DA9000 DATALOGGER

MAIN TECHNICAL & FUNCTIONAL

FEATURES

DATA LOGGER DA9000

The SIAP+MICROS datalogger of the DA9000 series is an advanced and OPEN Data Collection
Platform (DCP) compatible with nearly any standard sensor and external peripherals.

DA9000 has been designed to allow maximum flexibility in data acquisition, raw data processing, data
transmission, data storage and alarm management. The DA9000 includes an open and modular
architecture, along with manufacturing and assembling procedures, allowing a wide range of
application, easy to implement, configure and manage and ready for future expansions.
DA9000 provides all the capabilities of a 32 bit embedded system equipped with windows CE 6.0; the
data logger is fully programmable and has a large memory area for personalized program development.
Special care was taken in data logger design for what concerns data transmissions, implementing a wide
range of international standard communications protocols such as Ethernet (TCP/IP), modem, satellite,
radio, cellular phones, etc.
Key Functions
The DA9000 includes the following main functions and data processing capabilities:
o extremely reduced electrical power consumption;
o protection against electromagnetic interferences and electrostatic atmospheric discharges on the
sensors lines;
o growing capability (new sensors can be connected to the DCU unit).
o Automatic interrogation of various measuring instruments connected to the acquisition modules,
with preset timing as well as the possibility to program it remotely.
o Internal raw data processing including average, maximum, minimum, standard deviations,
cumulative values, conversion to engineering units etc.
o Internal raw data quality control; during sensors configuration can be configured a wide range of
validation criteria.

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Allows generation and transmission of user defined output messages to remote users (e.g.
SMS).
Advanced alarm management functions based on measured or calculated (virtual) parameters
exceeding user-defined thresholds. The user can configure different kind of alarms and for each
one can define the specific action (task) that the logger shall execute.
For each sensor its possible to define a long list of configuration parameters, including data
acquisition time intervals, format, raw data processing, etc.
Execution of preset commands both locally or remotely.
Touch screen LCD display to visualize instantaneous raw data and calculated parameters.
Remote data transmission using a wide range of peripherals.
Possibility to modify or substitute remotely the data logger configuration parameters as well as
internal firmware.
Other

The DA9000 have an extremely reduced electrical power consumption and includes an internal power
management system to power On/Off external sensors and peripherals. These characteristics allow
completely and autonomously operation using standard solar panel and back-up batteries.
The DA9000 includes an internal software package that allows technicians to carry out a wide range of
maintenance and internal diagnostic functions. The programming software allows visualizing the
DA9000 configuration parameters without the need to reprogramming it, as well as modify / update
configuration parameters. For further information please refers to programming software manual.
Sensors Interfaces
The analog and digital I/O expansion base (referred as expansion
base below) for of the DA9000 data logger includes 32
analog/digital input/output channels to interface a wide range of
standard hydro-meteorological sensors and external intelligent
peripherals. The input/output capabilities can be increased
adding expansion cards (up to 247) up to 8.000 input/output
channels.
The DA9000 base version includes 14 analog channels, 10
channels with 12-bit Analog to Digital (A/D) resolution and 4
channels with 24-bit A/D resolution. Additionaly the DA9000 includes 3 digital inputs for frequency,
counters and On/Off signals, 2 analog outputs and 8 open collector digital outputs. In accordance to the
type of sensor and to the required application the user can select the channel of interest, or expand the
number of I/O channels
Below table are reported a summary of DA9000 I/O:
Analogical
DA9000
EXPANSION
BASE

DA9000

Input
Digital
Output

Analogical
Digital

Input
Output

Digital

n.4 with 24 bit (0-2V or PT100)

differential
n.10 with 12bit (0-2V or 0-5V) unipolar
n.5 optoisolated logic state inputs
n.3 optoisolated counters (or 2 frequency
and 1 counter)
n.2 with 12bit (0-2V)
n.8 open collector
n.4
n.4

