USB-5100 Series

Getting Started

Document Revision 3
December 2015
© Copyright 2015

Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
System Requirements ......................................................................................................................................... 3
USB-5100 Series Software Overview ................................................................................................................ 4
Installing USB-5100 Series Software ............................................................................................................................... 4
Installing a USB-5100 Series Data Logger ....................................................................................................................... 4

Working with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers ................................................................................................... 5
Launching the Logger ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Checking Logger Status .................................................................................................................................................... 7
Testing the Logger and Sensors ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Reading out the Logger ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Plotting and Analyzing Data ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Technical support ............................................................................................................................................... 9

GS USB-5100.docx2USB-5100 Series: Getting StartedInstalling USB-5100 Series Software

Introduction
This guide is intended to help you become familiar with the basic functionality of using USB-5100 Series
software with USB-5100 Series data loggers, including:Installing USB-5100 Series software on Windows® and Macintosh®
Connecting USB-5100 Series data loggers
Working with the loggers, including launching, reading out, and analyzing data

This guide applies to both Windows and Macintosh installations; differences in functionality are noted.
For detailed information on all software features, select Help»USB-5100 Series Help to open the USB-5100
Series Software Help. This document is also available at www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/Manuals/USB-5100
Series_Help.pdf.
NoteWindows screen captures in this document are English versions. If you have a version of the software in anotherlanguage, refer to the software for screen renderings.

System Requirements
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PC: Windows 10 (Home, Pro), Windows 8 and 8.1 (Core, Pro), Windows 7 (Pro, Ultimate and HomePremium)
Mac: OS X Versions 10.9.x, 10.10.x and 10.11.x.
Java Runtime Environment (Please note that version 1.6, also known as Java 6, is no longer supported)
1.7.0_17 and above (32-bit or 64-bit on Windows) *.
Adobe Reader is required to view the USB-5100 Series Data Logger Software Help PDF
Screen resolution 1024x768, minimum, 1280x800 or greater recommended
256+ colors
Processor Speed, Memory and Disk SpaceHigh EndMid Range

Low EndLowest EndCPU

2.9 GHz dual core

2.0 GHz dual core

1.8 GHz single core

1.8 GHz single core

RAM

3 GB

2 GB

1.5 GB

1 GB

Disk Space

256 MB+ (see note)

256 MB+ (see note)

256 MB+ (see note)

300 MB

User Model4321

The User Model row suggests some guidelines for using the Processor Speed and Memory table:o User Model 1 – Using USB-5100 Series data loggers only – traditional desktop usero User Model 2 – Using USB-5100 Series data loggers and up to 20 sensors
o User Model 3 – Using USB-5100 Series data loggers and up to 100 sensors
o User Model 4 – Using USB-5100 Series data loggers and up to 200 sensors
Disk Space – Defining the disk space requirements for USB-5100 Series software depends on the proposeduse. The table above describes the disk space needed for a traditional desktop user, allowing for
installation of the program and storage of data files.

*JRE version 1.6 – also known as Java 6 – is no longer supported3

USB-5100 Series: Getting Started

Installing USB-5100 Series Software

USB-5100 Series Software Overview
USB-5100 Series software combines fast, easy logger launch and readout functions with powerful data plotting
capabilities for analyzing environmental conditions recorded with USB-5100 Series loggers. With USB-5100
Series software, you can view data, create graphs, perform analysis, and save projects for future use.

Installing USB-5100 Series Software
Installing on Windows
You must be an administrator to install USB-5100 Series software.
1.

Download the USB-5100 Series software for Windows from www.mccdaq.com/software.aspx.
The Java™ Runtime Environment is required. If the correct Java Runtime Environment version is notalready installed on your computer, the setup program will ask if you want to install it. Click Yes andfollow the prompts. After the Java Runtime Environment is installed, the software installation willcontinue.

2.

Run the USB-5100 Series_Setup.exe installer file and follow the onscreen instructions.

3.

Launch the software by double-clicking the USB-5100 Series icon.

The software is installed by default to \Measurement Computing\USB-5100 Series.
Installing on Macintosh
1.

