SonTek
ADP Software Manual Version 6.42 (November 1, 2000)
24
SECTION 7. Recorder Data Extraction (SONREC)
This program extracts data from the optional ADP internal recorder. To learn about its operation,
type “SONREC” at the DOS prompt.
IMPORTANT: This program should be run from a dedicated DOS environment, not from a
DOS prompt within Windows. Memory resident features of Windows interfere with serial port
operation. Running this program from within Windows will at the very least slow down data
retrieval, and can potentially cause the retrieval to fail.
To run from the DOS prompt, use one of the following commands.
SONREC <com port>
SONREC <com port> <baud rate>
SONREC <com port> <baud rate> <extraction rate>
where
• <com port> is the serial port number to which the ADP is connected (1 for COM1 or 2 for
COM2).
• <baud rate> is the communication baud rate setting of the ADP; if no value is given, the
program assumes the default setting of 9600 baud. Acceptable baud rate settings are 1200,
2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200.
• <extraction rate> is the baud rate at which data files will be retrieved from the recorder; if no
value is given, it uses the default setting of 115200 baud. Acceptable extraction rate values
are 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200.
For example, the command “SONREC 1 9600 38400” will establish communication with the
ADP on COM1 at 9600 baud and download data files using 38400 baud.
For short cables (less than 30 m), the default extraction rate of 115200 baud provides the fastest
downloading time. For longer cables, a slower baud rate may be needed to ensure reliable
communication (if you are regularly downloading large files on a long cable, it may be
worthwhile to switch the ADP to RS422 serial communication). If SONREC encounters a large
number of communication errors while retrieving data, it will terminate the retrieval. Note that
some computers (particularly older laptop computers) do not operate reliably at high baud rates
and may not be able to work using the default setting of 115200. If you encounter problems with
SONREC, run the program using a lower extraction rate.
The table below shows the typical download rates achieved with different baud rate settings.
Extraction rates slower than 9600 baud are rarely needed and are not shown here.
SONREC Data Retrieval Rates
Extraction rate Effective retrieval rate Download time for 1 MB
115200 4800 bytes per second 3.6 minutes
57600 3400 bytes per second 5.1 minutes
38400 2600 bytes per second 6.7 minutes
19200 1500 bytes per second 11.5 minutes
9600 850 bytes per second 20.5 minutes
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