if the commands are properly received (See Section III ñ Communication Protocols and Commands).

/F ñ Fix Channel Table Switch

When new Schedules are entered into the dataTaker, these normally replace or overwrite any existing schedules (/f), unless data has been logged for the original Schedule.

However existing Schedules can be protected by /F, preventing new schedules from being entered. Fixing the internal channel table prevents both triggers and schedule lists from being changed. (See Section III ñ Schedules)

/H ñ Data Format Mode Switch

Data is normally returned to the host computer in a user definable Free Format Mode (/h).

However a predefined Fixed Format Mode can be selected (/H), which provides a predictable dataTaker environment in which to operate (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/J ñ Over Range Error Carry Switch

When data from input channels is used in calculations, then any measurement errors which result in the input channel returning the universal error value of 99999.9 will also force the result of all subsequent calculations to 99999.9 (/J).

Forcing of the result of the calculation to 99999.9 can be disabled (/j), and the value 99999.9 is used in the calculation which will return a result based on this data (See Section III ñ Channel Variables and Calculations).

/K ñ Autocalibration Switch

The dataTaker normally checks its analog to digital converter against internal references before each scan, and if error limits are exceeded then the analog to digital converter is automatically reñcalibrated (/K).

Automatic calibration requires approximately 600mS to complete, and can be disabled (/k) to prevent gaps in data, particularly during rapid data acquisition (See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

/L ñ Logger Address Switch

Blocks of data returned to the host computer can be prefixed with the address of the logger(/L) to identify the origin of data.

The logger address is normally not returned with the blocks of data (/l) from the logger (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/M ñ Messages Switch

When the dataTaker encounters syntax errors in entered commands, or encounters error conditions while executing an application, the logger normally returns warning or error messages to the host computer (/M), depending on the severity of the condition.

Return of warning or error messages can be disabled (/m) to prevent these from disrupting host software, etc. (See Section III ñ Warning and Error Messages).

/N ñ Channel Number Switch

The data returned to the host computer is normally prefixed with the channel number (/N) and the channel type (/C) to identify the source of the data.

The channel number can be disabled (/n) to reduce the length of the data string (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/O ñ Overwrite Switch

The internal data memory or a memory card is normally managed as a data stack (/o), and data logging ceases when the memory is filled.

A circular buffer or overwrite mode can be selected (/O), for which the newest data progressively overwrites the oldest data after the data memory is filled. (See Section III ñ Logging Data to Memory)

/Q ñ Execute Card commands Switch

When memory cards containing commands or programs are inserted into the dataTaker, then the commands are normally downloaded and executed (/Q).

Automatic down loading and execution of memory card programs can be disabled (/q) to protect the current application (See Section III ñ Programming from Memory Cards).

/R ñ Return Data Switch

Data resulting from scanning input channels, executing calculations, etc. is normally returned to the host computer in real time (/R).

However this can be disabled (/r) if required (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/S ñ Synchronization Switch

Whenever Data Schedules and Alarm Schedules triggered by time are entered into the dataTaker, the first execution of the Schedule normally occurs on the next multiple of the trigger interval since last midnight (/S).

If synchronization is disabled (/s), then the first execution occurs at the end of the first trigger interval following entry of the Schedule (See Section III ñ General Schedule Commands).

/T ñ Time Switch

The time at which channels are read or calculations performed can be returned automatically with real time and logged data (/T).

The time is normally not automatically returned with the real time or logged data (/t). (See Section III ñ The Real Time Clock).

/U ñ Units Text Switch

Data returned to the host computer is normally suffixed with the units of measurement (/U) to identify the type of data.

The units can be disabled (/u) to reduce the length of the data string (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

/V ñ Speaker Switch

The Geologgers have a speaker and headphone jack for listening to the operation of vibrating wire sensors during fault diagnosis. Signal output to the speaker or headphones is selected by enabling the switch (/V).

The switch is normally disabled (/v) and there is no signal output to the speaker or headphones.

