SonTek/YSI Argonaut-XR Technical Manual - HydroScientific West

Appendix 4. Analog Output Option for Argonaut SL/XR Systems
A4.1. Introduction
Argonaut Operation Manual Firmware Version 7.9 (May 1, 2001)
SonTek/YSI
Beginning with Argonaut firmware version 7.9 (April, 2001), the ability to output data in an
analog format was added to Argonaut SL and XR systems. This appendix describes the Analog
Output (AO) option and operational considerations.
A4.2. Overview of the Argonaut SL/XR Analog Output Option
The AO implementation in the Argonaut can store and output up to eight different AO channels,
each configured individually. You can select a different output variable for each channel. Nine
output variables are available – flow, velocity magnitude, level, X-velocity, Y-velocity, average
amplitude, pressure, temperature, and cell end location. When you are using more than one
serial-to-AO converter (described in §0 and hereafter referred to as Converter), each Converter
must be configured for a unique address (1 through 8).
The following commands have been added to support the AO option.
AnalogOutputType or AOT [DISABLED|CURRENT|VOLTAGE]
• Sets the type of output to either CURRENT (4-20 mA) or VOLTAGE.
• When set to DISABLED, the analog output is not performed.
SetupAnalogOutput or SAO [Chan OutParam MinVal MaxVal] | [Chan RESET]
• Sets or displays the AO processing parameters.
• Chan is the channel number (1 through 8) of the Argonaut.
• OutParam is the desired analog variable you wish to output. The acceptable parameters are
VELX (current velocity of the X component), VELY (current velocity of the Y component),
VELMAG (velocity magnitude), AVGAMP (average signal amplitude), TEMP (water temperature),
PRESS (pressure), LEVEL (of water above Argonaut; only available with verticalbeam
systems), FLOW (not yet implemented), and CELLEND (end location of cell; only
available in systems with a pressure sensor).
• MinVal and MaxVal are the minimum and maximum parameter limits. The reason for
specifying the limit values is to allow you to obtain more accurate readings for your
particular environmental conditions. For example, the velocity magnitude range for the
Argonaut current meter is from 0 to 1000 cm/s. These values correspond to the
Converter’s limits of 4 and 20 mA, respectively. However, if the expected velocity
magnitude is >125 and