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Data Dolphin Tech Note

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Slope and Offset Adjustment for a Pressure Sensor


Introduction
In order for a model 320 flowmeter to correctly interpret the output signal of a depth pressure sensor and
store (or output) meaningful depth values, a slope (m) and offset (b) must first be programmed into the
unit. These values compensate for minor variations in the flowmeter, the depth sensor and the actual
location of the probe installation. The following document details the procedure to calculate the slope and
offset values and program them into the model 320.

Figure 1. Depth Pressure Sensor.

Connecting the Depth Pressure Sensor to the Model 320.


Once a depth pressure sensor has been chosen for use with a model 320, the two should be kept together
as the model 320 is calibrated for that particular depth sensor, for a particular installation location. Keep
this fact in mind when working with the Model 320 and the depth sensor. Also important is the particular
input on the Model 320 that the depth sensor is connected to, as slope and offset values for the depth
sensor are associated with a specific input on the Model 320 only. There are two inputs (or ports) on the
model 320 that are reserved for use with the depth sensor. These are labeled Alg11 and Alg12 and their
relative position on the top Model 320 is shown in the following figure.

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These inputs are reserved for Antenna Jack


the depth pressure sensor.

Alg14 Power

Alg13 Alarm

Alg12 Velocity Input

Alg11 Comm

Figure 2. Depth Pressure Sensor Inputs on the Model 320.

Because the accuracy of the depth read by the Model 320 is dependent on a specific depth sensor, input
and location, it is a recommendation that this correlating information be recorded. The “notepad” function
of the Model 320, which is accessed via the Data Dolphin software, is a good location.
Calculating the Slope and Offset Values For a Pressure Sensor.
Use the following procedure to calculate and program the slope and offset values into the Model 320. A
column of water of a known depth is required. For the greatest accuracy, choose a depth as close the
maximum depth that the pressure probe will be measuring as is feasibly possible. Alternatively, a
pressure vessel with a known pressure may be used. An Excel spreadsheet is also necessary for
calculating the final slope and offset values.

1. Plug the depth pressure sensor to either Alg11 or Alg12 on the Model 320. If the unit has an
antenna jack, ensure that an antenna is installed.
2. Next, using the RS232 serial cable supplied with the Model 320, connect the Model 320 to the
serial port of a computer with Data Dolphin software installed. This is done by connecting the five-
pin connector of the RS232 cable to the port labeled “Comm” on the Model 320, and the opposite
end to the serial port of the computer.
3. Power up the Model 320 by plugging a battery into the port labeled “Power”.
4. Open the Data Dolphin software on the computer. Click on the Setup button on the main toolbar to
open the Dolphin Setup window. Next, click on the “Precision Inputs” tab to view the Precision
Inputs configuration page. Load the precision input settings from the Model 320 into the Data
Dolphin software by clicking on the “Load from Dolphin” button. The Model 320 precision input
settings should load into the controls of the inputs sections on this page. If the settings did not load
(the Status bar in the Data Dolphin software reads “No response from data logger”) check your
cable and power connections and repeat this step.

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Figure 3. The Data Dolphin Setup Window


5. Now, determine which input you have connected the depth sensor to. The section on the Precision
Input configuration page labeled “Input 11” corresponds to Alg11 on the Model 320 and the section
labeled “Input 12” corresponds to Alg12. Once you have determined which input you have
connected the depth sensor to, ensure that the input is enabled (the “On” checkbox has a check),
and properly named (i.e. “Depth 1”). The “Rate” combo box should have 1.88Hz selected, and the
type of scaling used should be linear equation.
6. Write down the values in the “m” and “b” textboxes as a back up. You are calculating new values
for these textboxes, so for the meantime reset these values by entering “1” for m, and “0” for b.
These values will allow you to read raw voltages from the depth sensor in the Data Dolphin Status
window in the following steps. Change the units displayed in the Units textbox to “V” (volts) to
reflect this change.
7. Click the “Apply” button at the bottom of the Setup window to program these settings into the
Model 320.
8. Open the Status window by clicking on the status button on the toolbar. The computer should
begin communicating with the Model 320 and downloading its status information.
9. The status window has four main sections namely “General”, “Standard Inputs”, “Frequency Inputs”
and the section that this procedure is concerned with, namely “Precision Inputs”. This section
displays the readings of the sensors connected to the Model 320’s precision inputs, namely Alg11
thru Alg14 (Inputs 11 to 14). Click the Refresh button at the bottom of the Status window. Write
down the value generated by the depth sensor (which is actually the voltage measured by the
Model 320 at this input) with no water pressure applied. Record this as the 0 depth value.
10. Immerse the pressure probe in a water column of a known depth. This depth should correspond
approximately to half of the projected depth, if possible. Otherwise choose another feasible value.
11. Click the Refresh button in the Status window to update the Status window with fresh information,
and again write down the value in the displayed in the depth sensor’s input box, along with the
depth of the water column. This is the midpoint measurement.
12. For the final data point, immerse the pressure probe to the maximum projected depth (if possible),
click the Refresh button and write down the value read on the depth sensor’s input along with the
known depth.

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13. To calculate the final m and b values, open a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel and enter the depth
and the corresponding input readings (which are voltages) into two separate columns. An example
spreadsheet is shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 4. Example Excel spreadsheet for calculating slope and offset


Click on the cell where you want the slope value to appear, and type the following into the formula
bar:
=SLOPE(<range of depth values>,<range of voltage values>)
The format for the range of depth and voltage values is in the spreadsheet formula format, such as
C3:C5, where C3 is the first cell in the range, and C5 is the last. Hit return, and the value that
appears in this cell is the final slope (m) value.
14. Finally, click on the cell where you want the offset value to appear, and enter the following formula
into the formula bar:
=INTERCEPT(<range of depth values> ,<range of voltage values>)+ <distance from depth
sensor to the invert of pipe>
Hit the return button to calculate the offset (b). As is shown by the above formula, be sure to enter
the actual distance the depth sensor will be mounted above the invert of the pipe, in the units that
the depth is being measured in, so that the offset calculated in this cell will yield the correct depth
when the Model 320 is eventually installed.
Programming the Slope and Offset Values into the Model 320.
To finally configure the input on the model 320 to display and record the depth in the correct units, open
the Setup window in the Data Dolphin software, click on the Precision Input tab, and load the current
settings from the Model 320. Enter the slope and offset values calculated in the previous section into the
“m” and “b” text boxes for the depth sensors input. Also enter the units of depth measurement into the
units textbox. Click the Apply button to program the new slope and offset values and units of
measurement into the Model 320’s input. To confirm that the new slope and offset values are displaying
the correct depth, open the Status window in the Data Dolphin software, immerse the pressure probe to a
known depth and click the Refresh button. The value displayed for the depth sensors input should equal
the known depth, plus the distance from the depth sensor to the invert of the pipe.
Optimum Instruments Inc. makes no warranty for the use of its products, other than those expressly contained in the Company’s standard
warranty. The Company assumes no responsibility for any errors which may appear in this document, reserves the right to change devices or
specifications detailed herein at any time without notice, and does not make any commitment to update the information contained herein. No
licenses to patents or other intellectual property of Optimum Instruments Inc. are granted by the Company in connection with the sale of Optimum
products, expressly or by implication. Optimum’s products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems.

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