UNDER GUIDANCE OF: Mr. A.A.

MAXTON LECTURER (ASET) LUCKNOW

DATA LOGGER SUBMITTED BY: SUNIL KUMAR PRAJAPATI B. TECH (ECE) 7TH SEM A7605109090 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ABOUT RDSO QUALITY OBJECTIVES INFRASTRUCTURE AND RDSO LAB INTRODUCTION OF DATA LOGGER FRONT END PROCESSOR REMOTE TERMINAL UNIT NETWORK MANAGEMENT OF DATA LOGGERS( NMDL ) FEATURES REAL TIME STATION MONTRING SYSTEM CONCLUSION REFRENCES

ACKNOWLEGEMENT
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. Amity University, Lucknow Campus and Prof. O.P.Singh, HOD ( ECE) for giving the opportunity to work on summer project as a part of my graduation curriculum at Indian Railways, Dept. of signaling lab in Lucknow(RDSO). Apart from the efforts of myself, the success of any project depends largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the people of Indian Railways who have been instrumental in the successful completion. I would like to show my greatest appreciation to Mr. anupam Andrew maxton Lecturer(ASET). I can't say thank you enough for his tremendous support and help. Without his encouragement and guidance this project would not have materialized.

INTRODUCTION:
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The first railways in India were built in 1853 and their subsequent continent-wide development saw the appearance of various private railway companies and state-owned railway systems. To enforce standardization and coordination between these sometimesdisparate systems, the Central Standard Office (CSO) was established in 1930 to prepare designs, standards and specifications. However, before Indian independence in 1947, most of the design and manufacturing of rolling stock and infrastructure was entrusted to foreign consultants. With the subsequent phenomenal increase in the nation's industrial and economic activity and rising demand for railway transport, a new organization called the Railway Testing and Research Centre (RTRC) was set up in 1952 at Lucknow to test and conduct applied research for development of railway rolling stock, permanent way etc. In 1957, the CSO and RTRC were integrated as the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) under the Ministry of Railways at Lucknow. .

FUNCTIONS: RDSO is the sole R&D organization of Indian Railways and functions as the technical advisor and consultant to the Indian Railway Board, regional railways and rolling stock works. Basically, its activities involve: Development of new and improved designs Development and adoption of new technologies for use on Indian Railways
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 Development of standards for materials and products especially needed by Indian Railways Technical investigation, statutory clearance, testing and provision of consulting services Inspection of critical and safety items for rolling stock, locomotives, signals, telecommunications equipment, and track RDSO also offers international consultancy services on design, testing and inspection of railway equipment as well as surveys for construction of new lines.

QUALITY POLICY: To develop safe, modern and cost effective Railway technology complying with Statutory and Regulatory requirements, through excellence in Research, Designs and Standards and Continuous improvements in Quality Management System to cater to growing demand of passenger and freight traffic on the railways. QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR 2008- 09 QUALITY ASSURANCE Hitherto, the quality assurance function in respect of vendor approval and purchase inspection of these items including publication of vendor directories was being looked after by individual technical directorates of RDSO along with their normal functions of research, development and standardization. To impart greater thrust to quality assurance, Railway Board has approved the creation of a separate Quality Assurance Organization at RDSO in Sept.2002 for Technical disciplines. Mechanical Eng. Including M&C, Civil Eng., S&T & Electrical Engg. Each headed by Executive Director under the overall charge of an HAG officer. With the creation of this Quality Assurance Organization, focused attention and close monitoring of vendor approval and purchase inspection activities is being given.

INFRASTRUCTURE: RDSO has a number of laboratories which are well equipped with research and testing facilities for development, testing and design evaluation of various railway related equipments and materials. Some of these are air brake laboratory is equipped with facilities for simulating operation of air brakes on freight trains up to 192 wagons and 3locomotives as also for simulation of passenger trains up to 30coaches brake dynamometer laboratory has facilities to develop and test brake friction materials for locomotives, coaches and wagons. A unique facility in India, this laboratory has also been used by R&D organizations of Ministry of Defense like DMRL, DRDL and HAL for ending in station of brake pads for defense aircraft. B&S Laboratory has a 6mx14m heavy/testing floor on which full scale models of beam spans up to 10 m, slabs, columns, towers, shells and other components made of concrete, steel, brick etc can be tested under static, dynamic or pulsating loads. A high frequency ranging 250-700 cycles/min pulsating for the application of a pulsating loads varying from 2 to 20 tones and a maximum static load of 40 tons on heavy duty testing floor. The Laboratory is equipped with analogue strain indicator, multi channel dynamic strain recording system, switching & balancing units, acoustic mission equipment, data acquisition system etc. for recording various parameters. Diesel Engine Development Laboratory has four test beds capable of testing diesel engines from 100 to 6000 HP with fully computerized systems for recording of over 128 test parameters at a time. This facility has already enabled RDSO to develop technologies for improving fuel efficiency, reliability and availability of diesel engines as well as to extract higher output from existing diesel engines.

