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Contents 1 Elements of a Standard Measurement System... 3 1.1 Hardware... 3 1.2 Software... 3 1.3 Functional Library... 3 1.4 System Requirements... 3 2 Parameter Setting Software DaSoft... 4 2.1 Installation... 4 2.2 Starting DaSoft... 4 2.3 Setting up DaSoft... 6 2.3.1 Setting of IP Address and Port No.... 6 2.3.2 Changing the IP-address... 7 2.3.3 Number of Amplifier Slots in System... 8 2.3.4 Directory for Interface File... 8 2.3.5 Reading Out the System... 9 2.3.6 Parameter Setting for Amplifiers... 10 2.3.7 Creating measurement systems with several racks... 12 2.3.8 CAN Configuration... 13 3 Data Acquisition Software DAQSoft... 18 3.1 Installation... 18 3.2 Help File... 18 3.3 Starting DAQSoft... 19 3.4 Setting up DAQSoft for Measuring... 20 3.4.1 General Configuration... 20 3.4.2 Measurement Settings... 21 3.5 Measuring... 24 3.6 Data Export and Report creation... 25 4 Licensing and Updates... 27 4.1 DaSoft... 27 4.2 DAQSoft... 27 4.3 Drivers... 27 4.4 Functional Library... 27 5 Impressum... 28 2 / 28
1 Elements of a Standard Measurement System The hardware and software components of a GHM-IMTRON measurement system can be characterized as follows: 19 housing or chassis Universal or sensor-specific plug-in amplifiers in 19" technology Aluminum die cast housing for compact applications with incorporated amplifiers Communication interfaces: Ethernet, CAN, (serial) Parameter setting software DaSoft for amplifier configuration (via Ethernet, USB-to-CAN adapter) Data acquisition software DAQSoft Drivers for DASYLab, LabVIEW Functional library for proprietary implementation 1.1 Hardware Detailed descriptions of the amplifiers and systems are given in the corresponding data sheets or manuals. 1.2 Software The GHM-IMTRON software packages have a context sensitive help file for quick look up. This training intends to give you an overview of the most important menu items. 1.3 Functional Library For customer-specific applications support can be given on implementation of protocols and codes. 1.4 System Requirements Actual PC with Dual core CPU or better Min. 2 GB RAM, recommended: 4 GB RAM Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 7 For DAQSoft a Microsoft.NET environment is necessary (from DAQSoft version 3.22.00.NET 4.0 is required) For data acquisition at high sampling rates a fast hard disk is needed because of the large amount of data. 3 / 28
2 Parameter Setting Software DaSoft Recommended requirements are a PC with a multi core Pentium CPU (>1 GHz clock), 2 GB RAM, operating system Windows XP or 7. 2.1 Installation Inserting the CD into the drive will normally start installation of DaSoft automatically. Should the auto run function be disabled with your computer, please use the Windows explorer to select the directory x:\dasoft_xxxxxi and double click on setup.exe. Follow the instructions on the screen; installation routines of DaSoft will set up the software accordingly. DaSoft will be installed first as German version. You can change the language to English afterwards under Extras Sprache Englisch. 2.2 Starting DaSoft When starting DaSoft, several questions will come up, which can be acknowledged accordingly: 4 / 28
Then the start window will open with the last configuration as selected. With the menu bar you have to set up the communication configuration first. 5 / 28
2.3 Setting up DaSoft 2.3.1 Setting of IP Address and Port No. For communication between measurement system and DaSoft via Ethernet, the way of communication has to be selected as TCP/IP in DaSoft. The IP address and Port No. of the hardware have to be set accordingly (ex factory defaults are: IP address 192.168.1.111 and Port no. 4096). These settings are done under: Extras Options Communication. The name of the system can be entered freely. Switch from RS232 to TCPIP Enter IP-address and port 6 / 28
2.3.2 Changing the IP-address The DAQ-systems are shipped with a pre-configured IP-address. Users can change the IP-address with the following steps: Open DaSoft with the parameter /tcpip (a link is created during installation of DaSoft in the program folder in the Start menu) Change communication to TCP/IP Enter the old IP-address in the upper IP-Adr. field Read the system configuration by click on Auslesen (bottom left corner of the window) Enter the new network data (IP-address, port, subnet mask, gateway) in the input fields in the middle of the window Now click on Speichern to transmit the new network data to the DAQ system. To use the new settings reset the DAQ system. Please use the RESET button on your DAQ system or disconnect the power connection. Now you can close the window by Beenden. 7 / 28
2.3.3 Number of Amplifier Slots in System The system is normally recognized automatically with the physically existing number of slots. This can be changed if necessary under: Extras Options Measurement system afterwards. 2.3.4 Directory for Interface File All settings done with DaSoft regarding amplifiers and data acquisition should be overtaken by DAQSoft and another acquisition software at the touch of a button. This is done with the help of the interface file ddl.int. The following course is valid as of DaSoft V5.17.00, DAQSoft V3.19.00, DASYLabdriver V2.01.00 and LabVIEW driver V2.00.06: In DaSoft the (given) standard directory of the interface file can be changed (afterwards) under: Extras Options General. After a directory change resp. after the first start of DaSoft, the system then has to be read out or parameterized to generate the interface file anew. DAQSoft, DASYLab and LabVIEW recognize the path automatically. 8 / 28
