Magna Systems ThermoBiscuit User manual

Quick Start Guide
for
ThermoBiscuit 
Wireless 8-Channel
Thermocouple Monitor
for
Extreme Temperature Environments
Copyright  2008 by Magna Systems, L.L.C.
Revision 0.2 (03/2009)

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User Tips
1. Use regular AA batteries such as DuraCell® Alkaline Batteries or rechargeable
Energizer® Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries.
2. Improper installation (wrong orientation) of batteries will damage the ThermoBiscuit™.
3. Make sure the batteries are good. The batteries should measure at least 1.3 volts but
NO MORE than 1.5 volts for each battery.
4. Battery life depends on the data sampling period. Longer times between data samples
will extend battery life.
5. Initialize data communication between the ThermoBiscuit and the GateWay™ while they
are within 15 feet of each other before starting a test. Once DataLink™ starts displaying
real time data from ThermoBiscuit, position ThermoBiscuit at the desired start location.
6. DataLink can only collect and store a maximum of 65,500 data samples for each
ThermoBiscuit. To ensure complete data collection, you can calculate an appropriate
data sampling period. For example, if the data sampling period is one sample per second,
then the maximum data collection duration is 65,500 seconds (~ 18 hours of data). If the
amount of data collected exceeds the maximum number of data samples a file can hold,
your data will only be available from the real-time DataLink display but it will not be saved
to your data file.
7. To set up in Data Logging Mode, follow DataLink Data Logger Instructions (included
below).
8. Verify proper thermocouple operation by watching the data variation in an environment
with a steady temperature. If the temperature reading shows unreasonable fluctuations,
there may be an intermittent thermocouple connection. The open thermocouple detection
function in DataLink only indicates open thermocouple channels if the thermocouple wire
is completely disconnected; an intermittent connection may not be detected.
9. Before running a test always verify that you will be running in the Safe Operating Region
of the temperature vs test duration curve. For these curves, the starting ThermoBiscuit
temperature is 25°C (77°F). One way to extend the test duration is to refrigerate the
ThermoBiscuit (and / or freeze the ThermoSleeve™) before use.
10. Prolonged exposure of the ThermoBiscuit to extreme temperatures will damage the
device. If extended exposure to high temperature has occurred, immediately open
ThermoBiscuit cover to allow air cooling of the electronics and batteries. Be careful to
wear protective clothing (hot mitt) when handling a hot ThermoBiscuit™ unit.
11. Do not break the insulation packaging inside ThermoBiscuit or ThermoSleeve.
12. Use of Barker™ modules to extend wireless network range REQUIRES the Lab Plus
version of DataLink.

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Installation Procedure for DataLink Software
Step 1. Check your system requirement at
Control Panel/System/General for Window XP Service Pack 2 or later version
Excel Application/Help/About Microsoft Excel for Microsoft Excel 2002 or later version
Step 2. Install DataLink software.
Step 3. Connect GateWay and USB cable to your computer
Step 4. Double Click [Add Hardware] at [Control Panel]

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Step 5. A window [Found New Hardware Wizard] appears.
Select [No, not this time]
Step 6. Select [Install the software automatically]

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Step 7. Window operating system shall locate [USBXpress Device] automatically.
Step 8. USB driver shall now be Installed successfully.

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Installation Procedure for ThermoSleeve
Step 1. Before positioning ThermoBiscuit inside an environment chamber, install ThermoSleeve
onto ThermoBiscuit.
Step 2. Remove ThermoSleeve away from ThermoBiscuit after the set of hardware is out of the
environment chamber.

