EPC Support Disk

New from EPC is the EPC Support Disk. On a single CD, EPC will provide the following information:

All EPC Model GSP-1086 Series recorders with a serial number between 100 and 125 were outfitted with a RICOH PRINTHEAD P/N 221800. Subsequent EPC Model GSP-1086 Series recorders S/N 200-up were delivered with KYOCERA PRINTHEADS P/N 222151.

Any GSP-1086 S/N 100-125 needing a new printhead will be outfitted with the KYOCERA PRINTHEAD P/N 222151 for no additional cost above the RICOH P/N 221800. This procedure does take two weeks and must be carried out at EPC Labs, Inc.

For information further details please contact the EPC Technical Department at tech-support@epclabs.com or your local sales representative.

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Overview:

EPC Labs has generated a new version of software for 1086 recorders with serial numbers greater than 200 ("200 series"). The new software offers many enhancements and new features regarding the annotation capabilities. The GPS decoding algorithms have been tuned to work more efficiently and to provide event line marking along the annotation of latitude, longitude, and time. Also, the generation of automatic messages and events has been greatly improved. Both events and messages can be triggered independently by line count. Using a line count rather than a time interval provides much more flexibility and resolution for the frequency of events and messages. Lastly, a function was added for automatic fix marking. Once a starting number is selected, the record can be annotated with "Fix: #" where # increments on each successive fix trigger. The fix annotation is accompanied by any kind of event line and the value of the fix number can be changed at any point. For information on price of the B6 version of software please contact the EPC Sales Department at sales@epclabs.com or your local sales representative.

Operation of Revision B6 Features:

Using GPS Hook --

To print GPS information on the record, turn the recorder on and set the following menu items up prior to connecting the receiver.

1.	Set "MESSAGE" to "$GPGGA"
2.	Set "BAUD RATE" to "4800", or whatever the receiver is set to.
3.	Set "EVENT" to the desired line type or "MESSAGE" for no line.
4.	Set "AUTO MSG" to the desired line pitch or "0" for manual messages only.
5.	Set all message attributes (Background, Margin, Char Size) to desired settings.

After all the menus are configured correctly, turn on the GPS receiver and verify that it is outputting the "$GPGGA" sentence at the proper frequency. When the receiver is operating properly, connect it to the running recorder via the RS-232 port (Note: the 1086 "DATA INPUT" field must not be set to "RS-232"). A two wire connection is adequate, ground from GPS to pin 5 on the 1086; and transmit data (TX) on GPS to receive data (RX) on pin 2 of the 1086.

Using Incremental Fix Marks --

Sequential fix numbers can be added to the record, with or without accompanying event lines. To use the fix numbering function, follow the instructions below:

1.	Set "MESSAGE" to "FIX #"
2.	Set "FIX #" to 1 - the desired starting number. If you want the line number to start at "1", set "FIX #" to "0".
3.	Set "EVENT" to the desired line type or to "MESSAGE" for no event line.
4.	Set "AUTOMSG" to the desired line pitch for the message to occur. Set "AUTOMSG" to "0" (off) if you only want fixes annotated by manual means (from the control panel or over the external mark jack).
5.	Set all message attributes (Background, Char Size, Margin) to desired values.

On each successive occurrence of a fix message, the fix number in the "FIX #" field will be incremented by one. To change the next value to print, simply change the "FIX #" setting. The keyboard command for FIX # is "FIX #" where "#" is the desired value in the field.

Notes on Using Auto Message and Auto Event:

The auto message feature was previously only possible by setting "EVENT" to "MESSAGE", and then executing manual events (panel or ext. Mark BNC) or using timed events with only one minute resolution (AUTO EVENT). Occupying the field to the right of the old Auto Event Function, the Auto Message Control has an allowable range of 0 (off) to 32767 lines. This provides, basically, infinite resolution of how often messages are printed. If you prefer a time based system, it is easy to calculate the setting if you know how fast the recorder is keying (line rate). If you want annotation on the record every 10 minutes, and the recorder is printing data at a line rate of 250 milliseconds (1/4 second ping rate), you would set "AUTOMSG" to 2400.

1.	Calculate lines per second: 1 second / 0.250 line rate = 4 lines/sec.
2.	Calculate lines per minute: 4 lines/sec x 60 secs/min = 240 lines/min.
3.	Calculate final setting: 240 lines/mm x 10 mins =2400 lines.

The auto event feature has now been configured to work identically the same way, printing whatever kind of event line you desire at the prescribed number of lines. Executing a manual event or message by means of the "EVENT" button, the "MSG" button, or a contact closure on the Ext. Mark input, will not interrupt either of these automatic functions. The keyboard commands for auto event and auto message are "AEV #" and "AMS #", respectively and where "#" is the number of lines. Using the keyboard greatly simplifies data entry into these fields.

Use of the External BCD Time Decoder Input --

The external time code input option is factory installed and requires special circuitry and cables to operate. This feature will not be available to those operating standard 1086 recorders.

This modification to the unit removes the interface connection to the 1086's parallel interface. The interface is still available. There is, however, no connector provided for it on the front of the recorder. The "parallel" interface connector has been replaced with an internal cable connection to a 24 bit digital I/O card living at address 0x270 on the CPU bus. This card uses a single 8255A parallel peripheral interface configured as threee 8 bit input ports (ports A, B, and C). The 25 pin "D" connector provides the following interface connection to the time encoder box supplying the BCD time code.

If the BCD time decoder card is installed, its presence will be noted on the last test in the power diagnostics. Also, the setting of "EXT TIME" will become available as one of the "MESSAGE" settings.

To use the BCD time decoder, make sure the encoder is connected in accordance with the table above and follow the directions below.

1.	Begin printing analog data as desired.
2.	Set the "MESSAGE" field to "EXT TIME".
3.	Set the "EVENT" field to the desired type for the accompanying event line. If no line is desired, select "MESSAGE" for the "EVENT" field.
4.	Set all message attributes as desired (Background, Margin, Char Size).
5.	Press the "MSG" button on the control panel to manually generate a time annotation.
6.	If desired, set "AUTOMSG" to a line interval for automatically generating the time code at a set frequency.

The system clock can be synchronized to the BCD encoder by pressing the "AUX" button anytime the "EXT TIME" option is selected under the "MESSAGE" field.

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The ADS-640 is now available with the following standard features:

Options:

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EPC Labs, Inc. now offers the IEEE-488 (GPIB) interface to all Model 9802 Thermal Graphic Recorders as an option and not a standard I/O.

By eliminating this rarely used interface EPC is able to maintain the same low price. For further details please contact the EPC Sales Department at sales@epclabs.com or your local sales representative.

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Now available for Model 9800 TBR owners is the AUTOCOMM Program. The auto Command Software was designed for providing Model 9800, 9801 and 9802 operators the ability to do the following:

Items 3 & 4, above, are the primary features of the AUTOCOMM program. It is these features that make the function of the program unique to that of the Remote Application Software provided with the 9800.