YSI Data Scout Advanced User Manual

YSI INCORPORATED

DATA SCOUT ADVANCED

Software for the Level Scout

OPERATIONS MANUAL

CONTENTS

Contents ................................................................................................................................................................................. i

1.0 Product Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Data Scout Advanced........................................................................................................................................1

1.2 Overview of Data Scout Advanced Functionality ...........................................................................................1

2.0 Installation and Setup......................................................................................................................................................5

2.1 Installing Data Scout Advanced .......................................................................................................................5

2.1.1 Installing Data Scout Operations Manual .....................................................................................6

2.2 Configuring the PC For a Serial Network .......................................................................................................6

2.3 Managing/Discovering Transducer Addresses................................................................................................6

2.4 Making Data Scout Advanced Learn and Forget ............................................................................................8

2.5 Reconfiguring Transducer Options with Run window ..................................................................................8

2.5.1 Changing Pressure Units in Transducer(s) .............................................................................8

2.5.2 Changing Temperature Units in Transducer(s) .....................................................................9

2.5.3 Changing Other Options in Transducer(s).............................................................................9

2.6 Managing Other Common Data Scout Advanced Activities..........................................................................9

2.6.1 Configuring a Favorite Text Editor for Report Viewing/Printing/Etc...................................9

2.6.2 Configuring Data Scout Advanced to Have An Archive Base Path .............................................9

2.7 In Case of Difficulty........................................................................................................................................10

2.7.1 Problems installing Data Scout Advanced..................................................................................10

2.7.2 Data Scout Advanced Does Not Recognize One or More Transducers....................................10

2.7.3 Data Scout Advanced Windows Do Not Appear When Started................................................10

2.7.4 Data Scout Advanced Indicates Multiple Copies Running When Started ................................10

3.0 Configuring and Querying a Site ..................................................................................................................................10

3.1 Frequently Used Terms and Abbreviations...................................................................................................11

3.2 Use of Colors in Windows..............................................................................................................................11

3.3 Main Data Scout Advanced Window and Site Net Map ..............................................................................11

3.3.1 The Site Net Map Context Menu.................................................................................................12

3.3.2 The Empty Site Net context menu and Auto Discovery.............................................................13

3.4 The File Menu Functions .....................................................................................................................14

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3.4.1 Site Network Maintenance Functions .........................................................................................14

3.4.2 Overall Data Scout Advanced Funtions.......................................................................................14

3.5 The Configure Functions ...............................................................................................................................16

3.5.1 Configuring The Transducer Site Network...........................................................................17

3.5.2 Configuring General Options of Data Scout Advanced .......................................................19

3.5.3 Configuring Transducers/Rows of the Site Net Map............................................................21

3.5.4 Configuring Other Options of the Highlighted Transducer ................................................23

3.6 The Run Function.................................................................................................................................24

3.7 The Test Function.................................................................................................................................25

3.8 The Help Menu Functions .............................................................................................................................25

3.8.1 Help Tips .......................................................................................................................................26

3.8.2 Help Access To Operations Manual ............................................................................................27

3.8.3 Help Access To YSI Web Site .......................................................................................................27

3.8.4 Other Help.....................................................................................................................................27

3.9 Hot-Swapping Transducers...........................................................................................................................................27

3.9.1 The Proper Way to “Hot-Swap” a Transducer ...........................................................................27

4.0 Operating Transducers (Run).......................................................................................................................................28

4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................................28

4.2 The Run Window’s Functions .......................................................................................................................29

4.2.1 Run Window’s File Menu.............................................................................................................30

4.2.2 Run Window’s Acquire Menu and Controls ..............................................................................31

4.2.3 Run Window’s Display Menu and Controls ...............................................................................33

4.2.4 Run Window’s Record Menu and Controls................................................................................38

4.2.5 Run Window’s AutoLog Feature ...........................................................................................39

4.2.5.1 Creating and Editing AutoLog Tests..........................................................................41

4.2.5.2 Extracting Data from AutoLog Tests.........................................................................46

4.2.5.3 Other (Non-Test) AutoLog Options .........................................................................50

4.2.6 Run Window’s Configure Menu for Transducer Options .........................................................53

4.2.7 Run window’s Transducer Firmware Update Function..............................................61

4.2.8 Run Window’s Help Menu ...........................................................................................62

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5.0 Testing Transducers.......................................................................................................................................................63

5.1 The Execute Script window’s Controls..........................................................................................................63

5.1.1 Script Form’s Command (Script) File Selection Frame .............................................................64

5.1.2 Script Form’s Log File Selection Frame .......................................................................................65

5.1.3 Script Form’s Execution Control Frame .....................................................................................65

5.1.4 Script and Log Example................................................................................................................66

6.0 Processing Level Scout Data Files (DsPlay)..................................................................................................................78

6.1 The Playback Function ...................................................................................................................................78

6.1.1 Playback Display Modes and Data File Formats...................................................................78

6.1.1.1 Displaying Short Text Files in Text Box ....................................................................80

6.1.1.2 Displaying Files as Graphs..........................................................................................81

6.1.1.3 Displaying Large Text Files With Text Editor ...........................................................83

6.1.1.4 Plotting Large Data Files ............................................................................................84

6.2 The Conversion Menu....................................................................................................................................84

6.2.1 Format Conversion.......................................................................................................................84

6.2.2 Change Selected Pressure/Temperature Units............................................................................86

6.2.3 Compensate Selected Absolute Pressures Per Barometer...........................................................87

6.2.4 Converting Large Data Files .........................................................................................................90

7.0 Support Information .....................................................................................................................................................91

7.1 Warranty..........................................................................................................................................................91

7.2 Specifications...................................................................................................................................................92

5.3 Accessories.......................................................................................................................................................94

7.4 Ordering & Technical Support.......................................................................................................................95

7.5 Service Information .....................................................................................................................................95A

Appendix A - Level Scout Connection diagrams...............................................................................................................96

Appendix B - SDI-12 Communication.............................................................................................................................100

Appendix C - Exectuting Test Scripts...............................................................................................................................102

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced iii

1.0 PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

1.1 DATA SCOUT ADVANCED

This Operations Manual is provided for an in depth explanation of Data Scout Advanced software for use with YSI Level Scouts. In
addition to this manual, the Level Scout Support CD includes a Level Scout manual which describes basic Data Scout Advanced
functions, and a Data Scout manual which describes how to use a Level Scout with Data Scout and Data Scout Mobile software
programs. Most users will find the Level Scout Operations Manual sufficient for utilizing the Level Scout with Data Scout Advanced.

This Operations Manual helps the user:

 Install Data Scout Advanced on a Windows® based personal computer (Windows

Windows

 Use Data Scout Advanced to configure one or more sites with 1-16 Level Scouts each, connected via a serial

®

2000, or Windows® XP).

®

95, Windows® 98, Windows® Me,

communications link.

 Use Data Scout Advanced to select a suitable site for use, query its transducer(s), then configure and acquire “live”

data from all or selected transducer(s) via the Run window. Display data as tables or graphs, and record data to files.

 Use Data Scout Advanced to configure and schedule 1-16 tests inside the transducer, extract data logged inside the

transducer, and display as tables and/or graphs.

 Use Data Scout Advanced to generate custom Script programs for testing or operating a site’s transducer(s) in ways

that Data Scout Advanced does not.

 Use the supplied separate application, Data Scout Play, to playback or convert format on any data files recorded by

Data Scout Advanced or the Level Scout, and display as tables or graphs.

The Data Scout Advanced Software allows the user to configure and operate Level Scout transducers on a configurable “site” basis.
Each “site” is saved in a configuration file that is easily created and quickly changed by the user. Each “site” file may define one to
sixteen transducers that are communicating over a simple “com-port” serial interface (or multi-drop network).

For instruction on how to install Data Scout Advanced, proceed to chapter 2.

Data Scout Advanced can address sites consisting of a single transducer or an entire network of transducers communicating at the
same baud rate. Data Scout Advanced can quickly change its operation to use other site networks previously configured and saved.
Data Scout Advanced also learns how particular transducers and networks are currently being used on the current “site”, so as to
minimize setup operations the next time the program is used at that site.

Data Scout Advanced allows the user to test and demonstrate just about every possible transducer function with the simple interactive
point-and-click user interface of Windows

®

. For more “advanced” users, the flexible Script function may be utilized to write detailed
“test programs” if these users have a knowledge of low-level transducer commands, and wish to do things that Data Scout Advanced
does not already do.

1.2 OVERVIEW OF DATA SCOUT ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY

When started, Data Scout Advanced opens the main Data Scout Advanced window (figure 1.0). Think of this entry window as home
to all transducer or site-network-related configuration functions. All functions are selected either from the window’s main menu bar,
from a pop-up context menu, or by using other visual or hidden controls.

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Figure 1.0

The main Data Scout Advanced window has a typical Windows

®

menu bar and status bar at the top and a single visual control (e.g., a
button). The middle of the window contains a spreadsheet-like table, also called the Site Net Map. It displays Level Scouts defined for
the current site network. Each displayed “row” of this table defines a single transducer and shows all the data obtained by configuring
and querying it. These data rows are listed under a header row with various labeled columns. There are also some “hidden” controls
or menus in the window, accessed by clicking the status bar, by clicking the Site Net description label, or by right clicking the Site Net
Map. Useful ToolTips may be obtained for most labels and controls by hovering the mouse over them. Finally, the bottom of the

window contains a special MenuTip status bar

.

