DeltaLog5 Manual
Introduction

DeltaLog5 program allows to manage from your own PC the HD2110 and HD2010 sound level meter in an easy and intuitive way: you can start and stop logging, set configuration parameters, dump data stored on the instrument memory and display them both in table and graph form, view and save in a file the measurements recorded by the instrument in real time, print data and export them either in Excel® or in text format, copy the content of the main window and paste it in another application as a graph or a text, upgrade the instrument firmware,...

Note: this help is suitable for sound level meters HD2010 and HD2110. As some functions can change according to the model of sound level meter and/or the set-up options, the a.m. description couldn't be in full applied to each single instrument. See the instructions manual to get a detailed description of the instrument functions.



Starting DeltaLog5

1) Set the COM or USB connection type you want to use. The menu item of the instrument "MENU>>Input/Output>>Serial Device" has to be set on "USB" or "RS232".

2)Connect the instrument to the first available and free serial port of your PC (COM or USB) via the proper serial cable provided with the instrument.

3) To start the program, double click the program icon on your desktop or select DeltaLog5 in the DeltaOhm folder from the Start menu.

4) Switch on the instrument and wait for the starting routine to be executed.

5) Press the Connect key or select Instrument >> Connect: the program will automatically detect to which serial line the instrument is linked and will connect to it.

After connecting, a screen will be displayed indicating firmware version and instrument serial number and then a screen showing the instrument status:


If the baudrate value set on the instrument is not the highest one available (57600 baud), a window will invite you to increase it (see also the Troubleshooting paragraph).

If connection has succeeded, the following green message will be displayed in the lower right corner of the instrument:

If connection has failed, the following red message will appear:

If the program cannot connect to the instrument, see the Troubleshooting section of this manual.

Warning: until the connection to a PC is active, it is suggested not to touch the instrument keyboard to avoid possible operating conflicts. Before using the instrument again, press Disconnect to disconnect it.

When the instrument is not connected to the program, the status bar shows the symbol:



Data Dump

This function is used to download to a PC the data logged and stored on the instrument memory. These data can then be displayed on the PC monitor and saved in a file. Data downloaded to a PC are not cleared from the instrument memory: for this function, use the Clear Instr. Mem command in the Instrument menu.

To download data contained in the sound level meter memory, connect the instrument to the first available serial port of the PC by means of the proper serial cable, switch on the instrument, start DeltaLog5, connect the instrument (Connect key).

Press "Download data on PC".
A window will show the number of files stored on memory and the time needed to execute the operation.

Press YES to confirm download and NO to cancel.

The files will be transferred in sequence to the PC: the "Download Status" window will show download progress. Press Stop Download to stop downloading.

Once download is over, data will be shown in table format.

Press Disconnect to disconnect the instrument. Disconnect the serial cable.

 



Recording

Here are the steps to configure the instrument and to start and stop recording via DeltaLog5 program.
Follow this procedure:

Connect the instrument to the first available serial port of the computer through the proper cable. Switch on the instrument, start DeltaLog5 and press Connect.

Press the "Setup" key and choose the Datalogging slide.
 
 

Select the DataLogging Mode: NORMAL or AUTO-STORE

Select the Normal mode and the channels to store in the DataLogger Channel section or the Auto-Store mode. By the Auto-Store mode the channels SLM, Octaves and Third of Octave are automatically selected.

Move to the General folder and set the Integration Time needed.

Select the SINGLE or MULTI integration mode:

Set the other parameters of sound level meter as needed (See Instrument Setup) and confirm with APPLY ALL.

To start logging, press Start Recording: "RECORDING" will flash in DeltaLog5 heading bar to indicate that the sound level meter is logging.

 

To stop recording, Press Stop Recording.

N.B.: when the instrument is not connected to the PC, press the START/STOP key to stop recording at any time.

 



Data View

DeltaLog5 window appears as follows:

The following areas can be identified:

1. Main menu: encloses all menu items.
2. Toolbar: all of the icons corresponding to the program main commands.
3. Report List: area including information on downloaded files.
4. Report Parameters: parameters of the currently selected report.
5. Status Bar.
6. Main Window: displays the current report in table or graph format.
7. Spectrum Navigator: Set of Commands to move among the multiple spectrums.
8. Instrument Parameters: lists the instrument settings relevant to the selected report.
9. Connection Status with the serial port.

 

The content of the instrument memory can be displayed either in table or in graph format. A three dimensional graph is available for spectral analysis.

The column left on the top (Report List) shows the reports corresponding to the different logging sessions including logging starting date and record type.
To select a file, click the REPORT name in the report list; for MULTI and AUTO data records, click the desired subtype (SLM5, PROFILE,...).

Click twice the Report 1, Report 2,... names and the Edit Comments window will appear showing the file progressive number, the date and if necessary the name used to save the measurement session.

It's possible to fill the blank space before the progressive number (as stated in the drawing) with a comment above the current report in order to better identify it.

 


Single Reports

Data come out as single reports or as multiple reports according to the way they have been logged: pressing the REC key only (on the sound level meter) for more than 2 seconds, will produce a single report, which could be:

A single report can be:

SLM5 provides the value of the 5 parameters displayed when the REC key was pressed.
PROFILE consists of a sequence of values that constitute the time profile (or History Profile) of a variable with a sampling interval corresponding to the Profile Time.
OCTAVE and TOCTAVE represent a single spectrum per octaves or per 1/3 octaves.

 


Report AUTO

A session acquired by the Auto-Store function is named AUTO in the Report List.

