2
USER MANUAL
v.1.2
LabQuest 2 User Manual
SAFETY INFORMATION
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Caution
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1)this device may not cause harmful interference and
(2)this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation
RF Exposure Warning
The equipment complies with RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.
IC Statement
This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Industry Canada - Class B This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the interference-causing equipment standard entitled “Digital Apparatus,” ICES-003 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.
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LabQuest 2 User Manual
RF exposure warning: The equipment complies with RF exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’appareil doit accepter tout interférence radioélectrique, même si cela résulte à un brouillage susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
Cet appareil numérique respecte les limites de bruits radioélectriques applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans la norme sur le matériel interférant-brouilleur: “Appareils Numériques,” NMB-003 édictée par industrie Canada. L’utilisation est soumise aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) cet appareil ne peut causer d’interférences, et (2) cet appareil doit accepter toutes interférences, y comprises celles susceptibles de provoquer un disfonctionnement du dispositif. Afin de réduire les interférences radio potentielles pour les autres utilisateurs, le type d’antenne et son gain doivent être choisie de telle façon que l’équivalent de puissance isotrope émis (e.i.r.p) n’est pas plus grand que celui permis pour une communication établie. Avertissement d’exposition RF: L’équipement est conforme aux limites d’exposition aux RF établies pour un environnement non supervisé. L’antenne (s) utilisée pour ce transmetteur ne doit pas être jumelés ou fonctionner en conjonction avec toute autre antenne ou transmetteur.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
LabQuest 2, released in March 2012, ships with a Quick-Start Guide to get you up and running with basic data collection and analysis. The LabQuest 2 User Manual is an extended guide detailing the features, hardware, and software of LabQuest 2.
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LabQuest 2 User Manual
CONTENTS |
|
|
I. |
GETTING STARTED WITH LABQUEST 2.......................................................................................... |
1 |
|
What’s Included ................................................................................................................. |
1 |
|
Using LabQuest for the First Time .................................................................................... |
1 |
|
Quick Start to Data Collection ........................................................................................... |
2 |
II. |
LABQUEST 2 HARDWARE.................................................................................................................. |
4 |
|
Power Button...................................................................................................................... |
4 |
|
Touch Screen...................................................................................................................... |
5 |
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Hardware Keys................................................................................................................... |
5 |
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Sensor Ports........................................................................................................................ |
5 |
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Internal Sensors .................................................................................................................. |
7 |
III. |
LABQUEST APP................................................................................................................................... |
9 |
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Navigating LabQuest App.................................................................................................. |
9 |
|
File Menu ......................................................................................................................... |
10 |
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Data Collection................................................................................................................. |
12 |
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Data Analysis ................................................................................................................... |
18 |
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Viewing Vernier Lab Instructions.................................................................................... |
25 |
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Adding Notes to Your Experiment................................................................................... |
26 |
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Storing LabQuest App Files............................................................................................. |
26 |
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Exporting LabQuest App files.......................................................................................... |
27 |
IV. |
USING LABQUEST 2 WITH A MOBILE DEVICE ............................................................................. |
28 |
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How Data Sharing Works ................................................................................................ |
28 |
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Set Up Data Sharing on LabQuest ................................................................................... |
28 |
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Connect Your Mobile Device to LabQuest...................................................................... |
34 |
V. USING LABQUEST WITH A COMPUTER ........................................................................................ |
35 |
|
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Collecting Data with Logger Lite or Logger Pro............................................................. |
35 |
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Transferring Data from LabQuest to a Computer ............................................................ |
35 |
VI. |
EMAILING FROM LABQUEST.......................................................................................................... |
37 |
VII. |
PRINTING FROM LABQUEST .......................................................................................................... |
38 |
VIII. PROJECTING AND MONITORING STUDENTS’ LABQUEST DEVICES........................................ |
40 |
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IX. |
ADDITIONAL APPS ON LABQUEST................................................................................................ |
42 |
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Audio Function Generator................................................................................................ |
42 |
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Periodic Table .................................................................................................................. |
42 |
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Power Amplifier............................................................................................................... |
43 |
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Calculator ......................................................................................................................... |
43 |
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Sound Recorder ................................................................................................................ |
43 |
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Stopwatch ......................................................................................................................... |
43 |
APPENDIX A. LABQUEST 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS APPENDIX B. LABQUEST MAINTENANCE
APPENDIX C. LABQUEST KEYBOARD
APPENDIX D. LICENSE INFORMATION APPENDIX E. WARRANTY
APPENDIX F. ACCESSORIES, REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS
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I.GETTING STARTED WITH LABQUEST 2 What’s Included
•LabQuest 2 interface
•Rechargeable battery (in unit)
•AC power adapter
•Computer connection (USB) cable
•Quick-Start guide
•Stylus (in unit)
•Stylus tether
Using LabQuest for the First Time
Install the Battery
LabQuest ships with the battery in place; however, there is protective sticker covering the battery contacts that needs to be removed before the first use:
•Turn LabQuest over and open the battery door by sliding the door lock and lifting the battery cover.
