www.shocklog.

com

Lamerholm Electronics Limited

Pendle House
Jubilee Road
Letchworth
Hertfordshire
SG6 1SP
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0) 1462 688 070

E: [email protected]

Another solution from the IMC Group. www.the-imcgroup.com

 QuickStart Manual
Version 9.1.x

www.shocklog.com
QuickStart
QuickStart

Contents
Introduction 3
Identifying Current Hardware/Software Versions 3
Identifying Software Versions 3
Identifying Hardware Versions 3
Getting Started 4
The ShockLog Kit & Software Installation 4
Batteries 8
Fitting the Batteries 9
Opening the Software & Initial Layout Set-up 10
Desk Top Test 13
Connecting the ShockLog to your PC 13
Communications Window 13
Send Default Set-up 14
Drop Test 15
Download the Data 15
View File 16
Record Table 17
Event Table 18
Communications Table 18
File Viewer 19
Report 19
Creating Set-Up File 21
Select model or File 21
Set-up 22
Options 22
Settings 23
Slots/Summary 25
Events 27
Alarm A 29
Alarm B 30
Finish 31
Saving Set-up File 31
Sending Set-up to ShockLog 31

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Introduction
Welcome to the ShockLog Quick Start manual and thank for purchasing one of our
ShockLog products. This manual has been written to get you started and provide a
basic understanding of the ShockLog products and software. By working through this
manual a user should be able to operate their ShockLog unit, create a set up and
download a data file.

This manual has been written for the generic ShockLog range although some of the
features within the software will only be applicable to 298 range of ShockLog and for
more detailed information on the operation of your ShockLog please refer to more
detailed manuals included on the Software CD.

Declaration of Conformity
Hereby, Lamerholm Electronics Ltd declares that this ShockLog product is in
compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
directives, ESTI EN 301 489, EN 61326, FCC Rules CFR47 Parts 15 and RTCA/DO160D.
Copies of all of these Declarations of Conformity can be found on the enclosed
Software CD and at www.lamerholm.com/declaration_of_conformity/

Identifying Current Hardware/Software Versions

Please note this manual applies to ShockLog software version 9.0.101 and is to be
used in conjunction with all next generation ShockLog units (298, 248 and 208
ranges). Additionally, it is compatible with most legacy ShockLog ranges including
the RD298 ShockLog with embedded code version 103 or higher and RD317 Micro
ShockLog units with embedded code version 103 or higher. Although other
combinations of the software and embedded code versions of a lower number should
function in a similar manner, there may be some differences.

Identifying Software Versions

To find out which version of the ShockLog software
is installed on your PC, start the software, and look
under the “Help” menu option at the top of the
screen and select “About”. In this case, the version
is V9.0.8.0 release 2010.

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Identifying Hardware Versions

The hardware version of your ShockLog is displayed in the “Communication”
dockable window. The communication information is only updated when a ShockLog
is connected to your PC. This one is code version 9.

Getting Started
The first section of this training manual is intended to introduce new users of the
ShockLog systems to the product and software and to ensure that you are familiar
with the instrument and accessories that you have received.

The ShockLog Kit & Software Installation

New users of the ShockLog range will be required to purchase a kit in order to get all
of the necessary communication cables and software licenses to correctly operate the
ShockLog unit.

All ShockLog kits will be housed within a handy rugged plastic carry case that can be
used for storing and transportation of your ShockLog while not in use.

Removing the carry case from its cardboard outer protective sleeve and opening your
kit will display the following items:

1 x ShockLog Unit (either 298, 248 or 208 Variant)

1 x CD (Containing software and user manuals)
1 x Quick Start User Manual
1 x USB Communication Cable
1 x iButton Set (includes; 1 x start, 1 x stop, 1 x download, 1 x set-up and 1 x clock buttons)
1 x iButton USB Connection BUS and Cable
1 x Mounting Kit
2 x AA Lithium Batteries

In the unlikely event that you should find any of the above items to be missing when
you receive your kit, please immediately inform your local distributor or
representative who will arrange for a replacement to be provided as quickly as possible.

