DATAQ Windaq User Manual

The way PC-based instrumentation should be

WINDAQ Acquisition

Waveform Recording Software

WINDAQ Waveform Browser

Playback and Analysis Software

ActiveX Controls and XControls

Software Modules

User's Manual

Manual Revision M

Copyright © 2015 by DATAQ Instruments, Inc. The Information contained herein is the exclusive property of
DATAQ Instruments, Inc., except as otherwise indicated and shall not be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored
in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise without expressed written authorization from the com­pany. The distribution of this material outside the company may occur only as authorized by the company in writing.

DATAQ Instruments' hardware and software products are not designed to be used in the diagnosis and treatment of
humans, nor are they to be used as critical components in any life-support systems whose failure to perform can rea­sonably be expected to cause significant injury to humans.

DATAQ, the DATAQ logo, and WINDAQ are registered trademarks of DATAQ Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

241 Springside Dr.

Akron, Ohio 44333 U.S.A.

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Designed and manufactured in the

United States of America

Software License Agreement

NOTE

DATAQ Instruments' hardware and software products are NOT designed to be used in the diagnosis and
treatment of humans, nor are they to be used as critical components in any life-support systems whose failure
to perform can reasonably be expected to cause significant injury to humans.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

(SINGLE-USER PRODUCTS)

THIS IS A LICENSE AGREEMENT AND NOT AN AGREEMENT FOR SALE. A LICENSE AGREEMENT IS A
LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU, THE END USER, AND DATAQ INSTRUMENTS, INC. PLEASE
READ THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE OPENING THIS SEALED PACKAGE, OR
ACCEPTING ITS TERMS ELECTRONICALLY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDI­TIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT, PROMPTLY RETURN THE PACKAGE UNOPENED AND YOUR
MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED, OR IF DELIVERED ELECTRONICALLY PRESS THE "DO NOT ACCEPT
AND STOP" BUTTON.

1. This software package is protected by federal copyright law and international treaty.

2. By law, you, the end user, may do the following: a) make a copy of the software solely for backup or archival pur­poses, or other copies only in accordance with item (4) below.

3. Federal copyright law prohibits you from making any other copy of the software for any other reason without our
permission. Federal copyright law also prohibits you from copying the written materials accompanying the software
without first obtaining our permission.

4. You may install our WinDaq data acquisition software on multiple computers, provided that one software license
has been purchased (or granted) for each DATAQ Instruments hardware unit that is to be used with the software. For
example, the purchase of one hardware unit and one software unit allows you to install the software on as many com­puters as desired. But if a second unit is purchased, that unit cannot be used with the original license installed on any
computer unless a second license is also purchased. To do otherwise is a violation of this License Agreement. This
restriction does not include licenses for WinDaq Waveform Browser (playback) software, which are free.

5. If the software is a library product, then you have a royalty-free right to reproduce executable files created using
the software.

6. You may not alter, modify or adapt the software or accompanying materials. In addition, you may not translate,
decompile, disassemble or reverse engineer the software. You also may not create any derivative works based on this
software. A derivative work is defined as a translation or other form in which the software may be recast, transformed
or adapted.

LIMITED WARRANTY

DATAQ Instruments, Inc. warrants that this program will perform in substantial compliance with the published spec­ifications and documentation supplied in this package, provided it is used on the computer hardware and with the
operating system for which it was designed. This warranty is limited to a period of 90 days from the date of the orig­inal purchase.

If you report a significant defect in performance, in writing within 90 days of purchase, DATAQ Instruments will
attempt to correct it or, at its option, authorize a refund of your license fee.

DATAQ Instruments warrants that the original disks and documentation are free from defects in material and work­manship, assuming normal use, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. If a defect occurs during this
period, you may return the faulty disk or documentation, along with a dated proof of purchase, and DATAQ Instru­ments will replace it free of charge.

Except as specifically provided above, DATAQ Instruments makes no other warranty or representation, either express
or implied, with respect to this software, the disks or documentation, including their quality, merchantability, or fit­ness for a particular purpose. In no event will DATAQ Instruments be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the software or documentation, even if DATAQ
Instruments has been advised of the possibility of such damages. The warranties and remedies set forth above are
exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied.

