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Digital
Accumeasure
Basic
Support
Software
7001-0059
Revision 1.06
01 Feb 2015
MTI Instruments Inc
325 Washington Avenue Ext
Albany New York 12055
Accumeasure Basic Support Software 7001-0059 Revision 1.06
ii
Table of Contents
Page
Digital Accumeasure Overview ........................................................................1
Installing the Windows Software Application....................................................2
Configuring a Desktop Shortcut .......................................................................2
Setting Up the Ethernet Network Interface.......................................................3
Setting Up Windows Firewall ...........................................................................7
Installing USB Communications Drivers ..........................................................9
Digital Accumeasure Basic Support Software Overview................................10
Connecting to the Digital Accumeasure .........................................................11
System Information ........................................................................................14
User Settings .................................................................................................15
Probe Setup...................................................................................................18
User Calibration .............................................................................................19
Thickness Calibration.....................................................................................22
Data Capture .................................................................................................23
Strip Chart Data Recording............................................................................24
Menu Functions .............................................................................................25
File – Save Screen Bitmap .......................................................................25
Tools – Create CFG Report......................................................................25
Tools -- Update Calibration Tables ...........................................................25
Tools – Calibration Table Report ..............................................................25
Tools – Update C28 Firmware..................................................................25
Tools – Update M3 Firmware ...................................................................25
Tools – Update Manual ............................................................................25
Tools – Upload Manual.............................................................................25
Help – Hardware Users Manual................................................................25
Help – Software Users Manual.................................................................25
Help – About.............................................................................................25
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Digital Accumeasure Overview
The Digital Accumeasure system is composed of one or two analog amplifier cards
and a digital controller card. The amplifier cards condition the probe signals and
present them to the digital signal processor (DSP) portion of the controller. The
DSP digitizes, filters, decimates, linearizes, and converts the probe signals to
analog voltages. The Arm processor controls the overall operation of the system
and provides USB and Ethernet communications to external computers. The
LEDS provide a visual indication of the displacement magnitude and are very
useful during probe setup. The SD flash stores configuration parameters.
Digital Accumeasure Block Diagram
The Digital Accumeasure system supports up to four (4) probe channels. After
passing through a signal conditioning stage, each probe channel connects to its
respective analog-to-digital converter (ADC) channel. The ADC is sampled at
20,000 samples per seconds. The sampled data is digitally filtered, decimated,
and linearized to compute a displacement value for each channel. The linearized
displacement is output as an analog voltage and is processed to compute
thickness. It is then passed through an optional moving average data smoother.
The final data is buffered for transmission over the Ethernet or USB connection to
an external computer. Single point data can be recovered using the
command/reply channel. Faster data rates can be achieved using the streaming
data channel.
Digital Accumeasure Data Processing Diagram
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Installing the Windows Software Application
The Digital Accumeasure ships
with a Software disk that contains
the Digital Accumeasure Basic
Support Program.
Insert the disk into the computer
drive and use Windows Explorer to
locate and execute the installation
program.
Follow the on screen instructions
to complete the software
installation.
Load software before connecting USB cable.
To execute the program, double click on the desktop icon.
Configuring a Desktop Shortcut
The /DFD=1 option enables a program
log file that records Digital
Accumeasure commands, diagnostic
messages, and error messages. The
file may be viewed after the Support
Program is closed. The file is
recreated each time the program is
run.
Since this file can become quite large,
this option should normally be
disabled. Omit the “/DFD=1” option or
specify “/DFD=0” to disable the option.
The log file is located in the folder
C:\DigitalAccumeasure\Program.
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Setting Up the Ethernet Network Interface
The Digital Accumeasure uses Ethernet communications for instruments control
and data recovery. The network interface on the host computer or laptop must
be configured to be compatible with the Digital Accumeasure.
There are two general methods for interconnecting the Digital Accumeasure with
a host computer.
Direct Connection
Switched Connection
As shipped from the factory, the Digital Accumeasure IP address is set to
192.168.168.247. To establish initial communications, the host computer
network interface must be configured. Perform each of the following steps to
establish initial communications with the Digital Accumeasure.
