Acumen SDR2-USB User Manual

ACUMEN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
DataBridge™ SDR2-USB
Configuration Guide
revision 1.0 • 04/2009
Copyright
This document is copyrighted by Acumen Instruments Corporation with all rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of Acumen Instruments Corporation.
Disclaimer
This manual has been thoroughly reviewed for accuracy, and every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and complete. However, different versions of this product have different features and capabilities, and this manual only reflects one of those versions. Therefore, Acumen Instruments Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or defects in this material, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from their use.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
A
CUMEN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO
THIS DOCUMENT IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY
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SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..................................................................... 5
1.1 Overview ................................................................................................. 5
1.2 Before you start ...................................................................................... 6
1.3 A quick guide to the DataBridge SDR2-USB .......................................... 6
1.4 Deploying the DataBridge SDR2-USB .................................................... 7
1.4.1Connecting power to your SDR2-USB .................................................... 7
1.4.2Configuring your SDR2-USB via the setup file........................................ 7
1.4.3Congratulations!...................................................................................... 8
2. Configuring the DataBridge SDR2-USB ............................... 9
2.1 Comments ............................................................................................ 10
2.2 Setting date and time ............................................................................ 10
Step 1: Edit setup.txt .......................................................................... 10
Step 2: Insert USB storage device and apply power .......................... 11
Step 3: Synchronize the SDR2-USB clock ......................................... 11
Step 4: Re-edit setup.txt .................................................................... 11
2.3 Configuring the data port ...................................................................... 11
2.4 Specifying a filename and folder ........................................................... 12
Notes about filenames ....................................................................... 12
2.5 Configuring file creation behavior ......................................................... 13
2.6 Adding time stamps to recorded files .................................................... 13
2.7 Testing your configuration .................................................................... 14
3. Operations .......................................................................... 15
3.1 Setup file reading .................................................................................. 15
3.2 Record mode operation ........................................................................ 15
3.2.1Receiving data ...................................................................................... 15
3.2.2Stopping recording ............................................................................... 16
3.2.3Power failure and improper shutdowns ................................................. 16
3.2.4Full storage media ................................................................................ 16
3.2.5Formatting the storage media ............................................................... 17
3.2.6Partitions............................................................................................... 17
3.3 Resetting to factory defaults ................................................................. 18
3.4 Lithium battery maintenance ................................................................. 18
4. Setup File Reference .......................................................... 19
4.1.1Initial Setup Commands ........................................................................ 19
4.1.2Data Port Setup Commands ................................................................. 20
4.1.3Recording Behavior Commands ........................................................... 20
4.1.4Scheduled File Closing Commands ...................................................... 21
4.1.5Time Stamping Commands .................................................................. 21
4.1.6Other Commands ................................................................................. 22
5. J4 Remote Control Port ...................................................... 23
5.1 Overview ............................................................................................... 23
5.2 Location ................................................................................................ 23
5.3 Functions .............................................................................................. 24
5.4 Pinout and Mating Cable ...................................................................... 24
5.5 Force-Record Shunt Installation ........................................................... 25
Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
6. Service and Support ........................................................... 27
6.1 Exception Codes .................................................................................. 27
Exception 2: Root Directory Full ........................................................ 27
Exception 3: Disk Full ........................................................................ 27
Exception 4: Bad Boot Record .......................................................... 28
Exception 5: Hardware Error ............................................................. 28
Exception 6: EEPROM Error ............................................................. 28
Exception 7: Cache Error .................................................................. 28
Exception 8: Buffer Error (firmware error) .......................................... 28
Exception 9: Tasking Error (firmware error) ....................................... 28
Exception 10: USB Error ................................................................... 28