Fatigue Testing Laboratory for testing prototype locomotive and rolling stock bogies, springs and other railway equipments subjected to stress and fatigue so as to ascertain their expected life in service. Geo-technical Engineering Laboratory is equipped with facilities for determining strength parameters of soil in lab and field condition. The Stateof-art Sub-surface Interface Radar (SIR) system, Laser based soil particle analyzer, and computerized consolidation test apparatus have been installed in the lab. The lab also has computer is Static Tri axial Shear apparatus for determining the strength of soil as well as the design of embankment. Metallurgical & Chemical Laboratory is capable of destructive and non-destructive testing of metals, polymers, composites, petroleum products and paints for providing information to be used in design and also for monitoring performance of materials in service. The M&C laboratory include Scanning Electron Microscope, Direct reading spectrometer, Ultrasonic Flaw Detector and other nondestructive examination equipment, polymer and composite evaluation facilities, thermal analyzer, corrosion engineering evaluation facilities including weather meter, static 760 hour AR test rig for grease testing. V2F dynamic test rig for grease testing, lube oil filter evaluation rig rating machine & 50t machine for rubber deflection characteristics. Psycho-Technical Laboratory for assessment of critical psycho-physical attributes of operational staff such as drivers, switch station masters for efficient operation. The ergonomic laboratory of psycho-technical Date is also equipped with bio-feedback system for assessment of EMG, GSR (Galvanic Skin Resistance) temperature, pulse and respiration rate & is used for stress management exercises. Signal Testing Laboratory for testing of all types of signaling equipments such as safety signaling relays, block instruments, power supply equipments, point machines, signaling cables, electro-mechanical signaling equipments/ components etc. There is an exclusive environmental testing section equipped with environmental testing facilities as per ISO:9000. These include programmable heat, humidity & cold chambers, mould growth, dust, rain chambers. Signaling Equipment Development Centre has been set up in the Signaling Lab. In this Centre, working signaling equipment & systems have been set up. The working systems include SSI, universal axle counter, VLSI axle counter, AFTCs, block instruments etc. In addition, equipment developed by RDSO, such as signaling relays, poly-carbonate lenses, LED signal lamps, triple pole double filament lamps, power supply equipment etc., have also been displayed. This centre will be used for testing minor improvements in designs of SSI, axle counters etc., as well as for imparting training to newly inducted Inspectors. Track Laboratory for testing full scale track panel under dynamic load patterns similar to those encountered in service Stresses at the various locations of track components under simulated load conditions are measured and recorded for analysis. This has helped in ration aliasing and optimizing design of track structures for Indian conditions. The facility of fatigue testing of welded rail joints is also available. Connection with joint
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research project of UIC on rail defect management, RDSO has been entrusted with lab testing of rail samples from various world railways under simulated loading conditions. Special rail tensioning system for application of longitudinal forces on rail samples to simulate the thermal forces of the field has indigenously been developed, installed and commissioned in track lab. This system, with capacity of up to 150tonne in static condition, is being used to conduct testing of different rail samples. Mobile Test Facilities for recording of track parameters, locomotive power and conducting scallop- graph trials for evaluating vehicle-track interaction as also for monitoring track conditions. For condition monitoring of OHE under live line and to facilitate directed maintenance of electrification, a Network of testing and recording apparatus (NETRA) car, first of its kind, developed by RDSO is actively in service for scanning OHE in Railway.

DATA LOGGER
INTRODUCTION

DATA LOGGER Data logger system is helpful in monitoring Railway Signal Control and Interlocking relays in order to verify their operation, diagnose faults and in maintenance. Data logger logs the change of status of relays & voltages of analog channels connected to it and transmits event information to the central place to generate various exceptions, reports and other information by application software.

