ATM Systems Configuration Notes

For SeaDAQ, NDACS 5000 & ATM-Rack Systems

ATM Systems Configuration

All of the Keynes Controls ATM instrumentation utilising Sonet Nodes uses the same method of configuration. A simple text file similar to that shown below is all that is required to set-up the instruments. The text file is read by a scripting program which interagates the network and sets the instruments according to the parameters seen in the file. Any number of different configurations can be made by simply using different initialisation files.

All of the configuration parameters for each instrument are set when the configuration is initialised and lost when the systems are powered off. There is no embedded memory within the instruments to record the settings. The lack of memory within the instruments is not a problem as information is only processed by the driver software on the data logger PC. The driver software and data processing applications read the initialisation script in order to identify the instruments on the network.

Initialisation Routine

The following initialisation routine is followed by all of the ATM instrumentation

Set Instrument VCI numbers
Set Synchronisation Pulse Delay for each instrument
Set Instruments Sample Rates
Set Systems Settling Time - typically 100 mS
Set Sync Pulse Initialisation Delay
Set Analopgue Input Range for each channel. - 128 input levels 0 - 2V
Activate Internal Calibration Procedure
Determine & Set Calibration Parameters for each instrument
Delay Reading Data for 100ms to allow configuration parameters to be installed

Typical Initialisation Script

The example script below demonstrates how 2 SeaDAQ instruments are initialised. The instruments are set-up with VCI numbers 101 and 102 with a sample rate of 32 KHz Channel with an input range of +/- 2V on all channels.

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