Exception 11: Directory Creation Error .............................................. 28
Exception 12: FAT12 File System Detected ...................................... 28
6.2 Contacting Acumen Instruments Corporation ....................................... 29
6.2.1Technical support ................................................................................. 29
6.2.2U.S. Mail ............................................................................................... 29
6.2.3E-mail ................................................................................................... 29
6.2.4World Wide Web .................................................................................. 29
6.3 Returning Equipment ............................................................................ 29
6.4 Warranty ............................................................................................... 30
6.4.1One year warranty ................................................................................ 30
6.4.2Exclusions ............................................................................................ 30
6.4.3Limitations ............................................................................................ 30
A. Serial Port Basics ............................................................... 31
A.1 Serial specifications .............................................................................. 31
A.2 Data rates ............................................................................................. 31
A.2.1Data rates and the UART ..................................................................... 32
A.3 More asynchronous serial parameters ................................................. 32
A.3.2DTE and DCE ...................................................................................... 33
A.3.3Handshaking ........................................................................................ 34
A.3.4Voltage levels ....................................................................................... 34
B. Specifications ..................................................................... 37
B.1 Electrical specifications ........................................................................ 37
B.1.5J7 rear power receptacle pin configuration ........................................... 37
B.1.6J1 power receptacle pin configuration .................................................. 38
B.2 Serial communications ......................................................................... 38
B.3 USB socket .......................................................................................... 38
B.4 Mechanical Specifications .................................................................... 38
SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
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1. Getting Started
1.1 Overview
DataBridge SDR2-USB serial data recorders record RS-232 serial data to industry-standard mass storage using an Microsoft Windows™-compatible FAT file format. The SDR2-USB is equipped with a USB 2.0 socket and is designed for use with USB storage media such as USB flash memory keys.
During Record mode, the SDR2-USB’s data port accepts RS-232 serial data from your data source. The SDR2-USB data port supports baud rates up to 921600 bps and RTS/CTS hardware handshaking for reliable high-speed communication. Your SDR2-USB is also equipped with a real-time clock, power-saving features, non-volatile memory, and a resume-on-power failure feature. The SDR2-USB features a one-button front panel user interface that starts and stops recording.
SDR2-USB configuration is performed by editing a setup file on the USB storage device.
NOTE: The data source is a device that
transmits serial data for use by a computer, printer, or data logger.
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Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
1.2 Before you start
Before you start, be sure you have the following items available:
DataBridge SDR2-USB
A 5-30VDC power supply
RS-232 DB9 serial cable
The device you wish to record from (serial data source)
1.3 A quick guide to the DataBridge SDR2-USB
On the front of the SDR2-USB are the USB "A" socket, record button, and LED indicators. The SDR2-USB can be toggled in and out of record mode using the record button located on the front panel. The LED indicators show the SDR2-USB’s current recording status. The data indicator flashes when data is received and is used to verify data reception from your data source.
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Record Button
Fault Indicator
Data Indicator
Figure 1.1. SDR2-USB Front Panel Controls.
Power Indicator
Record Indicator
SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
On the rear is the male nine-pin D-subminiature connector (DB9M) for the data port. The 5 to 30 VDC power input is also located on the rear panel.
From serial data source
5 to 30 VDC Power
Figure 1.2. SDR2-USB Rear Panel.
1.4 Deploying the DataBridge SDR2-USB
1.4.1 Connecting power to your SDR2-USB
The SDR2-USB starter kit includes a 120VAC power supply that connects via the rear panel. If you use an alternate power source, it should be capable of sourcing at least 1W power. When you apply power the power indicator should light and the other indicators should flash in sequence.
1.4.2 Configuring your SDR2-USB via the setup file
To successfully receive data from your data source, the SDR2-USB must know at which baud rate the data source is transmitting. Configure the recorder for this baud rate using the setup file.
Insert the USB device you intend to use for recording into your PC’s USB socket. Usually, Windows will respond by displaying the contents of the device. If this doesn’t occur, navigate to the device’s drive letter (e.g. J:).
Right-click within your drive’s contents in Windows Explorer, then select “New” and “Text Document.” When prompted, name the file setup.txt (See Figure 1.3).
NOTE: Your computer’s Windows installation may display different drive letters, file types, etc. due to differences in Windows versions, configurations, and software installations.
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Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
Figure 1.3. Creating setup.txt.
Once the file is created, double-click it to open the file in Windows Notepad and enter “DataPortBaud=9600” as shown in Figure 1.4. This tells the SDR2-USB to communicate with your data source at 9600 baud. The baud rate for your serial data source may differ from 9600 bps.