/W ñ Intermediate Data Switch

Channel Variables normally return the current value when assigned new values as channel options or from expressions. This can be prevented by the W channel option where Channel Variables are assigned values as part of internal calculations, use in alarms, etc.

The W channel option can be overñridden (/W) allowing intermediate or working data to be returned from Channel Variables for debugging purposes. The W channel option is not normally overñridden (/w) so that Channel Variables with the W channel option do not return data (See Section II ñ Channel Variables and Calculations).

/X ñ Max Min Display Switch

Whenever input channels are statistically scanned, the display of the maximum and minimum data on the display panel is normally updated at the Triggered Schedule interval when other statistical data is calculated (/x).

Display of the maximum and minimum data can be progressively updated at the Statistical SubñSchedule interval as the channels are scanned (/X). (See Section III ñ Statistical SubñSchedule).

/Y ñ Data Priority Switch

When data from input channels is returned to the host computer in real time and is logged to memory, then scanning of new data normally has priority over returning data for the previous scan (/y).

Priority for returning data for the previous scan can be selected over new scans (/Y). The scan rate will then be dictated by the format of data returned and the communications baud rate (See Section III ñ General Schedule Commands).

/Z ñ Alarm Messages Switch

When alarms with alarm messages test true, the message is normally returned to the host computer (/Z).

Return of alarm messages can be disabled (/z) to suit requirements of host software or modems (See Section III ñ Alarms).

Setting Switches from DeTransfer

The Switch commands are included in commands and programs sent from DeTransfer for example

Normally the Switches are set at the start of the program, however can be set at any time either in the program or by separate command after the program has been entered into the logger.

Setting Switches from DeLogger

DeLogger automatically manages all Switches which determine format of returned data, communications, etc. that directly affect the DeLogger / dataTaker interface.

DeLogger also provides the user opportunity to set some Switches in dialogs, for example the Memory Overwrite Switch can be set in the Settings tab of the Program Builder (see below).

However DeLogger does not provide direct support for managing Switches that change configurations of the logger but do not affect the DeLogger interface, for example the Switches which manage the display panel.

These Switches can be set as required by the user from the Program Builder. In the Program Builder click on the Settings tab, then right click on the Special Commands button and select Properties...The Initial Conditions dialog opens, and Switch commands can be entered into the Pre Schedule Initialization and Post Schedule Initialization input fields.

 

 

The Switch commands in the Pre Schedule Initialization field are sent to the logger before the program schedules, and the Switch commands in the Post Schedule Initialization input field are sent to the logger after the program schedules.

Switch commands can also be sent directly to the logger from the Entry Screen of the Text View, and by appropriately defined User buttons at the bottom of the Entry Screen.

 

 

 

Parameters provide a means for setting various system variables within the dataTaker, which configure the logger as required. Parameters and Switches (See Section III ñ Switch Commands) provide the bulk of the system configuration.

The Parameter commands however allow these system variables to be set to a value within a range, in contrast to the Switch commands which have only two possible values ñ enabled and disabled.

The Parameter commands can be used for either altering the value of the system variables directly, or to return the current settings of these system variables.

The general formats of the Parameter commands are as follows

To set a Parameter

Pn=value

To return a Parameter setting

Pn

where

n                 is the Parameter number
value            is the setting for the Parameter

The Parameter commands for the dataTaker are listed by function and numerically in the following tables. The tables also indicate the permissible range for each Parameter, and the default setting.

Parameters have a default setting, and are initialised to these during a power up, following a hardware reset, or when a RESET command is executed.

The purpose and function of each of the configurations set by the Parameter commands is detailed and discussed in the relevant sections elsewhere in this manual.

The Parameter commands can generally be changed at any time, producing an immediate effect. The exception is Parameter30 which must be set before any Data Schedules or Alarm Schedules are entered.

Setting of Parameters

Parameters are defined in the units indicated in brackets beside the description of each Parameter in the tables below. For example Parameter2 in the table below

2    Internal temperature trim (0.001°C)           ñ30000 to 30000           0°C

has units of 0.001°C. Therefore in this case to apply a +0.5°C trim to the internal temperature sensor, Parameter2 is set to 500.

