Datalogging . Control . Electrical measurement matrix

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Datalogging . Control . Electrical measurement

Flowlog

Matrix Multimedia Limited Tel 0870 700 1831 Fax 0870 700 1832

www.matrixmultimedia.co.uk [email protected]

What is Flowlog? Flowlog is a low cost, flexible, solution for datalogging, control and electrical measurement. The power and flexibility of Flowlog and the accompanying software make it suitable for a wide range of uses including:

• Monitoring very fast changing signals • Monitoring signals over a period of days • Developing electronics projects • Carrying out science experiments • Controlling electrical systems

Versions Flowlog is available in two versions: the Lite version, shown on the right above, and the Standard version, shown on the left above.

The Standard version is housed in a rugged plastic box, allows connection using 4mm 'banana' connectors, and can be operated through infrared with Palm® handheld computers – including the Dana from Alphasmart.

From November 2004 the Standard version will be available in a new metal box: but the functionality will be almost identical – see below for details.

Software Flowlog is supplied with free software applications for datalogging, control and electrical measurement, and handheld computers. This software is easy to use and gives Flowlog the power and functionality one would expect of a much more expensive device.

Sensors and add-ons About 30 quality sensors and add-ons are available for Flowlog, which make it suitable for use in Science, Technology and Electronics.

You can use Flowlog for datalogging to produce graphs, meter readings,

or just data.

Construct control programs using

the program panel.

Flowlog can be used as an oscilloscope for Electrical

measurement Outline sensor details are given below- please see our

separate datasheet for details of sensors

1 Printer port connector 2 Power jack 3 Power switch and LED 4 4 digital inputs 5 4 power outputs 6 2 analogue inputs 7 On-board microphone 8 On-board temperature sensor 9 On-board light sensor 10 External analogue sensor 1 11 External analogue sensor 2 12 External digital sensor 13 Infrared port 14 System card and slot

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Flowlog



Description Flowlog is a low cost, flexible, solution for datalogging, control and electrical measurement. Flowlog can be used on a PC, as well as with Palm and Dana portable computers. The power and flexibility of Flowlog and the accompanying software make it suitable in many departments including Science, Maths, and ICT. Flowlog is packed with features that make datalogging, control and electrical measurement easier. These include software wizards for datalogging task set up, datalogging task library, on-screen meters, tight integration with Microsoft Excel for data analysis, on-board sensors, simultaneous datalogging and control function, and a wide range high quality educational sensors.

What are the benefits of using Flowlog? Features and benefits that make Flowlog appealing are:

• Can be used for datalogging control and electrical measurement o Three instruments in one

• Works on PC, Palm and Dana computers o A flexible and portable solution

• Free software o Can be networked across the whole school

• More than 30 external sensors and add-ons available o Can be used in any department

• Designed to provide a low cost solution o Reduces equipment expenditure across your school

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Flowlog



New for the 2004/5 academic year Standard Flowlog 1.1 hardware

Flowlog 1.1 software Improvements to the Flowlog software have meant that it now possible to use the Standard Flowlog with Dana portable computers. Dana, by AlphaSmart, is a true alternative to the laptop. It combines the affordability of a handheld with the ergonomic benefits of a notebook computer. The wide touch-screen display and full size keyboard allows students to easily set up datalogging tasks, beam them to the Flowlog, and then review the results of their experiments, The Dana software includes pre-designed datalogging tasks which saves time in the classroom, easily synchronises to your PC, and can store the results of hundreds of experiments. Dana also includes a spreadsheet tool for data analysis.

Dana and Palm OS software for flowlog is now free of charge.

This new model of the Standard Flowlog is housed in a metal box which makes the Flowlog more rugged. This has all the features of the standard Flowlog except that it is not compatible with control cards. This new version is compatible with all the new European Community lab safety equipment standards (including IEC61010) and includes a new 5V output.

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Flowlog



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Hardware specification – Lite version Power supply Minimum = 7.2V regulated Recommended = 9V DC regulated Maximum = 10V DC regulated See note 1 Batteries 6 off dry cells or: 6 off NIMH 1300mAh rechargeable cells see note 2 Inputs

4 off connected via screw terminals Max input for logic 0 = 1.4V Minimum input for logic 1 = 2.8 All inputs over voltage protected up to +/-12V

Power outputs 4 off connected via screw terminals Output Low = 0V Output high when powered by 9V supply = 6.5V Output high when powered by 6 AA NIMH cells (nominal) = 6.5V Output high when powered by NIMH/NICAD AA cells (nominal) = 5V Output current = 300mA per output

Bi-directional motors can be operated using 2 outputs See note 3

On-board sensors Temperature

Range: 0 to 70 degrees Accuracy: 2 degrees Resolution: 0.1 degrees

Light - not calibrated Sound level – not calibrated Voltage – 2 off - connected via screw terminals Range: 0 – 5V

