3  Configuration

Prior to each deployment of the Mini Buoy, the data logger will need to be fully charged, have a full memory, and be correctly configured according to the user’s requirements. The following section describes how to configure the MSR145W B4 (used in both the B4 and B4+ Mini Buoy designs) and HOBO Pendant G acceleration data loggers. Select the correct software tab according to the logger type being configured:

MSR

The free ‘MSR’ software to configure the MSR145W B4 logger can be downloaded here. The software is only compatible with a Windows PC. The cable, provided with the logger, is used to both configure and charge the logger.

To configure the MSR145W B4:

1. Download and install the MSR software onto a Windows PC
2. Connect a logger to the PC via the cable provided. A yellow LED will light up on the logger, indicating the internal battery is being charged. The light will extinguish once the battery is fully charged
3. Open the MSR software

Note

The MSR software appearance differs depending on which model of MSR145W B4 was purchased. Whilst using different models does not affect the performance of a Mini Buoy, the setup procedure differs.

To confirm the model of the logger:

4. Double-click Setup

5. Under General, confirm whether MSR type is MSR145C or MSR145B

Select the correct tab to continue with the setup:

MSR145C

6. Select the Format memory tab
7. Click Format > Yes. This will delete any data stored on the logger

8. Once formatting is complete, click OK
9. Select the Limit tab
10. Click Read
11. Select Channel 1 | Ax and click Change
12. Under the Record condition drop-down menu, select never
13. Click OK
14. Select Channel 3 | Az and click Change
15. Under the Record condition drop-down menu, select never
16. Click OK
17. Click Write

Important

Only Channel 2 | Ay should now display always. This means only acceleration data along the y-axis will be gathered. Only y-axis acceleration data is used to measure hydrodynamics.

18. Select the User settings tab
19. Under Info, enter a suitable Name of logger
20. Click Write

Tip

It is good practice to keep a record of the logger name and serial number for data analysis.

21. Select the Basic settings tab
22. Under Sensors, use the drop-down menu to select a sampling rate between 1s and 10s

Note

Sampling rate determines the precision of the data and the duration of a survey. A higher sampling rate improves precision but lowers survey duration. Use the table below to select an optimum balance between sampling rate and survey duration.

Sampling rate	Survey duration
1s	24 days
2s	48 days
5s	120 days
10s	240 days

23. Under Record control, check Start at
24. Set the logger to Start at a specific date and time

Tip

It is good practice to set the start time as two hours before the Mini Buoy is expected to be inundated.

25. Check Consider limit
26. Under Options during record, uncheck all options
27. Click Write basic settings
28. Click Start
29. Under Info and measurement parameters, confirm that State reads Record starts on yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm

30. Click Exit
31. Disconnect the MSR145W B4 logger from the computer

The logger is now primed for data collection.

MSR145B

6. Select the Format memory tab
7. Click Format > Yes. This will delete any data stored on the logger

8. Once formatting is complete, click OK
9. Select the User settings tab
10. Under Acceleration sensor, set the Measure range to 2G
11. Under Info, enter a suitable Name of logger

Tip

It is good practice to keep a record of the logger name and serial number for data analysis.

12. Click Write user settings

13. Select the Basic settings tab
14. Under Record control, check the Limits active box
15. Select the Limits tab
16. Under Record limit, use the drop-down menu for ACC x to select <L1 or >L2, (Shock)
17. Under Limit L1, set the value for ACC x to -123 (i.e. negative)
18. Under Limit L1, set the value for ACC x to 123 (i.e. positive)
19. Under Record limit, use the drop-down menu for ACC z to select <L1 or >L2, (Shock)
20. Under Limit L1, set the value for ACC z to -123 (i.e. negative)
21. Under Limit L1, set the value for ACC z to 123 (i.e. positive)

Important

Only ACC y should now display inactive. This means limits on the y-axis logger are inactive, so measurements will always be taken. For the other axes, data is only recorded if extremely high (and unrealistic) acceleration values are detected - effectively disabling them. Only y-axis acceleration data is used to measure hydrodynamics.

22. Click <

23. Basic settings should now be displayed. If not, select the tab
24. Under Sensors, select t1 from the ACC x, y, z drop-down menu
25. Under Main storage rate, set t1= to a sampling rate between 1 and 10 seconds

Note

Sampling rate determines the precision of the data and the duration of a survey. A higher sampling rate improves precision but lowers survey duration. Use the table below to select an optimum balance between sampling rate and survey duration.

Sampling rate	Survey duration
1 s	24 days
2 s	48 days
3 s	72 days
4 s	96 days
5 s	120 days
6 s	144 days
7 s	168 days
8 s	192 days
9 s	216 days
10 s	240 days

26. Under Record control, check Start at
27. Set the logger to Start at a specific date and time

Tip

It is good practice to set the start time as two hours before the Mini Buoy is expected to be inundated.

28. Under Options during record, uncheck all options
29. Click Write basic settings
30. Under Info and measurement parameters, confirm that State reads Record starts on yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm

31. Click Exit
32. Disconnect the MSR145W B4 logger from the computer

The logger is now primed for data collection. A blue light will flash until the start date and time is reached.

HOBOware

The free ‘HOBOware’ software to configure the Pendant G Data Logger can be downloaded here. The software is compatible with both Windows and macOS. A HOBO Optic USB Base Station (sold separately) is required to configure and charge the logger.

To configure the HOBO Pendant:

1. Download and install the HOBOware software
2. Connect a logger to the PC via the HOBO Optic USB Base Station
3. Open the HOBOware software
4. Click the Select Device drop-down menu
5. Tick the USB or serial port tabs according to how the data logger was connected to the computer
6. Select the Launch icon
7. Set a name for the logger under the Name field
8. Select the Sensors tab
9. Check X-Axis Acceleration (+/- 3g)
10. Under Configure Sensors to Log, check X-Axis Acceleration (+/- 3g)
11. Select the Deployments tab
12. Use the drop-down menu to set Logging Interval to the desired sampling rate

Note

Sampling rate determines the precision of the data and the duration of a survey. A higher sampling rate improves precision but lowers survey duration. Use the table below to select an optimum balance between sampling rate and survey duration.

Sampling rate	Survey duration
20 s	15 days
1 min	45 days
2 min	90 days
10 min	1.2 years

13. Select the Deployments tab
14. Set the Start Logging date and time

Tip

It is good practice to set the start time as two hours before the Mini Buoy is expected to be inundated.

15. Click Delayed Start
16. Disconnect the Pendant logger from the computer

The logger is now primed for data collection.