Micro-Processor based system Maximum 4096 opto isolated digital inputs @ 16 mSec sampling and 96 individually isolated analog input voltage channels @ 1 Sec. Non-volatile data storage (more than 26 lacks) in NAND Flash and can be retrieved into Memory Card. LCD, LED and Key Board interface for User interaction Printer interface for Hard copy of logged data

8 serial communication ports with high data rates In built dual Modem for network Suitable for different types of Communication media like o Main telecom cable o Quad Cable o Analog Channel of OFC, digital microwave and analog microwave 64KBPS data channel on OFC or digital microwave and E1 Data Channel with 2MBPS Potential free relay contacts to control from central place Audio Visual alarms on exceptions and fault

A data logger (also data logger or data recorder) is an electronic device that records data over time or in relation to location either with a built in instrument or sensor or via external instruments and sensors. Increasingly, but not entirely, they are based on a digital processor (or computer). They generally are small, battery powered, portable, and equipped with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Some data loggers interface with a personal computer and utilize software to activate the data logger and view and analyze the collected data, while others have a local interface device (keypad, LCD) and can be used as a stand-alone device. The system shall chronologically monitor and record the status of various field functions like track circuits, points, signals, operators push buttons/switches (digital Inputs) and level of various analog signals like DC and AC supply voltages, Axle counter signals etc. The equipment shall also have the capability of statistical analysis, predict the faults and generate failure reports. It shall be possible for the user to define fault logics taking digital/analog inputs into consideration and generate reports for such faults.

Data logger is placed in the relay room of a station. The relays reflect the status of all assets present in the station yard. Data logger monitors the relay status and records the change of the asset status. Each data logger has multiple sets of data output ports for communicating the recorded information to the Central/ Local Fault Analyzing System (FAS). Data loggers in each Station present in a division will be connected to Front End Processor located in the Head Quarters through OFC and communicate the recorded
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information of each station to Head Quarters in Common Protocol. (approved by RDSO as per IRS:S:99/2006 ) FEP communicates this recorded information of the Network to Central Monitoring Software called NMDL (Network Management Data Logger) through data output port of FEP. The software analyzes the information related to the assets operation for reporting the occurrence of faults in their operation, simulation of online train movement in the stations etc. Data backup can be done in both CMU and Server present in the Head Quarters for further analysis. The status of various Railway Signal Control and interlocking relays are essentially to be logged in order to verify, diagnose its operation, maintenance and faults. Data logger logs the change of status of every relay connected to it. Logged data transmitted upon to the central place to generate various exceptions, reports and other information by application softwar.

DATA LOGGER NETWORK:

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Data logger is placed in the relay room of a station. The relays reflect the status of all assets present in the station yard. Data logger monitors the relay status and records the change of the asset status. Each data logger has multiple sets of data output ports for communicating the recorded information to the Central/ Local Fault Analyzing System . Data loggers in each Station present in a division will be connected to Front End Processor located in the Head Quarters through OFC and communicate the recorded information of each station to Head Quarters in Common Protocol ( approved by RDSO as per IRS:S:99/2006 ). FEP communicates this recorded information of the Network to Central Monitoring Software called NMDL (Network Management Data Logger) through data output port of FEP. The software analyzes the information related to the assets operation for reporting the occurrence of faults in their operation, simulation of online train movement in the stations etc. Data backup can be done in both CMU and Server present in the Head Quarters for further analysis.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: The equipment shall be capable of generating audio-visual alarm under defined conditions. In addition, it shall be able to deliver non-vital relay outputs on receipt of command from CMU. At least 8 non-vital relay outputs shall be provided. The non vital relay output shall be in the form of potential free contacts capable of driving 24V 'Q' series relays These outputs may be used for non-vital functions like radio patching of control circuits etc. For digital inputs, potential free contacts shall be used. Analog signals shall be scaled to a suitable limit using signal conditioner before converting to digital signal. While tapping analog input, it shall not load the analog channel/ field gear by more than 1% of rated load. It shall have facility to log data received from Electronic Interlocking through a serial port.

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The data logger shall be capable of being connected to a printer for obtaining a hard copy of the function recorded. It shall be possible to print the following on the connected printer by selecting from user friendly menu (i) (ii) (iii) On line events as they are generated. To print the exception report To print the status of user specified inputs for user definable time period

The data logger shall record various field functions as indicated in below chronologically in the following format with name of the location at top of every page: Date, time, channel no., field function, status / value