For each single sensor and for each single measurement channel, the DA9000 allows the user to select
the data acquisition time intervals, that can be from 1 second to 86400 seconds (24 hours), moreover for
each single sensor its possible to configure different time window statistical parameters.
For each single sensor its possible to configure specific calibration curves and parameters; this is
possible because all Siap+Micros sensors are intelligent and based on internal microprocessor (housed
within the sensor body) that allows to execute internally a wide range of functions, including
instantaneous data quality and raw data validation. Each single input channel of DA9000 data logger is
protected against over voltage and ESD interference, with minimum 5 kV per pin.
Hydrological
Sensors

GPRS & METEOSAT

Data transmission systems

FTP CONNECTION
(TCP / IP Protocol)

Data Logger

MASTER
Supervisor

LAN / VPN Connection

UHE
Supervisor

Maintenance
Office

Maintenance
Office

Siap+Micros data logger allows internal calibration (self-calibration) of A/D converter against external
temperature; this function is included mainly within some sensors (atmospheric pressure, ultrasonic
gauge, etc) to compensate the effect of temperature on electrical signal. As above the specific signal
data processing procedure can be easily configured because all Siap+Micros sensors are intelligent and
based on internal microprocessor.
Memory Capacity
Data acquired by the data logger are recorded locally on three type of memory: an internal memory
whose size can be up to 2Gb, an external and removable memory whose size can be up to 2Gb and a
NandFlash, that is where the core program is stored.

The recorded data use a dynamic structure that optimizes the length of the transmitted data, reducing the
space occupied in memory, transmission time and therefore operating costs. Moreover the records can
be stored in a linear mode (filling up the entire memory) or in circular mode (when the entire memory is
used, the oldest data are replaced by the newest). All this kinds of memory and storing modes are useful
to create a backup copy of the data.
Serial Communication
DA9000 serial interface includes standard RS232, RS485, SDI-12, CAN_BUS, 1-Wire.
The local RS232 or the RS485 serial ports of the DA9000 allows to interface sensors with serial data
interface, including data retrieve, self-diagnostic information retrieving and sensor control activity. This
activity is intensively executed in case of intelligent Siap+Micros RS485 sensors as well as interfacing
of advanced external intelligent equipment or peripherals. The DA9000 serial interface includes
standard RS232, RS485 and SDI-12. The RS232 / RS485 serial ports includes the Serial-Pass Throughmodality allowing direct communications and interfacing of sensors with serial interface connected to
the AWS station.
The DA9000 data logger includes five RS232 / RS485 serial ports, two USB ports, one Ethernet and
one SDI-12 port for digital interfacing with external peripherals. The RS232 port can be used to connect
a laptop / computer and carry out a wide range of functions, among other: data logger configuration and
programming, upload / download configuration files, download stored data, data visualization, data
logger diagnostic and other advanced functions.
The DA9000 serial ports can be used to interface external communication devices, user terminals,
maintenance laptop or smart serial sensors. All parameters of each single serial port can be easily
configured by user, among other: baud rate, number of data bits and stop bits, parity and check sum. For
all ports nominal baud rate is 9600 bps, configurable up to 19200 bps or more.
The additional serial ports are available on an expansion board and can be easily fixed within the
enclosure using standard DIN rail mountings. This option allow interfacing new communication
channels in future without any main electronic board modification.
Real Time Clock
The DA9000 includes an internal clock protected against AWS power blackout. The clock is buffered
by a long life lithium battery that can be replaced about every 10 years (average value). The clock can
be configured as local or UTC time adding a UTC offset.
The clock accuracy is better than 20 seconds / month and can be synchronized using an external high
accuracy source like GPS or the internal time of a personal computer. Moreover, if an internet
connection is present, the clock can be synchronized using a clock server.
Data Transmission
The DA9000 data logger can interface simultaneously two or more different data transmission systems.
Among other the DA9000 can interface several different telemetry systems: dial-up line, PSTN, VSAT, radio UHF/VHF, GSM/GPRS, Inmarsat, GOES, Thuraya, Meteosat, Orbcomm, Iridium, WiMax,
other. The data logger includes advanced bidirectional data communication control and specialized
remote maintenance functions.
The DA9000 includes the following functions:
o Current data transmission upon operators request (need bidirectional communication device)
o Periodic and automatic (self timed) data transmission at intervals set by the user.

