UNISENSE Mini User manual

Field Datalogger Mini
Manual
Field Datalogger Mini - October 2018.docx

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CONTENTS
1Warranty and liability....................................................................................................4
1.1 Warning..................................................................................................................4
1.2 Warranty and liability ............................................................................................. 4
1.3 Repair or adjustment ...............................................................................................4
1.4 SensorTrace Suite Software ....................................................................................4
1.5 License agreement ..................................................................................................5
2Congratulations with your new product .........................................................................6
2.1 Support, ordering, and contact information..............................................................6
3Overview.......................................................................................................................7
3.1 Operating and setup conditions ...............................................................................7
3.2 Field DataLogger Mini external features .................................................................8
4System features .............................................................................................................9
4.1 Equipment to use with the Field DataLogger Mini ..................................................9
5Software for the Field DataLogger Mini ........................................................................9
6General features .......................................................................................................... 10
6.1 Operating principles.............................................................................................. 10
6.1.1 The Always on principle................................................................................. 10
6.1.2 File creation...................................................................................................10
6.1.3 Download of data........................................................................................... 10
6.1.4 Data calibration.............................................................................................. 10
6.2 Support for STOX sensors .................................................................................... 10
6.3 Sensor connections................................................................................................ 10
6.4 Sensors for the Field DataLogger Mini..................................................................11
6.5 Charging and battery............................................................................................. 11
6.6 Computer connection............................................................................................ 11
6.7 Logging capabilities.............................................................................................. 11
6.8 Connection with external units.............................................................................. 11
6.9 Cables and connectors........................................................................................... 12
7Working with the Field DataLogger Mini.................................................................... 12
7.1 Connecting the Field DataLogger Mini to a PC..................................................... 12
7.1.1 Powering the FDL Mini on and off................................................................. 12
7.2 Charging and battery life....................................................................................... 13
7.3 Configuring the Field DataLogger Mini ................................................................ 13
7.3.1 Setting polarization........................................................................................ 13
7.3.2 Setting sampling rate...................................................................................... 14

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7.3.3 Changing the instrument time ........................................................................ 15
7.3.4 Checking battery level and storage capacity................................................... 15
7.3.5 Setting channel information ........................................................................... 16
7.4 Connecting the sensors.......................................................................................... 17
7.4.1 Channel with built-in amplifier ...................................................................... 17
7.4.2 Channel with external in situ amplifier........................................................... 17
7.5 Downloading data to PC ....................................................................................... 17
7.5.1 File size and download time........................................................................... 18
7.6 Calibration............................................................................................................ 18
7.6.1 Calibration of the sensors............................................................................... 18
7.6.2 Calibration of recorded data........................................................................... 19
7.7 Data export and processing ................................................................................... 20
7.8 Using STOX sensors............................................................................................. 20
7.9 Making a deployment............................................................................................ 22
7.10 Using the Field DataLogger Mini online with a PC............................................ 23

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1 WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
This product is for research use only. Not for use in human diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures.
1.1Warning
Microsensors have very pointed tips and must be handled with care, to avoid personal
injury, and only by trained personnel.
Unisense A/S recommends users to attend instruction courses to ensure proper use of the
products.
1.2Warranty and liability
The Field DataLogger Mini is covered by a one-year limited warranty.
The warranty does not include repair or replacement necessitated by accident, neglect,
misuse, unauthorized repair, or modification of the product. In no event will Unisense A/S
be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages, including lost profits,
or for any claim by any third party, arising out of the use, the results of use, or the inability
to use this product.
1.3Repair or adjustment
Equipment that is not covered by the warranty will, if possible, be repaired by Unisense A/S
with appropriate charges paid by the customer. In case of return of equipment please
contact us for return authorization.
For further information please see the documents General Terms of Sale and Delivery of
Unisense A/S, and Warranty and Shipping Information as well as the manuals for the
respective products.
1.4SensorTrace Suite Software
Unisense SensorTrace Suite software is checked and validated for the Windows platform as
given in the specification. The Customer must ensure PC is fully updated and no conflicting
third-party software is installed. Unisense do not warrant compliance with any other
operating systems, language settings or third-party software.
For instrumentation and sensors, please refer to our warranty conditions as given in the
document “General Terms of Sale and Delivery of Unisense A/S” found on
www.unisense.com

