HP StreamSmart 400 User manual

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HP
StreamSmart 400
User Guide

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StreamSmart 400 Acknowledgments
Manual written by G.T. Springer
Revision History
Legal Notices
This manual and any examples contained herein are provided “as is” and are
subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard Company makes no warranty
of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability, non-infringement and fitness for a particular
purpose.
Hewlett-Packard Company shall not be liable for any errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of
this manual or the examples contained herein.
Copyright © 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Reproduction, adaptation, or translation of this manual is prohibited without
prior written permission of Hewlett-Packard Company, except as allowed under
the copyright laws.
Hewlett-Packard Company
16399 West Bernardo Drive
MS 8-600
San Diego, CA 92127-1899
USA
Date Version Revision
August 2008 1.0 A

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HP Part Number
F2235 - 90001

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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
1 HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
Types of experiments........................................................................3
Streaming experiments .....................................................................4
The StreamSmart Aplet .....................................................................4
The Statistics Aplet ...........................................................................7
Manual conventions.........................................................................7
Helpful hints....................................................................................8
2 Streaming Experiments
Viewing a stream of data ...............................................................12
Low battery symbol ........................................................................ 17
Select a set of data ........................................................................17
Export a data set ........................................................................... 19
Analyze experimental data .............................................................20
3 Capturing Data from Events
Numeric view: the meter mode........................................................25
Set up experiment..........................................................................26
Monitor and select events ............................................................... 28
Analyze the data ........................................................................... 29
Data logging................................................................................. 29
4 Advanced Topics
Sensor setup: manually identify a sensor...........................................31
Unit setup: manually select units for a sensor .....................................32
Calibration ...................................................................................33
The Plot Setup menu.......................................................................35
Setting the stream window .............................................................. 35
Plot display options........................................................................36
Filtering data for display and export ................................................36
Data history ..................................................................................39

2
Oscilloscope mode ........................................................................40
StreamSmart 400 and the virtual HP 39/40gs ..................................41
Keyboard shortcuts ........................................................................42
Mathematical details: zoom, pan, and trace .....................................42
5 Warranty, Regulatory, and Contact Information
Replacing the battery ..................................................................... 45
HP Limited hardware warranty and customer care ............................. 45
Customer care............................................................................... 47
Product regulatory & environment information ...................................50

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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1HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
The HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory (HP MCL) consists of one or more Fourier®
sensors, an HP StreamSmart 400, and either the HP 39gs or HP 40gs graphing
calculator with the StreamSmart Aplet. Investigation and understanding of
mathematics and science concepts are enhanced by the HP Mobile Calculating
Laboratory, as it is designed to simplify the collection and analysis of real-world
data.
Types of experiments
The Mobile Laboratory supports a number of different types of experiments, as
shown in the table below.
Table 1-1 Types of experiments
Type Description Example
Stream Displays a live time graph (data
stream) for up to four sensors
simultaneously, at rates up to 5,700
samples per second. See Chapter 2
for details.
Two students each sing a note
one octave apart into separate
microphones; the HP MCL
displays their voice sound waves
live so their wavelengths can be
compared.
Stream/select
events Same as above StreamSmart captures the dampened oscillations of a
vibrating rod. Students select just
the maxima of the oscillations for
further analysis.
Selected events Displays a live meter read-out for up to
four sensors simultaneously; you can
add a set of readings to your data set
at any time. See Chapter 3 for details.
Collect pH and temperature
readings from various locations
around the edge of a pond.
Events-with-entry Same as above Collect pH and nitrate readings
from various locations along a
stream; add as an entry to each
reading the distance from the
point in the stream to a runoff
drain pipe that empties into the
stream.
Log Set up a stream experiment to collect
a certain number of readings at a set
sampling rate. See Chapter 3 for
details.
Take 20 temperature readings
from a cooling cup of coffee for
10 minutes, taking one reading
every 30 seconds.

