Danelec Business System

Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool

Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool

Document number and version: DBS10826-10
Date: 2013-02-06

Prepared by: PV

Approved by: Date CET Initials Name Justification

2013-07-25 21:14:45 PV Peter Videcrantz

Filename: \\bsql01\files\G2VDR\DBS\DBS10826\DBS10826-10\DBS10826-
10.doc

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

Revision record
Version Date Author Description
1.0 2013-01-31 PV Original issue of document

Document template: DBS V1.0 2010-10-29

Last saved by: Highstage 2013-02-06 16:56

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

Contents

REVISION RECORD ...........................................................................................................2

1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE ..........................................................................................4

1.1 References................................................................................................................4
1.2 Terms and Abbreviations ..........................................................................................4
1.3 Confidentiality............................................................................................................4

2 CREATING THE DATA CSV FILE ...........................................................................5

2.1 Description of columns..............................................................................................5
2.1.1 Special tags .......................................................................................................5
2.1.2 Template name ..................................................................................................6
2.1.3 Decoder name ...................................................................................................6
2.1.4 Decoder folder ...................................................................................................6
2.1.5 Object label ........................................................................................................6
2.1.6 Serial channel ....................................................................................................6
2.1.7 Optional columns ...............................................................................................7
2.1.8 User defined columns ........................................................................................7

3 CREATING A VDR EXPLORER CONFIGURATION ...............................................8

3.1.1 Program start .....................................................................................................8
3.1.2 Load of CSV data file .........................................................................................9
3.1.3 Creating a decoder template............................................................................10
3.1.4 Default settings for VDR Explorer configuration...............................................13
3.1.5 Generating a VDR Explorer configuration........................................................14

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

1 Scope and purpose

1.1 References

1.2 Terms and Abbreviations

1.3 Confidentiality
This document contains confidential information belonging to Danelec Marine A/S. Do not disclose
any part of this document to any unauthorized persons.

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

2 Creating the data CSV file

The VDR Explorer configuration tool can generate a VDR explorer configuration and/or a decoder
library based on information stored in a CSV file. Please notice that a decoder library is not
necessarily needed since required decoders are “embedded” into a VDR Explorer configuration. A
decoder library is typically generated as where a VDR Explorer configuration is made “by hand”.
Also notice that the only types of objects the tool can create are different sizes of the “Numeric
object”

MS Excel may be used for creating the CSV file i.e. use Excel as editor, when
done store the file as XLS and then as CSV. Do not later open and edit the
CSV file using Excel. If changes are needed edit the XLS file and store a CSV
file again.

It is assumed in this document that Excel is used as editor.

An Excel sheet with a number of columns is needed.

2.1 Description of columns

The first cell of each column shall contain a “tag” which defines the content of the column. Each
row except for the first shall contain the needed information for generating a decoder and/or
information needed for displaying the data in the VDR Explorer.

2.1.1 Special tags

Tag name: special tags
Mandatory column, but no data are required.
This column is used to control the layout of the VDR Explorer configuration.
The following “special tags” has been defined:
NEW_OBJECT:size (extra small, small, large – current size will be used if not specified).
NEW_PANEL
NEW_TAB:Title (Title is optional. If not specified, the name of the new tab will be the name of the
current tab with a running number as trailing character(s).

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

2.1.2 Template name

Tag name: template name
Mandatory column
This a reference to the “decoder template” to be used for generating a decoder based on the data
present in this row.

2.1.3 Decoder name

Tag name: decoder name
Mandatory column
This will be the name the decoder which will be generated based on the data present in this row.

2.1.4 Decoder folder

Tag name: decoder folder
Mandatory column, but no data are needed for generating a VDR Explorer configuration.
The decoder generated based on the data present in this row will be stored in this folder

2.1.5 Object label

Tag name: object label
Mandatory column, but no data are needed for generating a decoder library.
This will become the “descriptor” in front of the data when showed in the VDR Explorer.

2.1.6 Serial channel

Tag name: serial channel
Mandatory column, but no data are needed for generating a decoder library.
The source of the data (on the VDR)

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

2.1.7 Optional columns

These columns may be used to overrule the defaults settings see section 3.1.4
Optional columns are only relevant for generating a VDR Explorer configuration.

2.1.7.1 Use checksum

Tag name: use checksum
Valid data: true, false (the default setting will be used if the cell is left empty)

2.1.7.2 Timeout
Tag name: timeout
Valid data: 0-60 seconds – 0 specifies no timeout (the default setting will be used if the cell is left
empty)

2.1.7.3 Timeout action

Tag name: timeout action
Valid data: timeout, delete (the default setting will be used if the cell is left empty)

2.1.7.4 Label limit

Tag name: label limit
Valid data: 1-50 (the default setting will be used if the cell is left empty)

2.1.7.5 Decoder description

Tag name: decoder description
Valid data: User defined text – do not use <CR>

2.1.8 User defined columns

Tag name is user defined. Use lower case letters and decimal digits - no special characters.
The user defined columns contain the data to be substituted into the decoder templates.

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

3 Creating a VDR Explorer configuration

3.1.1 Program start

Start the program

Check the defaults settings

The settings shall be like this for the CSV file described in section 2 shall fit.

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

3.1.2 Load of CSV data file

If the CSV data file is ready load it now (it can be loaded or replaced at any time).

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

3.1.3 Creating a decoder template

Click on the “Add” button in order to include a decoder template,

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

In this case a “prototype decoder” which is known to work has been pasted into the editor window.
For this particular decoder, the encircled text needs to be replaced with a tag (the list to the right
displays possible tags however only if a CSV file is loaded).

The template shall be given a name which corresponds what is specified in the CSV file and “type”
of decoder may be specified (optionally).

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

3.1.4 Default settings for VDR Explorer configuration

If needed change the default parameters. These parameters will be used unless otherwise specified
in the CSV file.

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 Danelec Business System
Introduction to the VDR Explorer configuration creator tool
Confidential. Copyright Danelec Marine A/S

3.1.5 Generating a VDR Explorer configuration

The tool is now ready to generate a VDR Explorer configuration (and/or a decoder library).

This VDR Explorer configuration is generated using the CSV data the decoder template used as
example fin section 2 and 3

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