ASTRO-MED Dash 4u User manual

Dash 4u Recorder
QUICK START GUIDE
Supports Recorder System Software Version 11.8
1. INTRODUCTION
2. GETTING STARTED
3. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
4. REAL-TIME RECORDING FUNCTIONS
5. SETTING UP CHARTS AND GRIDS
6. AMPLIFIER SETTINGS
7. DATA CAPTURE
8. DATA REVIEW
9. SAMPLE EXERCISES
Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med Industrial Park, 600 East Greenwich Ave. West Warwick, RI 02893
Toll-Free Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Astro-Med Dash 4u field and lab recorder. It is important that you read the enclosed
operations manual. You simply will not get the most out of your Dash 4u unless you do. However, it is human nature for
you to want to get started right away. We understand this, and have prepared this Quick Start Guide to let you get
acquainted with the Dash 4u as quickly as possible. We hope you enjoy it - and your new recorder. But then, please read
the operations manual.
2. GETTING STARTED
VOLTAGE VERIFICATION The Dash 4u has an auto-sensing power supply that operates from 85-220 VAC
at 50 or 60 Hz. You do not have to set up any fuse block arrangement.
CONNECT AC POWER Connect the AC power cord to the Dash 4u rear panel, then to an outlet.
LOAD CHART PAPER Remove the protective wrapping around the paper. Open the paper chamber door
located at the left side of the unit. Insert the top sheet with the arrows pointing
towards the paper chamber immediately below the black bar beneath the drive
roller as you place the pack of paper inside the paper chamber. Push the paper
through the paper-feed channel until the paper exits the recorder above the drive
roller. Close the paper chamber door.
TURN ON DASH 4u When you turn on the Dash 4u, the color display will read initialization and then
the recorder will load in the last setup it had before it was powered down.
START RECORDING Signal leads are not supplied with the Dash 4u. There are two physical input
sections for each channel. You must only use one physical connection at a time.
For the differential, DC Bridge and temperature amplifiers, use the six pin
universal input terminal block connector. Mating connectors are provided. For
the single-ended amplifier, use the standard banana jacks connection. This guide
will only use the single-ended input connection for simplicity. Using standard
banana jack leads, bring your signals into the recorder at the side panel. Press the
[RUN / HALT] key. The Dash 4u will begin recording. Look at the top edge of
the chart - the System Log repeatedly prints the time, date, chart speed and time
scale. Refer to the Manual to change the time and date. If you wish to change
the chart and grid presentation, see Section 5 below for further details.
HALT Experiment stopping/starting the chart by pressing the [RUN / HALT] key.
CHANGE SPEEDS A group of keys in the center of the front panel controls the chart speed.
Dedicated keys provide a means for quickly setting the common chart speeds.
Non-standard speeds can be set easily as well using the [SPD] key.
HELP KEY When the front panel [HELP] key is pressed, three levels of help are available to
be printed onto the chart paper: System Report, Chart Report, General Help.
COLOR DISPLAY The Dash 4u provides a color display for view of real-time and captured signals.
You can freeze the display at any time you have real-time signals inputted. Once
frozen, use the encoder wheel to move two cursors (A, B) to make time and
amplitude measurements. You can then run the display to view the real-time
signals again.

3. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
COLOR DISPLAY The color display is divided into four areas. Most of the display is used to show
the waveforms and grids. The area above and below the waveform display is
used for text related to menu items. On the right of the display is the menu
display area. This menu display area uses the ten menu display keys immediately
to the right of the color display.
The color display is used for real-time as well as data capture viewing. When
you make your choices using the menu display keys, the bottom part of the
display reports your settings as well as highlights the active choice.
ENCODER WHEEL Because the Dash 4u is versatile, where many choices are available, an encoder
wheel is used to quickly move through the selections. An example is gain setup
where the wheel is used to select your range and offset. Also, the encoder wheel
is used for moving the cursors when reviewing data.
ALPHANUMERIC KEYPAD A full QWERTY alphanumeric keypad is used for chart annotation (upper and
lower case), user scaling (engineering units), and setting up the gain of the
channels (range and offset).
SPEED CONTROL There are eight buttons for speed control. Four buttons give quick selection of
common speeds: [1], [5], [25], [50]. Three other buttons to select the rate:
[HR], [MIN], [SEC]. The last key is the [SPD] key used to adjust the paper
speed, data logger (numeric) speed, select internal or external motor source, the
speed of the display (normal or trend) and to adjust the chart speed (+/- 2%).
