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Data Acquisition Considerations in the NCore Monitoring Program

This article discusses the challenges and important elements of data acquisition systems (DAS) in the NCore Monitoring Program, including trace-level gas measurements, automation, remote accessibility, and data storage. It also provides recommendations for ensuring successful digital connectivity and troubleshooting tips.

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Data Acquisition Considerations in the NCore Monitoring Program

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  1. Data Acquisition Considerations in the NCore Monitoring Program Nealson Watkins & Lewis WeinstockU.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards

  2. Data Acquisition System (DAS) Challenges in the NCore Program • Many parameters per site. • Trace level gas measurements near level of detection. • Introduction of less familiar instrument types. • More frequent requirement for quality control procedures. • Greater role of automation in calibration and data quality control flagging. • Potential future demands for near real-time data. • Rural sites will be complex yet potentially remote.

  3. Stable systems that run flawlessly, restart automatically after power outages, and maintain precise time. Easily configurable and upgradeable software/firmware with integrated security options. Capable of storing and quickly moving large volumes of data through polling and/or pushing. Useful on-site displays and record-keeping for operators and auditors. Ability to poll and store instrument diagnostics as well as concentrations. Multiple backup options to archive data and restore program functions in case of software problems Redundant, swappable hard drives. Restore programs (Norton Ghost). Writeable CDs and DVDs for archive purposes. Important Elements of an NCore DAS (1 of 2)

  4. Flexible connectivity for a wide range of gas monitors, PM samplers, met sensors, calibrators, and other external devices (solenoids, status indicators). Digital connection via RS-232, USB, Ethernet. Analog connection for legacy devices. Remote accessibility for off-site troubleshooting. Interfaces with other database applications such as lab management, web support, instrument maintenance records, digital strip charts. Powerful and flexible data editing, analysis, and reporting capabilities. AQS, AIRNow, agency web sites. Moxa Smart RS-232 PCB for PC’s RMYoung Translator Port for RS-232 Important Elements of an NCore DAS (2 of 2)

  5. Analog versus Digital Connectivity From the Technical Assistance Document (TAD) for Precursor Gas Measurements in the NCore Multi-pollutant Monitoring Network, Version 4: “The recommended data acquisition approach for precursor gas monitoring in NCore is a system that records analyzer readings and diagnostic information in digital form…..”

  6. Digital Connectivity

  7. Analog Connectivity

  8. Making the Digital Connection Work for You • Insure that logger RS-232 ports are properly configured. • Mark your cables and use the right types. • Fully understand the syntax used by your instruments. • Utilize latest DAS and instrument firmware. • Let DAS vendors do some of the legwork for you. • Troubleshoot configurations in the lab then export to field sites after debugging. • Make friends with an electronics technician. • Once you get successful communications, it should always work. A recipe for trouble…… Helpful RxD and TxD lights

  9. Value of Diagnostic Polling (API-400E O3)Can Identify and Potentially Troubleshoot from Remote Location Replace sample flow orifice to clear low flow error message

  10. Envitech/DR DAS for Windows -(primary) Flexible system optimized for digital connectivity and TCP/IP based polling Easily monitored and upgraded from remote locations Web-friendly services from site and central Susceptible to PC-related hardware and software failures Data is lost while system is “hung” Data Acquisition SystemsOverview of Burdens Creek Test Impressions ESC 8816 and 8832 - (Agilaire E-DAS v 5.52) – (secondary) • Very robust logger hardware and firmware • Typically easy to set up central and field systems • Familiar and relatively simple configurations for channels parameters, alarms, signal, status, and control lines • Useful electronic strip chart and logbook system • Flexible but cumbersome digital connection architecture • Diagnostics must be individually configured and consume channel capacity (other systems are available: Ecotech, Campbell, EMC, IPS MeteoStar)

  11. Envidas for Windows (EFW) Digital I/O & Relay Control • PC based system with 64 available channels for analog or digital inputs. • Access via serial, digital I/O, analog I/O, or other data loggers. • Standard configurations facilitate digital connectivity with commercially available monitors. • Real-time data, on the fly corrections, data validation, alarms, diagnostics. • Multi-site, remote command and control capable (over TCP/IP). • Easily configurable for internet-based polling via broad-band. • PC systems need robust hard drive backup capability (RAID - Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks. • If EFW program “freezes”, all data acquisition is lost (can’t back-poll for missing data). • Backup DAS should be considered

  12. EFW Tabular Display (digital and analog inputs) Diagnostic Outputs from all monitors (site and central)

  13. Real-time Graphical Display (on-site)

  14. EFW Archive Data Display and Onboard Analysis • Access data (past or current) from any site in the network via central console. • Access data for any variance of time period or frequency; for single or multiple analyzers. • Display as text and graphically. • Exportable to AQS, AIRNow, Excel, Word. • Onboard statistics and basic analysis tools.

