



























          PC96 DATA LOGGING SOFTWARE PACKAGE













                                        LAWSON LABS, INC.
                                        3239 Phoenixville Pike
                                        Malvern, PA 19355


                                        610 725-8800
                                             or
                                        800 321-5355




Rev. B


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION                                                  1

GETTING STARTED                                               1

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION                                          2

     Define Data Points                                       2
     Define Data Run                                          7
     Define Printer Output                                    8
     Define A/D Mode                                          9
     Define Communications                                    9

OPERATION                                                    10

TROUBLESHOOTING                                              11

MODIFYING YOUR SOFTWARE                                      12

SPECIFICATIONS                                               13

WARRANTY                                                     14


INTRODUCTION

     Lawson Labs PC96 Data Logging Software is a flexible
general purpose data acquisition package. Up to 96 channels of
analog input are accommodated each with its own label, scaling
factors and high and low alarm limits. The data is displayed
on the screen and can be logged or charted on a printer. The
data can be recorded automatically at a preset interval. Data
can be stored on disk or printed at rates from one scan/day to
one scan/second. Up to 6 external multiplexers or thermometers
can be used. The software is available both in executable form
and as source code for QBASIC or Microsoft QuickBASIC (reg.
trademark). Control functions or custom features can be added.

     An IBM PC/XT/AT/386/486 (reg. trademarks) or compatible
computer with 256K of memory and a serial port is required.
You will also need a Model 201 24-Bit Serial Data Acquisition
System. Two disk drives are recommended. An IBM or Epson-
compatible (reg. trademark) graphics printer is required for
the strip chart. Any printer should suffice if charting is not
needed.


GETTING STARTED

     Follow the instructions in the installation section of
the Model 201 manual for connecting analog inputs. Also attach
any external thermometers or multiplexers at this time. To
install your software on drive C:, follow this procedure:

     1. Create a PC96 directory on drive C:

     2. Make the PC96 directory the current directory.

     3. Put the PC96 master disk in drive A. Make sure you see
          the "C>" prompt.

     4. Type, COPY A:*.* C:

     The PC96 software is now on your hard drive. Put the
original in a safe place. If you want to save data on a floppy
disk you might want to format a data disk now, if your data is
to go to the hard drive, create a data directory now too. Data
and programs can be mixed in the same directory but separate
data directories are recommended. Before starting PC96 make
sure the data logging program files are in the current
directory. Type PC96 to begin.

     Shortly, the main menu will be displayed. It offers a
choice of 3 options: Gather Data, Configure System, or Exit.
Select option 2, Configure System, to begin.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

     In the course of the system configuration you will be
asked many questions. If you see the blinking cursor
(underline symbol) after a question, you will need to press
the Enter key after your entry. Questions with Yes or No (Y/N)
answers and statements like Press Space to Continue are not
accompanied by a cursor and responses don't need to be
followed by the Enter key. First select the Define Data Points
option from the Configuration menu.

NOTE:  Pressing Ctrl Break may stop program execution. No harm
will be done to exit via Ctrl Break. However, using the
built-in exit point assures that all files will be closed,
that the printer will be returned to normal operating mode,
and that allocated memory will be released.


1.   Define Data Points

     You will see 10 numbered and 10 letter choices. The
numbered choices and option A comprise the possibilities for
the data point's configuration.

NOTE: The choices are slightly different if a thermocouple
thermometer is connected. The thermocouple configuration
procedure is described on page 5.

     Type the number of each option in turn to familiarize
yourself with them. Random answers in this section can do no
harm and can be readily revised. PC96 will accept any
configuration parameters which will produce meaningful
results. If a value that you enter is not accepted, try
entering a more moderate number. Numeric entries are limited
to 6 digits excluding decimal point and sign.

1).  Input Channel
     Enter the number (0 to 7) of the analog input channel
which is to be sampled for data point 1. The data point number
reflects only the order in which the data will be gathered and
printed. Input channels can be sampled in any sequence.
Channels 6 and 7 are dedicated to Full-scale and Offset
calibrations.

2).  External Device Type
     If an external device is connected, enter the appropriate
code. If you select "T" for thermometer, you will have a
different configuration (see page 5 for a description).