The report is made up of the following items:

This time the logging interval is defined by the Integration Time:

Note: by selecting the single integration mode, the report is made up of a single sample logged at the end of the integration time.

 


Multiple Records

A session named MULTI in the Report List supplies the time profile of one or more of the following items:

During a continuous datalogging with multiple integration mode, the last data logged before each resetting is marked by the label "Last".

A grey small square is put in the relevant graphs.

 


Multiple Reports >> SLM5

MULTI >> SLM5 represents the value of the Sound Level Meter 5 parameters, logged according to a fixed interval of 0.5 seconds, as shown in the table below.

The last column - Status - lists any particular event occurred during the logging stage:

Press View Graph to change to data display in graph format:

The legend overlapping the graph provides the value of the five variables in correspondence with the mouse position on the time axis. The same window allows to hide and restore variables by selecting them in the white boxes on the right:

 


Multiple Reports >> Profile

PROFILE represents the Time Profile mode parameter logged with a sampling interval equal to the Profile Time. It is represented as a table of values or as a continuous graph.

 


Multiple Reports >> Octave and TOctave

If the spectral analysis is set as multispectrum (MLT, MAX or MIN) OCTAVE and TOCTAVE represent a succession of spectrums by octaves or 1/3 octaves logged according to a time interval equal to the Spectrum Profile Time. Logged spectrums will be displayed continuously: either as a data table, or as an histogram. Two instruments are available to analyse the whole set of spectrums: the Spectrum Navigator and the 3D graph.

 

 



“Advanced Analyzer” Option

The “Advanced Analyzer” option adds the following features to the HD2110.

FFT (Narrow band spectral analysis)

Leq Short (Linearly integrated equivalent level on 1/32s)

Statistical Analysis (Distribution of probabilities, cumulative distribution, percentile levels)

Measurements, Reports, Events.

 


 


FFT - Fast Fourier Transform

The narrow band spectral analysis is performed by applying the Fast Fourier Transform in the audio range of 12.5 to 22000Hz subdivided into three bands: LF, MF, and HF.

In case of single recording, the whole spectrum at the end of the integration interval Tint is logged: according to the resolution applied using the command "Tool >> FFT Resolution", the following frequency ranges are shown:

100Hz 94...21563Hz
10Hz 12...2462Hz
1Hz 7...290Hz

 

 

The graph scale is selected using the command "Tool >> FFT Y axis scale": logarithmic (Log) or linear (Lin).

 

 

In continuous recording mode, the sound level meter stores one of the three bands selected in the instrument menu (LF, MF or HF) every 0.5 seconds; the file is composed, in this case, by a sequence of spectrums. Use the Memory Navigator or the 3D View to display its trend.

 



Leq Short

The Leq Short is a linearly integrated equivalent level on 1/32s: the calculated data are logged every 31.25ms.

To set the Leq Short measurement using the software, open the setup (Setup Instrument key) and go to the Datalogging window. Select the item DataLogging Mode=Normal: enable the Short_Leq item and choose the weighting (A, C or Z).

 

 

The logged data can be used to recalculate a Leq through a longer period using: "Tool >> Leq Recalc".

Note: The Leq Short is the result of the square sum of the last 16 Leq-Shorts calculated every 0.5 seconds, and is reported as parameter SLM and displayed as LeqS.

 



Statistical Analysis

The “Advanced Analyzer” option allows the following statistical analyses:

The analysis is selected in the menu "Tool >> Statistic Calc.":

 

 

A label near the mouse shows the variable value:

 

 

The statistic can be one single datum as follows...

 

 

or part of a REPORT. In this case, to display the different graphs in sequence, use the Memory Navigator or the 3D View.

 

 



Measurements, Reports, Events

The “Advanced Analyzer” option records the group of data called MEASUREMENTS in single integration mode (SLM, profile, octave, third octave, Leq Short and FFT under the item MULTI).
The REPORT (5 integrated parameters, average spectra by octave and by third octave bands, and statistics collected under the item REPORT) and EVENTS groups recording can be enabled simultaneously to the MEASUREMENT group recording.

The EVENTS group data are cleared at the beginning of the event and are integrated for the entire duration of the event. The recording is made at the end of the same event.

See the Setup description to set the parameters and the recording modes.

A data file has the following typical structure:

 

 

The MULTI item collects the MEASUREMENT group data: SLM, Profile, Octave and Third Octave, Leq Short, and FFT.
If Reports and/or Events were also recorded, the Measurement group data refer to the intervals with which Events were activated.

The REPORT item shows the measurements acquired in a period equal to the "Report Interval".

The following pictures provide an example of an SLM Report at a 2-second report interval. In addition, 3 events are highlighted, as Ev.1, Ev.2, and Ev.3.

 

 

Using higher time resolution, the matching SLM Multi shows the trend of the variables which only corresponds to the three periods defined by the events activation.

 

 

The same is also valid for the other MULTI group items in the event intervals logged according to standard time resolution.

The octave and the thirds of an octave, and statistics of the REPORT group not belonging to the intervals defined by the events, are identified by using a different colour: light blue instead of blue for octave and a third of an octave, black and not green for the FFT.

 

 

The EVENTS item reports the number of detected events and the relevant logged data.

NOTE: If only the event trigger feature is activated, the MULTI measurement group is logged according to standard time resolution.

 

 



Spectrum Navigator

The Spectrum Navigator automatically appears when you select OCTAVE or TOCTAVE items from a MULTI data file, both in graph and in table format. Should it not be displayed, select Tool >> Navigator.
The image above, for example, shows the third spectrum logged out of 14 total spectrums.

