Campbell Scientific PC208 Datalogger Support Software - Manual (Page 80)

SECTION 5. TELCOM
5-6
NOTE: SPLIT (section 4) can reduce and
further process data files in Final Storage
Format, or either of the ASCII formats.
However, do not use printable ASCII if
the data arrays contain 200 or more
elements.
"Same as Received From Datalogger" stores
data in the file exactly as received from the
datalogger. This is in binary Final Storage
Format for all datalogger types but "CR21, CR7
(ASCII)", which is in Printable ASCII. See the
datalogger operator's manual for a description
of the Final Storage format.
Primary Call Interval (minutes):
In unattended operation, the primary call interval
is the amount of time that separates one good
call of a station from the next. The interval is in
units of minutes and should not exceed a
couple of weeks. To call a station once each
day, enter "1440" minutes. The primary call
interval is used as long as each call is
successfully completed. The start time is
entered later.
Recovery Call Interval #1 (minutes):
This interval is used when communication
errors occur during unattended operation .
When a problem develops which prevents PC
from communicating with the station, TELCOM
will start trying to get through at this interval. If
TELCOM fails to retrieve data after the number
of tries specified in the next parameter, it will
change to Recovery Interval #2 (usually slower)
and continue trying to contact the station at this
slower interval. The fast interval (#1) will allow
a quick recovery if the problem is temporary. If
the problem is not temporary, the slow interval
avoids running up the phone bill.
Repetitions of Recovery Interval #1:
This is the number of times TELCOM will try at
Interval #1 before going to Interval #2. Once
communication is re-established and all data is
retrieved, the number of tries is reset.
Recovery Call Interval #2 (minutes):
This interval is used after all repetitions at the
Interval #1 have failed to get through to the
datalogger. Interval #2 will remain in use until
the problem with the station is corrected and a
good call is completed. If Interval #2 is set to 0,
TELCOM will revert to the Primary Call Interval
after completing all repetitions of Interval #1.
Maximum Time Call Will Take (minutes):
Maximum Time Command Will Take (minutes):
or
Maximum Time Out of Telcom (minutes):
The maximum length of time a call will take is a
function of the amount of Final Storage the
datalogger has, the baud rate, and the
communications overhead. If you divide the
number of data points the datalogger can store
by the baud rate, you get a reasonable number
to use here. With a CR21 or when calling is
frequent enough that TELCOM is not retrieving
all of Final Storage, allow 10 minutes. With full
memory, retrieval could take up to an hour.
When executing a command or exiting
TELCOM, the maximum time allowed has an
effect only if the PC201 and PC203 are
installed. The time is used to program the
watchdog timer. If TELCOM is not back in
control when timer runs down, the PC will be
powered down and reset (Section 5.4).
Next Time To Call:
The time displayed or entered here is the start
time. TELCOM displays time according to the
DOS country code in the PC. TELCOM calls a
station or executes a command only when the
PC clock is equal to or past this time. When
TELCOM completes a call to a station, the next
time to call is updated based on the primary call
interval. If the call is not completed, the
recovery call interval is used.
When a call is completed, the primary call interval
is added to the Next Time To Call and the date is
updated accordingly. (For example, if the primary
call interval is 1440, the value for the next time to
call is 2/10/84 0:5, and a call is made with the PC
clock set at 2/15/85 10:23; the next time to call
will be updated to 2/16/85 0:5.)
If a call is not completed, the appropriate
recovery call interval is added to current time in
the PC clock.
The call now (/C) option entered with the station
name (name/C) forces TELCOM to call. If the
PC is forced to call by using the /C option
before it is time to call, the next time to call will
not be updated.