The menu items on the main Data Scout Advanced window control all site-network specific or software specific configuration
functions, such as:

 Configure a New site net, Save (or copy) the current site net to a default (or named) file, or Open a previously-

defined and named site net files.

 Select transducers (individually or in random groups) for use by other major menu functions (such as Delete,

Query, Run and Test).

 Add, Insert, Delete or Edit the rows for individual transducers (and their various parameters) on the current site net.

 Query all, individual, or selected groups of transducers on the current site net. This simple function checks that

transducers are operable by reading (and displaying) their “basic” ID string data. A single button queries all
transducers at the same time.

 Configure one-time setup operations for Data Scout Advanced such as: defining a suitable text editor for viewing all

Data Scout Advanced generated data files, defining where the Data Scout Advanced “online” operations manual is
located, or defining where Data Scout Advanced-generated files are archived for backup purposes.

The first (leftmost) column of the Site Net Map contains a relative transducer # (labeled Xdcr.) used as a notation for that row’s
transducer on various other windows and reports. This is followed by two other user-defined columns including: an optional
transducer name (up to 16 characters) and a required unique transducer address. Once a transducer is queried, various ID parameters
are read from it. These fill in other columns of the map with transducer model #, transducer serial #, and other internal ID
information. Thus, the Site Net Map shows all the defined (functioning or not) transducers that are currently defined on the selected
point-to-point connection (for a single transducer) or on the serial multi-drop network (for multiple transducers).

Other site-specific information (i.e., protocol, serial port #, serial setup parameters, site net file name, and the edited/saved status of the
originating .net file) is summarized on a label displayed just above the Site Net Map. Clicking this label (or selecting Xducer Site
Network from the Configure drop down menu) opens the dialog window shown in figure 1.1. This window shows the site network’s
protocol and serial port communication parameters. The default settings for all Level Scouts are SDI-12 protocol and 19200 baud.
Although the user may change the baud rate, the Level Scout will always communicate using SDI-12 protocol. If the user changes any
of these parameters the OK button is enabled to allow saving the changes.

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When exiting Data Scout Advanced, the current site’s definition (including ID information if already read from each transducer) is
automatically saved in a default site net file (DSAdv.net). This “latest” site net is restored automatically the next time Data Scout
Advanced is started. Menu sub-items on the File menu allow the user to create, save, and/or open other explicitly named site nets (.net
files). Select File | New Site Net to create a new site, select File | Save Site Net or File | Save Site Net As to save a new site or copy a site,
or select File | Open Site Net to open an existing site. When changing site networks, a prompt will appear allowing the user to save or
discard the current site network information.

When a site net has one or multiple transducers defined, any single individual transducer may be highlighted on the current Site Net
Map by left-clicking its row (figure 1.2).

Figure 1.1

Once a row is highlighted, its transducer has been selected to be acted upon by a subsequently performed menu function. Some menu
functions allow multiple transducers to be selected while others require that only a single transducer be selected.

Figure 1.2

By holding the <Ctrl> or <Shift> keys on the keyboard when left-clicking the mouse, the user can select multiple transducers on the
Site Net Map simultaneously.

Whether a particular menu item operates on one or multiple transducers is indicated by a descriptive item, in parentheses, at the end
of that menu item’s descriptions line. For example, (HiLi Xdcr) means it affects only one selected transducer, while (HiLi Xdcr(s))
means it affects all highlighted transducers. A special case (ONLY Xdcr) means that the function only works if ONE transducer is
defined on the Site Net Map (figure 1.3).

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Figure 1.3

Functions are selected from the Configure drop down menu located in the main menu bar at the top of the window (figure 1.3), or
selected from a “hidden” Site Net Map context menu that will open when the user right-clicks over any row of the Site Net Map. This
context menu duplicates the most frequently-used site-network-editing, querying, and diagnostic functions available from the main
menu.

Also notice that many menu functions have alternate keyboard shortcuts for activating them (<Function Key>, <Ctrl>+<Key> or
<Shift>+<Key> or <Ctrl>+<Shift>+<Key>). These shortcuts, when available, are listed at the far right of the descriptions of each
menu item. Such keyboard shortcuts can be executed without displaying the menu.

Depending upon the defined column widths and amount of information displayed on each row of the Site Net Map, the user may need
to use a horizontal scroll bar to see all of it. Alternatively, the user can resize the width of the main Data Scout Advanced window by
dragging its left or right boundaries. The window’s height is automatically sized to show the number of transducer(s) defined in the
current Site Map. The window remembers its current size and position when Data Scout Advanced is closed and restores that last size
and position when restarted.

The various columns on the Site Net Map can be varied in width, by dragging (left or right) a special mouse icon (i.e., left and right
arrows pointing away from a single vertical line) that appears as the mouse hovers over the boundary between two column header
labels. The user can hide any unused columns by dragging it left to “zero” width. Once a column has been hidden, another special
mouse icon (i.e., left and right arrows pointing away from a double vertical line) appears as the mouse hovers near the column label
boundary. It allows the user to drag a hidden column (right) to a visible width again. Data Scout Advanced remembers the most
recent column widths used when it exits, or when a particular site network is saved. It restores these column widths when Data Scout
Advanced is restarted.

The File | Archive Files (DSAdv) menu item opens an Archive window when selected. This function is particularly useful when the
many files generated by Data Scout Advanced need to be moved or backed-up on other network or removable disk drives.

The File | View Files (DSAdv) menu item causes an Open File window to appear that shows all the files and subfolders of the Main
Base Path (“installation” folder) of Data Scout Advanced. These subfolders (Ini, Dat, Cmd-Log, Report, and Firmware) contain all the
initialization, data, scripts (commands and logs), report, and firmware hex image files used by or generated by Data Scout Advanced.

The Configure menu provides a large submenu of choices separated in four sections (figure 1.3). The first section contains items for
configuring the current site network’s serial port parameters, and other general options of Data Scout Advanced. The second section
has functions for editing rows of the Site Net Map, including an Add function for adding a new transducer to the end of the map and
the Insert, Delete, and Edit functions for editing selected (highlighted) row(s) of the map. The third section contains a Query function
for single (or multiple) selected transducer(s). However, if Site Net Map is empty (i.e., New), this section provides a useful Auto­Discover function in place of the Query function that can automatically build an entire network of transducer(s). The fourth section
contains diagnostic transducer configuration items useful in bringing a single new transducer (with possibly unknown address) onto
the current site network.

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The last menu bar item, labeled Help, provides a submenu leading to four help features of Data Scout Advanced. These provide quick
tips on using Data Scout Advanced features, access to the Data Scout Advance Operations Manual, access to the YSI web site, and show
the current version of Data Scout Advanced. In addition to this Help menu, do not forget the many ToolTips available. Similar
MenuTips appear in a status box at the bottom of the window. These display a summary description of the “last clicked” menu item’s
function. The Help | Tips menu also provides a descriptive panel summarizing the functions of all menus.

A single Query button below the menu bar allows the user to manually query the entire network which makes each transducer return
its ID String. This string, when received by Data Scout Advanced, is broken up into other useful fields that are also displayed on the
Site Net Map. This button is replaced by an Auto Disc. (auto-discovery) button, whenever the Site Net Map is empty. When the user
clicks the Auto Disc. button, it changes to a Stop button, which can be used to stop the Auto Discovery process once it discovers all the
expected transducers. The user must manually set the correct communications parameters (e.g., baud rate) before using auto
discovery. The default settings for all Level Scouts are SDI-12 protocol and 19200 baud. Although the user may change the baud rate,
the Level Scout will always communicate using SDI-12 protocol. If it fails to find any transducers, change to another baud rate and/or
com port and try again.

The Run window operates and/or configures individual transducers or the collection of all selected transducers. There are two
methods of activating this window. The first activates all operable transducers defined on the main Data Scout Advanced window.
The second activates any single (highlighted) transducer or for a group of selected (highlighted) transducers. In either case, once the
separate Run window is displayed, its selected transducers can begin to acquire “live” (real-time) data, display it, and optionally record
it to a data file (in various formats). All this is controlled from the Run window’s menu bar, or by using alternate visual controls
organized in several frames just below the window’s menu bar and status bar. See Chapters 3 and 4 for more information and
examples.

The Run window is used to display acquired “live” data or AutoLog data in various table (text) or graphic (plot) forms at the time
these data are acquired or extracted. Optionally, the user can also Record the acquired “live” data to disk the PC in one of two
selectable formats. A recorded .txt data file can be displayed later, offline, with a simple text editor. A recorded .csv (comma separated
variable) data file is also “readable” by a text editor, but is best viewed by a spreadsheet application which can further edit and process
(e.g., plot) the data in the file. Data extracted from a Level Scout are similarly written to data files in one or two formats (.atd and .csv)
where .atd stands for AutoLog Test Data and is the text version. These extracted data files can also be viewed and plotted by Data
Scout Advanced. All these recorded data files created by Data Scout Advanced can also be played back off-line, extensively edited, and
displayed in various ways via a Data Scout Playback application selected from the Data Scout Advanced menu on the Run window. It
is also available as a separate Windows

®

application, DSPlay.

