YSI Data Scout Advanced - Manual (Page 5)

1 . 0 P R O D U C T I N T R O D U C T I O N
1.1 DATA SCOUT ADVANCED
This Operations Manual is provided for an in depth explanation of Data Scout Advanced software for use with YSI Level Scouts. In
addition to this manual, the Level Scout Support CD includes a Level Scout manual which describes basic Data Scout Advanced
functions, and a Data Scout manual which describes how to use a Level Scout with Data Scout and Data Scout Mobile software
programs. Most users will find the Level Scout Operations Manual sufficient for utilizing the Level Scout with Data Scout Advanced.
This Operations Manual helps the user:
„ Install Data Scout Advanced on a Windows® based personal computer (Windows
®
95, Windows
®
98, Windows
®
Me,
Windows
®
2000, or Windows
®
XP).
„ Use Data Scout Advanced to configure one or more sites with 1-16 Level Scouts each, connected via a serial
communications link.
„ Use Data Scout Advanced to select a suitable site for use, query its transducer(s), then configure and acquire “live”
data from all or selected transducer(s) via the Run window. Display data as tables or graphs, and record data to files.
„ Use Data Scout Advanced to configure and schedule 1-16 tests inside the transducer, extract data logged inside the
transducer, and display as tables and/or graphs.
„ Use Data Scout Advanced to generate custom Script programs for testing or operating a site’s transducer(s) in ways
that Data Scout Advanced does not.
„ Use the supplied separate application, Data Scout Play, to playback or convert format on any data files recorded by
Data Scout Advanced or the Level Scout, and display as tables or graphs.
The Data Scout Advanced Software allows the user to configure and operate Level Scout transducers on a configurable “site” basis.
Each “site” is saved in a configuration file that is easily created and quickly changed by the user. Each “site” file may define one to
sixteen transducers that are communicating over a simple “com-port” serial interface (or multi-drop network).
For instruction on how to install Data Scout Advanced, proceed to chapter 2.
Data Scout Advanced can address sites consisting of a single transducer or an entire network of transducers communicating at the
same baud rate. Data Scout Advanced can quickly change its operation to use other site networks previously configured and saved.
Data Scout Advanced also learns how particular transducers and networks are currently being used on the current “site”, so as to
minimize setup operations the next time the program is used at that site.
Data Scout Advanced allows the user to test and demonstrate just about every possible transducer function with the simple interactive
point-and-click user interface of Windows
®
. For more “advanced” users, the flexible Script function may be utilized to write detailed
“test programs” if these users have a knowledge of low-level transducer commands, and wish to do things that Data Scout Advanced
does not already do.
1.2 OVERVIEW OF DATA SCOUT ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY
When started, Data Scout Advanced opens the main Data Scout Advanced window (figure 1.0). Think of this entry window as home
to all transducer or site-network-related configuration functions. All functions are selected either from the window’s main menu bar,
from a pop-up context menu, or by using other visual or hidden controls.
YSI Incorporated Data Scout Advanced 1