ASTRO-MED Dash 16u User manual

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DASH 16u
Portable Universal 16-Channel Field Recorder
Operations Manual
TM
I-773

Dash™ 16u
Operations Manual
Part No. 22834-465
12/00
Firmware V 1.6
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Astro-Med, Inc.
600 East Greenwich Avenue
West Warwick RI 02893
1.401.828.4000
Technical Support 1.800.343.4039
[e-mail]

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Important Information ......................................................................................................................................1
Copyright..........................................................................................................................1
FCC Compliance Statement..............................................................................................1
Canadian Emissions Requirements ...................................................................................1
Limited Warranty..............................................................................................................2
Disclaimer of Warranty.....................................................................................................2
Product Identification........................................................................................................3
Contact Astro-Med, Inc.....................................................................................................3
Chapter 1
Before You Get Started......................................................................................................................................5
Overview.....................................................................................................................................................5
Front Panel Controls..................................................................................................................6
Encoder Wheel...........................................................................................................................7
Alphanumeric Keypad ...............................................................................................................8
Pre-set Function Hotkeys...........................................................................................................9
Rear Panel................................................................................................................................11
Right Side Panel.......................................................................................................................12
Quick Reference to Menus & Commands..................................................................................................13
Portable Field Recorder Specifications......................................................................................................23
Physical...........................................................................................................................23
Paper Chart .....................................................................................................................23
Power..............................................................................................................................24
Signal Inputs (General) ...................................................................................................24
Voltage Measurements....................................................................................................25
Thermocouple Measurements .........................................................................................26
DC Bridge.......................................................................................................................26
Data Logger ....................................................................................................................26
Differential Input.............................................................................................................27
Single-ended Input..........................................................................................................27
Event Inputs....................................................................................................................27
Measurement Range and Attenuation..............................................................................28
Trigger Acquisition.........................................................................................................29
Data Capture ...................................................................................................................30
Environmental.................................................................................................................31
Miscellaneous .................................................................................................................31
PC Connection................................................................................................................32
Event Port .......................................................................................................................32
Utility I/O Port................................................................................................................32
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).........................................................................................34
FFT Transform Operation...............................................................................................36

Dash 8n/8u Portable 8-Channel Field Recorder
ii Table of Contents
FFT Axis Labeling.......................................................................................................... 38
FFT Windowing.............................................................................................................. 39
FFT Data Averaging....................................................................................................... 40
Chapter 2
Set Up for Real-time Operation...................................................................................................................... 41
Before Real-time Recording...................................................................................................................... 41
System Setup Functions............................................................................................................................ 42
Setup Clock ............................................................................................................................. 42
Setup Color.............................................................................................................................. 43
Setup TCP/IP........................................................................................................................... 44
Setup Keyboard....................................................................................................................... 45
Setup Utility I/O ...................................................................................................................... 46
System Default ........................................................................................................................ 47
Speed Functions........................................................................................................................................ 48
Chart Speed ............................................................................................................................. 49
Display Speed.......................................................................................................................... 50
Motor Source Toggle............................................................................................................... 51
Chart Setup Functions............................................................................................................................... 52
Auto-Chart............................................................................................................................... 52
Customize Chart Setups........................................................................................................... 53
Change Grid ............................................................................................................................ 54
Change Waveforms ................................................................................................................. 55
Change Event Markers ............................................................................................................56
Change Time Mark.................................................................................................................. 58
Default All Charts.................................................................................................................... 59
Default Chart 1 Layout ................................................................................................... 60
Default Chart 2 Layout ................................................................................................... 61
Default Chart 3 Layout ................................................................................................... 62
Default Chart 4 Layout ................................................................................................... 63
Copy Charts............................................................................................................................. 64
Editing Text Buffers................................................................................................................ 65
Input Configuration................................................................................................................................... 66
Amplifier & Channel Setup....................................................................................................................... 67
Signal Conditioning Settings................................................................................................... 67
Define Input Types.................................................................................................................. 68
Set Attenuation........................................................................................................................ 69
Set User-defined Engineering Units ........................................................................................ 70
Implementing Differentiation & Integration Options...................................................... 70
Specify DSP / FILTER Settings .............................................................................................. 72
Set DC or GND ....................................................................................................................... 73
Set Peak-to-Peak RMS ............................................................................................................74
Setting Autobalance for the DC Bridge Input Type................................................................. 75
Calibrate Input Channels ......................................................................................................... 76
Set Range................................................................................................................................. 79

