Copyright: Copyright ® 2000-2001, Campbell Scientific Inc.


PC208W 3.3 Readme File

PC208W 3.3 is being released to enhance Edlogw's programming capabilities by adding new instructions:

Instruction 126, Data Transfer to HDR GOES (CR510, CR10X, CR23X) - Communication and control for our SAT HDR GOES transmitter.

Instruction 127, HDR GOES Status (CR510, CR10X, CR23X) - Diagnostic tool for SAT HDR GOES transmitter communication.

Instruction 137, Pulse Width Modulation (CR23X) - Instruction to generate a continuous pulse width on a control port.

In addition to these new instructions, an issue has been resolved that was seen when using call-back over telephone modems. Some modems require a longer power-down period after a call-back attempt to reset and return to a call-waiting state. An improvement has been made in PC208W 3.3 to increase this power-down period to help ensure that most modems will be reset properly after call-back.

Note for Windows ME Users: Microsoft has confirmed a problem with its Windows ME Internet Protocol Helper API component (Iphlpapi.dll) that can result in an error message when a 16-bit program makes a call to the Winsock connect() function. This problem affects PC208W. Refer to Microsoft's web site at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q279/8/66.ASP to download a fix for this problem prior to running PC208W.

For Users Upgrading from PC208W Versions 2.3 or Earlier

If you're upgrading from PC208W 2.3 or earlier, you may be interested in the changes made in PC208W 3.0, PC208W 3.1, and PC208W 3.2.

Let's Get Started!

To start PC208W, simply double-click the PC208W program item (Windows 3.1), double-click the PC208W desktop icon, or choose PC208W from the Start menu (Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000).

You can access this page in the future through PC208W's help file. Just search the Index for "Readme".

Exit


PC208W 3.2 New Features

PC208W 3.2 implemented the ability to use TCP/IP communication protocol to communicate with Campbell Scientific dataloggers. Version 3.2 or higher is required to communicate with a datalogger over an Ethernet network (Internet or Intranet) using Campbell Scientific's NL100/105 Network Link Interface.

The Setup screen was modified to include an Add Socket button, which is used to specify the TCP/IP address and port number of the NL100/105 device. The NL100/105 can be connected to a computer on a network or to a hub or router on a network. PC208W's device map is set up as if communication were taking place over a direct connection; that is, the Socket is added to the device map and the datalogger is added to the socket. Note that additional response time will likely be needed for the socket or for the datalogger to allow for delays inherent with network communications.

Other combinations of communication devices are available using the NL100/105, such as TCP/IP to RF to datalogger or TCP/IP to phone to datalogger. Refer to the NL100/105 manual for additional information on configuring these systems.

Return to PC208W 3.3 Readme File


PC208W 3.1 New Features & Improvements

Listed below are the new features and improvements in PC208W 3.1's Setup, Connect, Edlog, Report, and Storage Module programs. You may also be interested in the changes made in PC208W 3.0.

Setup

Scheduled data collection has been improved to better handle instances of failed calls. Retry attempts are now synchronized with the original Calling Interval to help prevent drift when in retry mode. This new feature is important to those who have a critical time window during which calls should be made, such as cell phone users who power their communication equipment only during certain times of the day.

Connect

PC208W has been updated to include the improved telecommunications commands supported by newer datalogger operating systems. These commands help to prevent ports or flags from being inadvertently toggled to another state because of noisy communication links.

Edlog

Instructions have been added in support of some of the newer devices available from Campbell Scientific: TDR100 Time Domain Reflectometer, SDM-CAN CAN-bus interface, and the LI-COR 7500 Gas Analyzer.

Support has been added to the measurement instructions for the newer datalogger operating systems which take advantage of Autoranging. With Autoranging, the datalogger tests and determines the correct voltage range for the sensor being measured. Note that Autoranging can significantly affect program execution time; therefore, it should be used with caution. Refer to the Edlog help file or the datalogger User's Manual for additional information.

Report

The runtime version of Split (Splitr) can now be run minimized from a command line using the /H switch.

Storage Module Communication

Support has been added to SMS for the new 4M (SM4M) and 16M (SM16M) storage modules. These modules store 2 million and 8 million data points, respectively, and take advantage of Flash memory technology.

SMS now uses View to take a quick look at data stored on the module. Using View, the user can print quick reports and select up to two elements for graphing.

For More Information

For further information on any of these new features, search the Help index or refer to the appropriate User's Manual.