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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Streaming experiments
The HP MCL defaults to a stream experiment when started. In a streaming
experiment, data is displayed graphically on the HP 39/40gs calculator as it
streams in from the StreamSmart 400 at frequencies of up to 5,700 samples per
second (5.7 KHz). To ensure that the resulting stream is visible on the display and
moving at a rate that the student can perceive, the window settings for the display
are automatically selected, based on the capabilities of the sensors and the initial
range of values collected. There is no setup required for a streaming experiment—
just plug and go!
The StreamSmart Aplet
The student experiences the HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory via the
StreamSmart Aplet on the HP 39/40gs graphing calculators. Please check online
to ensure that your HP 39/40gs calculator has the latest version of the
StreamSmart Aplet. Visit www.hp.com/calculators to download the latest version.
You can also use the StreamSmart 400 with the StreamSmart Aplet in the Virtual
HP 39/40gs Graphing Calculator software for the PC. Visit www.hp.com/
calculators to download this software application.
The StreamSmart Aplet has the same general structure as the other HP 39/40gs
Aplets. For example, the StreamSmart Aplet has the standard Plot and Numeric
views. Table 1-2 below lists the standard Aplet views and their use in the
StreamSmart Aplet. Note that the standard Symbolic and Symbolic Setup views are
not used by the StreamSmart Aplet.

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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All of the views listed in Table 1-2 can be accessed via the Views menu by pressing
V. In addition to these standard Aplet views, the Views menu also contains views
specific to the StreamSmart Aplet. These views are listed below in Table 1-3.
Details on these views can be found in Chapter 4, Advanced Topics.
Table 1-2 StreamSmart standard views
View Name/Key(s) Description
Plot
R• View up to four data streams
graphically as time graphs
• Perform streaming experiments
•SeeChapter2,Streaming
Experiments for details
Numeric
S
• View up to four sensors numerically
in a meter
• Perform selected events and events-
with-entry experiments
•SeeChapter3,Capturing Data
from Events for details
Plot setup
(page 1)
@R
• Optional: set up the window for the
graphic view of the data stream
• Optional: choose stacked display of
multiple data streams or overlaid
display (superimposed)
• Optional: choose data filters for
display and export of data
•SeeChapter4,Advanced Topics
for details
Plot setup
(page 2)
• Optional: select a history of fixed
length (in seconds), or an automatic
history that keeps the most current
data but saves less and less of
earlier data from the stream(s)
•SeeChapter4,Advanced Topics
for details
Numeric
setup
@S
• Activate and deactivate individual
channels from the four channels of
the StreamSmart 400
• Choose sensor units
•SeeChapter4,Advanced Topics
for details

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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Table 1-3 Specific StreamSmart 400 views
View Name/Key(s) Description
Sensor setup • Select/deselect
each channel’s
sensor
• Manually identify a
sensor from a list of
supported sensors
Unit setup • Activate/deactivate
channels
• Select a unit of
measurement for
sensors with multiple
units of
measurement
available
Calibrate • Select a sensor’s
channel for software
calibration of the
sensor
•Perform1-pointor2-
point software
calibration of the
selected sensor
Experiment • Perform data
logging experiments
with a set duration
(length in seconds)
and set number of
samples

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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The Statistics Aplet
The StreamSmart Aplet works seamlessly with the Statistics Aplet to provide you all
the tools you need to collect and analyze data. StreamSmart does the collection
of the data and selection of a final data set for analysis, then exports the data
directly to the Statistics Aplet, where additional graphing and analysis occurs. As
stated previously, the HP MCL can collect data from up to four sensors
simultaneously. In addition, each sample comes with a timestamp. The HP MCL
combines these readings into an ordered data-tuple:
(timestamp, channel 1 sensor, channel 2 sensor, channel 3 sensor, channel
4 sensor)
Of course, one or more of the four channels may not have a sensor attached. In
that case, the ordered data-tuple is shortened appropriately. Once you select the
data you want to analyze, the data is sent to columns in the Statistics Aplet. The
Statistics Aplet has ten columns available for data, C1 through C9, and C0. You
may choose a destination column for each value in the ordered data-tuple of your
experimental data, or use the default values provided. The result is that each data-
tuple becomes a row in a set of columns in the Statistics Aplet.
When you export data to the Statistics Aplet, you can choose to follow your data
into the Statistics Aplet for analysis or stay in the StreamSmart Aplet to continue
experimentation. In-depth analysis of the data, including the calculation of
summary statistics (for 1 or 2 variables) and modeling bi-variate data with various
fits, is performed in the Statistics Aplet. This manual contains a brief introduction
to the Statistics Aplet, but for more information about the Statistics Aplet, refer to
the HP 39/40gs User’s Guide.
Manual conventions
Throughout this manual, a few conventions have been employed to help you find
the functions under discussion. There are four notational conventions,
corresponding to primary key functions, shifted key functions, and functions in
menus:
1. Functions on the keyboard appear in their own special font. For example,
the ENTER key appears as `. Shifted functions will be noted as such and
referenced both by the function name and the key combination required, as
in the function, @ R (Plot Setup).
2. The HP 39/40gs calculators employ context-sensitive menus that appear
along the bottom of the display. The functions in these menus are accessed
via the top row of keys on the keyboard directly below the screen display.
There are six of these menu keys in all. For example, in the Plot screen
capture in Table 1-2, the four items shown in the menu are: CHAN,PAN,
SCOPE, and STOP. Throughout this guide, these keys appear in a special
font when they represent a key press. For example, when the ZOOM
function appears in a step as a key press, it is represented by@ZOOM.

