User guide

Chelsea Technologies Group
FAST
tracka
User Guide HB179 Issue 7.0
Page
31
of
47
5.3.6 Programmed Acquire Menu
Programmed Acquire Menu is a sub-menu of Run Menu, and is used to generate wakeup tables
which the FAST
tracka
reads to acquire data over long timescales. By correctly programming
wakeup tables and setting the Programmed Acquire option in motion, the FAST
tracka
will set itself
to sleep for a predetermined time, wake up when the time is correct, execute a predetermined
protocol, and go back to sleep until the next appropriate wakeup time. Used in this way, the
instrument can stretch its operational lifetime on a single battery into several months by spending
the interim time a sleep instead of idling.
Programmed Acquire uses a table of wakeup times which are sequentially programmed into an
alarm clock which, while system power is off, monitors and compares the present time to the
preset wakeup time, and issues a wakeup call when the two times match. The table may be
constructed by the user either by programming in a series of discrete times, dates and
protocols, or automatically by selecting a start time, a sleep period, a number of wakeups, and a
protocol.
If a user forces a wakeup and is manually running the FAST
tracka
when a wakeup is scheduled,
that wakeup time will be missed but still retained in the wakeup table. If the table is not further
modified, at the next request to sleep the FAST
tracka
will purge the table of any missed wakeups
and proceed with the next programmed future wakeup.
To take the FAST
tracka
out of Programmed Acquire mode necessitates holding down the 0 key
on the terminal whilst forcing a wakeup with the magnet, until the Main Menu is observed. If a
power glitch occurs the FAST
tracka
may exit out of the program into the TT7 prompt, this will
require the user to type RUN and press the enter key.
Programmed Acquire Menu has 6 options:
=======================
Programmed Acquire Mode Menu
=======================
1. Print Schedule Table
2. Edit/Set Discrete Wakeup Dates/Times
3. Set Regular Wakeup Dates/Times
4. Delete Entire Wakeup Table
5. Delete a Schedule Entry
6. Send FRRF to sleep for future wakeup
0. to Return
Programmed Acquire Options:
1. Print Schedule Table: Selecting this option displays the current wakeup table. The user
is shown a list of currently programmed wakeup dates, times and protocols.
2. Edit/Set Discrete Wakeup Dates/Times: Selecting this option allows the user to program
into the instrument discrete wakeup times. Entries which are added are automatically
sorted in chronological order.