Additionally, the separate Run window provides its own Configure menu functions that view and edit any of the internally stored
options and features of a selected transducer. These functions allow the user to view the current value/state of each transducer option
or change that option’s value/state. Some options require the user to “unlock” the transducer prior to changing it which will be
discussed later.

The user can also “broadcast” a particular option change to all the transducers currently assigned to the Run window.

The Data Scout Advanced main menu bar also has a Test function whose only submenu item is an Execute Script function for the
“more advanced” users. Using the Script function does require knowledge of low-level transducer commands. However, such
capability is rarely required to operate most transducer functions, which are provided by other built-in Data Scout Advanced “point­and-click” functionality.

2.0 INSTALLATION AND SETUP

2.1 INSTALLING DATA SCOUT ADVANCED

Before installing a new version of Data Scout Advanced, be sure that any older versions (in the same path) have been removed first.

The standard Windows
application program active. Thus, before installing Data Scout Advanced, ensure all other applications are closed. Failing to do this
may leave shared files active, causing confusing errors during installation.

 Insert the information and support CD in the computer
 Navigate to the CD drive
 Double click on the DSAdvIns.exe file

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 5

®

installation program SETUP.EXE is used to install Data Scout Advanced. It insists that it be the only

 This will load the Windows

process.

 After installation, Data Scout Advanced can be executed via the Windows

®

SETUP program, which guides the user through the remainder of the installation

®

Start menu by selecting Start | Programs |

Data Scout Advanced | DSAdv.

2.1.1 INSTALLING DATA SCOUT OPERATIONS MANUAL

The CD labeled Level Scout Information and Support contains the Data Scout Advanced Operations Manual as a .pdf. The file name is
DSAdv_605815C2.pdf

The user can access the .pdf file directly from the CD or via the Internet browser using the Index.htm file as an index. To avoid having
to insert the CD to access the manual, save this file to a hard disk folder on the PC or network. This can be accomplished by copying it
from the CD to the desired place. The recommended path is C:\YSI\DSAdv\Manual.

After saving the manual to the PC or network, Data Scout Advanced can be configured with the new manual location. To do this, use
the Configure | General Options (DSAdv) function on the main Data Scout Advanced window’s menu. On the configuration window,
double-click the text box labeled: Choose Path for Manuals. This pops-up a common dialog box that allows the user to navigate to
where the manual has been saved. Locate the file DSAdv_605815C2.pdf and click it so that its name (full path) appears in the File
name: box. Select the Open button to save it. Finally, select OK to save this full path name on the General Options window. The
Operations Manual is then directly available by selecting the Help | Manuals menu item.

2.2 CONFIGURING THE PC FOR A SERIAL NETWORK

The user must select a serial port available on the PC (COM1 ... COM16) to interface the computer with the Level Scout(s) at a
particular site on a serial point-to-point (or multi-drop) network. The YSI 771 adapter will allow the user to convert the native RS-485
signal of the Level Scout to RS-232 signal of a PC. If the PC does not have a serial interface, the user may add a USB type device (with
software driver). YSI offers the model 773 for converting RS-232 to USB. For remotely located transducers, using cell phone (or
other) types of modems, a Virtual Serial Port (VSP) may be required. The VSP is a software driver that simulates one of the COM
ports on the PC and provides a TCP/IP data path (via the Internet and 3G cell phone networks) to the remote serial port of the distant
modem. YSI has verified that the RealPort VSP from Digi works with the Digi Connect RG cell phone modem. The freeware VSP
from HWgroup has worked with the AirLink Raven cell phone modem but with limited functionality.

2.3 MANAGING/DISCOVERING TRANSDUCER ADDRESSES

A multi-drop serial network topography requires that all installed transducers use the same protocol and same baud rate. Also, each
transducer must have a unique address.

Such a network must be operated in a strict Master/Slave manner, in which the master controller (e.g., Data Scout Advanced software
operating on a PC) always plays the role of Master, and each of the transducers plays the role of a Slave. Only the Master can initiate
communications on the network. Slaves must never initiate communications on their own but must respond when requested to do so
by the Master. Generally, a transducer will only send a response out on the network after it receives a command from the Master that
explicitly contains its unique address. Also, a transducer must normally act “silently” even when it receives a command containing a
special address called the “broadcast” address (e.g., a command to synchronize data acquisition on multiple transducers).

There is one special transducer command (i.e., Who Are You?) that uses the broadcast address but violates the above rule. In response
to this “broadcast” command, a transducer responds with its address. However, such a command is meant only to be executed when
there is only one transducer wired physically to the network. Thus, if the user does not know the address of a particular transducer it is
not advisable to place it on the network until the address is known. In that case, only install the Level Scout with an unknown address
on the network and broadcast this special Who Are You? command to it. Once a transducer’s address is identified, add it to the larger
restored network (if its address is unique) or send it another command (Change Address): to change its address to a unique one before
connecting back to the network. The bottom section of the Configure menu on the Data Scout Advanced main window has both of
these infrequently-used “diagnostic” commands as does the bottom section of the right-click Context menu of the main window’s Site
Net Map.

The command Configure | Change Address (HiLi Xdcr) is a setup command that can be used to change the address of a transducer if
its address is already known. However, the window that appears when it is executed also has a “broadcast” check box option. This
option allows the user to also use this command (in conjunction with Who Are You?) if the “unknown” transducer is the only
transducer wired to the network and to set its address to some particular “known” address using the “broadcast” address to send it.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 6

This optional variation of the command refuses to execute if more than one transducer is currently defined on the Site Net Map. The
“normal address” variation works at anytime for any single highlighted transducer.

Two strategies for building a complete transducer site network, when faced with multiple transducers set to unknown addresses,
protocols, and baud rates, is to connect each one to the computer’s specified serial port, one at a time, and follow one of the
procedures below (labeled Methods 1 and 2). In each case begin with the Configure | Xducer Site Network command to set the
“starting” communications parameters (port, protocol, echo requirements, and baud rate) of the serial network connected to this
transducer.

Method 1:

 Set the assumed communication parameters under Configure │Xdcuer Site Network. The Level Scout will always

utilize SDI-12 protocol. The default baud rate from the factory is 19200.

 Clear the Site Net Map with the File | New Site Net command.

 Connect one transducer to the selected com port and use the Configure | Add Xducer (to End) command to specify

one transducer with the address 0 (the default factory address, a good starting assumption).

 Skip setting the long Name of transducer (leave it blank).

 Use Query to verify that the transducer is really set to correct address and working at the current specified baud rate.

 If this fails (times out), then try the Who Are You? command to discover its address, which will also automatically

add that address to Site Net Map’s entry row. Then, use Query again to verify the transducer is working. If not,
repeat all the steps above at different baud rates and/or Com ports.

Method 2:

 Set the assumed communication parameters under Configure │Xdcuer Site Network. The Level Scout will ALWAYS

utilize SDI-12 protocol. The default baud rate from the factory is 19200.

 Clear the Site Net Map with the File | New Site Net command.

 Connect one transducer to the selected com port and click the Auto Discover button to start an automatic process

that steps through all the valid addresses of the selected protocol at the selected baud rate.

 If a transducer responds correctly to any address, that transducer is automatically added to the Site Net Map. Once

this occurs (a new row appears on the map) select the Stop button to terminate the continuing auto-discovery
process.

 Use Query to verify that the new transducer is working correctly.

 If this fails (times out), repeat all the steps above at different baud rates.

Once you are successful in determining the correct address and baud rate of each transducer remove it from the network and label it.
Repeat the procedure for each of the other transducers, one at a time, insuring that each has (or is assigned) a unique address and
common baud rate.

Final Network Assembly:

 Interconnect all the transducers together in a valid multi-drop network.

 Clear the Site Net Map with the File | New Site Net command.

 Connect the entire network to the selected com port and click the Auto Discover button to step through all the valid

addresses of the selected protocol at the selected baud rate.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 7

 Each transducer should respond correctly to its address, after which it is automatically added to the Site Net Map.

Do not click the Stop button until the auto-discovery process has found each transducer and added its row to the
map.

 Use Query button to verify that the new transducer is working correctly.

 Be sure to use the File | Save Site Net As command to give the new working site network a unique name. This will

allow the user to Open it later.

 If any one transducer fails (times out), the user will have to isolate it again and try one of the above methods to

correct the problem.

2.4 MAKING DATA SCOUT ADVANCED LEARN AND FORGET

After Data Scout Advanced has operated for a while on a particular host PC with a particular set of transducers, it tends to remember
the configurations of its various windows and functions, and even the way specific transducers are configured on the network. This is
useful, in that the user doesn’t have to remember to manually reconfigure it each time Data Scout Advanced is started.

These “memories” of Data Scout Advanced are kept as a series of small text files, most with the .ini or .net file extensions. Most such
files are located in subfolder Ini of the Main Base Path (i.e., Data Scout Advanced install path). These files may be viewed with the File
| View Files (DSAdv) menu function on the Data Scout Advanced main window. If for some reason these initialization files should
become corrupted, or you simply don’t like the way Data Scout Advanced has remembered your settings, you can easily erase its
memory by deleting all these .ini files. Erasing the file is best accomplished when Data Scout Advanced is not running. After deletion,
Data Scout Advanced starts over, doing things the way it did when first installed. If you have invested some time in developing site
network definition files (*.net) unique to your configuration these may also be selectively deleted as needed.