•Remove the battery and remove the small protective sticker covering the battery contacts.
•Reinstall the battery with the label side up, ensuring the battery contacts align with the LabQuest contacts.
•Replace the battery door.
LabQuest with battery door removed
Charge Overnight
We recommend charging the battery for at least 12 hours prior to using LabQuest for the first time on battery power. To do this, connect the included power adapter to LabQuest and an AC power source. You can also charge LabQuest using the LabQuest 2 Charging Station (order code LQ2-CRG, sold separately).
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Getting Started with LabQuest 2
LabQuest uses a high-quality lithium-ion battery. This is the same chemistry used in premium laptop and cell phone batteries, and you can expect similar performance. There is never a need to condition the battery by regular full discharge/charge cycles.
It is safe to leave the battery charging indefinitely, and there is no need to fully discharge the battery before charging. Battery life will depend on the sensors used, but in most cases you can obtain six or more hours of use before recharging. We recommend charging LabQuest overnight to start the next day with a full charge. For more details about the battery, see LabQuest Battery.
Quick Start to Data Collection
Follow these steps to get up and running quickly with basic data collection. For more detailed instructions, see Data Collection.
1.Press and release the power button located on the top edge of LabQuest to turn on the unit. LabQuest App launches automatically.
2.Connect an analog sensor to the CH 1 port on LabQuest or connect a digital sensor to the DIG 1 port. LabQuest App will auto-ID the connected sensor and automatically set the default collection rate for the sensor.
Note: If your sensor is an older-style (DIN) sensor requiring an adapter, the sensor will not auto-ID. Instead, you will need to set up the sensor manually. To do this, choose Sensor Setup from the Sensors
menu. Select the field labeled “No Sensor” adjacent to the appropriate port and choose your sensor from the list.
3.Next, tap Collect 
. Data collection begins and LabQuest graphs the data in real time.
You can stop collection early by tapping Stop 
.
Once data collection is complete, the graph autoscales to the data.
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Getting Started with LabQuest 2
4.Tap the graph to examine a point of interest. The coordinates of the point are shown in the panel to the right of the graph. Tap another point or tap the Examine buttons to move the cursor left 
and right 
.
5.To select a region of data for analysis, tap-and-drag across the graph to highlight the desired region. Note: To analyze all data, you do not need to select a region.
Statistics
To view statistics for the selected data on the Graph screen, choose Statistics from the Analyze menu. Select the check box to select a data set. The statistics information is then displayed in the panel to the right of the graph.
To remove the displayed statistics, tap Analyze on the Graph screen, choose Statistics, and then select the checked box to clear the selection.
Curve Fit
To fit a curve to the selected data on the Graph screen, choose Curve Fit from the Analyze menu. Select the check box to select a data set. Tap Choose Fit and choose the desired fit equation. LabQuest automatically determines and displays the fit coefficients, and displays a preview of the curve fit on the graph. Tap OK to apply the fit and return to the Graph screen.
To remove the fit, choose Curve Fit from the Analyze Menu, and then select the checked box to clear the selection.
Note: The Curve Fit coefficients cannot be manually adjusted. To enter your own parameters, see the Model tool within Data Analysis.