HP Mobile Calculating Laboratory
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3. The StreamSmart Aplet also employs dialogue boxes from time to time, as
shown in the Streamer Plot Setup view in Table 1-2 above. The field names
in menus and other data are shown in bold type. For example, in the top left
corner of the Plot Setup dialog box in Table 1-2, there is a field named
XRNG. In this manual, the field name is shown in bold as XRNG.
4. Screen captures are provided to assist you in checking your data. The actual
data will vary. These screen captures are simply provided to help orient you
to the software and to help you navigate through the functionality.
5. Finally, tasks are numbered to clarify steps in multi-step procedures.
Helpful hints
Remember these helpful hints and shortcuts as you use the StreamSmart Aplet:
• At any time, you can reset the StreamSmart Aplet by pressing the U
key on the keyboard and the !RESET menu key. When prompted, press
%YES$ . Press \START for a new data stream.
•The&!OK& menu key is interchangeable with the ` key, as are the
!CANCL menu key and the $ key.
• When navigating a list of options in a menu, use the alphabetical keys
to jump to your choice. For example, press 7to jump to the first item
in the list that starts with the letter “P.” Press 7again to cycle
through the next option that starts with “P.”
•Use+to navigate lists of options as well. +advances through the
list of items in order.

Streaming Experiments
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2 Streaming Experiments
Most often, you will simply plug up to four Fourier® sensors into the front of the
StreamSmart 400, connect the StreamSmart 400 to the HP 39/40gs serial port,
and turn the switch on the right side to the ON position. When you start the
StreamSmart Aplet on the HP 39/40gs, you will find that you are immediately
collecting data from all of the sensors!
In streaming experiments, data is collected in real-time, with data literally “flowing”
across the screen in up to four separate streams. A streaming experiment is
illustrated conceptually in Figure 2-1 below. Each section of this chapter on
streaming experiments corresponds to one of the bubbles in the flow chart in the
figure.
Figure 2-1 Streaming experiment
As data streams across the screen, you can modify how you view the stream(s).
You can speed the streams up or slow them down simultaneously, as all four
streams share the same horizontal time axis. In addition, you can move each
stream up or down separately and zoom in or out on each stream vertically. Each
stream has its own vertical axis. Zooming and panning each stream separately in
the vertical dimension allows you to get just the right view on your experimental
data. You can also stop and restart the stream(s), and choose a discreet section of
the stream(s) to examine more closely. The speed at which you can collect data
and the flexibility you have in viewing the data are features unique to streaming
experiments performed with the HP MCL.
Table 2-1 describes what you see on screen and summarizes what you can do at
each step in a streaming experiment. Use this table for quick reference. The
following sections elaborate on the steps shown in the bubbles of the flow chart in
Figure 2-1. Refer to these sections for more detailed information on viewing,
selecting, and exporting data.

Streaming Experiments
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Table 2-1 Streaming experiment flow
Display Description
Figure 2-2 Stream
How I got there:
•Press
UDatastreamer %
What I see on screen:
• Up to four data streams displayed graphically in real-
time
• Channel number, sensor type and units for the current
selected stream, and screen width expressed in
seconds
What I can do:
•CHAN: select a channel (stream) to trace, etc.
•PAN/ZOOM: toggle between panning (scrolling) and zooming with direction keys
•PAN: scroll up, down, left, and right
•ZOOM: zoom in or out vertically or horizontally
•SCOPE: switch to oscilloscope mode (see Chapter 4)
•START/STOP: stop stream flow or start a new stream
Display Description
Figure 2-3 Select,
page 1
How I got there:
•Press@STOP @EXPRT
What I see on screen:
• Data streams
• Current channel and sensor, with tracer active
• Selected data set, based on the current channel, and
the number of data points ready for export
• Current tracer coordinates
What I can do:
•ZOOM, PAN, and TRACE to navigate the data streams and find data of interest
•CROP LEFT and CROP RIGHT
• (next page) to see more functions