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Transmission of instantaneous data stored in RAM or historical data stored in Memory Card.
Configuration download from Observer Console.
Configuration transmission from DCUs to the Central station; it is therefore possible to check
and modify the configuration parameters from the Central station.
Automatic time synchronization from Central station or using local GPS systems.
Alarms transmission.

The DA9000 handle the telemetry units as external peripherals allowing in this way the interfacing of
any standard data transmission terminal. The telemetry system to be used can be selected during the
configuration process. The DA9000 offer a wide range of telemetry systems that can be used in future
without any hardware modification. It needs only to select the desired telemetry system, includes related
parameters, save it and update the DA9000 configuration. Each telemetry system includes own antennas
and accessories.
For redundancy and backup purposes, the DA9000 can interface simultaneously different data
transmission systems, allowing the management of monitoring network based on different telemetry
systems.
Advanced Alarm Management
The DA9000 includes and advanced alarm management system, every alarm event is recorded with date
and time within the DA9000 memory, that is moreover the alarm values the DA9000 can transmit other
related information.The DA9000 is able to gather, record and transmit different alarm conditions,
among other:
a) Thresholds exceeding, individually settable for each input channel,
can be configured two alarms conditions (maximum, minimum).
b) Trend (velocity in parameters change) exceeding, individually
settable for each input channel, can be configured two alarms
conditions up-ward and down-ward.
c) Status change in configured digital inputs, for instance DCU door
opening.
d) Station reset, for instance upon watch-dog circuitry intervention.
e) Mains power supply failure (when available).
f) Low battery voltage.
g) Failures on other RTUs components (modem, radio etc) reckoned by
diagnostics.
Moreover the above functions, for each single alarm condition its possible to define a specific task /
action to be executed when it happened, eg. send and SMS to a group of cellular numbers. This feature
its specially suited for automation of external alarms peripherals and for Early Warning purposes.
(Activation of sirens, flashing lights, traffic lights, digital information displays, etc).
A typical example of advanced alarm management that the DA9000 can execute is the modification of
the data transmission frequency (eg. from 60 min. to 10 min) and the activation of the back-up data
transmission system to transmit the new data until the alarm returns to normal condition.
Moreover the DA9000 allows the definition of COMPLEX alarms conditions using information of
different sensors as well as the results of new calculated parameters using user-defined algorithm.
Below are illustrated some typical cases of complex alarm definition.

During the DA9000 configuration process the user can set a wide range of alarms and define for each
one the content of messages (SMS) to be sent to a selected group of technicians / cellular phones when
the alarm condition is accomplished, below are illustrated some typical cases:
o Exceed upper limit (eg. max. 10 min precipitation is greater than 5 mm)
o Exceed lower limit (water level be less than 2.4 m)
o Parameter is above set reference
o Parameter is between user limits
o Parameter rate is bigger than configured value (ascending, descending)

Data Logger Setup Software

DA9000 data logger unit is equipped with Windows CE operating system
and an acquisition software that makes possible the acquisition of each
sensor connected to the device and allow to store acquired data in unique
memory locations. The software may store raw data or make some
elaborations like average, minimum and maximum calculations over a
specified interval and so on. It may manage alarm and/or warning
conditions and automatically inform the user if these happens. In other
words the DA9000 data logger unit has a flexible acquisition software that
obviously needs to be properly configured by the end user.
The configuration of the software is merely an XML file, named
CNF.XML, whose content describes the operations that the acquisition
software will do. This file can be edited by a simple text editor but this
probably would be a boring and perhaps complicated task; to make it easy,
we have developed the DA9000 setup software that guides the user in data
logger configuration. With the setup software the user easily can:

Add a sensor to the configuration of the data logging system and specify each parameter that
describes the sensors characteristics (like physical acceptable values for the input range, unit of
measure, associated analog channel in the case of an analog sensor, communication protocol in
the case of a sensor connected via serial cable, number of decimal digits to represent data and so
on)

