AirDrive RS-232 Recorder

User’s Guide

AirDrive RS-232 Recorder

AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS

Check http://www.keelog.com/ for the latest version of this document.

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Table of contents
Table of contents ...................................................................................................................... 2
Getting started .......................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3
About the product ................................................................................................................. 3
Features ............................................................................................................................... 3
Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 3
Quick Start ............................................................................................................................... 4
Configuration ............................................................................................................................ 7
Recording data ....................................................................................................................... 10
Viewing recorded data ............................................................................................................ 11
Clock configuration ................................................................................................................. 13
Configuration files................................................................................................................... 15
CONFIG.TXT ...................................................................................................................... 15
TIME.TXT ........................................................................................................................... 17
Virtual COM mode .................................................................................................................. 18
Specifications ......................................................................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 20
Legal disclaimer ..................................................................................................................... 22

Getting started
Already familiar with AirDrive RS-232 Recorder data loggers?

 Configure your device and start logging in 5 simple steps: section Quick Start

New to AirDrive RS-232 Recorder data loggers?

 First, configure the serial bus parameters: section Configuration

 Then learn about recording data: section Recording data
 Finally, retrieve the recorded data: section Viewing recorded data

Questions or problems?

 Go through the Troubleshooting section.

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Introduction

About the product

The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder is a compact RS-232 and serial bus logger with high-capacity
internal memory, which may be accessed as a USB flash drive. Bidirectional data flowing
through the serial bus will be captured and stored on the internal flash drive in a special file.
This data may be retrieved by switching to flash drive mode. The logger will pop up as a
removable drive, giving instant access to all captured data. The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder
does not require any dedicated software or drivers.

The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS has an additional built-in time-stamping module and
battery. This enables adding time and date information to the log file. Thanks to the internal
battery, the time and date persist even when the device is not powered.

Features

• Logs asynchronous serial transmission (RS-232 compatible)

• Baud rates up to 230400 bps
• Logs 2 streams simultaneously (RX and TX)
• High-capacity internal flash memory, accessible as a USB removable drive
• Powered from a USB port, or external power supply
• No software or drivers required, Windows, Linux, and Mac compatible
• USB flash drive mode
• Time and date stamping (AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS)
• Built-in battery (AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS)

Requirements

• Asynchronous serial bus with RS-232 logic levels

• Operating system with USB Mass-Storage device support
• 5V DC power source (external power supply, or USB port)

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Quick Start
This section contains concise information on basic operation of the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder
and AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS. If you need detailed instructions, please refer to sections
Configuration, Recording data, and Viewing recorded data.

Before you start, make sure you have the following information about the serial bus you want
to log data from:

• Baud rate (bits per second)

• Number of bits per transfer (usually 8)
• Parity bit configuration (usually not used)
• Number of stop bits per transfer (usually 1)

Step 1. Open a text editor (such as Notepad) and create a file named CONFIG.TXT. This file
will later be used to configure the device. Use the following template:

Baudrate=9600
Bits=8
Parity=No
StopBits=1

Replace Baudrate with the actual baud rate in bits per second of the serial bus you want to
log data from. Replace Bits with the number of bits per transfer (5…8). Provide the parity
check using one of the following strings: No, Even, Odd, Space, or Mark. Replace StopBits
with the number of stop bits per transfer (1, 1.5, or 2).

Finally, save the configuration file as CONFIG.TXT.

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Step 2. Connect the device to a computer or laptop using the USB connector and press the
external push button.

After a few seconds, the device will automatically get detected as a mass storage device, and
pop up as a removable drive.

Step 3. Copy the configuration file CONFIG.TXT to the logger’s flash drive.

Then, safely remove the device, and press the button again to exit flash drive mode.

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Step 4. To start logging, connect the logger in-line on a serial bus, powering the device
through the USB port.

The device may be powered from a standard USB port. Alternatively, an external +5V DC
(min. 200 mA) power supply may be used to power the device through the USB port (cell
phone chargers with USB connectors are well suited for this).

Step 5. To retrieve the logged data, enable flash drive mode pressing the button, just like in
step 2. A removable drive will pop-up, containing the file LOG.TXT with recorded data.