The following table indicates which specific files are created for which memory function. Refer to the table to only delete selected .ini
or .net files without losing the entire past configuration work. Modifying their contents with a text editor is not recommended.

File Name Purpose

Main Data Scout Memory: remembers Data Scout Advanced

DSAdv.ini

main window size, location, site net map column widths, and all

its persistent Configure menu parameters.

Default Data Scout Advanced Current Network Memory. It

DSAdv.net

or

<anyname>.net

remembers the last network loaded into Data Scout Advanced

main window. This network will be restored automatically when

Data Scout Advanced is restarted, unless the Open function

chooses another explicitly named .net file.

Run.ini

Remembers the size and position and all other persistent options

on auxiliary pop-up windows of the Run window.

2.5 RECONFIGURING TRANSDUCER OPTIONS WITH RUN WINDOW

The procedures described in this section are transducer options that can be changed with the Run window’s Configure menu. Such
option changes are described more fully (with pictures and examples) in Chapter 4.

2.5.1 CHANGING PRESSURE UNITS IN TRANSDUCER(S)

From the Data Scout Advanced main window, start the Run window by selecting Run | All Xducers’ from the menu. In the Run
window, select (highlight) one of the transducers by clicking its row # on the Site Net Map. Normally, transducer #1 will be selected by
default. Then select the Run window’s menu item Configure | Pressure Units (HiLi Xdcr). A window will appear showing the selected
pressure units. Select the desired units option button to change units and then select the OK button to execute the change only for the
highlighted transducer. Alternately, select the option All Xducers in the Apply To frame, and then select OK to make this same change

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 8

to ALL the transducers assigned to the Run window. Click Cancel to only view the current unit selection or to close the window
without saving the changes.

2.5.2 CHANGING TEMPERATURE UNITS IN TRANSDUCER(S)

Use the same procedure detailed in the previous section, but select the Run window’s menu item Configure | Temperature Units (HiLi
Xdcr) instead. Temperature units will be displayed (for highlighted transducer). Click Cancel to close the window without saving
changes or select a different unit and click OK to save changes.

2.5.3 CHANGING OTHER OPTIONS IN TRANSDUCER(S)

Use the same procedure detailed in section 2.5.1, but select any of the other Run window’s menu items. If unfamiliar with the purpose
of any option, avoid changing it. The options in the second section of the sub-menu can only be changed if the highlighted Transducer
is unlocked first. An appropriate window appears showing the selected option. Select Cancel to dismiss this window after viewing its
current value without changing the option. Select OK to send the current or modified option value on the window to the selected
transducer or to ALL transducers. Some special Write Protected options may be viewed only but not modified by users (e.g., the Main
Cal. Coefficients).

2.6 MANAGING OTHER COMMON DATA SCOUT ADVANCED ACTIVITIES

Most Data Scout Advanced configuration activities are automatic, and remembered persistently in behind-the-scenes historical .ini
files. However, a few features must be manually configured (normally only once) after Data Scout Advanced is installed. Such
activities are discussed in this section. These configuration activities are only summarized here to bring them to your attention early.
Chapter 3 describes them more fully with pictures and examples.

2.6.1 CONFIGURING A FAVORITE TEXT EDITOR FOR REPORT VIEWING/PRINTING/ETC.

When any report or data file is generated by any Data Scout Advanced window, human-readable plain text files are generated. Data
Scout Advanced usually provides a File | View menu function on that window to allow the user to view the report file’s contents. By
default, Data Scout Advanced uses the Windows

®

text editor NotePad for this purpose and a copy of this application opens in a
window already containing the text of the file to be viewed. After viewing the file, the user may also print, rename, copy, move, or
delete the file using other menu functions of NotePad. Since NotePad is limited as to the size of files that it can view or edit, the more
flexible WordPad text editor may also be used. Data Scout Advanced can be reconfigured so that NotePad is replaced by any suitable
text editor program that is installed on the PC.

Configure the Data Scout Advanced default text editor by selecting Configure | General Options (DSAdv) from the Data Scout
Advanced main window menu. On the window that pops-up, enter the full path name of the desired text editor application in the top
text box labeled Choose Path for Report Viewer (a favorite Text Editor). To avoid typing in a full path name, double-click this text
box, and a common dialog box opens allowing the user to navigate to any drive where the desired text editor’s .exe file is located. Then
highlight its file name and select Open. The full path name of this program is then transferred to the text box on the configuration
window. Finally, select OK on this window to save the full path name.

2.6.2 CONFIGURING DATA SCOUT ADVANCED TO HAVE AN ARCHIVE BASE PATH

Data Scout Advanced has a menu item File | Archive (DSAdv) on its main menu. It opens a window that is used to perform various
file maintenance functions on the many internal data files that Data Scout Advanced manages behind the scenes. These files are
normally kept, by default, in a series of subfolders of the Main Base Path. Data Scout Advanced is most efficient when allowed to
access all its internal files from the default Main Base Path subfolders on the user’s local hard drive at “C:\YSI\DSAdv\xxxxx”, where
‘xxxxx’ stands for a particular subfolder name. For example, all script logs of Data Scout Advanced are normally kept in the Cmd-Log
subfolder (C:\YSI\DSAdv\Cmd-Log). All data files of the Run window are normally kept in the Dat subfolder (C:\YSI\DSAdv\Dat).

For archive or backup purposes a second set of subfolders (with the same ‘xxxxx’ names) may also be defined by specifying a different
Archive Base Path. This alternate path allows all or certain Data Scout Advanced files to be copied or moved to like-named subfolders
on another disk drive (possibly a Network drive). When such an alternate base path is defined, the Archive window is expanded to
permit Delete, Move, and Copy file operations to be performed between like-named subfolders of the Main Base Path and the Archive
Base Path. The Archive window’s file manipulation operations are restricted to only these two sets of like-named folders.

To configuring the Archive Base Path select Configure | General Options (DSAdv) from the main menu of Data Scout Advanced. On
the window that appears enter the full path name of the desired base path in the third text box labeled Choose Base Path for Archive

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 9

Folders. To avoid typing in a full path name, double-click this text box, and a dialog window opens allowing the user to specify a
particular drive and folder path.

Finally, press OK on the configuration window to save the new path name. Please note that the user is specifying only the Base path of
the Archive subfolders. No particular subfolder or file name should be included in this path name, as these will be added later in the
proper context. Such Archive subfolders will also be created as needed by the Archive window.

For information on using the Archive window, see Chapter 3.

2.7 IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY

If you have any trouble getting Data Scout Advanced to run reliably on the PC, please review the following trouble shooting section.

2.7.1 PROBLEMS INSTALLING DATA SCOUT ADVANCED

When installing Data Scout Advanced, be sure that no other applications are active when the installation is attempted. Otherwise, it
may find some files (e.g., .DLL’s) active that it is trying to overwrite. Also, always uninstall any older version of Data Scout Advanced
(in the same path) before attempting to install a newer version.

®

Occasionally, Setup will indicate that the files are “out of date” and prompt the user to restart Windows
After restarting Windows
find “out-of-date” files, ensure you have the latest Windows

®

, the user may have to repeat the installation process. However, if after restarting Windows®, it continues to

®

Service Pack installed.

in order to solve the problem.

2.7.2 DATA SCOUT ADVANCED DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ONE OR MORE TRANSDUCERS

The most common problem communicating to transducers via serial interfaces using Data Scout Advanced is that all parties are not set
to use the same serial parameters. In particular, a common baud rate must be set in each transducer (and at the PC end), before the
parties can communicate. Data Scout Advanced has several special diagnostic commands for helping in these situations. Review the
detailed material in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 for more information.

2.7.3 DATA SCOUT ADVANCED WINDOWS DO NOT APPEAR WHEN STARTED

Most problems with Data Scout Advanced are due to corrupted files in the Ini subfolder that save the persistent options of Data Scout
Advanced windows when closed. By deleting all these files (usually with .ini or .net file name endings) and then restarting Data Scout
Advanced, most of these problems will disappear. Of course, any persistent options that track the normal usage will be gone, and must
be reconfigured.

2.7.4 DATA SCOUT ADVANCED INDICATES MULTIPLE COPIES RUNNING WHEN STARTED

The user can install multiple versions of Data Scout Advanced on the PC if each one is installed in its own unique path (e.g., install one
in C:\YSI\DSAdv, and another in C:\YSI\DSAdv2) when using Setup to install them. However, the user can only run multiple versions
if they have unique transducer communication port assignments and share no subfolders. During startup, Data Scout Advanced will
notice if its Site Net’s assigned Com port is already in use and warn the user that another copy is active. The user must then Exit the
second copy of Data Scout Advanced or change its Site Net com port to one not already in use.

3.0 CONFIGURING AND QUERYING A SITE

This chapter describes how Data Scout Advanced windows, tasks, features, and functions work. It focuses on the main Data Scout
Advanced window used to configure Data Scout Advanced and to configure and query a Level Scout transducer, individually or as
networks, located at one or more sites. Other major Data Scout Advanced functions (Run, Test, and Playback) are introduced briefly
here, but operate on their own separate windows. Detailed descriptions of these separate windows are deferred to Chapter 4
(Operating Transducers at a Site), Chapter 5 (Testing Transducers at a Site), and Chapter 6 (Processing Data Files)

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 10

3.1 FREQUENTLY USED TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The word transducer is abbreviated xducer (or xdcr) on all Data Scout Advanced windows, menus, and ToolTips.

