Spectrum Technologies Field Scout CM1000 Operation Manual
Operation
Manual
Catalog #2950
Spectrum
Technologie s, I nc.
2
Contents
General Overview 4
Initial Startup 5
Connecting to a GPS 6
Keypad Operation 8
Normal Reading Mode 10
Connecting to a Computer 13
Field Scout Software 14
Data Files 16
Identifying the Correct Com Port 17
Light Management 18
Field of View 20
Specifications 21
ERROR messages 22
Frequently Asked Questions 23
Time Zone Corrections 24
Warranty 25
Service and Support 26
3
General Overview
The FIELD SCOUT CM1000
senses light at wavelengths of 700 nm and 840 nm to
estimate the quantity of chlorophyll in leaves. The
ambient and reflected light at each wavelength is
measured. Chlorophyll a absorbs 700 nm light and, as a
result, the reflection of that wavelength from the leaf is
reduced compared to the reflected 840 nm light. Light
having a wavelength of 840 nm is unaffected by leaf
chlorophyll content and serves as an indication of how
much light is reflected due to leaf physical characteristics
such as the presence of a waxy or hairy leaf surface.
♦ Lasers define the target as the trigger is pressed. At a
distance of 11.2 inches (28.4 cm), the field of view is
0.434 inches (1.10 cm) in diameter. At a distance of
72 inches (183 cm), the field of view increases to 7.4
inches (18.8 cm) in diameter.
♦ A chlorophyll index value (0 - 999) is calculated from
the measured ambient and reflected light data.
♦ The number of samples taken and a running average
of chlorophyll index values is displayed.
♦ Ambient light level is displayed on a scale of 0 to 9.
♦ The optional data-logging system records the latitude
and longitude (if GPS is used), the sample number,
the individual chlorophyll index reading, and the
value assigned to the ambient light level.
TM
Chlorophyll Meter
♦ The recorded data is downloaded to your PC using
the optional Field Scout
♦ The data-logged files are comma-delimited text files
and can be opened and worked with in any
spreadsheet, graphing, statistical, or word processing
program.
4
TM
software.
Initial Startup
Allow the temperature of the CM1000 to equilibrate with
the plant environment prior to sampling. For example,
storing the meter overnight in a freezing tool shed and
then immediately taking readings upon entry into a warm
greenhouse will result in invalid data.
When the CM1000 is first turned on, battery strength
(Battery at __% ) will appear on the LCD. The available
battery power percentage assumes alkaline batteries are
being used. If rechargeable NiCd batteries are installed,
the available battery power will be less than displayed. If
the data logging option has not been enabled, the unit will
then proceed to the normal reading mode.
In order to record data and global positioning system
(GPS) coordinates, the data logger must first be enabled
through the software (See p. 14). If the data logger has
been enabled, battery strength and the amount of
remaining memory (Memory __ % FULL) will be
displayed. If GPS data is being recorded as well, the
meter will display the status of the GPS signal. The meter
will then proceed to the normal reading mode.
IMPORTANT: The GPS unit must be powered up,
have located the satellites and been connected to the meter
before turning the meter on (see Connecting to GPS Unit
p. 6).
5
Connecting to a
GPS Unit
The optional data logger function must be enabled using
the Field Scout software in order to record a GPS signal
(see Meter Settings p. 14).
The GPS unit must be plugged into the CM1000 and
working when the meter is first turned on. If a GPS signal
is found at startup, the logger will search for a GPS signal
for every reading. If no GPS signal is found when the
meter is first turned on, the meter will not search for one
when taking readings, thereby saving time when taking
readings. In this case the LCD will display the No GPS
Found message.
For each reading, GPS will be displayed on the bottom
right of the screen. If the GPS signal is lost during a
series of readings, or if the specified differential correction
is lost, the LCD will display LOG rather than GPS in the
lower right corner of the screen. During subsequent
readings, the meter will again search for a GPS signal and
upon finding one, will again display GPS.
GPS Setting
Your GPS unit must be set for NMEA 0183 input/output
messages. If the meter has trouble receiving the GPS
signal, check that the GPS unit has the following settings:
Data bits: 8 Stop bits: 1
Baud rate: 4800 bps Parity: None
Timing: 1 second GGA data string
6
Cable Connections
A GPS/DGPS cable (item # 2950CV5) is required to connect the CM 1000 meter to a GPS unit. This cable has a
9-pin male connection and a stereo pin that connects to the
meter’s data port. You will also need a cable that allows
the GPS unit to connect to a 9-pin male serial port. If this
cable doesn’t come standard with your GPS unit, it should
be available from the manufacturer. This cable is generally used to upload information from a computer to the
GPS unit. These components should be connected as
shown in the figure below.
CM1000
Meter
Spectrum
GPS/DGPS
Cable
GPS computer
interface cable
Connecting the CM1000 meter to a GPS unit
GPS
Unit
7
Keypad Operation
ON/OFF
the status of the GPS connection. The meter then goes
into normal reading mode.
CAUTION: If the meter is inactive for 20 minutes, it
will automatically turn off to conserve power. When
the meter is powered off, either with the ON/OFF button or due to inactivity, the AVG and N values are reset to zero (see Normal Reading Mode, p. 10)
BATTERY AT 85%
LOGGER 28% FULL
NO GPS FOUND
LOGGER 35% FULL
GPS=YES DGPS=YES
The ON/OFF button turns the meter on
and off. When the meter is turned on,
it will display the battery status for 3
seconds. The screen will then display
the amount of memory available and
V5.0
Battery status screen
Logger and GPS status
screens
INDEX=275 BRT=4
AVG=283 N015 LOG
8
Data screen
(normal reading mode)
As chlorophyll measurements are taken,
Data
Recall
ton was pressed This is separate from the internal data
logger. The readings in short-term memory can be re-
viewed by hitting the Data Recall button. With each
press of the button, the LCD will display the preceding
data point (INDEX and BRT values). The next time the
trigger is pressed, the LCD will revert to normal reading
mode and the current N-value will be displayed along with
an updated Average.
up to 99 readings are stored in the meter’s short-term memory. These will be
the readings taken since meter was
turned on or the Delete/Clear Avg but-
Delete
Clear Avg
running average (AVG) and N-value to zero.
When the DELETE/CLR AVG button is pressed and immediately released, the last data point will be removed from the short-term memory
and the running average. Pressing
and holding this button will reset the
9
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