Add the acquisition time for each channel

Add elaborations of specified data of channels

Add validation strategies of the acquired data and of the elaborations

Add memorizations of the acquired data and of the elaborations

Add the interval of time between two successive memorizations of the acquired data and of
the elaborations

Add the management of alarms and warnings on specified values of data acquired

Establish a connection with a data logger (both cable and remote via GSM or GPRS with a
TCP/IP tunnel on a specified server)

Receive a configuration from data logger

Send a configuration to a data logger

Request the values of measures and parameters like station ID or firmware versions

Request the status of the memory location areas and manage these areas

Send commands to data logger

The way the setup software permits to write down a configuration file is very intuitive: once pressed
New in the File menu the user has in front two windows, one which will contain the configuration and
the parameters to change, and a second one which will contain a list of predefined sensors and boards
that can be connected to the DA9000; this second window represents in effect a library of sensors and
boards that can be used to build up a configuration quickly and easily. The next figure will show the
library window (It has been used an Italian release of the software to make the screenshot although
multilanguage version will be available; in particular it maybe available an Ukrainian or Russian user
interface according to the customer requests).
As shown in the figure, you have a graphical representation of sensors and, to build a configuration, you
have to merely select a sensor, drag it over the first window and drop here like a normal drag and drop
operation. In the first window now you have accessible all the parameters to configure the specified
sensor or include elaborations and memorizations of measured data. The same apply if you select a
board in the library. Once you have chosen sensors and boards and specified all the parameters in
configuration, you have just to save via menu to obtain the XML file mentioned above.
You can also receive the configuration directly from the data logger, once established a link with it, and
save it in XML file format. You can then send the configuration directly via configuration software..
The software user interface is very simple and user friendly besides to be similar to most of windows
commercial software user interface. Its suitable to use it with laptop and PDAs.
Self-diagnostics & On-line control
The acquisition software of DA9000 data logger can manage alarms or warning state conditions that
can be associated at any channel or sensor. The data logger is then able to send short messages (SMS)
via a GSM modem to inform the user of the alarm or warning condition. This feature permits the
monitoring of critical quantities like the battery level, the voltage drop at a solar panel terminal, the
internal temperature of a weather cabin or the open door on/off contact in such cabins. All these features
makes it possible to build a system that is self controlled.
Another step in self diagnostic is the presence of an external watchdog that monitor the operation of
the data logger in two ways:

Monitor the operation of the acquisition software

If the acquisition software stops functioning the watchdog monitor restart the data logger after
10 minutes of stop condition.

Monitor the battery level and house-keeping parameters

If the battery level falls down 10.5V the watchdog turns off the entire system to prevents
damages to the batteries. It automatically turns on the entire system when the battery level rise
up about 11V. Additionaly will be acquired and controlled the status of other house-keeping
parameters, among other: enclosure internal temperature, door satus (open / close), mins status
(Power On / Off) and solar panel.

These features, with the remote communication capabilities, make the DA9000 data logger a self
diagnostic on line controlled system.
Remote monitoring station maintenance
As mentioned above the DA9000 stations can completely be monitored via remote link like a TCP/IP
connection (in this case the system take advantage of a tunnel connection over a server). This possibility
allow the remote configuration of the station and software updates.
Besides remote monitoring capabilities, there are also remote maintenance capabilities allowed by the
use of appropriate commands sent by the configuration software. This commands are protocolled by
the configuration software to ensure robustness and correctness of the message sent, and then
transmitted over the medium chosen, maybe a serial cable or a TCP/IP connection just to mention some
possibilities. The protocolled message is received, decoded and interpreted by the data logger that will
respond via the same medium and protocol. The proprietary protocol used in communication is called
store & forward and consist of a frame of bytes which controls synchronization over the message bytes,
addressing (address of the station called and of the center who calls the station), various information
like the length of the message, the message itself and a 16bit CRC protection code. The protocol is
entirely managed by the software and is completely transparent to the user to allow a simple remote
maintenance of the data logger.
For detailed technical characteristics, please refer to Technical datasheets.