AppNote8000 001DataLoggingwithHyperTerminal

Application Note
8000-001 January 2013
Data Logging using HyperTerminal and

SCPI Commands on the 8000 Series
Gauss/Tesla Meters
ABSTRACT
This application note describes the process to implement simple data logging with the 8000
Series Gauss/Tesla meter using Windows HyperTerminal® and SCPI commands via the RS-
232 communications port.
1 Establishing the Connection to the Meter
Follow the instructions found in the 8000 Gauss/Tesla Instruction Manual “Remote Operation”
section to connect the meter’s RS-232 port to the computer. Note that the interface is
designed to connect directly to the computer’s D-Sub 9 serial port with a straight-through cable.
Note: If the host computer is not equipped with a serial port, a USB to Serial converter or other
device can be used. Follow the instructions included with that device to install the drivers and
complete the setup of the port. Make note of the COMM Port designation as this will be needed
later.
Once the meter is connected to the host computer open a HyperTerminal session, usually
found in “All Programs\Accessories\Communications, and start a new connection. Enter an
appropriate connection name such as 8000 Gaussmeter, and hit ‘OK’.
8000-001 January 2013 Data Logging using HyperTerminal and SCPI Commands on the 8000 Series
Gauss/Tesla Meters
1
Copyright  2013 F.W. Bell
In the ‘Connect To’ window, navigate to the ‘Connect using:’ pull-down and select the COMM
port to which you’ve previously connected the meter, and hit ‘OK’.
In the COMM port properties window, edit the settings to match the example shown below and
hit ‘Apply’, then ‘OK’. These settings can also be found in the 8000 instruction manual.
Gauss/Tesla Meters
2
The HyperTerminal window should now be active and the cursor will be blinking. Now type
“*idn?” in the window and hit the Enter key. The meter will respond with its identification
information, indicating that the connection has been established and is active. If this response
is not seen, verify the hardware connections and the previous settings and repeat before
continuing.
After connection to the meter is established, any of the SCPI commands described in the
meter’s instruction manual can be used to provide remote access to both settings and
measurements.
Saving the named connection in HyperTerminal will store these settings so that any future
connections to the meter can be established by loading that connection the next time
HyperTerminal is opened.
Gauss/Tesla Meters
3
2 Using HyperTerminal to Log Data by Capturing a Text File
Using the HyperTerminal menu bar, select ‘Transfer’ and ‘Capture Text’, this will bring up the
Capture Text dialog box. Enter the location and file name or browse to the location of a file
where you would like to capture and store the data.
Hitting the Start button will start the capture and storage of all text entered or received from the
HyperTerminal to the designated storage file. If multiple starts are used with the same file
name the new data will be appended to the end of the file.
Hit Start, and type the following command into the HyperTerminal window:
:MEASure<#>:FLUX:STReaming? <n>
Where <#> is the probe channel number for the requested measurement and <n> is the
number of seconds that you would like the 8000 meter to stream the current flux density
measurement. Refer to the 8000 Series Instruction Manual for more information regarding
SCPI message format.
Note that the rate at which the measurements are streamed is controlled by the meter’s Update
Rate setting. This setting can be changed by navigating the meter’s menu system
Main\Display\Update Rate.
Four settings are possible for the data stream and display rate: 5 samples per second, 2
samples per second, 1 sample per second, and 1 sample every 2 seconds.
Gauss/Tesla Meters
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After acquisition of the data, HyperTerminal text logging must be stopped by selecting the
Transfer/Capture Text menu and selecting Stop. The data will now be accessible in the
previously entered text file saved on the computer and can be viewed with Notepad or any
other text file program, or imported into most spreadsheet programs.
Gauss/Tesla Meters
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Application Note

8000-001 January 2013

Data Logging using HyperTerminal and

1 Establishing the Connection to the Meter

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