Innovate Motorsports TC-4 - Manual (Page 7)

- 7 -
This also means that the complete channel data set is ONLY available at the end of the
log-chain. A datalogger capable of recording the log-chain data-stream therefore MUST be
placed at the end of the log-chain. This includes lap-top computers or other loggers.
Commands for individual devices are sent ‘upstream’. A device (incl. a computer or an XD-1) can
send commands to the devices upstream of itself, but not downstream. Commands can include
start-stop recording, calibration/configuration commands and so on. Only the device directly
upstream of the command originator of course will receive the command. This device then
decides, depending on the command, whether to execute the command and whether to pass it
on. An example of a case where the command is executed but not passed on is the start-stop
record command. The first upstream device capable of logging internally will execute the
command, but not pass it on.
As said before, the first device is special because it is the synchronization source for the entire
chain. By plugging its IN-port with the supplied terminator connector, a device can detect that
requirement when it powers up. The terminator connector just connects the transmit and receive
line of the IN-port together. Each device sends a special command out on it’s IN port when it
powers up. This command is ignored and not passed on by any device if received on it’s OUT
port. If the sending device immediately receives that command on its IN-port again, because the
terminator is plugged in, it assumes it is the first and special device in the chain. The LM-1,
having only one serial port, is ALWAYS a special device and MUST be connected to the
beginning of the chain.
The following are some examples of Log-Chains using the TC-4 and other MTS devices.
NOTE: The TC-4 does NOT need a terminator plug on it’s IN port. It
automatically detects if another device is plugged into it’s IN port and
terminates the IN port if nothing is plugged in.
5.1 Log-Chain of 4 channels consisting of TC-4 alone.
5.2 6-channel Log-Chain example with 2 AFR channels.
Notice that the LC-1’s are connected BEFORE the first TC-4. LC-1’s should always be
connected before the first non-LC-1 device (except if the first device is an LM-1).