Campbell Scientific PC208 Datalogger Support Software - Manual (Page 83)

SECTION 5. TELCOM
5-9
The '/Bnnn' (Block size for data collection)
allows the user to collect data in the specified
block size (nnn = a number from 10 to 999).
This option is useful when the communication
path is marginal and smaller block sizes have a
better chance of being retrieved without errors.
The '/G' (Get all data) option forces TELCOM to
collect ALL data that exists in the Final Storage
area of the datalogger regardless of the
collection method specified in the "station.STN"
file.
The '/D' (Done) option is used for unattended
operation with the PC201 and PC203 when it is
desired to turn off the PC between calls. The
option is entered at the end of a script file to
force TELCOM to turn off the PC until the next
time to call (Section 5.4.1).
The '/F name' option allows the user to enter a
name for the data file other than the station
name. This option is most likely to be used
when dataloggers are brought to the PC and
connected to the SC32A or other direct
connection. A single station file is used to
define the connection, and the user enters the
name with '/F' and a new data filename when
the datalogger is connected to the PC.
5.3 SCRIPT FILES
The script file contains a list of the station
names and options and is edited by typing the
name of the file with the extension .SCR when
TELCOM requests a station or script file name
(i.e., 'name.SCR'). The extension .SCR must
be entered when editing or TELCOM will
assume the file is a station file. If an already
existing script file is edited, the /E option must
be appended (i.e., 'name.SCR/E'). Table 5-2
lists the commands for editing a script file.
5.3.1 ATTENDED OPERATION
Assume you have 4 stations whose names are
MTNTOP, FARWAY, VALLEY, and NEXTDOR.
For attended operation, you could create a
script file called CALLSTN.SCR which would
look like:
MTNTOP/C
FARWAY/C
VALLEY/C
NEXTDOR/C
The /C command option after each station
name forces TELCOM to call the station no
matter what the "Next Time To Call" is. If any of
the files are not on the same disk and directory,
the disk and path must precede the filename.
To call the stations, the operator runs TELCOM
and types 'CALLSTN' when TELCOM prompts
for the station or script file name. A script or
station file can also be entered on the command
line when starting TELCOM (e.g., 'TELCOM
CALLSTN'). When a file is entered on the
command line, TELCOM will exit to the system
after completing the calls.
5.3.2 UNATTENDED OPERATION
A script file for the same stations to run
unattended might look like:
MTNTOP
FARWAY
VALLEY
NEXTDOR
/W
The /W at the end of the script file tells
TELCOM to wait until the next time to call one
of the stations and then go through the list
again. Assume that this script file is named
STATIONS. Section 5.4 describes how to set
up and start the unattended process.
5.3.3 RF NETWORKS
Suppose three datalogger stations are set up to
communicate with a base station via RF modem,
and the base station is called on a phone line.
Rather than make a separate phone call for
each station (and incur additional connect
charges if long distance), the base station is only
called once and the RF link changed for each
datalogger. TELCOM will automatically do this if
the station names follow each other in the script
file and the phone number is identical for each
station. If the base station is a CR10(X) (the
only datalogger that can function as a base
station), it must be the last station called. If it is
not time to call a station in the sequence, if a
CR10(X) base station is not the last RF station
called, or if communication is not established,
TELCOM will hang up all links and start with the
first interface device on the next station.