AMP KEYS Six keys, one each for the four signal inputs and two keys for the two derived
channels. For example, with the four signal input keys, you can set full scale
range, offset (zero offset) from the center of the channel, ground or unground the
channel, select peak-to-peak or RMS, setup filter, assign engineering units.
Selecting the amplifier type, setting the attenuator range and calibration are here
as well. For the two derived channels, you select the math operation and pick
two of any of the four inputs to perform the operation upon. For example, you
can add, subtract, multiply and divide any two of the four inputs. You can also
determine power relationships such as Apparent Power, True Power, and Power
Factor. Further, you can show the RMS value of one of the four inputs as well as
integrate or differentiate a signal.
RUN / HALT KEY Used to start and stop the chart paper real-time recording.
OPERATION HOTKEYS [HELP] Three levels of help.
System Report: Amplifier, data capture and triggering settings.
Chart Report: Grid settings for all four charts.
General Help : Quick overview of Dash 4u functions.
[FEED] Advances the chart paper as long as this key is pressed.
[ID] Puts the channel number next to the waveform on the chart and
display. This key is useful with overlapping channels.
[MARK] Toggles the system event marker located underneath the system log
on the chart.

[ARM] Used to activate the data capture mode. Works with or without the
chart paper running.
[TRIG] Manual trigger for data capture.
[SYS] System key used for setting up various parameters for the Dash 4u.
Design or modify an existing chart. Edit text labels. Set up data
capture and triggering. Save or recall a system set up (Zip disk).
Other system functions such as real-time clock, display colors,
defaulting settings and software upgrade.
[MODE] Select and run any of the four available charts. Select data logger
(numeric), timed recording or dual speed mode. Select captured data
to review as well as importing and exporting data to Zip disk.
4. REAL-TIME RECORDING FUNCTIONS
•Four available chart formats: Design grid for number of channels. Pick to overlap some, all or none of the channels.
•Data logger (numeric output): Select rate at which to print values.
•Timed recording: Pick one of four charts. Select the start and end times for recording.
•Dual Speed Recording: Select two chart speeds at which to run the paper and select either the trigger or time duration
to switch between the speeds. The most common use is recording at the first selected chart speed, utilizing waveform
triggering to change to the second chart speed for a predetermined amount of time. At that point, the recorder will
automatically switch back to the first selected chart speed, awaiting another trigger.
During real-time recording, the display will show your signals. At the same time, you can print to paper using the
[RUN / HALT] key.
5. SETTING UP CHARTS AND GRIDS
The Dash 4u gives you total control over chart layout. You can set individual channel widths, channel location, grids
ON/OFF and major/minor division sizing. You are also able to suppress or enable waveform printing as well as vary the
waveform trace thickness. Further, you can overlap some or all of the channels.
DEFAULT CHARTS The Dash 4u has four programmable charts. They are defaulted at the factory
prior to shipping. The defaulted charts are four grids, six grids, one grid, and
four grids with eight event markers. You may find this a convenient place to
start.
At any time, you can default the charts as follows:
[SYS] [CUSTOMIZE CHART] [DEFAULT ALL CHARTS]
RUNNING A CHART [MODE] [RUN CHART X]where X= 1 or 2 or 3 or 4.
Immediately, you will see the waveforms scrolling across the color display as
well as the chart paper begins to run. Use the [RUN / HALT] key to stop the
paper.

CUSTOMIZING A CHART If you don't find a chart you like from one of the four charts programmed in your
Dash 4u, you can change the chart in two different ways.
•The first is Auto-Chart: [SYS] [AUTO-CHART SETUP]
Here the Dash 4u walks you through selecting how many channels you want
and whether to overlap them or display them individually. You are prompted
to save this chart to one of the four available charts.
•The second method is to set up each channel's grid parameters manually:
[SYS] [CUSTOMIZE CHART]… Note that the changes made will affect
the current chart that you are working with (Chart 1-4).
There are three parameters involved with displaying a channel:
Grid, waveform trace and text buffer.
It is recommended for each channel used that its grid be turned ON:
[SYS] [CUSTOMIZE CHART] [CHANGE GRID]. Under this menu, you can
change the size, location and appearance of each grid.