The upstream data (TX) and downstream data (RX) will be differentiated by the channel
headers interleaved in the log file.

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Configuration
The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder and AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS may be configured through
the file CONFIG.TXT, placed in the flash drive root folder. Use any text editor to prepare such
a configuration file, containing the following text:

Baudrate=9600
Bits=8
Parity=No
StopBits=1

Copy this file to the root folder in flash drive mode. The new configuration will be loaded on
next power-up.

The following list presents the most common configuration options. All parameter and value
strings are case insensitive.

Baudrate sets the baud rate in bits per second of the monitored serial bus. Range is 300 bps
to 230400 bps. Default value is 9600.

Bits sets the number of bits per transfer of the monitored serial bus. Possible values are 5, 6,
7, 8. Default value is 8.

Parity sets the parity bit type of the monitored serial bus. Possible values are No, Even, Odd,
Space, Mark. Default value is No.

StopBits sets the number of stop bits per transfer of the monitored serial bus. Possible
values are 1, 1.5, 2. Default is 1.

DualPort sets whether both input ports use different serial bus configurations. Possible
values are No (both ports use common configuration defined by Baudrate, Bits, Parity,
StopBits) and Yes (first port uses configuration defined by Baudrate, Bits, Parity, StopBits,

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while second port uses configuration defined by Baudrate2, Bits2, Parity2, StopBits2). Default
is No.

Baudrate2 sets the baud rate in bits per second of the monitored serial bus for the second
port (used only when DualPort is set to Yes). Range is 300 bps to 230400 bps. Default value
is 9600.

Bits2 sets the number of bits per transfer of the monitored serial bus for the second port
(used only when DualPort is set to Yes). Possible values are 5, 6, 7, 8. Default value is 8.

Parity2 sets the parity bit type of the monitored serial bus for the second port (used only
when DualPort is set to Yes). Possible values are No, Even, Odd, Space, Mark. Default value
is No.

StopBits2 sets the number of stop bits per transfer of the monitored serial bus for the second
port (used only when DualPort is set to Yes). Possible values are 1, 1.5, 2. Default is 1.

DisableLogging allows to disable data logging. Allowed values are Yes (logging disabled)
and No (logging enabled). Default value is No.

LogMode sets the logging mode. Possible values are Bin (data is logged as binary data), Hex
(data is logged as hexadecimal numbers), Dec (data is logged as decimal numbers). Default
value is Bin.

Separator sets the separator character between data values in logging mode Dec/Hex.
Possible values are None, Space, Comma, Tab, Newline. Default is Space.

Separator2 sets the separator character used when a header is inserted into the stream
(upon active stream change and before a time-stamp). Possible values are None, Space,
Comma, Tab, NewLine. Default is NewLine.

EnablePort configures which input ports are enabled and which serial streams are to be
logged. Possible values are Both (both input ports are enabled), Port0 (only the first input port
is enabled), Port1 (only the second input port is enabled). Default is Both.

Header defines a string value for the main device header, which is included in each header
inserted into the log file. No default value.

HeaderInterval sets an inactivity interval in seconds, after which a header is inserted into the
log file. A header will be inserted only if there has been no bus activity for a period exceeding
the HeaderInterval value, or if the active serial stream has changed. Default value is 5.0.

ChannelHeaders enables/disables the channel headers defined by Channel0Header and

Channel1Header to be included in the log file. Allowed values are Yes (channel headers
enabled) and No (channel headers disabled). Default value is Yes.

Channel0Header defines a string value for the header for the first input port, which is
included in each header inserted into the log file. Default value is 0.

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Channel1Header defines a string value for the header for the second input port, which is
included in each header inserted into the log file. Default value is 1.

TimeStamping configures the built-in time- and date-stamping module (AirDrive RS-232
Recorder TS only). Allowed values are Yes (timestamping enabled) and No (timestamping
disabled). Default is Yes.

TimeFormat configures how time-stamps are formatted in the data log (AirDrive RS-232
Recorder TS only). Allowed values are 24 (24h format) and AM or PM (both values will select
the 12h format). Default is 24.

UsbMode configures mode of USB operation. Allowed values are Flash (the device switches
between capture and USB flash mode) and Com (the device operates as a Virtual COM
device). Default is Flash.