Use the two Step arrows to display single spectrums in sequence, one at any one time. When you click an arrow, you will jump either to the next or to the previous spectrum.

Use the Go arrows to jump directly either to the first or to the last spectrum of the series.
The Play function shows the spectrums according to the logging order. The two green arrows start the record: at standard speed (left arrow) or at fast speed (right arrow). Press the red key to stop the record.

Moving the cursor available at the bottom of the Spectrum Navigator makes you jump to any stage of the records.



3D Graph

The simultaneous display of the whole set of spectrums requires a 3D graph showing all of the three variables: filter nominal frequency, report amplitude and progressive number of sample.

To activate the 3D graph, press View 3D Graph or select View >> View 3D.

The graph is displayed on a separated screen which appear automatically.

The graph shows the spectrum profiles measured according to the frequency (axis X), the amplitude (axis Y) and the samples progressive number (axis Z). At first the extreme limits of the three variables are chosen in order to better display the whole graph: by means of the keys which are on the bottom of the screen it's possible to modify the graph display. In order that the modifications are effective all the three ranges have to be considered: the Time range can be modified by selecting manual ranges both for frequency and amplitude. Only at this time press the APPLY key to let the modifications become effective.

The 3D graph can be rotated towards the three directions by acting the mouse directly on it. Move the mouse pointer on the black ground window and keep the left key pressed, then the three graph axis appear. Move the mouse, always without releasing the key, and the axis are freely rotated. The graph is updated at the release of the key.

Cross Reference function can be applied also to the 3D graph: the selected curve appears in white colour as displayed on the first screen of this paragraph.

 



View Full Date-Time

The icon on the left switches from the absolute time reference (effective logging date and time) to the relative one (time elapsed from the Start command beginning at instant 0) relevant to data displayed both in table and in graph format.

The function can be activated via the menu, as well as by selecting: View >> View Full Date-Time.

The following image is an example of data table with relative time reference:

On the contrary, the following one is the same table with absolute time reference:

Activating the absolute time display in the graphs allows to highlight a discontinuity in data logging caused by the use of the PAUSE/CONTINUE function: data corresponding to the instant when CONTINUE is pressed after a pause, are marked by a vertical grey bar.



Cross Reference

This function generates a cross reference between the reports of a single session of data. If you select a sample from one of the reports (SLM5, History Profile or spectrums) the samples from the other reports corresponding to the same logging instant will be highlighted.

To enable this function, click the View Cross Reference icon or select: View >> View Cross Reference.

To select a sample

In tables, an arrow indicates the selected elements,

while in graphs they are identified by a vertical bar.

Note: SLM5 samples are logged according to a 0.5 second fixed frequency, whilst time profiles and spectrums have selectable logging intervals: this is the reason why several samples might correspond to a sample selected according to a specific mode.
If, for example, the Profile Time equals 1/8s and you select a datum in the SLM5 (the sample at t=3s in the above image), 4 samples will be highlighted in the History Profile, as shown below:

Likewise, in the History Profile graph, there will be two bars defining the limits of the highlighted interval:

 



Functions of the Mouse Right Button

If you press the mouse right button when the main window shows a graph in SLM5 and History Profile mode, a menu will open with the following commands:

·       Point marks views the sampling instants with some points on the graph.

·       Trace mouse coordinates provides the indication of coordinates such as [sampling date and time, variable value] by tracing with the mouse.

·       Axis applies a dotted grid on the graph.

·       Zoom enlarges a selected area of the graph.
To enlarge a portion of the graph, select the Zoom tool command. A selection frame will appear in the left corner at the top:

Click and hold down the left button of your mouse, move this frame to the area of the graph to be enlarged. Then, using the eight "selection handles" around the object, resize the selection area:

Now press Zoom+

To restore default view, press Zoom-

·       Fit… fits graph dimensions in order to cover all available height (Height), width (Width) or the whole window (Page).

·       Set Marker A - Set Marker B - Clear Markers The Trace Mouse Coordinates function can show the difference between two points (A and B) of the graph: to select the two points, click the first point with the mouse left button, then select Set Marker A with the right button; repeat the operation to mark the second point B and select Set Marker B. The label that appears on the graph will show the amplitude difference between the two points:

To clear the two markers, select Clear Markers.

If the graph refers to reverberation time calculation, the label which appear contains also the reverberation time calculated between two selected points (See Reverberation Time Chapter).

 



Back Erase Function

The sound level meter PAUSE/CONTINUE key is used, during the logging stage, to interrupt a measurement in progress. All data logged up to the moment the key is pressed, are used to calculate the integrated parameters. However, there are cases in which it is useful to remove the last measurements logged just before the PAUSE key was pressed, such as, for example, those which were generated by unexpected events and which are not typical of the sound being examined. This function of the sound level meter is called Back Erase (see the HD2110 and HD2010 manual).
Logged data, included in the eliminated interval, are marked by a X:

Here is the SLM5 table where you can see how data logged after 3.5 seconds and up to 7 seconds have been marked according to the Back Erase function: they will not contribute to the calculation of integrated parameters.

In the SLM5 graph, deleted values are shown as dotted lines:

Data relevant to the History Profile are represented in the same way.

 



Isophone Curves

DeltaLog5 provides the tracing, in 1/3 octave spectrums, of isophone curves pursuant to ISO226/1987 and ISO226/2003.

When a third of octave spectrum is displayed, the function is enabled by the name of menu View >> View E.L.Level >> E.L.Level 1987 or View >> View E.L.Level >> E.L.Level 2003.

