pico Technology USB DrDAQ User manual

Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
USB Dr.DAQ
User's Guide
usbdrdaq.en r4
Data Logger

IUSB DrDAQ User's Guide
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. usbdrdaq.en r4
Contents
....................................................................................................................................11 Introduction
........................................................................................................................................1
1 Contact information
........................................................................................................................................1
2 Safety warnings
........................................................................................................................................2
3 Legal information
....................................................................................................................................32 Product information
........................................................................................................................................3
1 Welcome
........................................................................................................................................3
2 Overview
........................................................................................................................................4
3 Using PicoScope and PicoLog
........................................................................................................................................4
4 Installing the software
........................................................................................................................................4
5 Getting started with PicoLog
......................................................................................................................................................................4
1 Using PicoLog for the first time
........................................................................................................................................5
6 Getting started with PicoScope
......................................................................................................................................................................5
1 Using PicoScope for the first time
......................................................................................................................................................................6
2 Displaying channels
......................................................................................................................................................................7
3 Changing the oscilloscope timebase
......................................................................................................................................................................8
4 Using the trigger
......................................................................................................................................................................8
5 Adding spectrum views
......................................................................................................................................................................9
6 Adjusting the RGB LED
......................................................................................................................................................................10
7 Controlling the digital outputs
........................................................................................................................................11
7 Specifications and connections
......................................................................................................................................................................11
1 General specifications
......................................................................................................................................................................11
2 Input, output and sensor specifications
......................................................................................................................................................................12
3 Connections
........................................................................................................................................13
8 Channel scaling
........................................................................................................................................13
9 External sensors
......................................................................................................................................................................13
1 Overview
......................................................................................................................................................................13
2 DD100 Temperature Sensor
......................................................................................................................................................................14
3 DD011 pH Electrode
......................................................................................................................................................................16
4 PP066 Reed Switch
......................................................................................................................................................................17
5 DD101 Humidity Sensor
......................................................................................................................................................................22
6 DD103 Oxygen Sensor
........................................................................................................................................24
10 Making your own sensors
......................................................................................................................................................................24
1 Overview
......................................................................................................................................................................25
2 Powering the sensor
......................................................................................................................................................................26
3 Scaling
......................................................................................................................................................................29
4 Examples of digital output use
......................................................................................................................................................................30
5 USB DrDAQ scaling files (.DDS)
......................................................................................................................................................................32
6 Calibration
....................................................................................................................................343 Software updates
....................................................................................................................................354 Glossary
....................................................................................................................................365 Appendix A: Declaration of Conformity
....................................................................................................................................37
Index

USB DrDAQ User's Guide 1
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. usbdrdaq.en r4
1 Introduction
1.1 Contact information
Address:
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
ST NEOTS
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web site:
www.picotech.com
1.2 Safety warnings
Warning triangle
This symbol indicates that a safety hazard exists on the indicated
connections if correct precautions are not taken. Read all safety
documentation associated with the product before using it.
Safety warnings
USB DrDAQ ground is connected directly to the ground of your computer. As with
most oscilloscopes and data loggers, this is done in order to minimize interference.
You should take care not to connect the ground (screw terminal, outer shell of BNC or
exposed metalwork) of USB DrDAQ to anything which may be at some voltage other
than ground, as doing so may cause damage to the unit. If in doubt, use a meter to
check that there is no significant AC or DC voltage.
For computers that do not have an earth connection (for example, laptops), it must be
assumed that USB DrDAQ is not protected by an earth (in the same way a battery
multimeter is not protected by an earth).
The scope channel on the USB DrDAQ has a maximum input voltage range of ±10 V.
The maximum input voltage for all other inputs is 0 to 5 V. Any voltage in excess of
±30 V may cause permanent damage to the unit.
Your own sensors should draw no more than 100 mA from the 5 V. The USB DrDAQ is
not limited or protected so overcurrents or short circuits could cause damage to the PC
USB port.
The unit has no user serviceable parts: repair or calibration of the unit requires
specialized test equipment and must be performed by Pico Technology Limited or their
authorized distributors.