3).  External Device Channel (if any)
     If an external device is connected, enter the channel
number for this data point. For a Model 17B multiplexer, enter
0 to 15.

4).  Label
     Each data point can be given its own label. Labels can be
from 1 to 8 characters long. Longer entries will be shortened.
If you want to generate DADiSP (reg. trademark) compatible
files, you should not include any blank spaces in the label or
units Label. If you use a one- or two-character label, you may
want to add several periods for a clearer display. For
example:

     XX.....

5).  Units
     The units label is limited to 4 characters. Longer
entries will be shortened.

NOTE: Do not include quote marks in labels or units.

6).  Decimal Places to Display
     Between 0 and 7 decimal places can be shown. Select the
appropriate number for the clearest display. You may select
comma-delimitation here also. Remember that the maximum number
of significant digits is seven (24-bit resolution) and that
the formatted reading must fit in an eleven-place field
including the sign, decimal point, and, if selected, commas.

7).  Offset Factor
     The offset factor can be used to replace a hardware zero
trim adjustment providing that the "zero" voltage is within
the input range of the A/D card. Any offset entered is
subtracted from the un-scaled reading and then the scaling
factor is applied. 

8).  Scaling Factor
     The scaling factor can be used as a software gain
adjustment or to convert the answer to the desired units, or
as a combination of the two.

NOTE: If the scaling factor is zero, no formatted reading will
be shown and the data point will be skipped during data
gathering.

FORMATTED READING
     The formatted reading is shown here as it will appear on
the gather data screen. If the offset factor is zero and the
scaling factor is one then the formatted reading will read
directly in millivolts. The formatted reading can be used to
confirm that the hardware is properly connected. A percent
sign added in front of the formatted reading indicates that
the reading has overflowed the allotted number of places.
Reduce the number of decimal places or scale the reading as a
smaller number. If formatted readings are allowed to overflow
their fields during data gathering, the display and printout
may be hard to read. The formatting formula is

     READING = (COUNTS + OFFSET) * SCALING

(The symbol "*" indicates multiplication.) Suppose, for
example, you have a 1-to-4 volt signal and you wish to display
the result in volts as a number between 0 and 3. The reading
will be 1000 at 1 volt so an offset factor of -1000 must be
added to the count for a reading of zero. The full scale
reading would be 4000 plus an offset of -1000 equals 3000. To
convert that to a reading of 3.0 use 3 = 3000 * SCALING or
SCALING = 0.001. See TABLE 1 for often used offset and scaling
factors. 


TABLE 1:  TYPICAL OFFSET & SCALING FACTORS

Signal        Units        Offset         Scaling
-------------------------------------------------
+/-5V         Volts            0            0.001
+/-5V         MV               0            1
+/-2V         %             2000            0.025
0-4V          %                0            0.025
4-20MA*       %             -400            0.0625
4-20MA*       MA            -400            0.01

*assuming a 100 ohm terminating resistor

Note: If the scaling factor is zero or while the first
conversion is in progress "*****" will be shown in place of
the data.

9).  High Alarm Limit
     A maximum formatted reading can be specified. If the
reading is above the specified limit, it will be displayed in
inverse characters on the screen and emphasized on the printer
log. If audible alarms are selected, a tone will sound each
time an out of range number is displayed while gathering data.
Entering 0 instead of a limit disables the alarm for that
channel. If a high alarm limit of zero is desired, enter a
small non-zero number like .0001.

0).  Low Alarm Limit
     The low alarm sets a minimum formatted reading. If the
low limit is exceeded the same actions are taken as for the
high limit.

A).  A/D Settings
     Press A for the A/D Settings menu. Some Model 201 A/D
mode settings can be selected on a point by point basis, or
made global. Any setting designated as global will follow the
global value at all times. Averaging, filtering, or gain
settings for any data point can either be assigned a
particular value or left as global. Rate, bipolar/unipolar and
word length mode settings are always global and are set from
option 4 on the configuration menu. Global settings can be
changed from any data point number. If all of the settings for
the data point are GLOBAL then "GLOBAL" will show to the right
of the A option. If any particular settings are in effect, the
message reads "LOCAL".

