30
microAeth
®
MA Series MA200, MA300, MA350
Operating Manual
microAeth
®
MA Series MA200, MA300, MA350
Operating Manual
31
AethLabs
AethLabs
The microAeth has a 4-pin serial port for communication through 3.3V TTL serial with external data
acquisition systems or for direct integration into another system.
Communication though the 3.3V TTL serial port can be established to a computer through a terminal
emulator using the custom AethLabs 4-pin Serial to USB converter cable.
AethLabs only supports Tera
Term for Windows. The default terminal emulator settings and terminal emulator settings required for
updating firmware in the bootloader are as follows:
Baud Rate
Data
Parity
Stop
Flow control
1000000
8 bit
none
1 bit
none
(Xon/Xoff for firmware update)
NOTE: The serial baud rate can be changed using the on-board LCD interface and the Change Serial Baud
menu or using the microAeth Manager and the Baud rate setting under Serial and Communications. When
installing firmware using the instrument bootloader, the baud rate is always 1000000 even if the baud rate
setting has been changed.
Before using the AethLabs 4-pin Serial to USB converter cable, it may be required to install drivers
from Future Technology Devices International Ltd. (FTDI) in order for the converter cable to be
recognized by and used with the computer.
A bare leads serial cable is available from AethLabs for custom integration work.
CAUTION: Interfacing to the serial port for customization and integration requires care, a short of the
power supply or improper grounding practices could cause additional instrument noise and / or in
the case of a short circuit or over-voltage / over-current, damage to the instrument.
The microAeth has 802.11b Wi-Fi with AES hardware encryption built-in.
The microAeth has Bluetooth Low Energy built-in.
5.6. Instrument Operating Parameters
5.6.1. Date/Time: GPS time synchronization (microAeth Manager only)
The time on the microAeth can be automatically synchronized to satellites using its on-board GPS unit.
Time synchronization will automatically occur even if the GPS setting is turned off and location is not being
recorded. Time is ISO 8601 formatted.
It is very important to confirm the date and time of the microAeth before a sampling campaign.
5.6.1. Date/Time: Application time synchronization (microAeth Manager only)
The time on the microAeth can be manually synchronized to the time on the computer. Time
synchronization will occur between the microAeth and the computer when the button is clicked in the
microAeth Manager. Time is ISO 8601 formatted.
It is very important to confirm the date and time of the microAeth before a sampling campaign.
5.6.2. Date/Time: Timezone offset (microAeth Manager only)
The timezone offset setting permits the user to select a timezone offset from Coordinated Universal
Time (UTC) to be used as part of the ISO 8601 time and date format in the instrument and recorded
with instrument measurement data. Daylight savings time offsets are not automatically adjusted by the
instrument or the microAeth Manager.
The sampling flow setpoint setting permits the user to select a sampling flow rate setpoint of 50, 75,
100, 125 or 150 ml/min.
A flow rate of 100, 125 or 150 ml/min is highly recommended when using
DualSpot® loading compensation. It is recommended to use lower flow rates in areas with high
BC concentrations, and higher flow rates when maximum sensitivity is required in areas of low BC
concentrations. A lower flow rate should also be selected for longer run times and extended battery life.
Please read section 5.2 Recommendations for Best Use Practices for more information.
The timebase setting permits the user to select a measurement integrating time of 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, or 300
second(s). The date and time (timestamp) is recorded at the end of the sampling and measurement interval.
It is recommended to use a 30 or 60 second timebase for most ‘human exposure’ or ‘ambient monitoring’
measurements. Faster timebases will result in higher noise, and are most useful either for direct source
monitoring (tailpipe analysis) or for other applications requiring extremely rapid data. A 300 second
timebase can be selected for longer run times and extended battery life. Please read section 5.2
Recommendations for Best Use Practices for more information.
5.6.5. Wavelengths (microAeth Manager only)
The wavelengths setting permits the user to select the measurement wavelength(s) used for particle
measurements.
1 Wavelength: IR (880 nm)
2 Wavelengths: IR (880 nm), UV (375 nm)
5 Wavelengths: IR (880 nm), Red (625 nm), Green (528 nm), Blue (470 nm), UV (375 nm)
5.6.6. Sampling mode (microAeth Manager only)
The sampling mode setting permits the user to select if the microAeth is in SingleSpot™ or DualSpot®
loading compensation sampling mode.
A flow rate of 100 , 125 or 150 ml/min is highly recommended
when using DualSpot
®
loading compensation. Although DualSpot mode can be used in many sampling
scenerios, for best results it should be used in stationary applications.