Also, each channel used should have its trace drawn on the chart:
[SYS] [CUSTOMIZE CHART] [CHANGE WAVEFORMS]
[PEN up] or [PEN down].
Lastly, there are six text buffers that are defaulted to write a channel number.
Although the buffers are independent of the grid and waveform, it is typical to
associate one text buffer for each channel. It is recommended to turn off the
buffers for those channels not used: [SYS] [EDIT LABELS / TEXT].
6. AMPLIFIER SETTINGS
There are six amplifier keys located on the right side of the front panel, four keys for the four signal inputs and two keys
for the two channels derived from the signal inputs. When one of the four signal input channels is selected, several
choices for channel settings are available:
[SET RANGE] Sets full scale value for the channel.
[SET OFFSET] Sets the zero offset from the center of the channel.
[DC / GND] Toggle between grounding and ungrounding the channel.
This does not ground the signal input itself!!
[PK - PK / RMS] Toggle between peak-to-peak or RMS value.
[SETUP DSP / FILTER] Select type of filter (notch, low pass, high pass, band pass).
[SETUP USER SCALING] Assign engineering units to the channel values. Includes offset compensation.
[COPY AMPLIFIER] Copy part or all of a channel setup to another or all other channels.
[CALIBRATE] Calibrate channels using module or manual method.
[ADVANCED] - Attenuator settings for selected amplifier type.
-Changeamplifiertype(single-ended, differential, temperature, DC bridge,
RTD or frequency {channel 1 only}).
For the two math channels, amp keys M1 and M2 are provided. In addition to the RANGE, OFFSET and DC / GND keys
described above, dedicated keys for setting up the math function are provided:
[QUICK AUTO-SCALE] Sets full scale value for the channel based on the selected math function.
[MATH OPERATION] Select from add, subtract, multiply, divide, apparent power, true power and
power factor based on two of the four signal inputs. Select RMS, integration or
differentiation of any one of the four signal inputs.
See exercises in Section 9 for details on using the Amp keys.

NOTES: For each of the five amplifier types, there are different attenuator ranges. If you
can't get the desired range and offset, you need to select a different attenuator.
If you will use user scaling to assign engineering units, it is recommended to first
set up your channel in terms of voltage and verify you signal. Then, assign your
units.
The upper and lower bounds of the channel can be printed in the latter part of the
text buffer for the channel: [SYS] [CUSTOMIZE CHART]
[CHANGE WAVEFORMS] [AMP. REPORT on]
At this point, you can run the chart with your signals. Press the [MODE] key and run the chart you set up. To stop the
paper, press the [RUN / HALT] key. You can also freeze the display and use two cursors (A, B) to make time and
amplitude measurements. You can print the screen or even save the screen image to your Zip disk.
7. DATA CAPTURE
The Dash 4u has a 4 Gigabyte hard drive for data capture. In order to capture data, a trigger must be produced. For each
record, pre- and post-trigger data can be captured. You must select the conditions under which you will capture data
(trigger set up) as well as how you will collect the data (number of samples per second and for how long). Further, within
the data capture record, you can pick where the trigger point will be placed.
SETUP DATA CAPTURE [SYS] [SETUP DATA CAPTURE]
There are six parameters for setting up data capture:
[SET SAMPLE RATE] Use the encoder wheel to select how many samples per second you will take.
[SET RECORD SIZE] Use the encoder wheel to select how much memory you will use. To help you
decide, the length of capture (time duration) is shown. Pick enough memory to
give you enough recording time.
[SET TRIGGER Win.] Use the encoder wheel to select where within the capture the trigger will be. In
addition to Start, Center and End, the trigger can be any percentage value of the
record. By placing the trigger point at any value other than Start, you will record
pre-trigger data.
[SET OPERATION] You can capture one record only (single capture) or capture one record only and
play it to the chart (single capture and playback). Select multi-capture with or
without playback to capture more than one record. With multi-capture, the Dash
4u re-arms itself, waiting for the next trigger.
[AUTOTRIG] When auto-trigger is ON, as soon as the Dash 4u is armed ([ARM] key), it will
start a data capture. When auto-trigger is OFF, the Dash 4u waits for a trigger.
[SET CHANNELS] Select the channels to be captured.