Return to PC208W 3.3 Readme File


Newer Operating Systems

Some features are available only on the following operating systems:

CR10X Default OS 	Revision 10 and greater

CR10X Modbus OS	Revision 06 and greater

CR10X Alert OS	Revision 03 and greater

CR10X Toro OS	Revision 03 and greater

CR510X OS (all options)	Revision 03 and greater

CR23X OS (all options)	Revision 07 and greater

Refer to the datalogger operator's manual for information on accessing the *B mode to determine the datalogger's OS version and revision number. Contact Campbell Scientific for upgrade information if your datalogger does not support the required features.


PC208W 3.0, New Features & Improvements

Listed below are the new features and improvements in PC208W 3.0's Setup, Connect, View, Report, and Start-up capabilities.

Setup

Improved Modem Communication

Setting up remote communications is easier with PC208W's new modem configurations. PC208W now uses hardware flow control, verbose result codes (looking for "CONNECT" back from the modem rather than a number), and error correction. This communication method is consistent with the newer, faster modems. If your particular modem is not provided in our modem pick list, in most cases, you should be able to use the "default" modem at 9600 bps.

Note: If you used a custom modem string in a previous version of PC208W, please refer to the special upgrade information provided in the Installation section of the users manual.

User-determined FSA 2 Data File Names

PC208W now lets you specify different names for data files from Final Storage Areas 1 and 2.

New Clock Offset

A clock offset feature has been added to make it easier to set the datalogger time for different time zones or daylight savings.

Updated Scheduling Capability

Datalogger schedules can now be applied to one or more datalogger stations. When you have one station's schedule set up, simply click a button to apply those settings to other stations.

Datalogger Call-back

If you use call-back with your dataloggers, you'll notice that PC208W automatically tries to initialize the COM port. Check the Help on "Call-back" for details on properly setting up the network.

Cue Cards

Step-by-step instructions have been created to help new users set up their datalogger networks. These cue cards can be accessed by right-clicking within the device map window or searching for the term "cue card" in PC208W's help file index.

Connect

New Numeric Monitor

The Numeric Monitor is now a stand-alone window that is opened separately from the other Connect screen views. This 17-column by 15-cell display has room for assigning 254 input locations. It can be sized to view one to four columns (up to 60 input locations) at one time. This new design allows you to monitor your real-time data with a small screen while minimizing the rest of PC208W so you can work on other tasks. It also lets you keep several alternative layouts for input locations in adjacent columns.

Enhanced Graphing Capability

You can now save any of the three real-time graphs to disk in a WMF (Window's metafile) format for printing or importing into other programs.

Redesigned View

New Graphing Capability

View now plots up to two array elements on one graph. This is especially useful to quickly identify potential problems in your data (or sensors) either in the field or office. You can scroll through the data displayed on the graph by scrolling through the data on the Data Panel (text view). Use the zoom feature for a closer look at the graph, or click on a data point to display its numeric value.

Enhanced Ease of Use

Graphical icons have been added to the user interface for easier and more efficient use of the program. For instance, you can view your data in comma separated, columnar, or hexadecimal format just by clicking a button.

Enhanced Printing Capability

You can now preview your data or graph before printing. Margins can be adjusted by entering numerical values or by simply "dragging" them in Print Preview mode.

Print Columnar Reports

Since View prints just what you see on your screen, you can use it to quickly produce printed reports of your data. Just select one or all of the arrays, choose comma separated or columnar format, and send the file to the printer.

Report

Start Offsets

A negative value can now be entered as an offset on the Input File tab. This directs Split to begin reading X bytes from the end of the file (positive values begin reading from the beginning of the file). This makes using the time sync functions to process the tail end of a data file much faster when that data file is very large.

SplitR

Multiple copies of SplitR, the command-line version of Split, can be run at once using the /M switch.

Cue Cards

Cue cards have been added to help guide users through setting up some of the trickier functions in Split. These step-by-step instructions include setting up start/stop conditions, using time series functions, combining multiple arrays, testing for bad data, and configuring PC208W to automatically run SplitR as a scheduled task. The cue cards can be accessed through the Help menu in Split or by searching Split's help file index.

New Start-up Feature!

Command Line Capabilities

Command line arguments can be entered from a Windows command prompt or Windows short cut to open PC208W and perform a specific task automatically. Collecting data, setting the clock, invoking the Numeric Monitor or graphs, and toggling ports or flags can all be accomplished using command line arguments.

Return to PC208W 3.3 Readme File