To display an isophone curve, click the band relevant to the central frequency to examine: the isophone curve will be drawn with a level equal to the spectra one with relation to the selected band. The comparison between the isophone levels and the spectra ones allows to appraise the audibility of the selected band.

For the bands with 16 Hz, 16 kHz and 20 kHz nominal frequencies, where isophone curves are not defined, or in case the level of the selected band were lower than the minimum audible, the minimum audible isophone curve will be displayed (MAF), as shown in the following example:

The label appearing when moving the pointer over the spectrum shows the central frequency and the filter level, the isophone value and the difference (delta) between the current isophone and the band level on which the pointer is positioned.



Exporting Data

Export to Excel

Data view in table format can be automatically exported to Excel simply by pressing Export to Excel.

In the multiple sessions, you can choose whether to export the current spectrum only, or all of the spectrums part of the session:

A page containing the instrument parameters is exported together with data.


Export in R&A format

Data export filter according to R&A protocol (Rumore & Ambiente by Orione s.r.l. - "Sound & Environment by Orione s.r.l.").


Export as formatted text

Data export filter in formatted text.

 



Reverberation Time Measurement

The reverberation time represents the speed of a sound to die out inside an environment after the disconnection of the sound source which generated it. This measure is carried out calculating the necessary time so that the sound level referred to an observation point decay of 60dB, starting from the moment when the source is deactivated.

Delta Ohm sound level meters HD2110 and HD2010 measure the reverberation time by an additional software module: details inside the manuals of the instruments.

The calculation of reverberation time consider two analysis methods: one by noise source interruption and one of integrated response to the impulse: both the methods are managed by the sound level meters and by software DeltaLog5.

The measurement by the sound level meter is carried out in two different times: during the first part, which length is 2 sec., the ground noise level is acquired, while during the second part the environment noise decay is analyzed as a result at the source interruption of at the impulse generation. The parameters calculation proceed at the same time both for A, C and Z wide band channels and for the octave bands from 125 Hz to 8kHz and third of octave bands from 100 Hz to 10 kHz. The sound level is linearly integrated 32 times per second with no stop, and at the same time for all the measurement bands.

The definition of reverberation time measurement would request the analysis of a decay equal to 60dB. But usually this is not possible due to the insufficient relation of source signal/noise. The reverberation time is then appraised starting from the decay time on a limited range equal to 30 dB starting from 5 dB under the stationary level (T60(30) or T30). In practice the linear interpolation is carried out with the method of minimum squares on the decay area which starts from the low point of 5 dB with respect to the stationary level and stop at 35 dB under this level. In case of insufficient signal/noise relation is also allowed the reverberation time appraisal based on a decay of 20dB always starting from 5dB under the stationary level (T60(20) or T20). The line slope shows the decay rate in dB/s and allow to obtain the reverberation time.

Besides calculating the reverberation time T30 or T20, it's necessary to visual analyse the decay curve in order to be aware in moments of decay anomalies and double slopes. If the coefficient of linear correlation calculated on the interpolated stroke is lower than 0.95 it's necessary to bear in mind that measure cannot be considered valid (according to ISO 3382) and then reverberation time cannot be define.

 


Wizard

The DeltaLog5 software has a wizard for reverberation time measurement: this procedure is started by selecting Options >> Reverberation Time.

Press NEXT to continue and select the type of measurement: interrupted noise source (Interrupted) or integrated impulse response (Impulse).


Interrupted noise source method

Set up the system for the generation of the noise: properly amplified, the PC sound card output can be used as source. So the noise emitted can be controlled directly using the PC.

Press PLAY to start the sound card control software: adjust the volume as appropriate. If a standalone noise source is used, adjust its volume now.

Turn off the source and press NEXT to continue: the program for reverberation time measurement is loaded in the sound level meter.

Once loaded, pressing NEXT sets the instrument for background noise measurement:

Press NEXT when ready: during this phase, avoid any foreign noise that could affect the measurement.

When the background noise measurement is complete, turn on the noise source:

... and turn it off within 5 seconds:

The sound level meter measures the environment noise decay: during this phase (about 6 seconds), avoid undesired noises that could affect the measurement. The logged data processing follows:

At the end, press NEXT to download the processed data to the PC:

After checking the measurement is correct, you can proceed with the following analysis (NEXT) or end off (CANCEL).

 


Integrated impulse response method

Set up the system for the generation of the noise: after selecting the integrated impulse response method, the program for reverberation time measurement is loaded in the sound level meter:

By pressing NEXT, the instrument is set for background noise measurement:

Press NEXT when ready: during this phase, avoid any foreign noise that could affect the measurement.

You are now prompted to activate the impulsive source: perform this operation within 5 seconds.

The sound level meter measures the environment noise decay: during this phase (about 6 seconds), avoid undesired noises that could affect the measurement. The logged data processing follows:

At the end, press NEXT to download the processed data to the PC:

After checking the measurement is correct, you can proceed with the following analysis (NEXT) or end off (CANCEL).

If the measurement was not carried out correctly, the following error message appears:

Press NEXT to continue or Cancel to exit.

 


Data View

The measure reports downloaded by the sound level meter and related with the calculation of reverberation time are pointed out in the REPORT LIST with REVERBERATION as title:

Wide band A, C and Z (>Leq) weighted levels are stated in each session together with spectrum for octaves from 125Hz to 8kHz (>Octave) and for third of octave from 100Hz to 10kHz (>TOctave). Click on one of three names by the mouse left button to display the relevant data: on the main window of DeltaLog5 data are in table format (function View Table) or in graph format (function View Graph).