SETUP TRIGGER [SYS] [SETUP TRIGGER]
Once the data capture is set up, select the conditions under which you will take
data. In addition to auto-trigger listed above, there are four other ways to trigger
a capture:
[MANUAL] When activated, the [TRIG] key on the Dash 4u will produce a trigger.

[WAVEFORM] When activated, a change in signal level will produce a trigger:
[SYS] [SETUP TRIGGER] [SETUP WAVEFORM]. Pick the channel(s) to
set up and how it will trigger: [SET TYPE / CLASS]. When more than one
channel will be used for triggering, you can select OR or AND combinations.
Each channel's trigger levels are independent of the other channels. You can use
window triggering (either inside or outside the window), level triggering (above
or below the level), slope triggering (rising, falling or either slope) and slew rate
triggering.
For window, level and slope triggering, percentage values are listed. This
percent value is with respect to the edge-to-edge location on the chart where 0%
is the bottom of the chart, 50% is the middle of the chart and 100% is the top of
the chart. Knowing the signal placement on the chart from analog setup, you can
pick the appropriate percentage level. See exercises in Section 9 for use of
waveform triggering.
[EXTERNAL] Allows TTL or switch closure to ground trigger (see utility port pin-out).
[CLOCK] Produces a trigger at pre-defined periods. For example, if it is set to one hour,
then every hour there will be a trigger. Also, you can set a one-time trigger at a
pre-defined date and time.
Once you have set up the analog, data capture and trigger parameters, you can press the [ARM] button (near the encoder
wheel) to start a data capture record. The Dash 4u will be ready for the trigger to complete the record.
8. DATA REVIEW
Once a data capture record is complete, several things can be done with the data. It can be reviewed on the color display,
played back to the chart paper, copied to the Zip disk or sent to a computer by ethernet.
[SCREEN PREVIEW] [MODE] [DATA RECORD REVIEW] [SCREEN PREVIEW]
Part or all of the data can be acted upon. To help decide what part of the data is
of interest, the color display allows preview of the data record.
In the screen preview, there are two cursors (A, B) for selecting data. You can
page forward and backward through the data as well as expand or compress the
time base. The lower part of the display shows the time and amplitude
measurements.
Once you have selected data of interest, you can print the screen to chart paper,
create a .BMP file on Zip disk, archive data to Zip disk, or play out the data to
the chart paper.
[SETUP PLAYBACK] [MODE] [DATA RECORD REVIEW] [SETUP PLAYBACK]
For playing the data to the chart paper, there is a dedicated set up menu.
Here is where the format for playback is selected (one of the four charts,
numeric, X-Y plot). Also, you can select how much of the data to play back and
whether to compress or expand the timebase.
Throughout the setup of the Dash 4u, you can use the Help sheets to guide you. The System Report and Chart Report
provide much useful information. The manual gives details on the keystrokes to achieve what you want to do with the
Dash 4u. The above lists the basics of the Dash 4u. Under many of the menus are additional choices for more advanced
capabilities of the Dash 4u. Should you require additional assistance, you can contact our Technical Support Department
toll-free at 800-343-4039 or by e-mail: [email protected]

9. SAMPLE EXERCISES
Exercise #1: 9 Volt Battery Test
Items needed: 9 Volt battery. Signal input leads.
I. Real-time Recording
DISCUSSION Monitor the voltage of a 9 Volt battery input into Channel #1 (Keep in mind
that a new 9 Volt battery can have a voltage higher than 9.5 Volts). Use a
fourgridchart. Set up the channel so that when there is no signal, the
waveform trace will be at the bottom and when the 9 Volt signal is applied, the
waveform trace will be near the top of the channel. The signal will be seen on
the color display as well as on the chart paper.
Next, a data capture will be set up to collect data when the battery voltage is
applied.
ACTION
HOWTO
Default the Dash 4u [SYS] [SYSTEM SETUP] [SYSTEM DEFAULT] [YES]
Select Chart 1 (4 individual channels) [MODE] [RUN CHART 1]
Set speed to 5 mm/sec [5] [SEC] Common speeds have dedicated keys on front panel of Dash 4u.
Stop the chart paper [RUN / HALT]
Set Channel #1 to be 0 - 11 Volts FS [AMP 1]
[ADVANCED]
[CHANGE AMP TYPE…] The Dash 4u has five amplifier types.
[SET TO SINGLE-ENDED] Select the single-ended amplifier type.
