MAQ20-BRDG1

Dataforth does not currently have MAQ20 Toolbox for use with MATLAB, but communication between MATLAB and the MAQ20 is possible by way of one, or both of the following methods:

1.  MathWorks’ Industrial Communication Toolbox supports Modbus TCP/IP and serial RTU.  Use of this toolbox allows for easy communication with the MAQ20 by either ethernet or serial connection.
2. MATLAB supports calling Python libraries.  In combination with the free MAQ20 Python API, communication with the MAQ20 system can easily be accomplished by this method. MATLAB also offers a Python API which allows for MATLAB to be called as a computational engine from Python. 

No license is required to use a MAQ20 system as a stand-alone data logger. Logging to the internal Micro SD Card can be configured either in ReDAQ Shape or through direct Modbus writes to applicable register spaces of a MAQ20-COM module. If operating as a stand-alone data logger, the MAQ20 system should have no interactions with ReDAQ Shape. If ReDAQ Shape is not actively running or connected to the MAQ20 system, then no checks will be made in regards to licensing.

Burst scan mode is intended to be used for debugging and signal profiling purposes. It can not run continuously. Burst scan mode can capture samples to memory in magnitudes of microseconds, but it does not have the ability to read this data back from memory at this same rate.

To date there have been no occurrences of a MAQ20-COMx module being unable to be connected through an Ethernet connection as a result of an issue with the module's internal hardware/firmware. Connectivity issues can occur as a result of one, or a combination of the following factors: incorrect MAQ20-COMx settings, incorrect local network settings, incorrect host computer settings, network security settings, or IP address conflicts. When shipped from factory, MAQ20-COMx modules come with the following default connectivity settings pre-loaded in memory: IP Address: 192.168.128.100 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 127.0.0.1 TCP Port: 502 Assuming the above-listed default settings are not changed, reserve a static IP address of 192.168.128.100 through your local network configuration. Assigning this IP address statically will ensure that no other devices on the network will be able to claim the IP address that is intended to be used by the MAQ20-COMx module. If not using the default IP address, the statically reserved IP address on the local network MUST start with 192.168.xxx.xxx and MUST match the non-default IP address that was saved to MAQ20-COMx module memory located at start address 50. If you need to check the IP address saved at this register address you can connect to the MAQ20-COMx through a USB connection and use ReDAQ Shape to read the register address' contents. This functionality in ReDAQ Shape can be found by clicking the "Read / Write Modbus Registers" sub-tab located after clicking the main "Analyze" tab. No license for ReDAQ Shape is required to use this functionality. Please refer to the note at the bottom of this FAQ for the host computer requirements that MUST be met to allow for connectivity. Alternatively, the MAQ20-COMx module can be set up for Ethernet connection using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). To enable this functionality an IP address of 0.0.0.0 needs to be saved to the MAQ20-COMx's internal IP address register (Start address 50). You can write to this register through direct Modbus commands using the "Write Modbus Registers" feature located under the "Read / Write Modbus Registers" sub-tab in ReDAQ Shape. Changes to this address space will take effect upon power cycling the MAQ20 system. Once in DHCP mode, your local network will automatically assign an available IP address for the MAQ20-COMx module. You will need to access you local network configuration to determine what IP address was ultimately assigned to the MAQ20-COMx module. Once known, you can connect using the assigned IP address. NOTE: In all motioned configurations the host computer that will be used to connect to the MAQ20-COMx module through the Ethernet connection MUST have an IP address of the form 192.168.xxx.xx (I.e. any IP address starting with 192.168. that does not match the one saved at start address 50 of the MAQ20-COMx module). The host computer MUST also have a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0.

The gARP checkbox controls whether Gratuitous ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is implemented during a TCP sessions with the MAQ20. The term gratuitous in this case refers to the fact that such a request/response is not required according to ARP specification. An ARP packet broadcasted as part of an Gratuitous ARP scheme will contain the sender's IP and MAC address. Machines receiving the ARP packet will then update their ARP tables with the received packet's information. This feature is useful for preventing IP conflicts that can cause connectivity issues when communicating with a MAQ20 system over Ethernet.

There are two different versions of ReDAQ Shape software, Developer and User. The Developer version is fully functional with the capability of creating a project, configuring the tools, and setting up the parameters of MAQ20-COM and I/O modules. The User version can only run finished projects created using the Developer version and is for use in applications where a user does not have or should not have the ability to modify a project.

It's not possible to use a single license for multiple MAQ20-COM modules. Software licenses for the Developer and User versions of ReDAQ Shape are uniquely assigned based on the serial number of a purchased MAQ20-COM module. A single MAQ20-COM module can have at most two licenses associated with its serial number; one for Developer and one for User. The User license can only be used with the User Version of ReDAQ Shape and the Developer license can only be used with the Developer version of ReDAQ Shape.