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Once you are happy that you have received everything with your kit you will need to
get the software loaded onto your PC. Please note that many I.T. systems are set-up
to prevent individual users installing software on their own machines or you may
have restricted rights. Therefore, it is essential that you consult with your I.T.
department to ensure you have sufficient rights to install the software. Please note
that this ShockLog software has been designed to run on a standard PC under
Windows XP, Vista or 7, all of which require you to have administration rights to
install the software.

Insert the CD into the CD/DVD player on your PC. The

setup menu should automatically run within a few
seconds and present you with the a License key entry
screen. If for any reason the set-up program doesn’t
automatically run then go to the start menu and in Run,
enter V:\ ShockLogsetup.exe (where V:\ is the CD/DVD
driver on the PC) and open the program from here.

Enter your name, company name and the unique serial

code supplied with the ShockLog CD. Once the
appropriate information and a valid code have been
entered, click on OK and a new window will appear
displaying the Microsoft Chart Controls License Screen,
click on ‘Accept’.

The installation will continue and the system will then

start to copy files from the CD and will present you with
another window updating the Microsoft Chart Controls,
and again it will be necessary to click on the next button
to continue.

The user is then presented with the Microsoft Software

License terms. These need to be checked and when you
are happy tick the check box next to “I have read and
accept the license terms“, this will then highlight the
Next button which will need to be pressed to continue.

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The system will then finish the installation of the

Microsoft Charts software, click ‘Finish’ to continue.

The system will now automatically start the installation

of the actual ShockLog software. At this stage you will
be presented with a ShockLog Set up window, stating
that the Set up wizard will install the ShockLog software
onto the machine. Click on the ‘Next’ button to start the
installation. You will then be presented with a new window setting out the end user
licence agreement required to utilise the software.

The user needs to tick the box next to ‘I accept the

terms in the Licence Agreement’. And click on ‘Next’, to
continue.

Next the user will be presented with another ShockLog

set up window indicating that the system is checking
for disk space. This should clear automatically, but
should it fail to, just click on the ‘Return’ button and the
system will move to the next point.

Users are now provided with the opportunity to change

the location of the software installation, although it is
recommended that you utilise the default settings.

To change the directory address it is possible to either over

type the information in the box or to browse for the desired
directory by selecting the ‘Change’ button. Once you have
selected your desired directory, click on the ‘Next’ button.

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Users are then presented with a window stating that

the system is ready to install the ShockLog Software,
click ‘Install’ to continue.

The system will now start the installation of the

ShockLog software. At this stage you will be presented
with a number of progress bar windows with various
pieces of information flashing up. This will then be
interrupted by a Microsoft software installation warning
stating that the software has not been verified for
compatibility to windows XP. Click on the ‘Continue
anyway’ button. You will then be presented with the
same window and again you need to click on the
‘Continue anyway’ button. Once the system has fully installed, you will be presented
with the following window. Click on the ‘Finish’ button to complete the installation.

Your software will now have been loaded and the

computer should be back at your desktop view. In order
to create a short cut onto your desk top, right hand
mouse click on the “Start” menu and select the
‘Explore’ option.

The ShockLog programs will have been copied into the

following directory:
C:\Program Files\ShockLog Software
In here you will see the ShockLog program file. Right hand mouse click on the
ShockLog program icon and select ‘Create Shortcut’. Once you have created the short
cut this can be dragged onto your desk top.

To open the ShockLog software, double click on the short cut icon from your desk top.

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When first attaching your ShockLog unit to the PC you

will be asked to install new USB drivers in order to
enable your PC to communicate correctly with the
ShockLog device. Upon connection you will be
presented with the following ‘Found New Hardware
Wizard’ window:

It is essential that the user clicks the ‘No, not this time’
button to stop the system going to the Microsoft
website to find the drivers.

Then click on the Next button and a second found new

hardware wizard window will be presented.

Select the ‘Install the software automatically

(Recommended)’ button and then click on the Next
button. You will then see a window with a Microsoft
software installation warning stating that the software
has not been verified for compatibility to windows XP.
Click on the ‘Continue anyway’ button.

This should now load the appropriate drivers onto your PC to allow the ShockLog
device to communicate with your ShockLog Software.