DATAQ Instruments is not responsible for any costs including, but not limited to, those incurred as a result of lost
profits or revenue, loss of time or use of the software, loss of data, the costs of recovering such software or data, the
cost of substitute software, claims by third parties, of other similar costs. In no case will DATAQ Instruments' liability
exceed the amount of the license fee. The warranties provided give you specific legal rights. You may have other
rights which vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages,
or the limitation of how long an implied warranty lasts, so some of the above may not apply to you.

DATAQ Instruments retains title to and ownership of the software. DATAQ Instruments retains all rights not
expressly granted. Nothing in this License Agreement constitutes a waiver of DATAQ Instruments' rights under the
U.S. copyright laws or any other Federal or State law. DATAQ Instruments or its designee has the right to audit your
computer and software usage to determine whether any unauthorized copies of this program have been made. Any
authorized copy of the software covered by this Agreement, including authorized backup copies if any, must include
DATAQ Instruments' copyright and trademark notices.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

The software covered by this Agreement and documentation thereto are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use,
duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(l)(ii) of the
Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 52.227-7013. The manufacturer of this software and doc­umentation thereto is DATAQ Instruments, Inc.; 241 Springside Drive; Akron, Ohio 44333; [phone].

This Agreement is governed by the State of Ohio in the United States of America.

If you have any questions about this License Agreement, write to: DATAQ Instruments, Inc.; 241 Springside Drive;
Akron, Ohio 44333.

WINDAQ Software User’s Manual

Table of Contents

Software License Agreement ................................................................................................................. iii

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... v

1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1

WinDaq Software .............................................................................................................................. 1

Help Files .................................................................................................................................... 1

Multimedia Demonstration Videos ............................................................................................. 3

Conventions Used in the Documentation .......................................................................................... 3

General Conventions ................................................................................................................... 3

Mouse Conventions ..................................................................................................................... 3

WinDaq Operating Modes ................................................................................................................. 3

2. Getting Started .................................................................................................................................. 5

3. WinDaq Data Acquisition ................................................................................................................. 7

Help Files ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Fast Start ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Step 1 Enabling Channels for Acquisition .................................................................................. 7

DI-145 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit .......................................................................... 7

All Other DATAQ Instruments Product ............................................................................... 8

Enabling/disabling a channel .............................................................................. 9

Enabling/disabling a differential channel ........................................................... 9

Enabling a digital input channel ......................................................................... 9

Channel Selection Notes ....................................................................................................... 10

Step 2 Viewing Enabled Channels .............................................................................................. 10

Step 3 Specifying a Sample Rate ................................................................................................ 12

DI-149 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit ............................................................................ 12

All Other Products ................................................................................................................ 13

WinDaq/Pro+ ........................................................................................................................ 13

Step 4 Specifying Gain and Measurement Range ....................................................................... 14

Step 5 Converting Volts to Engineering Units ............................................................................ 15

Step 6 Recording Waveforms to Disk ......................................................................................... 17

Additional Data Acquisition Features ............................................................................................... 20

Event Markers ............................................................................................................................. 20

Triggered Sweep Display ............................................................................................................ 20

Triggered Mode (as supported by your hardware) ...................................................................... 20

Reference Files ............................................................................................................................ 20

User Annotation .......................................................................................................................... 20

4. WinDaq Waveform Browser ............................................................................................................ 21

Help Files ........................................................................................................................................... 21

Fast Start ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Step 1 Moving Around in the Data File ...................................................................................... 21

Moving Coarsely Through the Data File with the Scroll Bar .............................................. 21

Moving to a Single Point Using the Cursor .......................................................................... 22

Step 2 Time and Date Display .................................................................................................... 22

Start Time ............................................................................................................................. 22

End Time .............................................................................................................................. 23

Cursor Time .......................................................................................................................... 23

Time/Division ....................................................................................................................... 23

Step 3 Making Waveform Measurements with the Cursor ......................................................... 23

Selecting a Channel .............................................................................................................. 23

The Data Cursor ................................................................................................................... 23

Moving the Cursor to the highest peak ................................................................................. 24

Moving the Cursor to the lowest valley ............................................................................... 24

Moving the Cursor to the Center of the Screen .................................................................... 25

Step 4 Getting a Bird’s Eye View of All the Data or a Portion of the Data ............................... 25

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Compressing all Data ............................................................................................................ 25

Compressing to a Ratio ......................................................................................................... 25

Cursor Mode Control (Mid/Min/Max/MxMn) for compressed displays ............................. 25

Step 5 Making Statistics Measurements ..................................................................................... 25