While the MAQ20 was not designed with portability in mind, its compact size and modular design allows for easy transportation and portable usage. Many customers who use the MAQ20 in portable applications prefer to use a dedicated laptop to run ReDAQ Shape through a USB connection. This method of connection eliminates the hassle of setting up a dedicated network connection at each site. Alternatively, other users have taken advantage of the MAQ20's ability to log data directly to an internal Micro SD card without the need for a connected computer.

Two dimensional CAD models can be generated upon customer request. Please contact Customer Service for assistance.

If you are interfacing with a half bridge strain gage, the MAQ20-BRDG1 module contains two internal resistors, each 4.9kohms, that can complete a half bridge, so no external resistors are required. If you are interfacing with a quarter bridge strain gage, you must supply an external resistor that is equal in resistance to the resistance of your strain element, and use the "Half Bridge" completion setting in the module.

Yes, any signal conditioning module series and MAQ20 I/O modules can be hot swapped. A minimal amount of signal settling time may result, but there will be no damage to the device.

The MAQ20-BRDG1 has two methods to compensate for leadwire resistance: remote sense measurement and V/V ratiometric signal representation. Remote sense measurement allows for a six wire connection to the sensor to compensate for errors introduced by leadwire resistance. For V/V ratiometric signal representation, because a Wheatstone bridge output is directly related to the bridge excitation voltage, by using a ratiometric measurement, variations in bridge output due to excitation changes over time, temperature, load, or leadwire resistance cancel out. More details about these are listed in the MAQ20-BRDG1 Hardware User Manual (MA1046).

Yes, any MAQ20 I/O module should automatically register in the system once plugged in. If you are finding that the module is plugged in and not registered, check the diagnostic LEDs on the module to verify that it is receiving proper power. These diagnostic LEDs can also be used to further diagnose any connection issues if the modules are still not registering. For more information, see the hardware manual of the corresponding module, which can be found in the MAQ20 section of our website.

The SD Card Logger in the MAQ20 can function as a standalone data logger once configured. After initiating the log, the system can continue to log data for the rest of the configured data collection period even if it is disconnected from the host PC entirely. However, if you wish to configure another log, you must reconnect the system to the host PC. Any other logging processes with the MAQ20 require connection to the host PC for the entire logging period.

Yes, every function of the MAQ20 can be used as long as you have some way to communicate with the system via Modbus. ReDAQ Shape simply offers a more intuitive and user friendly approach to MAQ20.

Yes, calibration of Dataforth modules is traceable to NIST standards.

The sensitivity is listed on the datasheet to help determine what strain gages/load cells will be compatible with that module. Strain gages do not have a specific voltage output range (i.e. -30mV to 30mV) but rather a voltage output range that varies depending on the excitation voltage applied to the strain gage (its "sensitivity"). Since our strain gage modules have a fixed voltage input range and a fixed excitation voltage, the sensitivity is the most reliable way to determine if a strain gage is compatible with our module. For example, a load cell with a 3mV/V sensitivity will output 30mV at full scale with a 10V excitation voltage, because 3mV/V * 10 V = 30mV. A signal conditioner with a 10V excitation and a -30mV to 30mV input range will be compatible with a load cell of 3mV/V sensitivity.

If you start a standard logging process (i.e. clicking "run" in ReDAQ Shape or "store" in IPEmotion), disconnecting your MAQ20 system from the PC will terminate the log. However, if you use the MAQ20s SD Card Logger, you can start a data log and disconnect the MAQ20 and it will continue to log data until it reaches the end of the log based on the parameters you have specified (number of samples, time interval, etc.)

Yes, it is possible to send a remote setpoint via Modbus/TCP to PID loop running in ReDAQ Shape by writing to the Modbus registers of the MAQ20 hardware. Please see the address map at the end of the MAQ20 PID Controller User Manual

MAQ20 test data sheets are not available on our website. However, test data sheets for purchased MAQ20 modules are available upon request. Please contact our Customer Service Team at sales@dataforth.com

Yes, the version available for download from our website can serve as a demo if you do not have an unlock code. The unlicensed software will run for 30 minutes with full functionality with no license. Once the 30 minutes is up, you can restart the program to reset the 30 minute time for as many times as you would like.

Data logged in the Analyze panel in ReDAQ Shape can be exported to a .txt file or Excel file. The SD Card Logger can generate .csv files as well.

No, we have many customers that use our MAQ20 system 24/7, 365 days a year. We also have a weather station onsite that uses a MAQ20 system continuously running 365 days of the year. Please visit https://www.dataforth.com/maq20-remote-access-viewer.aspx to access the weather station demo.

