Special attention has been given to making PsiLog easy to use. Almost all functions can be accessed by pressing a single key at a time, greatly reducing the number of awkward "shifted" keypresses.
PsiLog has a built-in context sensitive help system. Simply press the Help key (Shift-Esc on Workabouts) and a window will pop up with information. Often there are related topics listed at the bottom of each page.
The Program Logger mode allows programming of your data loggers with a scheme you have previously copied from your PC to the Psion computer.
Both Starlog software Version 2 and Version 3 schemes are supported.
The Unload Logger mode allows data recorded by a data logger to be unloaded to the Psion computer for later transfer to your PC. Full, incremental, and log limited unloads are supported.
Unloaded data can be transferred to both the Version 2 and Version 3 Starlog software packages.
Incremental unloads are supported via an incremental pointer synchronisation system that keeps both the Psion computer and the PC Starlog software package in sync.
Baud rates up to 38400 are supported (some Psion computers are limited to 19200). Total unload speeds are better than 85% of the speed of the PC.
Unload capacity depends on the amount of memory installed in your Workabout, and what (if any) other programs and data you have installed. Assuming a minimal installation for unloading loggers, the table below shows the number of full (120kB) unloads versus memory capacity:
Memory | Type | Unload Capacity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
256kB | Internal | 0 | |
512kB | Internal | 1 | |
1MB | Internal | 5 | |
2MB | Internal | 13 | (Workabout mx) |
128kB | SSD | 1 | |
256kB | SSD | 2 | |
512kB | SSD | 4 | |
1MB | SSD | 8 | |
2MB | SSD | 16 | |
4MB | SSD | 33 | (most cost-effective storage) |
8MB | SSD | 67 |
Note that the Workabout (and the Series 3a, 3c, and 3mx) supports the use of two SSDs simultaneously. This means that on computers with 2MB of internal memory and two 8MB SSDs, you can perform 147 (13 + 67 + 67) full unloads without swapping memory cards. You can, of course, swap out and change as many SSDs as you like.
The Data Viewer mode allows you to view the log buffer of your data loggers and to watch data appear as it is being logged. You can also review any unload files you may have unloaded from your data loggers.
The entire data buffer, both in the logger and in unload files, may be viewed via scrolling. Additionally, when viewing the buffer in the data logger, the display can be 'stuck' to the most recent log entry and stay there even when the logger adds new data to the buffer.
The Data Viewer also allows you to plot the data in unload files, allowing you to quickly check the entire unload file for any problems. You can zoom in to look at sections of the plot in detail, then scroll left and right to look at adjacent data.
Unload files can be exported by the Data Viewer directly to your PC, either as text files (tab or comma delimited) or as a Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet.
The Test Display mode allows checking of the operation of your data logger
and the scheme you have programmed it with. PsiLog uses the same
FTU
files used by the Version 2 and Version 3
PC-based Starlog software packages.
PsiLog will also use the same PDLOUT.FOR
formula file used by
Starlog software, so if you have added custom formulas of your own - they will
work too!
PsiLog supports all the features of the
PC-based test displays. Display of
ENT
files is handled by the Data Viewer.
Test Display feature summary:
FTU
file displayTest displays cannot be edited.
The Velocity Trace window displays a spectrum of the velocities measured by a Starflow data logger. The shape of the histogram plus various other statistics calculated by PsiLog allow you to judge if the Starflow data logger is measuring the velocity correctly.
The Communications Window is intended to allow you to more easily diagnose and troubleshoot communications problems. It also allows access to your data logger's internal diagnostics menu. As in the Starlog software package, access to data logger diagnostics is automated.
The Communications Window acts much like a terminal software package: any communications received by the Psion computer appear on the screen, and any keys you press are transmitted.
PsiLog supports standard Hayes compatible modems connected to your Psion computer's serial port. You can dial out numbers stored in scheme, or specific numbers you can enter yourself. You can also hangup the modem manually. Telemetry switches are fully supported.
Automatic dialout and hangup is not supported: this allows you to dial a scheme, program it, then go into test display without hanging up and redialling. You can even perform an unload before hanging up.
PsiLog also remembers the current number you have dialled, as if you dial that number again without hanging up, PsiLog will not hangup and redial the number. However, if the telemetry switch number has changed, PsiLog will command the switch to change to the new number. This saves the cost and time of extra telephone calls.
PsiLog continually monitors the modem, and if the connection is lost, PsiLog will beep and display a message.
The Formula Tester allows you to check the operation of both existing Starlog software formulas, and the operation of any custom formulas you have developed yourself. It even allows you to work "backwards" from the result to the formula argument, although not all formulas support this. It also supports formulas that read the log buffer, instead of processing their argument.