[EXIT] [SET TO 40 V] Set the attenuator range to 40 Volts.
[EXIT] [SET RANGE] Turn encoder wheel until range is set to 11 Volts.
[SET OFFSET] Turn encoder wheel until offset is set to +5.5 Volts.
[EXIT]
Input battery voltage into Channel #1 Use the banana jack input connection located on the side of the Dash 4u.
Run the chart [RUN / HALT] The signal for Channel #1 is now be close to the top.
Stop the chart paper [RUN / HALT]
Measure the battery voltage [FREEZE DISPLAY] Select [CURSOR A] and turn the encoder wheel to
using the color display move cursor A. Observe the voltage readings shown at the bottom of the
display.Experimentwith[CURSOR B] and then [CURSORS A & B].
Amplitude and time measurements between the cursors are given on the bottom
ofthedisplay.
Whenfinished,runthedisplay[RUN DISPLAY]
Remove battery voltage

II. Data Capture
DISCUSSION Set up one data capture for 8.19 seconds. The capture should be triggered when
the battery voltage is applied. The data capture should be a total of 8.19 seconds.
Of the total capture time, 0.819 seconds of the capture should show what the
signal looked like before the battery voltage was applied.
ACTION
HOWTO
Enter data capture setup [SYS] [SETUP DATA CAPTURE]
Select capture of all channels [SET CHANNELS] Keep Channels 1 through 4.
[EVENTS] Toggle off to not capture event markers. [EXIT]
Set sample rate to 1 kHz [SET SAMPLE RATE] The number of samples per second. In general, select
at least ten times the frequency of your signal or the frequency of any changes in
signal. Turn encoder wheel until sample rate is 1 kHz.
Set record size to 32 Ks [SET RECORD SIZE] The Dash 4u will give you the amount of time that data
will be captured based on the record size and the sample rate. This is shown
under the duration field. Turn encoder wheel until record size is 32 Ks.
Set trigger window to 10% [SET TRIGGER Win.] Placing the trigger at any point other than the start of
the capture window will allow for pre-trigger data to be captured. Turn encoder
wheel until trigger window is 10%.
Set capture for one record [SET OPERATION] You can capture one record or re-arm for more captures.
Turn encoder wheel for single capture.
Be sure auto-triggering is OFF [AUTOTRIG] If auto-triggering is ON, toggle to OFF. If toggled ON, auto-
triggering is designed to immediately capture data once the Dash 4u is armed.
Enter trigger setup [SYS] [SETUP TRIGGER]
Enable waveform triggering [WAVEFORM] Waveform should be toggled to ON position.
Set up the logic for triggering [TOGGLE LOGIC] Insure that OR logic is chosen.
Pick waveform(s) for triggering Turn encoder wheel so that only Channel #1 is selected.
Set up the level for triggering [SETUP WAVEFORM] [SET CHANNEL] Turn encoder wheel to select
Channel #1.[SET TYPE / CLASS] Use wheel to select level - above for type of
trigger. [<<FIELD>>] Turn encoder wheel to 80% (8.8 volts).
Run the chart [RUN / HALT]
Arm for capture [ARM] This key is located near the encoder wheel. The Dash 4u is now
recording pre-trigger data, waiting for the trigger.
Input battery voltage into Channel #1 A trigger should be produced and the capture continues to the end. While
capturing, you should have seen the waveform for Channel #1 increase from the
bottom of the channel to near the top on both the color display and the chart.
Note: you do not need to run the chart when you capture data.
Stop the paper [RUN / HALT]

III. Data Review
DISCUSSION Data capture records can be reviewed on the color display as well as on the
chart paper. Typically, the review is done on the display and then sections of
interest are printed on the paper. During review, the timebase can be expanded
or compressed to give appropriate detail of the signal.
ACTION
HOWTO
Enter screen preview [MODE] [DATA RECORD REVIEW] [SCREEN PREVIEW]
Toggle [CURSOR SELECT] [CURSOR SELECT A] Turn encoder wheel so cursor A is positioned just to
button and move cursors near the left of the trigger point (dotted yellow line on the display).
the trigger point (dotted line) [CURSOR SELECT B] Turn encoder wheel so cursor B is positioned just to
the right of the trigger point (dotted yellow line on the display).
Expand view around trigger [PREVIEW SETTINGS] [SET WINDOW TO CURSORS]
Expand the view further [CURSOR SELECT A] Turn encoder wheel so cursor A is positioned just to
the left of the trigger point (dotted yellow line on the display).
