-------------------------Monitor------------------------
The Newsletter for PC-Based Data Acquisition and Control
Issue 171 www.windmill.co.uk October 2012
--------------------ISSN 1472-0221----------------------
Welcome to Monitor - this month we've a story about how
a research laboratory used Windmill to investigate
effects of flooding on building materials.
For more data acquisition news and tips follow us on
Twitter - @DataAcquisition.
I hope you enjoy this issue, but should you wish
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Monitor Newsletter
CONTENTS
========
* Investigating Flood Effects on Building Materials
* Excel Corner: Plotting Random Samples against Time
* DAQ News Round-up
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Investigating Flood Effects on Building Materials
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Engineers at University College London (UCL) are
investigating the effects of wind-driven flood conditions
on different wall cladding materials. To do this they are
using a Microlink 3000 from Biodata, and Windmill software,
to log data and control conditions.
They chose Windmill Test Sequence software to control the
flood events - water from rainfall, wind, etc. Windmill
lets the researchers cycle many events during the
monitoring period and examine long term changes to the
wall cladding. Test Sequence communicated with a Microlink
analogue output module to send, for example, 4-20mA signal
to control spray nozzles.
The researchers monitored environmental parameters, such as
temperature and humidity, at a number of positions within
the test lab. They used Microlink modules to interface
combined T (temperature) and RH (relative humidity) sensors
to the Windmill logging software. Strain on the wall cladding
panels under test was monitored using strain gauges connected
to a Microlink 3052 bridge input module. The 3052 also
interfaced load cells in order to monitor compression of
the panels.
Windmill software also collected data from a Microlink 3020
event timer, recording the timing of compression events.
The Microlink connects to the PC via USB. The Windmill
Graphics software shows the status of the lab in real-time,
updating continuously to reflect the real-world conditions.
More Information
================
For more information about the design, and research
expectations, for the laboratory contact:
Victoria Stephenson
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
UK
victoria.stephenson.12@ucl.ac.uk
About The Microlink 3000
========================
The Microlink 3000, from Biodata, is a modular system for
measurement and control. It offers unrivalled hardware
flexibility, allowing almost any instrument or transducer
to be connected to a personal computer. With a range of
over 40 interchangeable modules, Microlink is equally
suited to high or low speed data acquisition and to
control, timing or counting. For more on the
Microlink 3000 see
http://www.microlink.co.uk/3000.html
or e-mail sales@microlink.co.uk.
More on the Windmill Software
=============================
For more on our Windmill software visit
https://www.windmillsoft.com/daqshop/software.html
or contact us at sales@biodataltd.com.
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Excel Corner: Plotting Random Samples against Time
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We welcome your Excel questions, and have been asked:
"How do I plot randomly-timed samples against an evenly
spaced time axis?"
In Excel charts you can choose a category axis or a
value axis. In a line-type chart, for example, the x axis
is a category axis. Although the labels may be times,
they are treated as text and spaced evenly, in the order
they are listed in the spreadsheet, regardless of their
values. So if you had a reading at 10:20, 10:22, 10:30
and 10:31, you would have four evenly spaced ticks on
the x axis.
Athough there are two minutes between 10:20 and 10:22,
and eight minutes between 10:22 and 10:30, they are the
same distance apart on the chart.
To space the x axis to reflect the actual times, you need
to choose a value x axis. For example, an x-y scatter chart
uses a value axis. The x axis ticks are spaced according to
the time, and in the right order.
You can see that the two graphs give a different impression
of the rise in temperature.
The x axis ticks are spaced according to value, although
Excel's automatic choices for the ticks and labels may not be
what you would choose
Excel uses a decimal number to represent time. To discover the
relevant number, use the formula =TIME(10,20,0), where the first
figure is the hours, the second the minutes and the third the
seconds. Make sure that the cell in which you enter the formula
is formatted as a number with at least 5 decimal places. You
can now tell Excel to use this time number as, for example,
the first tick on the x axis.
- Right-click the x axis on the chart and choose Format Axis
- Choose Scale
- Enter the number in the Minimum box
You can do the same for the interval - find the number and
enter it into the Major unit box.
For more Excel charting tips see
https://www.windmill.co.uk/excel/excel-charting.html
If you want to ask us a question on using Excel please
e-mail monitor@windmillsoft.com.
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DAQ News Round-up
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Welcome to our round-up of the data acquisition and
control news. If you would like to receive more
timely DAQ news updates then follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/#!/DataAcquisition
Wireless meters tell snoopers when you are not home
Criminals no longer need to stake out a home or a
business to monitor the inhabitants' comings and
goings. Now they can simply pick up wireless signals
broadcast by the building's utility meters.
Source: New Scientist
http://www.newscientist.com/
Canada Invests $32 Million in Ocean Science
Canada has the longest coastline in the world and
is investing in a network of underwater sensors to
record and broadcast, in real time, data and images
from the sea floor.
Source: SCUBA News
http://news.scubatravel.co.uk/
Survey shows continued wireless survey growth
Despite a challenging economy, the industrial Wireless
Sensor Network (WSN) market has doubled over the past
two years. A recently completed ON World survey of
216 industrial automation professionals, in
collaboration with ISA, HART Communication Foundation
(HCF), and the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance
(WINA), points to increasing WSN adoption and
expanding markets.
Source: ISA
http://tinyurl.com/9ek8lcy
Research team claims low-cost photovoltaic solution
Oxford researchers have developed a photovoltaic (PV)
technology claimed to have the potential to deliver
low-cost, efficient solar cells that can be incorporated
into glass building facades.
Source: The Engineer
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/
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Windmill Software Ltd, PO Box 58, North District Office,
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Telephone: +44 (0)161 834 6688
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