LORD WSDA-Base-104 User manual

LORD USERMANUAL
WSDA®-Base-104®
Wireless USBBase Station

MicroStrain®Sensing Systems
459 Hurricane Lane
Suite 102
Williston, VT 05495
United States of America
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.microstrain.com
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
Copyright © 2015 LORD Corporation
3DM®, 3DM-DH®, 3DM-DH3™, 3DM-GX1®, 3DM-GX2®, 3DM-GX3®, 3DM-GX4-15™, 3DM-GX4-25™, 3DM-GX4-45™,
3DM-GX4™, 3DM-RQ1™, 3DM-GQ4™, AIFP®, Ask Us How™, Bolt-Link®, DEMOD-DC®, DVRT®, DVRT-Link™, DEMOD-
DVRT®, EH-Link®, EmbedSense®, ENV-Link™, FAS-A®, G-Link®, G-Link2™, HS-Link®, IEPE-Link™, Inertia-Link®, Little
Sensors, Big Ideas.®, Live Connect™, LXRS®, MathEngine®, MicroStrain®, MVEH™, MXRS®, Node Commander®,
PVEH™, RHT-Link®, RTD-Link™, SensorCloud™, SG-Link®, Shock-Link™, Strain Wizard®, TC-Link®, Torque-Link™, V-
Link®, Watt-Link™, Wireless Simplicity, Hardwired Reliability™, and WSDA®are trademarks of LORD Corporation.
Document 8500-0019 Revision B
Subject to change without notice.

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual
Table of Contents
1. Wireless Sensor Network Overview 6
2. Gateway Overview 7
2.1 GatewayComponents 8
2.2 GatewayInterface 9
3. System Operational Overview 10
3.1 Software Installation 11
3.2 System Connections 12
3.3 Gateway USB Communication 13
3.4 Connect to Nodes 14
3.4.1 Adding a Node by Address 14
3.4.2 Using Node Discovery 15
3.5 Channel Configuration 16
3.6 Sampling Settings 18
3.7 Data Acquisition 19
3.8 Data Handling 24
3.8.1 Connecting to SensorCloud™ 25
3.8.2 Sensor Data Files 28
4. Gateway Communication and Settings 29
4.1 Verify Gateway Communication 30
4.2 Gateway Communication Timeout 30
4.3 Removing a Gateway 31
4.4 Gateway Information 31
4.5 Transmit Power 32
4.6 Transmit Frequency 33

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual
4.7 Monitor Mode 34
4.8 Network Broadcast 35
4.9 Using the Beacon 36
4.9.1 System Bandwidth in Synchronized Sampling 37
4.9.2 Synchronized Sampling with Multiple Gateways 37
4.10 Node Configuration and Other Settings 37
5. Gateway Installation 38
5.1 Installation Recommendations 38
5.2 Optimizing the Radio Link 39
5.2.1 Range Test 40
6. Troubleshooting 41
6.1 Troubleshooting Guide 41
6.2 Communications Ports inWindows® 46
6.3 Technical Support 48
7. Maintenance 49
8. Parts and Configurations 50
8.1 Standard Models 50
8.2 Gateway Accessories 50
8.3 Wireless System Equipment 51
8.4 Product Ordering 52
9. Specifications 53
9.1 Physical Specification 53
9.2 Operating Specifications 54
9.3 Radio Specifications 55
10. Safety Information 56

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual
10.1 ESD Sensitivity 56
10.2 Disposal and Recycling 56
11. References 57
11.1 Reference Information 57
11.2 Glossary 58

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Overview
6
1. Wireless Sensor Network Overview
The LORD MicroStrain ®Wireless Sensor Network is a high- speed, scalable, sensor data
acquisition and sensor networking system. Each system consists of wireless sensor interface
nodes, a data collection gateway, and full-featured user software platforms based on the LORD
MicroStrain®Lossless Extended Range Synchronized (LXRS®) data communications protocol.
Bidirectional wireless communication between the node and gateway enables sensor data
collection and configuration from up to two kilometers away. Gateways can be connected locally to
a host computer or remotely via local and mobile networks. Some gateways also feature analog
outputs for porting sensor data directly to standalone data acquisition equipment.
The selection of available nodes allows interface with many types of sensors, including
accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure transducers, load cells, torque and vibration sensors,
magnetometers, 4 to 20mA sensors, thermocouples, RTD sensors, soil moisture and humidity
sensors, inclinometers, and orientation and displacement sensors. Some nodes come with
integrated sensing devices such as accelerometers. System sampling capabilities are IEEE
802.15.4-compliant and include lossless synchronized sampling, continuous and periodic burst
sampling, and data logging. A single gateway can coordinate many nodes of any type, and multiple
gateways can be managed from one computer with the Node Commander®and SensorCloud™
software platforms. Integration to customer systems can be accomplished using OEM versions of
the sensor nodes and leveraging the LORD MicroStrain®data communications protocol.
Common wireless applications of LORD MicroStrain ®Sensing Systems are strain sensor
measurement, accelerometer platforms, vibration monitoring, energy monitoring, environmental
monitoring, and temperature monitoring.