Figure 1.4. Editing a simple setup.txt file.
Close Windows Notepad, then right-click the USB device’s drive letter and click “Eject” to safely remove the device from your system.
Insert the USB device into the SDR2-USB, connect your serial data source to the DB9M connector, and connect power. The SDR2-USB will display a left-to-right-to-left flashing sequence. If your data source is outputting data, the front panel “data” indicator will flash as data arrives.
1.4.3 Congratulations!
You’ve set up the SDR2-USB to communicate with your device!
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SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Configuring the DataBridge SDR2-USB
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Now that you’ve successfully edited the SDR2-USB’s setup.txt file, you are ready to configure it for use with your serial data source. Using the setup file, you can:
Set the date and time.
Configure handshaking and data word format for your device.
Specify a directory to record files to.
Specify a filename for recording.
Select how and when data is written to files.
Add time stamps to recorded files.
Before you begin, be sure you have the documentation available for the device you’ll connect to your SDR2-USB. If possible, be sure you can communicate with the data source using the supplied software and/or your communications software. An intimate knowledge of your data source's communications standards will make connecting it to the SDR2-USB simple.
2. Configuring the
DataBridge
SDR2-USB
Note: all SDR2-USB settings are persistent. Changes made via the setup file will be retained by the recorder after power is removed and until they are reversed in the setup file or the recorder is restored to factory defaults (see Section 3.4).
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Configuring the DataBridge SDR2-USB SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
2.1 Comments
Within the setup.txt file, it is useful to record comments documenting the settings chosen and why some configuration choices were made. Comments are also useful for temporarily disabling setting(s) for the purposes of testing multiple settings.
Figure 2.1. Use of comments to switch between GPS
receivers.
To create a comment line in the setup file, place to forward slashes (“//”) at the beginning of a line. The SDR2-USB will completely ignore any line that begins with //. To disable a particular line temporarily, insert // at the beginning of the line.
2.2 Setting date and time
The SDR2-USB features a real-time clock that reports a file’s last modified date and time. The real-time clock accurate and battery-backed, so setting the date and time is seldom necessary.
Unlike DataBridge SDR products equipped with a configuration port, setting the SDR2-USB’s date and time is a four-step process.
Step 1: Edit setup.txt
Add CurrentDate= and CurrentTime= lines to the setup file (see Figure 2.2) with a time value 1-2 minutes ahead of the current time. The year field must be specified using 4 digits, while all other fields must be specified using 2 digits. Date is specified in YYYY/MM/DD format, and time is entered using 24-hour format. Take note of this time for use in step 3.
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SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Configuring the DataBridge SDR2-USB
Figure 2.2. Setting date and time.
Step 2: Insert USB storage device and apply power
Eject the USB storage device and remove it from the computer. Insert the USB device into the SDR2-USB, and connect power. The SDR2-USB will display its usual flashing pattern, then read the setup file and turn on all 4 front-panel LED indicators. If precise setting is desired, monitor a stopwatch or computer clock.
Step 3: Synchronize the SDR2-USB clock
When the stopwatch or computer clock reaches the time specified in step 1, press the record button on the front panel. The SDR2-USB will the operate normally.
Step 4: Re-edit setup.txt
Remove the USB storage device from the SDR2-USB and edit the setup file using Windows Notepad on the PC. Disable the CurrentDate= and CurrentTime= lines by inserting
// characters before them. These lines can
also be deleted if date/time setting will not be performed again.
2.3 Configuring the data port
Before the SDR2-USB and your data source can communicate, they must interact at the same data rate and using the same data format.
The SDR2-USB's data port is, by default, configured to communicate at 115200 bps.
If your data source can communicate at 115200 bps (also referred to as 115200 baud), it may be easiest to configure it for 115200 bps. For devices with a fixed data rate, you will need to set the SDR2-USB's data port baud rate to match your data source. You may also wish to choose a higher data rate and hardware handshaking if your data source sends a high volume of data.
NOTE: By default, the SDR2-USB uses a serial data format of eight data bits, no parity, and one stop bit (8N1). Most serial devices use this format.
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