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II. LABQUEST 2 HARDWARE
Once LabQuest is connected to AC power or the battery has been charged, press the power button located on the top of the unit, near the left edge. LabQuest will complete its booting procedure and automatically launch the LabQuest App by default, as shown above. If the screen does not light after a moment when used on battery power, connect the power adapter to LabQuest and to an AC power source, then try the power button again.
Power Button
• Power on – If the screen is off for any reason (LabQuest is off, asleep, or the screen has turned off to conserve battery power), press and release the power button to turn LabQuest back on. If LabQuest was off, LabQuest will also complete its booting procedure that takes about a minute and then display LabQuest App.
• Sleep/wake – When LabQuest is on, press and release the power button once to put LabQuest into a sleep mode. Note that the sleep mode does not start until you release the power button. In this mode, LabQuest uses less power but the battery can still drain. This mode is useful if you are going to return to data collection again soon, in which case waking LabQuest from sleep is quicker than restarting after shutdown. To wake LabQuest from sleep, press and release the power button.
•Shut down – To shut down LabQuest, hold the power button down for about five
seconds. LabQuest displays a message indicating it is shutting down. Release the power button, and allow LabQuest to shut down. To cancel the shutdown procedure at this point, tap Cancel. You can also shut down LabQuest from the Home screen 
. To do this, tap System and then tap Shut Down 
.
• Emergency shutdown – If you hold the power button down for about eight seconds, LabQuest powers off uncleanly. This is the same as pulling the battery out of the unit while it is running. This is not recommended unless LabQuest is frozen, as you may lose your data and potentially cause file system corruption.
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LabQuest 2 Hardware
Touch Screen
LabQuest has an LED backlit resistive touch screen that quickly responds to pressure exerted on the screen. LabQuest is controlled primarily by touching the screen. The software is designed to be finger-friendly. In some situations, you may desire more control for precise navigation. In such cases, we recommend using the included stylus.
If you are having trouble viewing the color screen or are using LabQuest outside in bright sunlight, we recommend changing to the High Contrast mode. Tap Preferences on the Home screen, then tap Light & Power. Select the check box for High Contrast 
to enable this mode.
Hardware Keys
In addition to using the touch screen, the three hardware keys can also be used to control your LabQuest.
• Collect – Start and stop data collection within LabQuest App
• Home – Launch the Home screen
• Escape – Close most applications, menus, and exit dialog boxes without taking action (i.e., cancel dialog boxes)
Sensor Ports
LabQuest has three analog sensor ports (CH 1, CH 2, and CH 3) for analog sensors such as our pH Sensor, Temperature Probe, and Force Sensor. Also included is a full-size USB port for USB sensors, USB flash drives, and USB printers. In addition to the power button, the top edge of LabQuest has two digital sensor ports (DIG 1 and DIG 2) for Motion Detectors, Drop Counters, and other digital sensors.
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LabQuest 2 Hardware
Audio ports are also located adjacent to the digital ports, as well as a microSD card slot for expanding disk storage. On the side opposite of the analog ports, there is a stylus storage slot, an AC power port for recharging the battery, and a mini USB port for connecting LabQuest to a computer. In between these ports, there is a serial connection for charging the unit in a LabQuest 2 Charging Station (order code LQ2-CRG, sold separately) and a stylus tether attachment point.
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LabQuest 2 Hardware
Internal Sensors
LabQuest also has several built-in sensors, including a GPS, microphone, three-axis accelerometer, temperature sensor, and relative light sensor.
To enable internal sensors within LabQuest App, choose Sensor Setup from the Sensors menu. Within the Sensor Setup dialog box, select a check box to enable the associated sensor. Then tap OK to return to the LabQuest App Meter screen.
• GPS – The internal GPS collects latitude, longitude, and altitude readings, and may be used with other sensors. You can choose units of decimal degrees, degree minutes, or UTM. Note: It may take up to 15 minutes to acquire an initial signal outdoors. We do not recommend using GPS indoors.
• Accelerometers – The 3-axis accelerometer measures accelerations up to ±2 g in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions. The sensor is located 72 mm from the docking connector and 32 mm from the digital port side of the plastic case.