Oracle Java is available from www.java.com. Download a disk image for the Java Runtime Environment(JRE) for Java 7 or higher and install it before installing the USB-5100 Series software.

2.

Download the USB-5100 Series software for Mac OS X from www.mccdaq.com/software.aspx.

3.

Launch the USB-5100 Series.pkg package file, and follow the onscreen instructions.

4.

Click Restart when you reach the final screen of the installation program. The software does not recognize
your logger until you restart.

5.

After restarting, launch the software by double-clicking on the USB-5100 Series icon in the computer
Applications folder.

Installing a USB-5100 Series Data Logger
Perform the following steps to connect a USB-5100 Series data logger:
1.

Launch the USB-5100 Series software.

2.

Plug the large end of the mini-USB cable into a USB port on the computer.

3.

Plug the small end of the mini-USB cable into the port on the data logger. Refer to the logger hardware user
guide if you need help finding the port.

Windows: When connecting a device for the first time, it may take several seconds to detect the new device andreport that it has connected successfully. A message may display indicating that you need to reboot before you
can use the device – this is optional; you do not need to reboot at this time.

The device name appears in the status bar once it is recognized by the software. The status bar also lists the total
number of devices connected. At this point, you can access the device using the software.
To disconnect the device, unplug it from the USB cable.

4

USB-5100 Series: Getting Started

Launching the LoggerWorking with USB-5100 Series Data Loggers
This section covers the basics of working with USB-5100 Series data loggers, including launching, checking thestatus, reading out data, and plotting data. MCC recommends that you perform a trial launch and readout asdescribed in this section to familiarize yourself with the procedures before you deploy your logger.

Launching the Logger
To launch the logger, complete the following steps:
1.

Click the Launch device toolbar icon.
If more than one USB-5100 Series device is connected to thecomputer, the Select Device dialog box opens:2.

Select the device you want to launch and click OK.

The Launch Logger dialog box opens:5

USB-5100 Series: Getting Started

Launching the Logger

This dialog box is divided into three panes:

Logger Information: The name of the logger currently selected appears at the top of this pane, which also

includes the serial number, deployment number, and current battery level.
Use the Description field to enter up to a 40-character name for the logger deployment. This value is usedas the default file name when you read out the logger and save the data, and is the default title on the plot.
The description is set to the serial number by default.
Click the Status button to see the current status of the logger and the settings used on the previous launch.
Sensors: This pane displays the type of sensor connected to each input channel.
Select the checkbox for each thermocouple sensor to log in this deployment, and enter an optionaldescription if desired.
If you are logging analog data, you can enter a custom three-character unit that displays on the LCD.
o Click the Alarms button to set an alarm to trip when a sensor reading rises above or falls below aspecified value.
o Click the Filters button to create a filtered series for any of the channels you configured. The filteredseries is automatically calculated when data is read out and plotted.
o Click the Scaling button (if available) to open the Data Assistant dialog box. You can run the Linear
Data Assistant to convert a data series from a compatible sensor to some other measurement byentering two raw values and their corresponding measurement values. The conversion must be basedon a linear relationship. Nonlinear scaling is not available.
Deployment: Use this pane to set the logging interval, the logging mode (Normal, Burst, or Statistics), andthe start/stop logging options. Select the Turn LCD off checkbox to turn off the logger LCD.
This pane also displays the logging duration, which is the approximate time it takes to fill the logger
memory based on the logging interval, sensors, and other settings currently selected.

To configure a test launch, select Now from the Start Logging list, select a fast logging interval (such as 30
seconds), change any other settings as desired, and then click Start. The software displays the progress of thelaunch and warns you not to unplug the logger while it is being configured.
Normally, when the launch is finished, you unplug and deploy the logger. For this test, leave the logger plugged
in so you can become familiar with checking the status, reading it out, and plotting data.

6

USB-5100 Series: Getting Started

Checking Logger Status

Checking Logger Status
To check the logger status, click the Device Status toolbar icon.