  15. Access via pcAnywhere Remote access programs can save time by helping to diagnose instrument problems, solve DAS configuration issues, and support upgrades and patches.

  16. Intranet Hosting(share polled data within org)

  17. Web hosting capabilities

  18. AIRNow FTP Capability with DR DAS Reporter and Server Configuring Reported Parameters

  19. ESC 8816 & 8832 with Agilaire E-DAS • 99 available data channels for analog and/or digital inputs. • Up to four RS-232 ports (option SP if you need to add ports). • On-site or remote polling through ethernet port (8832). • Monitoring and controlling of calibrations and instrument status through digital status and relay closures. • Customizable flagging and alarm programs for automated data quality control. • Ambient and digital strip chart software to poll, edit, and format data for reports including AQS and AIRNow formats.

  20. E-DAS Internet Polling Set-Up (Firewall needs to allow ports 9881 and 9887)

  21. HTML Interface on Port 9888 http://65.76.222.131:9888

  22. Configuring Digital Channels with ESC 8816/8832 • One or more COM ports must be configured for the Generic Serial Interface (GSI). • GSI capability must be “turned on” by ESC via a phone call. • Remember to cold boot the logger! • 8816 firmware should be newer than v5.35. • Connect COM port to initial target device. • Each data channel must be configured with a Data Parse entry to identify text strings and convert to numbers. • Auto-send entry typically needed to “prompt” devices for data output. • Compatible with multi-drop analyzer configurations and complex connections through RS-232 switches or “black boxes.”

  23. Sample Digital Instrument Setup Files Thermo Electron Model 43C SO2 Concentration #01 NAME:SO2PPM HOLDDATA:N UNITS:PPM INTERVALS:001M,015M,001H STORAGE:001D,001D,001D DECPOS:0 TRUNCATE:Y GRAPHMIN:0.0 GRAPHMAX:1000.0 AUTOSENDTAG:ASKSO2 AUTOSENDOUTPUT:\xabso2\x0d AUTOSENDINTERVAL:010S AUTOSENDTIMESKEW:005S* PARSETAG:GSO2 PARSESTART:so2 PARSECHARSTOID:0 PARSEIDWIDTH:0 PARSECHARSTODATA:1** PARSEDATAWIDTH:7 PARSEDATATYPE:F PARSECHARSINSTRING:0 Deciphering the GSI AutoSend Syntax AUTOSENDOUTPUT:\xabso2\x0d \x = use hexadecimal ab = 171 Thermo Electron convention: 128 + instrument ID [43] so2 = so2 [request for SO2 concentration] \x = use hexadecimal 0d = 13 [ascii code for carriage return] * AUTOSENDTIMESKEW can have an unpredictable effect, may need to experiment. ** Data parsing can be tricky, particularly with occasional negatives!

  24. Latest digital wizard files

  25. Putting It All TogetherBuilding Redundancy into your DAS Configurations • Consider retention of analog connections when deploying digital-based based DAS. • Use analog system to monitor voltage outputs (where available) and archive for backup/comparison purposes. • Need to coordinate status flags and calibration schedules to avoid “spoiling” analog data. • Configure internal monitor data storage for useful averaging periods (1-minute, 1-hour). • Manually download during operator visits or remotely. • Validation during off-line periods can be problematic. • Document alternative data retrieval procedures in SOP and QAPP before you actually need to report such data. • EPA station uses Envidas for Windows PC-based system as primary digital system and ESC 8832 logger monitoring analog signals as secondary system. • TEI and API monitors also configured to store averages.

  26. Public reporting S/L/T validation Database Server AQS Ditch the Dial-up Line Reduce the time to collect and validate data for users. DSL (EPA primary) DAS Cable Satellite Costs of wireless and/or broadband service will be competitive with dial-up business lines – possible savings of over 50% after modem investment. Wireless (EPA Secondary)

  27. EPA Wireless System using Sprint/NEXTEL

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