DataCollector designed by: Dr. Thomas C. Hsu Thomas S.
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Warnings and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Introduction The CPO Science DataCollector is a device used to view and record data from various sensors, including analog sensors from Fourier Systems and Vernier, as well as photogates from CPO Science. The DataCollector consists of a palmOne Zire™1 handheld computer, and a “sled” (referred to in this manual as “the hardware”) into which the handheld fits. Sensors plug in to the hardware. See Figure 1 on page 2.
Figure 1 shows the components used to collect data. They are: • • • • • the DataCollector hardware the Zire handheld computer the CPO Science AC adapter analog sensors (a temperature sensor is shown) digital sensors (CPO Science photogates are shown) See Table 2 on page 5 for a list of kit configurations.
Transferring and Analyzing Data Figure 2 shows the components used to transfer and analyze data. They are: • • • • • the Zire handheld computer the USB synchronization cable a Mac or Windows-based PC the HotSync Manager software the CPO Science DataCollector conduit software After completing an experiment, the data can be transferred to a personal computer for further analysis and manipulation.
Table 1 lists the software components involved in the transfer and analysis process. Table 1: Software Components Software Purpose Runs on...
Chapter 2: Kit Contents There are three different configurations of the DataCollector available. These are summarized in Table 2 below.
Chapter 3: Warnings and Precautions Please make note of the following warnings and precautions. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in damage to your DataCollector and possibly bodily harm. IMPORTANT: The AC adapter that comes with the Zire handheld will not work with the DataCollector. Use only the 9V DC adapter with the DataCollector that has the CPO Science name/logo on it. IMPORTANT: Do not over-tighten the thumbscrew on the photogates.
Chapter 4: Getting Started Use the following diagrams and information to familiarize yourself with the CPO Science DataCollector. Features of the DataCollector Figure 3 shows the components of the DataCollector hardware. Figure 3: DataCollector Parts and Features Connecting the Zire Handheld To replace the handheld in the hardware, slide it on to the alignment pin and USB connector, and then gently press the Zire handheld down until it snaps in place. Avoid pressing any of the buttons.
Powering the DataCollector Use only the provided 9V DC, 500 mA CPO Science adapter with the DataCollector. After connecting the adapter to the power jack on the DataCollector, slide the power switch down. The indicator should light up red. The Zire handheld’s battery will charge when connected to a DataCollector that is powered - the indicator must be lit for the handheld to charge.
Connecting CPO Science Photogates Connect CPO Science Photogates to either or both of the digital ports (shown in Figure 4) with the telephone cords. These are the same cords and photogates used with the CPO Science Timer. Connecting Other Probes & Adapters Fourier Probeware Fourier Systems sensors can be used with the CPO Science DataCollector using the Fourier Sensor Adapter (CPO Science Part #392-1511).
Other Photogates To use Fourier, Vernier, or Pasco photogates with the CPO Science DataCollector, use the adapter to be released late 2004 (CPO Science Part #392-1513). No adapter is necessary to use CPO Science Photogates with the DataCollector. Setting up a Computer for use with the DataCollector CPO Science provides software that enables you to download experimental data from the Palm Zire handheld to your personal computer.
Chapter 5: Using the DataCollector Using the Zire Handheld A good way to familiarize yourself with the Zire interface is through the manual included on the CD-ROM that came with your handheld. Specifically, Chapter 2, titled “Exploring Your Handheld,” covers basic operations such as starting applications, tapping on buttons and menu items, and entering text. IMPORTANT: This guide assumes you are familiar with the basics of using the Zire handheld.
When you leave the DataCollector application by tapping on the Home icon (in the silk-screened area), your data is automatically saved. Figure 7: DataCollector Application Welcome Screen Indicators and Icons Across the top of the DataCollector application screen is a status bar with a variety of indicators. They are summarized in Table 3. Table 3: DataCollector Indicators Indicator Meaning Indicates Zire Handheld is connected or disconnected to hardware.
Table 3: DataCollector Indicators Indicator Meaning Indicates analog sensors connected. Indicates digital sensors connected. Indicates a continuous experiment. Data collection will continue until user manually stops experiment. Indicates a fixed-size experiment with space for more samples or a completed fixed-size experiment. Data collection continues until data set is completed or user manually stops experiment. Indicates a running experiment or a stopped one.
Interval Mode Use interval mode to record time intervals with digital sensors such as photogates. The New Experiment Setup dialog is shown in Interval mode in Figure 8. With input A enabled, the DataCollector records the time that photogate A’s beam was interrupted - this time is labeled TA. Input B is ignored. With input B enabled, the DataCollector records the time that photogate B’s beam was interrupted - this time is labeled TB. Input A is ignored.
Figure 9: Time Intervals and Photogates (A+B mode shown) The DataCollector records data until the number of Samples has been reached. However, if Samples is set to Continuous, the DataCollector will not stop the current experiment on it's own - stop it by pressing the 'Go' button. IMPORTANT: In continuous mode, the experiment will proceed until you stop it, but the DataCollector will only record the most recent 500 data points. Tap the Go button to start the experiment and begin recording data.
Standard Mode Use Standard mode to make frequency, period or count measurements with digital sensors and/or make measurements with analog sensors. The New Experiment Setup dialog box in Standard mode is shown in Figure 10. The DataCollector records data until the number of Samples has been reached. However, if Samples is set to Continuous, the DataCollector will not stop the current experiment on it's own - stop it by pressing the Go button.
Figure 10: The New Experiment Setup dialog in Standard Mode Choosing A Mode Use Table 4 to help you decide between Interval and Standard mode. Table 4: Choosing between Interval and Standard Mode If you want to... Just... ...measure only intervals with photogates Start a New Experiment of Interval type. If you want to use only one photogate, select either A or B from the Enabled box. To use both, select A+B. Tap the Go button.