If for any reason the drivers do not load correctly it may be necessary to come back to
this window and select ‘Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)’ and then
browse your PC to find the appropriate drivers within your ShockLog directory.

Note: If your ShockLog does not connect up after loading the drivers successfully,
please check your communication ports are correct, which can be found in the Tools
menu under Communication Properties. This only applies for the RD317, RD278 &
RD398 Shocklog systems.

Batteries
All ShockLog units operate with AA size batteries (298 requires 2 and the 248 & 208

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require 1) and are capable of operating with both 1.5V Alkaline and 3.6V Lithium cells.
(Please note it is not possible to run with a mixture of Alkaline and Lithium).

You will find 2 x AA size Lithium batteries are supplied with a kit and we highly
recommend that wherever possible Lithium batteries are used as they will provide the
user with a greater service life across a much wider temperature range. The use of
Alkaline batteries is only recommended for use on very Short Journey/experiments
where the ambient temperature is fairly constant.

Hints and Tips:

• Always use Lithium batteries for Journeys where the temperature may vary greater
than -5 and +50 C
• The capacity of an alkaline battery drop dramatically when exposed to temperatures
below 10 C
• The ShockLog uses 100 times more power when awake compared to when it is
asleep!
• If using a lithium battery and your ShockLog will be going by air make sure it is a
battery approved for air cargo.
• If you accidentally fit the battery the wrong way around, the ShockLog will not be
damaged; however the life of the battery may have been severally affected.

Fitting the Batteries

• The battery compartment is located on the underside
of the ShockLog units. (Picture shows 298 variant).
• Remove the four securing screws and lift the battery
cover clear.
• Ensure the orientation of the batteries is correct and
insert batteries into the ShockLog unit.
• Ensure the rubber seal is correctly positioned, replace
the battery cover and insert the 4 screws. Care should
be taken when screwing down the lid ensuring they are
tightened evenly in a diagonal rotation and tightened to
25cNm Torque.

Note: All ShockLog units are rated to IP67. The battery

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compartment has been isolated from the main body of the ShockLog unit and poor
fitment of the battery cover will not detrimentally affect the IP rating of the main unit.
However, if water ingrains into the battery compartment you are likely to suffer
shorting of the batteries as well as corrosion of the battery terminals resulting in the
ShockLog stopping functionally and the ShockLog needing to be returned to the
factory for repair.

Opening the Software & Initial Layout Set-up

Now that you have installed the software and got your ShockLog unit operational, the
next stage is to open up the ShockLog software and to set the “Dockable” tables into
the desired location.

The software can either be

opened by double clicking
the shortcut icon or
selecting the program
from the start menu.

When the software first

opens you will be
presented with a blank
“File Viewer” screen and
in the top left hand corner
you will see that there are
three “Dockable” windows
that need to be positioned.

You can pick each

Dockable window up by
clicking and holding the
left hand mouse button.
You can then drag the
window around and you
notice that little window
icons will appear at the

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left, right, top and bottom of the screen and as you move the window nearer to one of
these icons it will highlight in green where the window will sit.

All of the Dockable

windows will work in any
of the positions, however
the Explorer View
generally works better in
either of the left/right
vertical positions where as
the Record and Event
tables are better suited to
the top/bottom horizontal
positions.

If you want to Dock more than one window in the same position this is possible and
the software will offer you an additional icon showing a series of tabs.

By dropping the Window on this

icon you will create a series of
windows that you can change
between via the tabs.

Alternatively, you will notice

when trying to dock in the same
position as another window you
are offered icons either left and
right of top and bottom of the
current window.

If you select one of these

options it will leave both
windows displayed side by side. Please note that this is only possible for a maximum
of 2 windows in any one position and if you try to insert additional windows you will
only be able to utilise the tab system.

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Once you have all of the Dockable windows in the correct position you are able to
adjust the size of each window area by dragging the border of each window area, in
order to maximise the available screen area for the “File Viewer”. It should be noted
that you can move and adjust these windows at any time.

The position of these docked windows can be

saved so you find them as you left them when
exiting and entering the ShockLog system. This is
done via the Tools menu located at the top of the
screen by selecting the ‘Save Current Settings’
option. Once this has been done a confirmation
window will then appear.