•Temperature – The internal temperature sensor
monitors ambient temperature. The sensor is located between CH2 and CH3, in front of the BTA connectors.
• Light Sensor – The internal light sensor is located on the front of LabQuest, to the left of the screen. This light sensor combines one exposed photodiode (CH0), which is responsive to both visible and infrared light, and one filtered photodiode (CH1), which is responsive primarily to infrared light. The CH1 reading is subtracted from the CH0 reading and then converted to a value in lux that represents illuminance (ambient light level) to approximate the human eye response. The spectral response range for this sensor is approximately 400–800 nm.
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LabQuest 2 Hardware
• Microphone – The internal Microphone is located on the front of LabQuest to the left of the screen, as shown below, and measures waveforms. Note: This sensor cannot be used with external sensors.
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III. LABQUEST APP
The data-collection and analysis software, LabQuest App, is the heart of LabQuest. When you turn on LabQuest, the LabQuest App starts automatically. If the LabQuest App is not displayed on your screen, launch LabQuest App 
from the Home screen.
Navigating LabQuest App
LabQuest App has five different screens. Tap on the desired tab to display the associated screen.
LabQuest App
Meter screen – Set up sensors, set datacollection parameters, and see a digital meter for your connected sensors. For a detailed description of how the Meter screen is used for data collection, see Data Collection.
Graph screen – See a graph of your data and perform analyses, including curve fits. For a detailed description of how the Graph screen is used for data analysis, see Data Analysis.
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LabQuest App
Table screen – See a tabular representation of your data, create calculated columns, and manually enter data. For a detailed description of how the Table screen is used for data analysis, see Manipulating Data from the Table Screen.
Lab Instructions screen – Access one of over
100 preloaded experiments for paperless instructions (more experiments are available online). For detailed instructions on adding additional experiments to LabQuest, see Viewing Vernier Lab Instructions.
Notes screen – Record observations about your experiment. For more information, see Adding Notes to Your Experiment.
File Menu
A LabQuest App file can contain data-collection settings, graphs, data tables, analyses, and even notes. These files have a .qmbl extension and can be saved to the internal storage space on LabQuest or to an external storage space such as a USB flash drive or microSD card.
LabQuest App files can also be opened and manipulated on a computer with Logger Pro software.
All five tabs within LabQuest App share the same File menu, which is similar to the File menu on a computer. From the File menu, you can perform a number of tasks related to LabQuest App files, such as opening, saving, and closing files, adjusting file settings, printing, and more. These are described in more detail as follows.
•New – Choose New from the File menu to reset
all data-collection parameters and sensor calibrations back to default values. If you have
unsaved data, you will be prompted to either save or discard the data before continuing.
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LabQuest App
• Open – Choose Open from the File menu to display a list of files that you have saved on LabQuest. To open a file, tap the file name, then tap Open. To open a file from an external storage source, tap the source icon (
USB,
SD) to display the files available on that source, then tap on the file name, and tap Open.
• Save – Choose Save from the File menu to display the Save As dialog box where you can
tap on a source icon (
USB, 
SD, 
LabQuest) to select a destination, then tap in the File name field to assign a name to the file.
• Delete – Choose Delete from the File menu to display a file list similar to that accessible by choosing open. Tap on a source icon (
USB, 
SD, 
LabQuest) to select the source where the file is located, tap the desired file name, then tap Delete. You can delete only one file at a time.
• Email – Choose Email from the File menu to email the Data File, Graph, Text File, or Screen Shot from the current file when LabQuest is connected to a wireless network with Internet. For detailed instructions on setting up this feature, see Emailing from LabQuest.
• Export– Choose Export from the File menu to export the current data file in a text format for use with other applications. Tap on a source icon (
USB, 
SD, 
LabQuest) to select a destination, then tap OK to complete the export.
A typical use of this feature is to export a text file to an SD card or a USB flash drive for further data manipulation on a computer with a spreadsheet program. The exported file contains all column values from all runs in the current session, delimited by tabs. For more detailed instructions on using this feature, see Storing LabQuest App Files.