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual Gateway Overview
7
2. Gateway Overview
The WSDA®-Base-104®Wireless USBBase Station is a data acquisition gateway designed to
configure, co-ordinate, and collect sensor data from LORD MicroStrain®wireless sensor nodes.
The gateway supports all data acquisition sessions between wireless nodes and host computers
including: continuous sampling, burst sampling, and datalogging. The gateway also facilitates
precision sampling synchronization between sensor nodes by transmitting a continuous, system-
wide timing reference known as the beacon.
The WSDA®-Base-104®utilizes a USB interface to transfer data from the wireless nodes to a
host computer for viewing, analysis, and storage.
Figure 1 - WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual Gateway Overview
8
2.1 GatewayComponents
The WSDA®-Base-104®can be purchased individually or as part of a starter kit. The starter kit
includes everything required to operate the WSDA®-Base-104®including an external antenna,
a power supply for charging sensor nodes, and a USB cable for interfacing with the host
computer or network. For a complete list of available configurations, accessories, additional
system products, and ordering information see Parts and Configurations on page 50.
Item Description Quantity
AWSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station 1
BStandard whip antenna (FCC compliant) 1
CUSB cable 1
DNode power supply and plug adapter kit 1
-- Node Commander®Software Suite, User Manual, and Quick Start
Guide 1
Table 1 - Starter Kit Components

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual Gateway Overview
9
2.2 GatewayInterface
The WSDA ®- Base-104 ®interface includes a USB portand a connector for attaching the
gateway antenna.
There are device status indicators on the front of the WSDA®-Base-104®. The following table
describes indicator behavior.
Figure 2 - Ports and Indicators
Indicator Behavior Node Status
Device Status
Indicator
OFF Gateway is off
ON green Gateway is powered & idle
Flashing blue
Sync sampling beacon enabled or
incoming data from other sampling
modes
Flashing red WARNING: another gateway beacon
is detected on the same frequency
Table 2 - Basic Indicator Behaviors

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
10
3. System Operational Overview
The gateway is the interface between LORD MicroStrain®sensor nodes and the data acquisition
computer. The gateway co-ordinates the configuration and sampling of the nodes and can handle
many nodes simultaneously. Communication between the nodes and gateway is wireless and
uses the LORD MicroStrain®LXRS®data communications protocol. LXRS®nodes, and many
legacy nodes, will communicate with any LXRS®gateway.
LORD MicroStrain®has two software programs available for data acquisition from the wireless
sensor network: SensorCloud™ and Node Commander®. SensorCloud™ is an optional web-
based data collection, visualization, analysis, and remote management platform based on cloud
computing technology. Node Commander®is used for configuring gateways and nodes, selecting
sampling modes and parameters, initializing data acquisition, and viewing and saving data.
The operational overview describes system hardware and software setup, and the basic
navigation of Node Commander®used to configure the node and begin data acquisition. A brief
overview of porting data to SensorCloud™ is also included. This section is included as a quick start
guide and is not a complete demonstration of all system and software capabilities.

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
11
3.1 Software Installation
To install Node Commander ®Software Suite on the host computer, run the installer
executable file and follow the on-screen prompts. The software is provided with all gateways
and is available on the LORD MicroStrain®website (see References on page 57).
NOTE
The Node Commander®software includes hardware drivers required for use with
USB gateways. Once installed, the software will automatically detect and configure
any USB gateways that are plugged into the host computer.
The suite includes the following programs:
lNode Commander is used for configuring nodes and acquiring, viewing, and
saving data.
lLive Connect™is a TCP/IP-to-serial conversion tool that translates the
communications between Node Commander and an Ethernet gateway. This
program is only used with the WSDA®-1500 - LXRS®or other Ethernet gateways.
lWSDA®Data Downloader is used to download acquired data from the flash
memory card embedded in an applicable gateway, to a host computer. This
program is only used with the WSDA®-1500 - LXRS®or other Ethernet gateways.
SensorCloud™ is an optional data collection, visualization, analysis, and remote
management tool. It is based on cloud computing technology and is accessed directly from a
web connection. Automatic, real- time data collection is available through Ethernet
gateways, such as the WSDA®-1500 - LXRS®. Data files can also be easily uploaded. For
more information see Data Handling on page 24.
Users can also design custom programs with the open source data communications
protocol (see References on page 57).

