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AntiLog and AntiLogPro option packs

Introduction

There are various option packs available to further extend the feature set in AntiLog or AntiLogPro units. There are two types of option pack available:-

Hardware

Hardware option packs can only be requested and fitted at manufacture. For example, a unit that is not configured with the Forced Power (P option) cannot be later upgraded with this feature using software.

Software

Software option packs can be requested at purchase and can be added after purchase without having to return the unit to the point of sale.

If you wish to upgrade your unit with an option pack after purchase, you can obtain a special upgrade text file from your AntiLog supplier that can be sent out in electronic form. This upgrade file is then simply transmitted to your unit while the unit is in the playback menu system. You can use any standard serial port terminal program to send the file or our dedicated AntiTermPro application.

Available options

The following table lists the current options available for AntiLog and AntiLogPro units. The title in the main AntiLog menu system shows what options are currently installed in a given unit.

AL=AntiLog, Pro=AntiLogPro, H/W=Hardware option, S/W=Software option
Opt Description Type AL Pro
P Forced Power
Starts recording as soon as power is applied (no need to push any buttons).
H/W
G GNSS Simulated Receiver Output
Simulate up to two channels of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver output at user defined fixed positions whilst logging up to two channels of data in record mode at the same time.
H/W
1 Power AntiLogPro units from the main D type connector, pin 1
Hardware modification at manufacture to allow AntiLogPro units to receive their power from pin 1 of the main 9-way serial port D type connector.
H/W
M Government and Military GPS Receiver Extension
ICD-GPS-150, ICD-GPS-153 (ICD-GPS-15x) data stream compatibility for both record and playback modes.
S/W
S Security option
Allows a password to be set to prevent unauthorised access to the menu system to alter configured settings.
S/W
X Extended 'On' button push
Extends the amount of time required to push and hold the 'On' button to start the unit in the playback menu system. Often used in medical applications.
S/W

Option 'P' - Forced power

This hardware modification allows an AntiLog or AntiLogPro unit to start logging data as soon as power is applied without the need to press any buttons. Logging stops when power is removed. Data is always appended to the store each time power is applied so no existing recorded data will be lost.

Pushing and holding the 'On' button for two or more seconds whilst power is applied will place the unit in the playback menu system instead of record mode so you can play back the data or change the unit's settings.

This option is available at purchase for OEM units only. It is designed for power sources in the range 9.5 to 18V (e.g. automotive).

All AntiLogPro OEM units come with this option fitted as standard and this is the recommended option for all AntiLogPro OEM units used in a multiple unit configuration.

Option 'G' - GNSS simulated receiver output [AntiLogPro only]

This software option can simulate up to two independent channels of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver output at user defined fixed positions, whilst logging serial port data on up to two channels simultaneously in record mode. Selectable NMEA messages are transmitted during a recording session with the current time and date embedded in the output message stream.

This option can simulate signals from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and integrated navigation signal sources independently per logging channel. For each channel, you can enable and disable individual NMEA sentences as required and you can even combine this recording mode with the existing user defined polling mechanism to periodically output user defined message content in any format as a part of the simulation.

AntiLogPro OEM units also transmit a dedicated one pulse per second (1PPS) output on the J3 pin header to simulate a real GNSS 1PPS signal output for timing purposes.

Combining this option with all of the existing AntiLog capabilities provides an extremely flexible and competent total logging solution. As an example, the following diagram shows the logging data flow options for an AntiLogPro OEM unit with the G option installed and an external environment sensor connected to the J3 pin header.


option-G-diagram

Option '1' - Power from the 9-way D type connector, pin 1

During manufacture, AntiLogPro units can be configured to receive power from pin 1 of the main 9-way D type RS232 serial port connector (J2). This hardware modification is called Option '1'. It can greatly simplify the installation of an RS232 data logger in a custom configuration as only one connector and cable are required to realise a complete data logging solution.

You are still able to supply power from the standard power input sources if you need to (e.g. from the DC barrel connector, or PP3 clip where fitted).

Option 'M' - Government and military GPS receiver extension

This option allows easy capture and replay of ICD-GPS-153, ICD-GPS-150 and similar (ICD-GPS-15x) Government and Military data streams.

The 'M' option provides the following capabilities:-

  • Includes all standard functions available in AntiLog.
  • ICD-GPS-150, ICD-GPS-153 (ICD-GPS-15x) data stream compatible.
  • Message 'autoconnect' feature to automatically request up to 8 user defined message IDs.
  • Automatically sends out acknowledgements in response to acknowledge requests.
  • LED flash sequence in record mode to show when checksum validated messages are being received.
  • Compatible with RS232 output from SPGR, PLGR, DAGR and similar GPS receivers.
  • Selectable 'real time' playback of ICD-GPS-15x data.
  • Selectable time tagging of all incoming IP messages to 1ms resolution.
  • Button pushes (button events), digital inputs, external environment sensor readings and supply voltage can be inserted into the logged data stream as custom IP messages during a trial.
  • Time tagging and message events implemented as intelligently inserted custom IP messages.
  • User defined equipment commands can be issued by button pushes and/or at a user defined repeat period.
  • Real time playback can make use of any time tags in the logged data.
  • Playback can hide (raw playback) or expand the time stamps into the output stream.

As AntiLog can log two independent channels of data, you can for example log two channels of time stamped ICD-GPS-153 data at the same time with individual messaging requirements, or for example, one channel of ICD-GPS-153 data and one channel of filtered NMEA (both with or without time stamping enabled of course).

Option 'S' - Security option

Allows a password to be set to prevent unauthorised access to the menu system to alter configured settings.

When a password has been set, the user is prompted for a password each time the unit is powered up in playback mode. If incorrect passwords are attempted, no access will be given to the menu system to change settings.

This option is useful in important trials activities where you do not want a unit's configuration to be changed, even by accident during a trial.

Option 'X' - Extended 'On' button push

Extends the time required to press and hold the 'On' button to allow the unit to start up in the playback menu mode. Normally, you press and hold the 'On' button for around two seconds or more to start a unit in the playback menu mode, but this option extends that time to five seconds.

This is useful for example in medical applications where staff are used to having to hold on to power and other buttons for a second or so to prevent accidental activation which could lead to serious problems if a short knock on a button powered equipment on or off.

A user in this environment might want to start a logging session on their AntiLog datalogger and might push and hold the 'On' button for around two seconds to get it started which would put the unit in playback, not record mode. Extending the time to five seconds ensures the user in this environment really did mean to enter the playback menu mode.


(c) Anticyclone Systems Ltd, 2024 Updated: 29-Mar-2024