CSD - Generic ASCII Data Logger

All items that are defined in QINSy are available for output in a user-defined ASCII file.

The content and format of the log file is defined using the Generic Layout Editor.

The Generic Layout Editor must have a template database, or recorded database selected, because only items in the database are available for selection in the Editor, e.g. dredging sensor items can only be selected when a Dredging Sensor system is present in the database.
The Editor can be configured to present values, alphabetically, numerically and/or alphanumerically, for virtually every item (parameter) used in QINSy.
The layout is entirely configurable in terms of: position; font; font style, size and color; units; formats; operators; translations.
Please refer to Help pages, and to Generic Layout Editor in the Knowledge Base for an explanation of each and every parameter.

The Editor is used in similar fashion for multiple purposes:

To define the content and format for an output driver to be sent via serial, UDP or TCP connection to third party software, e.g. dredger's PLC.
To define the content and format for an output data string to a log file (ASCII data file).
To create custom displays for viewing various data when Online during data acquisition.
To define the content and format for a data export to file.

In this section the main focus relevant to the Setup and Interfacing of QINSy is on dredging parameters selected for:

Purpose #2 - Generic Data Logger.

The procedures are the same for all purposes. The example in this section is for a log file.

On this page:

Also of interest (in the Generic Layout Editor):

A Note on Item Properties

The following dialog box, or something very similar, is shown for many sub-items.

For help with some of these parameters refer to (in the Generic Layout Editor):

A Note on Translation

On many pages you will see the Translation parameter in the Properties pane. Clicking on the

button opens a page where the input field can be translated to an output field.
This can be useful if for example RTK status range = 14 to 19 and as a user this should all be represented as RTK STATUS. Another option is to transform an ID number into a vessel name or vice versa.

Use Add to create a translator. In the input field type the exact string as it is received. In the output string type the exact string as it should be sent out (driver) or written to file.

Important note that if a combination of an operator and translator is used, the translator should appear at the end. Otherwise a different result will be output.

Three functionalities:

Normal Translate: Input is one value and output another. For example the input in the picture above is a numeric identifier and the output is text describing the parameter.
Value when there is no data: This value will be displayed or output when the item has no data at all.
REPLACE / BY keyword: Special TRANSLATION Input Property: "REPLACE".
The Output field expects format xBYy. This means that all existing 'x' characters will be replaced by character 'y'.
For example: If you want to output a gyro heading value of 45.12° with a comma as decimal separator, use Translation property:
Input: REPLACE
Output: .BY,
The results will be 45,12°
Multiple REPLACE keyword supported in the Translation property. Use keyword REPLACE1, REPLACE2..REPLACE10.

1) Keyword 'REPLACE' and 'BY' must be in capitals.

2) All characters (inclusive SPACES) in front of keyword 'BY' will be replaced by the characters (inclusive SPACES) after keyword 'BY'.

For an example see the following page: CSD - Generic ASCII Data Logger Example.

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