adding peripherals to dcs · 1.7 03/21/2017 added in examples for hpr plus and biomark 601 readers...

For help, write to: [email protected] or call 512-808-0FIN (0346)

Adding Peripherals to DCS Data Collection Station Application

Big Fin Scientific

1.0 4/20/2015 Initial Release

1.1 1/29/2016 Added Peripheral Troubleshooting Section

1.2 2/4/2016 Added Caliper Support Section

1.3 11/18/2016 Added in SATO Label Printer Section

1.4 02/09/2017 Updated Caliper Support Section with note on how to connect if running android 5.0

1.5 02/10/2017 Name Change from DFS to DCS

1.6 03/09/2017 Added in section on different jumper settings for RN-270M

1.7 03/21/2017 Added in Examples for HPR Plus and Biomark 601 Readers

1.8 03/22/2017 Added additional settings info for the HPR plus

1.9 03/23/2017 Added Graphic for HPR Output format in Device Settings

1.10 07/10/2017 Added Additional Info Covering BluePort XP Configurations

Adding Peripherals


Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3

BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3

SERIAL SETTINGS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3

BLUETOOTH SERIAL ADAPTERS .............................................................................................................................................. 3

BLUETOOTH ADAPTER DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................... 4

CONFIGURING THE ADAPTER ............................................................................................................................................ 5

TURNING ON THE ADAPTER .............................................................................................................................................. 8

STATUS: SEEKING CONNECTION ...................................................................................................................................... 8

STATUS: CONNECTED ........................................................................................................................................................ 8

CONNECTING A SCALE, PIT-TAG READER OR OTHER PERIPHERAL TO DCS.................................................................. 9

CONNECTING AND USING A LABEL PRINTER ............................................................................................................... 18

USING YOUR PERIPHERALS IN DCS MEASUREMENT VIEW ................................................................................................ 19

METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................ 20

TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................................................................................................................................. 22

CONNECTING THE BIOMARK 601 PIT TAG READER ......................................................................................................... 27

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 29

Adding Peripherals


Introduction

This document will explain the procedures necessary to add peripherals (scales, PIT-tag readers, etc) to the Data

Collection Station Application.

For instructions on the use of the Application in general, download the “User Manual: DCS” from

www.bigfinscientific.com.

Background

Peripherals which transmit and/or receive “serial” data can be connected to the Data Collection Station

Application. Examples of serial data protocols are: RS-232, RS-485, USB and Bluetooth Wireless, among others.

The primary method by which to make the signal connection to the Data Collection Station application is via

Bluetooth, since this method requires the least amount of additional hardware (sometimes none). The other

available method is via USB, in-conjunction with the Big Fin I/O Hub and possibly RS-232-to-USB adapters,

depending on your hardware.

This document will cover how to connect to your devices using Bluetooth, or BT for short. If your serial

peripherals (a scale, for example) does not have BT built-in, we’ll use a USB or RS-232-to-Bluetooth adapter.

Serial Settings

For the DCS application, you’ll need to use the following serial settings (which are set on each of your peripheral

devices):

Data bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1 (one)

Flow control: none

Bits per second: 9600

Bluetooth Serial Adapters

In this document, we’ll assume you have a scale which does *not* have Bluetooth built-in. In order to “BT-enable”

your scale, we’ll use a Bluetooth “dongle” or adapter which makes the translation from RS-232 (wired serial) and

BT (wireless serial). It translates in both directions.

Adding Peripherals


Bluetooth Adapter Description

We use the following adapter: Microchip RN-270M (previously Roving Networks, now Microchip).

Technical information on this adapter can be found here: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/rn-

bt-srl-um-1.0r.pdf

We chose this adapter chip because it can be powered either by DC adapter or by batteries, allowing for

unplugged operation. The picture above shows the ‘Firefly’ style of this adapter. There is also a “BluePortXP” style

adapter that is shown in the picture below.

Both adapters use the same internal Bluetooth chip. However, the jumpers are configured slightly differently which

will be shown in the “Configuring the Adapter” section of this document below.

WARNING: Do not use a DC power adapter with the module at the same time as using Alkaline batteries.

Use only NiCad batteries in conjunction with a DC power adapter.