Leave the window with OK and check communication with hardware by querying all amplifiers. This will generate the ddl.int in the chosen directory. Save settings by File Save As... in a file with a name of your choice. 2.3.5 Reading Out the System Check box and in case select another directory via the browse button [...] In order to know the configuration of the system, respectively the amplifiers involved, it needs to be read out via Communication -> Query selected amplifiers 9 / 28
2.3.6 Parameter Setting for Amplifiers After leaving the reading out section, you come back to the Amplifier Settings (Single Mode) window: With the different pull-down menus selection of measurement range, excitation of sensor, and filter frequency can be made (in case of the universal amplifier plus type of sensor). Furtheron for comparator function threshold limits can be entered. Details are described in the corresponding help file section "Views" and "Control Elements". Having changed parameters in the settings, the green status LED will change to a different color. Pressing the parameterization button will save the changes in the flash of the amplifier, and the LED will turn to green again. 10 / 28
The "Online" (Oscilloscope) and DVM views present the transmitted measurement values of the selected amplifier channels by toggling between KA and KB (KC and KD). Presentation is at low sampling speed and for reference respectively functional testing only. The acquisition tab menu allows to enter manually an offset value and another unit plus complementary do a 2-point calibration. The sample rate can be selected from 1 S/s to maximum 20 ks/s depending on the type of amplifier. Block size is automatically set depending on the sample rate for data acquisition software like DASYLab or other. With the 2-point calibration, a linear value assignment is generated. The 2-point calibration is not available for CAN devices. 11 / 28
2.3.7 Creating measurement systems with several racks DAQ systems from the DASIM and SIQUAD family of devices can consist of several devices. For this, the devices are integrated in an Ethernet network. For this connection, it is necessary to assign a unique IP address to each of the devices. The procedure is described in "Changing the IP address". The time synchronization of the racks with each other for synchronized data acquisition is described in the system manual. Each single system which has to be integrated has to be configured individually. The settings must be saved in a *.kfw file. If the single systems are assigned to an unique IP address and configured, a new system configuration file *.syd can be created. File New System File (*.syd) Enter a name for the system file and confirm the selection window by clicking Ok. The option window with the Communication tab will be opened: In the right pane, select the individual *.kfw files of individual systems one at a time, network settings and name of the device will be automatically transferred. The *.kfw files can be choosen by clicking into the File: input field and then by clicking Browse. Now navigate to your *.kfw file and confirm with Ok. You can add more devices to the system by clicking the "Add" button. Confirm with "OK" when you have added all devices. The settings of the measuring amplifiers will now be automatically copied from the *.kfw files into the system configuration file. 12 / 28
2.3.8 CAN Configuration The software "DaSoft" must be installed on a PC for identification and parameterization. Over a USB-CAN adapter the module can be addressed. The following steps are necessary: Install the driver for the USB-CAN adapter Install DaSoft as described in the manual USB-CAN adapter connected to a USB port on the PC 2.3.8.1 Identification Immediately after switching on the module sends a message that contains the baud rate and ID parameterization. If it cannot send at the set baud rate, it is automatically set to 500 Kbps and sends the power-on message again with this baud rate. This baud rate of 500 kbps is preserved until the next power-up. The factory settings are parameterization ID 200 and transmission ID 101 for data acquisition. 2.3.8.2 Reading the Power-On message If the CAN module is used autonomously (not operated on an existing CAN bus) it must be fitted with a 120 Ω terminating resistor. To read the power-on message and to change the parameters for the CAN parameterisation must DaSoft initially started with the expansion parameter " /CANparameter" (from the program menu:... \ Imtron \ DaSoft_51821-CAN, possibly create a link on the desktop) The CAN module connected to the USB-CAN adapter, but not yet powered on. Confirm Read the power-on message acknowledge message (if the module was still switched on, turn it off now), and status note. 13 / 28
Connect the CAN module to the power supply. The parameters are displayed at the bottom right of the window. Confirm "Zurück" then leads back to the starting dialog which can be terminated now. In this dialog now a new parameterization ID and baud rates could be set (if necessary) and stored to the device. The CAN transmission ID is changed in the parameterization software. 14 / 28