The abbreviation <xdcr#>, or transducer number, is used to uniquely identify each transducer line (or row) on the Site Net Map of the
main Data Scout Advanced window and as a shorthand name for that transducer in certain reports and logs. It is not a characteristic
of the transducer itself. For example: #3 means the transducer that appears on the third row of the Site Net Map spreadsheet.

The abbreviation <xdcrid>, or transducer identifier, is a characteristic of every transducer itself, and is obtained from the transducer by
reading two values from its ID string: <model#> and <serial#>. These values are connected with a hyphen separating them. For
example: “AS2-019035”.

The abbreviation <yourxdcrname> is any 0 to 16-character descriptive name that is assigned to a transducer describing it (or its
physical site location) with the various “site net” editing functions. It is saved in Data Scout Advanced internal site net definition file(s)
and not in the transducer itself. For example: “Settle Tank 2”.

3.2 USE OF COLORS IN WINDOWS

Several background colors used in Data Scout Advanced have common meanings:

 A light green color means that a control (text box, check box, radio control) contains data meant to be modified by

the user. A light pink color indicates modified. A white color indicates data for display only (i.e., the field cannot be
modified by the user).

 Other bright colors (red, green, yellow) have conventional meanings like Stop (or Test Failed), Go (or Test

Successful), or Caution (or Test Successful but some measurement is out-of-tolerance or requires your attention).
Light (pale) versions of these colors usually decorate simple status boxes or spreadsheets.

 The (foreground) color of a message’s text, when written to a status bar, also has meaning: black text for status or

general information, red text for error messages.

3.3 MAIN DATA SCOUT ADVANCED WINDOW AND SITE NET MAP

When Data Scout Advanced is started, it opens a single window. This window, titled Data Scout Advanced (DSAdv), is simply referred
to as the main Data Scout Advanced window throughout this manual (figure 3.1).

Figure 3.1

Starting at the top, it has a title bar, menu bar, and status bar. Below the status bar is a blank area containing a single button, normally
labeled Query, and a long label below the button describing the “current” site network of the transducer(s) selected. This long label

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 11

gives the protocol, communication port setup parameters (in parentheses), and the full path name of a Site Net (.NET) file that defines
this collection of parameters. If the user has modified these parameters (and has not yet saved them) the path name is replaced by
(modified - unsaved). A MenuTips status bar at the bottom of the window shows the purpose of the last menu item selected whether
it was executed fully or not. It compensates for menus not having any ToolTips.

The middle of the window contains a spreadsheet-like table with labeled columns and numbered transducer rows. It is called the Site
Net Map and shows all the transducers connected to the current site’s network (in example above it is only a single transducer plugged
directly into the serial port of a PC). After the list of transducer(s), the table has one (or two) blank lines (i.e., a place to add another
transducer). All the defined transducer(s) need not exist (yet) on the physical network connected to the specified serial port. As a
minimum, the user must enter a valid unique address field (in Adrs. column) on each transducer row. The unique address may be any
ASCII digit (0-9) or any upper/lower-case letter (A-Z or a-z) with “*” reserved as the broadcast address. An optional 16-character
transducer name (in Name column) may be defined. A relative transducer number field (in Xdcr. column) appears automatically as a
sequential count of the defined transducers. It is used as a default shortcut name for that transducer (along with the optional longer
Name) on various other windows and reports.

The other fields (remaining columns) of the table can be obtained (later) by using the Query function which reads an ID string from
the transducer(s) and stores it in the last ID Response column. This highly encoded ID string is then broken into its logical
components, which then fills out most of the other columns.

A status bar appears just below the menu bar. It may show the status (black text) or error (red text) messages from time to time. Any
error messages are also accompanied by a “beep” or “bell” sound (if the PC has a sound card with speakers operating). The status bar
initially contains a Current Path (or Directory) text string, initially showing the hard disk path where Data Scout Advanced was
installed. This install path is also called the Main Base Path, since it contains several other subfolders (e.g., Ini, Dat, etc.) where Data
Scout Advanced keeps all its internal files.

The user may view these internal files by using the File | View Files (DSAdv) menu function (section 3.4.2) or by simply clicking the
status bar. Using the View function may change the Current Directory string displayed in the status bar from its initial Main Base Path
to other paths that the user may navigate. Other functions may restore the initial path. Also note that this function is not limited to
accessing just Data Scout Advanced related files, but has all the controls and separate context menu necessary to navigate anywhere on
the PC’s network or local drives.

3.3.1 THE SITE NET MAP CONTEXT MENU

The Site Net Map has certain functions of its own that are easily accessed via a “hidden” menu called the Site Net Map Context Menu.
Most of its functions will address selected transducer(s) on the map. To Add a new transducer row to the end of the map, right-click
anywhere in map’s light blue data area to obtain the Context Menu. To perform an Insert, Edit, Who Are You?, and Change Address
function for a particular row, first select (highlight) that transducer row then right click on the row. To perform the Delete or Query
function, first select (highlight) single or multiple transducer row(s) then right click on the row. When the context menu opens it is
assigned to operate on the specified (highlighted) transducer row(s) (figure 3.2).

Figure 3.2

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 12

The Query function in the context menu is the same “read ID string” function performed by the Query button for all defined
transducers on the site network but is performed only for the highlighted transducer(s). Other transducer/row editing functions are
also found in the first section of this context menu. Like the Query function, the Delete function may also be performed for more than
one highlighted transducer while the others can only be performed for a single highlighted transducer. These same transducer/row­specific functions also appear starting in the second section of the main Configure menu (section 3.5.3).

Two special network diagnostic functions (Who Are You? and Change Address) are found in the last section of the context menu. The
first should ONLY be used when a single transducer is the only one physically connected to the network since it uses a special
“broadcast” address to “ask” the unknown transducer its address. See section 2.3 for more information on these two functions.

3.3.2 THE EMPTY SITE NET CONTEXT MENU AND AUTO DISCOVERY

Figure 3.3 below shows a variation of the context menu when the Site Net Map is empty (i.e., the last transducer was just deleted or the
File | New Site Net function was just executed). Not only is the Add function the only editing function available, but a new special
Auto Discover function is made available for use.

Figure 3.3

An Auto Disc. button replaces the Query button when the site net map is empty. However, it is necessary to first setup the Transducer
Site Net configuration per Section 3.5.1 before using Auto Discover. Then, if a suitable protocol and baud rate are set, clicking Auto
Disc. will cause Data Scout Advanced to automatically start querying each possible sequential transducer address. For each transducer
that responds, a new row for it will automatically be added to the map up to 16 transducers per Site Net Map. During the auto­discovery process, a Stop button appears that may be selected at any time to stop the discovery process.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 13

3.4 THE FILE MENU FUNCTIONS

The File menu selection, on the main menu bar, leads to a two-section submenu containing four “site network maintenance” functions
and three “overall” Data Scout Advanced functions (figure 3.4).

Figure 3.4

3.4.1 SITE NETWORK MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS

The main purpose of the Site Net Map is to show information about each Level Scout defined on the current site network after
querying it. See section 3.3 for more information.

The File | New Site Net function causes the current site network to be erased. This clears the Site Net Map, and Data Scout Advanced
will not be very useful until at least one transducer is defined by using either the Add or Auto Discover functions. These functions may
be found on the Configure menu or on the Site Net Map context menu.

The File | Open Site Net function allows the user to choose any existing Site Network (.net) file previously defined and saved in the
Data Scout Advanced Ini subfolder. Selecting it opens an Open File dialog window. This dialog will show only available Site Network
(.net) files in the Data Scout Advanced Ini subfolder. The default file named DSAdv.net is the one always used to save the current site
net when Data Scout Advanced is closed. Open the desired file by selecting it and then clicking the Open button on that window.

The user may create uniquely named “site network” files by first using the File | New Site Net function, and then saving the finally
edited Site Net Map with the File | Save Site Net As function to give it a unique “site-descriptive” name.

The File | Save Site Net function causes the current contents of the Site Net Map to be saved to any named .net file (in the Data Scout
Advanced Ini subfolder) from which that current site net might have originated. If it simply originated from the default system file,
DSAdv.net, it is saved there instead.

The File | Save Site Net As function is similar to the previous function, but causes a Save As dialog window to open to allow the user to
name or rename the file which will save the current Site Net Map. Simply enter the new name in the File name: box, and click the Save
button. Thus, this function provides the ability to make new copies of existing site networks under different site-descriptive names.
Then, the user can open each file, and edit it uniquely for the particular site named.

3.4.2 OVERALL DATA SCOUT ADVANCED FUNTIONS

®

The File | View Files (DSAdv) function opens a Windows

Open dialog box, showing all the subfolders (and files) of the current path.

Its Look in: box permits the user to navigate anywhere on a hard disk, removable, or network drive. However, the dialog generally
starts in the Current Directory (normally the Main Base Path where Data Scout Advanced keeps its main working file subfolders).
Highlighting a file will make its name show up in the File name: box. Clicking the Open button will open that selected file as a text file
with NotePad, WordPad, or any text editor that Data Scout Advanced has been configured to use. Click the Cancel button to close the
dialog without viewing a file.

