PNI FieldForce Trax - Manual (Page 25)

PNI Sensor Corporation DOC#1016505 r06
TRAX User Manual Page 21
6 Operation with TRAX Studio
The TRAX Studio program puts an easy-to-use, graphical-user interface (GUI) onto the binary
command language used by the TRAX. TRAX Studio is intended for evaluating, demonstrating,
and calibrating the enclosed version of TRAX (“TRAX Enclosed”). Among other features, the
program can log and save the outputs from the TRAX to a file for off-line evaluation. Anything
that can be done using TRAX Studio also can be done using PNI’s binary protocol, as discussed
in Section 7.
6.1 Installation
TRAX Studio is provided as an executable program which can be downloaded from PNI’s
website. It will work with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems.
Check the PNI web page at www.pnicorp.com for the latest version.
Copy the “TRAXStudio.msi” file onto your computer. Double-click on the icon and step
through the Setup Wizard. The program will be installed into the following directory unless
you direct it otherwise: Program Files\PNI Sensor Corporation\TRAX Studio\. A “TRAX
Studio” shortcut icon will be placed on your computer’s desktop.
Now plug the TRAX into the USB port of your computer. Ensure the TRAX is completely
still when plugging it into the USB port, as the gyros initialize during the first five
seconds after being plugged in.
If you are using the Windows XP operating system, then the first time you plug in the TRAX
device it will launch the Found New Hardware Wizard. Select a “Yes…” button, then click
on and proceed with the installation. The computer should find the required virtual
communications port (VCP) driver by searching the internet, which may take a minute or
two. If you are using Windows 7 the computer automatically searches for and installs the
driver. If there is a problem with this, download the driver from FTDI’s website at
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm .
You have now completed the installation of TRAX Studio.
6.2 TRAX Studio Header and Connecting to TRAX Studio
If the TRAX is not already plugged into the computer, then do so. Note that the module must
be motionless when being plugged in and for 5 seconds afterwards, as this is when the gyros
initialize.
Double-click on the TRAX Studio icon to launch TRAX Studio. Below is a picture of the
TRAX Studio header. The header includes “Module Information” and “Connection