Spectra - Version 1 -Program Software for Data Display and Logging

Ports

• The Port Numbers are loaded automatically with available ports OR with the last saved configuration. Clicking Reload will close all connections and reload the available ports in all 3.
• All ports are pre- configured for 9600 8-N-1.

Connect & Indicators

• The Connect button will attempt to open all selected ports.
• Any connections that could not be opened will sound an alarm (bell), keep the indicator red, and log an error to the daily error file contained in the data directory.
• Opened connections will turn the indicators green.
• Arriving data on the respective port will turn the indicator yellow for a moment.

Data Errors

• Data errors, such as framing errors, will turn the indicator red for a moment, sound the bell, and log an entry to the daily error file contained in the data directory.
• After 3 consecutive packet errors, that port`s input is flushed and the unprocessed data for the port is cleared.

Timeout Error

• Should data not arrive within 35 minutes on an open port, the respective plot`s Signal information textbox will turn red (background) and the date/time of the last data will be shown as the message.
• An alarm will sound every 5 seconds.
• Changing/reconnecting to port number will clear the alarm for another 35 minutes. The box will go black again, and arriving data will clear the message.

Reset Data

• Reset Data button will reset the plots, the MIN/MAX/AVG, and reset the start time of data acquisition for the daily report.

Logging

• File name root allows the user to select a root name for the configuration which will be used in all files created. Use no commas, slashes or other non-standard filename characters in the names.
• Log Data to File
  1. When ON (Green), raw incoming data will be saved to respective data files.
  2. A new summary line of the day`s values will be saved to the running summary within seconds of midnight.
  3. A daily text report will be generated and saved within seconds of midnight. The time of starting data collection is reset. The MIN/MAX/AVG is reset for the day.
• Open Data Log Folder will open the folder containing the raw data files.
• Open Running Summary will open the line-entry file (#2 above). This file is maintained in the "Reports" folder.
• Generate/Open Report will generate a new text report of tracked data, saved to the "Reports" folder, and opened in NotePad. The time of starting data collection is NOT reset nor are MIN/MAX/AVG.
• Save Screen Image generates a JPG file of the screen as seen (snapshot).
• Open Image Folder opens the snapshots folder for review.

Save Settings

• Save Settings will store to the computer`s registry the current values for port numbers, state of log data button, file name root, hours, and plot Y-min/max settings. These values are reloaded when DataView is re-opened.

Hours

• Selects the number of hours to plot. Enter a value and either TAB off or hit enter.

Plot Y-Values

• Selects the number of Y-axis span to plot. Enter a value and either TAB off or hit enter.

Plots

• Click a plot to show that plot in large-view.

Information Text

• Top text box shows species, concentration values and statistics.
• Bottom shows the signal level, distance (path length), statistics, and status.
  • Should the status not be OK (0x00000001), the text will turn red, until OK, then will turn Black.
    Other status:
    NONE
    LOW
    HIGH
    H/L (erratic - High and low)
    FULL (Spectra-1 log full)
  • This status box is also used for timeout error indication (see above)

Signal %

• Graphically shows the signal level with color indicator:
  • >90 %, Yellow
  • 10% - 90%, Green
  • <10%, Red

Plotted Data Discussion

A plot is redrawn when either:

• The DataView window is resized.
• The time reaches the X-maximum, at which point it will shift back 75%
• The time or Y-Axis values are changed.

Due to the time involved to redraw all stored data, only the last 6000 points are kept in memory. This allows a redraw in several seconds. For each reading received, 2 points are saved. Based on this, the total time maintained in memory can be found by (assuming all Specta-1`s are set for same time averaging):
Number of hours = 6000 * averaging time / 2 data points each / 3 units / 60 seconds / 60 minutes.

So, if 3 units send data every 1 second: 6000 x 1s /2 /3 /60 /60 = 0.278 Hours

Or, averaging time x .278 hours (based on 3 units, equal averaging times)

On a plot redraw, this is the maximum time that of old data that will be redrawn