You will notice in the explorer and Record view that

there are already a number of files in your database.
These have been inserted with the software to provide
you with some useable data to get you started and can
be deleted if required. If you click on one of the
available files you will see the summary report display
within the file viewer.

Now that you have a file open you are able to explore the information available to you from
the “File Viewer” screen.

You will notice that there are four tabs along the top of
the viewer that will take you to more detailed
information relating to the file record you have opened
covering:
• Report
• Slots
• Summary
• Events

For more detailed information in these tabs, please refer to the full manuals.

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Desk Top Test

Now that you have the software set-up how you want it, let’s enter a basic set-up into
your ShockLog and run a few Desk Top Drops so that you are able to View your own
downloaded data.

NOTE: The principle of this section is to quickly get you up and running with your
ShockLog and it is not intended to give you a detailed understand of the set-up or
download process as we will cover that in detail later in this manual.

Connecting the ShockLog to your PC

On all ShockLog units the USB
communication port is secured
behind a threaded protective cap
that also acts as an IP67 seal for the
USB Communication Port. To access
the USB Communication Port
carefully unscrew the protective cap
to expose the USB Connector.

Plug in the USB cable supplied into

the ShockLog and then connect the
other end to your PC USB Port.

Communications Window
In order to be able to communicate with the ShockLog units and to monitor their
current status it is necessary to open an additional Dockable window called
“communications”. From
the ‘View’ menu at the top
of the screen, select
“Communications”.

You will then get a new

“Communications”
window appear on the top
left hand side of the screen

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which can be positioned as previously described.

You should now be able to view the current status of your new ShockLog in the
various fields of the communication window.

Send Default Set-up

To get your ShockLog operating we need to send it a set-up and to simplify this
process we have installed a “default” set-up with the ShockLog software. Therefore,
from the Communications window click on the “send setup” button and you will be
presented with a file selection window. The system will automatically take you to the
appropriate directory and you will see a file called default.setup413.

Select the default file and click “open”.

A new window will now appear asking “set the ShockLog
units clock to the current PC data and time?” select Yes.

The information bar at the bottom of the screen will come

up with a connecting status and then change to OK and a
confirmation window will appear once the set-up has been
successfully sent to the attached ShockLog unit.

When you click on the OK button, you will notice that the
communication window grey’s out and after a few seconds
comes back but with only
a number of the boxes
completed. At this stage
the ShockLog unit is
clearing its memory and
resetting itself ready for
the new recording period.

This process can take several seconds to complete, but once

completed the ‘Status’ field will come backing saying ‘Running’ and
you are then ready to disconnect the ShockLog from your PC and
commence the drop test.

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Drop Test
Your ShockLog is now recording and you will notice that the green Event Alarm LED
is flashing every 5 seconds indicating it is recording.

Now we need to create a few events by dropping the unit on the desk. Ideally if you
have a mouse mat drop the ShockLog onto it, alternatively a magazine or note pad
will suffice to help dampen the impact. It should only be necessary to drop the
ShockLog from approximately 25mm (1” inch) to create an 8 to 10 g shock event.

Repeat this process a number of times and try to get the unit to land on different faces
to induce the shock through different axis.

Download the Data

Now that you have run
your ShockLog for a Short
period of time and
hopefully generated a
number of events. If you reconnect your ShockLog to your PC via the USB cable and
either re-open or go back to the communication window you will be able to view the
status of your ShockLog and see that a number of events have been recorded.

Once you have gathered some event data you need to download the file to look at the
data.

Click on the “Download” button on the communication

window and you will be presented with an option to
enter comment on the Journey/Data that has been
recorded, for an example just enter “DESK TOP TEST”,
then click “O.K.”.

The status bar at the bottom of the screen will change

through “connecting”, “data transfer” to finally being
presented with a separate alert window indicating that
the file download has been completed.

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Shortly after the OK status, the new file will appear in your Explorer and Records
Table windows.

View File
Your first ShockLog data
file is now ready to be
viewed and the file can
either be viewed by
clicking on the file within
the explorer window or
double clicking the file
within the Record Table.

Within the file viewer you

will then be presented with
Report data from your file.

