A-Link: Download data from Adcon Server

• The data folder, where downloaded files are left, needs to be located using ...
  This folder will default to the Application Data Folder, but should be changed to somewhere convenient. e.g. C:\Mlog\Data
• All the data from the server can be downloaded, or only the data after or before a date.
  Typically you would choose on or after, and enter the start of the season date.
  If the date is changed to an earlier date the data files might need to deleted and re-downloaded.
• Data can be downloaded automatically - say every hour.
  When A-Link starts there will be a 5 sec pause before an automatic download takes place.
• A-Link can be run automatically at startup - when the computer is turned on.
  It will run minimised, and will be shown in the task bar.
• Use Download to download all active files.
• Use Cancel to stop downloading.

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For a New Season...

1. Use ... to create a new sub-folder for the files e.g. C:\Mlog\Data\2011
2. Change the on-or-after date to the start of the season e.g. 1 Nov 2011

New data files will be created in the new folder the next time data is downloaded.

First select a node in the tree - only values for sensors below this node will be requested from the server.

Use first previous day previous scan next scan next day latest to get values from the server. {needs images}

The values returned will be for the first set of readings after the requested date, and the date/time of the values will be shown.

Sensors in the same Device can return data at different times - the date shown at the bottom will be the latest date of any sensor.

The date can be changed by typing a new value, or using the slider.

The scan interval (time between values) is required for next scan and previous scan - use previous day followed by next scan to determine the interval.

The range of the slider is calculated from first and latest.

The Adcon server will automatically log out after a few minutes of inactivity, and there will be no response.
Use ServerMenu/Logout to force A-Link to re-login. {FIX !!!}

• Use New to add a new file for downloading, or drag a Device node from the tree.
• Files will only be downloaded if they are active, although the Download file button will download the currently selected file.
• Name is any text to describe the file e.g. North Paddock
• File is the name of the data file e.g. north1.dat.
  Any file extension can be used, although the CSV extension normally defaults to MS Excel.
  The file will be saved in the current data folder.
• All downloaded data can be output to the file, or only at intervals - say every 3 hours.
  If output is at intervals, the values can be the average of all readings in the 3 hr period, or maximum, minimum, total or count.
  For example average could be appropriate for temperature, and total for rainfall.
• Use edit to view the data file, and if required make changes.
• Use delete to delete the file so that it can be re-downloaded.
• Use Up and Down to change the order.

Below is the list of sensors being output in the file.

• When a sensor is selected the corresponding tree node will be highlighted.
• Use New to add a new sensor; or drag a node (sensor or Device) from the tree.
• Use Up and Down to change the order - it can be important for the software that reads the file.
• Use Delete to remove a sensor.
• Use Edit (or double-click) to change the sensor name or the processing - average, maximum, etc.

• Clicking on a sensor in the tree changes the Name and the Adcon ID number.
• In this example the sensor names have been shortened (e.g SM40cm) because this is the text that will be output in the data file header line.
• When adding a new sensor, the tree will show checkboxes. A new sensor will be added for all nodes that are checked.

Each Adcon device and sensor is identified with a unique ID number.

Use ViewMenu/AdconID to see these ID numbers in both the tree and the sensor list.

• The URL address is the location of the server e.g. www.adcon.at
• The port is normally 8080.
• The UserID and Password will be supplied (by ???).
• The timeout is normally 5 seconds, but can be increased for a slow internet connection.
• Slots is the number of scans that are downloaded in each data request.

• The date format is used to format the dates in the output file.
  If the files could be sent to other countries, select an unambiguous format such as dd mmmm yyyy HH:MM.
• The delimiter separates values in the output file - typically a {comma}, but could be a {tab}.
• The missing data character is output if there is no data from a sensor at that date.
• A-Link can display in any language.
  The language file can be edited.
  Extra language files (extension=LNG) must be saved in the Application Data Folder.
• The password on the server tab can be hidden, or shown in plain text.
• The log file is also in the Application Data Folder. It can be checked with edit, and deleted.
• A summary can be logged in this file every time data is downloaded to a file.