There are two common ways to retrieve the data stored in a module. The entire card can be downloaded using the XMODE command or the Compact FLASH may be removed and read directly on a PC via a Compact FLASH adapter such as the SanDisk USB ImageMate (# SDDR-31). Either method results in a binary file format which requires processing software to look at it. The following procedures are for the PCPLUS terminal program. In Windows, it is sometimes helpful if the PC screensaver is in <none> mode (right click on screen to access). A Relative Humidity (HRH) module is used in the example below.

ASIMET modules that are used as standalone instruments with internal batteries and Compact FLASH memory data storage need to have data downloaded upon retrieval. These instruments are typically deployed with comms set for RS232. If your instrument is NOT setup for RS232, you must open it up and set it for RS232 mode before using the XMODE Procedure.

XMODE Procedure

NOTE: THE UNIT MUST BE IN RS232 MODE

After communications are established with the HRH module, type #HRH01XMODE.

The first prompt asks for a start sector: Start sector # (322 is first, 0 aborts) ->
Normally you will enter 322 to download data from the first record onward.

Next, you will be prompted for the count of sectors to download: Number of sectors (1 to 2048, default is 512) ->
Each sector is 512 bytes long; you candownload a maximum of 2048 sectors (or about 1 MB of data) at a time.

Now the following prompt is returned: Set terminal speed for 38400 then hit any key

At this point, do the following steps in PCPLUS:

• To change your terminal speed hit Alt-P. Choose Baud Rate: 7 (38400) and then hit ESC to exit, and then hit ENTER.

• Hit the Page Down key to choose your Download Protocol. Choose 1 for XMODEM and hit ENTER.

• Enter a filename using a .dat extension. The file will be saved in the current working directory.

• The download will begin after hitting ENTER. A window opens showing you the download progress (number of bytes/blocks/errors). The download will take a while. (NOTE:XMODEM errors are corrected before the download continues; an error count on completion of the download DOES NOT indicate errors in the downloaded file. It only reflects minor communications glitches which were successfully handled by XMODEM; if too many errors occur, XMODEM will quit without completing the file.

• When the download is finished be sure to set the terminal speed back to 9600 baud. Hit Alt-P, 5, ESC, and ENTER.

• Use the appropriate binary to ASCII converter program for the instrument to obtain an ASCII file for processing. See the documentation at ASIMET Binary Data Processing for modules with Compact FLASH for info on data formats and binary to ASCII conversion.

Reading the Compact FLASH card directly

If you remove the Compact FLASH card and plug it into an adapter on your PC, you will see 2 files on the card - yourfilename.inf and yourfilename.dat

The data file is the .dat file. The other file is a free-format ASCII INFO file of up to 600 characters that you can make via the FOK command menu on the module.

To process the binary .dat file, use the appropriate binary to ASCII converter program for the instrument to obtain an ASCII file for processing. See the documentation at ASIMET Binary Data Processing for modules with Compact FLASH for info on data formats and binary to ASCII conversion.