NeuLog NUL-209 User manual

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog photo gate logger sensor
NUL-209
The NeuLog photo gate sensor can be used for any science
experiment which involves taking accurate velocity and/or
acceleration measurements especially in the field of Physics.
The sensor comes pre-calibrated so you can start experimentation
right out of the box using this guide.
Among hundreds of possible experimental subjects that can be
studied with the NUL-209 sensor are: velocity/acceleration/distance
relationships, impulse, collisions, conservation of energy, force,
momentum, and many more.
The photo gate sensor uses an infrared beam which detects if an
object is passing through it. Therefore, the sensor actively reads out
as “open” or “blocked”. While collecting data however, there are
several parameters to truly customize your experiment:
Velocity with a single gate
Velocity with two gates
Acceleration with a single gate
Acceleration with two gates
Change in time between two gates
Velocities with timing card.
For the "two gates" options you will need two separate photo gate
modules.
Experiment customization is explained after the following quick start
guide.
Notes:
The photo gate sensor cannot work together with any other NeuLog
sensor.
The photo gate sensor cannot work in the off-line mode since it is
mandatory for it to be connected to the computer for its operation
options. The off-line mode is disabled when the application finds that
the photo gate sensor is connected.
The photo gate sensor cannot work with the Graphic display module,
VIEW-101.
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
NUL-209 Photo Gate Sensor
USB-200 USB Module
A USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Your photo gate sensor needs to be connected to a USB-200
module. The USB-200 module then connects to a computer via a
USB to mini-USB cable. Please note that you cannot plug the photo
gate sensor directly into the computer.
The browser based application can be downloaded for free at
www.NeuLog.com as well as a full application user guide.
Choose "Downloads" on the main menu and then choose "Software
and Application".

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Procedure:
1. Install the NeuLog application.
2. Connect the USB-200 module to the PC or Mac
3. Connect the photo gate sensor (or sensors) to the USB-200
module (they directly plug together). Please note that no
calibration is required for this sensor.
4. Open the NeuLog application by clicking on the shortcut on the
screen.
5. Once a photo gate sensor module box appears on the left side
of the screen the probe has been automatically identified and
you can begin experimentation.
6. Click on the “Run experiment” icon, this will open the photo gate
menu with the experiment options (velocity with single gate for
example).
7. The photo gate sensor will give a live reading in its module box
to the left side of the screen while plugged in (Open-0 or
Blocked-1).
8. To run an experiment and collect data click the “Record” icon.
9. To end data collection, click the “Stop” icon.
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
NUL-209 Photo Gate Sensor
WIFI-201 WiFi module
BAT-200 Battery
Your photo gate sensor needs to be connected to a WIFI-201
module. The WIFI-201 module will create a closed NeuLog WiFi
network which will stream the NeuLog data to a device of your
choosing. Once your device is wirelessly connected to the NeuLog
network, you can run experiments and collect data through a
browser of your choosing.
Procedure:
1. Connect the photo gate sensor directly to the left side of a WIFI-
201 module (no wires required).
2. Connect a BAT-200 module to the right side of the WIFI-201
module.
3. Although not required, we recommend plugging the BAT-200 to
an outlet using a USB to mini USB charger (such as a typical
cell phone charger). The WIFI-201 module will run for 60-90
minutes (depending on the sensor) without being plugged in.
4. The WIFI-201 can be powered directly using a mini to USB cord
and plugging it into your computer or a wall charger. Please note
this function is only available on WIFI-201 modules with the USB
icon on the cover.
5. For further WIFI-201 instructions or the WIFI-201 quick start
guide please visit:
www.NeuLog.com; Choose "Products" on the main menu,
then choose "WiFi Communication module".
6. The WIFI-201 indicator lights will flash; take no action until the
LED to the far left turns blue; this can take up to one minute.
7. Take your tablet or smart phone, go to the WiFi settings and
select the NeuLog network (NeuLog0184 for example) which
matches the ID found on the back of the WIFI-201 module (0184
for example).
8. Give your device about 20 seconds to connect to the WIFI-201
module.

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
9. Once the device is connected, go to your browser and type the
website wifi201.com into the URL bar, then wait for 30-60
seconds.
10. The application will then load a new screen and begin to auto
detect the sensor(s); this can take a minute.
11. Once the sensor is found you will see a module box on the left
side of the screen for the photo gate sensor. In this box, real
time data will be displayed.
12. Folow the rest of the procedure from the “PC or Mac” section.
13. If you have a newer generation WIFI-201 module (with the USB
icon on the cover) this can be used as a USB-200, meaning you
can tether the probes directly to the computer using the WIFI-
201. To engage operation in this fashion, press 3 times on the
panel button. Repeating this operation will return the module to
WiFi mode.
Experiment customization:
The NeuLog photo gate sensor offers several different experimental
customization options. To access them, click on the “Experiment
Setup” icon after your photo gate sensor has been detected.
Timing cards:
Making timing cards is a unique option to further customize any
experiment with the NeuLog photo gate sensor. To make timing
cards we recommend cutting your desired shapes out of black plastic
for the most accurate readings though even plain paper works just
fine.
Timing cards examples:

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Velocity with a single gate:
Velocity with a single gate is the very basic velocity measurement
using only one photo gate sensor and any object with a known width.
1. Click the “Run Experiment” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Velocity with single gate”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the object width (in millimeters)
into the text field under the figure labeled “X (mm)”
4. Click on the "Record" icon.
5. For each time that the card passes through the photo gate, you
will receive the time it took for it to pass and its velocity.
Acceleration with a single gate:
Acceleration with a single gate requires an object (or timing card)
with two flags (example shown above) with known widths.
1. Click the “Run Experiment” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Acceleration with single gate”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup and timing card/object should look
like.
3. Measure and input the width for both flags.
4. Click on the "Record" icon.
5. For each time that the card passes through the photo gate, you
will receive its acceleration.
Acceleration with two gates:
Acceleration with two photo gates requires two NeuLog photo gate
sensors and an object or timing card with a known width.
1. Click the “Run Experiment” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Acceleration with two gates”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width of your object (in
millimeters) into the text field under the figure labeled “X (mm)”.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both the “Sensor A”
and “Sensor B” position.
5. Click on the "Record" icon.
6. For each time that the card passes through the two photo gates,
you will receive its acceleration.
Velocity with two gates:
The velocity with two gates option is ideal for experiments which
examine collisions between two objects of known width and mass.
1. Click the “Run Experiment” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Velocity with two gates”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width and mass for both
objects passing through the photo gates.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both the “Sensor A”
and “Sensor B” position.
5. Be sure to space the photo gates far enough apart to allow for a
collision between the two objects before they rebound back
through the photo gates.
6. Click on the "Record" icon.
7. For each time the cards pass through the photo gates, you will
receive the velocity and momentum of each one of them.

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Change in time between two gates:
Change in time between two photo gates requires two NeuLog photo
gate sensors and an object or timing card with a known width.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Delta t between two gates”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup should look like.
3. Measure and input the width of your object (in
millimeters) into the text field under the figure labeled “X (mm)”.
4. Assign each of your photo gate sensors to both the “Sensor A”
and “Sensor B” position..
5. Click on the "Record" icon.
6. For each time that the card passes through the two photo gates,
you will receive the time difference between the first photo gate
blocked and the second photo gate blocked.
Velocities with timing card:
Velocities with timing card experiments require one NeuLog photo
gate sensor and an object or timing card (a multi 'flag' is
recommended). A known width is not required for the time
measurements, it is however required for velocity calculations.
1. Click the “Experiment Setup” icon in the NeuLog application and
select “Velocities with timing card”.
2. The figure shows the basic idea of what your
experimental setup should look like.
3. Choose the expected experiment. A longer duration
will result in a smaller sample rate.
4. Click on the "Record" icon.
5. You will get the time difference in which every black flag passed
through the photo gate. Velocities can be calculated by dividing
the flag width by the time difference.
Included with the sensor:
NeuLog General Guide
Infrared transmitter and receptor housed in the photo gate unit
Threaded rod for easy connection to retort stands or other
labware.
Sensor specifications
ADC resolution
Digital
Accuracy
100 µs
Resolution
100 µs
Max sample rate
(S/sec)
10,000
Sensor features:
Fully digital data
Rugged plastic ergonomic case
Internally housed infrared transmitter and detector
Photo gate handle with two threaded holes to customize your
experimental setup
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in off line mode
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while collecting data)
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment
Note: NeuLog products are intended for educational use.

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at
www.NeuLog.com.
In order to access the photo gate sensor's page, choose
"Products" on the main menu and then "Photo gate logger
sensor".
In order to find the access the photo gate sensor's experiments,
choose "Example Labs":
oVelocity of Free Falling Objects (P-35)
oHorizontal Launched Projectile Motion (P-49)
Technical background:
The philosophy behind NeuLog’s plug and play technology is based
on each sensor’s ability to store its own data due to an internal flash
memory chip and micro-controller in each plastic NeuLog body. This
technology allows the sensor to collect and then store the digital data
in the correct scientific units (oC, oF, Lux, %, ppm, for example).
The sensor is pre-calibrated at the factory. The built-in software in
the logger can be upgraded for free at any time using the provided
firmware update.
The NeuLog photo gate sensor uses an infrared beam to determine
when an object has passed through the photo gate. In every point
where there is a break in the infrared beam, a 1 is registered in the
program.
The NeuLog sensor firmware calculates velocities and accelerations
based on the record of 1’s and 0’s as well as the experimental
inputs. The computer program gets processed data from the sensor.
Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the NeuLog plastic body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the photo gate sensor’s body and probe.
After use, gently wipe away any foreign material from the photo
gate sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct sunlight.

NEULOG PHOTO GATE LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Warranty:
We promise to deliver our sensor free of defects in materials and
workmanship. The warranty is for a period of 3 years from the date of
purchase and does not cover damage of the product caused by
improper use, abuse, or incorrect storage. Sensors with a shelf life
such as ion selective probes have a warranty of 1 year. Should you
need to act upon the warranty, please contact your distributor. Your
sensor will be repaired or replaced.
Thank you for using NeuLog!
Flexible, simple, fast, forward thinking.
W: www.neulog.com
E: [email protected]m
A: 850 St Paul Street, Suite 15, Rochester, NY 14605
P: 1.866.553.8536
V2015.7