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1.5License agreement
The following terms shall apply to the software provided by Unisense A/S (“Unisense”)
relating to the simultaneous sale to you (“Customer”) of a Unisense SensorTrace Suite
Software.
All rights, title and interest in the software belong to Unisense. Unisense grants to the
Customer a royalty-free, non-exclusive and non-transferable license to use the software
solely relating to the Unisense Product purchased from Unisense simultaneously with the
purchase of the software. The Customer undertakes not to copy, modify, reverse engineer,
disassemble or de-compile all or any part of the software or rent, lease, distribute or sell the
software. The Customer shall, however, be entitled to make one copy of the software for
backup and recovery purposes for use solely relating to the Unisense Products supplied by
Unisense together with the software.
Nothing in this License Agreement or any other agreement between Unisense and the
Customer shall be construed as an obligation for Unisense to provide to the Customer
updates of the software. This License Agreement shall automatically terminate if the
Customer violates the terms of the license. In case of termination of the license the
Customer shall immediately destroy the software and any copy thereof.

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2 CONGRATULATIONS WITH YOUR NEW PRODUCT
2.1Support, ordering, and contact information
The Field DataLogger Mini uses Unisense microsensors which are miniaturized Clark-type
sensors that facilitate reliable and fast measurements with a high spatial resolution
designed for research applications.
If you wish to order additional products or if you encounter any problems and need
scientific/technical assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our sales and support team.
We will respond to your inquiry within one working day.
E-mail: [email protected]
Unisense A/S Tueager 1
DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Further documentation and support is available at our website www.unisense.com
Note: If you find errors in this manual or have suggestions to improvements, do not hesitate
to contact us at [e-mail]

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3 OVERVIEW
The Field DataLogger Mini (FDL Mini) is a digital microsensor amplifier with datalogger
capability. It can operate as an autonomous unit that measures and logs data as specified by
the user before deployment. After deployment data may be downloaded to a Windows PC
using the SensorTrace Logger software. Alternatively, it can be operated from a Windows PC
using the SensorTrace Logger software displaying and logging data in real time.
The FDL Mini comes with 2 or 4 sensor channels. Each channel may, at the time of purchase,
be configured as either amperometric (O2, N2O, H2S, NO, H2) or potentiometric (pH, redox).
Furthermore, two different sensor mounting options may be chosen (at the time of
purchase):
a: The sensor is mounted directly on the housing and the amplifier is built into the unit
b: The sensor is mounted on an in-situ amplifier with cable connection to the housing
The FDL Mini has built-in support for STOX sensors, on channels with internal amplifier, with
a detection limit of < 10 nM O2. The STOX support may be set individually for each channel
and data showing polarization of the front guard is collected together with the signal for O2
concentration.
The FDL Mini may be integrated with other platforms. It may be powered from a CTD or
ADV or other source using a 6 –28 V power supply, and store and synchronize the measured
data on a third-party device via the 0 –5 V analog output from the FDL Mini.
3.1Operating and setup conditions
The Field DataLogger Mini is built for 6000 m water depth.
Important: The connectors on the FDL Mini must never be open when the unit is
submerged. Each connector on the unit must either be mounted with the
appropriate cable or sensor or must be covered with the appropriate
protective cap.
Note that the metal screw caps for the sensor connector bulkheads are not
waterproof and can not be used for deployment. In stead an in situ connector
must be mounted on each sensor connector bulkhead. The in situ connector
may be mounted with a sensor or with a sensor dummy, i.e. a closed glass
tube. The in situ connector must be filled with oil for all deployments
whether mounted with sensor or glass tube (see the “Unisense in situ
connector” manual).
Temperature: -10°C - 60°C
Internal battery: 13 Ah @ 7.4 V, deployment time up to 3 months @ 25°C
External battery: 2 x 13 Ah @ 7.4 V, deployment time: up to 6 months @ 25°C (to be
purchased separately)

