-------------------------Monitor------------------------
The Newsletter for PC-Based Data Acquisition and Control
Issue 180 www.windmill.co.uk July 2013
--------------------ISSN 1472-0221----------------------
Welcome to July's issue of Monitor. Today we're pleased
to launch a new version of ComDebug, the data acquisition
software that we give to subscribers. All the
improvements in the software have been suggested by you.
Read below for details.
For more measurement and control discussion and tips
see the Windmill web site or join us at Google+.
I hope you find Monitor useful, but should you wish to
remove yourself from our mailing list please go to
https://www.windmill.co.uk/newsletter.html
CONTENTS
========
* Readers of Monitor help improve ComDebug
* Excel Corner: A Lightning Quick Way to Create a Chart
* Questions on Using Windmill
* DAQ News Round-up
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Readers of Monitor Help Improve ComDebug
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Windmill Software is delighted to launch an improved
version of ComDebug, the serial communication, data
logging and trouble-shooting software.
The enhancements were all suggested by users of ComDebug,
and make the software even more versatile. For instance,
with ComDebug you can now:
- Log data from sensors that send data as a web page
- Communicate with Love Controls devices
- Enter custom commands to extract data or output
control messages
- Collect data more easiliy from Modbus devices
- Collect data as 4-byte (32-bit) integers, 4-byte words
(double words), ASCII characters, hexadecimal, signed
bytes, bytes, bits, 4-byte floating point or 4-byte
reverse floating point
- Easily identify communication problems
The new custom commands allow ComDebug to extract
data even if it is an unusual format. For example,
the start of a message might be indicated by only part
of a byte whilst the rest of the byte carries data. By
entering a custom command, ComDebug can log the just data
and ignore the rest. You can enter custom commands
yourself, or we are happy to set up a custom command
for your instrument.
Another improvement makes it easier to use ComDebug
with some Modbus devices. Previously ComDebug read
data as 2-byte words. This was inconvenient when the
device sent 4-byte words. One user had to open the log
file in Excel, concatenate the two hex strings then
convert the hex to decimal. Do-able but laborious.
We've taken notice of his "gotta be an easier way???"
plea and added options to collect data as 4-byte words
or 32-bit integers.
A trouble-shooting screen in the new software
means that you can quickly identify where any problems
may be occurring. The screen shows the outcome of each
data reading, the messages sent and received, the data
extraction procedure and result and the time in
hundredths of a second since data logging started.
ComDebug communicates with instruments over TCP/IP,
Modbus, RS-485, RS-422 and RS-232. Bundled with the
free software is a trial of the other Windmill data
acquisition programs.
As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions.
Contact monitor@windmillsoft.com or fill in the
comments form at https://www.windmill.co.uk/serial.html
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A Lightning Quick Way to Create an Excel Chart
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It was quite a complex tip last month - on saving a
copy of the logged file in Excel every day. In contrast
this month a bit of light relief - how to create a
chart with one keystroke.
1. Highlight the area to be charted.
2. Hit Alt F1.
And there is the chart with the default settings.
To change the default chart type:
1. Select the chart and then the chart menu.
2. Choose Chart Type.
3. Either Click the Standard Types tab and click the
built-in chart type which you want to be the new
default, or
Choose the Custom Type and define the type of
chart you want.
4. Click the Set as default chart button.
This month's tip was suggested by Michael Rempel
of Another Set of Eyes. If you have an Excel tip
contact monitor@windmillsoft.com.
Read more tips on charting with Excel at
https://www.windmill.co.uk/excel/excel-charting.html
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Questions on Using Windmill
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In this section we answer a question we've been asked
this month about using Windmill. If you have a question
on Windmill e-mail techsupport@windmill.co.uk.
Question:
Do I understand correctly, that I can use an input
signal, say temperature, to send an output signal
that will close or open a valve or trip an alarm?
Answer:
Yes. With the Windmill SetupIML program you can set
alarm thresholds and link these to digital output
lines. For example, whenever a temperature rises
above 33 oC a valve could automatically be opened.
You can set two alarm thresholds, warning and
critical, on each measurement channel. SetupIML
is included in the standard Windmill software suite
which costs just £50 from https://www.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 grab our RSS newsfeed
at https://www.windmillsoft.com/monitor.xml. Read
https://www.windmill.co.uk/newsfeed.php for notes
on how to display the news on your own web site or
automatically tweet it.
China's DCS Market on a High Growth Trajectory
According to the 12th Five-Year Plan, China will
invest in the process industries and energy sectors.
However, ARC Advisory Group's new study, states that
the DCS market in China is experiencing fierce
competition and this trend will not change in the
short-term. More than ten players are competing in
this market, and are slashing prices to gain more
market share.
Source: ARC Advisory Group
http://www.arcweb.com/p
Water treatment technique uses apple and tomato peels
Billed as low cost and efficient, the novel water
purification methods could benefit economically
and technologically disadvantaged communities
Source: National University of Singapore
http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/
EU and US to Extend Scientific Cooperation on Measurements and Standards
The EU and US have agreed to expand their current
scientific cooperation to include new areas of
research, such as energy, clinical measurements,
food safety and nutrition.
Source: NIST
https://www.nist.gov/jrc_nist_071813.cfm
Internet-Wide Scan Finds Hundreds of Thousands of Ready-Made Backdoors
Many poorly-secured company servers are exposed
online, offering attackers ready made backdoors
to wipe or steal data
Source: MIT Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/
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* Copyright Windmill Software Ltd
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Windmill Software Ltd, PO Box 58, North District Office,
Manchester, M8 8QR, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)161 834 6688
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E-mail: monitor@windmillsoft.com
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