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DataLink Data-logger Starter Guide
Step 1. In the [Data Display] window, select [Data Logger].
Step 2. If an existing test configuration file exists, select [Repeat an existing test]. Otherwise,
select [Start a new test].
Step 3. Position the module* near GateWay such that there is a direct radio communication path.
Step 4. Follow the test wizard to complete the test parameters.
Step 5. In the [Test Control] window, verify that the tab [Disengage from Network] is available
to prove that DataLink is at the data logger mode. Otherwise, select [Cancel Test] to start the
setup again by selecting the data-logger mode.
Step 6. Click on [Start Test] to start the test. Wait for the message [Position the module at a
specified location and then start the test] to display. It indicates that the module is ready for the
data-logger mode. Click [Yes] to start the data collection. At this stage, the module is still
reporting the data to the DataLink in real time. If there is more than one node in the network,
confirm that all nodes are sending data in real time. Please note that DataLink is not recording the
data yet.
Step 7. Click on [Disengage from Network]. This action sends out a command to turn off the real-
time communication mode of the module. The module now collects data in real time and stores
the data in its memory. Now it is time to position the module to a measurement location such as
an oven. Remember to copy down the key code to access the module memory later.
Step 8. Exit DataLink.
Step 9. Once the test measurement is complete, open DataLink. Move the module close to
GateWay such that there is a direct radio communication path.
Step 10. In the [Welcome to DataLink] window, select [Retrieve data from a data logger].
Step 11. Enter key code to retrieve data.
Step 12. Select the previous test configuration file associated with the module in the data-logger
mode. Follow the test wizard to complete the test parameters.
Step 13. In the [Test Control] window, verify that the tab [Clear Network] is available to prove
that DataLink is at the data retrieving mode.
Step 14. Select the tab [Connect with Nodes]. This action sends out a command to turn on the
real-time communication mode of the module. The module now reports data in real time to
GateWay. The test control window shall start displaying data in real time. If there is more than
one node in the network, wait for all nodes to report in real time.
Step 15. Select [Start Collection] to start retrieving the data from the module. Please note
that the module will not collect data in real time any more. The data is transmitted back to
GateWay at 4 Hz. If there are a total of 10000 data lines, it will take 42 minutes to finish the data
download.
Step 16. Once the module finishes reporting data, the DataLink will close all windows and show
the [Next Task] window. Select [Generate a report] to create a data report for the test
measurement*.

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*Note
1. Module can be a ThermoBiscuit, a ThermoSpyder, or other radio-communication products from
Magna Systems.
2. The data count in the test report does not start from count number 0. The starting count
number depends on when the module is switched to a data-logger mode.
3. Use the data count to correlate the data with the actual measurement time. The data time
stamp in the data report may not correlate with the actual data collection time. The reason is that
some data is transmitted back to GateWay at the very beginning of the data retrieving mode. Its
corresponding time stamp is recorded as the time when the data retrieving mode is activated
instead of the actual data collection time. In order to reduce this time stamp discrepancy, activate
[Start Collection] as soon as the node is reconnected at the data retrieving mode.
4. The maximum number of data lines that can be collected from one node at one test is 65535
lines. Please estimate the test duration and the data sampling rate to determine whether the
datalogger can store all the data or not before a test is activated. There is no warning about out of
memory space, provided by the DataLink, once the node is disengaged from the network.
5. Please use the same computer to set up the data logger mode and to retrieve data from the
same data logger. There is a parameter file, stored in the computer, required to retrieve data from
a data logger.

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Diagnosis Procedure for Module Communication
Step 1. Verify the battery voltage to be at least 1.3 volts each.
Step2. Verify the battery installation orientation is correct. Wrong installation orientation will
cause damage on the module.
Step 3. Make sure that no other module is powered by batteries except the target module, i.e.
S/N 6051.
Step 4. Start the DataLink and Select [Start a New Test]
Step 5. Enter the quantity of nodes to be detected to be 10 to allow relatively long detection
duration.
Step 6. Follow the configuration wizard and make sure that the serial number range is correct.
For example, if the module 6051 is in the network, set the serial number range to be from
6000 to 7000.
Step 7. The module 6051 shall appear on the detection window. If not, try the following
procedure.
Step 8. Restart the DataLink and Select [Repeat an Existing Test]
Step 9. Remove the batteries from the module S/N 6051 and reinstall them on the module.
Step 10. Select the test configuration file (i.e. filename.xls) of a working module (i.e. S/N 6050)
and open it in DataLink. Change the values in the S/N field from 6050 to 6051. Save the test
configuration file to a different name (i.e. filenametwo.xls).
Step 11. Click [Cancel] on the Node Configuration window.
Step 12. Select [Repeat an Existing Test].
Step 13. Open the new test configuration file (filenametwo.xls).
Step 14. Click [Next] on the Node Configuration window.
Step 15. The module S/N number shall appear on the network initialization window. Wait until
the network initialization is complete. If the network initialization is timed out, that means the
module S/N 6051 did not respond.
Step 16. Remove batteries from S/N 6051 and wait for 1 minute. Measure the resistance of
power connection as shown in next page.