Ethernet Crossover Cable
Host
Computer
Digital
Accumeasure
Host
Computer
Digital
Accumeasure
Hub
or
Switch
Standard
Ethernet
Cable
Standard
Ethernet
Cable
Other Ethernet Devices
or
Internal Network
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1. Disconnect the host computer from
any internal network.
2. Open Network Connections dialog:
Click Start
Settings
Control Panel
Network Connections
3. Locate the appropriate network
connection and right click with the
mouse to activate the popup menu.
4. Click Properties.
5. On the properties dialog, scroll down
through the list of network items and
highlight the Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) item.
6. Click the Properties button.
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7. On the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Properties dialog, click on the
Alternate Configuration tab.
8. Enter an IP address in the range
192.168.168.xxx.
9. Enter the Subnet mask as
255.255.255.0.
10. Click the OK button.
11. After a short while, the computer network interface should reconfigure itself to
use the Alternate TCP/IP Configuration.
You may confirm the TCP/IP configuration by
using the ipconfig utility in a command
prompt window. Click Start-Run and then
type cmd. Click OK.
When the command prompt window appears,
type ipconfig and press <enter>. Verify that
the IP address and subnet mask are correct.
If necessary, disconnect from any internal network and reboot the
computer. When Windows restarts, the alternate TCP/IP configuration
should be active.
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You may test the Ethernet connection using the ping utility in a command
prompt window. Type the command ping followed by the IP address of the
Digital Accumeasure.
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Setting Up Windows Firewall
In order to enable all features of the Digital
Accumeasure Basic Support Program,
Windows Firewall requires a simple
reconfiguration to add the
AccumeasureSupportProgram.Exe program
to the list of firewall exceptions.
1. Activate the Windows Firewall control
panel applet by clicking Start-
Settings-Control Panel-Windows
Firewall.
2. When the Windows Firewall dialog
appears, click the Exceptions tab.
3. Then click Add Program.
4. When the Add a Program dialog is
displayed, click the Browse button.
5. When the Browse dialog displays,
navigate to the
C:\DigitalAccumeasure\Program\Ac
cumeasureSupportProgram.Exe
program file and click the Open
button.
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6. When the Add a Program dialog re-
displays, click the OK button.
7. When the Windows Firewall dialog
is re-displayed, click the OK button.
8. Verify that the Digital Accumeasure
Support Program
(AccumeasureSupportProgramt.exe)
program appears in the Windows
Firewall exceptions list and has a
check mark in the box.
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Installing USB Communications Drivers
After the Digital Accumeasure Support Software has been successfully installed,
the USB drivers for Digital Accumeasure must be installed.
The Digital Accumeasure is a plug and play device and should be automatically
recognized and configured by Windows.
1. Power down the Digital Accumeasure.
2. Set the Digital Accumeasure CONNECTION switch to the USB position.
3. Power up the Digital Accumeasure.
4. Plug in the USB cable to the Digital Accumeasure.
5. Plug in the USB cable to the computer.
6. The Windows New Hardware Wizard will detect the new hardware, but
will not find the correct driver.
7. Open Windows Device Manager.
8. Right click on Other Devices -> Digital Accumeasure
9. Select "Update Driver Software”
10. Click on "Browse my computer for driver software”
11. Browse to C:\Digital Accumeasure\USB Driver
12. Click "next"
13. If you see a Windows Security Warning, click "Install Anyway"
14. After the installation completes, click "close"
Note: If you inadvertently plugged in the USB cable for the Digital Accumeasure
before installing the Digital Accumeasure Support Software, you must:
1. Use Windows Device Manager to uninstall all Accumeasure devices.
2. Unplug the Digital Accumeasure USB cable.
3. Install the Digital Accumeasure Support Software.
4. Install the USB drivers.
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Digital Accumeasure Basic Support Software Overview
The Digital Accumeasure comes with a Basic Support Software package that
allows the user to quickly connect to a Digital Accumeasure unit and begin
acquiring data. The primary purpose of the software is to assist the user with
probe setup and user application checkout. Some of the tools provided may also
be used to help diagnose probe connection problems, noise levels, and other
issues with the user’s application system.