Target configures where to store or send acquired data. Allowed values are Flash (data
stored to internal memory) and Com (data sent over Virtual COM device). Default is Flash.

A full list of parameters is available in section Configuration files.

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Recording data
Record mode is the default mode of operation for the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder (AirDrive RS-
232 Recorder TS) data logger. In record mode, the device will silently monitor the bidirectional
data flow on the serial bus and store the captured data on the internal flash drive in file
LOG.TXT.

The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder (AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS) must first be configured to the
appropriate serial bus parameters, such as baud rate. Refer to section Configuration for
detailed instructions.

Installation of the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder in record mode is quick and easy, no software or
drivers are required. Simply plug it in-line on the serial bus, using the DB-9 connector. The
device may be powered from a standard USB port, using the supplied cable. Alternatively, an
external +5V DC (min. 200 mA) power supply may be used to power the device through the
USB port (cell phone chargers with USB connectors are well suited for this).

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Viewing recorded data

Once serial data has been recorded, it may be retrieved on any computer with a USB port.
This is done by switching to flash drive mode. Connect the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder
(AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS) to any computer with mass storage device support with a
USB cable, and press the push button. After a few seconds, the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder
(AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS) will automatically get detected as a mass storage device, and
pop up as a removable drive. The operating system will use the standard built-in mass
storage driver (MS Windows in the following examples).

Depending on the drive letters available, the device will be visible as a new drive, for example
F:. Use the systems file manager to browse this disk (for example Explorer).

The removable disk will contain the file LOG.TXT with a text log of all captured data. The data
is stored in the same format as appearing on the serial bus, without any encoding. The
upstream data (TX) and downstream data (RX) will be differentiated by the channel headers
interleaved in the log file. The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder will also interleave time-stamps. The
file LOG.TXT can be viewed and searched with any text editor, such as Notepad or MS Word.

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Switching back to record mode can be achieved by a safe software removal of the flash disk.
Use the systems standard disk removal procedure. For MS Windows, left-click on the Safe
Removal icon in the system tray and select the appropriate drive. Then press the push-button
again to return to record mode.

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Clock configuration
It is necessary to configure the built-in clock module for getting correct date and time-stamps.
To do this, a text file named TIME.TXT should be prepared with the following format:

Year=2020
Month=4
Day=1
Hour=12
Minute=34
Second=56
Format=PM

The fields should contain the current time and date. The field Format allows distinguishing
between A.M., P.M., and 24-hour time (use the value AM, PM, or 24). After the file has been
prepared, switch to flash drive mode and copy the file TIME.TXT to the root folder of the flash
disk.

After copying the file, safely remove the flash drive and press the button to switch back to
record mode. The new clock configuration will be loaded during the next power-up.

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The clock configuration file must be named TIME.TXT and must be placed in the root folder.
Variable and value strings are case insensitive, however they must match the options listed
below.

• Year sets the clock year value. Valid range is from 2000 to 2099.
• Month sets the clock month value. Valid range is from 1 (January) to 12 (December).
• Day sets the clock day value. Valid range is from 1 to 31. If the specified day exceeds
the maximum number of days in the specified month, the next valid day value will be
chosen.
• Hour sets the clock hour value. Valid range is from 1 to 12 for 12-hour time
(A.M./P.M.), and 0 to 23 for 24-hour time.
• Minute sets the clock minute value. Valid range is from 0 to 59.
• Second sets the clock second value. Valid range is from 0 to 59.
• Format sets the time format. Valid values are AM, PM, and 24. If AM is chosen, the 12-
hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as before noon. If PM is
chosen, the 12-hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as afternoon. If
24 is chosen, the 24-hour format is selected and the specified hour is treated as 24-
hour format.

Sample TIME.TXT for 12-hour time: Sample TIME.TXT for 24-hour time:

Year=2020 Year=2020
Month=10 Month=10
Day=25 Day=25
Hour=5 Hour=17
Minute=51 Minute=51
Second=43 Second=43
Format=PM Format=24

A full list of parameters is available in section Configuration files.