[t - EXPAND ABOUT (A)] The expansion is around where the cursor A is set.
Print the screen [OUTPUT …] Use encoder wheel to select screen print to paper.
[NEXT >>] [NEXT >>]
Play back to paper [EXIT PREVIEW] [SETUP PLAYBACK] [SETUP OUTPUT FORMAT]
Turn encoder wheel to select format to be Y-T Chart #1.
[SET WINDOW] [CHANGE METHOD] Verify method shown is:
Preset – Region of capture window.
If not, continue to press [CHANGE METHOD] button until
Preset – Region of capture window is shown.
[SET START POINT] Turn encoder wheel to 0%.
[SET END POINT] Turn encoder wheel to 20%. [EXIT]
[MODIFY SETTINGS] Set t-expansion: x1. Note that you can expand or
compress the timebase for data playback to the chart. For long data records, it
is suggested to use maximum compression for the first playback to conserve chart
paper. Then, expand the playback to get the detail you need. As you change the
starting and ending points from 100%, you can expand the playback timebase.
[<<FIELD>>] Verify the Header is ON and the Trig Mark is ON. [EXIT]
[BEGIN PLAYBACK]

Exercise #2: Sine Wave Generator Test
Items needed: Waveform Signal Generator. Signal input leads.
I. Real-time Recording
DISCUSSION Input a +/- 2 Volt sine wave, 1 kHz into Channel #1. Use a one grid chart.
Set up the channel so that when there is no signal, the waveform trace will be at
the center. When the sine wave signal is applied, the waveform trace will be
shown symmetrically within the grid. The signal will be seen on the color
display as well as on the chart paper. Next, a data capture will be set up to
collect data when the sine wave signal is applied.
ACTION
HOWTO
Default the Dash 4u [SYS] [SYSTEM SETUP] [SYSTEM DEFAULT] [YES]
Create a chart with one signal [SYS] [AUTO-CHART SETUP] [NEXT >>] To begin auto-chart.
Keep chart format to individual [NEXT >>]. Turn encoder wheel so that
number of channels is 1 [NEXT >>]. Keep chart with channel text [NEXT >>].
Turn encoder wheel to Chart 4 [NEXT >>] [NEXT >>]
Select Chart with Channel 1 [MODE] [RUN CHART 4]
Set speed to 5 mm/sec [5] [SEC] Common speeds have dedicated keys on front panel of Dash 4u.
Stop the chart paper [RUN / HALT]
Set Channel #1 to be +/- 4 Volts FS [AMP 1]
[ADVANCED]
[CHANGE AMP TYPE…] The Dash 4u has five amplifier types.
[SET TO SINGLE-ENDED] Select the single-ended amplifier type.
[EXIT] [SET TO 40 V] Set the attenuator range to 40 Volts.
[EXIT] [SET RANGE] Turn encoder wheel until range is set to 8 Volts.
[SET OFFSET] Turn encoder wheel until offset is set to 0 Volts.
[EXIT]
Input sine wave into Channel #1 Put +/- 2 V sine wave, 1 kHz, into the banana jack input connection located on
the side of the Dash 4u.
Run the chart [RUN / HALT] The signal for Channel #1 should be ½of the full scale chart.
Stop the chart paper [RUN / HALT]
Measure the sine wave signal [FREEZE DISPLAY] Select [CURSOR A] and turn the encoder wheel to
using the color display move cursor A. Observe the voltage readings shown at the bottom of the
display.Experimentwith[CURSOR B] and then [CURSORS A & B].
Amplitude and time measurements between the cursors are given on the bottom
ofthedisplay.
Whenfinished,runthedisplay[RUN DISPLAY]
Remove sine wave signal

II. Data Capture
DISCUSSION Set up one data capture for 0.655 seconds. The capture should be triggered when
the sine wave is applied. The data capture should be a total of 0.655 seconds.
Of the total capture time, 0.131 seconds of the capture should show what the
signal looked like before the sine wave was applied.
ACTION
HOWTO
Enter data capture setup [SYS] [SETUP DATA CAPTURE]
Select capture of all channels [SET CHANNELS] Keep Channels 1 through 4.