The File | Archive Files (DSAdv) function opens a special Archive window (figure 3.5). Its principal function is to provide an easy way
to view, delete, copy, or move any files in the Data Scout Advanced subfolders, and to back them up on an a alternate archive medium.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 14

For new Data Scout Advanced installations, it is also used to copy files from an old installation. The archive window contains two
identical frames of controls. The first frame displays folders, filters, and their files from the Main Base Path (i.e., where Data Scout
Advanced is installed, and where Data Scout Advanced keeps its main data files in subfolders). The buttons in this frame allow the user
to Delete any of these files as well as Copy or Move selected groups of them to like-named subfolders of the Archive Base Path (i.e., a
separate location where these primary files can be saved for archive or back-up purposes). The second frame displays folders, filters,
and their files from the Archive Base Path (if one has been configured by Configure | General Options (DSAdv)). Its buttons allows the
user to delete any of these files as well as to copy or move selected groups of them to like-named subfolders of the Main Base Path.

Figure 3.5

Each of the frames operates exactly the same. Clicking the arrow at the right of the Folder: box will reveal the names of all subfolders
currently defined in its base path. Clicking the arrow at the right end of the Filter: box will reveal many useful “starter” filters that may
be used to limit the actual number of files that will appear in the Files: list box of the selected folder. However, the user may also click
the Filter: box after any filter is displayed there, and edit it. The Files: box will change immediately once the characters of the filter are
changed. If the Files: box is empty, then there are no files in the selected folder that match the filtering criteria. The three function
buttons in a frame act directly on all the files currently contained in the Files: box. Thus, clicking the Del button will Delete all those
files, and clicking the Move or Copy button will Move or Copy all those files to the other frame’s like-named subfolder.

The second frame is dim if a unique Archive Base Path has not been assigned in Data Scout Advanced using the Configure | General
Options (DSAdv) Main menu item. In that case the Archive window is only capable of deleting files in the Main Base Path subfolders.

Although the Archive window is highly restricted as to which folders it can copy or move files to, or to which it can delete files in, it has
some other very useful features:

 The Files: Label (adjacent to the upper left side of the Files: box, either frame) has a ToolTip that always indicates the

number of files currently displayed inside its adjacent Files: box.

 When a file name is displayed in a Files: box (either frame) and highlighted. At the same time the ToolTip for that

Files: box will be changed to include information about that highlighted file (i.e., it will show the full path, file name,
size, type of file, and date-last-modified). However, to see this updated ToolTip information, the mouse cursor must
be moved outside the box and then moved back into the box. Note that the current ToolTip only describes the
highlighted file, not just any file name entry in the box.

 By double-clicking a highlighted file name in either Files: box, the Data Scout Advanced text editor will open in a

window to allow the user to view the contents of that file (if it is readable text, or in any format the text editor can
display).

 Note that highlighting any file in a Files: box has no particular meaning, except for the last two items described

above. It does not in any way affect which files are copied, moved, or deleted. All the files in the box are affected
when Del, Move, or Copy action button are selected in the subject frame.

The File | Exit (DSAdv) function is used to close the Data Scout Advanced application. Exit terminates all concurrently running Data
Scout Advanced tasks and windows. If any files are open they are closed. Just before exit, the current site network is normally saved to

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 15

the default file DSAdv.net. This file’s site net will be restored by default if Data Scout Advanced is restarted. In some cases, Data Scout
Advanced may refuse to exit until the user has manually ended some important task still in progress. In this case, a red text message
appears in the status bar.

Before exiting Data Scout Advanced, if changes have been made to the site net, the user may want to save it with an explicit name by
using the File | Save Site Net As function first.

3.5 THE CONFIGURE FUNCTIONS

The Configure Main menu function leads to an expanded submenu with four distinct functional sections (figure 3.6).

Figure 3.6

The top section has two items. General Options (DSAdv) configures several general working options of Data Scout Advanced. The
Xducer Site Network allows the user to view and edit all parameters of the current Transducer Site Network’s serial interface.

The other sections duplicate the exact same functions that also appear on the Site Net Map context menu which will be explained in
section 3.5.3.

The bottom section contains two special transducer network diagnostic functions that only apply to a single highlighted transducer.
These request or change the address of a selected transducer. The Who Are You? function only works if the selected transducer is the
only transducer on the physical network.

All these configuration functions are described fully, with examples, in the following sections.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 16

3.5.1 CONFIGURING THE TRANSDUCER SITE NETWORK

The Configure | Xducer Site Network menu function (or clicking the label that describes the site net parameters, just below the Query
button) opens the following window:

Figure 3.7

In this example one or more Level Scout transducers, utilizing SDI-12 protocol, are connected to communication port 1 at 19200
baud.

The Protocol should always be set to SDI-12.

The Use Brk/Mrk checkbox is normally checked. However, if a cell phone modem is used and the transducer’s Sleep Mode is disabled
(section 4.2.6), this option may be unchecked. This option was added because the Break/Mark timing sequences, that precede all SDI­12 commands, do not get passed through VSP software (described below) and cell phone modems using the TCP/IP protocol. So,
disabling this option reduces the overhead of having to send these sequences. If you uncheck this option, you must remember to check
it again if you enable Sleep Mode again in the transducer (or Query will not work). When Sleep Mode is disabled battery consumption
will be greatly increased so the use of external power is required. This should not be a problem with a cell phone modem since the
same power source that energizes the modem itself can likely be used to also supply external excitation power to the transducer(s) on
that remote Site Network.

The PC may have several Com Ports as available choices. Any such port may be selected by clicking the arrow on the list box labeled
Port. If the computer comes originally without a serial port interface, the user must add a serial port interface card, install an external
USB serial port (and supporting driver, YSI part number 773), or install a “virtual” serial port (and VSP software), before any suitable
Port choices will appear in the Port list box. The list box is populated when Data Scout Advanced starts, so if a USB serial port was
plugged in while Data Scout Advanced was active, the user must exit Data Scout Advanced and restart it before that port can be
selected. A VSP is a software driver that provides access (using TCP/IP protocol) to a transducer connected remotely over the Internet
via a 3G cell phone modem.

Another similar list box, labeled Baud, also has several choices. The factory default of the Level Scout is 19200.

The setting of the Echo Used check box depends on the wiring of the network. If transmit and receive lines are tied together then any
transmitted character comes back on the receive line (i.e. echoes). RS-485 converter interfaces may block such echoes, though some
have a jumper option to pass echoes. If using the RS-485/RS-232 converter provided by YSI, leave this box unchecked. If unsure, try
it unchecked first. If the wrong option is selected, Data Scout Advanced will notify the user when the next Query command is issued.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 17

Leave the Modem Used check box unchecked if using a local hard-wired site network of one or more transducers connected to a
hardware serial port (e.g., COM1). However, if the Site Network is remote (connected via some transmission medium using one or
more modems), then check this box. When checked, two additional text boxes appear (figure 3.8).

Figure 3.8

The text box labeled Tel.No./IP/DNS identifies some address by which a remote modem can be located when Data Scout Advanced
starts. The type of address entered into this box depends on the type of modem(s) used and the transmission medium on the “other
side” of the COM port used (e.g., dial-up telephone line, radio, satellite, or wired TCP/IP link via a broadband internet provider):

 If the Port list box has selected the local COM port of an analog “dial-up” modem (V92 type) installed on the PC,

then this box must contain all the digits of the Telephone Number that must be dialed to reach the remote analog
modem at the other end of the dial-up telephone line connection. The “*” character may be added anywhere in the
number sequence to introduce a delay (e.g., “9*1*757*865*7777”). This number is dialed by Data Scout Advanced
when it starts, or whenever this Xducer Site Net configuration window’s parameters are changed. Data Scout
Advanced will hang up the dial-up connection when it exits or just before it changes the Xducer Site Net window’s
parameters.

 If the Port list box has selected a “virtual” serial port then this box should be left blank. Such a port is created by a

Port Re-Director or Virtual Serial Port (VSP) software driver installed on the PC. Throughout the rest of the
manual, the term VSP is used to refer to any such “simulated” port, and the VSP driver software must be separately
initialized before Data Scout Advanced starts. It must also be assigned a static IP Address and TCP Port # of the
remote cell phone modem (CDMA or GSM/GPRS type). In this case the transmission medium is the PC’s
broadband internet provider. Such a connection may be via a corporate LAN if fire walls are setup to permit such
TCP/IP communication. Some network providers also use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection to make the
modem’s static IP address operate securely.

YSI has evaluated two different VSPs. The first was tested with the AirLink ‘Raven’ modem (both GSM and CDMA
models). Be sure to disable all the NVT (RFC-2217) features of this VSP, since the AirLink does not support them.
The second VSP, called RealPort, was tested with the Digi Connect ‘Remote Gateway’ (RG) device (both CDMA
and GSM models exist, but YSI has only tested the CDMA model). RealPort is fully integrated with this device.
Both VSPs must be setup to simulate an unused COM port on the PC which must be selected from the Port list box
on the Xducer Site Net configuration window. If that port choice is not available, then the VSP driver was not
loaded and activated before Data Scout Advanced started.