Yes, refer to the address map of the module you are using which can be found at the end of that module's hardware user manual. There will be a register "Save to EEPROM." Writing the appropriate value as described in the address map to this register will save your module's current settings to EEPROM.

No, the MAQ20 cannot save or export data directly to a SQL database. ReDAQ Shape can export data directly to a .txt, .csv or Excel file, and then the data could be extracted from those files to be uploaded to a SQL database.

The Configuration Software Tool for MAQ20 does not have project files that can be saved. Any adjustments you make to the configuration of your modules through the Configuration Software Tool will be saved to the modules themselves, and not to a file on your PC. It is only a tool to change the settings in the modules themselves.

Currently, the MAQ20 Python API only supports Ethernet connection.

The MAQ20 ideally has equally fast response times regardless of whether you use USB or Ethernet connection. Other variables outside of the MAQ20 can influence this response time however, such as if you are using a USB to Ethernet adapter or if the MAQ20 is part of a larger company network.

There are two places that you can download the USB drivers for MAQ20. If you haven't already downloaded ReDAQ Shape, you will be given the option to download the required USB drivers during the installation process. If you already have ReDAQ Shape downloaded and you somehow lost the USB drivers, you can download them from our website. The USB drivers for the 8B isoLynx SLX300 system are identical with the USB drivers for the MAQ20. Visit this link, scroll down to the "Drivers" section on the page and download "USB (Virtual Comm Port Driver)": https://www.dataforth.com/8Bisolynx_download.aspx

Noise at the output of a module is independent of load resistance.

Unlock keys are generated from the serial number of the COM module of the system that you purchased. These unlock codes are also generated based on how many I/O modules are in the MAQ20 system. You won't be able to run the data acquisition process in IPEmotion unless you have entered the correct unlock code for your system and the I/O module count of your system is equal to or below the allotted I/O module count determined when the unlock code was generated. For example, if you purchased an unlock key for a MAQ20-COM2 with 1 MAQ20-VO, 1 MAQ20-VDN, and 2 MAQ20-BRDG modules, this would correspond to an I/O module count of 4. If you attempted to run the acquisition process with this configuration, it would work perfectly. If you decided to remove the two MAQ20-BRDG modules, you would still be able to run the acquisition process. However, if you were to add a MAQ20-FREQ module to your system, bringing your total I/O module count to 5, IPEmotion will not let you start the data acquisition process until the I/O module count is back to 4 or lower. If you have more than one MAQ20-COM module in your system, it is not necessary to enter additional unlock codes for the extra COM modules.

Unlock codes are generated based on the serial number of the COM module of the system you purchased. If you are running an unlicensed version of ReDAQ Shape you sill have access to all the features of the software, but are limited to 1 hour of usage until the software stops. Entering the unlock code associated with your MAQ20 system will remove the time limit and allow unlimited usage of ReDAQ Shape. You must purchase an unlock code for every COM module you are using in order to have unlimited usage of ReDAQ Shape. Note: Licenses purchased for the Developer version of ReDAQ Shape are not compatible with the User version, and vice versa.

To convert an RMS voltage to its corresponding peak voltage, you simply take the RMS voltage value and multiply it by the square root of 2, or roughly 1.414. For example, 1500Vrms corresponds to a peak voltage of 1500 * 1.414 = 2121 Vp

The MAQ20-COMx module has to be powered through its power connector and it powers the backbone to power the I/O modules. If you powered the backbone too, then that power supply would fight the power supply from the COM module and they would likely damage each other.

Yes, ReDAQ Shape has the ability to directly copy and paste raw data from the "Analyze" tab, without interrupting the acquisition process. However, you must use the "Copy To Clipboard" button located at the top left corner of the raw data table - using keyboard commands or right clicking and selecting "Copy" will not work.

Yes, ReDAQ Shape offers the option to export data to a .txt file or Excel spreadsheet live without interrupting the data acquisition process. Simply click the "Open Data File" or "Open Excel File" button in the "Analyze" panel.

Yes, these options are available in both the User and Developer versions of ReDAQ Shape.

Yes we can provide calibration reports for the modules that you purchased. You can either a) visit https://www.dataforth.com/TestDataReport.aspx to search for Test Report Datasheets by Serial Number or b) you can send us a list of model numbers and their serial numbers to support@dataforth.com

MAQ20 configuration is best performed with ReDAQ Shape software. We do have other software for download as well. Please check out the Software Download Center. Note:The "MAQ20-945 Configuration Software Tool" was replaced with ReDAQ Shape software tool in 2017.