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
12
3.2 System Connections
To acquire sensor data the following components are needed: user-supplied external sensors
(as applicable) , a LORD MicroStrain ®wireless sensor node, a LORD MicroStrain®data
gateway and a local or networked host computer with access to the data acquisition software
(such as Node Commander®and SensorCloud™). For a connections overview refer to Figure
3 - System Connections .
The sensor, node, gateway, and software selection are application-dependent, but the basic
interfaces are the same. For a connections overview using the WSDA®-Base-104®refer to
Figure 3 - System Connections .
Users can also write custom programs by utilizing the LORD MicroStrain®Wireless Sensors
Network Software Development Kit
Figure 3 - System Connections

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
13
3.3 Gateway USB Communication
Drivers for the USB gateways are included the Node Commander®software installation. With
the software is installed, the USB gateway will be detected automatically whenever the
gateway is plugged in.
1. Power is applied to the gateway through the USB connection. Verify the gateway
status indicator is illuminated, showing the gateway is connected and on.
2. Open the Node Commander software.
3. The gateway should appear in the Controller window automatically with a
communication port assignment (Figure 4 - USB Gateway Communication). If it is not
automatically discovered, verify the port is active on the host computer, and then
remove and re-insert the USB connector.
Figure 4 - USB Gateway Communication

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
14
3.4 Connect to Nodes
Several methods can be used in Node Commander®to establish communication with the
nodes. This quick start section covers the two simplest methods; adding a node by address and
by using the node discovery feature.
3.4.1 Adding a Node by Address
Adding a node by address requires the node to be on the same communication frequency
as the gateway. The node address and frequency are indicated in the documentation
included with the node when it is purchased. The gateway's initial frequency setting is
indicated in the documentation that is included when it is purchased. The frequency setting
can also be checked once gateway communication is established with the host computer
(see Transmit Frequency on page 33).
1. To add a node by address, right-click on the gateway name in the Controller window,
and select Add Node > Add Single Node (Figure 5 - Adding a Node by Address).
2. The node address and frequency are indicated in the documentation included with
the node. Enter the node address, and select OK. If the node is not found, a message
will appear and provide the option to scan for the node on other frequencies.
Alternately, the Node Discovery feature can be used.
Figure 5 - Adding a Node by Address

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
15
3.4.2 Using Node Discovery
The Node Discovery feature allows connection between the gateway and node to occur
even if they are on different frequencies. To connect to all available nodes using node
discovery, begin by making sure the node is powered off.
NOTE
Automatic node discovery may not work in some boot-up modes. If the node is
not in normal boot up mode, the assigned one can be bypassed to enable node
discovery. For more information see Troubleshooting Guide on page 41.
1. Right-click on the gateway name and select Add Node > Node Discovery (Figure 6 -
Using Node Discovery).
2. Using the power switch, turn on the node.Within a few seconds, the node will
transmit a message with its operating frequency.
3. When the device status indicator on the node ends the rapid flash sequence and
begins pulsing at one-second intervals, the node has completed the normal boot-up
sequence and is running in idle mode. At this point the node should be listed in the
Controller window; scanning can be stopped by selecting the Stop button in the Node
Discovery window.
Figure 6 - Using Node Discovery

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
16
3.5 Channel Configuration
The sensor settings are stored in the node memory, and each sensor is assigned a
corresponding channel number. The configuration menus will only show the channels and
configuration options that are available for the type of node being used.
1. To enter the configuration menu, right-click on the node name, and select Configure >
Configure Node. The Channels tab displays channel options available for the node.
a. Channel Enabled: indicates the sensor channel number. The check box
is used to enable the channel and select it for sampling. The icon next to
the check box describes the channel type inherent to the node being used.
In the following example (Figure 7 - Node Channels Menu): a1) analog
differential channel icon, a2) analog single ended channel icon, and a3)
temperature channel icon.
b. Current channel configuration: The Data Output, Units, Input Range,
and Label fields describe how the channel is currently configured.
c. Configure: The Configure button changes the channel parameters, such
as measurement units, gain and offset settings, and calibration
values.The channel must be enabled first by selecting the adjacent check
box.
Figure 7 - Node Channels Menu