Streaming Experiments
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Figure 2-4 Select,
page 2
How I got there:
•Press
What I see on screen:
• Same as page 1, but with different menu keys
What I can do:
•EDIT: choose a set number of samples between two chosen time values
•SUBTRACT or ADD data-tuples to the current data set
•CANCL to return to the current data stream or OK to export the current data set to
the Statistics Aplet
• (previous page) to return to page 1
Display Description
Figure 2-5 Export
How I got there:
•Press
&!OK&
What I see on screen:
• Fields for the four StreamSmart 400 channels, each
with a checkbox to select or deselect that channel for
data export, and a dropdown box to choose a
destination column in the Statistics Aplet for that
channel’s data
•Acheckbox to choose between staying in the
StreamSmart Aplet after data export or following your
data into the Statistics Aplet
What I can do:
•CHK: select or deselect each channel for data export
•CHOOS: select destination columns for the data from each sensor
•CANCL to return to the original data set or OK to send the data to the Statistics
Aplet
Table 2-1 Streaming experiment flow
Display Description

Streaming Experiments
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Viewing a stream of data
Once the StreamSmart Aplet is started with one or more sensors and the
StreamSmart 400 attached, the StreamSmart Aplet displays a graphic
representation of the incoming data streams as time graphs. The horizontal
dimension represents time in seconds, and the vertical dimension represents the
current sensor values in relevant units. Because only one stream may be traced at
a time, the display also identifies the currently selected data stream, the units of
measurement of the selected stream, and the length of time represented by the
width of the display screen.
The StreamSmart Aplet first tries to identify the attached sensors and makes several
decisions based on the characteristics of the sensors. The StreamSmart Aplet sets
the vertical scales for each data stream based on the units of the sensor and the
initial readings.The StreamSmart Aplet also sets the horizontal scale for the length
of time represented by the width of the display. These default settings ensure that
the streams are visible in the display and moving at a perceptible rate. You can
vary the speed and vertical position of the streams to meet your needs, even while
the data is streaming. Occasionally, the StreamSmart Aplet may not be able to
identify a sensor. See Chapter 4, Advanced Topics for details on how to manually
identify an unrecognized sensor.
Figure 2-6 Analyze the
data
How I got there:
• Press&!OK& and then press any key
What I see on screen:
•Numeric view of the Statistics Aplet, with data in
columns
What I can do:
•TABLE: scroll through the table of data using W, X, Z, and Y
•GRAPH: graph data using VAuto Scale
•1VAR/2VAR: toggle between analysis of 1-variable and 2-variable data
•STATS: view summary statistics
•MORE: see the HP 39/40gs User Guide for more information on the Statistics
Aplet, including regression fit types and statistical plot types
Table 2-1 Streaming experiment flow
Display Description

Streaming Experiments
13
Data streams in at up to 5,700 samples per second, and the data are shown
graphically on a 131 x 64 pixel display. At this rate and display resolution, if each
pixel column represented a single data point, the stream would move at an
extremely high rate. In fact, under these circumstances, the cursor would fly along
at over eight feet per second! To slow the stream down enough to make the motion
easily perceptible, each pixel in each data stream represents a set of data points.
The student can zoom in horizontally on the streams, essentially making each pixel
represent a smaller and smaller set of data points, or zoom out, making each pixel
represent a larger and larger data set. By default, the StreamSmart Aplet uses the
average of these data points to represent the entire set. In other words,
StreamSmart filters the data by using averages. However, you can choose other
filtering methods. For advanced filtering methods, refer to Chapter 4, Advanced
Topics. Although the data are averaged for graphing purposes, you still have
access to all the data. This is a unique feature of the StreamSmart 400.
The screens shown in Figure 2-7 and Figure 2-8 illustrate the location and basic
functions of the menu keys during and just after streaming. Use @ZOOM! and @@PAN#
to modify the appearance of the streams. \SCOPE starts streaming in oscilloscope
mode, in which the data streams from left to right across the screen, then repeats
upon reaching the right edge of the display, similar to the sweep of an
oscilloscope. \START/kSTOP is a toggle that stops and restarts data streaming. Once
you stop the stream, there are three additional functions available: Trace, Export,
and Next Page. Use !TRACE to view numerical characteristics of points in the data
stream. !EXPRT replaces the \SCOPE function once streaming is stopped; it opens a
set of tools for selecting a final data set to analyze. (next page) displays
the second page of the menu key functions.
Figure 2-7 During streaming Figure 2-8 After streaming