Note

 For some other types of remote modems the IP address or DNS name equivalent may be entered into this box

directly. Data Scout Advanced does not currently support such connections (possible future feature).

For local site networks (i.e., when Modem Used check box is unchecked) Data Scout Advanced uses a nominal timeout value of 2 or 3
seconds for transmitting and receiving all serial commands and responses. When a modem is used (box checked), commands and
responses take longer due to various latency problems in the communication medium (Internet, satellite, or radio link). A cell network
might have a typical ½ second latency when commands are being sent regularly. However, after a “silent” period (typically 20-30
seconds), with no commands sent, such a modem often enters a “sleep” state which requires a longer latency period of many seconds
to awake. In this case the XTime text box (figure 3.8) is used to specify this “worst-case” extra time period, in addition to the normal
timeout period. For cell phone networks YSI suggests using at least the 8 additional seconds (for a total timeout period of 11 seconds).

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 18

Note

YSI has tested two cell phone devices with the following results.

The AirLink Raven modems (GSM or CDMA) have remote serial ports (which connect to the remote Level Scout
transducer(s)) that can have their serial port communication parameters set only statically by sending manual AT
modem commands. The serial parameters do not get dynamically relayed to the remote serial port on the remote
modem when Data Scout Advanced sets them for its local “virtual” port. This limitation currently makes two Data
Scout Advanced features (on the Run windows Configure menu) inoperable via this modem: (1) the user cannot
change the baud rate of the remote transducer, and (2) the user cannot upgrade the firmware in the remote transducer
(since that requires a dynamic change of transducer baud rate and other communication parameters).

The Digi Connect “Remote Gateway” (RG) cell phone device (GSM or CDMA) has an integrated RealPort VSP. This
device and VSP combo can dynamically relay Data Scout Advanced’s local “virtual” serial port changes to the remote
serial port on the device. As a result, the user is able to: (1) change the baud rate of the remote transducer, (2) detect
modem signal changes on the remote RS232 port, and (3) upgrade the firmware in the remote transducer (although this
is not guaranteed 100% reliable and therefore, not recommended).

All configured transducers can be simulated by selecting zero (0) in the Baud list box. After setting 0 baud rate, each transducer
defined on that site network will no longer access the physical com-port assigned to it, but will operate in a simulation mode that
responds correctly to most transducer commands by returning simulated responses. Transducer internal configuration options,
changeable via the Run window (e.g., mode, pressure units, temperature units, etc.), are saved in a persistent memory file (<model#>-
<serial#>-XSimPer.ini in the Ini subfolder) for each simulated transducer. This simulation feature can be useful in debugging new
Script files before committing them to execute on real transducers. Simply restore the correct non-zero baud rate to make all
simulated transducers “real” again. The site network label is displayed in magenta when simulated transducers are in use.

3.5.2 CONFIGURING GENERAL OPTIONS OF DATA SCOUT ADVANCED

The Configure | General Options (DSAdv) menu function specifies general options of Data Scout Advanced (figure 3.9).

Figure 3.9

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 19

There are only four General Options in this selection. All these persistent options are remembered in the DSAdv.ini file when saved
(i.e. when Data Scout Advanced is closed). The first three options many be entered by clicking its text box and typing in a full path
name (including a file name for the first two options, but not the last). However, to avoid typing such long strings, double-click each
text box to open a dialog window that allows the user to navigate to the disk drive to locate the desired path. The fourth option is a
simple check box that enables or disables writing of the System Log file. Click Cancel instead of OK to exit the window without saving
any changes made.

The first option specifies a favorite text editor to be used by Data Scout Advanced whenever the user needs to view any plain text
(report or data) files created by Data Scout Advanced. The default program is NotePad if this field is unspecified (blank). To use an
alternate text editor, enter the full path and file name of its .exe file. See section 2.6.1 for more details.

The second option specifies where the Data Scout Advanced Operations Manual is installed. In the example above, the user has
installed the manual in the Manual subfolder of DSAdv. However, it could have been installed on a shared network drive. See section

2.1.1 for more details.

The third option specifies the Archive Base Path, where Data Scout Advanced will copy or move (for backup purposes) any of its
primary internal data and initialization files in subfolders of the Main Base Path. In this case, the user is specifying only a drive and
base path (no file name is specified). The final path shown in the option field must end with a backslash (\), which is normally added
automatically. See section 2.6.2 for more detail on selecting an Archive Base Path. See File | Archive Files (DSAdv) function in section

3.4.2 for using the selected Archive Base Path.

The fourth option enables or disable the writing of a System Log file that records every major event that Data Scout Advanced
generates (while the file is enabled). A new file (named SYS_<date>_<time>.log) is created and opened in the Cmd-log subfolder each
time this check box is checked. The file is closed either when the check box is unchecked, or when Data Scout Advanced is closed. If
Data Scout Advanced is closed with this option enabled, a new System Log file will be automatically created and opened when Data
Scout Advanced is restarted.

Whenever the System Log file is open, Data Scout Advanced checkpoints (closes, then reopens for “append”) this file, each time a
diagnostic event is written to it. This allows you to open and examine this file while Data Scout Advanced is running if you have a
good text editor (like EditPadPro) that can open the file for read while it is still open for writing by Data Scout Advanced. A simple
text editor like NotePad may not permit this, requiring you to close the file manually (using ‘Configure | General Options (DSAdv)’),
or exit Data Scout Advanced, before examining its contents. The following example listing shows the format of this file:

--- System 'Diagnostic' Log File: (All Xducers)

--- Using: DSAdv Version: 1.7.0

--- Updated: 02-07-2008 at 16:08:45

000000.000005 : 000.000005 Open Sys.Log File C:\YSI\DSAdv\Cmd-Log\SYS_2008-02-07_16-08-45.log

000000.002254 : 000.002249 Start DSAdv Main Form

000000.004273 : 000.002018 Starting Command Line:

000000.016889 : 000.012617 Com Ports found: [ COM1=Site COM3=Avail. ]

000000.102848 : 000.085959 timBlink = 0

000000.105482 : 000.002634 Standby: Opening Com Port 1... with Settings 19200,E,7,1 In CommXdcr

000001.120208 : 001.014725 timBlink = 1

000002.119484 : 000.999276 timBlink = 2

000002.329100 : 000.209617 Row 1 Clicked

000003.126235 : 000.797135 timBlink = 3

000004.049048 : 000.922813 !!Start Run Form

000004.207101 : 000.158053 timBlink = 4

000004.227164 : 000.020063 Show_Status (Run): STANDBY: Reading Data From Transducers

000004.231221 : 000.004057 !!Show_Splash_Msg: STANDBY: Getting Xducer Data >>> Reading Lock State && Oper.Mode of
Xducer #1.

000004.253212 : 000.021991 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0U]

000004.367305 : 000.114093 TRsp= [0+1 ] bk=0.012013 mk=0.008064

000004.487095 : 000.119790 !!Show_Splash_Msg: STANDBY: Getting Xducer Data >>> Reading Pressure Units of Xducer #1.

000004.498853 : 000.011758 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0XUP]

000004.609940 : 000.111086 TRsp= [00032 ] bk=0.012006 mk=0.008001

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 20

000004.614749 : 000.004809 TCmd(SRPoll)=[0]

000004.621342 : 000.006593 TRsp= [0 ] Rcv.Service Request (leftover)

000004.623733 : 000.002391 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0D0]

000004.733513 : 000.109780 TRsp= [0+9+6 ] bk=0.012011 mk=0.008

000004.738575 : 000.005062 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0M3]

000004.848199 : 000.109624 TRsp= [00033 ] bk=0.012001 mk=0.008006

000004.853304 : 000.005105 TCmd(SRPoll)=[0]

000004.860490 : 000.007186 TRsp= [0 ] Rcv.Service Request (alone)

000004.862843 : 000.002353 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0D0]

000004.972907 : 000.110064 TRsp= [0-2.307300+0.000000-14.24048 ] bk=0.012031 mk=0.008001

000005.091869 : 000.118962 !!Show_Splash_Msg: STANDBY: Getting Xducer Data >>> Reading Temperature Units of Xducer #1.

000005.102893 : 000.011024 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0XUT]

000005.213892 : 000.110999 TRsp= [00031 ] bk=0.012004 mk=0.008006

000005.219357 : 000.005465 TCmd(SRPoll)=[0]

000005.226470 : 000.007113 TRsp= [0 ] Rcv.Service Request (leftover)

000005.229060 : 000.002590 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0D0]

000005.236519 : 000.007459 timBlink = 5

000005.339145 : 000.102626 TRsp= [0+0 ] bk=0.012003 mk=0.008002

000005.454689 : 000.115545 Show_Status (Run): READY: Use 'Acquire' menu or buttons (below) to start acquiring 'live' data

000006.228323 : 000.773633 timBlink = 6

: : : : :

001320.294216 : 002.689690 !!Show_Splash_Msg: STANDBY: Getting Xdcr. Data >>> Reading Current User-Units Offset/Slope Now!

001320.319388 : 000.025172 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0I]

001320.437787 : 000.118399 TRsp= [013-YSI----BS2---0.0-607541-2.2 ] bk=0.012004 mk=0.008102

001320.448201 : 000.010414 {ExeXducerCmd} !!Xdcr #1 checked for HOT-SWAP but found none! Overhead = 0.125000 sec.