The specific functions supported by the software include:
•Scan the Ethernet network for attached Digital Accumeasure units.
•Connect to a unit via Ethernet or USB.
•View unit configuration information.
•Monitor unit status.
•Configure Ethernet communications parameters
•Configure data acquisition and processing control settings.
•Monitor voltage, displacement, and thickness data.
•Capture, display, and store voltage, displacement, and thickness waveforms.
•Export data in CSV file format for analysis by other software programs.
When the software is activated, the following screen display is presented.
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Connecting to the Digital Accumeasure
The first step to using the Digital Accumeasure Basic Support Software is to
connect to a Digital Accumeasure unit.
Units with a Connection Switch
Two connection methods are supported, but only one method is active at a time
depending upon the setting of the CONNECTION switch.
Ethernet Standard IPV4 Ethernet communications at speeds up to 100
MB/sec. DHCP or STATIC addressing is supported.
USB The Digital Accumeasure appears as a Universal Serial Bus
device (USB) in Windows Device Manager.
To enable a communications mode:
1. Power down the unit.
2. Set the CONNECTION switch as required.
3. Connect the communications cable.
4. Power up the unit.
Notes: For Ethernet communications using DHCP addressing, the Ethernet cable
must be connected before powering the unit, otherwise the unit will not
connect. Do not remove the Ethernet cable while a connection is active.
For USB communications, the USB interface may be reset by removing the
USB cable at the computer end and reinserting the cable after waiting 5
seconds.
Units without a Connection Switch
Two connection methods (Ethernet, USB) are supported, but only one method is
active at a time depending upon the setting of the CommunicationsMode
parameter.
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To enable a communications mode:
1. Start the Digital Accumeasure Basic Support Program.
2. Click Scan for Units.
3. Connect to the desired Digital Accumeasure unit
4. Select the User Settings page
5. Select the new Communications Mode to be used
6. Save the new settings.
7. Exit the Digital Accumeasure Basic Support Program.
8. Power down the unit.
9. Connect the appropriate communications cable.
10. Power up the unit.
Ethernet Connection
1. Click the Scan For Units button
2. Wait until the scan is complete
3. Select the desire Digital Accumeasure unit from the drop list
4. Click the connect button
USB Connection
1. Click the Scan For Units button
2. Wait until the scan is complete
3. Select the desire Digital Accumeasure unit from the drop list
4. Click the connect button
When the CONNECT button is clicked, the software will establish a
communications link, upload current settings, display system configuration
information, and begin monitoring unit status.
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Status Item
Description
Up Time
Time in minutes that the unit has been running since the last
controller reset or power up.
Total Time
Total time that the unit has been running since it left the
factory.
Temperature
Current internal temperature in degrees C. Normally ~40 C
Boot Flags
Boot status after last reset. Double click for details.
Connections
Communications status after last reset. Double click for
details.
Error Flags
Runtime error status. Double click for details.
User Save Fails
Internal SD flash write error counter. Should always be zero.
System Save Fails
Internal SD flash write error counter. Should always be zero.
Data Send Fails
Streaming data send failure counter.
Channel Status
Channel settings status. Double click for details.
Preferences
Preference settings. Double click for details.
C28 Block Id
C28 DSP data block counter. Should be constantly changing.
Button
Description
Scan ForUnits
Clicking this button will initiate a scan of the Ethernet network
and USB network for all connected Digital Accumeasure units.
The list of found units is loaded into the communications drop
list. List entries are formatted as follows:
Ethernet: <UnitName> (IP Address)
USB: <UnitName> (USB interface number)
Ethernet: <delilah> (192.168.168.198)
Ethernet: <sampson> (USB0)
Connect
Clicking this button will establish a communications link via
Ethernet or USB to a Digital Accumeasure unit. Once
connected, addition function tabs will be displayed on the
screen.
Disconnect
Clicking this button will close a previously opened
communications link to a Digital Accumeasure. All function
tables will be closed except for the CONNECTION tab.
Reset Controller
Clicking this button will reset the connected Digital
Accumeasure. The communications link will be closed and
then automatically re-established after the reset completes.
Several dialogs are displayed to allow the user to sequence
the reset process.