Introduction2
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.usbdrdaq.en r4
1.3 Legal information
The material contained in this release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology Limited
grants a licence to the person who installs this software, subject to the conditions
listed below.
Access. The licensee agrees to allow access to this software only to persons who have
been informed of these conditions and agree to abide by them.
Usage. The software in this release is for use only with Pico products or with data
collected using Pico products.
Copyright. Pico Technology Limited claims the copyright of, and retains the rights to,
all material (software, documents etc.) contained in this release. You may copy and
distribute the entire release in its original state, but must not copy individual items
within the release other than for backup purposes.
Liability. Pico Technology and its agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage or
injury, howsoever caused, related to the use of Pico Technology equipment or
software, unless excluded by statute.
Fitness for purpose. No two applications are the same: Pico Technology cannot
guarantee that its equipment or software is suitable for a given application. It is your
responsibility, therefore, to ensure that the product is suitable for your application.
Mission-critical applications. This software is intended for use on a computer that
may be running other software products. For this reason, one of the conditions of the
licence is that it excludes usage in mission-critical applications, for example life
support systems.
Viruses. This software was continuously monitored for viruses during production, but
you are responsible for virus-checking the software once it is installed.
Support. If you are dissatisfied with the performance of this software, please contact
our technical support staff, who will try to fix the problem within a reasonable time
scale. If you are still dissatisfied, please return the product and software to your
supplier within 28 days of purchase for a full refund.
Upgrades. We provide upgrades, free of charge, from our web site at
www.picotech.com. We reserve the right to charge for updates or replacements sent
out on physical media.
Trademarks. Pico Technology Limited, PicoScope, PicoLog, and DrDAQ are
trademarks of Pico Technology Limited, registered in the United Kingdom and other
countries.
Pico Technology acknowledges the following product names as trademarks of their
respective owners: Windows, Excel, Visual Basic, LabVIEW, Delphi.

USB DrDAQ User's Guide 3
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. usbdrdaq.en r4
2 Product information
2.1 Welcome
Thank you for buying a USB DrDAQ data logger from Pico Technology!
This low-cost measuring device is supplied ready to use with all cables, software and
examples. Features include:
Built-in sensors for light, sound (level and waveforms) and temperature
Measure pH - just plug in our standard pH electrode
Scope input for voltage readings
Sockets for external sensors
Use USB DrDAQ to capture fast signals (for example, sound waveforms)
Digital output for control experiments
Simply plug in to your PC and measure - supplied with both PicoScope
(oscilloscope) and PicoLog (data logging) software
2.2 Overview
The USB DrDAQ features 16 channels, comprising sensors, inputs and outputs. These
are covered in more detail in Specifications . These connections and sensors cover
measurement of sound, light, voltage, resistance, pH levels, and redox potential.
The Software Development Kit for the USB DrDAQ is compatible with Microsoft
Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit
editions).
11

Product information4
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.usbdrdaq.en r4
2.3 Using PicoScope and PicoLog
PicoScope turns your PC into an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and meter. PicoLog is
a powerful, flexible, advanced data logging package for collecting, analysing and
displaying data. The decision on whether to use PicoScope or PicoLog depends on the
signals you wish to measure. If you wish to collect fast signals (such as sound
waveforms) then use PicoScope, but if you want to collect data over a long period
(such as plotting battery discharge) then use PicoLog.
2.4 Installing the software
We have designed the PicoScope and PicoLog software to be as easy as possible to
use, even for newcomers to oscilloscopes and data loggers. Once you have followed
the simple steps listed below, you will soon be on your way to becoming an expert.
1. Install the software. Load the CD-ROM that is included with your scope
device, then click the "Install Software" link and follow the on-screen
instructions.
2. Plug in the USB DrDAQ device. Windows will recognise it and prepare
your computer to work with it. Wait until Windows tells you that the
device is ready to use.
2.5 Getting started with PicoLog
2.5.1 Using PicoLog for the first time
After installing the software, click the new PicoLog icon ( ) on your Windows
desktop. When PicoLog is first loaded the following screen will appear.
Under the Help menu, select Guided tour to be taken through the main functions in
PicoLog.
Refer to Examples of digital in/out use for an example of PicoLog and the digital
connections of USB DrDAQ. 29

USB DrDAQ User's Guide 5
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. usbdrdaq.en r4
2.6 Getting started with PicoScope
2.6.1 Using PicoScope for the first time
1. After installing the software, click the new PicoScope icon on your
Windows desktop.
2. PicoScope will detect your device and prepare to display a waveform.
The green Start button will be highlighted to show that PicoScope is
ready. Adjacent to this is the red Stop button.
3. Try clicking your fingers over the microphone, and the trace on the
screen should react. USB DrDAQ is now successfully installed and
working.
A typical 'finger click' trace
Problems?
Help is at hand! Our technical support staff are always ready to answer your telephone
call during office hours (see our Contact Details ). At other times, you can leave a
message on our support forum or send us an email.
1

Product information6
Copyright © 2013 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.usbdrdaq.en r4
2.6.2 Displaying channels
To display channels in the oscilloscope window, move your mouse to the Channel
buttons which are located along the top of the oscilloscope screen.
Add a channel by clicking on the sensor you'd like to activate. In this example we
have activated the Light sensor; once activated the trace will appear, and the Light
button will be highlighted in blue.
You can add other channels to the oscilloscope screen by simply clicking on the sensor
that you wish to view. In this example, we have added Temp. While the trace is
running, put your finger on the temperature sensor and notice the corresponding rise
on the screen.