Measurement Computing LogBook Series - Manual (Page 19)

LogBook User’s Manual 969591 An Introduction to LogBook 1-9
LogBook’s onboard microprocessor and PC-Card allow it to operate independent of a host PC.
Functionally, LogBook can perform:
Analog-to-Digital Conversion. The ADC changes a conditioned analog signal to a corresponding
digital value. LogBook’s 16-bit ADC uses 65,536 numbers (2 16 ) to quantify values within the
specified range and gain. Each input channel’s buffer amplifier ensures constant input impedance.
The buffers also eliminate any noise effects from multiplexing of the input signals.
Acquisition Control. The microprocessor controls the data acquisition by managing trigger
conditions, gains, offsets, scan sequencing, and data formatting. LogBook can continuously collect
information, or be used for exception-capturing (with triggers). Pre-trigger and post-triggers allow
for capture of specific data, thus making more efficient use of memory.
Analog and Digital I/O. With the standard digital I/O, standard analog input, and the optional
analog output board, LogBook can perform virtually any data acquisition task as well as more
complex tasks for alarm and control systems.
Data Logging. Data can be saved in one of several formats and later downloaded to a PC.
Communication with PC. LogBook provides for serial and parallel port communication. In the
stand-alone mode, the PC-Card must be manually transported between the PC and LogBook.
The PC-Card is a memory device (rotating or flash, PCMCIA types I, II, or III)) that holds the system
software and the acquired data in multiple formats. System software includes the configuration file that
directs a specific acquisition and LogBook’s operating system. The PC-Card as programmed in LogView
allows LogBook to operate without PC intervention if so desired. LogView can configure a PC-Card in
LogBook if the PC and LogBook are electronically connected via serial or parallel port. In a stand-alone
mode, the PC-Card must be physically transported between a PC with LogView and one or more LogBooks
for uploading and downloading. Using a 500-Mbyte PC-Card, for example, you can store up to 250 million
samples in non-volatile memory; that equates to more than forty minutes of recording time on one channel
at the full 100 kHz acquisition rate. For continuous data collection, PC-Cards can be swapped while the
acquisition is taking place. As one card becomes nearly full, it can be removed and another card inserted
without causing a gap in the acquired data.
The user’s PC (typically a laptop or desktop) runs the supplied LogView software. LogView’s user-
interface includes a virtual instrument panel with meters and controls to fit various applications. Through
LogView you can configure the system, apply further data processing, or manage multiple LogBooks.
LogView stores data in a conventional format so that other software can use the acquired data for analysis,
control, alarms, reporting, etc.
Note: The PC can be attached to LogBook via a serial or parallel connection; alternatively in the stand-
alone mode, the PC can be unattached and communicate with LogBook via a PC-Card that is
manually transferred between the PC and LogBook.
LogBook System File [ Must be on the PC-Card! ]
The file logbook.sys is LogBook’s operating system. Without it, LogBook will not work.
In fact, if the logbook.sys file is not on LogBook’s internal PC-Card, the LogBook will not
power-on.
After software is installed [as discussed in the Quick Start sections] the 500-KB
logbook.sys
file will
reside in the LogView folder (on the hard drive of the host PC). To be used by a LogBook,
logbook.sys
must have already been downloaded to the PC-Card, which resides inside LogBook.
Downloading. When LogView downloads the
*.lvc
acquisition setup file to a PC-Card, it checks to see if
the current release version of
logbook.sys
is already on the PC-Card. If so, fine; if not,
logbook.sys
must also be downloaded to the PC-Card. Thus, downloading to a PC-Card that is being used for the first
time will take longer than subsequent downloads.
Failure to upgrade to the current release version of
logbook.sys
can result in software
glitches. This problem can be resolved by reformatting the PC-Card using Windows
Explorer’s File/Format feature, and then reinitializing the PC-Card.