Parameter settings can only be within the range specified for each Parameter in the tables below. If a setting is entered which is outside of the range for the Parameter, then an 'E8ñParameter read/set error' message is returned.

Several Parameters are read only, and cannot be set to values. These Parameters report the frequency of various errors associated with network and host communications, and the frequency of lost counts on the digital input channels.

 

Numerical Listing of Parameters

 

Parameter      Function		Permitted Values	Default Value
0	Calibration interval zero voltage (1 mV)	0 to 10000	4mV
1	2.5000V reference trim (10 mV)	ñ30000 to 30000	0
2	Internal temperature trim (0.001 °C)	ñ30000 to 30000	0°C
3	Reference resistor trim (1 mΩW)	ñ30000 to 30000	1mW
4	Lost count flag (read only)	Number errors	0
7	Network turn around time (13.75 mS)	0 to 30000	1(13.75mS)
9	Remote network errors (read only)	Number errors	0
10	ADC settling period (1 mS)	0 to 3000	10
11	Mains frequency (1 Hz)	48 to 1000	50/60Hz
12	Transmission errors (read only)	Number errors	0
13	Digital inputs sampling period (1 mS)	0, 10 to 100	50mS
14	Password timeout (1 Sec)	1 to 30000	300sec
15	Low power operation (mode)	0, 1 or 2	0
16	ADC warm up time after wake (100 mS)	1 to 255	1 (100mS)
17	Delay to low power after comms (1 Sec)	1 to 255	30 sec
18	Display auto scroll time (1 Sec)	1 to 255	2 sec
19	Status screens to display (bit map)	0 to 255	255
20	Wake schedules (bit map)	0 to 255	0
21	Return data to address number	0 to 128	128
22	Data delimiter character (ASCII)	1 to 127	13 (CR/LF)
23	Number of calibration cycles	1 to 10	3
24	Schedule delimiter character (ASCII)	1 to 127	13 (CR/LF)
25	Unload finished character (ASCII)	0 to 127	0
26	XOFF timeout before automatic XON (secs)	30	1 to 254
27	Input to counter 1HSC (mode)	0 to 3	0
30	Number of alarms permitted	0 to 110	20
31	Date Format	0,1 or 2	1 or 2
32	Number of significant digits returned	0 to 9	5
33	Fixed data item field width	0 to 80	0
36	Temperature units	0, 1, 2 or 3	0 (°C)
38	Decimal point character (ASCII)	0 to 127	46 (.)
39	Time format	0, 1 or 2	0
40	Time separator for HH:MM:SS (ASCII)	1 to 127	58 (:)

 

 

Functional Listing of Parameters

 

Parameter      Function		Permitted Values	Default Value
ADC Settings
0	Calibration interval zero voltage (1 mV)	0 to 10000	4mV
1	2.5000V reference trim (10 mV)	ñ30000 to 30000	0
2	Internal temperature trim (0.001 °C)	ñ30000 to 30000	0°C
3	Reference resistor trim (1 mΩW)	ñ30000 to 30000	1mW
10	ADC settling period (1 mS)	0 to 3000	10
11	Mains frequency (1 Hz)	48 to 1000	50/60Hz
23	Number of calibration cycles	1 to 10	3
Digital Channels
13	Digital inputs sampling period (1 mS)	0, 10 to 100	50mS
27	Input to counter 1HSC (mode)	0 to 3	0
Alarms
30	Number of alarms permitted	0 to 110	20
Power Mode
15	Low power operation (mode)	0, 1 or 2	0
16	ADC warm up time after wake (100 mS)	1 to 255	1 (100mS)
17	Delay to low power after comms (1 Sec)	1 to 255	30 sec
20	Wake schedules (bit map)	0 to 255	0
Data Format
22	Data delimiter character (ASCII)	1 to 127	13 (CR/LF)
24	Schedule delimiter character (ASCII)	1 to 127	13 (CR/LF)
25	Unload finished character (ASCII)	0 to 127	0
32	Number of significant digits returned	0 to 9	5
33	Fixed data item field width	0 to 80	0
36	Temperature units	0, 1, 2 or 3	0 (°C)
38	Decimal point character (ASCII)	0 to 127	46 (.)
Real Time Clock
31	Date Format	0,1 or 2	1 or 2
39	Time format	0, 1 or 2	0
40	Time separator for HH:MM:SS (ASCII)	1 to 127	58 (:)

