Raw2raw_concat utility used to concatenate multiple “*.dat” raw data files, acquired from one or more ShapeArrays (SAAs) or non-ShapeArray sensors attached to a Campbell Scientific data logger. This is done so the files can be viewed or exported as one single file for conversion by Raw2Data.


Step 1 - Select the Files to be Concatenated


In SAASuite 3.0 and higher, from the Advanced menu, select the Combine Multiple Logger Data option.


Figure 1: Raw2Raw_Concat is available from the Advanced menu by selecting Combine Multiple Logger Data


In the SAACR_raw2raw_concat window, click the Browse button for the first data file. It is very important that the files be selected in chronological order (i.e. the oldest data must be selected first).

Note: You can concatenate ShapeArray, EPC, PZ, SG, project_info or previously concatenated files but do not mix types! 




7QURbmwViirZSnPOWDd0P8kyuNnposYCdA.jpg

Figure 2: The SAACR_raw2raw_concat window



Select the first data file and click the Open button.



ijmQNm0yJmk4GaHGlM2n9Dh2dI8hPeUIpQ.jpg

Figure 3: Selecting the first data file, in this example, the SAA1 data file from the example1_t1_2epc folder 



In the SAACR_raw2raw_concat window, click the next Browse button, as shown in Figure 2 above, for the second file. Select the second data file and click the Open button.



9VDJ4x92OcMKJS4wSrl34QFT97tG3zDIPg.jpg

Figure 4: Selecting the second data file, in this example, the SAA1 data file from the example1_t2_2epc folder 



The following considerations should be noted when concatenating raw data files.


  • If another sensor's data is present, for example SAA2, its files must be handled in a subsequent concatenation 
  • Any number of files may be selected (up to the number of available lines) 
  • Concatenated files can be further concatenated any number of times which is done for larger number of files 
  • Ensure that files are of the same type and that the setup has not changed 




Step 2 - Concatenate the Files


After you have specified the files to be concatenated in the SAACR_raw2raw_concat window, click the Concatenate button in the bottom right corner of the window.



S9F14EPZklCjwV3Kbi8U36VgTOqbV5nXtQ.jpg

Figure 5: The Concatenate button in the SAACR_raw2raw_concat window



Once the concatenation is complete, you will be prompted to select a location and filename for the resulting data file. By default, the filename will be the same as the selected data files but with _concat added as a suffix.



RVzmVr-de6J7TfIZxkCewtBXJ-vSuYHsZg.jpg

Figure 6: Selecting a location and filename for the concatenated raw data file




Step 3 - Review the Time vs. Frame Graph  


Once the process has started the files are put together into a single file, in time-sequence, with any duplicate frames made single. A Time vs. Frame graph will appear once the concatenation is complete. The time relationship is shown before and after sorting by the program. 



sG2NQSY5qWuW84moTaZmBNwS20BTe-sv1w.jpg

Figure 7: Time vs Frame graphs for before and after the concatenation 





Step 4 - Optional, Repeat Steps 1 through 3 

 

If your project folders contain raw data files for multiple sensors, each sensor's data must be concatenated in turn. To do this, simply repeat steps 1 through 3 for each sensor's raw data files. All concatenated files should be kept together in the same folder for subsequent conversion using SAACR_raw2data. If other raw data are available from the same data logger with the same setup, the concatenated raw data might be further concatenated with other raw data.