Table 4: Choosing between Interval and Standard Mode If you want to... Just... ...record frequencies, periods, or counts with a photogate Start a New Experiment of Standard type. If applicable, select a sampling period that is larger than the typical period you will measure. From the Digital list, pick the function you want for each of digital A and B. Tap the Go button. ...record data from one or two analog sensors Start a New Experiment of Standard type.
Setup Screen When the DataCollector application is started, a welcome message is presented (see Figure 7 on page 12) in the Setup Screen. As shown in Figure 11, once an experiment has been configured, the Setup Screen displays setup information such as the experiment name, mode, number of samples, sampling rate, and the sensors connected.
Tapping the Old Experiment button brings up a dialog box, shown in Figure 12, that allows you to open, view and delete old experiments. To open an old experiment, tap on an experiment row in the dialog, then tap the Open button. To delete an old experiment, tap on an experiment row in the dialog box, then tap the Delete... button. IMPORTANT: Deleting an experiment is a permanent action, and cannot be undone. To exit the Old Experiment dialog, tap the Cancel button.
Meter Screen The Meter Screen displays current values for sensors included in the current experiment, and also displays the experiment clock. See Figure 13. The experiment clock runs while the experiment is running, and stops when the Go button is pressed to stop the experiment. In Meter Only mode, the experiment clock can be used like a stopwatch - it can be reset to zero by tapping the Reset button.
Table Screen The Table Screen shows data in the current experiment. See Figure 14. If the experiment is in-progress, data in the table is updated as it’s collected. The single row above the header row displays live data, similar to the Meter Screen. The rows below the header display collected data. Use the hard scroll buttons to move up or down in the table, or tap on the small up and down arrows in the lower right-hand corner. To delete a row, tap on one of the cells in the row.
Graph Screen The Graph Screen displays a graph of data from the current experiment (see Figure 15), using settings from the Table Screen. At the bottom of each column shown in the Table Screen (see Figure 14) are two buttons labeled X and Y. To set a column as the source for the data for the X-axis in the graph, tap the X button below that column. Tap the Y button to use that column as the source for Y-axis data.
Application Menus The Options Menu The Options menu is available in any of the four screens of the DataCollector application. Tap the Menu icon in the silk-screened portion of the Zire, and you’ll see the Options menu, shown in Figure 16. Figure 16: The Options Menu The Re-connect hardware menu item will re-establish communications with the hardware if they are disrupted. Before re-connecting, be sure that the LED indicator is lit and the handheld is seated properly in the hardware.
The Preferences Dialog From the Preferences dialog, you can set the name of the DataCollector that is used in downloading experimental data to a personal computer (see “Downloading Data to a Computer” on page 26). In a classroom setting, it may be desirable to differentiate between multiple DataCollector units, and this can be accomplished through the DataCollector Name setting. The default value for the DataCollector Name is “Unit ID”.
Chapter 6: Downloading Data to a Computer Experimental data from the CPO Science DataCollector can be transferred from the Zire handheld to a personal computer via a HotSync operation. It is necessary to install the Palm HotSync Manager software as well as the CPO Science DataCollector Conduit before experimental data can be transferred.
Here is an example of a file name: Unit1_EXP0010_05-17-2004_11-29-50.csv Each part of the file name has a meaning as shown in Table 5 below. Table 5: Meaning of the file name UNITNAME The name assigned to a particular Zire handheld in the DataCollector Preferences screen. This value is set to “Unit ID” by default. EXPxxxx The letters “EXP” followed by a four digit number that increases with each experiment. DATE The date the experiment was started, in the form of MM-DD-YYYY.
Chapter 7: Technical Information The CPO Science DataCollector has the following technical specifications: Input voltage: 6 V DC/300 mA minimum Sensors: 2 Analog Sensor Ports (British Telecom jacks) 2 Digital Sensor Ports (RJ-11 jacks) See pinout descriptions below Handheld computer: Compatible with the palmOne Zire handheld only Analog Sensor Pinout Analog sensors use right-hand British Telecom (BT631A) plugs with the following connections: Table 6: Analog Sensor Pinout Pin Connection 1 No connec
Table 6: Analog Sensor Pinout Pin Connection 5 +5 V DC power supply (from DataCollector) 6 Signal output (to DataCollector) Digital Sensor Pinout Digital sensors use telephone (RJ11) plugs with the following connections: Table 7: Digital Sensor Pinout Pin Connection 1 No connection 2 Ground 3 Signal output (to DataCollector) 4 +5 V DC power supply (from DataCollector) 5 No connection 6 No connection DATACOLLECTOR HANDHELD USER’S GUIDE 29
Accessory Information The DataCollector stand can simply be snapped back into place if it comes off. You can order a replacement stylus from the palmOne web store: http://www.palmone.com/ The following accessories are/will be available from CPO Science: Table 8: Accessory List Accessory Part No.
Glossary Analog sensor . . . . . . a sensor that measures a continuous quantity, such as voltage, temperature, pH, etc. These sensors output a voltage from 0-5 V that the DataCollector interprets as a value. As opposed to a Digital sensor. App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . an application running on the Zire handheld. Conduit . . . . . . . . . . . software running on a personal computer (on the Mac or Windows operating system) that assists in transferring data from the Zire handheld to the PC. Digital sensor .
Warranty Information CPO Science warranties this instrument against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year. Repair and/or replacement parts can be obtained from CPO Science by sending the damaged or defective parts to: CPO Science 26 Howley Street, 3rd Floor Peabody, MA 01960 1-866-588-6951 support.cpo.com Be sure to fill out the warranty card that came with your kit or register online to receive important information and notification of software updates.