 

Functional Listing of Parameters

 

Parameter      Function		Permitted Values	Default Value
Data Logging
25	Unload finished character (ASCII)	0 to 127	0
Display
18	Display auto scroll time (1 Sec)	1 to 255	2 sec
19	Status screens to display (bit map)	0 to 255	255
Network
7	Network turn around time (13.75 mS)	0 to 30000	1(13.75mS)
9	Remote network errors (read only)	Number errors	0
21	Return data to address number	0 to 128	128
Miscellaneous
4	Lost count flag (read only)	Number errors	0
12	Transmission errors (read only)	Number errors	0
14	Password timeout (1 Sec)	1 to 30000	300sec

 

Description of Parameter commands

The function and operation of each of the Parameter commands is briefly described below, and where appropriate reference is made to sections elsewhere in this manual for further description of use.

P0 ñ Calibration interval ñ zero voltage (1 µV)

Sets the allowable drift for the zero voltage reference before automatic recalibration occurs. The drift can be changed in increments of 1 µV, over the range of 0 to 100mV (See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

P1 ñ 2.5000V reference voltage trim (10 µV)

A software trim for the 2.5000V voltage reference for range calibration. This can be used to adjust the dataTaker accuracy when calibrating against an external standard reference voltage. The software trim is applied in increments of 10µV over the range of ±300mV
(See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

P2 ñ Internal temperature trim (0.001°C)

A software trim for the internal LM35 temperature sensor to adjust accuracy. This can be used to adjust internal thermocouple reference junction temperature compensation where a temperature gradient across the logger is suspected. The software trim is applied in increments of 0.001°C over the range of ±30°C (See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

P3 ñ Reference resistor trim (1 mOhm)

A software trim for the internal 100.0Ω ±0.1% reference resistor used for resistance range calibration. This can be used to adjust the dataTaker accuracy when calibrating the logger against an external standard resistance. The software trim is applied in increments of 1mΩOhm over the range of ±30Ω (See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

P4 ñ Lost count flag (read only)

This is a read only Parameter, for which any positive value will indicate that counts have been lost by the low speed counters. Loss of counts can occur if counts are received while the dataTaker is in sleep mode (See Section II ñ The Low Speed Counters).

P7 ñ Network turn around time (13.75 mS)

Sets the turn around time for the RS485 network. This normally does not have to be changed unless RS485 line drivers, modems, radios, etc. are used on the network to extend the networking distance. The turn around time is set in increments of 13.75mS over the range 0 to 412.5 Sec. A turn around time of 300mS for a radio is set by Parameter7=22 (See Section III ñ Network Commands).

P9 ñ Remote network errors (read only)

This is a read only Parameter, for which the value indicates the number of remote network errors that have occurred (See Section III ñ Network Commands).

P10 ñ ADC settling period (1 mS)

The time between the selection of an analog input channel and the beginning of the analog to digital conversion can be adjusted. This time sets the period during which sensors can settle after being selected. Changing the ADC settling period will affect the sampling rate of the dataTaker.

The ADC settling period is set in increments of 1mS, over the range of ±30 Sec. This Parameter can also be accessed as System Variable 7 (7SV) (See Section II ñ Analog Processing and Appendix E).

P11 ñ Mains Frequency (1 Hz)

The ADC sampling period can be set to improve rejection of local noise. The ADC sampling period is normally set to the local mains frequency (defined by the country DIP switch setting), however it can be set in increments of 1 Hz over the range of 48 to 1000Hz.

Increasing the mains frequency setting will in turn decrease the ADC sampling period, and increase the ADC sampling rate (See Section II ñ Analog Processing and Appendix E).

P12 ñ Transmission errors (read only)

This is a read only Parameter, for which the value indicates the number of transmission errors that have occurred in protocol mode communications (See Section III ñ Communications Protocol).

