NeuLog NUL-227 User manual

NEULOG ACCELERATION LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog acceleration logger sensor
NUL-227
The NeuLog acceleration sensor can be used for any science experiment which
utilizes acceleration measurements such as in the fields of Physics, Mechanics,
Physiology, Exercise Science, etc.
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-
227 sensor are: gravitational force, impulse, exercise studies, human and animal
acceleration, and many more.
The acceleration sensor's measurement unit is:
Meters per second squared (m/s2): The SI unit of acceleration or change in velocity
over time.
Sensor's orientation:
The NeuLog acceleration sensor (an accelerometer) measures static acceleration due
to gravity and dynamic acceleration due to the sensor's motion. By measuring static
acceleration, one can find out the angle the sensor is tilted with respect to the Earth.
By measuring dynamic acceleration, one can find out how the velocity of the sensor
changes with time.
When the sensor is not moving and is facing upwards, the reading is 9.8 m/s2
(because it includes static acceleration). When the sensor is at free fall and is facing
upwards, the reading is 0 m/s2. If we are interested only in the vertical axis (Z axis)
and in the dynamic acceleration, we can subtract 9.8 m/s2from the readings and get 0
m/s2 when the sensor is not in motion and -9.8 m/s2 when the sensor is at free fall.
The NeuLog acceleration sensor has the ability to measure acceleration in three
different axes (X, Y and Z). The figure below demonstrates the axes.
Note: You can also determine each axis by using an easy method: First, click on the
“Module setup” button located in the acceleration sensor module box in the NeuLog
application and select the axis you wish to determine. Then change the physical
orientation of the acceleration sensor until the readout is roughly ± 9.8m/s2. When the
sensor reads roughly ±9.8m/s2, draw an imaginary line through the sensor towards the
ground, either end of the imaginary line (sky and ground) will be the poles of the axis
in relation to the sensor you are trying to determine.
To view all axes simultaneously:
After collecting data:
1. Open the NeuLog application and connect the acceleration sensor using one of
the guides.
2. Once the sensor has been detected, click on the “Off line Experiment” icon.
3. Click on the acceleration sensor “Module setup” button located in the
acceleration sensor module box on the left side of the screen.
4. Click on the “Range” button and select an axis (X, Y, or Z).
5. Click the “Load Experiment” icon located on the top of the screen.
6. Click on the experiment you would like to upload so that the button turns green;
the default is “Newest” (selects the most recent data collection).
7. Click again the “Load Experiment” icon to load the data from your chosen axis
onto the graph.
8. Repeat from step 3 to load the other axes on the same graph.

NEULOG ACCELERATION LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Quick start procedure:
PC or Mac Computer
Materials needed:
NUL-227 Acceleration Sensor
USB-200 USB Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Your acceleration 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 acceleration 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".
Procedure:
1. Install the NeuLog application.
2. Connect the USB-200 module to the PC or Mac.
3. Connect the acceleration sensor 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 an acceleration sensor module box appears on the left side of the screen
the probe has been automatically identified and you can begin experimentation.
6. If the acceleration sensor is not automatically identified, click the “Search for
sensors” icon to find the sensor.
7. Select the “On-line experiment” icon; this will open a graph below.
8. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the acceleration sensor module
box to change the sensor's settings if need be.
9. Click on the "Experiment setup" icon to change the experiment settings if need
be (experiment duration for example).
10. The acceleration sensor will give a live reading in the module box to the left of
the screen while plugged in.
11. To run an experiment and collect data click the “Run experiment” icon.
12. To end data collection early, click the “Stop experiment” icon.
Tablet, smart phone device
Materials needed:
NUL-227 Acceleration Sensor
WIFI-201 WIFI Module
BAT-200 Battery Module
Your acceleration 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 acceleration sensor directly to the left side of a WIFI-201 (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.
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. You will see a “Control mode” icon in the application, click on it.
11. The application will then load a new screen and begin to auto detect the
sensor(s); this can take a minute. (You can stop the search when the sensor is
found.)
12. If the application does not auto detect the sensor(s), select “Search for sensors”.