001320.453047 : 000.004845 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0M3]

001320.567116 : 000.114069 TRsp= [00033 ] bk=0.012005 mk=0.008005

001320.573787 : 000.006671 TCmd(SRPoll)=[0]

001320.584190 : 000.010404 TRsp= [0 ] Rcv.Service Request (alone)

001320.587453 : 000.003263 TCmd+Bk+Mk= [0D0]

001320.699844 : 000.112391 TRsp= [0+2.307300+0.000000-14.24048 ] bk=0.012006 mk=0.008016

003645.904238 : 2325.204394 Unloading Run Form

003645.942010 : 000.037772 Standby: Closing Com Port 1...

003646.156356 : 000.214347 CommXdcr closed!

003646.165757 : 000.009401 Unloading DSAdv Main Form

The above example of a System Log file format is described below. After the first three initial header lines, all other lines are event lines
or blank lines. Some superfluous event lines have been removed for simplicity and replaced by a line of colons (: : :)

• The leftmost column of an event line is a time stamp. It show relative time (in seconds) that was accumulated since the file
was opened – when that event line was written. Actual time can be determined by adding this to the real-time data and time
stamp in the header.

• The second column is a delta time (in seconds) which is the elapsed time since the previous event was written to the file.
(value is meaningless for the 1

st

event line).

• The third column is a variable-length text descriptor string describing that particular diagnostic event. In cases where it is
very long, it may be shown folded onto a second or third line (without a preceding time stamp).

A blank line indicates the passage of time – and precedes any event line whose delta time is longer than 0.1 second since the previous
event line was written. In other words, any blank line indicates that at least 0.1 second (or longer) has passed without an event being
written to the file.

These event lines will be most beneficial to YSI Technical Support if you are experiencing a problem with Data Scout Advanced. You
may be asked by Technical Support to enable this setting in order to record any failure or problem you are experiencing. However,
some failures such as Visual Basic Run-Time Errors may not be detected by Data Scout Advanced. In such cases, you may need to tell
the YSI Technical Support Representative what key stroke you last entered at the time of the failure.

3.5.3 CONFIGURING TRANSDUCERS/ROWS OF THE SITE NET MAP

The second section of the Configure submenu (and the top section of a highlighted transducer’s Site Net Map context menu) contains
“editing” functions that operate directly on the rows (individual transducers) of the Site Net Map. Most of these functions will open
an additional window to gather needed information or to confirm execution.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 21

The Add function is used to add a new row to the end of the current Site Net Map. In figure 3.10, the title bar of the window indicates
that Transducer #1 was previously the last item on the map, and that this function, if completed, will add a new Transducer #2 to the
end of the map.

The Add function’s window has two fields where entries are possible for the transducer (i.e., the light-green fields). A descriptive
Name may be left blank, but a valid Address is required before the OK button will be enabled to allow the user to save the information.
The other white fields are read-only and used to display ID information that will be retrieved from the transducer when it is queried.

The Insert function is used to insert a new row on the current Site Net Map between the currently highlighted row and the row above
it. In figure 3.11, the title bar of the pop-up window indicates that Transducer #1 was the previously highlighted row on the map, and
that this function, if completed, will add a new Transducer #1 ahead of it on the map, thus renumbering the originally highlighted
transducer and pushing it down to be Transducer #2.

Figure 3.10

The Insert function’s window allows Name and Address fields be entered for the transducer (the light-green fields). The Name may be
left blank, but a valid Address is required before the OK button will be enabled to allow the user to save the information.

The Delete function is used to delete any existing highlighted transducer row(s) on the Site Net Map. The PC keyboard’s Delete key
may be used as a shortcut to invoke this function. The function opens a warning dialog window to be sure the user wants to delete the
transducer(s). It will not operate unless one or more existing rows on the Site Net Map, to be deleted, are highlighted first.

Figure 3.11

The Edit function is used to edit any or all of the individual fields (columns) of any existing highlighted transducer row on the Site Net
Map. In figure 3.12, the title bar of the window indicates that Transducer #1 was the previously highlighted row on the map, and that
this function, if completed, can selectively change any data fields belonging to Transducer #1.

The Edit function’s window initially shows the current data previously defined for every field of that transducer row. Any of these
fields (in light-green text boxes) may be changed as needed. Other fields (in white text boxes) can be viewed but not modified since
they are supplied by the Query function. Press OK to finalize any changes made, or press Cancel to ignore the changes made.

Other transducer configuration option functions, that actually change data inside a physical transducer, are found on a separate
Configure menu of the separate Run window. These are described briefly in Section 3.6 and described fully in Chapter 4.

Figure 3.12

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 22

3.5.4 CONFIGURING OTHER OPTIONS OF THE HIGHLIGHTED TRANSDUCER

The bottom section of the Configure submenu has two transducer network maintenance items.

The first function called Configure | Who Are You? (Only Xdcr) will request that the only transducer on the network report its
unknown address. This is accomplished by transmitting a special broadcast command (i.e., one without a specific address). The
function is meaningless if more than one transducer is currently physically attached to the network since all transducers will respond to
the broadcast command simultaneously. The function is provided only to allow the user to identify a transducer whose address is
really unknown (assuming the baud rate is known).

The best way to avoid having to use this function is to reserve the default factory-set address of any transducer (0), and to only allow
non-default addresses to remain on the network. That way, when receiving a new factory transducer, the user can add it to the
network with its default (but unduplicated) address. Other methods for configuring networks from scratch are described in Section

2.3.

Change an address to any non-default (unduplicated) address, using the second function called Configure | Change Address (HiLi
Xdcr) which opens a new window (figure 3.13). Only the Address text box is available for entering data and a new check box option
(normally unchecked) is displayed. Click the check box option only if using it when there is only one transducer physically connected
to the serial port.

Figure 3.13

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 23

3.6 THE RUN FUNCTION

The Run menu has three functions (figure 3.14).

Figure 3.14

All items will take the user to the Run window which provides a data acquisition and recording function of Data Scout Advanced as a
single-cycle (on demand), periodic, or continuous data acquisition from all (or selected) transducers on the Site Net Map. The
window has many transducer configuration functions that read (and optionally set) various options inside individual transducers
currently defined on the map. Normally, modifications are limited to the currently selected transducer but may be “broadcast” to all
the transducers assigned to the Run function.

The first two sub-menu items are identical if there is only one transducer defined on the Site Net Map. However, if there are multiple
transducers defined and working (i.e., their Query functions have successfully filled in the necessary additional information columns
for their rows), the functions act differently. The first item will assign all working transducers on the map to the Run function and
start it. The second item will assign one or more highlighted transducer(s) to the Run function and start it. The bottom menu item is
used only in an emergency when one or more transducers does not respond to Query and the user needs to enter the Run window to
access certain transducer functions on the Run window’s Configure menu. See Chapter 4 for more information.

Once the appropriate selection is made, a separate Run window will open. This window initially starts with its own menu bar and
control buttons disabled, and with a STANDBY: message prominently displayed on its status bar. During this short period, the
function is reading certain necessary information from all the transducers selected for it. Various status windows may appear
indicating this. Once that information is obtained, its menu bar and control buttons will be enabled and many functions of the main
Data Scout Advanced window become disabled. This is to prevent transducer network changes while live transducers are operating via
the Run function. For pictorial examples and more information on using the Run function, see Chapter 4.

Also selectable from the separate File menu of the Run window is the Playback function which is actually a separate application
(DSPlay.exe). This function can read and display (as a text “spreadsheet” or graphic “plots”) any data file created by the Data Scout
Advanced Run window. This includes .txt or .csv ‘Record’ data files acquired “live” from any transducer or group of transducers or the
.atd or .csv ‘AutoLog’ files extracted from the transducers. For a complete description of this application see Chapter 6.

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 24

3.7 THE TEST FUNCTION

The Test function, selected from the Data Scout Advanced main menu leads to a sub-menu with only one item (figure 3.15).

Figure 3.15

The Execute Script function is available to users who are familiar with the use of low-level transducer commands and responses. It
allows the user to write their own Scripts (also called Command files) which are simple text files that contain any sequence of
transducer commands and other meta-commands to control the script itself, such as looping, inserting delays and pauses, etc.

For pictorial examples and more information on using the Execute Script function, see Chapter 5.

3.8 THE HELP MENU FUNCTIONS

The Help menu selection on the main menu leads to help information for Data Scout Advanced (figure 3.16).

Figure 3.16

All Data Scout Advanced windows provide ToolTips as the primary help information for each control, label, and display field. Simply
hover the mouse cursor over each item to see what it is and how it is used. Since menu items have no ToolTips of their own, a special
MenuTips status bar (at the bottom of the window) will provide a similar brief description of each menu item selected. Think of
MenuTips as showing the “history” of the last menu item selected, rather than as a prompt to advise what to do next (as the status bar
at the top of window, and the ToolTips, generally do).

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 25

3.8.1 HELP TIPS

The Help | Tips function displays a window that summarizes information about various Data Scout Advanced Help features (figure

3.17).

The first panel contains information about ToolTips in general. The middle panel describes all the major main Data Scout Advanced
window menu bar items. The last panel describes ways of obtaining the Data Scout Advanced Operations Manual

Figure 3.17

YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 26