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3.2 Field DataLogger Mini external features
Two channel (left) and four channel (right) FDL Mini seen from the sensor end. These
dataloggers are with built in amplifiers.
FDL Mini with Off-dongle and dummy mounted at the non-sensor end (left). Off-dongle (right)

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4 SYSTEM FEATURES
The Field DataLogger Mini is an excellent tool for long-term studies with continuous and
automated measurements at depths up to 6000 m. The support for the very sensitive O2
sensors –STOX sensors –also makes it ideal for working in oxygen minimum zones.
The FDL Mini comes with 2 or 4 channels for either amperometric or potentiometric sensors
4.1Equipment to use with the Field DataLogger Mini
Included with the Field DataLogger Mini:
•External charger with cable (MDL-CHG001)
•PC communication cable (MDL-COM001)
•Off-dongle (MDL-POWER DOWN001)
•SensorTrace Logger software for check, setup, calibration, and data retrieval
•Built-in battery (13 Ah @ 7.4 V. Deployment up to 3 months @ 25 °C)
Not included (to be ordered separately)
•Unisense in-situ microsensors
•Connectors for in-situ microsensors
•In-situ amplifiers with cable (one for each channel without internal amplifier)
•External battery (2 x 13 Ah @ 7.4 V. Deployment up to 6 months @ 25 °C)
5 SOFTWARE FOR THE FIELD DATALOGGER MINI
The FDL Mini comes with the SensorTrace Logger software and the latest version can be
downloaded from the Unisense support page: http://www.unisense.com/support/
Using the SensorTrace Logger it is possible to run the FDL Mini online with live data, to setup
the FDL Mini for autonomous logging and to download data acquired by the FDL Mini in
autonomous mode after deployment. Furthermore, it allows calibration of sensors and it is
possible to calibrate already collected raw data using a new or any already saved calibration.

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6 GENERAL FEATURES
6.1Operating principles
6.1.1 The Always on principle
The FDL Mini is “Always on” meaning that whenever it has power (from external supply or
internal battery) and the “Off-dongle” is not connected, it will log data using the settings last
specified by the user.
6.1.2 File creation
The FDL Mini will keep logging data to a file until a new file is created. A new file is created
when:
•The FDL Mini is switched off and turned on again (e.g. mounting the “Off-dongle”for
5 seconds and removing it again. Wait 30 seconds before connecting to a PC)
•The internal time setting of the FDL Mini is changed
•The FDL Mini sampling rate is changed
•STOX support is either enabled or disabled for one of the data channels
6.1.3 Download of data
The data can be downloaded at any time from the FDL Mini using the SensorTrace Logger
software. Downloading data will not interrupt the data logging process. The FDL Mini will
continue to store data in the same file and append it to the data that are already stored.
Therefore, when data is downloaded at the end of a deployment the file will contain all data
from that deployment. Downloading data during a deployment can be used as a sneak peek
to see how things are going.
6.1.4 Data calibration
Data are recorded uncalibrated in the FDL Mini. Calibration is performed after download of
data to the SensorTrace Logger. Each sensor must be calibrated before or after the
deployment. This calibration is imported into the data file retrieved from the FDL Mini and
applied to the data retrieved from the FDL Mini.
6.2Support for STOX sensors
Sensor channels with built-in amplifiers support the use of STOX sensors for measuring
extremely low O2concentrations. The timing and the polarization for the on/off cycles of
the front guard can be set individually for each channel. The data file will contain both the
signal for oxygen concentration and a signal indicating whether the front guard polarization
is on or off.
6.3Sensor connections
At the time of ordering it is decided for each channel whether the amplifier is internal or
external. With internal amplifier the sensor is mounted directly on the bulk-head connector