The system shall be easily re-configurable to any changes required by user, whenever modifications are carried out in the yard. Provision for networking and remote monitoring of several data loggers from the central place shall be provided. Data logger equipment has following modules: (i) Processor module. (ii) Input module (digital/ analog) (iii) Signal conditioning module (iv) Communication module (v) Printer 80 Col. Dot matrix (Optional) (vi) Modem(s) The equipment shall cater for minimum 512 digital inputs (in the form of potential free contacts) and 32 analog inputs. The system shall be expandable up to 4096 digital & 96 analog inputs by expansion/cascading the similar equipment. The equipment shall have facility to interface with Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). The RTU shall have modules normally identical to that used in Data logger. A RTU shall cater for minimum 32bit digital and 8bit analog inputs. The RTU shall have its own processor & communication modules. RTU shall have facility to store at least 1 Lack to 10 lacks events. RTU should be expandable up to 64 digital inputs and 16 analog inputs. The inputs of RTU can be taken as part of data logger system and the inputs of
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RTU shall be a part of the total capacity 4096 digital input and analog input capacity of 96. The programming of the individual digital & analog channels shall be controlled by the data loggers. It shall be possible to connect maximum of 4 RTUs. Alternatively, the RTU can exist with separate ID. There shall be no loss of data due to power failure. RTU shall use standard current loop serial interface for data transmission. It shall be possible to connect RTU up to 3 Km. from main Data logger equipment. Signal conditioning module shall convert analog signals like 230VAC, 110VAC, 110VDC, 60VDC, 24VDC, 12VDC and axle counter RX voltages etc. to suitable level for recording. Normally all AC voltages shall be at commercial frequency of 50 HZ except for Axle counter which is at 5KHZ. When an analog channel is not connected, it shall not pick up any noise. Display shall be provided on the front panel of the data logger to display current status / faults/ alarms along with time stamp. It shall be possible to display faults/ alarms generated up to one week earlier on the panel. At least two row display shall be used with at least 16 characters in each row. The equipment shall have real time clock for recording time at which the status of the particular information has changed. The real time clock on data logger should get synchronized with the central monitoring unit. The cascaded Data logger(s) shall also synchronize their clocks with the real time clock of master Data logger. Couplers may be provided to electrically isolate external digital inputs (relay contacts) from the equipment. Self-diagnostics shall be provided in the system. Any fault in the system shall generate error message in the system panel and generate alarm in the CMU. The hardware structure of the system shall be modular. Event logging facility for minimum 10 Lac events shall be provided in a Data logger. Data shall be recorded on first in first out basis so that latest data is available in the system. There should be no loss of data from the data logger memory in case of power supply failure of data logger. Scanning interval for digital inputs shall be less than 20 milliseconds. Change in status of digital signal shall only be recorded. Scanning interval for analog signals like DC or AC supply voltage, temperature, axle counter RX voltage etc. shall be less than 1 second. Variation of more than 5% of the nominal value from the last recorded value, provided it has gone 5% beyond the nominal
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value, shall be recorded. Accuracy of measurement of analog signals shall be better than 1% within 40% of nominal value. The equipment shall have facility to receive serial data from external equipment like Electronic Interlocking, Integrated Power Supply etc. and record it with time stamp. The s software of the system shall be of approved type and written in a structured format so that the purchaser can reconfigure it, if required. The software shall have clear bifurcation between generic software and application software. At least 6 serial ports shall be provided for communication with other data loggers, CMU, RTU, EI, IPS etc. Power Supply: The system shall work on 24V DC (+20%, 30%). Railways will provide 24VDC input supply. Rack mountable and 3/4/6 U high cabinets made of aluminum of minimum thickness 2mm should be used for housing the PCB cards to achieve modular and ergonomic design for good maintainability. The cabinet should be powder coated. The front and backsides of the cabinets shall have the facility for locking the equipment. Data Logger shall be capable of working with different transmission media like underground telecom cable, microwave (Digital or Analog) & OFC. The provision of either in-built modem or external modem is acceptable. The data logger equipment will continuously check the modem status and give the necessary reset as required to eliminate modem hanging condition. The modem will be housed within the data logger cabinet. The data logger shall be compatible to the following media: (i) Main telecom cable. (ii) Quad cable. (iii) Analog channel of OFC, digital microwave or analog microwave. (iv) (v) 64 KBPS data channel on OFC or digital microwave. The trains have been persistently running late ever since the beginning of December. Despite the fact that winter months are marked by inordinate train delays, there is not much that Railways can do here. For all these years, it has failed to discover a technology that can help trains run without delay during the foggy weather. Organisations like RDSO have been working on technologies like fog vision instrumentation and SIMRAN (Satellite Imaging for Rail Navigation), but is yet to produce concrete results.

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(vi)

Every year, Railways issues an advisory to station superintendents and station masters to implement fog control measures, as and when needed. As a precautionary measure, it also cancels some trains, on the routes, which witness dense fog. This year, about a dozen trains have been cancelled till January/February. Officers are of the opinion that it is advisable to cancel the trains beforehand, than cancelling them at the last moment, or to keep passengers waiting for the trains running indefinitely late.