P13 ñ Digital input sampling period  (1 mS)

The sampling interval of the digital input channels (and keys of the display keypad) can be set, which determines the minimum detectable pulse width. Setting this Parameter to shorter periods will increase the sensitivity of the digital inputs, but decreases the overall performance of the logger because more time is spent sampling the digital inputs. Setting the Parameter13 to 0 disables digital inputs. (Section II ñ The Digital Input Channels).

P14 ñ Password timeout (1 Sec)

When a password is defined, the dataTaker will automatically SIGNOFF after this period following last communications. The password timeout period is set in increments of 1 Sec over the range of 1 to 30000 Secs. The default is 300 Secs or 5 minutes. (See Section II ñ The RS232 COMMS Port and Section III ñ Communications Protocols and Commands).

P15 ñ Low power operation

The mode for the dataTaker low power operation can be set as follows

P15=0         Automatic selection of low power mode based on battery current (Default)
P15=1         Force low power mode
P15=2         Force normal power mode

(See Section II ñ Powering the dataTaker).

P16 ñ ADC warm up time (100 mS)

The minimum time from wakeñup to the first analog to digital conversion to be defined. Changing this Parameter is usually only appropriate for sensors with long powerup settling times. The ADC warm up time is normally 100mS, and can be increased in increments of 100mS over the range of 0 to 25 Secs (See Section II ñ Analog Processing).

P17 ñ Delay to low power mode (1 Sec)

The delay period before the dataTaker enters low power mode following communication, external wake or keypad input, can be set. This delay is normally 30 Sec, and can be changed in increments of 1 Sec over the range of 0 to 255 Secs (See Section II ñ Powering the dataTaker).

P18 ñ Display auto scroll time (1 Sec)

Sets the time for display of each screen when the display is in auto scroll mode. The auto scroll time is normally 2 Secs, and can be set in the range of 0 to 255 Secs. (See Section III ñ Keypad and Display).

P19 ñ Status screens to display (bit map)

The status screens that are to be displayed on the display panel is set by a bit map.

By default Parameter19=255 and all status screens are enabled for display. Setting Parameter19=0 disables all status screens from the display (See Section III ñ Keypad and Display).

P20 ñ Wake Schedules (bit map)

A bit map or mask of the Schedules that cannot wake the dataTaker when they next trigger.

By default Parameter20=255 and all Schedules can wake the logger. Setting Parameter20=0 disables all of the Schedules from waking the logger (See Section II ñ Powering the dataTaker).

P21 ñ Return data to address number

The return address for all data and reports sent by a logger in a network is normally the logger from which commands are received. However this can be forced to an alternative address.

By default (P21=128) all data from a networked logger is returned to the RS232 port of the logger which issued the command. (See Section III ñ Network Commands).

P22 ñ Data delimiter character (ASCII)

Defines the ASCII character to delimit the data items in data blocks when units text is disabled (/u). The character can be any character in the range ASCII 1 to ASCII 127. The default is CR, to which a LF is automatically appended, and successive data items are on successive lines of a terminal or printer (See Section III ñ  Format of Returned Data).

P23 ñ Number of calibration cycles

Sets the number of calibration cycles to be performed during an autocalibration. This is a compromise between calibration speed and accuracy, and can be increased to a maximum of 10 cycles to reduce effects of local noise during autocalibration (See Section III ñ Analog Processing).

P24 ñ Scan delimiter character (ASCII)

Defines the ASCII character to delimit the successive data blocks when units text is disabled (/u). The character can be any character in the range ASCII 1 to ASCII 127.

The default is CR, to which a LF is automatically appended (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

P25 ñ Unload finished character (ASCII)

Defines the ASCII character which indicates the last item of data from the data storage memory. The character can be any character in the range of ASCII 1 to ASCII 127. The default is ASCII 0 and no character is returned (See Section III ñ  Returning Data from Memory and Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

P26 ñ XOFF Timeout

When the logger is XOFFed by a host computer, the logger will automatically restore the XON state after a period of time.

