Data Logger Mode

In the Data Logger mode, the computer's clock controls measurement start/stop/interval, and readings are stored in a data log on the computer.

Note: For more efficient file management, file partitioning is used for data logs that generate large data files. The file size limit varies by bench application and is based on the number of data points, traces, and captures. If the data file size exceeds the file size limit for the bench application, BenchVue saves that file, closes it, and then opens a new file.

Note: If your IO connection is especially slow or if communication is disrupted, you will likely experience timing issues in the Data Logger mode. To avoid these timing issues, be sure your IO connection is adequate and increase your sample period as needed.

Data Log Name

The default file name consists of the instrument model number followed by "Data Log" and a numeric index. For example, U2723A Data Log 0.

To change the default name, click on the existing name to open the file name editor. You can edit the prefix name and also have the option to include or exclude the date, current time, and numeric index. The date is in the form yyyy-mm-dd and the time is in the form hh-mm-ss (24-hour time format). For example, <model> Data Log 2016-04-20 11-40-26 1 – April 20, 2016 at 11:40:26 with a numeric index of 1.

If included, the date, time, and numeric index fields are automatically updated with each subsequent data log operation from this bench application.
The date and time fields are based on your computer's internal clock setting.

Note: By default, data logs are stored in the "My Documents" folder on your computer and are organized by instrument type. For example – C:\Users\<user_name>\Documents\Keysight\BenchVue\USB Modular Data Acquisition\Data Logs\.

Start Data Logging

Immediately with Start Button - Start data logging when you click the button or the button.

At Specific Time - Start data logging at a specific time and date. Enter the desired date in the form yyyy (year), mm (month), and dd (day). Enter the desired time in the form hh (hours), mm (minutes), and ss (seconds). For an unlicensed version of the BenchVue software, data logging is limited to a maximum of 8 hours. To upgrade to the Pro Version of this bench application with unrestricted data logging, click here and follow the instructions on the web site to obtain a license.

Stop Data Logging

Immediately with Stop Button - Terminate data logging when you click the button or the button.

After Elapsed Time - Terminate data logging after the specified amount of time has elapsed. Enter the desired duration in the form dd (days), hh (hours), mm (minutes), and ss (seconds). For an unlicensed version of the BenchVue software, data logging is limited to a maximum of 8 hours. To upgrade to the Pro Version of this bench application with unrestricted data logging, click here and follow the instructions on the web site to obtain a license.

Note: The duration cannot be set lower than the sampling interval. To set a shorter duration, you will need to decrease the sampling interval first.

Sample Period

Enter the desired interval between samples in the form dd (days), hh (hours), mm (minutes), ss (seconds), and ms (milliseconds). Select Minimum to select the shortest interval based on the instrument's current settings or clear Minimum to specify a specific sample period. You can also select Minimum for a high sampling rate data acquisition or Custom for a low sampling rate data acquisition.

When Minimum is selected, data logs will be stored in the binary format in the "My Documents" folder on your computer and are organized by instrument type. For example – C:\Users\<user_name>\Documents\Keysight\BenchVue\USB Modular Data Acquisition\Data Logs\. The data log contents will not be displayed in the BenchVue Data Manager.

Note: The sampling interval cannot be set greater than the duration (elasped time). To set a longer sampling interval, you will need to increase the duration first.

Limit Testing

Check readings against upper and lower limits. A limit failure occurs when the measured value goes above the upper limit, or below the lower limit.

Available in Pro Version Only. This feature is available only with the Pro Version of this bench application. To upgrade to the Pro Version, click here and follow the instructions on the web site to purchase a license.

Enable Limit Testing - Select this checkbox to enable limit testing.

Choose one measurement for limit action - From the drop-down list, select the desired measurement to be used for limit testing.

Upper Limit - Specify the upper limit in the units of the selected measurement (must be greater than the lower limit). Select +INF/+OVLD to set the upper limit to positive infinity or a positive overload condition.

Lower Limit - Specify the lower limit in the units of the selected measurement (must be less than the upper limit). Select -INF/-OVLD to set the lower limit to negative infinity or a negative overload condition.

Actions to Take When Limit Reached

Send Computer Beep - The PC and the instrument beep on each limit failure.

Send E-mail Message - Sends an e-mail to the specified recipient upon the first limit failure (multiple failures per test result in just one e-mail). To specify an e-mail recipient, go to the main Global Settings menu in BenchVue and select "Settings".

Execute Batch File - Execute a custom batch file upon first limit failure (multiple failures per test result in executing the batch file just once). After enabling this mode, click ... and browse to the file location where you have stored custom batch files that you have created.