(vii) To indicate fog, a Vision Test Object (VTO) is set up at the station, at least 180 metres from the starter signal of the station. It's when the VTO could not be seen clearly from the station that a fog is declared and advisories are put in place. "A VTO is a fixed structure at the station. It could be a different VTO for different stations," said a railway officer. (viii) Railways depends on obsolete device to beat fogging. (ix) Lucknow: Fog hits train movement every winters. It is dense at stations along hilly areas and rivers. Railways, however, does not have a technology to beat the impact of fog. Trains run late during fog due to reduced visibility and hence difficulty in seeing the signal. In normal weather, a driver can see a signal clearly at a distance of 300 meters. Fog reduces visibility to 20 meters, or even less. Railways depend on things such as the obsolete fog signals to alert drivers of the approaching signal. Fog signal is an obsolete trick used to alert drivers about approaching signal

(x)

(xi) It is a cracker tied to the tracks about 270 meters from the outermost signal (xii) An outermost signal is at 1.5 km from the station to be reached (xiii) A fog signal man ties a cracker after every train that passes through the track during the day (xiv) A cracker bursts as soon as train runs over it and the sound alerts the driver (xv) He reduces the speed of the train to 60kmph or even less depending on the density of fog (xvi) When cracker does not burst, a white line marked along the track, close to fog signal, alerts the driver (xvii) A fog signal is tied to the tracks on the entering line of the station. The trains entering the station have to be alerted about the signal and not the ones that are leaving the station. In a single-line station, where arriving and departing trains
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come on the same line, a fog signal man has to stand guard with a green flag at the fog signal, giving a go-ahead to all the departing trains, which run over and burst the crackers. FRONT END PROCESSOR:

Buffers data in between Central Monitoring Unit and Data logger Network. Receives Network data though Eight (8) serial ports and transfers out the data to Two (2) computer ports. Data buffering of Ten (10) lacks of events. Software filters for redundant data.

Multiple serial ports (max 9 ports) to connect network in various points Software filter for Redundant data 26 lacks events storage

REMOTE TERMINAL UNIT:

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RTU is a mini data logger suitable for Auto sections. Maximum 64 up to isolated digital input @ 16milli sec sampling. Maximum 32 individually isolated voltage channels @ 1 sec. Nonvolatile data storage of One (1) lack events in Flash RAM. Two (2) serial ports for data network with in-built dual modem. Efficient network protocol to effect higher data rate (57.6Kbps).

CENTRAL MONITORING UNIT (CMU):

SOFTWARE LAB VIEW: The database management system i.e. MS SQL server or Inter base shall be used to cater for basic function of Data loggers at CMU level. HARDWARE LAB VIEW: Central monitoring unit shall be state of art PC based system working on commercial supply of 230VAC, 50Hz. Central monitoring unit shall have Graphical User Interface (GUI) based software and retrieve data from all Networked data loggers (up to 32) at various stations. It shall store data in standard data base files. The CMU shall also be capable of analyzing the data & generate reports & audio visual alarms on defined conditions. It shall be possible to
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compress the data and take backup on floppy. Software. Used for analysis of data, prediction of faults etc. in central monitoring unit shall be have approved type and written in a structured format so that purchaser can reconfigure it, if required. It shall be possible to display the status of signaling gears at any selected time in graphic form for any selected station yard on the central monitoring unit. It shall be possible to retrieve the stored data & simulate train movement on the Central monitoring equipment. It shall be possible to send commands to various Data loggers to activate audio, visual alarm or operate an electromagnetic relay. It shall be possible to share data available in CMU by other PCs through available local area network where this data can be used for train charting / passenger information purpose. Front End Processor (FEP) shall be provided to continuously retrieve data from station data loggers. FEP must have capacity to store 10 lack telegrams. It should have 6 ports. The communication protocol for transmitting data and command between data logger and CMU is given in Annexure. The CMU shall be capable of generating following exception reports. i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) xi) xii) xiii) xiv) xv) xvi) xvii) xviii)
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Emergency cancellation of route Panel failure due to power failure Late start of a train (train operation) Late operation of signals with respect to local trains (train operation) Route failure online indication with analysis of the stage at which it had failed. Non-signal movement (train operation) Total on time of lamp (to assess working life of signal lamp) Total number of operations of the relay (to assess life of relay) Emergency Point operation Emergency Route Release Emergency Sub Route Release Overlap release Emergency Crank Handle release Calling on operations Slot operations Historical replay of events in a yard in graphical manner. Circuit progression. Railway shall provide logic for the same. Any other exception report.

Exception condition shall be stored in the data logger chronologically and displayed one by one on the front panel through a toggle switch. Data loggers of all stations shall send status report to the Central monitoring unit continuously. Status information shall be processed at the central monitoring unit and audio visual alarm generated for the fault / alarm condition.

NETWORK MANAGEMENT OF DATA LOGGER (NMDL)

To Receive data from Data logger network. To Record station wise status of Signaling Relays and Power Supplies. To analyze the status changes with reference to the intended sequence of operations.