Step 6 Exporting to Excel ........................................................................................................... 27

Additional Playback Features ............................................................................................................ 32

X-Y plotting ................................................................................................................................ 32

FFT and DFT utilities .................................................................................................................. 32

Event Markers ............................................................................................................................. 32

5. ActiveX Controls ............................................................................................................................... 33

Help Files ........................................................................................................................................... 33

Accessing ActiveX Controls .............................................................................................................. 33

DataqFile ............................................................................................................................................ 34

WriteDataqFile ............................................................................................................................ 34

ReadDataqFile ............................................................................................................................. 35

DataqSDK .......................................................................................................................................... 35

DataqSerial (Obsolete) ....................................................................................................................... 35

DQChart ............................................................................................................................................. 36

WinDaq .............................................................................................................................................. 36

6. XControls Software Option .............................................................................................................. 37

Installing XControl Software ............................................................................................................. 37

Using XControls with WinDaq/XL ................................................................................................... 37

Step One: ..................................................................................................................................... 38

Step Two: .................................................................................................................................... 39

Step Three: .................................................................................................................................. 39

Step Four: .................................................................................................................................... 41

XControls Documentation ................................................................................................................. 41

Index ........................................................................................................................................................ 43

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1. Introduction

This manual contains information designed to familiarize you with and provide a “Fast Start” for WINDAQ waveform
recording software, WINDAQ Waveform Browser playback and analysis software, ActiveX Controls, and XControls
Software Option. For a complete and detailed description of each function contained in WINDAQ software please use
the Help Files.

WINDAQ Software

Use WINDAQ software with any DATAQ Instruments hardware product. The WINDAQ software package contains
both recording and playback software. The recording software allows you to record waveforms directly and continu­ously to disk while monitoring a real time display of the waveforms on your computer screen.

WINDAQ/Lite Recording Software limits maximum throughput to 240 Hz when in RECORD mode. WINDAQ/Pro
Recording Software features a sample rate limited only by the maximum sample rate of the hardware. In addition to
WINDAQ/Pro's features, WINDAQ/Pro+ Recording Software allows you to tailor sample different channels at differ-
ent rates by entering a sample rate divisor value (1 to 255) for each channel.

WINDAQ Waveform Browser playback software allows you to review, measure, analyze, compress, cut-and-paste,
export/import, and otherwise manipulate the recorded waveform information.

Help Files

Click an item in the Help menu or use the context-sensitive help feature encoded into the software to access the Help
Files. The Help menu provides links to specific Help Topics. For example, clicking on Mouse in the Help menu will
take you to the portion of the help file regarding Mouse operations. Highlight a menu item and press F1 to utilize the
context-sensitive help feature. The Help File will open to the page most relevant to that menu item, its functionality,
and activating procedure.

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Help Files contain 3 basic window panes. The Options pane gives printing options, browser functionality, and some
helpful links to our web site. The Contents pane has three tabs - the Contents, Index, and Search Tabs. These tabs
provide an easy way to find exactly the help information you need. The Main pane shows the main text and also pro­vides browsing functionality to the help file. Click on the Next and Previous links to browse through the Help File
comparable to paging through a book.

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Multimedia Demonstration Videos

The icon shown below indicates the availability of a Multimedia Demonstration Video on the internet via YouTube
or in the help files for that particular subject. Click on the icon to view the Demo (internet connection required) or
open the Help Files to view any of the WINDAQ Software Demonstration Videos..

Video Icon

Click to view Demo

Conventions Used in the Documentation

Before using WINDAQ software, please read this section to understand some of the terms and notational conventions
used here and in the Help Files.

General Conventions

Commands you choose are given with the menu name preceding the command name. For example, the phrase
“Choose File Open” tells you to choose the Open command from the File menu. This naming convention describes
the sequence you follow in choosing a command - first you select the menu, then you choose the command.

Mouse Conventions

In general, most mouse actions require only the left mouse button. For example, carrying out a menu command or
working in a dialog box requires only the left mouse button. Since the majority of mouse procedures are done with
the left mouse button, we will not specify which mouse button to click, drag, or double-click in the procedure unless
the action uses the RIGHT mouse button. For example, “Double-click the right mouse button anywhere in the bottom
annotation line to move the cursor to the lowest displayed waveform valley.”

• “Point” means to position the mouse pointer until the tip of the pointer rests on what you want to point to on
the screen. For example, “Point to the View menu.”