2.3.8.3 Parameter setting in DaSoft Start DaSoft, choose "Extras options communication" and select CAN with the pull-down menu. In "CAN communication settings" accept the baud rate (500 kbps) and the parameterization ID (x200), or when otherwise configured, set the changed values. The reading of the power-on message is not required! In the tab Measurement system the Number of slots in system must be set to 8 (default). The CAN module can then be accessed as the amplifier number 1. 15 / 28
Now the module can be read out by selecting Communication Query selected amplifiers. In the screen now 8 amplifier can be seen, only the first concerns the CAN module. Click on Cancel to go back to the main screen. 2.3.8.4 Amplifier parameter setting The existing amplifiers can now be parameterized as described in 2.3.6. With the various pull-down menus Sensor type, measuring range, sensor supply and filter frequency and other setting can be selected. 16 / 28
2.3.8.5 Parameterizing the CAN settings In the mask CAN settings, the required CAN ID can be set for the amplifier, the transmission type, baud rate, refresh time etc. When using multiple CAN devices in the same CAN bus different CAN IDs must be specified for the different devices. 2.3.8.6 Save the settings as dbc file The settings made for the CAN device can be stored for use with other CAN-based systems as a DBC file. File Save in dbc file 17 / 28
3 Data Acquisition Software DAQSoft Recommended requirements are a PC with a multi core Pentium CPU (>1 GHz clock), 4 GB RAM, operating system Windows XP or 7. Due to the amount of data at higher sample rates, a fast hard disk with sufficient space is mandatory. The graphics card (or onboard chip set) should have enough power for a 1024x768 or better 1280x1024 pixel resolution. Monitor size can range from 17" to 24" or higher, depending on the desired visualization of channels. Since DAQSoft is programmed with Microsoft.Net technology, Framework 2.0 or higher is required. 3.1 Installation Executing DAQSoft.msi will start the installation program and lead you through the installation process. If Microsoft Framework is not yet installed, the program will install it from the data medium if it is in the same directory. DAQSoft will be installed first as German version. You can change the language to English afterwards under Extras Sprache Englisch. 3.2 Help File The help file contains details about all menu chapters. It can be reached via the Help button in the corresponding menu section or the Help menu itself. In the following it is intended to give a thread for setting up a measurement. Therefore some sections are not covered in detail, but can be refinished at any later stage by oneself. 18 / 28
3.3 Starting DAQSoft For setting up a measurement, DAQSoft needs the ddl.int interface file generated before by DaSoft, having all the information about the hardware system. For demonstration purposes the "Demo-Projekt" can be opened using a default file. Starting DAQSoft will give a selection of projects (if existing) or alternatively the possibility to create a new project: With the acknowledgement, the main window will open with an arrangement of working windows. The layout will be at first start a default one or otherwise the one of the last saved project. The menu commands as well as the toolbar on top of the main window give access to all menu sections. It is easier to use the toolbar buttons as kind of abbreviation for the menu commands. 19 / 28
3.4 Setting up DAQSoft for Measuring 3.4.1 General Configuration All information about the measurement systems is picked by DAQSoft from the interface file. For the data acquisition itself, the individual configuration is done via the General Configuration and the Measurement Settings menus as first steps. Here you can change a.o. the directories for file saving, and the way of measurement savings conditions. For details on Monitoring, Export, and Report plus Measurement, Graph, and Options please refer also to the help file. 20 / 28
3.4.2 Measurement Settings In this configuration menu you can do the Channel Settings, Triggers & Repetitions, Video Camera Link-Up, CAN-Logger, and GPS-Logger configurations. With the channel settings you define the channels to be used and how they shall be processed and displayed. Parameters set in the system cannot be changed, but however their presentation like color, scale and axis assignment. Having selected the channels for data acquisition, measurement can be started. Additional settings can be made via the triggers and online calculation tab. Detailed explanations are given in the help file. 21 / 28
There are several types of triggers: keyboard, digital, analog, clock, time, pre/post, and serial (periodic). The digital triggers are based on the high or low level of a signal, and not on an edge. The analog triggers come from the amplifier hardware, when the comparator function has been set. The analog trigger requires the "Monitoring mode" to be checked. With the analog triggers multiple AND / OR combinations of channel conditions can be configured for start and stop formulas. Clock trigger gives the possibility to select a start point based on PC or GPS time. With the time trigger the measurement duration can be set accordingly, where the pre/post trigger allows to record also data before and after a trigger condition occurred. Periodic measurements allow also to save measurement data in predefined files automatically and/or to generate automatic reports. 22 / 28