[EVENTS] Toggle off to not capture event markers. [EXIT]
Set sample rate to 25 kHz [SET SAMPLE RATE] The number of samples per second. In general, select
at least ten times the frequency of your signal or the frequency of any changes in
signal. Turn encoder wheel until sample rate is 25 kHz.
Set record size to 64 Ks [SET RECORD SIZE] The Dash 4u will give you the amount of time that data
will be captured based on the record size and the sample rate. This is shown
under the duration field. Turn encoder wheel until record size is 64 Ks.
Set trigger window to 20% [SET TRIGGER Win.] Placing the trigger at any point other than the start of
the capture window will allow for pre-trigger data to be captured. Turn encoder
wheel until trigger window is 20%.
Set capture for one record [SET OPERATION] You can capture one record or re-arm for more captures.
Turn encoder wheel to single capture.
Be sure auto triggering is OFF [AUTOTRIG] If auto triggering is ON, toggle to OFF. If toggled ON, auto-
triggering is designed to immediately capture data once the Dash 4u is armed.
Enter trigger setup [SYS] [SETUP TRIGGER]
Enable waveform triggering [WAVEFORM] Waveform should be toggled to ON position.
Set up the logic for triggering [TOGGLE LOGIC] Insure that OR logic is chosen.
Pick waveform(s) for triggering Turn encoder wheel so that only Channel #1 is selected.
Set up the level for triggering [SETUP WAVEFORM] [SET CHANNEL] Turn encoder wheel to select
Channel #1.
[SET TYPE / CLASS] Use wheel to select window - outside for type of
trigger.[<<FIELD>>] Turn encoder wheel to set the High level to be 65%.
[<<FIELD>>] Turn encoder wheel to set the Low level to be 35%.
Run the chart [RUN / HALT]
Arm for capture [ARM] This key is located near the encoder wheel. The Dash 4u is now
recording pre-trigger data, waiting for the trigger.

Input signal into Channel #1 A trigger should be produced and the capture continues to the end. While
capturing, you should have seen the waveform for Channel #1 go from a zero
baseline in the center of the channel to a sine wave within the grid on both the
color display and the chart.
Note: you do not need to run the chart when you capture data.
Stop the paper [RUN / HALT]
III. Data Review
DISCUSSION Data capture records can be reviewed on the color display as well as on the
chart paper. Typically, the review is done on the display and then sections of
interest are printed on the paper. During review, the timebase can be expanded
or compressed to give appropriate detail of the signal.
ACTION
HOWTO
Enter screen preview [MODE] [DATA RECORD REVIEW] [SCREEN PREVIEW]
Select Chart 4 for Preview [PREVIEW SETTINGS] [NEXT VIEW FORMAT] Continue to press this
key until chart 4 is selected. [ACCEPT WINDOW]
Toggle [CURSOR SELECT] [CURSOR SELECT A] Turn encoder wheel so cursor A is positioned just to
button and move cursors near the left of the trigger point (dotted yellow line on the display).
the trigger point (dotted line) [CURSOR SELECT B] Turn encoder wheel so cursor B is positioned just to
the right of the trigger point (dotted yellow line on the display).
Expand view around trigger [PREVIEW SETTINGS] [SET WINDOW TO CURSORS]
Expand the view further [CURSOR SELECT A] Turn encoder wheel so cursor A is placed near the
trigger point. [t - EXPAND ABOUT (A)] The expansion is around where the
cursor A is set.
Print the screen [OUTPUT …] Use encoder wheel to select screen print to paper.
[NEXT >>] [NEXT >>]
Play back to paper [EXIT PREVIEW] [SETUP PLAYBACK] [SETUP OUTPUT FORMAT]
Turn encoder wheel to select format to be Y-T Chart #4.
[SET WINDOW] [CHANGE METHOD] Select the method of data expression
to show the region of capture window.
[SET START POINT] Turn encoder wheel to 15%.
[SET END POINT] Turn encoder wheel to 25%. [EXIT]
[MODIFY SETTINGS] Set t-expansion: x2. Note that you can expand or
compress the timebase for data playback to the chart. For long data records, it
is suggested to use maximum compression for the first playback to conserve chart
paper. Then, expand the playback to get the detail you need. As you change the
starting and ending points from 100%, you can expand the playback timebase.
[<<FIELD>>] Verify the Header is ON and the Trig Mark is ON. [EXIT]
[BEGIN PLAYBACK]