Logging Set-Up Screen

This is normally the first screen used for setting up the S4 Instrument to program logging, cycle times, auxiliary channels, and current vector averaging. When used with the S4A it may also be used to program dual mode operation. In the dual mode set-up, two independent cycles can be selected to meet the investigators needs; for example a simultaneous high frequency directional wave burst file and a periodic averaged current, tide, and CTD file.

Real Time Logging Display Screen

In the Real Time Mode this screen is used to display all measured and calculated parameters. This screen is particularly useful in a port operations office or similar environment where it is desirable to view all data in real time as it is acquired and stored to disk. This screen also displays the status of the internal S4 batteries, the date and time logging was started, the current date and time, and the time remaining for the next data update. This feature can be operated using modems over a network, long fiber optic cable, or remotely via a radio link.

Data Analysis Control Screen

The S4 data files are stored to disc in the PC if the data is acquired in Real Time Mode, or may be downloaded to the PC from internal S4 memory in Autonomous Mode. This screen is then used to control the processing, analysis, and plotting of the data. Upon entering the file name, all details of that particular data file are displayed, as are the sampling options. The user has the choice of processing the entire file, or any portion thereof. This screen then prompts other screens to lead the user through the custom plotting features.

Tabular Data

Upon starting the data file processing analysis by clicking on the start button, the selected data file is presented in spreadsheet form. All data readings are annotated by sample number, date, and time, and are listed in tabular form as processed data. This processed tabular output incorporates all data calibrations, corrections, and offsets entered by the user. The user may print this screen if a hard copy tabular listing of the data is desired. This spreadsheet file may be saved to disc for use with other spreadsheet software such as Excel.

Graphic Output Control

Following creation of the spreadsheet tabular output (described above), clicking on the set-up button presents the user with the graph set-up screen. Five types of graphical presentation are available including overlay, stacked, output, polar plots, straw plot, and progressive vector plot. In each case, the software allows the user to select any of the parameters, and any desired scaling may be applied with this screen.

Data Trend Plotting

An example of the stacked time screen plot is shown in this window. For this particular plot current speed and direction, water depth, and temperature are shown over a period of two weeks. The cyclic tidal influence on all the data is clearly shown. This, as well as other graphical output, is available in real time, or by post-processing previously collected data stored on disc.

Other Plotting Features

As an example of the other plotting features, this window shows a plot of the polar current vectors. In all plotting output, the operator has complete control of the nature of the plot, the scale, the graph titles and annotation, the color selection, and any other features that would idealize the plot for report preparation or Power Point presentation.