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on the pressure housing. Without internal amplifier the sensors must be connected to the
in-situ amplifier which is connected to the bulk-head connector via a cable.
6.4Sensors for the Field DataLogger Mini
The FDL Mini can be equipped with sensors for O2, H2, H2S, NO, N2O and STOX on
amperometric channels and electrodes for pH and redox on potentiometric channels. The
sensors can in the standard version be deployed down to 50 m and in the deep-sea version
down to 6000 m. Only the N2O sensor is not available in a deep-sea version.
Furthermore, temperature is logged continuously with all other data from a sensor mounted
inside the pressure housing.
NOTE: Polarization of the sensors must be set for each channel individually from within
SensorTrace Logger. This must be done BEFORE mounting the sensors! Wrong polarization
may destroy the sensor! For setting polarization see 7.3.1 Setting polarization
6.5Charging and battery
Battery life time is about 3 months at 25 °C
Charging time is about 5 hours
Battery state can be seen in the Unisense Logger software. See 7.3.4 Checking battery level
and storage capacity.
6.6Computer connection
The PC communication cable (MDL-COM001) connected to the communications bulkhead
connector at the non-sensor end of the FDL Mini allows communication between the FDL
Mini and a computer. Using the SensorTrace Logger software the settings of the FDL Mini
may be changed, logged data may be downloaded, and the instrument may be used online.
6.7Logging capabilities
The FDL Mini comes with 8 GB (micro SD) of data storage capacity. 24 hours logging of the
signal from four sensors at 1 data point per second gives 2.3 MB corresponding to more
than 3000 days of data storage capability with 8 GB memory.
The FDL Mini can log data at five different intervals: 1 sec., 10 sec. or 60 sec.
All channels will log at the same frequency.
6.8Connection with external units
The FDL Mini can send data in real time to external units such as CTD’s or ADV’s using RS-
232 or RS-485 serial protocols. The serial protocol allows that the external unit can poll the
FDL Mini for getting the last data point. Only one of these serial standards (RS-232 or RS-
485) is supported on one instrument and must be chosen at the time of ordering. Please

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contact Unisense if details on the serial communication protocol are needed. Alternatively,
the FDL Mini may send data through an analog output at 0 - 5 V.
6.9Cables and connectors
A PC connection cable is supplied with the instrument.
For channels with internal amplifier the sensors are mounted on the bulk-head connectors
on the pressure housing with the in-situ connector (ordered separately). For channels
without internal amplifier sensors are mounted using the cable connected in-situ amplifier
(ordered separately).
Cables for connecting the FDL Mini with external units are ordered separately.
7 WORKING WITH THE FIELD DATALOGGER MINI
7.1 Connecting the Field DataLogger Mini to a PC
The FDL Mini is connected to a USB port on a Windows PC using the supplied cable. Once
connected, start the Unisense Logger software which will automatically detect the
instrument and show the available channels. Clicking the Scan button will force the Logger
software to re-connect to the instrument.
7.1.1 Powering the FDL Mini on and off.
•Powering off: Connect the Off-dongle
•Powering on: Remove the Off-dongle
•Restarting: Connect the Off-dongle for 5 seconds, then remove it again
•Connect to PC: Wait 30 seconds from powering up the FDL Mini before connecting it
to a PC