• “Click” means to press and immediately release the mouse button without moving the mouse. For example,
“To display the menu that contains the command you want, click the menu name in the menu bar.”

• “Double-click” means to click the mouse button twice in rapid succession. For example, “Double-click the
icon to start the program.”

• “Drag” means to press the mouse button and hold it down while you move the mouse; then release the but­ton. For example, “Drag down to Data Cursor to enabled the cursor for on-screen display.”

WINDAQ Operating Modes

WINDAQ waveform recording software has three operating modes: Setup, Record, and Standby. Each operating mode
shares many features with the other two, but specific modes may restrict features or disable some functions alto­gether.

WINDAQ Recording Software starts in the SET UP operating mode. In SET UP mode you can configure data acquisi­tion parameters—such as the number of acquired channels, channel gain, and channel offset—and customize the real
time display. SET UP operating mode provides access to most data acquisition functions and adjustments including
control of the real time display screen's scaling and offset functions. The SET UP mode displays data in real time but
does not store data to disk. This mode limits sample rate only by the capabilities of the hardware. In other words, you

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can sample as fast as your instrument will allow. When in this mode, the Status: area of the bottom annotation line
displays SET-UP.

The RECORD operating mode stores, or streams, data to disk. Activate the RECORD mode by selecting Record from
the File menu. You can use all waveform recording features and functions (with some restrictions) while in the
RECORD mode except the following: Channel-specific operations (i.e., channel number, gain, offset) and sample
rate adjustments. Waveform information continuously streams to disk while the real time display remains active.
RECORD mode limits sample rate to 240 Hz maximum throughput when using WINDAQ/Lite but does not limit the
sample rate when using WINDAQ/Pro or Pro+ (limit determined by hardware). When in RECORD mode, the Status:
area of the bottom annotation line displays RECORD.

Use the STANDBY operating mode to temporarily suspend (pause) waveform recording to disk. Select Stop in the
File menu to enter STANDBY mode. You can use all waveform recording features and functions except channel-spe­cific operations (i.e., channel number, offset, etc.) and sample rate adjustments. The STANDBY mode displays data
in real time while waveform recording to disk has been stopped. When in this mode, the Status: area of the bottom
annotation line displays STBY. Start and stop as many times as desired during a data acquisition session.

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2. Getting Started

The following items are included with each instrument purchase. Verify that you have the following:

• Your DATAQ Instruments, Inc. hardware device.

• Appropriate communications cables (this will vary according to the instrument you purchased).

• The DATAQ Instruments Resource CD-ROM (if provided - some devices do not come with a CD).

• This user's manual, which documents WINDAQ Software.

Call DATAQ Instruments at 330-668-1444 to report missing or damaged items—we will guide you through the
appropriate steps for replacing them. Save the original packing material in the unlikely event that your unit must, for
any reason, be sent back to DATAQ Instruments, Inc.

Refer to your hardware documentation for hardware and software installation instructions. Once installed, connect
input signals as described in your hardware manual.

Once everything is installed and connected start WinDaq Acquisition software. A real-time display of signals dis­plays on your screen.

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3. WINDAQ Data Acquisition

WINDAQ Data Acquisition Software acquires, displays, and records waveform data. Before running the software, you
must correctly install all hardware and software components and connect your signals. Follow the basic steps pre­sented in this chapter for a fast start to your first data acquisition session. These fast start steps outline the condensed
procedure for recording waveforms to disk. You will perform most of these functions every time you record with
WINDAQ Acquisition.

Help Files

For a complete description of all software functions, see the context-sensitive Help Files. To access the context sensi­tive help either highlight a menu item and press F1 (this will take you directly to help regarding that menu item) or go
to the Help menu and click on Contents. The Help Files elaborate and detail the functions in this Chapter and contain
detailed descriptions of each additional function available in WINDAQ Acquisition Software. After you have become
familiar with the functions described here, take some time to look over the rest of the functions detailed in the Help
Files.

Fast Start

Step 1 Enabling Channels for Acquisition

DI-145 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit

1. In the Edit menu click on Channels....

The Ch: block cursor will blink in the Channels field on the status bar. The currently active list of
enabled channels are displayed in this field, immediately to the left of the cursor (blinking prompt).

2. Enter the desired channel number and press the ENTER key. Repeat for each desired channel. Each activated
channel will have its corresponding channel number displayed in the currently active channels list.

