072-0500
Alphasense User Manual
OPC-R1 Optical Particle Counter
Issue 1
Alphasense Ltd
Page 12 of 33
February 2019
Sensor Technology House, 300 Avenue West, Skyline 120, Great Notley. Essex.CM77 7AA. UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1376 556700 - Fax: +44 (0) 1376 335899
Email: [email protected] - Web: www.alphasense.com
Other Software Functions
Closing down the software
It is recommended that the software application is closed before removing the USB to SPI interface
to avoid USB communication errors.
Log file
The application will also create a log file from all of the output bins into a single .CSV file. You will
be asked if you require a log file after selecting the
“start” button. If you select “yes” you will be
prompted for a file name and location to store the file. An example of the log file is included in the
deployment package and the CSV output is explained later.
Firmware information
The information window on the right of the main form shows the firmware version installed as the
software first loads up.
For example
Info String = OPC-R1 FirmwareVer=2.21...................................BS
Firmware is upgraded via the SPI port using a Bootloader tool, see Appendix C for more details.
More firmware commands (via software)
There are four commands that can be used to edit factory settings through the OPC software:
1. Ctrl + R: Read and display all configuration variables. This will display the variables
available to the user for edit. The data is displayed in the information window to the right of
the software window. Changeable values can be over-written in this window.
2. Ctrl + W: Write all values to configuration memory. This command will write the current
configuration values to volatile memory, this means that the user can run the OPC with their
desired configuration but the changes will be reset once the power is disconnected.
3. Ctrl + S: Save all values to configuration memory. This command will write the current
configuration values to non-volatile memory, this means that the user can permanently save
their configuration values.
4. Shift Ctrl + W: This allows the Bin weighting Index to be changed.
Changing the PM values reported
The PM values can be changed to report PM
4.25
instead of one of the other PM values. Please note
only 3 values in total can be reported. To carry this out connect the OPC-R1 to the Alphasense
software as usual. Then:
1. Type Ctrl + R: Read and display all configuration variables. This will display the variables
available to the user for edit. The data is displayed in the information window to the right of
the software window.
2. Scroll to the bottom:
PM values (A, B, C) (um)
1
2.5
10
3. Overwrite one of these values with 4.25
4. Type Ctrl + W, followed by Ctrl + S.
5. The OPC will now report PM
4.25