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/rn-bt-srl-um-1.0r.pdf

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/rn-bt-srl-um-1.0r.pdf

Adding Peripherals


Configuring the Adapter

There are some dip-switches and some jumpers on the unit which you must set properly. If the unit comes from

us, these switches and jumpers will already be set for you.

Top dipswitch settings. Switch 4 is set to “on”.

“FireFly” Dipswitch Configuration

“BluePortXP” Dipswitch Configuration

Adding Peripherals


Internal “jumper” settings. Position the jumpers as shown.

“FireFly” Jumper Configuration “BluePortXP” Jumper Configuration

The jumpers are accessed in the same fashion as accessing the batteries. On the “Firefly” devices, carefully remove

the bottom cover and the jumpers will be accessible. On the “BluePortXP” devices, remove both Philips head

screws on the back of the device with a small screwdriver and then carefully remove the back cover of the device.

You may need some small pliers or screwdriver to remove the jumpers.

Note: This is the default Female DB9 jumper setting that will most likely work with your peripherals. However, it is possible

that you need to try an alternate jumper setting named Male DB9 described on the next page.

Adding Peripherals


The Male and Female DB9 connectors have different pin-outs. This can be seen in the diagram below.

Since the Male and Female DB9’s pin-outs differ, it is possible that you need to try a different jumper setting if you

are not getting any data out of your Firefly device. The jumper settings that we use are shown below. The one on

the right (Female DB9) is the default setting. However, if this does not work, try using the Male DB9 configuration

shown on the left. An orange LED on the RN-270M will flash when data is seen coming across the RS232 port.

“Firefly” Jumper Configuration Diagrams

Adding Peripherals


“BluePortXP” Jumper Configuration Diagrams

If you are still not getting any data out of your device after trying both of these settings on the respective device.

Contact [email protected] for additional troubleshooting.

Turning on the Adapter

The adapter is turned on and off via the red button on the top of the unit on the “Firefly” devices. To turn the

unit on, hold the red button until you start to see the LEDs start flashing (green and blue alternating), then release

the button. Holding it further will cause the unit to go into a special mode, so release the button as soon as you

see the lights. To turn the unit off, hold the button down until the lights flash and then turn off.

For the “BluePortXP” devices, there is an ON/OFF switch located on the side of the unit that switches the unit on

and off.

Status: Seeking Connection

After power-on, the unit will be in “ready to connect” mode. A green LED will blink, twice per second for about

15 seconds, then once-per-second for about 3 minutes. The twice-per-second is a special mode which is not used

and which automatically turns off after the 15 seconds. If the unit does not create a connection within 3 minutes,

it shuts itself off. The ability to connect is the same during both the twice-per-second and once-per-second

period; you can treat them as the same status.

Status: Connected

When the unit has created a connection with another BT device (explained below), the green LED on the adapter

lights solid (no blinking). If the adapter loses the connection, it will revert to blinking and seeking a connection for

3 minutes before shutting itself off.

mailto:[email protected]

Adding Peripherals


Connecting a Scale, PIT-Tag Reader or other Peripheral to DCS

Currently supported peripherals are scales and PIT-tag readers, but more peripherals will be supported soon (GPS

antennae, salinity readers, for example). Any peripheral with a serial output can be connected to the DCS

application. We’ll use a scale as our example peripheral, but the same connection methodology applies to the

other peripheral types.

In order for DCS to understand what your scale is sending (and to be able to send commands to your scale), DCS

will need to know which scale you’re using and need the command-set for that scale. Luckily, this is easy, after the

first time. If you don’t see your scale type on the selection list, please write us with a description of your scale and

we’ll add that scale command-set (or “driver”) to the application, so the next time you update your DCS

application, you’ll see your scale in the list.

The “driver” for your scale is independent of Bluetooth or other method of scale

communication connection. Bluetooth / USB or other connection protocol is like

establishing a phone line with your device, whereas the “driver” is akin to the

language used when speaking over the phone line.