• Print – Choose Print from the File menu to print the Graph, Table, Lab Instructions, Notes, or Screen from the current file to a USB or Wi-Fi-enabled printer. For detailed instructions, see Printing from LabQuest.
• Settings – Choose Settings from the File menu to adjust file settings for the current session. These settings are specific to and saved within the LabQuest file. These settings return to the default upon choosing New from the File menu.
o Angle Units for Trigonometric
Calculcations – Calculated columns, curve fits, and modeled functions may use trigonometric calculations; choose Degrees or Radians here. The default is set to radians.
o Number of Points for Derivative
Calculations – Calculated columns, curve fits, modeled functions, and even the automatic setup for sensors (e.g., Motion Detectors) may use numerical derivatives.
The algorithm for such derivatives utilizes a user-defined number of points. The default value of seven points is good for many experiments, but you may want to choose a larger number for human-scale Motion Detector experiments (e.g., our
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LabQuest App
Motion Match lab), or a smaller number for cart-based Motion Detector experiments (e.g., our Impulse and Momentum lab).
• Quit – Choose Quit from the File menu to exit LabQuest App. Since other applications can run simultaneously with LabQuest App, there is typically no need to quit LabQuest App during standard use.
Data Collection
Data collection with LabQuest starts from the Meter Screen, which is the default screen for LabQuest App. From this screen, you can view sensor meters in real time as well as a summary of the data-collection settings. Additionally, you can access tools to modify and customize these settings for your particular experiment.
Digital Meters
A digital meter for each connected sensor is shown on this screen. Tap on a meter to change the sensor’s settings. The available options will depend on the sensor and may include options to change the units, calibrate, zero, and reverse the sensor. These options can also be accessed from the Sensors menu.
Analog Meters
To display an analog meter, choose Meter Setup from the Sensors menu, or as a shortcut, tap the digital meter on the Meter screen.
Within the Meter Setup dialog box, enter the minimum and maximum values for the meter range. If you want to view both the analog and digital readings for a sensor,
select the Show digital reading check box in the Meter Setup dialog box.
Data-Collection Summary
A summary of the data-collection settings (Mode, Rate, Duration) is shown in the panel to the right of the Meter screen. For most sensors, the default data-collection mode is Time Based. The default collection rate for the connected sensor is automatically set up when LabQuest identifies the sensor. To modify the data-collection settings, tap the summary box. Alternatively, you can choose Data Collection from the Sensors menu. For detailed descriptions of data-collection modes and parameters, see Data-Collection Settings.
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LabQuest App
Data-Collection Controls
To start data collection from any LabQuest App screen, tap Collect 
. During data collection, tap Stop 
to end data collection early. In selected data-collection modes (e.g., Events with Entry), a Keep button 
will appear to the right of the Stop button. In this mode, you must tap 
to record the data point in the data table. For more information, see Events with Entry.
Data-Collection Settings
The Sensors menu provides access to detailed setup controls. Use this menu to set up internal sensors, non- auto-ID sensors, and the Wireless Dynamics Sensor System (WDSS). You can also use this menu to change the data-collection parameters and adjust sensorspecific settings.
•Sensor Setup – Choose Sensor Setup from the
Sensors menu to view connected sensors. To manually set up non-auto-ID sensors, tap the field displaying “No Sensor” for the channel to which your sensor is connected. Then choose the appropriate sensor from the list and tap OK.
You can also activate (or deactivate) the internal sensors from the Sensor Setup dialog box. Select the check box next to the desired sensor to make that sensor available for data collection.
• Data Collection – Choose Data Collection from the Sensors menu to set the data-collection mode and associated parameters. The parameters listed will depend on the mode selected.
o Mode: Time-Based – Time-based data
collection is the default data-collection mode for most sensors. In this mode, sensor readings are recorded at regular time intervals.
Adjustable parameters for this mode include the rate (or interval) and duration of data collection. The total number of samples to be collected based on these parameters will be displayed.
Warning Messages
Under some circumstances, the Rate and Duration fields may be highlighted in yellow or red. The yellow warning indicates that the rate has been set to a value slower or faster than what is recommended for the connected sensor, or that the
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