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Table of Contents iii
Set Offset.................................................................................................................................80
Copying Amplifier Settings .....................................................................................................81
Printing Amplifier Settings......................................................................................................82
Chapter 3
Real-time Operation.........................................................................................................................................83
Real-time Recording..................................................................................................................................83
Run Chart.................................................................................................................................83
Dual Speed Recording .............................................................................................................84
Timed Recording .....................................................................................................................85
Data Logger...............................................................................................................................................86
Run Data Logger......................................................................................................................86
Set Data Log Speed..................................................................................................................87
Triggering Events......................................................................................................................................88
Set Trigger Sources..................................................................................................................88
Set Logical (AND/OR) Triggering Combinations....................................................................89
Set Waveform Triggers............................................................................................................90
Setting a Clock Trigger............................................................................................................92
Set an External Trigger Source ................................................................................................93
Arm The System........................................................................................................................................94
Data Capture..............................................................................................................................................95
Set up Data Capture.................................................................................................................96
Trigger the System.....................................................................................................................................98
Data Review, Playback, and Reporting......................................................................................................99
Data Review and Playback.......................................................................................................99
Review Record from Zip........................................................................................................100
Find a Record.........................................................................................................................101
Preview a Record...................................................................................................................102
Preview Settings ....................................................................................................................104
Set up Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).....................................................................................108
Optimize FFT Analysis Timing.....................................................................................110
Perform FFT Transform.........................................................................................................111
FFT Data Comparison...................................................................................................112
Playback to Paper...................................................................................................................113
Display in Real-time..............................................................................................................116
Label Records........................................................................................................................ 117
Print Information/Status Reports............................................................................................ 118
Data Record I/O....................................................................................................................................... 119
Delete Records....................................................................................................................... 119
Format Capture Memory........................................................................................................121
Backup and Export Records................................................................................................... 122
Zip Disk Operations.................................................................................................................................124
Save or Recall Recording Setups...........................................................................................125

Dash 8n/8u Portable 8-Channel Field Recorder
iv Table of Contents
Print ASCII Text Files............................................................................................................126
Copy, Rename, or Delete Data Files.......................................................................................127
Format a Zip Disk...................................................................................................................128
Using a PC with the Recorder ..................................................................................................................129
PC Interface............................................................................................................................129
AstroVIEW™ C.....................................................................................................................129
Installing AstroVIEW C ................................................................................................130
Uploading to PC via Ethernet........................................................................................130
AstroSET................................................................................................................................131
Installing AstroSET .......................................................................................................132
Chapter 4
Maintenance....................................................................................................................................................133
Load Z-Fold Thermal Paper.....................................................................................................................133
Cleaning the Printhead .............................................................................................................................134
Upgrade System Software........................................................................................................................136
Glossary...........................................................................................................................................................137
Index ................................................................................................................................................................141

