DSCUSB Toolkit Manual Strain Gauge or Load Cell Digitiser Module

Chapter 2 Getting Started

Please ensure that software is installed before connecting the device to your PC

This chapter explains how to connect to a DSCSUEASC for the first time and how to get it working.

The ASCII version is supported by a Toolkit software application that is simple to use. If you have any other type of device you must use Instrument Explorer to configure the device.

Note that Instrument Explorer can be used with ASCII devices as well, so if you need more complex configuration than DSC Toolkit offers you can use Instrument Explorer. This can be downloaded from our website at www.mantracourt.co.uk

and is supported by an alternative manual, DSC USB (517-180), which can also be downloaded from our website

Communications Interface Information

DSCUSB devices can connect to a PC by plugging into a USB port and do not require an external power supply as they appear as a ‘single unit load’ i.e. they draw <100mA.

Appropriate drivers must be installed which are bundled with the DSC Toolkit. These create a virtual serial port allowing the DSCUSB to appear to the PC as a normal COM port device.

DSC Toolkit

DSC Toolkit is a simple configuration tool designed specifically for configuring ASCII DSCs. If you have a device with a different communications protocol you will have to use Instrument Explorer.

This toolkit allows configuration, calibration, logging and parameter management of the DSCSUEASC modules.

What Can The Toolkit Do?

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Viewing of input with enunciators for integrity and range errors.

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Two point auto calibration by application of known weight.

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Setting System Zero and under and over range limits.

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Select measurement rate and filter settings.

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Save device settings including user calibration and ability to restore to same or different USB DSC modules.

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Log input value to a CSV file at up to 100Hz which can be analysed in Microsoft Excel.

Installing DSC Toolkit

Install the DSC Toolkit software by inserting the CD in the CD ROM drive. This should start the ‘AutoRun’ process, unless this is disabled on your computer.

(If the install program does not start of its own accord, run SETUP.EXE on the CD by selecting ‘Run’ from the ‘Start

Menu’ and then entering D:\SETUP, where D is the drive letter of your CD-ROM drive).

The installation software pre-installs the required drivers so that they can be automatically found when the hardware is plugged in later on.

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Mantracourt Electronics Limited DSCUSB User Manual