Recording events only

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pnb
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Recording events only

Post by pnb »

Is it possible for say a voltage change to start and stop a picolog recording?
For example if there are large time intervals between a sequence of actions could the initial voltage change of the sequence be used to start the recording and later, its removal stop the recording, that way the record would not include a number of long blank intervals.
If it is, would the absolute time of the events be recorded as well?
I am considering using a picolog 1000 for this.

Thanks
Peter
PS 2205, TC-08, Win10 64bit

Gerry
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Re: Recording events only

Post by Gerry »

Hi pnb,

Unfortunately the only way to stop a recording using PicoLog is to manually stop it, or wait for it to time out on the number of samples set, or the length of time set.

However, you could do what you ask in software using our Software Development Kit, by looking for the event in your data, and then calling the pl1000Stop() function.

Regards,

Gerry
Gerry
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pnb
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Re: Recording events only

Post by pnb »

Thanks Gerry,
The events have no set duration or count so only an absence of all events could be used to stop recording.
Learning C to accomplish this seems a step too far, the most I have ever done is Visual Basic !
I will have to think of another way.

Peter
PS 2205, TC-08, Win10 64bit

Gerry
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Re: Recording events only

Post by Gerry »

Hi Peter,

Sorry I read your post quickly and misinterpreted it.

You may be able to do what you want by just getting PicoLog to trigger on an event instead of start at a specific time. That way when there is nothing to trigger on no data will be captured. You just need to set the capture time to long enough to capture the data, when it is there. You get the trigger option in the 'PicoLog1012block' window after selecting fast block mode as the recording method. So this will only work for short duration events.

If your events are too long to capture using the trigger option, then you could still look at the programming option. All that would be needed is a time-out on a watchdog timer looking for events. You wouldn't necessarily have to use C to develop the app, we have a choice of environments to work in. You could use the purely visual development method provided by Labview (working with Virtual Instruments) or Visual Basic for Applications with Excel (if you can get up to speed on working with objects).

Regards,

Gerry
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pnb
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Re: Recording events only

Post by pnb »

Thanks again, food for thought!
I have a Picoscope 2205 but not yet a Picolog. Could I practice/learn a programming solution with my Picoscope, all be it not the device to use finally?

Peter
PS 2205, TC-08, Win10 64bit

Martyn
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Re: Recording events only

Post by Martyn »

PicoLog is a software application that works with the 2205, you can find it on the downloads page.
Martyn
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pnb
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Re: Recording events only

Post by pnb »

Thanks Martyn,
If I program my 2205 as if it was 1216, how will I be able to know that it is correctly coded?

Cheers
PS 2205, TC-08, Win10 64bit

Martyn
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Re: Recording events only

Post by Martyn »

It really depends what the signal you are looking at actually does, and what you are looking to see in the data you collect. Probably better to email us at support@picotech.com to discuss in more detail.
Martyn
Technical Support Manager

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