 

REVERBERATION >> LEQ

The LEQ screen shows the three wide band A, C and Z weighted curves. The graph is divided in two parts by a vertical sketched line which separate the two procedure moment: the first line represents the two first seconds of ground noise storing, the other lines the analysis phase of noise decay.

Every one of the three curves can be enable or disable by means of the legend, which show the noise level according to the current position of mouse on the graph.

The reverberation time can be appraised directly on the curves by means of the marker: the label T(B-A) shows the reverberation time calculated by relating the decay selected at 60dB requested by the definition.

 

 

REVERBERATION >>OCTAVE and REVERBERATION>>TOCTAVE

The screens OCTAVE and TOCTAVE show the octave bands from 125 Hz to 8 kHz third of octave from 100 Hz to 10 kHz respectively. As a matter of clearness up to three curves per time are displayed as stated in the legend: the selection of components are made by the command of TOOL>>SEL.SPECTRUM FREQ. menu.

Normalize Amplitude function allows to normalize the spectrum amplitudes in order to carry out a direct comparison between curves at different frequency.

 


RESULTS OF REVERBERATION TIME MEASURE

The results of reverberation time analyses are displayed on a second screen named REVERBERATION RESULT, which open automatically at the time of selecting the data type in the report list. The following image shows for example the results for third of octave. Some data on the table are replaced by little lines (--) to state that in those points the dynamics isn't sufficient to supply a correct value.

The upper part of the screen shows:

In the lower part of the screen REVERBERATION RESULT there are the results in graph format.

The data and the relevant graphs can be filtered so as to exclude those results which do not comply with the various rules on this matter. For example, according to the standard ISO3382, it's necessary to rejected those reverberation times as a result after a calculation where the linear correlation coefficient is lower than 0.95.

Press the key "FILTER BY CORRELATION COEFF." and put the value 0.95 in order to apply this filter to the graph and reject the results which are not in accordance with. The reverberation results are updated by erasing the elements excluded by the filter: data with coefficient lower or equal to 0.95 are replaced by a X and the graph elements become invisible.

The key "FILTER BY AMPL. LEVEL" works in a similar way and act on the difference between Lmax and Lground. Always according to the ISO 3382 the relation signal/noise must be at least equal to 45 dB and 35 dB respectively for measures of T30 and T20. Insert the value of filter to exclude those noise levels which are not in accordance with the standard: as per the previous description, those values which are not in accordance with the characteristics described by the filter are excluded.

 


Schroeder integral

Schroeder integral is a numerical procedure: as from the measure of environment impulse response it allows to obtain the decay curve which would be measured by the stationary noise procedure. Calculation is automatically carried out by the software; the result is a "clean" decay curve and without any ripple. It's easier to apply the marker function on the curve to calculate the reverberation time. The following screen shows the acquired curve (red colour) and the result of Schroeder integral application (green curve). The waves of the second curve are very attenuated.

 

3D GRAPH

The 3D graph function is available also for the calculation of reverberation time (View>>View spectrum 3D). By means of this kink of displaying it's possible to appraise the proceeding of the different wave shapes both related to the time and to the frequencies.

 



Instrument Setup

When the instrument is on, press Setup to open the parameter (setup) window.

The window consists of 6 slides:

Options DataLogging Spectrum Channels General Current

Current: shows the instrument current settings - this slide cannot be modified by the user.

General: divided into 4 sections called: General, Input/Output, Measurement and Calibration.

General
At the top of it you can adjust the sound level meter time and date:

Here are the instrument date and time upon connection, as well as the PC time and date: by selecting Update Instrument Date-Time to PC Date-Time, PC date and time are used to update the instrument ones. You can also change date and time directly in the Computer boxes.

Display Contrast: adjusts the instrument display contrast: a high value increases contrast, a low one decreases it.

Auto Power Off: enables (ON) or disables (OFF) the instrument auto shut-off if the keyboard remains inactive for more than 5 minutes.


Input/Output

Here you can:

select the input channel (Input Line = Microphone, Line Input or Digital Audio Input), For HD2010 the input channel can be only Microphone.

amplification: (0 or 10dB for HD2110 and from 0 dB to 40 dB with steps of 10 dB for HD2010. The input amplification can be set at 0 dB or 10 dB also for HD2010 with option 'Extended Range),

enable or disable the Digital Audio output (DA Output) for HD2110

select the serial communication Baudrate.


Measurement

Integration Time: represents the integration time shown on the sound level meter as Tint.

Integration Mode is the integration mode which can be SINGLE or MULTI.

Back Erase Time: is the back erase time relevant to logged samples to be removed from the calculation of integrated parameters. The erase function is not managed.

Overload Level : sets the maximum level beyond which the overload indication will appear.


Calibration

The items shown in this part of the slide concern instrument calibration and measurement corrections.

Cal.Level is the level to which the sound level meter acoustic calibration is carried out: normally at 94 or 114 dB.

Acoustic Field is the correction of the microphone response according to the type of acoustic field: FF means Free Field and Ri stands for Random Incidence.

Mic. Environmental Corr. is the correction of the microphone response according to the temperature reading made by the built-in sensor. This value is ON by default.

Wind Shield has to be ON when the wind shield is used and the relevant response has to be compensated.


Channels: this slide allows to select SLM5 and History Profile parameters with the relevant weightings.

The profile sampling interval is shown next to the History Profile parameter.

The values corresponding to the Percentile Levels shown on the sound level meter (L1, L2, L3 and L4) are shown at the bottom of the slide.