Front end application software at central control place status of all the data loggers in he network Online status of digital/analog inputs Data selective viewing Online graphical mimic display of every station layout Auto backup on exceeding configured size of data base

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NETWORK STATUS

ASSET STATUS
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FEATURES: On-line Asset-Failure Alarms. Online yard Simulation. Asset Lifetime Alerting. Log of events Reports. Supervisory System for easy Maintenance of Data logger Network. Power Supply variations as Graphs. Offline Yard Simulation. Summary Report of Asset Failures. Auto SMS of Asset Failure. Auto Mailing Facility of Asset-Failure Reports.

REAL TIME STATION MONTRING SYSTEM Real Time Station Monitoring System is a software for the utility of a Train Traffic Controller. It provides Real time Station wise Yard Simulation. Displays Online Station Mimic (Tracks, Signals, Points, LC Gates etc). Displays Route Set & Release indication. Displays Online Train Movement Enables Remote monitoring of the same through LAN / WAN

BENEFITS
Controller can have real time Line occupancy information of all stations in his control section. Remote Online viewing by Divisional Officers to improve productivity of blocks. Crisis management from the control office made easy as the field status is readily available for the Crisis Management Group. Status-orientated maintenance means less maintenance effort and hence savings in human and material resources. Early recognition and clearing of faults reduce the number of delays considerably A long-term evaluation of past measurement data is possible. This data can be useful in other applications like Train Charting, Train Management System, Wrong Operation Information System, Integrated Passenger Information System etc
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INSTRUMENTATION PROTOCOLS
Several protocols have been standardized including a smart protocol, SDI-12, that allows some instrumentation to be connected to a variety of data loggers. The use of this standard has not gained much acceptance outside the environmental industry. SDI-12 also supports multi drop instruments. Some data logging companies are also now supporting the MODBUS standard. This has been used traditionally in the industrial control area, and there are many industrial instruments which support this communication standard. Another multi drop protocol which is now starting to become more widely used is based upon Can bus (ISO 11898). Some data loggers utilize a flexible scripting environment to adapt themselves to various non-standard protocols.

APPLICATIONS

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Applications of data logging include:

Unattended weather station recording (such as wind speed direction, temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation). Unattended hydrographic recording (such as water level, water depth, water flow, water pH, water conductivity). Unattended soil moisture level recording. Unattended gas pressure recording. Offshore buoys for recording a variety of environmental conditions. Road traffic counting. Measure temperatures (humidity, etc.) of perishables during shipments. Process monitoring for maintenance and troubleshooting applications. Process monitoring to verify warranty conditions Wildlife research with pop-up archival tags Measure vibration and handling shock (drop height) environment of distribution packaging. Tank level monitoring. Deformation monitoring of any object with geodetic or geotechnical sensors controlled by an automatic deformation monitoring system. Environmental monitoring. Vehicle Testing (including crash testing) Motor Racing Monitoring of relay status in railway signaling. For science education enabling 'measurement', 'scientific investigation' and an appreciation of 'change' Record trend data at regular intervals in veterinary vital signs monitoring. Load profile recording for energy consumption management. Temperature, Humidity and Power use for Heating and Air conditioning efficiency studies. Water level monitoring for groundwater studies. Digital electronic bus sniffer for debug and validation

What is Data Logging? Data logging is the measuring and recording of physical or electrical parameters over a period of time. Data loggers are used in a variety of applications such as in-vehicle data
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logging, environmental monitoring, structural health monitoring, and machine condition monitoring. Common measurements include temperature, strain, voltage, current, pressure, force, and acceleration. One of the most common data acquisition (DAQ) applications is logging acquired data to disk for analysis. Data logging software can be classified into one of three categories: turnkey, configurable or programmable. Regardless of your application need and preference, National Instruments data logging software offers the ideal user experience while always providing the path to expand your application with NI Lab VIEW, the powerful graphical programming environment ideal for the most complex data logging applications. Turnkey data logging software requires very little user interaction and allow you to log data to disk in seconds. Configurable solutions expand on this functionality to allow the user to configure multiple aspects of their data logging application, including alarms, triggers and analysis without programming. Programmable data logging software is the most powerful and gives you the widest scope of functionality. The data logging solution that is best for you depends on your system requirements and application needs. Since National Instruments DAQ hardware is compatible with multiple types of data logging software, you can pick the hardware and software that is right for you. This article introduces the three levels of data logging software for use with National Instruments DAQ hardware.

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National Instruments offers data logging software to meet any application need. Turnkey Data Logging Software NI Instant DAQ Software Many data logging applications involve acquiring basic signals and logging to disk. No tool makes this easier than NI Instant DAQ software. To get started, simply plug in your Instant DAQ device into your USB port and the launch screen will open. No previous driver installation is necessary. The launch screen displays the current temperature and lets you configure the thermocouple type and temperature units. Click on the Temperature Logger to view and log your data.