By default this period is 30 seconds, and can be set in the range of 1 to 254 seconds. Setting P26=0 disables the timeout, and setting P26=255 the logger ignore XOFFs.

P27 ñ Input to Counter 1HSC

The input for high speed counter 1HSC can be setup as follows

P27=0         input is from terminal C1, gate is permanently enabled
P27=1         input is from an internal 32768 Hz source, gate is signal on C1
P27=2         input is from terminal C1, gate is signal on C2
P27=3         input is from an internal 1024 Hz source, gate is permanently enabled

The default is P27=0 for counting external signals (See Section III ñ High Speed Counters).

P30 ñ Number of alarms permitted

Defines the maximum number of alarms that can be entered. The maximum number of alarms can be from 0 to 110, with the reverse being the maximum number of input channels and calculations that can be entered in Data Schedules. This Parameter MUST be set before any Alarms or Data Schedules are defined (See Section III ñ Alarms).

P31 ñ Date Format

P31=0         Day Number
P31=1         DD/MM/YYYY (default Rest of the World)
P31=2         MM/DD/YYYY (default North America)

(See Section III ñThe Real Time Clock).

P32 ñ Number significant digits returned

Sets the number of significant digits in data returned. By default all data is returned to a maximum of 5 significant digits, and can be set in the range of 1 to 9 significant digits (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data).

P33 ñ Fixed data item field width

Each item of data returned to the host computer may have a fixed field width capacity and may be set to between 1 and 80 characters. By default each item of data returned is of variable width, which is dependent on the magnitude of the signal read. The setting of Parameter 33 allows for fixing the number of characters returned with each data item.

Each data item is right justified and space padded. If the name or value is larger than the field width specified by the Parameter33 setting, then the  name or value is  truncated from the right. The $ string channel, Alarm messages, Test results and Status reports are not effected by the setting of Parameter33. (See Section III ñ Format of Returned Data)

P36 ñ Temperature units

The units of temperature for temperature data can be defined. The temperature units for data already stored in the data memory cannot be altered. The temperature units can be defined to be

P36=0         Deg C (Default)
P36=1         Deg F
P36=2         Deg K
P36=3         Deg R

(See Section II ñ Measuring Temperature).

P38 ñ Decimal point character (ASCII)

The character to be used as the decimal point in floating point data can be defined. Any ASCII character in the range of 1 to 127 is permitted, and the default is ASCII 46 (period).

P39 ñ Time Format

Defines the time format for returned and logged data as follows.

P39=0         HH:MM:SS (Default)
P39=1         Seconds
P39=2         Decimal hours

(See Section IIIñ The Real Time Clock).

P40 ñ Time separator character (ASCII)

The ASCII character used as the separator in the HH:MM:SS time format can be defined. Any ASCII character in the range of 1 to 127 is permitted, the default is ASCII 58 (colon). (See Section III ñ The Real Time Clock).

Setting Parameters from DeTransfer

The Parameter commands are included in commands and programs sent from DeTransfer for example

Normally the Parameters are set at the start of the program, however can be set at any time either in the program or by separate command after the program has been entered into the logger.

Setting Switches from DeLogger

DeLogger automatically manages all Parameters which determine the format of returned data, the logger communications, etc. that directly affect the DeLogger / dataTaker interface.

DeLogger does not provide direct support for managing Parameters that change configurations of the logger but do not affect the DeLogger interface, for example the Parameters which manage the analog to digital converter.

These Parameters can be set as required by the user from the Program Builder. In the Program Builder click on the Settings tab, then right click on the Special Commands button and select Properties...The Initial Conditions dialog opens, and Parameter commands can be entered into the Pre Schedule Initialization and Post Schedule Initialization input fields.

 

 

The Parameter commands in the Pre Schedule Initialization field are sent to the logger before the program schedules, and the Parameter commands in the Post Schedule Initialization input field are sent to the logger after the program schedules.

Parameter commands can also be sent directly to the logger from the Entry Screen of the Text View, and by appropriately defined User buttons at the bottom of the Entry Screen.