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You are now able to explore your new data file and can select the various screen
options of Report, Slots, Summary and Events, all of which will be covered in more
detail in the next section.

Record Table
For users that have experience of the old ShockLog software this view will be familiar
to you as the old “Examine Data” screen display.

This screen view provides an alternative view of the data files within the database and
provides the user with an overview of the number of Events, Warnings, Alarms,
Summaries and Slots.

Additionally this screen

view provides users with
the ability to re-sort the
database by the columns
of data and we will look
into this in more detail in
the full training manual.

Event Table
When you have selected a
data file with Events in, the
Event Table will refresh to
display details of all the
events associated with the
highlighted data file and will display the following information: Event No. Event Data,
Duration (measured in seconds), Rate (No. of samples recorded per second),
Temperature, Max X,Y,Z (highest g Force Value seen in each axis during the event)
and the Modulus value of the event.

By double clicking on the Event number the file viewer will change to display the
detailed Event Curve for the selected Event.

Additionally, it is possible to jump straight from the Event Table to the relevant

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section of the Slot graphs

by clicking the button
under Show Slots next to
the desired event.

Communications Table
As you will have seen while working through your desk top test, the communications
table displays live data from a connected ShockLog and provides buttons to allow you
to perform tasks while you are connected to a ShockLog.

The displayed information

from an attached
ShockLog unit will be:
Model (type of ShockLog
Connected), Serial
Number (please note this will not be available on many of the Legacy devices),
Version (this is the firmware version of the unit), State (running or stopped),
connection (USB or Serial), Date/Time (as per the units clock), Range (g force range
set in the unit), 3 memory status buttons (informs you when your memory is nearing
full or is full), Events (No. of recorded alarms and warnings so far) and finally Protocol
(communication Protocol being used by the attached unit).

The buttons will allow you to perform the following functions:

Download – Creates a download file from the ShockLog.

Start – Where a ShockLog is in a stopped state, this will re-start the unit.

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Send Set-up – Allows you to send a new set-up to a unit.

Set Clock – Allows you to re-set the clock to match your PC.
Stop – Where a ShockLog is in a running state, this will stop the unit.
Read set-up – Provides the user with the ability to read the set-up data and save as a
separate set-up file for future use.

Note: In the unlikely event you return to the communication window, while your
ShockLog has been connected and the ShockLog information is not updating,
disconnect and then reconnect the ShockLog device to re-activate the window.

In addition to the above buttons you will

notice two others that are greyed out and
for specialist functions and these two
options (set-up passwords and security
log) will be explained in detail within the
essentials manual.

File Viewer
The file viewer window is the main section of the window and displays all of the
information in relation to a selected file.

Report
When you first select a file you will be presented with the “Report View” which for
any users familiar with the old ShockLog software will recognise it as the old one
page report. The report provides an overview of the whole file (Journey/Storage
Period/Experiment, etc.) giving detailed text information as well as graphical
presentation of what has happened.

The text data is broken down into 3 separate tables providing the following data:
1. Data file summary – showing the type of unit used, Journey start/stop dates,
downloaded date,
displayed report start
/stop dates, recorded
duration and the serial
number of the unit

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and the report start and end dates.

2. Summary of Events – Provides details of First Warning and Alarm (Includes, Event
No., Axis, Date/Time, Modulus (g) and temperature at time of event), the table then
shows the same details for the most severe event.

3. Summary of set-up – provides a summary of the set-up within the unit for the data
file and shows the event, summary and slot settings used.
In addition to the text data the report provides 3 separate graphs of the data.

1. Slot Graphs – As standard you will

be presented with 4 graphs showing
X, Y, Z axis shocks and the internal
temperature channel. Users are then
able to select different data channels
as required (we will cover this in the
full manuals)

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2. Event Summary Graph –

Displayed in a bar chart
format this shows the
modulus value of all events
recorded highlighting the
most severe in Red.

3. Detailed Event Graph –

Displays the detailed event
curve of an event. It will
display the most severe
event when you first enter
the report and you are able
to display different events
by clicking to them from the
Event Summary Graph.

Creating Set-Up File

Select model or File
To create or modify a set up
file you need to go to the
“View” menu at the top of
the screen and select “Set
up” and a new window will
appear giving you a list of
the currently available
ShockLog ranges.

