Once an extension has been added to the SAAV Extend base array, a new calibration file and site file must be generated to facilitate the collection and conversion of data from the newly combined segments. These files will be built by combining information from the calibration file for the base array and the separate calibration files for any attached extensions.


WARNING: Before connecting to the ShapeArray to generate the required calibration file and site file, you must ensure you have downloaded the latest set of calibration files for the base array and any attached extensions to the computer. This can be accomplished using the Get Calibration Files option in SAASuite while your computer is connected to the Internet.


The steps below are also covered in the following video on working with SAAV Extend.





To generate the new calibration and site files, you must first physically connect a computer running the SAARecorder software to the ShapeArray using one of the following interfaces.

Once connected, start SAARecorder from SAASuite by clicking on the Manual Data Collection button and then the Connect SAA button.


Figure 1: Launch SAARecorder from SAASuite


When the connect screen appears, SAARecorder will attempt to communicate with any connected ShapeArrays. When it detects that an extended ShapeArray is connected and no combined calibration file already exists for that array, it will prompt you to create and save a new calibration file and site file. Click on the Continue button.


Figure 2: New extension detected


When you click the Continue button, a new combined calibration file for the SAAV Extend base array and any connected extensions will be created. A site calibration file defining the serial numbers of all parts of the assembled SAAV Extend array, and the order in which they are physically connected, will also be generated. You must select a location to save these files as they will be required to generate a new logger program to monitor the extended array and to convert any raw data collected from the array in this configuration. The site file created can also be used to rebuild the combined calibration file in the event it is lost. 


Click on the Browse button next to the Folder field to select a location to save the combined calibration file and the site calibration file. You must this file to the project folder where raw data files from the SAAV Extend being saved and converted. Once you have selected the folder and filename for the site file, click on the Save button.


WARNING: Care must be taken when managing the newly generated calibration and site file. Raw data collected from an SAAV Extend assembly can only be converted with the calibration file that exactly matches the number, and ordering, of the segments connected together to form the array. When an SAAV Extend is reused, or its geometry is changed in anyway, a new calibration and site file must be generated. The calibration files and data from each application must be kept together in separate project folders from any other calibrations and data.



Figure 3: Select a location to save the new combined calibration file and the site file

NOTE: Measurand recommends using the default name for the site file so that it is easily identifiable. By default, this file will have the prefix SAAVExtendsite and will contain the serial number of the base array.

Clicking the Save button will save two new files in the selected location: a site file with the filename specified and a combined calibration file for the extended array. 


Figure 4: Combined calibration file and site file saved to the project folder

The combined calibration file’s filename will have the following format.

SAAExtend_[serial_number]_[number_segments]_[segment_length]
  • SAAExtend_: The SAAExtend prefix identifies the calibration file as one for an SAAV Extend ShapeArray with at least one extension installed onto the base array.
  • [serial_number]: The serial number of the new top segment of the SAAV Extend after the extension has been added
  • [number_segments]: The total number of segments in the extended array
  • [segment_length]: The length of the segments in the array measured in millimetres
WARNING: Care must be taken to preserve the combined calibration file and the site file. These files are integral to properly converting the raw data collected from the extended ShapeArray.