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The Status dialog box opens:Device Identification: This pane displays the device type, the description entered at launch time, the serial
number, and the firmware version for the logger currently connected.
Device Details: This pane displays specifics about the device, including battery level, memory used, when
it is scheduled to stop logging (if applicable), date of the last launch, the deployment number, logging
interval, current status and current state (if applicable).
Current Readings: This pane shows the latest readings for configured sensors and derived series.
Important: If you frequently check the status during a deployment, battery power is drained more rapidly .
You can significantly reduce the demand on the battery by adjusting the Screen Refresh Interval to fiveseconds or higher.

Testing the Logger and Sensors
Perform the following steps to verify that the logger and sensors are working and recording data properly. Whenyou plot the data, you should see the results of these tests in the graph.
1.

Force a change in the physical condition you are measuring. For example, if you are measuring
temperature, hold the sensor in your hands for a minute or two.

2.

Observe that the Current Readings in the Status dialog box update as the temperature changes.

7USB-5100 Series: Getting Started

Reading out the Logger

Reading out the Logger
To retrieve data recorded by a logger, read out the logger. When reading out, data is copied from the logger to acomputer. You can save the data to a file and view the plot.
During readout, the logger continues to record data unless the logger is stopped or the memory is full.
Complete the following steps to read out the logger:
1.

Click the Readout device toolbar icon.

2.

Select the logger to readout from the Select Device dialog box.
A warning message appears indicating the logger is currently logging.

3.

Click Don't Stop to continue logging, or Stop to end logging before reading out.

4.

After reading out the logger, you are prompted to save the data to file. Type a name, select a location for
the file, and click Save.

The Plot Setup dialog box opens, which is described in the next section.

Plotting and Analyzing Data
After you read out a logger and save the data to file, or any time you open an existing file, the Plot Setup dialogbox opens. Even if you only intend to export the data to another format, you must plot the data first.

The Plot Setup dialog box contains the following information:Description: This field shows the description you entered at launch time. Keep this description or enter anew one. The description is used for the title of the plot.
Select Series to Plot: Select the checkbox for each series that you want to plot on the graph. Use the All
and None buttons to select or deselect all series at one time.
Select Internal Logger Events to Plot: Select the checkbox for each event that you want to plot on thegraph, if applicable. Use the All and None buttons to select or deselect all events at one time.
Offset from GMT: This field shows the offset from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), also known as UTC,
used at launch. Keep the offset shown or change it to a different value.
Data Assistants (if available). You can create new data series by converting logged data to other usefulformats with Data Assistants. Only the Data Assistants supported by that logger type are available in thisdialog box. Select Help»USB-5100 Series Help for more information about using Data Assistants.
Plot Button: Click Plot to display the selected sensor data on a graph.

After you click the Plot button in the Plot Setup dialog box, the data appears in a graph along with otherinformation described below.
8USB-5100 Series: Getting StartedPlotting and Analyzing Data

Points Table: The table above the plot. This table lists all logged data points, including any internal events
if they were selected in the Plot Setup dialog box.
Details Pane: The pane on the left shows detailed information about the series and events currently
displayed, including device information, deployment information, and series statistics.
Graph: The plot displays the series and (if applicable) events selected in the Plot Setup dialog box. If you
ran the test described in Testing the Logger and Sensors on page 7, you should see the variances in sensor
readings and changes in internal state on the plot.
Legend: The legend shows to the right of the plot and displays the key for each sensor, state, and event
series as well as any internal events.

Click the toolbar icons to experiment with the export, print, viewing, and customization tools. Hover the mouse
cursor over each icon to show a description.
IMPORTANT
Make sure you change any test launch settings to your preferred launch settings before deploying the logger.
Select Help»USB-5100 Series Help to open the USB-5100 Series Software Help document that is installed withthe software for more information about the features in this guide and for additional details about the software.
This document is also available at www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/Manuals/USB-5100 Series_Help.pdf.

Technical support
Additional information about USB-5100 Series software is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You
can also contact Measurement Computing Corporation by phone, fax, or email with specific questions.


Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com

Customers outside of the U.S. should contact their local Measurement Computing distributor for support. Referto www.mccdaq.com/sales.asp to locate the distributor near you.

9Measurement Computing Corporation
10 Commerce Way
Suite 1008
Norton, Massachusetts 02766(508) 946-5100
Fax: (508) 946-9500
E-mail: info@mccdaq.com
www.mccdaq.com