# Presentation: 727427

## Data Acquisition Considerations in the NCore Monitoring Program

- Nealson Watkins & Lewis WeinstockU.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards

## Data Acquisition System (DAS) Challenges in the NCore Program

- Many parameters per site.
- Trace level gas measurements near level of detection.
- Introduction of less familiar instrument types.
- More frequent requirement for quality control procedures.
- Greater role of automation in calibration and data quality control flagging.
- Potential future demands for near real-time data.
- Rural sites will be complex yet potentially remote.

## Important Elements of an NCore DAS (1 of 2)

- Stable systems that run flawlessly, restart automatically after power outages, and maintain precise time.
- Easily configurable and upgradeable software/firmware with integrated security options.
- Capable of storing and quickly moving large volumes of data through polling and/or pushing.
- Useful on-site displays and record-keeping for operators and auditors.
- Ability to poll and store instrument diagnostics as well as concentrations.
- Multiple backup options to archive data and restore program functions in case of software problems
- Redundant, swappable hard drives.
- Restore programs (Norton Ghost).
- Writeable CDs and DVDs for archive purposes.

## Important Elements of an NCore DAS (2 of 2)

- Flexible connectivity for a wide range of gas monitors, PM samplers, met sensors, calibrators, and other external devices (solenoids, status indicators).
- Digital connection via RS-232, USB, Ethernet.
- Analog connection for legacy devices.
- Remote accessibility for off-site troubleshooting.
- Interfaces with other database applications such as lab management, web support, instrument maintenance records, digital strip charts.
- Powerful and flexible data editing, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
- AQS, AIRNow, agency web sites.

## Analog versus Digital Connectivity

- From the Technical Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network, Version 4:
- “The recommended data acquisition approach for precursor gas monitoring in NCore is a system that records analyzer readings and diagnostic information in digital form.....”

## Digital Connectivity

| Multiple data types can stream across single physical connection (concentrations, diagnostics, status). |  |
| --- | --- |
| No risk of data corruption due to analog noise at very small voltage signal levels. |  |
| D/A calibrations not required.  Data system values always match analyzer values. |  |
| Addressable monitors can be individually interrogated through multi-dropped wiring. Additional flexibility in tracking over-range conditions where analog signal “pegs.” |  |
| Facilitates remote access capabilities. |  |
| Initial configurations can be challenging.  Digital systems can be sensitive to changes in instrument firmware and output formats.   |  |
| Requires some enhanced understanding of communication protocols and connector options. |  |

## Analog Connectivity

| Susceptible to noise affecting the data stream, particularly in precursor gas applications where signal exists at bottom of usable voltage range. |  |
| --- | --- |
| Requires numerous wires to accommodate multiple data channels.  Prone to loose or broken connections. |  |
| Requires analog to digital calibrations to match instrument outputs to DAS readings. |  |
| May not be available on newer instruments or may be an extra-cost option.  Limited output capabilities in some instruments.   |  |
| May limit or prevent acquisition of diagnostic information. |  |
| Familiar and relatively simple to configure in many cases. |  |
| May be only data-out option in older equipment.
 |  |

## Making the Digital Connection Work for You

- Insure that logger RS-232 ports are properly configured.
- Mark your cables and use the right types.
- Fully understand the syntax used by your instruments.
- Utilize latest DAS and instrument firmware.
- Let DAS vendors do some of the legwork for you.
- Troubleshoot configurations in the lab then export to field sites after debugging.
- Make friends with an electronics technician.
- Once you get successful communications, it should always work.

- A recipe for trouble......

- Helpful RxD and TxD lights

## Value of Diagnostic Polling (API-400E O3)Can Identify and Potentially Troubleshoot from Remote Location

- Replace sample flow orifice to clear low flow error message

## Data Acquisition SystemsOverview of Burdens Creek Test Impressions 

***Data Acquisition Systems******Overview of Burdens Creek Test Impressions ***

- Envitech/DR DAS for Windows -(primary)
- Flexible system optimized for digital connectivity and TCP/IP based polling
- Easily monitored and upgraded from remote locations
- Web-friendly services from site and central
- Susceptible to PC-related hardware and software failures
- Data is lost while system is “hung”

- ESC 8816 and 8832 - (Agilaire E-DAS v 5.52) – (secondary)
- Very robust logger hardware and firmware
- Typically easy to set up central and field systems
- Familiar and relatively simple configurations for channels parameters, alarms, signal, status, and control lines
- Useful electronic strip chart and logbook system
- Flexible but cumbersome digital connection architecture
- Diagnostics must be individually configured and consume channel capacity

***(other systems are available: Ecotech, Campbell, EMC, IPS MeteoStar)***

## Envidas for Windows (EFW)

***Envidas for Windows (EFW)***

- PC based system with 64 available channels for analog or digital inputs.
- Access via serial, digital I/O, analog I/O, or other data loggers.
- Standard configurations facilitate digital connectivity with commercially available monitors.
- Real-time data, on the fly corrections, data validation, alarms, diagnostics.
- Multi-site, remote command and control capable (over TCP/IP).
- Easily configurable for internet-based polling via broad-band.
- PC systems need robust hard drive backup capability (RAID - Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks.
- If EFW program “freezes”, all data acquisition is lost (can’t back-poll for missing data).
- Backup DAS should be considered

- Digital I/O & Relay Control

## EFW Tabular Display

- (digital and analog inputs)

- Diagnostic Outputs from all monitors (site and central)

## Real-time Graphical Display (on-site)

## EFW Archive Data Display and Onboard Analysis

***EFW Archive Data Display and Onboard Analysis***

- Access data (past or current) from any site in the network via central console.
- Access data for any variance of time period or frequency; for single or multiple analyzers.
- Display as text and graphically.
- Exportable to AQS, AIRNow, Excel, Word.
- Onboard statistics and basic analysis tools.

