SonTek/YSI Argonaut-XR Technical Manual - HydroScientific West

SonTek/YSI
Section 5. Real-Time Data Collection with ARGONAUT (DOS) Program
The DOS-based ARGONAUT program is used to collect data from an Argonaut in real time, while
the system is connected to a PC-compatible computer. ARGONAUT must be run from DOS with a
minimum 33-MHz 386 processor, 640-KB RAM, VGA graphics, and a hard disk. The program
provides a menu driven format to select Argonaut data collection parameters, a real-time display
of the velocity data, and writes the Argonaut data to binary files on the computer hard disk.
The ARGONAUT program has two display screens: setup and data acquisition. The setup screen is
used to select Argonaut operating parameters. The data acquisition screen provides a graphical
display of Argonaut data, as well as tabular information relating to data collection and recording.
The following paragraphs provide an overview of program operation, show command line
options that can be used to modify program operation, describe the setup and data acquisition
screens, discuss the contents of Argonaut binary data files, and provide information on the
configuration and log files used in conjunction with ARGONAUT.
5.1. Program Overview
When run with no command line options, ARGONAUT first tries to communicate with the Argonaut
on COM1 at 9600 baud. If communication is established, it downloads the current hardware and
user parameters and enters the setup screen.
If communication cannot be established, ARGONAUT loads the hardware configuration information
specified in the file ARGCONF.SEN. This hardware configuration file is provided with the software
for each system and should be located in the same directory from which the software is run. The
hardware configuration file lets you enter the setup screen without being connected to the
Argonaut (but does not allow data collection to be started).
In the setup screen, you can modify operating parameters, view hardware configuration and
performance estimates, specify a recording file name, and start data collection. When data
collection is started, the program sends all user settings to the Argonaut, enters the data
acquisition screen, and begins collecting data. Within the data acquisition screen, you can modify
the graphical display without affecting data collection or recording.
IMPORTANT: At the start of data collection, the Argonaut internal clock is set to match the
computer clock. This time reference is used for all recorded data.
5.2. Command Line Options
Several command line options can be used to alter the operation of ARGONAUT . Options
designated by a single letter (c, f, g, w) change the operation of the data acquisition program;
several multiple character options change the serial communication parameters used to talk to the
Argonaut.
The table below gives the single character command line options used to modify the operation of
ARGONAUT .
Argonaut Software Manual (March 1, 2001) 43