A serial cable is not required, but allows the BT adapter to be located someplace removed from the scale. Often

times, scales are exposed to the elements, in which case the BT adapter should be linked via a cable and located

Straight-

Through

Serial

Cable

Adding Peripherals


away from the “action”, as the adapters are not waterproof. Wrapping a ziplock bag around the BT adapter and

taping it or zip-tying it to a secure location is a typical approach.

If you have a hardware configuration which does not allow for this type of

approach, please contact us for help. We’ll be able to advise you as to which

adapters or cable combinations to consider.

Note: Set your scale communication mode to “print”, wherein weight data is sent

on-command. Other options, like “continuous” where weight data is sent

continuously, will not work.

Adding Peripherals


Making the BT Connection in DCS

Now that you have the hardware configured, here’s how you connect your peripheral in the DCS application:

Go to the General Settings | Basic area of the application.

Click on “Select Scale”

A selection list of available scale types will appear. If yours is not on this list, please write to:

[email protected] and include your make/model of scale.

You’ll then be presented with a list of available BT devices, similar to this:


Adding Peripherals


The BT adapters we’re using are called “FireFly” and “BluePortXP” devices. In this example, you would

select the FireFlyBP device. If you have more than one FireFly, you can determine which FireFly is which

using the 4-digit code to the right of the Hyphen in the BT name, shown above in this example as:

“7FD9”. That code will also be on a sticker on the side of the adapter, shown below. The code for the

BluePortXP devices can be found on the barcode sticker on the top of the device.

If this is the first time you’ve attempted connection with the FireFly device, you will probably receive a

message similar to this:

Click on “Pair”. If the application asks for a pairing code, enter “1234”.

After the connection is completed, you’ll see the device name under “Select Scale”.

Adding Peripherals


Repeat this process for other peripherals, such as a PIT-tag reader. In this example, our PIT-tag reader

has BT built-in and is the Biomark HPR Plus reader.

On the HPR Reader, change your settings to the following by going to the Device Settings:

Note: The Tag Format can be put in HEX or DEC mode. Be sure to enable Bluetooth and set Tag Record Format

to Tag Only. Also, remember to set the Baudrate to 9600.

Adding Peripherals


Select “Connect PIT-tag reader” from the DCS General Settings menu.

Select your device from the list. If your device is not available, please contact us (see above for contact

info.)

Now in order to make reads press on the READ button on the HPR Plus to activate continuous reading

mode.

Adding Peripherals


Repeat a similar process to connect Bluetooth compatible calipers to the DCS Android application.

Note: The following example uses calipers with built-in Bluetooth technology. If you are interested in purchasing

these calipers, you can find them at the following link: http://www.industrialtooling.co.nz/products/syl5012.

Caliper pairing is only supported on Android OS 5.0 or higher. You can check the OS your tablet is running by

navigating to “About Device” in the General Settings on your tablet

Make sure your calipers are able to be found by turning on the Bluetooth signal. In this example,

Bluetooth is turned on by pressing “MODE” several times to bring up the screen that says “bt” which

stands for Bluetooth.

http://www.industrialtooling.co.nz/products/syl5012

Adding Peripherals


For this particular set of calipers, Bluetooth is turned on by pressing “SET” while in this “bt” screen to

navigate to the On/Off signal switch.

A symbol for Bluetooth should appear on the Caliper screen to indicate that the Bluetooth signal is

turned on. Typically, the symbol blinks when the device has the Bluetooth signal on but not paired and the

symbol stays solid when there is a successful pairing.

Adding Peripherals


Select “Connect Calipers” from the DCS General Settings menu if you are running android 6.0 or higher.

Note: If you are running Android OS 5.0, then you must first reset the Bluetooth on the calipers and then connect

to them through the Tablet Bluetooth settings. The calipers will not work on Android OS 5.0 if they are just

connected through the DCS General Settings. They must be paired/connected through the Tablet Settings first

before connecting to the calipers through the DCS General Settings.

Select your device from the list. If your device is not available, please contact us (see above for contact

info.)

Important Note Regarding Calipers: Caliper pairing ONLY works on Android OS 5.0 or higher. You can see

what OS your tablet is running by navigating to your tablet’s Settings -> About Device.

