Data Logger Demo
This is a demonstration version of Data Logger 4.5, a data-collection program for the Vernier Universal Lab Interface
and the Serial Box Interface.
1) This demo will allow you to learn how to use the Data Logger data-collection software program before actually
trying to do any experiments with the Vernier interface boxes and probeware.
2) The versatility of the program allows it to be used in chemistry, biology, physics, and physical science.
Data Logger's pull-down menus provide the user with many options for use and interpretation of data.
Data Logger can be customized to almost any type of measurement application.
You may load any of the samples files by simply double-clicking on the data file that you would like to examine .
You will be presented with a screen that describes how the data was collected. Even though you have no interface
or probe connected,
you can actually get a feel for a real data collection by clicking on the "Start" button Ð the software will replay the
data collection at rate 10 times faster than the original (if this still seems too slow with any of the files, you can simply
click on the "Stop" button and the data collection will be immediately completed).
You may then manipulate the sample data using some of the data analysis tools of Data Logger.
Look at statistics, make a calculated column, make a second graph, zoom in on a portion of the graph, or make a linear
fit of the data. To view the data that was collected for the experiment, you may do one of three things:
1) Click on "Start". The program will replay the data collection at ten times the normal speed.
(Clicking on "Stop" will cause the entire data set to appea
2) Under the "Collect" menu, choose either "Replay" or "Start". Either will replay the data collection
("Start" will replay it at ten times the actual collection speed; "Replay" will replay it at a speed of your choice.)
3) Under the "Data" menu, choose "Show Data A". This will instantly display the entire data set on the graph.
Now you are ready to view, interpret, and/or manipulate the data. Listed below are some of the features included
under the menu headings, along with a short description or their functions.
1) Under the "File" menu:
a) Save As...
- This will save the current experiment setup with or without saving the data associated with it. When choosing this option,
you will also be given the choice of whether or not you would like to save your data with the experiment.
b) Export Data A (B) As...
- This command will save the data you have collected in a file. You may save the data as a Normal file or a Text file.
Data saved in the Text format take longer to save and load, but they can be loaded into word processing and
spreadsheet programs directly.
c) Set Graph Title...
- Changes the title of the graph which is found at the bottom of the page when the graph is printed.
2) Under the "Edit" menu:
a) Cut
- This is a standard command, but it should be pointed out that sections of data in the Data A or B tables cannot be cut.
b) Set Precision...
- Lets you specify how numbers are rounded in data tables and graph axes
3) Under the "Windows" menu:
a) New Graph Window
- Creates a new graph window that is a replica of the current graph window.
b) Big Numbers
- Creates a new window, displaying the data being collected in large, easy-to-read digits.
c) Data A (B) Table
- Creates a window in which the collected data is displayed in a spreadsheet format.
4) Under the "Collect" menu:
a) Start
- Begins data collection. This is equivalent to clicking the "Start" button at the bottom of the screen.
b) Replay
- Shows an "instant replay" of the data that has been collected. You choose whether the "replay" is shown at
normal speed or faster or slower than the original experiment.
c) Event Mode
- When activated, Event Mode changes the way Data Logger collects data.
When Event Mode is on, Data Logger will store a data point only when you click "Keep" at the bottom of the screen.
d) Repeat
- Changes the way data is collected. After you have collected data for the length of time indicated on the time axis,
instead of data collection ending, another data collection follows.
e) All Graphs Live
- Sets all graphs to display data immmediately as it is collected, rather than just the selected graph.
f) Display Inputs
- Determines whether sensor readings are displayed while data is not being graphed.
g) Select Inputs...
- Allows you to select whether Port 2 is used to collect data.
h) Data Rate...
- Determines the rate at which measurements will be taken (readings/second).
i) Averaging...
- You select how many points are to be averaged as each point is plotted (0-15).
j) Triggering
- Allows you to specify the conditions that will initiate data collection.
k) Calibrate...
- Allows you to check and/or change the calibration of the probes and sensors.