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Configuration files
The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder (AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS) is configured via two text files
placed on the internal flash drive:
• CONFIG.TXT (configures serial bus parameters)
• TIME.TXT (configures the internal clock for time-stamping)

These files should contain configuration parameters, placed in successive lines in the
following format:

Parameter1=Value
Parameter2=Value
Parameter3=Value
…

These configuration files must be placed in the device internal memory using flash drive
mode.

CONFIG.TXT
The file CONFIG.TXT is responsible for configuring the main operation of the device.

Parameter Values Example Description

Baud rate in bps Serial bus baud rate in bits per second
Baudrate Baudrate=115200
(default 9600) (300…230400).
5
6 Number of bits per transfer on the
Bits Bits=7
7 monitored serial bus.
8 (default)
No (default)
Even
Type of parity bit on the monitored
Parity Odd Parity=Even
serial bus.
Space
Mark
1 (default)
Number of stop bits per transfer on the
StopBits 1.5 Parity=1
monitored serial bus.
2
Sets whether both input ports use
different serial bus configurations. Both
ports can use a common configuration
defined by Baudrate, Bits, Parity,
StopBits or different configurations
Yes
DualPort DualPort=Yes when dual port mode is enabled. In
No (default)
this case the first port uses the
configuration defined by Baudrate,
Bits, Parity, StopBits, while the second
port uses the configuration defined by
Baudrate2, Bits2, Parity2, StopBits2.
Baud rate in bps Serial bus baud rate in bits per second
Baudrate2 Baudrate2=9600
(default 9600) (300…230400) for the second port

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when dual port mode is enabled.

5
Number of bits per transfer on the
6
Bits2 Bits2=8 monitored serial bus for the second
7
port when dual port mode is enabled.
8 (default)
No (default)
Even Type of parity bit on the monitored
Parity2 Odd Parity2=Mark serial bus for the second port when
Space dual port mode is enabled.
Mark
1 (default) Number of stop bits per transfer on the
StopBits2 1.5 Parity2=2 monitored serial bus for the second
2 port when dual port mode is enabled.
Yes Sets whether to disable data logging
DisableLogging DisableLogging=Yes
No (default) completely.
Bin (default)
LogMode Hex LogMode=Hex Set the data format in log file.
Dec
None
Space (default) The separator character between data
Separator Comma Separator=Comma values when LogMode is set to Dec or
Tab Hex.
Newline
None
Space
The separator character used upon
Separator2 Comma Separator=Newline
inserting a header.
Tab
Newline (default)
Both (default) Configures which input ports are
EnablePort Port0 EnablePort=Port0 enabled and which serial streams are
Port1 to be logged.
Defines a string value for the main
String (no default
Header Header=MyDevice01 device header, which is included in
value)
each header inserted into the log file.
Sets an inactivity interval in seconds,
after which a header is inserted into
the log file. A header will be inserted
Interval in seconds
HeaderInterval HeaderInterval=1.5 only if there has been no bus activity
(default 5.0)
for a period exceeding the
HeaderInterval value, or if the active
serial stream has changed.
Enables/disables the channel headers
Yes (default) defined by Channel0Header and
ChannelHeaders ChannelHeaders=No
No Channel1Header to be included in the
log file.
Defines a string value for the header
Channel0Header for the first input port, which is included
Channel0Header String (default “0”)
=GPS-downstream in each header inserted into the log
file.
Defines a string value for the header
Channel1Header for the second input port, which is
Channel1Header String (default “1”)
=GPS-upstream included in each header inserted into
the log file.
Yes (default) Sets whether to disable time-stamping
TimeStamping TimeStamping=Yes
No completely (TS version only).
TimeFormat 24 (default) TimeFormat=AM Sets the time format in time-stamps.
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AM Use 24 for the 24h format, and either

PM AM or PM for the 12h format.
Configures mode of USB operation.
Allowed values are Flash (the device
Flash (default)
UsbMode UsbMode=Com switches between capture and USB
Com
flash mode) and Com (the device
operates as a Virtual COM device).
Configures whether captured data
Flash (default)
Target Target=Com should be stored to internal flash
Com
memory, or sent through Virtual COM.

TIME.TXT

The file TIME.TXT is responsible for configuring the built-in real-time clock (TS version only).

