ST-21 Argos Satellite Transmitter
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2.2.1 General
Description
The ArgosData instruction is used to load data to one of the 7 available data
buffers. The data buffers are numbered 0 through 7, with number 7 being reserved
for the ST-21 internal temperature. When ArgosData is executed, any data
already in the associated buffer is erased before new data is loaded. If the Argos
ID number associated with the buffer is a 20 bit ID number, up to 32 bytes of data
can be loaded. If the associated ID number is a 28 bit ID, then only 31 bytes can
be loaded. Extra bytes are discarded. The ArgosData instruction does not enable
data transmission. To enable data transmission, the ArgosDataRepeat, or
ArgosTransmit instruction must be used.
2.2.2 ResultCode
The Result Code is a numeric variable used to store the result of the ArgosData
instruction. If the result code is true (-1), ArgosData executed successfully.
2.2.3 ST21Buffer
The ST21Buffer is the number of the buffer where data should be loaded. Valid
buffer numbers are 0 through 6.
2.2.4 DataTable
DataTable is the name of the data table where data records will be read from.
2.2.5 NumRecords
NumRecords is the number of data records that will be copied from the data table
to the Argos PTT. Care should be taken to make sure the total amount of data
does not exceed what the buffer can hold, 32 bytes for a 20 bit ID number and 31
bytes for a 28 bit ID number. See DataFormat (Section 2.2.6) for details on
regarding memory usage.
2.2.6 DataFormat
There are two data formats. Enter “FP2” to use the Campbell Scientific two byte,
floating decimal point format. To use FP2, the data table (Section 2.2.4) must
store data as type FP2. Each data value will use two bytes of memory. Enter
“nnn.nnn.nnn…” to use the integer format, where nnn is an integer that specifies
the total number of bits to be used for each data value. As an example:
“5,8,16,8,3” would use 5 bytes or 40 bits for five data values. The first data value
would have 5 bits of resolution, then 8 for the next, then 16 for the third and so
forth. With the integer format, data must be stored in the data table as type Long.
When using integer format with bits/data point designator, each data point in the
data record needs to be accounted for in the DataFormat field, or the datalogger
will assume 2 bytes (16 bits) for each unaccounted for data point.
2.3 ArgosDataRepeat
Usage:
Dim BufferNumber(8) as Boolean
ArgosDataRepeat(Result Code, Repetition Rate, Number Repeats,
BufferNumber())