Streaming Experiments
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Table 2-2 lists the menu functions available during and just after streaming.
Zoom, Pan and Trace are radio button toggles that work in conjunction with the
direction keys (W, X, Z, and Y). Only one function is active at a time, its active
status indicated by a small square after the function name. For example, TRACqqq!
means the tracer is active and the direction keys will be used to trace the selected
stream or jump to another stream. Table 2-3 describes how the direction keys are
used for each of these functions.
Table 2-2 Menu keys during data streaming, page 1
Menu Key Description
\CHAN This menu key opens the channel selection menu, which allows you to
select which stream to trace. By extension, you are also choosing which
stream to zoom or pan vertically. Alternately, you can use the keys
numbered 1-4 to select a channel.
@@PAN#/\ZOOM This menu key is a toggle that determines how the direction keys function.
Press once to activate Pan mode, once more to activate Zoom mode. The
active mode is indicated by a small square after the menu mode name.
@@PAN# Toggles the direction keys to scroll the data streams up, down, left, and
right to find data of interest. Panning horizontally affects all streams
uniformly; panning vertically affects only the current, selected stream.
\ZOOM Used with the direction keys, zooms in or out, horizontally or vertically, to
get the best view of the streams. Zooming horizontally affects all streams
uniformly, while zooming vertically affects only the current, selected
stream.
\SCOPE Switches to oscilloscope mode. In this mode, the data stream sweeps
from left to right, then returns to start from the left for another sweep. See
Chapter 4, Advanced Topics for details.
\\START/kSTOP This toggle starts and stops data streaming. Stopping the stream(s)
permits exploration of the data and selection of a final data set for
export. Start deletes any current data set and starts a new set of streams.
\TRACE Activates Trace mode, allowing you to trace along any of the data
streams.
\EXPRT Opens the Export Data menu, with functions for isolating and selecting a
final data set to export to the Statistics Aplet.
Accesses the second page of menu keys.

Streaming Experiments
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Table 2-3 Functions controlled by the direction keys
Menu Key Description
@ZOOM! ZY • Use these keys to zoom in or out horizontally
• If you are actively streaming data, these keys speed up
the stream or slow it down
• If streaming has stopped, trace to data of interest and
then switch to Zoom to zoom in or out on the tracer
coordinates. The tracer location stays fixed.
•Press
Yto zoom in horizontally on the tracer position,
effectively decreasing the amount of time represented
by the width of the display
•Press
Zto zoom out horizontally on the tracer
position, effectively increasing the amount of time
represented by the width of the display
@ZOOM!! W
X
• Zoom in/out vertically on the current selected data
stream
•Press
W to zoom in and press Xto zoom out
• The center of the display stays fixed
• Decreases/increases the vertical scale, in sensor units,
of the current, selected stream
%PAN$ ZY • Move all stream(s) left and right in the display
• The screen display is a fixed window that moves back
and forth along the stream(s)
%PAN$ W
X
• Move the current, selected stream up and down in the
display
• Useful to separate or superimpose the streams for
viewing purposes
!TRACE ZY • Moves left or right from pixel to pixel in the current,
selected data stream
• Displays timestamp and sensor data
!TRACE W
X
• Moves the tracer from one stream to another
•Press
X to move from channel to channel in
increasing numerical order
•Press
W to move through the channels in decreasing
numerical order

Streaming Experiments
16
Besides navigating and tracing the data set to find data of interest, StreamSmart
also lets you compare any two points in a single stream and manually add a data-
tuple as a row in your chosen columns in the Statistics Aplet. These functions are
found on the second page of the Stream menu, which is only active once streaming
has stopped.
Mark and Swap can be used together to examine the relationship between points
in the data stream currently being traced. When you press @MRK$, the StreamSmart
Aplet sets a visible mark at the current tracer location. Once the mark is set, you
can trace to any other point in the stream. The StreamSmart Aplet displays the
change in both x and y between the mark and the current tracer location (see
Figure 2-9). Press @SWAP! to switch the tracer and mark locations.
Figure 2-9
Add and Setup are also used together when you want to build your final data set,
point by point. For example, suppose a data stream represents the dampened
oscillations of a vibrating rod. In this case, you may want to collect just the
maximum of each oscillation into a data set. Press \SETUP to choose columns in the
Statistics Aplet for your data. Once the columns have been chosen, return to your
data stream and trace to the first point you want to keep in your data set. Press
%ADD$ to add the data as a row to your chosen columns in the Statistics Aplet.
StreamSmart briefly displays a message telling you the row to which the data point
is being exported. Continue in this fashion until you have collected all the points
you want, then start the Statistics Aplet to view and analyze your data. Table 2-4
lists the second page of menu keys and their functions.