Each instrument is supplied with an installation CD containing the PodMng software, electronic format user manual and a choice of drivers for third party applications packages. The PodMng software can be used as a setup tool, basic data analysis package and diagnostic tool.

Low Level Network Control & Automatic Data Packet Recovery

The PodMng software takes care of all low level network operations and data packet recovery. These operations are transparent to the operator. An error log is provided to show the number of packets recovered and the status of the networks and instrument operations.

Multi-user & Multi-instrument Driver

The NetPod driver software has been created using shared libraries. This feature ensures that the driver software can pass information to several programs simultaneously. You can archive data, process information within databases and view results graphically all at once.

Each user receiving data from the NetPods will observe an identical configuration window similar to the one shown above. Any changes to the number of instruments, channel configurations and calibration details are automatically updated and presented

within this window.

The NetPod.dll (Dynamic Link Library) enables custom program development under the Microsoft 200/NT/XP operating systems to be undertaken. The NetPod.dll supports multi-tasking, multi-instrument operations across a network. Multiple applications can share the same driver. An application program can perform all of the analogue processing, digital control and system management operations supported by the different interfaces.

Software Developers Tool case

The developers tool case contains comprehensive examples detailing all aspects of the instrument control and configuration. The use of Windows DLLs ensures that you can develop applications using the most commonly available programming languages. A comprehensive help system guides you through the range of powerful call routines.

Using Visual Basic you can develop applications that place data directly into programs, such as spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Lotus 123). You can use the macro programming languages to control experiments, record and present results.

Example Calls

function NP_SimpleRead(pid,flag:integer; var ):integer;
function NP SetDigital(pid,value:integer):integer;
function NP GetStatus(stat:integer):integer;

Network Data Synchronisation

The PodMng software provides the Network synchronisation timing pulses broadcast across the network to maintain systems synchronisation. Timing pulses dervived from PC clock or optional GPS interface card.

No Configuration Files

The NetPod does not use configuration files to define its setup and operations. All control parameters are stored within the instruments and sent to the user upon request from the driver software. Any changes to the operations of any instrument by any user or applications software is automatically broadcast to each user/system acquiring data. All configuration changes are time-recorded within the files used to store information. You can remove channels from an instrument, place them in storage or transfer them into another unit without any requirement to re-calibrate or reconfigure a system.

Password Protection System

The PodMng software provides the operators with a password-protected operating environment. Two modes of operation are available: User and Operator. The User mode allows full configuration of any instrument across a network and is ideal for system management operations. The Operator mode only allows data to be recorded and examined and is ideal for applications where only data is to be displayed, e.g. as a repeater station in a control room.