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Important Information 1
Important Information
Copyright
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this manual may
be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated
into any language in any form by any means without prior written permission of
Astro-Med, Inc. AstroVIEW C is a trademark of Astro-Med, Inc. Ethernet is a
trademark of Xerox Corp. Windows, Microsoft, and MS-DOS are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Zip is a trademark of Iomega Corp.
FCC Compliance Statement
This device has been tested and complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules for a
Class A digital device. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference; and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Shielded cables must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class
A FCC limits. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy; if not installed and used in accordance with the operations manual it
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which
case the purchaser will be required to correct the interference at its own expense.
WARNING MODIFICATIONS TO UNIT NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED BY
THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE COULD VOID
THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
Canadian Emissions Requirements
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
2Important Information
Limited Warranty
Astro-Med, Inc. warrants all portions of this equipment against defects in
materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original
purchase. If you discover a defect, Astro-Med will, at its option, repair or
replace this product at no additional charge except as set forth below. Repair
parts and replacement parts will be furnished on an exchange basis and will be
either reconditioned or new. All replaced parts become the property of Astro-
Med. This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by
accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication; or has been modified without the
written permission of Astro-Med, Inc.
To obtain warranty services, contact us at 401.828.4000. Astro-Med, Inc. is not
responsible for your product if it is lost or damaged in transit. Astro-Med, Inc.
makes no warranty, either express or implied, with respect to this product’s
fitness for a particular purpose.
Disclaimer of Warranty
This software and the accompanying files are sold “as is” and without warranties
as to performance or merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed
or implied. No warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.
It is good practice to thoroughly test the software with non-critical data before
relying on it. It is the customer’s responsibility to follow proper file backup
procedures in the event of data loss. Astro-Med, Inc. is not responsible for any
data loss experienced in operation of this software.
Astro-Med, Inc. does not warranty that the functions contained in the software
will meet your requirements or that the operation of the software will be
uninterrupted or error-free. The user must assume the entire risk of using the
program. Any liability of the seller will be limited exclusively to product
replacement or refund of purchase price.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Important Information 3
Product Identification
The software provided with your equipment is the most current available.
Record the model number, serial number, and software version installed on your
equipment. Any upgrades to resident software should also be noted as they are
installed.
IF FOR ANY REASON YOU NEED TO CONTACT ASTRO-MED, INC.
REGARDING YOUR PURCHASE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO REFER TO THIS
INFORMATION.
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER
ORIGINAL SOFTWARE VERSION
UPGRADED SOFTWARE VERSION DATE INSTALLED / /
UPGRADED SOFTWARE VERSION DATE INSTALLED / /
UPGRADED SOFTWARE VERSION DATE INSTALLED / /
UPGRADED SOFTWARE VERSION DATE INSTALLED / /
Contact Astro-Med, Inc.
Keep those suggestions coming! We love to hear from you.
To contact the Astro-Med, Inc. Development Group, send us an email at
mtgrou[email protected] or call 401-828-4000.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
4Important Information
This page intentionally left blank.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Before You Get Started 5
Chapter 1
Before You Get Started
Overview
The Dash 16u is a recording system that combines the features of a high-speed
oscilloscope, a real-time chart recorder, and a multi-channel data acquisition
system.
Sixteen channels of universal signal conditioning, real-time data display, real-
time chart recording, and built-in data acquisition are provided.
Before setting up the recorder for realtime operation, become familiar with the
unit and its user interface.
1. Physical controls. The front panel is designed to provide clear and fast
access to menu commands and other features. Softkeys and hotkeys are
provided for quick adjustments to chart speed, display parameters, and
channel configuration.
2. Physical input/output configuration. Sixteen channels of isolated inputs
are provided on the rear panel. Guarded banana jacks provide quick
connection to high voltage inputs. Terminal block input connectors provide
access to low voltage.
3. External I/O, data transfer, and remote control access. The side panel
provides Ethernet access and a utility port for external triggering and remote
control of some functions. The built-in Zip drive provides offline storage
and data transfer capability.
4. Menu and command navigation. Configure functions, control waveform
display and perform data capture and analysis using the softkeys to the right
of the display and the hotkeys on the front panel.
5. Specifications. System and input specifications provide operational
guidelines and channel configuration parameters.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
6Before You Get Started
Front Panel Controls
The front panel is designed to provide clear and fast access to menu commands
and other unit features.
Figure 1, Dash 16u Front Panel
1waveform display area
displays waveforms and grids
2upper and lower text areas
upper: text related to menu items; lower: fields related to menu selections
3menu displays
provide quick access to each control’s menus and submenus
4menu softkeys
fast access to menus and submenus on the display
5 trigger and alarm LEDs
visual confirmation of unit arming or triggering