Adding Peripherals


Connecting and Using a Label Printer

Another type of peripheral that can be connected to the Android application is a Bluetooth enabled printer. The

process for connecting the printer is similar to the other peripherals. However, there is an additional step that the

user must take to set up the label formatting. This printer is the SATO MB200i Bluetooth model. If you are using a

SATO printer similar to this one, you may need to set initial printer settings to format for the correct label size,

contrast, and off-set settings. This can be done by using the SATO All-In-One Tool which can be found at the

following link: http://www.satoworldwide.com/software/all-in-one-tool.aspx

In order to connect the Bluetooth Label Printer, navigate to Application Settings in the Android application and

find the option for “Select SATO BT Printer”

http://www.satoworldwide.com/software/all-in-one-tool.aspx

Adding Peripherals


Once you have established a connection to the printer, open a study that you want to use the printer in by

selecting the study from the Study List page. Now, create two fields named “Sample ID” and “Sample Type” in

the measurement view of the study. These fields are NOT case-sensitive; however, they do need to contain those

exact names for correct printer functionality.

These two fields will be printed on each label along with a QR code containing the record information and are

shown in the picture above. The Sample Type contains a custom value that the user can use for each record

throughout the study. The Sample ID field will print out a generated unique alpha-numeric value that can be used

as a record identifier. This field cannot be filled out with a custom value. The printer is currently configured to

print out a new label for every specimen recorded.

The picture above shows a printed example of one of the labels. Sample ID is located on the top line of the label,

followed by the Study Name, Record Timestamp, and then finally the customizable Sample Type field. The

printer is set to print on 1”x 2” labels. The QR code located on the left side of the label can be read with any QR

reader and contains the information shown on the label.

Using your Peripherals in DCS Measurement View

Adding Peripherals


Now that you have your peripherals attached, here’s how to use them during fish-data capture:

Methodology

During data-taking, in the Measurement View, you can take data from your peripheral via two general methods.

We’ll use a scale for our example.

1) Pushing data from scale (clicking “print” on many scales causes the weight data to be sent out the serial

port.) This is useful if a person is operating the scale and wishes to control when the weight data is sent.

2) Pulling data from the scale (the DCS application will send a command to the scale, asking for the weight

data and the scale responds). This is useful for remote operations of the scale, such that the fish-board

operator can take scale data without an additional person or interacting w/ the scale.

The DCS application is “waiting” on the communication channel which has been established with the scale, such

that any “push” of data from the scale will be received and entered into the weight field of your current record.

Subsequent “pushes” will erase that data and replace it with the new, without the need for deletion of the field

value.

In this example, the fish is placed on a scale and allowed to settle.

The fish is shown below after having been moved to the fish-board for length-measurement. The order of

operations is flexible.

Zooming in on the DCS Measurement View, we see the weight value has been populated to the Weight field.

Adding Peripherals


Note that the PIT tag number had already been scanned. This was accomplished by waving the antenna ‘wand’

over the fish containing the PIT tag.

As with the scale, the DCS application is waiting on the communication channel which has been established with

the Tag reader, looking for anything which looks like a tag number to come across. Once received, the tag

number is populated to the Tag field of the current record. If the tag number is the last field required to finalize

the fish record, the record is stored and a new record is started. If not, any further tag numbers received will

overwrite the tag field value automatically.

Adding Peripherals


Troubleshooting

Tablet won’t connect to Peripheral Devices.

1.) Navigate to the Settings Application on your tablet.

2.) Tap on “Bluetooth Tab” to get into Bluetooth menu and then tap the “On/Off” button to toggle

Bluetooth off and then back on for the tablet (this helps reset device pairing).

Note: If your Bluetooth switch is stuck in the “Off” position and will not switch to “On” position when you click on

it, then you need to Power your Tablet ‘Off’ and back ‘On’ then navigate back to your Bluetooth Settings in the

Settings Application. This switch tends to get stuck on Logic Fieldbook Tablets.

3.) Once you have toggled your Bluetooth switch back to the “On” position, look for your Bluetooth

peripheral (dongle) device under the “Available Devices” section of the page.

Adding Peripherals


Note: If you do not see your device, turn your Bluetooth device (dongle) off and back on by holding the red button

located on the dongle for a few seconds. The dongle’s LED light should begin blinking to indicate that it is ready to

be paired with. If the device does not appear under “Available Devices” at this point, tap “Search for Devices” to

look for the device.