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System Information
The INFORMATION tab displays factory defined configuration parameters for the
Digital Accumeasure. This information will be requested when seeking support
from the factory.
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Users Settings
The USER SETTINGS tab allows the user to define Ethernet communications,
data sampling, and data processing parameters for the Digital Accumeasure.
Setting
Description
Filter
Select the desired digital filter from the drop list. Double
click or right click to activate the drop list.
Range Extension
Select the desired range extension from the drop list.
Double click or right click to activate the drop list.
Streaming Data
Rate
The Digital Accumeasure internally samples and filters at
20000 samples per second. This data is then decimated to
satisfy the user’s data rate request. The maximum
achievable sustained streaming data rate is dependent
upon data reported, network loads, PC processing power,
other running software, and many other factors. If data
losses are reported, the data rate must be reduced.
Streaming Data
To Report
When in streaming data mode (Capture or Strip Chart) only
the requested data values are transmitted to increase data
throughput. Minimally, 20,000 values per second can be
streamed. As additional values are enabled for streaming,
the data rate must be reduced.
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Communications
Mode
Two communications modes are supported: Ethernet and
USB. Select the desired mode. When shipped from the
factory, USB mode is enabled.
Position Input
Mode
Quadrature Only: Both quadrature encoder inputs are
enabled.
Mixed Trigger: The first input is a quadrature encode.
The second is a trigger.
This item is grayed out if position inputs are not available.
Position Input
Units Per Count
Conversion factor for converting encoder counts into
position value.
This item is grayed out if position inputs are not available.
Position Input
Units Label
Units label for position values.
This item is grayed out if position inputs are not available.
Unit Name
User definable name for the connected Digital
Accumeasure unit.
Carrier Sync Mode
MASTER or SLAVE
Enable Analog
Outputs
Enables or disables the use of analog outputs.
This item is grayed out if analog outputs are not available.
Min Displacement
Displacement value that maps to the minimum voltage
range value.
This item is grayed out if analog outputs are not available.
Max Displacement
Displacement value that maps to the maximum voltage
range value.
This item is grayed out if analog outputs are not available.
Voltage Range
Analog output voltage range: -10 to +10, -5 to +5, 0 to +10,
or 0 to +5.
The voltage range together with the minimum/maximum
displacement values define a linear mapping function for
converting displacements to analog voltages.
This item is grayed out if analog outputs are not available.
Address Mode
IP addressing mode. If connected to a network with DHCP
support, select DHCP. Otherwise, select STATIC and
define the static IP address as required.
Static Address
Static IP address to assign. Default is 192.168.168.247
Subnet Mask
Ethernet subnet address mask. Normally set to
255.255.255.0
Gateway Address
Not used. Should be set to 0.0.0.0
Client Limit
Not settable. Must be 1.
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Button
Description
Save Changes
When settings have been changed, this button will become
enabled. Clicking this button will transfer the new settings
to the Digital Accumeasure.
Discard Changes
When clicked, all pending changes will be discarded and
the previous settings will be displayed.
Save To File
Sets of User Settings may be saved to local PC disk
storage for easy recall at a later time. When this button is
clicked, the current settings will be saved to a disk file on
the local computer system.
Load From File
When clicked, a previously saved set of User Settings can
be loaded into the User Settings Page and then saved to
the Digital Accumeasure.
Factory Reset
Clicking the Factory Reset button will command the Digital
Accumeasure to reset all of its parameters to a factory
default values.
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Probe Setup
The PROBE SETUP tab is a simple data monitor function that constantly
requests data from the Digital Accumeasure unit and displays that data
numerically on the screen. The data is sampled and displayed at a 10 Hz rate.
A data logging option is provided to allow a user to record data (CSV file format)
over long time intervals.
Button
Description
Disable/Enable
Averaging
Enables and disables data averaging. Click the SETTINGS
button to change the amount of data averaging.
Reset Errors
Clears the data error counter.
Settings
Displays a dialog for editing the settings that control the
operation of this page. Settable parameters include:
Data Averages
Volts Decimal Digits
Displacement/Thickness Display Units
Logging Interval
Data To Log
Start/Stop Logging
Starts and stops the logging of data points.
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