  A) Average - The Model 201 will average consecutive
     conversions. Press "A" and then "+" or "-" to cycle
     through the choices. The number of conversions averaged
     must be a power of 2, ie., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. The
     maximum number of conversions to average is 32,768. The
     "Global" option follows the maximum averaging value.
     Press Enter to register your selection. The A/D data rate
     divided by the averaging factor gives the number of
     samples transmitted per second. Note that with high
     averaging values, data arrives slowly. At 10 Hz with
     32768 averaging, each data point takes 54.6 minutes.

  F) Filtering - The Model 201 has a programmable single-pole
     filter in the signal path before the A/D converter. Press
     "F" to cycle through the 3 choices for the filter cutoff
     frequency: 4, 40, or 400 Hz. The "Global" option follows
     the 400 Hz option. The lower filter cutoff frequencies
     remove lower frequency noise, but require longer settling
     times after channel changes.

  G) Gain - Gains of 1, 2, 4 ... 128 can be selected. The
     "Global" option follows the maximum gain value. Effective
     resolution is reduced at gains above x4 or x8. The
     voltages shown are after the gain stage. To get voltage
     at the input, multiply the displayed reading by one over
     the gain.

Note: The 5 volt reference output cannot be used for full-
scale calibration at gains other than 1.

  C) Calibration point - Data points can be designated as
     offset or full-scale calibrations points. For calibration
     points, you may select the full-scale or the offset
     channels (6 or 7) or provide your own signals. For
     example, if a 16-channel multiplexed amplifier is
     connected to an A/D input channel with zero and full-
     scale signals connected to external channels 0 and 1 you
     could first define a data point as external channel 0 and
     select offset calibration. Then, define the next point as
     external channel 1 and select full-scale calibration. Now
     the other amplifier channels can be added to the sampling
     sequence.

Note: In normal scanning mode, if calibration points are
included, the first two data points should be offset and full-
scale calibrations. Otherwise, potentially invalid
calibrations from the end of the previous scan will still be
in effect at the start of a scan.

Thermocouple Amplifier Set-up Differences

     If you select "T" for choice 2 then you will be asked for
the K constant of the Model 20B or Model 35B which is
connected to that channel and the configuration will be the
same except as noted below:

1).  Input Channel
     For maximum accuracy, thermocouples connected to the same
thermocouple thermometer should be grouped in the sampling
sequence.


3).  Thermocouple Number
     Enter the number of the thermocouple for this data point.

5).  Temperature Scale
     Scaling is automatic for readings in C, F or K.

7).  Thermocouple Type
     Enter the letter designation of the thermocouple
connected to this channel. Types E, J, K, S and T are
supported. Different types can be mixed on the same
thermocouple thermometer.

NOTE: If a type is not selected then the temperature will read
zero.

8).  Gain (G factor)
     Enter the G factor for the thermocouple thermometer
connected to the selected input channel. Individual
thermocouples can be calibrated by making slight adjustments
in this factor.

NOTE: If the gain is zero, no formatted reading will be shown
and the data point will be skipped during data gathering.

COLD JUNCTION TEMPERATURE
     The cold junction temperature is shown for reference in
the selected temperature scale. The cold junction temperature
should be close to room temperature. If you suspect the cold
junction calibration is in error, place the thermocouple for
this channel in a room temperature bath with an accurate
thermometer. If the formatted reading does not agree with the
bath thermometer, select option 2 and adjust the K factor.
Increasing the K factor by .01 will reduce the reading by
approximately .2 degrees C.

NOTE: If the cold junction temperature reads as absolute zero,
either there is no thermometer connected to the selected
channel, the thermometer is not powered, or the guard
connection is missing between the Model 20B or Model 35B and
the A/D card.


Other Options

N for Next
     Pressing N allows you to configure the next data point in
sequence. Data point numbers may be left unassigned. During
sampling, all assigned data points will be sampled and
displayed in ascending order of data point number.