Dose Integration includes the parameters relevant to DOSE calculation: Exchange Rate, Dose Threshold and Dose Criterion.


Spectrum lists spectral analysis characteristics per octave and per 1/3 octave bands.

Type is the analysis mode: average (AVG) or multispectrum (MLT, MIN, MAX).

Mean and Mean Weight represent respectively the type of Mean (LIN or EXP) and the relevant weight. The weight is FAST or SLOW for the exponential Mean.

Aux. Pond. is the frequency weighting of the broad-band auxiliary channel combined with the spectral analysis and displayed by the vertical bar at the right of the spectra on the display.

Step shows integration time for spectral analysis with linear mean (LIN) or sampling time for analysis with exponential mean (EXP).

The Band Shift item on the grey background provides the type of spectrum used by the sound level meter: OFF means that the standard filter set is being used; ON means that the sound level meter is using a 1/2 band translated filter set. Only the instrument menu allows to change from a type to another. The spectra logging mode per third of octave band with moved central frequencies is not managed.

In FFT Band you can select the portion of the audio spectrum (LF, MF or HF) for the narrow band analysis.


DataLogging is used to enable or disable the datalogging mode and select the variables which data were saved during datalogging (recording).

Datalogging Mode can be Normal or Auto Store.

If Normal the channels to log are here below displayed (DataLogger Channel):

If DataLogging Mode is set as Auto Store, the channels which will be logged are SLM and octaves and third of octaves spectrum.

 

Report

Definition of the parameters concerning management of reports (“Advanced Analyzer” option)

Select the report logging interval (Report Interval) and the SLM parameters. In the Store section, enable the items you wish to log.

 

Event

The Event section collects the "Event Trigger" function settings (“Advanced Analyzer” Option).

Type: trigger source

Polarity: trigger signal polarity

On Level and Off Level: the trigger threshold and deactivation threshold, respectively

Min. On Time and Min. Off Time: minimum event duration and stop delay

Serial Out Notify: if enabled (ON), a warning string is sent through the serial interface for each trigger signal.

Set the different trigger items and, if needed, select the SLM parameters. In the Store section, enable the items you wish to log.

 


Options
All settings made in the different Setup folders can be saved to recall them later on: this allows to save time and prevent doing errors during the sound level meter set-up.

Pressing Save Setup, the following window appears where you can enter the name of the new setup. The list shows stored setups.

If you press Load Setup, this window will be viewed:

Select a setup from the list and press Load Setup to make it active.

Press Delete Setup to delete the selected setup.

 

Press APPLY ALL to confirm, or Cancel to cancel the operation.

 


Main Menu

At the top of the window there is the main menu that allows to access to all of the functions of DeltaLog5 program.

To activate a function, open the pop-up menu where the function appears and select it with the mouse. According to the contest, some of the menu items are disabled as the function they play is not active: these items are shown in grey.

The functions of the different commands are listed and detailed in the following pages.


A) File Menu


Open
It opens a stored file. The files managed by the program have a DL5 extension.
DL5
is a file of data obtained through a recording procedure.
If the instrument is connected to a PC, you will not be allowed to open any file via the Open File command: you first have to get disconnected. Pressing Open File, the following message will appear:

Press Yes to disconnect the instrument and open a file, press No to hold connection.


Save As…

It opens the following window for saving a file.

Data files are listed in the main window: each file corresponds to a measurement session. You can select all of the sessions to be saved or only a few of them: to select a group of consecutive files, click the first one, hold Shift down and click the last one. To select a non-consecutive group of files, click each of them and hold Ctrl down.
To change the file location, press Browse or digit the complete path in the File Name line.
The File Name window provides file names and positions.
The OK key is not active until at least one of the Reports to be saved has not been selected.

Export to Excel
It opens Microsoft Excel and exports currently active data to an Excel folder. To be active, this function requests Microsoft Excel to be installed on your PC. Up to 30000 samples per time are exported: for bigger quantities, the operator will be asked which data block he wants to export.
See also Data Export paragraph.

Export in R&A Format
It exports data of a current file in a R & A format, owned by ORIONE S.r.l.
See also Data Export paragraph.

Export as Formatted Text
It exports data of current file to a text file with ";". This file can be easily imported from other applications.
See also Data Export paragraph.

Close
It closes a File previously opened.

Print…
It prints a current file. Data (data table or graph) displayed in the main window are printed. For any problem concerning printing, see the relevant paragraph.

Printer Setup…
It opens the setup panel with print options.


Print Graph Setting

If the printed graph dimensions are not the same as the displayed ones, it's possible to manually set the width and length of graph. The two squares length and width can be modified by the user selecting the CUSTOM name.

Exit
It quits the program.

 



B) Instrument Menu

Connect 
It connects DeltaLog5 to the instrument: if the Autodetect function in Options >> Port Setting is active, the serial port parameters are automatically set.

Disconnect 
It disconnects DeltaLog5 from the instrument and enables the serial port to be used for other programs.

Inst. Info
It opens a window listing information about the instrument:

 

Start Recording
It starts data recording on the instrument by using current settings.
To change and display logging parameters, start Setup. (See Details).

Stop Recording 
It stops data recording (See Details).

Download Data
It downloads to a PC the data stored by the instrument while recording. A time indication needed for downloading is given according to set baudrate. During this stage, a window will show the download progress and the number of downloaded records.
The download procedure can also be interrupted. (See Details).

New Session
It deletes data downloaded to the PC and opens a new measurement session. You are asked in advance whether you want to save current data in a file.