NEULOG ACCELERATION LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
13. Once the sensor is found you will see a module box on the left side of the screen
for the acceleration sensor. In this box, real time data will be displayed.
14. Click on the “Module setup” button located in the acceleration sensor module
box to change the acceleration probe's settings if need be.
15. Click on the “Experiment setup” icon to change the experiment settings if need
be (Experiment duration for example).
16. To run an experiment and collect data, click the “On-Line experiment” icon, then
click the "Run experiment" icon.
17. If you have a newer generation WIFI-201 (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.
Operation with NeuLog Graphic Display Module (viewer)
Materials needed:
NUL-227 Acceleration Sensor
VIEW-101 Graphic Display Module
BAT-200 Battery Module
Procedure:
1. Connect the acceleration sensor to the left side of the viewer.
2. Connect the BAT-200 module to the right side of the viewer.
3. The VIEW-101 will auto detect the sensor and you will see it appear on the left
side of the screen.
4. Once the sensor appears it will be monitoring data in real time.
5. To run an experiment and collect data press the run icon (little green person).
Off-line experiments
(Off-line experiments are when you do not have a sensor connected directly to a
computer, tablet, smartphone, or NeuLog viewer).
Materials needed:
NUL-227 Acceleration Sensor
BAT-200 Battery Module
Materials needed to configure your offline experiment:
USB-200 Module, WIFI-201 module or VIEW-101 Module
USB to mini USB cable (included with the USB-200 module)
Procedure:
1. To determine the experiment settings, first connect to your chosen device (PC,
Mac, tablet, smart device) and click on the “Off-line experiment” icon after the
sensor search has ended. (For more information on how to change the
experiment settings, view the quick start procedure section for your chosen
device in this document.)
2. Connect the acceleration sensor directly to the left side of a charged BAT-200
module.
3. When ready to collect data press the “Start/Stop” button on the acceleration
sensor, a red light will turn on for the duration of the experiment.
4. After the experiment has concluded (the “Start/Stop” button is pressed again or
the data collection period ends) connect the sensor to your chosen device (you
can find full instructions in each device’s quick start procedure section).
5. Open the NeuLog application.
6. Click the “Off-line experiment” icon.
7. Click the “Load data from sensors” icon.
8. Select which experimental data to upload (5 experimental runs can be stored at
one time on the NUL-227 acceleration sensor).
Restoring sensor’s factory default settings:
Procedure:
1. Connect the USB-200 to a PC, Mac, tablet, or smart device.
2. Connect the acceleration sensor to a USB-200 module (they directly plug
together).
3. Open the NeuLog application.
4. Click the “Tools” icon.
5. Click “Restore sensor’s factory defaults” on the menu.
Included with the sensor:
NeuLog NUL-227 Acceleration Sensor Guide (this document).

NEULOG ACCELERATION LOGGER SENSOR GUIDE
Sensor's specifications
Range and operation
modes
±80 m/s2
ADC resolution
10 bit
Resolution
0.15 m/s2
Max sample rate (S/sec)
3000
Experiment Duration: 50 milliseconds to 31 days.
Sensor's features:
Fully digital data
Rugged plastic ergonomic case
Push button switch for Start/Stop experiments in off line mode
3D internal accelerometer for X, Y and Z axes
LED indicator of experiment status (blinks while collecting data)
Pre-calibrated sensing equipment
Note: NeuLog products are intended for educational use.
Videos and experiment examples:
Videos, literature and other probes can be found at www.NeuLog.com.
In order to access the acceleration sensor's page, choose "Products" on the main
menu and then "Acceleration logger sensor".
In order to find the science experiments, choose "Experiments" on the main
menu of the NeuLog website, then choose "Physics", "Chemistry", "Biology" or
"Environmental Science".
Physics Experiment:
oAcceleration of an Elevator (P-47)
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 acceleration IC sensor houses three small thin silicon accelerometers. Each
accelerometer is oriented along a different axis (X, Y, or Z) connected to a weight and
based on piezoresistive technology. When an accelerometer experiences acceleration
along its axis, the silicon changes its resistance proportionally to the acceleration it is
experiencing.
These resistor changes are converted into voltage by a Wheatstone bridge circuit and
read by the IC internal controller. The IC transmits, upon request, the 3D accelerations
in a digital form.
Maintenance and storage:
Never submerge the NeuLog plastic body in any liquid.
Do not allow liquid into the acceleration sensor’s body.
After use, gently wipe away any foreign material from the acceleration
sensor.
Store in a box at room temperature out of direct sunlight.

NEULOG ACCELERATION 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: [e-mail]
A: 850 St Paul Street, Suite 15, Rochester, NY 14605
P: 1.866.553.8536
V11042014