3. When all desired channels have been enabled, exit the channel configuration routine by pressing any key other
than the “D” or “I” key.

Type the channel number preceded by a minus (“-”) sign to disable channels. For example, typing “-3” disables chan­nel 3 and removes it from the list of currently active channels.

Note: You may not enable channels in RECORD mode.

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All Other DATAQ Instruments Product

You may enable or configure channels for acquisition only in SET-UP mode—you cannot add,
delete, or configure channels in RECORD mode. To activate ADC channel configuration click on
Channels... in the Edit Menu or double-click on the Channels: field in the status bar. This displays
the Channel Selection grid.

The channel selection grid displays the current status of all channels and allows you to enable and disable channels.
In the illustration above, the boxes formed by the top row of the grid represent the internal channels available on the
hardware device (the numbers above the top row of boxes refer to the channel numbers). The above example shows a
DI-720 with channels 1-4 configured for single-ended inputs and channel 7 configured for differential input. The sub­sequent rows underneath the top row of the grid (labeled A, B, C, etc.) represent each group of 32 external analog
input channels activated through use of an analog channel expander (like a DI-725).

The next graphic displays a single DI-725 32-channel analog expander added to the original DI-720. Enable and dis­able channels for an analog channel expander in Row A. At the end of the row labeled DI-720, you’ll notice a pair of
“A”s in the 31 and 32 positions. This indicates active status for the DI-725 and successful communication with the
DI-720. WINDAQ Acquisition reserves channels 31 and 32 of the DI-720 to multiplex with the DI-725 (these channels
cannot receive direct input when multiplexed). Channel 31 multiplexes the first 16 channels on the attached channel
expander and channel 32 multiplexes the next 16 channels. Adding a second expander displays a “B” at channels 29
and 30 indicating use by the second expander. Each expander added continually increments channels in this manner.

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Use the instructions below to enable a channel for single-ended, differential, or digital input.

Enabling/disabling a channel

A check mark in the channel box indicates an enabled channel. Click on a channel box to enable/disable a channel
and place/remove a check mark in/from its channel box.

Enabling/disabling a differential channel

Note: If your instrument has fixed differential channels (like models DI-722-16, DI-722-32, DI-730) enable the chan­nels as noted above—place a check mark in the desired channel box. If your instrument does not have fixed differen­tial channels, follow these procedur es to designate channels as differ ential. See your har dwar e manual to determine if
your instrument has fixed differential channels or not.

Point to the box in the grid representing the desired channel and double-click the left mouse button. This will display
a plus sign (+) in the desired channel box. Double-clicking a second time removes the plus sign and disables the chan­nel.

Note: You cannot enable a differential channel numbered higher than one half the total number of channels provided
by the device (assuming the device supports differential inputs).

A differential channel requires two input terminals (positive and negative). For example, in order to designate chan­nel 1 as differential requires both the channel 1 input terminal (positive input) and the channel 9 input terminal (neg­ative input). Enabling a differential channel automatically enables its corresponding input (the negative terminal) and
places a minus sign (-) in the Channel Selection grid, designating it as the low input of the differential pair.

Enabling a digital input channel

An “I” in the channel box indicates a digital channel. Right-click on a channel box to enable/disable a channel and
place/remove an “I” in/from its channel box.

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WINDAQ Acquisition acquires the eight digital input bits (accessible as defined by the hardware) on a digital input
channel and scales the acquired data between +128 and -128, with 0 in the center.

Selecting Digital Plot in the Scaling menu will also display digital data. This feature horizontally splits the waveform
strip configured for digital input into eight equal parts. WINDAQ assigns the top-most waveform as digital input 0, the
bottom-most digital input 7, with the remaining 6 digital inputs allocated in logical order within the strip. This feature
provides quick-look capability to determine the state of a digital input line.

Channel Selection Notes

Single-ended, differential, and digital channels may coexist in any combination that the hardware allows.

WINDAQ Acquisition always sequentially samples from the lowest channel number specified to the highest.

You may enable any number and any combination of channels that the hardware will allow.

The RECORD mode does not allow configuration of the number or type of channels enabled.

Step 2 Viewing Enabled Channels

The default number of channels displayed varies by instrument. Click on Format Screen in the
View menu to change the current display. In the format box, click the desired display format. For-
mat Screen allows for overlapped and non-overlapped waveform displays.

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