OpenLogger - Instrument Panel

In Waveforms Live, the OpenLogger is controlled using the Instrument Panel. The callouts below detail each of the features of this instrument panel. More information on how each of the instruments can be used can be found in each of their respective tutorials, found on the OpenLogger's Resource Center


1. STREAM/STOP Button

Clicking this button tells the OpenLogger to begin logging data. When the OpenLogger is logging data, this button becomes the STOP button.

2. Status Indicator

This field shows the state of the OpenLogger, whether it is idle, or collecting data.

3. Time Options

These three fields specify the time scale of the WaveForms Live Chart, as well as affect how the OpenLogger collects data.

  • Time/: This option sets the horizontal scale of the chart in unit time per division.
  • Buffer Size: This option sets the OpenLogger's data buffer size in seconds.
  • Samples/: This option sets the OpenLogger's sample frequency in samples per unit time.

4. "Log To" Setting

Selects where logged data should be saved or displayed. As of the time of writing, data can only be logged to the WaveForms Live Chart. Check back later for updates.

Buttons that look like this can be used to expand/collapse the different instruments in the instrument panel. Collapsed instruments will still run with the applied settings.

6. Advanced Settings

  • Profile: Device specific settings, saved to the OpenLogger's nonvolatile memory. Can also be used to configure the OpenLogger's profile, which will be used when it boots. This is useful when it is not connected to a computer over USB.
  • Mode: Specifies whether the OpenLogger should collect a specified number of samples (finite), or continuously collect and display data (continuous).
  • Average: Specifies the number of samples to use when using Channel Averaging.

7. Expand Button

Clicking this button opens a window that allows the user to enable or disable any of the Analog Input Channels.

8. Analog Input Channel

One of these sections will open for each enabled logger channel. A colored box can be found next to the name and number of each channel, displaying the color of the flywires connected to that channel.

9. Analog Input Channel Settings

Each Analog Input Channel is displayed in the WaveForms Live chart (vertical axis) separately. The following settings change how the associated channel is displayed.

  • Volts/: This option sets the vertical scale of the specified channel in the chart in Volts per division.
  • Offset: This option sets the vertical offset of the specified channel in the chart.
  • Scaling: This option allows the user to apply simple math functions and unit changes to the specified channel. For example, it can be used when measuring Voltage across a resistor to display the current flowing through that resistor.

10. Function Generator Enable/Disable Button

When clicked, this button turns the function generator instrument on or off.

11. Function Generator Waveform Select

Selects the waveform to be generated by the function generator: Sinusoidal, Triangular, Sawtooth, Square, DC.

12. Function Generator Settings

These fields specify the properties of the waveform to be generated by the function generator.

  • Frequency: Sets the frequency of the generated waveform.
  • Amplitude: Sets the amplitude of the generated waveform.
  • DC Offset: Sets the Voltage offset of the generated waveform.

13. DC Power Supply Voltage Settings

Changing these two fields changes the Voltage level of the specified power supply channel.