4.) Tap on the Device under “Available Devices” to Pair it with your tablet once you have found the

device.

5.) The following window should appear if this is the first time you have successfully paired your tablet

with the Bluetooth device. The PIN for our Bluetooth devices is “1234” or “0000”. Try “1234” first to

pair with the device. Press “OK” after you have typed in the PIN and the device should pair successfully

with the tablet

Adding Peripherals


6.) After pairing with the device in your Settings Application, navigate back to the Big Fin Scientific

Application.

Adding Peripherals


7.) Tap on the menu button in the top left corner of the application to show the drop-down menu.

8.) In the drop-down menu tap on “Application Settings.”

Adding Peripherals


9.) In the “Application Settings” under the “Basic” section, click on the type of device that your Bluetooth

dongle is attached to. In this example, the type of device is a Scale.

10.) Allow the Big Fin Scientific Application some time to find your Bluetooth Device and then tap on the

Bluetooth Device in the dialogue window.

Note: If the Big Fin Scientific Application does not find your Bluetooth device after 15-20 seconds, tap “Cancel” in

the dialogue box and then toggle the Bluetooth Peripheral Device off and back on to reset it. After toggling the

Bluetooth Peripheral Device back on, click on the type of device you are connecting to in the “Basic” section in the

“Application Settings” again to begin searching for the Bluetooth signal again. If it still doesn’t find the device, make

sure your Bluetooth is turned on in your “Settings Application” on the Tablet. If you are having trouble turning

Bluetooth on using the toggle button on your Tablet, reset the tablet. (Refer to Step 2 Note)

Adding Peripherals


11.) A dialogue window will open which will tell you recommended Baud rate among other specifications.

Press “OK” on this window. You are now successfully connected to the Bluetooth device and can make

counts with it.

Note: If you are still unable to connect to a certain Bluetooth peripheral device. Make sure to reset the tablet and

repeat these troubleshooting steps again. If you reset your tablet and go through these steps again are still unable

to connect to your Bluetooth device, please contact [email protected]

Connecting the Biomark 601 Pit Tag Reader


Adding Peripherals


The configuration you will use will be the male or female DB9 (default configurations) on the Firefly device (See

page 6).

There are settings on the Biomark 601 reader as well which can be accessed by tapping on the 'Menu' button on

the reader. Keep pressing 'Menu' until you get to "RS-232 Settings."

From here, press the DOWN arrow and make sure to change the settings on the reader to BR = 9600 bd,

Databits = 8 bits, Parity = None, Flow Control = Off. Try both the Male and Female DB9 configuration on

the Firefly Bluetooth converter and see which jumper setting gives you an orange LED when a Pit Tag is

scanned. You can also connect Tag reader up to Bluetooth terminal and scan tags to make sure you are

getting tag data out of it.

There are a lot of different formats you can give the Biomark 601 reader to output tags. We need to make

sure your settings will match with the settings within the Big Fin Scientific Application.

Adding Peripherals


Press 'Menu' on Biomark 601 Pit Tag reader until you get to Mid-Code Format and then press the DOWN

arrow.

In the Mid-Code Format section change your settings to the following:

# Format = Hex or Dec* (Either Should be Supported)

City Code = Alpha

Lead 0's = No

Duplicts = Yes (Shouldn't matter, if you don't want to be able to grab the same tag value twice then

set to NO)

Delimitr = . (dot)

DB Flag = Off

TimeDate = OFF

RSRV FLD = OFF

C/M Code = ON

1st Char= None

Tag Type = None

Once these are set, connect to your Pit Tag reader through Application Settings in the DCS application.

Select the Biomark HPR when you connect. Now the reader should work.

Questions and Comments

With so many hardware configurations available, it’s impossible to cover all the possibilities. If the examples

contained in this document are insufficient for your system setup, please contact us for help at the number or

email address below. Thank you for being a Big Fin Scientific customer!

[email protected] or 512-808-0346 (8080-FIN).

adding peripherals to dcs · 1.7 03/21/2017 added in examples for hpr plus and biomark 601 readers...

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