5) Under the "Data" menu:
a) Show/Hide Data A (B)
- These commands determine whether the specified data appears on a graph.
b) Data A -> Data B/Data A <- Data B
- These commands transfer the contents of one data location to the other.
c) Clear Data A (B)
- Clears the indicated data set.
d) New Column...
- Allows you to create a new data column which will appear in the data table.
The new column can then be graphed like any other column.
e) Modify...
- Allows you to modify new columns you have created.
f) Remove...
- Allows you to remove any of the new columns you have created.
6) Under the "Analyze" menu:
a) Analyze Data A/B
- Cause the cursor to become a vertical line.
b) Tangent
- Displays a tangent line to a point on the graph. The slope of the tangent is in the left corner above the graph.
(The "Analyze Data A (B)" option must be on.)
c) Number of Points...
- You may select the number of points used for the computation of the tangent.
d) Integral
- Allows you to integrate the data. Just drag the mouse over the desired region.
(The "Analyze Data A (B)" option must be on.)
e) FFT...
- Displays a fast Fourier transform of the data. (Most useful when a periodic wave pattern is displayed.)
f) Statistics...
- Displays statistics on each of the columns in the data table, including the number of points, minimum,
maximum, mean, and standard deviation.
g) Fit...
- Used to have the program determine the best mathematical fit of the data.
h) Fit Results...
- Displays statistics on how well the statistical fit matches the data.
i) Analyze Fit
- Interpolates based on a chosen "Fit" line.
7) Under the "Display" menu:
a) One/Two/Four Graphs/Graph Layout...
- Allow you to select the number and/or positioning of graphs in the window.
b) Axes...
- Allows you to set the ranges of the x- and y-axes and/or the quantity (label) to be displayed on each axis.
The "Axes" dialog box will also appear if you double-click anywhere on the graph.
c) Reset Axes
- Resets the values of the axes to the last values typed in, or to the default values if no values have been entered.
d) Auto Scale
- Automatically scales the axes to display all of the collected data on the graph.
e) Set all Min, Max...
- Sets the range of all of the axes of all graphs containing the same label.
f) Big Dots
- Causes the data to be displayed as large dots on the graph.
g) Markers
- Places a geometric shape around each data point.
h) Lines
- Draws a line from data point to data point after the data is collected.
i) Grid
- Draws a grid on the graph. Helps in estimating values on the graph.
j) Timebase...
- Allows you to specify the units of time for the experiment (hours, minutes, seconds, or milliseconds).
k) Labels...
- Allows you to specify the type of measurement being made and the units being used.
Additional features:
a) The x- and y-axis limits can be changed in three ways. First, you can change the limits by clicking on any of the
numerical values on either axis.
You can then delete the current value and input the desired value. Second, you can double-click anywhere on the graph.
This causes the "Axes" dialog box to appear, in which you are able to change the upper and lower limits of each axis.
Finally, you may choose "Axes" from the "Display" menu, which will also cause the "Axes" dialog box to appear.
b) The axis labels/quantities can changed in similar fashion. The axis labels are actually pop-up menus.
You can simply click the mouse on the label and drag the cursor to the desired label/quantity.
You may also change the labels/quantities through the "Axes" dialog box as described above for the axes limits.
c) You can zoom in on a portion of the graph by holding down the Command key (the Open Apple key)
and clicking and dragging the mouse over a rectangle on the graph. Data Logger will then create a new,
full-size graph of the region inside the rectangle.
If you want to return to the full graph, choose "Reset Axes" from under the "Display" menu.
If you want to only undo one expansion,
you can select the "Undo Scale" option from the "Edit" menu.
d) You can copy the data using the "Copy" command under the "Edit" menu and move it to other applications,
such as Excel or Word.
If you want to save the data without saving the graphing or data-collection parameters, choose "Export Data A (B)"
under the "File" menu. The Text.
Data files saved in Text format can be loaded into word processing and spreadsheet programs directly.