R for Ripple
     The ripple command makes configuring large repetitive
systems easier. An R keypress selects the next data point and
if the scaling factor is zero and the label is null, then the
new point will be given the same settings as the previous
point. If an external device is selected the external control
code will be incremented automatically, otherwise the A/D
channel will be incremented. The label is derived from the
data point number, i.e. DP#_49.

NOTE: Remember that ripple can change a previously configured
point if scaling is zero and no label is assigned.

S for Skip
     After pressing S, you will be prompted for the data point
number you wish to skip to. The number must be between 1 and
96.

D for Delete this one
     Selecting D will zero all values and erase all labels for
the current data point. Other data points are unchanged.
Deleted data points will not be sampled or displayed during
the data gathering process. If you want to temporarily remove
a data point from the sampling sequence you do not have to
delete it and then re-enter all the parameters.
Instead you can change the scaling factor (or gain) to zero.
That causes the data point to be ignored during the sampling
process. When you want to reinstate the data point, only the
scaling (or gain) need be re-entered.

Z for Zero
     Selecting this option adjusts the software offset factor
(option 7) to obtain a reading of zero. This feature is useful
for zeroing amplifier or sensor offsets. The Z command is
disabled for thermocouple data points.

O for Offset
     This command performs a hardware zero calibration on the
currently selected channel.

F for Full-scale
     This command performs a hardware full-scale calibration
on the currently selected channel.

C for system Calibration
     The C command does an automated system calibration when
the gain is set to one. If gain is not one, no calibration is
performed. See your Model 201 manual for details on
calibration.

M for menu
     Pressing M returns you to the configuration menu.

Next select option 2, DEFINE DATA RUN


2.   Define Data Run

     First you will be asked if you want to change the storage
interval. The storage interval is the period for writing one
scan to the disk or logging (or charting) on a printer. An N
(for next) answer will bring on the next question. After a C
(for change) answer you will be asked to supply hours,
minutes, and seconds. The maximum storage interval is 24
hours. If you enter 0 hours, 0 minutes and 90 seconds it will
be translated to 0 hours, 1 minute and 30 seconds. If you
select an interval which is shorter than the time required for
one scan, the sampling will proceed at the maximum attainable
rate. Note that under those circumstances the storage
intervals will not necessarily be constant.

     Select now for audible or silent alarms. Selecting
audible alarms causes the computer to beep every time an
out-of-limits channel is sampled. Regardless of alarm status,
limits violations are displayed in inverse video.

     PC96 software is equipped with an autostop feature which
allows sampling to stop after a preprogrammed number of sample
intervals. If you wish to change the autostop status, enter C
(for change). Then you may enter the number of intervals to
complete before execution stops. Enter zero for continuous or
manually terminated sampling.

     Next you may choose automatic data storage on disk or no
automatic data storage. The data will be stored in a ASCII
file. The first file entry will be the interval number. The
next entry will be the time. Next comes one entry for each of
the displayed data points in ascending order. Subsequent scans
follow in the same fashion.

     You can now select a Normal, Auto-Calibrate, or Sleep
type of scan. If Auto-Calibrate is chosen, then a system
calibration is performed every auto-store interval. If sleep
is selected, the Model 201 will go to sleep between scans.
After awaking, a system calibration will be performed.

NOTE: If you select normal scan type and have calibration
points designated then you will want to assign the first two
data points as offset and full-scale calibration points.

     After the data collection has been defined, the
configuration menu will reappear. Now, select option 3, DEFINE
PRINTER OUTPUT.


3.   Define Printer Output

     If your system has an IBM graphics printer or an Epson-
compatible printer with graphics, then all features are
available to you. The strip chart may or may not work with
other printers. The printer can be off, it can log the data or
it can plot up to 16 channels. When the printer is set to log,
all the data that appears on the screen is printed after each
storage interval. If you select the printer off or printer log
option, no further printer configuration is necessary and you
will be returned to the configuration menu. The printer is
assumed to be at LPT1.




Configuring the Stripchart

     Any 16 channels can be chosen for charting. All will be
plotted on the same scale. If channels formatted in different
units are to be plotted on the strip chart, you may need to
change some formatting factors to get a clear presentation.
The baseline can be offset in either the plus or minus
direction. The full scale reading must be a positive number.
For example, if temperatures between -20 and 280 degrees C are
to be plotted, the baseline could be set at -20 degrees C with
a full scale reading of 280. Index marks are placed on the Y-
axis. The Y-axis resolution is 1 part in 850, with a maximum
of 16 Y-axis index marks.