Acquire and log data in seconds using NI Instant DAQ software. NI also provides ready-to-run applications that offer additional functionality. Use one of these applications to add alarms and logging conditions, log to a spreadsheet file, or log during specified times. Pre-built applications extend the functionality of NI Instant DAQ software.

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Configurable

Data

Lo

gging Software NI Lab VIEW Signal Express Lab VIEW Signal Express is interactive measurement software for quickly acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data without programming. Lab VIEW Signal Express provides an interactive data logging environment to reuse the same express technology available in NI Lab VIEW graphical system design software. Built with data logging in mind, Lab VIEW Signal Express provides a broad set of features for completing common data logging tasks, including basic data analysis, alarming, customizable graphs and displays to present your data. Automatic Device Detection When you plug in a USB DAQ device, it is automatically detected by the NI-DAQ mx hardware driver which immediately launches a data logging application based on the measurements being made. By combining NI DAQ devices with Lab VIEW Signal Express you can configure an entire data logging application in a few minutes.

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Automatic device detection makes setting up a data logging application quick and easy. Channel View For quick setup and configuration, Lab VIEW Signal Express has a Channel View you can use to simultaneously configure multiple channels for logging. The Channel View allows you to configure a multi-channel data logger making various types of measurements all with a few clicks of the mouse.

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Figure 5. The Channel View allows you to quickly configure properties of your measurements. Data View The Data View of Lab VIEW Signal Express is the main window for presenting the acquired data and analysis. You have the option of customizing the Data View by adding graphs, charts, thermometers, meters, gauges, and LEDs. You can create your display in the Data View while the application is running by dragging and dropping the data from the applicable step into the Data View. Signal Processing and Data Analysis Many simple data loggers can do nothing more than acquire a basic signal. With Lab VIEW Signal Express you can perform basic data analysis to determine maximum and minimum values, averages, and RMS values. You can also run and set masks and limits to dictate thresholds within your acquired data. Lab VIEW Signal Express allows you to perform a wide variety of time and frequency domain analysis functions including Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT), octave analysis, and tone extraction. You also have the ability to apply low pass, high pass, and other filtering techniques to your signals to get rid of unwanted aliasing and noise. You can perform analysis on your data as it is being acquired or analyze data previously logged to disk. No other data logging software gives you this flexibility. Data Import, Export, and Streaming Lab VIEW Signal Express simplifies many common data logging tasks, including exporting your data. Exporting your data to common Windows applications such as Microsoft Excel is as easy as right-clicking on your data or dragging and dropping your data from Lab VIEW Signal Express into Excel. You can also log data to disk by clicking the record button. By storing multiple logs you can load data later to perform off-line analysis. Lab VIEW Signal Express automatically
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formats the data and applies column headers using the TDMS (Technical Data Management Streaming) file format. The TDMS format adds descriptive information to your bulk data to allow for complete documentation of your saved data such as operator name, data and time, and various other test parameters. TDMS files are also optimized for data mining to help you quickly search, find, analyze, and present your test data in an off-line data management tool such as NI DIA dem. Lastly, TDMS files can be opened in Excel for further analysis using the free TDM Add-in for Microsoft Excel.

Lab VIEW Signal Express allows you to customize your user interface with multiple indicators and makes exporting data quick and easy. Recording Options Lab VIEW Signal Express allows you to configure when and how your data will be logged. In the Recording Options tab you can specify alarms, dynamic events, and start and stop conditions for your data logs. By setting alarm conditions in your LabVIEW SignalExpress project you can be notified when thresholds have been passed, tests have failed, or other specific events have occurred during acquisition runs. In addition, you can react to specific events by setting digital lines and analog levels. Lastly, you can specify start and stop conditions to begin or end your recording based on a signal value, software trigger or time of day.

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With Lab VIEW Signal Express, you can configure advanced recording options with no programming required. Project Documentation You can create custom reports within the Project Documentation tab, similar to what you can create in a basic word processing application. Adding documentation within the Lab VIEW Signal Express environment allows you to easily maintain your data logging application because your documentation stays with your engineering data and is instantly updated each time a new set of data is recorded. The graphs and indicators placed within your documentation update while your project is logging or replaying data in playback mode. You can also save your project document as an html file to share with others who do not have Lab VIEW Signal Express. Connection Diagram Often the most difficult step in setting up a data acquisition system is determining how your sensors should be connected to your DAQ device. Lab VIEW Signal Express includes a connection diagram for many analog input steps to show you exactly how to connect your signals to your DAQ hardware.