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7.2 Charging and battery life
The battery is charged by connecting the external charger with the bulkhead connector on
the non-sensor end of the FDL Mini. A full charge will take about 5 hours.
The instrument will run for about 3 months at 25°C on a full charge. Battery life time
decreases with decreasing temperature and is about half at 4°C
7.3 Configuring the Field DataLogger Mini
It is important to configure each channel of the FDL Mini before connecting the sensors
because the polarization must be set correctly and individually for each channel. Wrong
polarization may destroy the sensor. The correct polarization for each type of sensor is
found in the sensor manual.
Open the SensorTrace Logger software. The FDL Mini must be connected to the PC with the
supplied USB cable and the Off-dongle must not be connected.
Logger will now display the available channels. Channel 1 will always be temperature (read
from a sensor inside the pressure housing). If you have a 2-channel version channels 1 - 3
will be shown and if you have a 4-channel version channels 1 - 5 will be shown.
7.3.1 Setting polarization
Right click the channel that you wish to change settings and this window will open:

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Select Channel settings and in the window, that opens, you can set the polarization. If the
Enable STOX-mode is selected the STOX-timing will be shown and can be changed (see the
manual for the STOX sensor for selecting the correct on- and off-time and polarization).
NOTE: If selecting or deselecting Enable STOX-mode, the grey Scan button in the upper left
of the main Logger window must be clicked to apply the changes to the FDL Mini. This will
create a new logging file in the FDL Mini.
7.3.2 Setting sampling rate
Right click one of the channels and select Device settings. In the window that opens you may
select the datalogging frequency for the FDL Mini. Logging in the FDL Mini may occur at the
following intervals: 1 sec. (Middle), 10 sec. (Low) or 60 sec. (Very low). Data from all
channels are logged at the same frequency.
NOTE: The Sampling rate settings only affect the internal data logging on the FDL Mini.
When the FDL Mini is connected to a PC the data transfer frequency is always 1 Hz but the
internal logging in the FDL Mini still runs at the frequency specified in the Sampling rate
window.

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7.3.3 Changing the instrument time
Right click one of the channels and select Adjust instrument time. In the window that opens
the current FDL Mini date and time is displayed. The New time line shows the date and time
of the PC. Clicking New time will update this.
•Click the Set button to set the instrument time to the date and time displayed in the
New time box
•Click the Synchronize button to set the instrument time to the current date and time
of the connected PC
NOTE: Setting the date and time of the FDL Mini will create a new logging file in the FDL
Mini.
7.3.4 Checking battery level and storage capacity
Right click one of the channels and select Info. Details about the instrument including the
battery level and storage capacity are shown.

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7.3.5 Setting channel information
Sensor: Mark the checkboxes for the channels/sensors you want to view and record signals
from.
Type: Choose sensor type from the drop-down menu if the default type is not correct.
Unit: Select an appropriate concentration unit for the sensor signal when calibrated.
Range (V): Select the voltage range for the amplifier. Select the smallest range possible to
get the most out of the resolution of the amplifier matching the expected signal range of the
sensors. It is recommended not to select an unnecessarily high range either, as this may
cause loss of resolution. However, the range should not be chosen so small that the signal
gets beyond the selected range as this will cause the amplifier to get out of range.
Name: Write a name describing your sensor (optional).
Comment: Write a comment about your sensor (optional).

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7.4 Connecting the sensors
The connection of a sensor is different for a channel with and without built-in amplifier.
7.4.1 Channel with built-in amplifier
The sensor is connected directly to the bulk head connector on the pressure housing using
the In situ Connector. See the separate manual for mounting a sensor in the In Situ
Connector: http://www.unisense.com/manuals/
7.4.2 Channel with external in situ amplifier
The sensor is connected to a Microsensor In Situ Amplifier which is connected to the
bulkhead connector on the pressure housing. The sensor needs to be mounted on an In Situ
Connector which is then connected to the In Situ Amplifier. See separate manuals for this:
http://www.unisense.com/manuals/
Note: Most microsensors require some time to stabilize after being connected. Consult the
manual or each sensor type for more information. To shorten the time needed after
mounting the sensor on the FDL Mini, the sensors may be connected to another meter, e.g.
a Unisense Multimeter, for a few hours before being mounted on the FDL Mini.
7.5 Downloading data to PC
Connect the FDL Mini to a Windows PC and start the Unisense Logger software. The
instrument with all its channels should now be displayed.
•Click File - Import from instrument
•Select the relevant file in the dialog box