     Index marks are placed every ten scans. Also, each tenth
scan is labeled with the time in hours, minutes and seconds.
Points falling outside the scale limits are not plotted. You
will be asked for the full scale reading, the base line
reading, the label, the units, and number of units per index
for the Y-axis. Then, enter the number of points to plot. You
will be prompted for the point to display with each marker.
The label for the selected data point is shown for
confirmation. After all the channels have been assigned, you
will be returned to the configuration menu.


4.   Define A/D Mode

     The A/D set-up menu consists of three commands.

     P) biPolar/uniPolar mode - the input range can be
selected as +/- 5 volts (bipolar) or 0-5 volts (uniPolar).
Nominal resolution improves in the unipolar mode for positive
signals, but some of that improvement is lost to fixed
amplitude noise sources.

     R) sample Rate - The A/D converter's data rate and
frequency response are set with this command. Rates from 10 to
1027 Hz are possible. There is a low-pass filter intrinsic to
the conversion process. The cut-off frequency of that filter
is the data rate times .262. For maximum effective resolution
use the lowest data rate that meets your needs.

     W) Word length - The word length can be reduced from 24-
to 16-bits using the W command. A small speed improvement can
be gained by sacrificing 8-bits of resolution.


5.   Define Communications

     This menu will allow you to select the COM port and the
baud rate for the Model 201. You can also perform a
communications check to verify that the Model 201 can
communicate with the host flawlessly.



6.   Return to Main Menu

     After pressing 6, you will be asked if you want to save
the configuration. If you have made substantial changes to the
configuration you will almost always reply Y (for yes) to the
prompt. If you don't save the configuration, the most recent
version will remain in effect until program execution stops.
When PC96 is restarted it will begin from the most recently
saved configuration. If you want different configurations for
different purposes, make additional copies of the working disk
and configure (and label) them accordingly, or keep the
different versions in different directories. If you are saving
the configuration, you will be asked if you want to save it on
drive A, B, C, or D. You will normally want to keep the
configuration file with your data files. The configuration
file will always be written to the current directory on the
selected disk.

     Next you will be asked if you want to print the
configuration. Your choice will be to print to a printer or to
a file. If printing to a file, the configuration will be saved
in the current directory. It is good practice to have backups
or printouts of any configurations with active files as
insurance against disk failure. A printout will also reveal
any data points that may have been overlooked. For example, if
you delete a block of data points in the middle of a
configuration, the higher numbered data points may be
forgotten. If you choose not to print or when the printout is
complete, you will be returned to the main menu. Some
configurations can be constructed in a few minutes, but some
large systems take much longer to configure. Once you are
satisfied with your configuration, especially if it is of the 
second type, you may want to make a backup copy of the
configuration for your files.

OPERATION

     In the Gather Data section, the data points are displayed
on the screen and continually updated. Shortly before the end
of the storage interval, screen updating is suspended. Then a
properly timed scan is completed and the data is stored on
disk and/or printed or charted as required. The data
collection process is begun by selecting the Gather Data
option and is ended either automatically when the preselected
number of scans has been completed, or manually by pressing
the Esc key.

Note: If sleep scanning was selected, the screen is not
updated between storage intervals, instead, the Model 201 is
put to sleep to conserve power.

     Select the Gather Data option from the main menu. If
automatic disk storage is selected you will then be prompted
for a name for the data file or D (for directory). If you give
the name of an existing file, the original file will be lost.
If your data disk is not in the specified drive, put it there
at this time. You can precede the file name with a path
specification if desired, i.e \TESTA\CYCLE1. If the printer is
to be used, you will be asked to make sure it is turned on. If
the strip chart mode is selected, the channel labels and y-
axis will be printed now.

     The first scan is then started and the results are
displayed. The scan number and the time are shown in the upper
left corner of the screen. A blinking asterisk indicates the
conversion in progress. The digital input word is shown in the
lower right corner at the end of each scan. Pressing Esc
terminates the sample run.