From this window you have

the option to either select
the ShockLog range that you would like to create a Load File for or, alternatively, you
are able to open an existing file that has been created in the past for modification.

The ShockLog model that you select will affect the options that will be available to

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you as you work through the set-up screens with certain features being restricted on
the lower model ranges. We will use a 298 for this manual to show the full extent of
options.

For future reference, to open an existing file, you need firstly to select the ShockLog
model that you are interested in then click on the “Setup File” button and you will be
given a list of available setup files (as on page 15) that relate to your selected model
to choose from. Highlight the desired file and click on “open”.

Setup
Once you have selected the
appropriate ShockLog model
range or opened the desired
setup file, you will be presented
with a new window, in this case
“Setup – 298”:

The setup window has a series of tabs that will step you through all of the options
available within the selected ShockLog model and will require you to fill in the
appropriate areas. On a new setup, the system will adopt the Default settings and
therefore pre-complete some sections that can then be modified, additionally for new
setups it will be necessary for the user to step through every window with the
“Continue” button ensuring all options are reviewed.

Options
The first tab is called “Options” and it is looking to see what factory or peripheral
accessories you are looking to use with the ShockLog unit you have selected. You will
notice that some options are greyed out or greyed out and ticked, this is where options
are either not available or they are selected by default and cannot be de-selected.

Factory Options:
Local Humidity – Relates to the Legacy RD317 Micro where they have the factory
optional Temperature and Humidity sensor added.
Local Environment – Relates to the new 298, 248 and 208 ranges with the factory
optional Temperature and Humidity sensor added.

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GRMS – Users have the option to record the g-RMS values within the time slot
graphs, allowing users to see the vibration levels throughout a given time slot period.
HPT Slot Alarms – Allows users to create threshold alarms on Humidity, Temperature
and Pressure information received when a RD299 HPT sensor is attached.
Auto Threshold – Indicates the user would like the unit to function in Auto threshold
mode and allows for modification of the reset times.
DC Accelerometers – This has been included for a future enhancement.
ZigBee Module – Relates to the new 298 and 248 ranges with the factory optional
ZigBee radio module being added.

Peripherals:
These relate to the Accessories outlined in the essentials manual.

Click in the tick boxes of all the options that you are expecting to utilise with your
ShockLog and then click on the “Continue” button.

Settings
The settings window allows the user to select the ‘g’ range, frequency filter, Protocol,
iButton password, create setup name, enter mission comment and set start date.

To set the range click on the drop down menu to view all the possible ranges (1, 3, 10,
30, 100 & 200). The 298 will also record in velocity; this will automatically occur if you
select a range in cm/s. Generally most users are interested in g.

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Tip:
• Selecting the range is a very important part of your set up. You need to be aware of
what impact levels you are really interested in. Do not assume that if you set the
ShockLog to the 100g range you will just get everything. Firstly the resolution will be
compromised, and secondly you may not get low level events being recorded at all.
The wake up threshold for a detailed event must be at least 5% of range (and
recommended to be no less than 10%), therefore you will not record events lower
than 10g with a 10% wake up threshold on a 100g range.

• It is impossible to make exact recommendations as to what range a particular

shipment should be monitored with, but as a rule of thumb the larger and heavier the
object the less g it generally takes to damage due to the amount of mass. Therefore,
the 10g range is generally used for large objects (E.g. something weighing tonnes!).
The 30g, 100g and 200g ranges being used for smaller shipments.

Next you are able to select the frequency cut off Hardware Filters to
be applied to your event data. These filters enable users to reduce
the number of unwanted higher frequency events, where it is known
that this type of event will not cause damage to the object being
monitored.

The lower the filter the more severe it is with regards to eliminating events. The lower
frequency filters are generally used for large heavy objects with a high metallic
content, especially where they are prone to high levels of resonance. These
resonances will create a bell like ring that a ShockLog can pick up as a high g event if
the appropriate filters are not applied. Filters are additionally recommended in
environments where a high frequency vibration is probable, such as rail freight
applications, and again the correct use of filters can eliminate any unwanted events
being recorded.