Instr.Setup
It opens a configuration window of the instrument connected to the PC. (See Details).


Clear Instr. Mem.
It clears all files stored on the instrument memory.
A window containing a warning message appears to confirm memory clear or not:

If you press YES, all stored files will be definitively cleared.
Clear procedure will be confirmed as follows:

Warning: cleared files cannot be recovered.

Acquisition >> Start

It starts the data acquisition of the instrument and act in the same way as the key RUN/STOP/RESET of keyboard during the STOP function of instrument.

Acquisition >> Stop

It stops the measurements and let the instrument stay in STOP mode; it act in the same way as the key RUN/STOP/RESET of keyboard during the instrument acquirement.

 



C) View Menu

See also Data Display/View

Table
It displays the selected data file in table format. This is the default display in use when opening a new file.

Graph
It displays the selected data file in graph format. If a graph is already available, it will be refreshed: this function is useful to bring the graph window to the start condition rapidly.

Histogram
Graph format used to display the single spectrum per octaves and per 1/3 octaves.

View Spectrum 3D
Graph format used to display the graphs at three variables: frequency, amplitude and number of samples. It is applied to multiple spectrums for octave and third of octave and according to the reverberation time.

View UR Level
It shows on the graph an horizontal line in correspondence with the Under Range level, that is with the lower limit of the instrument dynamic range.

View E.L.Level >> E.L.Level 1987 (Isophone Curves 1987)
To enable the tracing function of isophonic curves in 1/3 octave spectrums according to the ISO 226/1987.
(See Isophone Curves).

View E.L.Level >> E.L.Level 1987 (Isophone curves 1987)
It enables the tracing function of isophone curves in 1/3 octave spectrums according to ISO 226/1987.
(See Isophone Curve).

View Cross Reference
It activates the cross reference view to identify a determined sampling instant in the multiple reports.
(See Cross Reference).

View Isophone
It enables the tracing function of isophone curves in 1/3 octave spectrums.
(See Isophone Curves).

View Instr. Status
It activates the window which resume the current condition of sound level meter. This screen appears automatically at the connection between software and sound level meter (See DeltaLog5 starting)

View Schroeder Integral
It displays the Schroeder integral to calculate the reverberation time.

View Full Date-Time
It changes between absolute and relative date and time both in graphs and in data tables.
(See details in the relevant chapter).

Toolbar
It activates or deactivates the Toolbar.

Status Bar
It activates or deactivates the Status bar.

 



D) Tool Menu


Copy to Clipboard
This command copies the current window into Windows clipboard, both as graph and as table and allows to paste it in another program as an image.
After selecting Copy to Clipboard, open the allocation program (editor, spreadsheet, graphics program, ...) and use the Paste command (or Paste Special, if available) to paste the clipboard content.

FFT Resolution
Resolution applicable to the FFT graphs obtained using the single data recording: can be 1, 10 or 100Hz. (See also the description of the FFT feature).

FFT Y Axis Scale
Select the FFT graph scale: linear in Pascal o logarithmic in dB. (See also the description of the FFT feature).


Leq Recalc

Function to calculate the Leq over a selectable interval:

Click on the file in the Session List to restore the initial data.

Statistic Calc.
Select the type of statistical analysis on current data. The analysis can be:

See the details here.

Extract single data
It allows to extract a data from a MULTI session and save it in a new single type file. It can be applied on SLM data, octaves and third of octave: double click on the data line of the table to select a SLM data.

Set Limits
It opens a window that allows to trace two lines on the History Profile graph, named upper and lower limit. This option is particularly useful to highlight the over range of defined sound levels.


View Limit
It activates the view of limits set through the Set Limit function (see the description of the previous command).
This function is active only if the History Profile graph is available.

Zoom +
It enlarges the area of the graph previously selected with the mouse. Hold down the mouse left button and drag the pointer onto the graph to select the area to be enlarged. Once the area has been selected, use the Zoom+ command (or the Apply Zoom key) to enlarge. (See details).
If an octave or a 1/3 octave spectrum is displayed and you press Zoom+, the following window will open:

Max Level and Min Level represent the graph higher and lower level. Press Restore Default to restore the levels to standard values.

Zoom -
It returns to standard view for SLM5 and History Profile graphs and opens the window shown above for spectrums.

3D Graph Proprieties
It opens the window: Properties of 3D Graph

Navigator
It opens the Spectrum Navigator.

Sel. Spectrum Freq. (Select the frequencies for spectrum)
Screen for frequencies selection for graph display.

 



E) Option Menu

Port Settings
It opens a window where serial port parameters can be set or viewed. This function is active only when the instrument is not connected. Selecting Autodetect, the program will make the automatic setup of port parameters (suggested option).

 

Firmware upgrade
This function starts the firmware upgrade of instrument.

New Microphone
Starts the microphone replacement wizard.

Reverberation Time
Starts the reverberation time analysis wizard.



F) Help Menu (?)

DeltaLog5 Info
About software version.

DeltaLog5 Licence
Software licence agreement with the end user.

DeltaLog5 Handbook
DeltaLog 5 user's manual.

 



Toolbar

To make the program easier and faster to use, some operations accessible from menu are also available from a toolbar, positioned immediately under the main menu (series of buttons).

File >> Open
Opens a file of data previously saved. (See Details).

File >> Save as…
Saves data downloaded from the instrument (See Details).

Instrument >> New Session
Starts a new session and deletes data downloaded to PC: before quitting, you will be asked whether you want to save data. It does not clear the instrument memory: for this function use the Clear Instr. Mem. command in the Instrument menu.