     If the printer is being used and is taken off line during
data gathering, sampling will stop. A disk error with the
autostore feature active will also stop sampling. When the
problem is corrected a new sampling run should be started. The
most common reason for the premature end of a logging session
is a disk full error.


TROUBLESHOOTING

     Double check your COM port and power connections.

     Refer to the troubleshooting and background sections in
the appropriate manuals for help with hardware.

     If a "can't find file" message appears when starting the
compiled version, that means either the DOS prompt needs to be
set to the PC96 disk or that the PC96 files are not in the
current directory. The compiled version uses 2 files: PC96.EXE
and PC96.CFG.

     If an "Unable to read PC96.CFG file" message appears,
make sure the PC96 files are in the current directory. You can
run PC96 without a configuration file, but you will have to
configure from scratch first.

     If the formatted readings do not appear on the
configuration screen, the averaging factor is probably high.
You can temporarily reduce averaging to speed set-up.

     If extra points are displayed during sampling, print your
configuration to identify them.

     If a point is missing from the display, make certain that
the scaling (or gain) factor is not zero.

     If readings appear to be incorrect, check your
calibration.

     Contact Lawson Labs at 406 257-5355 or 800 321-5355 for
help with stubborn problems.




MODIFYING YOUR SOFTWARE

     You can add your own routines for control output or other
special functions. The "CONTROL" subroutine at the end of the
scan loop is the suggested place for control algorithms. Begin
all your variable names with Z to avoid conflict or use the
FIND command to make sure that your variable names are unique.
The scaled reading for data point Z is READING(Z). The high
alarm, low alarm, scaling factor, and offset factor for data
point Z are at AH(Z), AL(Z), SC(Z) and OS(Z) respectively.
Note that Z is the data point number, and that data point 1 is
not necessarily the first reading displayed on the screen.


SPECIFICATIONS     PC96 Data Logging Software Package

General
        Supports Lawson Labs Model 201 24-Bit Serial Data
        Acquisition System and Model 17B, 20B and 35B
        Multiplexers and Multiplexed Amplifiers
        
        Configurations from 1 to 96 channels
        Resolution of 24 bits
        Voltage, current or thermocouple inputs
        Storage rates from 1/day to 1/second
        Not copy-protected
        Compiled version of BASIC code provided
        Source code is available

Thermocouple Inputs
        Up to 84 Thermocouple inputs
        Linearizations for types J, K, T, S, & E
        Thermocouple types can be mixed
        Individual thermocouple calibration allowed
        One degree C accuracy, .1 degree C resolution
        All inputs are protected against overvoltage

Displayed Output
        Each channel is labeled; i.e. TEMP#1 319 deg.C
        Individual offset and scaling factors for each channel
        Each channel is rounded to the desired precision
        High and low alarm limits for each channel
        Audible or silent alarms
        Any channel can be removed from the display output

Printer Output
        Log format includes time and all data points with labels
        Strip chart allows up to 16 channels to be plotted
        Strip chart resolution is 1 part in 850
        Selectable scaling and indexing for strip chart
        The entire configuration can be printed

Disk Output
        Automatic data storage available at preset interval
        The scan #, time and scaled data are stored
        Files are Lotus 1 2 3 compatible

Minimum System Requirements
        An IBM PC/XT/AT/386/486 (reg. trademarks) or compatible
        computer with 256K of memory and a serial port is
        required. You will also need a Model 201 24-Bit Serial
        Data Acquisition System. Two disk drives are
        recommended. An IBM or Epson-compatible (reg. trademark)
        graphics printer is required for the strip chart.


LIMITED WARRANTY

     All Lawson Labs, Inc. products are guaranteed against
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from the date of delivery. Products must be returned to Lawson
Labs for warranty service. Loan units are available during
servicing. Contact Lawson Labs, Inc. at 800 321-5355 for
return authorization before returning anything for service.

     The above warranty is in lieu of all warranties express
or implied. Lawson Labs will not be liable for indirect or
consequential damages caused by any defect in this product.
Some states do not allow the limitation of consequential
damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.