The Protocol settings are for future development of the ShockLog products and at the
moment are only available as the “Protocol 400”.

iButton Password allows users to create password protection within the iButton
system to prevent unauthorised users interfering with the ShockLog through the

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iButton interface.

Setup Name allows users to name their setup and therefore save as a unique file for
future use. On a new set up the word Default will be in this field and the user will be
required to change this before they are able to save the setup, send it to a ShockLog
units or move onto the next tab of the set-up process.

A Mission Comment can be added to the setup program. Any notes added here will
be recorded within the ShockLog and will display on the Report screen of a
downloaded file along with all of the other setup information.

The last area to be setup on this screen is the Start Date

and time. If you would like your ShockLog unit to remain
in a sleep mode until a future date/time you can click on
the right hand arrow to bring up a calendar selector and
select the desired date. Additionally, if you want the unit
to start on a specific time you are also able to over write
the start time as required.

Tip:
• Use this feature when you the ShockLog is being set up away from the shipment it
will ultimately be attached to.

• If you have set a start date, but change your mind and want the recording to start
earlier, clicking ‘start’ on the communications screen will override the delayed start
the ShockLog recording immediately.

Slots/Summary
Slot Contents, used to select the
parameters to be recorded for
the Time Slot graphs. These are
the bar graph view of the
journey you looked at earlier.
Firstly select the parameters
you would like to log as time

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slots by clicking the appropriate boxes. The normal settings are

to log the max peaks on x, y, z and the internal temperature.

Tip:
• The more parameters you select the less run time the time
slots will last for, so only set the unit to record what you are
interested in!

Once you have selected the parameters to be recorded you

need to select the frequency of the recordings. Using the Slot
Interval users are able to select a time interval for how often a
slot will be recorded. The window below will show how long
the time slot graph will run for according to your settings.

Tip:
• Battery life is not affected by time slot frequency, so it is advisable to always select a
time slot interval that will last a bit longer than your proposed journey length plus a
bit of insurance time.

The summaries are a summary of what happened to the ShockLog in the last period
of time since the last summary was recorded. The summary records the number of
warnings/alarms, max & min impacts in x, y and z, max and min temperatures and
the range the ShockLog was set on.

All you can do with this feature is to set the time period between each summary
period and this is done in the Summary Interval section.

Tip:
• As with time slots the battery life is not affected by summary intervals, so it is
advisable to always select a summary interval that will last a bit longer than your
proposed journey length plus a bit of insurance time.

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Events
The information in the Events
tab sets how a detailed event
will be recorded. These settings
will dictate how long the
detailed event will be and how
many events you can log in a
journey.

Tip:
• Generally you are looking to log detailed events when damage may have occurred
to your product. As with the range, going for settings that allow for the maximum
amount of events is not always advisable. You have got to ask yourself – is it useful to
have 500 detailed events?

• Don’t forget you get a time slot graph for the whole journey!

The Record section allows users to specify the resolution / memory to be allocated to
each event and therefore how many events could be recorded. From the “Length”
option, the more bytes you allocate to an event the more points the event graph will
display. The ShockLog always logs at 4096 samples per second, but according to your
event settings the ShockLog will compress the data when saving according to how
long the event is.

The peak of an event will not be lost when data is compressed as the ShockLog will
always keep the max & min samples of each compressed data section.

Next you must select a “max time”, which will be the maximum length of any
recorded event (note, all events must be a minimum of 1 second). Select the max time
according to how long any individual event will be allowed to be. Note the longer the
event the more the data will be compressed.

In certain situations, generally while in a test environment, it may be applicable to

want the ShockLog to always record the full length of an event, potentially up to 128
seconds, if this is the case then the “Always Max” box will need to be ticked.

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New to this generation of ShockLog products, it is now possible to record events in an

uncompressed format displaying the full 4096 points per second. If this level of detail
is required then the “Ordered Data” needs to be checked.

Tip:
• Unless you have a specific reason to do so, do not use the always max, let the
ShockLog decide when the event has finished by the drop out threshold (covered
later).

The Thresholds section of the

Event tab are the settings that
determine when your ShockLog
wakes up, the levels at which a
warning or alarm is created and
the drop out level of the event.
A simple bar chart can best
explain these thresholds.