Instrument >> Connect
It starts the instrument connection to the PC. Serial port setup is automatically carried out by the program and no operator's action is required if the Autodetect option has been selected.

Instrument >> Disconnect
It disconnects the instrument at the end of the working session. This command makes the serial port available for other applications.

Instrument >> Download data on PC
Starts data download from the instrument memory to a PC. (See Details).

Instrument >> Start Recording
Starts data recording according to current setups. (See Details).

Instrument >> Stop Recording
Stops data recording.

Instrument >> Instrument setup
Opens the instrument setup window (See Details)

View >> Table
Displays downloaded data in table format (See Details).

View >> Graph
Displays the selected data file in graph format. To select a file of data, click the corresponding name in the Dumped Data Report List (See Details).

View >> Histogram
Displays the single or multiple data file relevant to a spectrum in histogram format (See Details).

View >> View 3D
Displays in a 3D graph format the data relevant to a multispectral analysis (See Details).

Tool >> Zoom+
Enlarges an area of the graph.

Tool >> Zoom- 
Restores the graph standard size.

View >> View Full Date-Time
Switches between absolute and relative time and date both in graphs and in data tables.
(See details in the relevant chapter).
View >> View Cross Reference
Activates the view of cross references for the identification of a determined sampling instant in the multiple reports.
(See Cross Reference).
Tool >> Copy to Clipboard
The command copies into Windows clipboard the current window displayed as graph or table and allows to paste it into another program as an image.

File >> Export to Excel 
Opens Excel and transfers current data to it. This function is active when data are viewed in table format. To be active, this function requires Microsoft Excel to be installed on your PC.

File >> Print
Prints current data as they are displayed (table or graph). The operator is required to give a heading to the print.

Help >> DeltaLog5 HandBook
Opens the program online manual.

 



Firmware Upgrade

The program that drives the sound level meter (firmware) can be upgraded through the Firmware Upgrade function in the Option menu.
Only version 2.2 (or higher) of sound level meter is provided with firmware upgrade function through DeltaLog5. Previous versions have to be updated by Delta Ohm only.

Procedure:

1) Use the appropriate serial cable to connect the instrument to the first available serial port of the computer where DeltaLog5 is installed.

2) Turn the instrument on and press Connect to connect it to the program.

3) Select Firmware Upgrade in the Option menu.

4) A window will be viewed showing available upgrades: a description of new features, as well as possible additional notes are provided aside each upgrade. Read them carefully before starting upgrading.

5) To start upgrading, press Start Upgrade. To quit and make no changes, press Close.

6) The following window requires to confirm the operation.

Press Yes to continue.

7) The program will automatically start upgrading. During firmware upgrade the instrument display could switch it off. If so, the instrument will switch on automatically at the end of the process.

At the end, when the window above will be displayed, press Exit:

To complete the upgrade, the program will restart the instrument and reopen the setup menu. Instrument parameters have to be set again (date and time, logging interval, etc.). Press OK to confirm.

The upgrade is over.

 



Microphone replacement

The microphone is replaced using a wizard: select the menu item Options >> New Microphone.

To continue you need an acoustic calibrator.

During the wizard the sound level meter turns off: do not try to turn it on manually using the keyboard.

Press OK to continue. The current microphone information are shown:

Press NEXT and select the new microphone model in the following screen.

Press NEXT. Now replace the microphone, insert the sound level meter probe in the calibrator and turn it on:

Press NEXT: the sound level meter turns on and, after the warm up phase...

... enter, when prompted, the calibrator level:

Confirm with NEXT. At the end, the microphone serial number is requested.

By pressing NEXT, the information is saved in the instrument's memory.

Turn off the calibrator and the sound level meter. Take out the calibrator.

Continue with a new acoustic calibration.

The procedure is now complete.

 



Troubleshooting

Connecting Problems

During the connection through RS232 serial port a screen message might signal a baudrate value lower than the maximum one available:

A low baudrate value normally determines a useless slowdown of data transfer between the sound level meter and the PC, therefore, if no connection problem has arisen, it is suggested to set the maximum baudrate value on the instrument (56700 bauds) and connect again.

If the program cannot get connected, check the following:

·     that no other program active on your PC is using the serial ports (i.e.: Hyperterminal). If so, close active applications and try again.

·       that the serial cable is the one supplied with the instrument and that it is properly connected to the connectors (if you are using a different cable, be sure it is type null-modem or contact DeltaOhm).

·       if there are instruments connected to the other serial ports (i.e. a modem), they might interfere with DeltaLog5. In this case it is better to set the serial line parameters manually: before connecting, select Port settings from the Options menu.

The serial port setup window will open: deselect Auto detect and then select the port to which the instrument is connected and the communication baudrate value.

In this case, to make the serial communication work properly, the baudrate value selected from the Port Setting window and the one set on the instrument have to be the same.

How to Enter the Baudrate in the Instrument:
Press MENU: select Instrument and then Input/Output (submenu). The parameter to be modified is RS232 Baudrate. (See details in the instructions manual).
To reduce data transmission time, it is suggested to set the maximum baudrate, that is 57600.

Print Problems

If there are any problems during the print procedure, try to upgrade the printer driver by downloading it from the manufacturer's Web site.
Modify the dimensions of printed image selecting Option>>Print Graph Setting.
Use the Copy to clipboard function to copy the active window and paste it in another application: for example, to print a graph, copy and paste it in Windows Paint and try to print it from there.

 


05092006