When the logger program to collect ShapeArray data is uploaded to a Campbell Scientific CR series data logger and started, a number of preliminary samples will be taken right away. Measurand recommends collecting these data samples immediately and reviewing the raw data files from the logger to ensure that everything is working as expected. This can be accomplished through LoggerNet Connect. This guide will describe how to collect data using LoggerNet Connect.
NOTE: Before you can collect data from the logger, you must configure the logger, generate a program, upload it to the logger, and configure file paths for collection as described in the following support articles:
NOTE: This can also be done with Campbell Scientific free PC200W or PC400 software. If you are using these programs, please follow the instructions in this article instead.
Step 1 - Connect to the Data Logger
From the LoggerNet window, select the Connect option from the Main menu.
Figure 1: LoggerNet's Main menu
In the Connect Screen window, select your data logger from the Stations list and click the Connect button.
Figure 2: LoggerNet's Connect Screen window after selecting a logger and clicking the Connect button
WARNING: Configurations in the Stations list are not tied to a specific data logger. They can be used to connect to any data logger of the same type as the configuration. For example, a station configuration to connect to a CR300 data logger can be used to connect to any CR300. This means that data from one data logger can mistakenly be appended to data from another data logger of the same type. If you have multiple data loggers of the same type, you must ensure you are using the proper station configuration to collect raw data from each logger.
Step 2 - Collect the Raw Data From the Logger
Once you have connected to the data logger in the Connect Screen window, click the Collect Now button to retrieve the data from the data logger. This will retrieve the data from logger program's data tables and save it in .DAT files in a pre-configured location. More information on configuring the location of these files is available in the Campbell Scientific Data Logger Data File Management guide. When the collection operation is complete, a Data Collection Results dialog will provide a summary of the results.
Figure 3: The Data Collection Results window provides a summary of the data collection
It is also possible to perform a Custom Collection through the LoggerNet Connect Window by clicking on the Custom button. This allows you to have somewhat more fine-grained control over the data collection. It is very important that should you wish to use Custom Collection, you must ensure that the following Format Options are selected:
- Include Timestamp
- Include Record Number
You must also ensure that the following tables are selected in the Table Collection list:
- LOGGER_DIAGNOSTIC
- PROJECT_INFO
- SAA#_DATA
- SAA_DIAGNOSTIC
- SERIAL_ERRORS
Figure 4: The Custom Collection dialog opens when you click the Custom button in the LoggerNet Connect Screen
More information manually collecting data is available in the Manual Data Collection section of the LoggerNet Manual.
Step 3 - Examine the Raw Data Files
After you have collected the data from the data logger, you should examine the raw data files. You can find detailed information about the structure and contents of the data logger project files the Data Logger Project Files for ShapeArray guide.