## Access via pcAnywhere

- Remote access programs can save time by helping to diagnose instrument problems, solve DAS configuration issues, and support upgrades and patches.

***Access via pcAnywhere***

## Intranet Hosting(share polled data within org)

- Intranet Hosting(share polled data within org)

## Web hosting capabilities

- _[Web hosting capabilities](http://66.15.176.186/envidasweb/)_

## AIRNow FTP Capability with DR DAS Reporter and Server

***AIRNow FTP Capability with DR DAS Reporter and Server***

- Configuring Reported Parameters

## ESC 8816 & 8832 with Agilaire E-DAS

- 99 available data channels for analog and/or digital inputs.
- Up to  four RS-232 ports (option SP if you need to add ports).
- On-site or remote polling through ethernet port (8832).
- Monitoring and controlling of calibrations and instrument status through digital status and relay closures.
- Customizable flagging and alarm programs for automated data quality control.
- Ambient and digital strip chart software to poll, edit, and format data for reports including AQS and AIRNow formats.

## E-DAS Internet Polling Set-Up

- (Firewall needs to allow ports 9881 and 9887)

## HTML Interface on Port 9888

***HTML Interface on Port 9888***

- _[http://65.76.222.131:9888](http://65.76.222.131:9888/)_

## Configuring Digital Channels with ESC 8816/8832

- One or more COM ports must be configured for the Generic Serial Interface (GSI).
- GSI capability must be “turned on” by ESC via a phone call.
- Remember to cold boot the logger!
- 8816 firmware should be newer than v5.35.
- Connect COM port to initial target device.
- Each data channel must be configured with a Data Parse entry to identify text strings and convert to numbers.
- Auto-send entry typically needed to “prompt” devices for data output.
- Compatible with multi-drop analyzer configurations and complex connections through RS-232 switches or “black boxes.”

## Sample Digital Instrument Setup Files

- _Thermo Electron Model 43C SO2 Concentration_
- #01
- NAME:SO2PPM
- HOLDDATA:N
- UNITS:PPM
- INTERVALS:001M,015M,001H
- STORAGE:001D,001D,001D
- DECPOS:0
- TRUNCATE:Y
- GRAPHMIN:0.0
- GRAPHMAX:1000.0
- AUTOSENDTAG:ASKSO2
- AUTOSENDOUTPUT:\xabso2\x0d
- AUTOSENDINTERVAL:010S
- AUTOSENDTIMESKEW:005S*
- PARSETAG:GSO2
- PARSESTART:so2
- PARSECHARSTOID:0
- PARSEIDWIDTH:0
- PARSECHARSTODATA:1**
- PARSEDATAWIDTH:7
- PARSEDATATYPE:F
- PARSECHARSINSTRING:0

- * AUTOSENDTIMESKEW can have an unpredictable effect, may need to experiment.
- ** Data parsing can be tricky, particularly with occasional negatives!

- Deciphering the GSI AutoSend Syntax

- \x = use hexadecimal
- ab = 171
- Thermo Electron convention: 128 + instrument ID [43]
- so2 = so2 [request for SO2 concentration]
- \x = use hexadecimal
- 0d = 13 [ascii code for carriage return]

- AUTOSENDOUTPUT:\xabso2\x0d

## Latest digital wizard files

## Putting It All TogetherBuilding Redundancy into your DAS Configurations

- Consider retention of analog connections when deploying digital-based based DAS.
- Use analog system to monitor voltage outputs (where available) and archive for backup/comparison purposes.
- Need to coordinate status flags and calibration schedules to avoid “spoiling” analog data.
- Configure internal monitor data storage for useful averaging periods (1-minute, 1-hour).
- Manually download during operator visits or remotely.
- Validation during off-line periods can be problematic.
- Document alternative data retrieval procedures in SOP and QAPP before you actually need to report such data.
- EPA station uses Envidas for Windows PC-based system as primary digital system and ESC 8832 logger monitoring analog signals as secondary system.
- TEI and API monitors also configured to store averages.

## Ditch the Dial-up Line

- DSL (EPA primary)

- Cable

- Satellite

- Wireless
- (EPA
- Secondary)

- DAS

- Costs of wireless and/or broadband service will be competitive with dial-up business lines – possible savings of over 50% after modem investment.

- Reduce the time to collect and validate data for users.

## EPA Wireless System using Sprint/NEXTEL