Resolution: 10 bit resolution (5mV) Accuracy: 15mV (provisional)

External sensors 2 off analogue Vernier sensors full auto sense and calibration 10 bit accuracy 40uS max sample rate 1 off digital Vernier sensors auto sense 10uS max sample rate Communication PC compatible parallel port

Note 1 Flowlog will cope with supplies up to 20V. However using supplies higher than 10V with the Standard Flowlog will damage your recharge circuit if the recharge routine is invoked. Note that output voltage is supply voltage – 1.5V. Note 2 If using rechargeable cells only fit 1300mAh NIMH cells. The recharge circuit may damage NICAD and other cells with a lower rating and recharge current. Note 3 Output current and voltage will not be linear as all Flowlogs contain auto-resettable fuses. When an output is high and it is shorted to ground then the internal fuses will not recover until about 20 seconds after short is removed.

The Lite version is suitable for a wide variety of uses in education

including:

Datalogging in science Electrical measurement in science and electronics Control in Design and Technology departments

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Flowlog



Hardware specification – Standard version Power supply Minimum = 7.2V regulated Recommended = 9V DC regulated Maximum = 10V DC regulated See note 1 Batteries 6 off internal NIMH 1300mAh rechargeable cells see note 2 Inputs

4 off - connected using 4mm plugs Max input for logic 0 = 1.4V Minimum input for logic 1 = 2.8 All inputs over voltage protected up to +/-12V

Power outputs 4 off - connected using 4mm plugs Output Low = 0V Output high when powered by 9V supply = 6.5V Output high when powered by 6 AA NIMH cells (nominal) = 6.5V Output high when powered by NIMH/NICAD AA cells (nominal) = 5V Output current = 300mA per output Bi-directional motors can be operated using 2 outputs See note 3 Version 1.1hardware includes a 5V output at 500mA

On-board sensors Temperature

Range: 0 to 70 degrees Accuracy: 2 degrees Resolution: 0.1 degrees

Light - not calibrated Sound level – not calibrated Voltage – 2 off - connected using 4mm plugs Range: 0 – 5V

Resolution: 10 bit resolution (5mV) Accuracy: 15mV (provisional)

External sensors 2 off analogue Vernier sensors full auto sense and calibration 10 bit accuracy 40uS max sample rate 1 off digital Vernier sensors auto sense 10uS max sample rate Communication PC compatible parallel port Palm OS 4.1 and greater wireless infrared communication

Note 1 Flowlog will cope with supplies up to 20V. However using supplies higher than 10V with the Standard Flowlog will damage your recharge circuit if the recharge routine is invoked. Note that output voltage is supply voltage – 1.5V. Note 2 If using rechargeable cells only fit 1300mAh NIMH cells. The recharge circuit may damage NICAD and other cells with a lower rating and recharge current. Note 3 Output current and voltage will not be linear as all Flowlogs contain auto-resettable fuses. When an output is high and it is shorted to ground then the internal fuses will not recover until about 20 seconds after short is removed.

The Standard version is designed for those who require a more rugged

interface.

The Standard 1.1 version has a 5V

output but can not use control cards.

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Flowlog



Datalogging Modes of operation

Live graph mode 10,000 samples Simultaneous graphing, datalogging and control program Records data from all 12 inputs and outputs simultaneously Simultaneous meter displays Fast datalog mode 8,000 samples 40uS max sample rate for analogue inputs 10uS sample rate for digital inputs

Trigger on event, data transition, time or value Operates independently of the PC/Palm

Event driven mode Sample data on an event – the press of a button or when an input is triggered. Up to 8,000 samples.

Analysis Manipulation tools in Flowlog include: Graph annotation Auto scaling Control of graph appearance – point type, thickness, line type etc. Export to Excel, SID (Insight compatible) and Graphical analysis Task assistance Full library facility (including dump to Palm) Full task and condition wizard Sensor functions Auto-id and calibration for Vernier sensors Compatibility with third party sensors Calibration of any sensor possible

Typical screen showing live graph and meter displays

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Flowlog



Control Flowlog control is a simple drag and drop control language that is designed to allow novices to write control programs. The drag and drop interface and accompanying dialogue boxes ensure that it is impossible to make syntax errors. The control system executes each line of a program at 10mS intervals. This stepped approach allows Flowlog to simultaneously provide live graph and to maintain the PC/Palm interface. Comands available include:

• Macro • Delay • Goto • Output • Repeat until • Loop • If... Then... • If... Then... Else... • Quit

The Macro facility allows users to build routines which are called repeatedly. This simplifies the writing and editing of programs and keeps structures simple.