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•Click Import selected
7.5.1 File size and download time
The time it takes to download data after a deployment depends on the data sampling
frequency, the duration of the deployment, the number of channels and whether STOX
mode has been active. The file size and download times are:
Expected file sizes:
•4 sensor channels + one temperature channel, sampling rate 1 Hz, STOX mode not
active: 2.3 MB/24 h
•4 sensor channels + one temperature channel, sampling rate 1 Hz, STOX mode
active: 3.7 MB/24 h
Expected download times:
•2.5 min/MB = 0.4 MB/min
Number of data points
•Sampling at 1 Hz for 24 hours => 86,400 lines in the file
Note: Consider both sampling frequency and duration of a deployment to obtain data files
that can be handled by your data processing software. As can be calculated from the above,
the download of data from 24 hours of logging, at 1 Hz with four channels with STOX
support, will last about 10 min.
7.6 Calibration
For calibration of the sensors the FDL Mini must be connected to a PC and the Logger
software must be running.
The calibration is only stored in the Logger file on the PC and not on the FDL Mini which will
only store raw data. After downloading a file from the FDL Mini data must be calibrated in
Logger, using an already stored calibration. This calibration may be made and stored before
or after the deployment. However, it is strongly recommended to calibrate the sensors
before deployment to make sure the sensors are working as they should. Furthermore, if a
sensor breaks during deployment it is not possible to calibrate afterwards. If calibration is
done before deployment, it will be possible to get calibrated data until the time when a
sensor breaks.
7.6.1 Calibration of the sensors
After setting the channel information as explained above, click Start Experiment and assign a
name to the file. Select the Calibration tab. The individual sensor tabs to the left of the
window show whether the sensors are calibrated or not. A red cross indicates that the
sensor has not been calibrated and a green tag indicates that the sensor has been
calibrated.
Detailed information about the calibration procedure is found in the SensorTrace Suite
Manual. For information on calibration of a specific sensor consult the individual sensor
manuals. The manuals are found here: (http://www.unisense.com/manuals/)

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Choose the Sensor you wish to calibrate. The sensor name, type and calibration unit are
shown for each sensor.
The Sensor signal displays the measured raw sensor signal for the selected sensor. The
sensor signal can also be followed continuously in the Live Data graph at the bottom of the
screen.
7.6.2 Calibration of recorded data
The FDL Mini only stores raw data. The calibration data are stored in a Logger file on a PC
and are applied to the FDL Mini datafile after logging is completed.
Open the data file in Logger using File - Open dialog. Make the dataset active by double-
clicking the appropriate experiment name in the Experiment overview column. The
uncalibrated data will now be shown in a new tab.
Import the calibration by opening the Logger file containing the calibration data using the
File - Import calibration dialog.
Select a sensor in the green column to the left and click the radio button it the In use column
to select the appropriate calibration. Click OK in the pop-up box to apply the selected
calibration. Repeat this for each sensor.

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NOTE: Calibration of large datasets may take some time: Ca. 1.5 min for 100,000 data points
7.7 Data export and processing
After download of data from the FDL Mini and applying a calibration using stored calibration
data, you can now export the data in Excel or CSV format.
•Load the data file into Logger
•Double click the relevant experiment in the Experiment overview window to the left
•Select the data tab - name identical to the Experiment name
•Click the Export button
•Choose the file format (Excel or CSV) and click OK
•Give the data file a name and click Save
7.8 Using STOX sensors
STOX sensors can only be mounted on channels with built-in amplifier and not those using
the in-situ amplifiers. Before mounting STOX sensors the STOX mode must be activated (see
7.3.1 above)