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
17
2. To enter the channel configuration menu, select the Configure button as shown in
Figure 7 - Node Channels Menu . The menu options available on the channel
configuration page varies depending on the node and sensor type selected. This is an
example with a V-Link®-LXRS®.
a. Channel Label: names the channel
b. Channel diagram: shows channel electronics and data flow
c. Conversion Coefficients: defines the type and units of the
measurement being made
d. PGA Settings: These settings determine what gain is applied to the
sensor measurement and set the position of the no- load baseline
measurement for the sensor signal. It is only available for differential input
channels with gain amplifiers.
e. Calibration values: includes the slope, offset, scale, and formula used to
convert the sensor reading to engineering units. The slope and offset can
be determined from the sensor manufacturer calibration data or through a
calibration process.
Figure 8 - Channel Setup

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
18
3.6 Sampling Settings
Sampling settings are accessed through the Configure Node menu. There is a tab for each
sampling mode available for the particular node (Figure 9 - Sample Settings Menu).Depending
on the type of node, up to four sampling modes are available: Synchronized Sampling, Low
Duty Cycle, Streaming, and Datalogging. Some modes have user-configurable settings for
sample rate, sample duration, and datalogging. Other settings are automatic, depending on
number of active channels and other variables. For more information on sampling modes, refer
to the Node Commander user manual (see References on page 57).
Figure 9 - Sample Settings Menu
In general, when determining what sample mode and rate is most suitable for the application,
refer to the following guidelines;
lUse a sample rate at least twice the value of the target measurement frequency. This is the
minimum sample rate required to produce an accurate digital representation of the
measured signal. The higher the sample rate, the more accurate the digital representation.
lUsing the minimum required sample rate will increase battery life and minimize the
allocated network bandwidth.
lUsing periodic burst sampling in place of continuous sampling will increase battery life, and
the longer the sample interval, the more power and network bandwidth will be saved.
For synchronized sampling, use the online calculator to evaluate network bandwidth at different
sampling settings :
http://www.microstrain.com/configure-your-system

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
19
3.7 Data Acquisition
When data acquisition is started, each of the sampling modes has different menu options and
views. Some open a settings menu before data acquisition begins and may include a data list
view and/or a graph view. The following is an example of Synchronized Sampling (Figure 10 -
Starting a Sampling Session). For information on other sampling menus refer to the node user
manual or the LORD MicroStrain®website (see References on page 57).
To start a sampling session, nodes can be selected individually or as a group. When selected
as a group, they will all be set to the same sampling mode. Right-click on the nodes and select
Sample > Synchronized Sampling.
Figure 10 - Starting a Sampling Session
When a synchronized sampling session is started, the sampling menu appears and includes
settings to enable optional sampling features, configure nodes, and to specify where the data
will be saved. The built-in bandwidth calculator displays the total bandwidth used by the nodes
selected for synchronized sampling (Figure 11 - Synchronized Sampling Menu).
a. Save Location: indicates where the data file will be saved on the host computer.
Use the Browse button to select a location.
b. Node configuration: includes the node serial number, sampling settings,
bandwidth calculation, and current status. Highlight any node or group of nodes,
and the Remove, Configure, and Refresh buttons become active. The Configure
button opens the node configuration menus to adjust settings as needed and

WSDA®-Base-104®USBBase Station User Manual System Operational Overview
20
recalculates the node bandwidth. Multiple nodes can be configured together by
using the Shift or Ctrl key to select them.
c. Lossless: enables the lossless data protocol. The protocol enables buffering and
retransmission of data in order to provide 100% data collection success. Using this
feature may increase data display latency.
Figure 11 - Synchronized Sampling Menu
d. High Capacity: optimizes bandwidth and power use for nodes with slower sample
rates by reducing the transmit rates. May increase data latency.
e. Network Bandwidth: is the total calculated bandwidth used by all the nodes. The
bandwidth changes as nodes are added, removed. and settings changed.
f. Enable Beacon on Start: When synchronized sampling is started the nodes wait
for the first beacon transmission to initiate sampling. When this option is selected
(default), the gateway beacon is enabled and will begin transmitting at a fixed
interval when sampling is started. Disabling the beacon on start (unchecking the
box) will set the nodes to wait for the beacon, but it does not actually start the
beacon when sampling is started. This can be used if there is a need for sampling to
be initiated later, or if the beacon is being received from another source than the
gateway. Enabling the beacon in this way is the same as enabling the beacon in the
gateway menu For more information see Using the Beacon on page 36.