Acumen DATABRIDGE SDR2-USB User manual

ACUMEN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
DataBridge™ SDR2-USB
Configuration Guide
revision 1.0 • 04/2009


Copyright
This document is copyrighted by Acumen Instruments Corporation with all rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of
Acumen Instruments Corporation.
Copyright © 2009 by Acumen Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer
This manual has been thoroughly reviewed for accuracy, and every effort has been made to
ensure that the information is accurate and complete. However, different versions of this
product have different features and capabilities, and this manual only reflects one of those
versions. Therefore, Acumen Instruments Corporation assumes no responsibility for errors,
omissions or defects in this material, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from
their use.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
ACUMEN INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO
THIS DOCUMENT,EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.


SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..................................................................... 5
1.1Overview................................................................................................. 5
1.2Before you start ...................................................................................... 6
1.3A quick guide to the DataBridge SDR2-USB .......................................... 6
1.4Deploying the DataBridge SDR2-USB.................................................... 7
1.4.1Connecting power to your SDR2-USB.................................................... 7
1.4.2Configuring your SDR2-USB via the setup file........................................ 7
1.4.3Congratulations!...................................................................................... 8
2. Configuring the DataBridge SDR2-USB ............................... 9
2.1Comments ............................................................................................ 10
2.2Setting date and time............................................................................ 10
Step 1: Edit setup.txt.......................................................................... 10
Step 2: Insert USB storage device and apply power.......................... 11
Step 3: Synchronize the SDR2-USB clock......................................... 11
Step 4: Re-edit setup.txt .................................................................... 11
2.3Configuring the data port ...................................................................... 11
2.4Specifying a filename and folder........................................................... 12
Notes about filenames ....................................................................... 12
2.5Configuring file creation behavior ......................................................... 13
2.6Adding time stamps to recorded files.................................................... 13
2.7Testing your configuration .................................................................... 14
3. Operations.......................................................................... 15
3.1Setup file reading.................................................................................. 15
3.2Record mode operation ........................................................................ 15
3.2.1Receiving data...................................................................................... 15
3.2.2Stopping recording ............................................................................... 16
3.2.3Power failure and improper shutdowns................................................. 16
3.2.4Full storage media ................................................................................ 16
3.2.5Formatting the storage media............................................................... 17
3.2.6Partitions............................................................................................... 17
3.3Resetting to factory defaults ................................................................. 18
3.4Lithium battery maintenance................................................................. 18
4. Setup File Reference.......................................................... 19
4.1.1Initial Setup Commands........................................................................ 19
4.1.2Data Port Setup Commands................................................................. 20
4.1.3Recording Behavior Commands........................................................... 20
4.1.4Scheduled File Closing Commands...................................................... 21
4.1.5Time Stamping Commands .................................................................. 21
4.1.6Other Commands ................................................................................. 22
5. J4 Remote Control Port ...................................................... 23
5.1Overview............................................................................................... 23
5.2Location ................................................................................................ 23
5.3Functions.............................................................................................. 24
5.4Pinout and Mating Cable ...................................................................... 24
5.5Force-Record Shunt Installation ........................................................... 25

Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
6. Service and Support ........................................................... 27
6.1Exception Codes .................................................................................. 27
Exception 2: Root Directory Full ........................................................ 27
Exception 3: Disk Full ........................................................................ 27
Exception 4: Bad Boot Record .......................................................... 28
Exception 5: Hardware Error ............................................................. 28
Exception 6: EEPROM Error ............................................................. 28
Exception 7: Cache Error .................................................................. 28
Exception 8: Buffer Error (firmware error).......................................... 28
Exception 9: Tasking Error (firmware error)....................................... 28
Exception 10: USB Error ................................................................... 28
Exception 11: Directory Creation Error .............................................. 28
Exception 12: FAT12 File System Detected ...................................... 28
6.2Contacting Acumen Instruments Corporation....................................... 29
6.2.1Technical support ................................................................................. 29
6.2.2U.S. Mail............................................................................................... 29
6.2.3E-mail ................................................................................................... 29
6.2.4World Wide Web .................................................................................. 29
6.3Returning Equipment............................................................................ 29
6.4Warranty............................................................................................... 30
6.4.1One year warranty................................................................................ 30
6.4.2Exclusions ............................................................................................ 30
6.4.3Limitations ............................................................................................ 30
A. Serial Port Basics ............................................................... 31
A.1Serial specifications.............................................................................. 31
A.2Data rates............................................................................................. 31
A.2.1Data rates and the UART ..................................................................... 32
A.3More asynchronous serial parameters ................................................. 32
A.3.2DTE and DCE ...................................................................................... 33
A.3.3Handshaking ........................................................................................ 34
A.3.4Voltage levels....................................................................................... 34
B. Specifications ..................................................................... 37
B.1Electrical specifications ........................................................................ 37
B.1.5J7 rear power receptacle pin configuration........................................... 37
B.1.6J1 power receptacle pin configuration .................................................. 38
B.2Serial communications ......................................................................... 38
B.3USB socket .......................................................................................... 38
B.4Mechanical Specifications .................................................................... 38

SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
5
NOTE: The data
source is a device that
transmits serial data
for use by a computer,
printer, or data logger.
1
1
1. Getting Started
1.1 Overview
DataBridge SDR2-USB serial data recorders record RS-232 serial data to
industry-standard mass storage using an Microsoft Windows™-compatible
FAT file format. The SDR2-USB is equipped with a USB 2.0 socket and is
designed for use with USB storage media such as USB flash memory keys.
During Record mode, the SDR2-USB’s data port accepts RS-232 serial data
from your data source. The SDR2-USB data port supports baud rates up to
921600 bps and RTS/CTS hardware handshaking for reliable high-speed
communication. Your SDR2-USB is also equipped with a real-time clock,
power-saving features, non-volatile memory, and a resume-on-power failure
feature. The SDR2-USB features a one-button front panel user interface
that starts and stops recording.
SDR2-USB configuration is performed by editing a setup file on the USB
storage device.

Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
6
1.2 Before you start
Before you start, be sure you have the following items available:
•DataBridge SDR2-USB
•A 5-30VDC power supply
•RS-232 DB9 serial cable
•The device you wish to record from (serial data source)
1.3 A quick guide to the DataBridge
SDR2-USB
On the front of the SDR2-USB are the USB "A" socket, record button, and
LED indicators. The SDR2-USB can be toggled in and out of record mode
using the record button located on the front panel. The LED indicators
show the SDR2-USB’s current recording status. The data indicator flashes
when data is received and is used to verify data reception from your data
source.
Record Button
Fault Indicator
Data Indicator
Record Indicator
Power Indicator
Figure 1.1. SDR2-USB Front Panel Controls.

SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0 Getting Started
7
NOTE: Your
computer’s Windows
installation may
display different drive
letters, file types, etc.
due to differences in
Windows versions,
configurations, and
software installations.
On the rear is the male nine-pin D-subminiature connector (DB9M) for the
data port. The 5 to 30 VDC power input is also located on the rear panel.
5 to 30 VDC Power
From serial data source
Figure 1.2. SDR2-USB Rear Panel.
1.4 Deploying the DataBridge SDR2-USB
1.4.1 Connecting power to your SDR2-USB
The SDR2-USB starter kit includes a 120VAC power supply that connects
via the rear panel. If you use an alternate power source, it should be capable
of sourcing at least 1W power. When you apply power the power indicator
should light and the other indicators should flash in sequence.
1.4.2 Configuring your SDR2-USB via the setup file
To successfully receive data from your data source, the SDR2-USB must
know at which baud rate the data source is transmitting. Configure the
recorder for this baud rate using the setup file.
Insert the USB device you intend to use for recording into your PC’s USB
socket. Usually, Windows will respond by displaying the contents of the
device. If this doesn’t occur, navigate to the device’s drive letter (e.g. J:).
Right-click within your drive’s contents in Windows Explorer, then select
“New” and “Text Document.” When prompted, name the file setup.txt
(See Figure 1.3).

Getting Started SDR2-USB Configuration Guide rev 1.0
8
Figure 1.3. Creating setup.txt.
Once the file is created, double-click it to open the file in Windows Notepad
and enter “DataPortBaud=9600” as shown in Figure 1.4. This tells the
SDR2-USB to communicate with your data source at 9600 baud. The baud
rate for your serial data source may differ from 9600 bps.
Figure 1.4. Editing a simple setup.txt file.
Close Windows Notepad, then right-click the USB device’s drive letter and
click “Eject” to safely remove the device from your system.
Insert the USB device into the SDR2-USB, connect your serial data source
to the DB9M connector, and connect power. The SDR2-USB will display a
left-to-right-to-left flashing sequence. If your data source is outputting data,
the front panel “data” indicator will flash as data arrives.
1.4.3 Congratulations!
You’ve set up the SDR2-USB to communicate with your device!
Table of contents

