1. If any accelerometer activity

exceeds the wake up threshold
the ShockLog will wake up and
start recording (The ShockLog
takes 1mS to wake up and start
recording). If the activity doesn’t
exceed the warning level, as in
this case, the ShockLog will go
back to sleep once the activity drops back below the dropout threshold level and not
log an event.
2. Once the wake up threshold and the warning level has been breached the
ShockLog will now record a detailed event and in this case flag it as a warning.
3. Once the event activity has dropped below the drop out threshold (or reached the
event maximum allowed event length). The ShockLog will stop recording and go back
to sleep.

Within the “Options” drop down menu you are able to select one of three modes for

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the thresholds to work in. The standard mode is “Link XYZ, where all of the axis will
operate off of the same thresholds. Alternatively users are able to select “Multiple”,
which will allow users to select different thresholds for different axis depending upon
the sensitivity / fragility of an object being monitored, and lastly, there is an option
with the new ShockLog range to set the Events up on a timed basis, whereby a
detailed event will be recorded at the end of every summary period and will not be
dependent upon thresholds being breached.

“Wake threshold” - As stated in the battery life section, the ShockLog uses 100 times
more power when it is awake compared to when it’s asleep. For example, you do not
want the ShockLog to be continuously awake due to the low level vibration of the
mode of transport that your product is being shipped in. The ShockLog will easily see
0.5 to 1g of activity when being transported in a car on normal roads.

Tip:
• It is not advisable to use a wake up or drop out thresholds of less than 10%,
although levels can be set down to 5%.

“Warn and alarm” - Events are recorded in exactly the same way, except the
thresholds distinguish how they are flagged in the ShockLog data file, and how the
LED’s on the ShockLog unit flash once a threshold has been breached.

Tip:
• Warning and alarm thresholds become more important when the ShockLog LED’s
are to be used as part of an initial audit upon receiving a shipment. For example, set
a warning level to indicate you want the shipment to be quarantined pending further
investigation. Set the alarm threshold to be at a level where the shipment must be
investigated without delay.

“Drop Out” – This is the level at which the ShockLog will stop recording an event
provided it has exceeded 1 second and the “Always Max” box has not be ticked.

Alarm A
You have now specified the time slot, summary and event criteria for your setup and
the next two tabs allow you to specify special Alarm settings depending upon the

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factory options and peripherals

that you specified back in the
options tab.

“Acceleration” – This is only

applicable for the 208 ShockLog
range, where the units do not
have the capability of recording
detailed event curves but are
capable of triggering an Alarm if a shock within a Time slot period exceeds these
thresholds.

“Environment” – This area allows users to set up various low and high thresholds for
Temperature, Humidity, Dew Point and Pressure depending upon the sensors fitted to
the ShockLog. The same section is used whether the sensor is locally fitted or
externally fitted.

Alarm B
The second Alarms table is for use
when a Tilt and Roll accelerometer
has been attached to the 298
ShockLog. The table is set up with
both upper and lower limits of Tilt
and Roll and can be assigned to
either the internal accelerometers
or the external accelerometers.

Note: The Internal options have been included for future development of the
ShockLog range and at the moment it is only possible to obtain an external Tilt and
Roll accelerometer.

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Finish
You have now created a setup file
that can be saved and sent to your
ShockLog. The “Finish” tab
provides a summary of the settings
you’ve made and provides a
chance to save the file and send it
to a ShockLog device, which we
will now work through in the
following sections.

Saving Set-up File

Once a set up has been defined it must be saved before it can be
sent to a ShockLog. You should have already defined a unique
name in the setup file box under settings and all you need to do
now is click disk save icon.

The system will automatically save the file away in the default
setup directory and can be retrieved for editing or sending to a
ShockLog at anytime.

Sending Set-up to ShockLog

Now that you have created the setup and saved it you are ready
to send the file into the attached ShockLog.

Once the ShockLog is connected, click on the Play icon, the status
bar at the bottom of the screen will then change to OK once the
file has been successfully sent.

This is the end of the Quick Start Manual, for more detailed explanation of the
ShockLog software please refer to the manuals included on the CD.

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Notes:

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Notes:

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