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Before You Get Started 7
6 encoder wheel
saves time when making menu selections; when a menu item on the display is
highlighted, options related to the item are present in the lower text area and can be
modified by turning the wheel
7 run/halt key
advances/halts the chart paper
8 pre-set function hotkeys
provide quick access to menus, channel information, speed settings, and fast
modification of amplifier settings
9 alphanumeric keypad
to make text or numeric field entries manually
Encoder Wheel
By turning the wheel left or right, field options are quickly modified.
Figure 2, Encoder Wheel
1. If the menu display includes a <<FIELD>> menu label, press the
<<FIELD>> softkey repeatedly to highlight the desired field in the lower
text area.
2. If the menu display includes a highlighted option, use the encoder wheel to
modify it by turning the wheel until the desired option is highlighted.
Once highlighted, an option is selected. Field modifications take effect on the
waveform display as soon as they are selected. In some menus, it may be
necessary to press the ACCEPT softkey after highlighting options.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
8Before You Get Started
Alphanumeric Keypad
When a field in the menu label is highlighted, turning the encoder wheel usually
reveals all options. Use the keypad when this is not the case, or if keypad entry
is preferred.
1. With the menu label field highlighted, enter text or numbers using the
keypad. The entry will appear in the lower text area.
2. Modifications to field options take effect on the waveform display as soon
as they are selected. Press Enter to complete your selection.
For information about keypad overlays that include non-English characters,
contact Astro-Med, Inc. at 401.828.4000.
Figure 3, Front Panel Keypad
1 Spacebar
2 Insert
3 Delete clears the rightmost character entered.
4 Clear clears the entire entry.
5 Shift capitalizes alpha characters.
6 Enter

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Before You Get Started 9
Pre-set Function Hotkeys
Pre-set functions simplify basic operation and real-time recording.
Figure 4, Preset Function Hotkeys
1 Sys Hotkey. [SYS] provides quick access to unit setup and system settings menus.
2 Amp Hotkeys. [AMP] hotkeys provide quick access to channel information and
allow fast modification of amplifier settings.
3 SPD Hotkeys. Pre-programmed speed [SPD] keys are provided for making quick
and convenient modifications to chart speed.
4 MODE Hotkey. [MODE] is provided to simplify data input/output, recording, review,
offline analysis, archiving, and exporting.
5 TRIG and ARM Hotkeys. Pre-programmed [ARM] and trigger [TRIG] function
hotkeys are provided for quick, manual arming or triggering of the system.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
10 Before You Get Started
6 MARK Hotkey. Pressing [MARK] causes the system mark at the top of the chart to
activate. The system event marker provides a convenient way to place a mark on
the chart that can be used to mark the start or end at some particular change in the
test. The mark displayed is formatted according to the Event Style.
7 ID Hotkey. [ID] causes the recorder to print the channel number on each waveform.
8 FEED Hotkey. [FEED] causes the chart paper to advance. The chart paper feeds
through the recorder when the [FEED] key is pressed and stops when the key is
released.
9 HELP Hotkey. [HELP] provides basic operational information and information
regarding recorder settings. This information comes in the form of two reports:
a. The System Status report provides Settings information (amplifier, general
recorder, and trigger), and Summary information (waveform trigger, data capture
and review).
b. The Chart Information report provides a summary of settings for each chart: grid
size/position/status, major divisions, minors/majors, pen lift (up/down), event
marker position, text buffer (in mm).
10 Run/Halt. If printing when the front-panel [RUN/HALT] key is pressed, the chart
paper stops. The built-in waveform display shows the base display and indicates
that recording activity is halted. If NOT printing when the front-panel [RUN/HALT]
key is pressed, printing resumes and the chart paper advances. The built-in
waveform display indicates that real-time recording is ongoing.

Dash 16u Portable 16-Channel Field Recorder
Before You Get Started 11
Rear Panel
Figure 5, Rear Panel Dash 16u
1 Banana jack input
2 Max voltage indication
3 Channel designation
4 Event port
5 Temperature thermistor
6 Battery access panel
7 Terminal block input
8 Pin 4, Ground
9 Pin 3, Excitation
10 Pin 2, – Signal Input
11 Pin 1, + Signal Input