Parameter Values Example Description

Year value
Year Year=2019 Year setting (range 2000 to 2099).
(range 2000…2099, default 2010)
Month value Month setting (1 is January, 12 is
Month Month=10
(range 1…12, default 1) December).
Day value
Day Day=15 Day setting (range 1 to 31).
(range 1…31, default 1)
Hour value Hour setting (range 1 to 12 for A.M./P.M.
Hour Hour=6
(range 1…12 or 0…23, default 1) format and 0 to 23 for 24-hour time).
Minute value
Minute Minute=37 Minute setting (range 0 to 59).
(range 0…59, default 0)
Second value
Second Second=49 Second setting (range 0 to 59).
(range 0…59, default 0)
Time format setting. If AM is chosen, the
12-hour format is selected and the
specified hour is treated as before noon.
AM
If PM is chosen, the 12-hour format is
Format PM (default) Format=24
selected and the specified hour is treated
24
as afternoon. If 24 is chosen, the 24-hour
format is selected and the specified hour
is treated as 24-hour format.

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Virtual COM mode

Virtual COM mode is a special mode available in the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder in which the
device connects as a serial COM port. The CDC (Communications Device Class) driver class
will be used, which is built-in most operating systems. To enable Virtual COM mode, the
following entry needs to be present in CONFIG.TXT (refer to the Configuration section for
details):

UsbMode=Com
Target=Com

Make sure the CONFIG.TXT file is properly saved in the flash drive root folder. Upon next
power-up, the device will connect as a Virtual COM port.

Virtual COM mode allows live data streaming of acquired data, and communication with the
device using a proprietary command set. Any serial terminal software may be used to display
the data sent by the AirDrive RS-232 Recorder.

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Specifications

Power supply 4.5 V – 5.5 V DC

Max. power consumption 80 mA (0.4 W)
Maximum continuous log speed 100 kB/s (both streams)
(approx.)
Data retention 100 years
Device support Asynchronous serial devices operating at RS-232
logic levels
Maximum log read speed 1 MB/s
Dimensions including 62 mm x 31 mm x 16 mm
connectors (L x W x H) (2.4" x 1.2" x 0.6")

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Troubleshooting
The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder (AirDrive RS-232 Recorder TS) will not work with the following
hardware configurations:

1. Synchronous serial buses

2. Devices operating at speeds higher than 230400 bps
3. Serial buses using logic levels different than RS-232 logic levels
4. Serial devices using non-standard DB-9 pinouts
5. SPI, I2C, TWI, USB, PS/2, SATA, FireWire, etc. buses

The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder does not switch to flash drive mode

Please check the following:

1. Is your device connected to USB and are you pressing the push button long enough?
2. Does the operating system support removable USB flash disks?
3. Have you checked the drive list?
4. Have you tried on a different USB port?
5. Have you checked on a different computer?

I can’t find any data after switching to flash drive mode

Please check the following:

1. Have you powered the device from the USB port while recording?
2. Did you properly configure the device through CONFIG.TXT?
3. Have you actually transmitted any data over the serial bus while recording?

The AirDrive RS-232 Recorder always shows up as a removable drive

Check if the push button is not blocked in a pressed state.

Problems with time-stamps

Set the correct time by creating a clock configuration file TIME.TXT. Make sure you have not
disabled time-stamping. Refer to the Clock configuration section for detailed instructions.

I’ve checked everything, nothing helps!

If you are still experiencing problems, please do the following:

1. Check if the problem appears with a different baud rate and serial bus configuration.
2. Check if the problem appears with a different serial bus driver.
3. Check if the problem appears using a different USB port.

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4. Contact the dealer you have purchased the device from. Please supply all necessary
information (hardware type, model and manufacturer, OS type and version, and a short
description of the problem).

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Legal disclaimer
No responsibility is taken for any damage, harm or legal actions caused by misuse of this
product. The user should follow the guidelines contained in this document, otherwise no
liability will be assumed. It is the user's responsibility to obey all effective laws in his/her
country, which may prohibit usage of this product.

For more information, visit the following websites:

http://www.keelog.com/

http://www.airdrivewifi.com/

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