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Download free NI Lab VIEW Signal Expresses LE Software with a 30-Day Full Version Evaluation NI Sound and Vibration Assistant The NI Sound and Vibration Assistant extends NI Lab VIEW Signal Express technology to provide specific sound and vibration measurements and analysis. The Sound and Vibration Assistant is designed for audio testing, acoustic measurements, environmental noise testing, machine condition monitoring, vibration analysis, noise and vibration control, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) measurements. The Sound and Vibration Assistant provides application-specific analysis, UI components, and examples that plug into Lab VIEW Signal Express. LabVIEW SignalExpress LE Lab VIEW Signal Express LE provides a subset of functionality offered within the Lab VIEW Signal Express interactive measurement environment for free and is included with NI data acquisition devices that are compatible with NI-DAQ mx driver software. Customers who already own a device compatible with NI-DAQ mx can download Lab VIEW Signal Express LE for free. Using Lab VIEW Signal Express LE with NI-DAQ mx driver software, you can acquire, log, export, and view historical data. However, it does not provide the analysis functions, alarming, or events that may be required in your data logging applications. Upgrading to Lab VIEW Signal Express gives you the full functionality provided in the interactive data logging software. Programmable Data Logging Software NI Lab VIEW For creating a user-defined data logging application, there is no better tool than Lab VIEW. Lab VIEW gives you the ability to write to many different types of files including ASCII, binary and TDMS. The lower-level data logging functions in Lab VIEW allow for streaming to disk at rates greater than 1 GB/s. NI-DAQ mx now gives you the ability to log to disk with minimal programming using the Logging tab of the DAQ Assistant Express VI. With Lab VIEW graphical programming you can take advantage of Lab VIEW Signal Express and extend your data logging application by:

Creating custom user interfaces Handling if-else and what if scenarios

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Defining custom timing, triggering, event and alarm conditions Applying hundreds of math, signal processing and analysis functions Saving your data to custom file formats and databases Sharing your results over the web Distributing your applications as executables Low-level TDMS functions in Lab VIEW optimize data logging performance. use the Logging tab in the DAQ Assistant to log to disk with minima programming. Inherently, tools that do not require programming are limited in their functionality. By combining Instant DAQ or Lab VIEW Signal Express with Lab VIEW, you have limitless options for your data logging application. To help you transition from Lab VIEW Signal Express to Lab VIEW, you can automatically generate Lab VIEW code from your existing Lab VIEW Signal Express projects. Additionally, Instant DAQ software includes the Lab VIEW source code for each application. This means you can start your data logging applications using Instant DAQ or Lab VIEW Signal Express and port your projects to Lab VIEW for complete customization, flexibility, and functionality with little programming required.

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Figure 9. Generating LabVIEW code within SignalExpress makes customizing your data logging application easy.

NI Lab VIEW Online Evaluation Software Other Data Logging Software from National Instruments For application-specific data logging tools, consider some of the add-on data logging software that plugs into Lab VIEW and Lab VIEW Signal Express. Lab VIEW Data Logging and Supervisory Control Module National Instruments also provides the Lab VIEW Data logging and Supervisory Control (DSC) Module for developing your HMI/SCADA for process control and industrial
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automation applications, and high-channel-count data logging applications. With the Lab VIEW DSC Module, you can extend your Lab VIEW application to log data to a networked historical database, track real-time and historical data trends, configure alarms and events, set up security on your applications, and easily network OPC devices and Lab VIEW Real-Time targets together into one complete system. NI Veristand NI VeriStand is a software environment for configuring real-time testing applications, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests. Veri Stand gives you the ability to configure trigger able multi-file data logging systems for real-time, multi core test systems. Choose the Right Data Logging Software for You National Instruments provides three levels of data logging software, each customized to meet your specific application needs. NI Instant DAQ provides the quickest path to measuring and logging data. With easy configuration and customizable data presentation, Lab VIEW Signal Express is a premier choice for interactive data logging. For basic data acquisition and presentation, Lab VIEW Signal Express LE provides a free option. To expand upon the options provided in the non-programming environment which Lab VIEW Signal Express provides, you can continue to the Lab VIEW graphical development environment to obtain complete control over functionality and customization of all aspects of your application. For additional information on any of the three levels of National Instruments data logging software, contact an NI technical representative. You can also evaluate all three levels of data logging software for free.

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CONCLUSION
The project we have completed under the guidance of Mr.A. A. MAXTON was very effective. We learned to check the continuity of the machine, studied about the DATA logger, studied the complete detail of data logger and designed the program for coding the checkout of data logger. We are very thankful to the RDSO for guiding us in our Summer training project [DATA LOGGER]. The experience gained here would surely be helpful in our future professional life.

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REFRENCES
http://www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/ http://www.iriset.indianrailways.gov.in/ http://www.efftronics.com/ http://www.efftronics.com/Railway_Signaling/Datalogger_System.html

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