With "Online Calculation" virtual measurement channels are generated using the available operators, constants, algebraic and time functions for existing physical channels. To perform a proper calculation all selected channels must have the same sample rate. For saved measurements the calculation can be made up leeway using the Tools -> Data Manipulation menu. After acknowledging the settings menu(s), the main window will open giving DVM, Graph, and channel legend presentation, as well as the properties and views side tabs. The selection of the docked windows for individual configuration is done under the Windows -> menu point. 23 / 28
3.5 Measuring In order to perform a measurement, communication between the hardware system(s) and DAQSoft has to be established pressing the "Online" and "Start" button one after the other. The screen layout and the way to change it, is described in detail again in the corresponding sections of the help file. After having stopped and/or saved the measurement, it can be analyzed optically with the different Graph menu tools: Handling of measurement data is done in the menu section "Tools" for data joining, comparison, manipulation, filter wizard, etc. 24 / 28
3.6 Data Export and Report creation The "Import/Export" section covers importing and exporting projects and measurements, as well as exporting measurement data into different other formats like ASCII, DIAdem, Famos, etc. Further on here the report wizard is located giving basic report functionalities with predefined templates. Own templates can be created in HTML format for easy use in DAQSoft. The templates can be found in C:\Users\Public\Documents\Imtron\DAQSoft\Reports\Templates From DAQSoft version 3.22.01 a new tool for creating and editing screenshots is integrated into the software. 25 / 28
An example for a simple report: 26 / 28
4 Licensing and Updates 4.1 DaSoft The parameter setting software DaSoft comes together with the central unit of the hardware system. It can be installed on any computer as often as necessary, as the license key is incorporated in the hardware. Updates are made available to existing customers via a download possibility or data media. 4.2 DAQSoft The data acquisition software DAQSoft can be purchased separately with a system, or later on. It can be installed on any computer as often as necessary, as the license key is incorporated in the hardware. If a system was bought without license key for DAQSoft, the hardware key can be implemented via a firmware update of the central unit. This can be also performed on customer s site by skilled personnel. Updates are made available to existing customers via a download possibility or data media. 4.3 Drivers Drivers for other data acquisition software like DASYLab, LabVIEW, or DIAdem can be purchased separately with a system, or later on. It can be installed on any computer as often as necessary, as the license key is incorporated in the hardware. If a system was bought without license key for the driver, the hardware key can be implemented via a firmware update of the central unit. This can be also performed on customer s site by skilled personnel. Updates are made available to existing customers via a download possibility or data media. 4.4 Functional Library Data acquisition from GHM-IMTRON systems can be implemented into customerspecific or proprietary software via a functional library, but also using the TCP protocol directly. GHM-IMTRON is giving customers support on the implementation with individual agreements. Please do not hesitate to contact us. 27 / 28
System Training_e.docx GHM GROUP Imtron GHM Messtechnik GmbH 5 Impressum Copyright by GHM Messtechnik GmbH Copyrights: Operating instructions, training manuals and software are protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. Copying, duplication, translation, installation in any electronic medium or machine-readable form in whole or in part is prohibited. The sole exception is allowed by creation of a back-up copy of software for own use as a safeguard, so far as this is technically possible and recommended by us. Any infringement will render the party committing such infringement liable to compensation payment. Liability: Any claims against GHM Messtechnik GmbH based on the hardware or software products described in this manual shall depend exclusively on the conditions of the guarantee. Any further-reaching claims are excluded, and in particular the manufacturer accepts no liability for the completeness or accuracy of the contents of this manual. The right is reserved to make alterations, and alterations may be made at any time without prior notice being given. GHM Messtechnik GmbH appreciates communication of any mistakes or errors noticed. No liability is accepted for any damage caused by the use of the hardware and software products. Trademarks: Attention has to be paid to markings and registered trademarks used in this manual. GHM Messtechnik GmbH Standort IMTRON Carl-Benz-Strasse 11 88696 Owingen, Germany Tel. : +49 (0) 7551 / 92 90-0 Fax : +49 (0) 7551 / 92 90-90 E-Mail : support@imtrongmbh.de Internet : www.ghm-messtechnik.de Date : 01.10.2013 Version : V 1.03 28 / 28