Typical control program

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Flowlog



Electrical measurement Flowlog provides two types of oscilloscope which form the heart of the electrical measurement function: Analogue scope 2 channel, 0-5V, 25kHz Auto, level, rising and falling, and one-shot trigger Can display any 2 of 8 external sensors, on-board sensors, or on-board voltage inputs Digital scope / Logic analyzer 4 channel, 0-5V 100kHz Displays all 4 inputs simultaneously Auto, one shot, level or edge (rising or falling) trigger on any input Max input for logic 0 = 1.4V Minimum input for logic 1 = 2.8

Typical analogue oscilloscope screen

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Flowlog



Flowlog Palm OS and Dana software - Free

Traditionally the biggest cost in datalogging is the computer that the datalogger is connected to. Handheld computers have the power and flexibility to change all this: they cost as little as £63 (100Euro). Palm computing technology allows you to carry out datalogging activities on a Standard Flowlog away from the PC. Our Palm software has three key functions:

• It incorporates management tools to help you and your technicians save class time

• It is an ideal tool for use outdoors for gathering real world data in the field.

• It can replace desktops and lap tops totally Class management Our Palm software incorporates management tools to help you and your technicians save class time:

• Using a library of experiments you can set up a Flowlog for a particular task in about 2 seconds – this works like your TV remote handset: no wires are required.

• Once students have completed experiments you can ‘suck’ the data from each Flowlog in about 8 seconds. You can store each data set separately and safely for later analysis.

• Thousands of data files can be stored in the Palm memory

Instant portable datalogging The Palm or Dana can be used in several modes for live datalogging: the software allows you to see live values on the Flowlog, to set up datalogging tasks and to make a simple graph of the data acquired. The portability and ease of use of Palm OS based computers is great for experiments indoor and out.

Sending a datalogging task from the library

Live sensor display mode

The Dana’s wide screen is ideal for viewing graphs

• Low cost computing platform (starts at less than £70)

• Stores thousands of results • Adds portability to your datalogging • Live readings • Full task library facility • Synchronises to your desktop

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Flowlog



Graphical Analysis FLGA A powerful analysis tool for your data

Worksheets and curriculum materials BKDLP Saves preparation and planning time

Graphical Analysis is one of the most powerful datalogging analysis packages available. It supports a host of actions including manual and automatic curve fitting, statistical calculation, tangents, integrals, and interpolation. It allows you manipulate and print your data in many forms including graphs, data tables, text, FFTs, and histograms. Graphical Analysis can be used to import data from Excel and other programs.

Graphical Analysis is used for advanced data analysis

• Create and print graphs, data tables, text, FFTs, and histograms.

• Perform manual and automatic curve fits.

• Calculate statistics, tangents, integrals, and interpolations.

• Copy, paste and import data from another program (such as Word or Excel).

We have found Roger Frost’s Datalogging in Practice book a superb, down to earth, common sense guide to datalogging in schools. It is packed with experiment ideas and sensible advice on how to use datalogging equipment for science. This book will be all the curriculum material that many teachers need. In addition to this you will find some experiment plans on our web site and we also provide plans with Applied Science equipment, and our control technology system.

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Flowlog



Sensors A complete range of sensors for real world interaction

When using these sensors with Flowlog students can take advantage of the built in intelligence in each sensor which allows Flowlog to auto identify the sensor and to auto calibrate it. This makes datalogging and experiments easier to carry out and saves time in the classroom. A complete list of sensors and their specifications are listed on our web site. A separate datasheet gives further details on all sensors.

Barometer

Current probe

Dual range force sensor

Differential voltage probe

ECG sensor

Heart rate monitor

Gas pressure sensor

Instrumentation amplifier

Low g accelerometer

Motion detector

O2 sensor

Magnetic field sensor

pH sensor

Temperature probe

Product Code Bar Tape HSTAPE Barometer HSBAR Colourimeter HSCOL Conductivity probe HSCON Current probe HSDCP Differential voltage probe HSDVP Dissolved oxygen probe HSDO Dual-range force sensor HSDFS ECG electrodes HPELEC ECG sensor HPEKG Extra long temperature probe HSTPL Fast response photogate HSVPG Flow rate sensor HSFLO Gas pressure sensor HSGPS Heart Rate Monitor HSEHR Instrumentation amplifier HSINA Low-g accelerometer HSACC magnetic field sensor HSMG Microphone HSMCA Motion Detector HSMD O2 gas sensor HSO2 pH sensor and amplifier HSPH Picket Fence HSPF Radiation Monitor HSRM Relative humidity sensor HSRH Respiration monitor belt (requires gas pressure sensor)

HSRMB

Rotary Motion sensor HSRMS Smart Pulley Attachement HSSPA Thermocouple HSTCA Three range light sensor HSLS Turbidity sensor HSTRB Wide range stainless steel temperature probe

HSTMP

colourimeter thermocouple gas pressure sensor

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Flowlog



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Datalogging . Control . Electrical measurement matrix