Setting Up DewesoftX DAQ Software

Course overview

This course teaches you how to configure DewesoftX to match your measurement needs and workflows. You begin by navigating the Settings interface, where you define key parameters: device modes, project startup behaviors, interface customizations, performance tuning, file storage and export preferences, and security controls.

You’ll then connect DAQ hardware via USB or EtherCAT. The course covers adding/removing devices, refreshing the detection list, viewing serial numbers, firmware versions, configuring remote power, CAN bus modes, watchdog outputs, and fan speed settings.

A key section explores offline mode, letting you simulate channels for demo setups without hardware (useful for creating training demos or safety checks)  . You’ll also learn how to enable various DewesoftX extensions—such as NET, Sequencer, import/export plugins—via the settings panel and refresh them accordingly.

In-depth modules guide you through performance optimization (CPU usage, priority), interface branding (languages, fonts, colors, keyboard shortcuts), file organization (default paths, compression, auto-triggers), and report customization (logos, print margins) (). Security features let you protect critical settings with passwords to prevent unauthorized changes or measurement interruptions  .

Finally, the course explains how to update firmware directly in DewesoftX and manage license activation—whether online or offline.

By the end, you’ll be proficient in tailoring DewesoftX to your specific DAQ environment—streamlining your setup, ensuring reliable hardware connections, and optimizing everyday productivity in both measurement and analysis modes.

Dewesoft has been developing leading data acquisition software for more than 20 years. DewesoftX is the world's best data acquisition, recording, and data analysis software. The software received multiple international awards, is innovative, very easy to use, and requires no programming to acquire, store and analyze data from analog, digital, CAN, GPS, video, serial, and many other data sources. 

After you have successfully downloaded and installed the Dewesoft software it is time to set it up according to your needs. To access the settings in DewesoftX, go to the top right corner of the program.

When you open the Settings, the following screen will appear, which shows us the basic structure:

• Devices - view the connected DAQ devices (Real measurement mode) or simulate channels (Offline mode) to make an offline setup.

• Real measurement (DAQ devices (SIRIUS, DEWE-43, KRYPTON) are used to acquire data.)

• Simulation (Offline mode can be used when we don't have any DAQ devices connected to our system and we want to simulate different types of channels to make an offline setup.)

• Extensions - Add a plugin or extension according to your needs.

• Global variables - Define the channels, that can be used in a sequencer, math section, or in displays.

• Data header - Define the input fields for different operators.

• Startup - Allow multiple instances of DewesoftX or load a setup or a sequence as soon as DewesoftX starts.

• Performance - Select the application process priority, use multiple CPU cores, and define other performance characteristics.

• User interface - Adjust DewesoftX according to your wishes - change the language, font size, background color, and many other settings.

• Files and folders - Define the starting folder where the setups, data files, and other database files are stored.

• Storing - Create a zipped data file to reduce the file size or use the video compression.

• Reports - Use your own company logo in reports when printing the data file.

• Security - Lock the settings with a password. A password can also be used to change the setup, editing sensors, stopping the measurement, changing the sequence, or leaving the full screen.

• Advanced - Set an advanced option for different areas, like hardware, visuals, math, diagnostics, and analysis.

• Licensing - Enter license number and register software. You can choose between online or offline registration. To receive a fully functional 30-day evaluation license for DewesoftX software fill and submit the form on our web page.

In the Real measurement mode, we can see all the devices that are connected to our system.

On the left side of the window, the structure of the system is shown. On the SBOX system, we connected USB devices (SIRIUS, DEWE-43) and EtherCAT devices (KRYPTON, ECAT-SYNC JUNCTION).

With the plus button, we add devices that are not recognized automatically and with the minus button, we can remove them.

When adding a new device, we can select from Standard devices (Camera, CAN, Dewesoft NET, GPS), 

or from Legacy devices (CAN, GPS).

If we have multiple slices, we can rearrange their sort order with the up and down buttons.

With the refresh button, we scan the whole structure of a system again.

On the right side of the window, the properties of devices are shown and some settings can also be changed.

SBOX system

We can see the devices information (serial number, hardware, and firmware version).

If the S-BOX system is used, the remote mode can be used to turn the SBOX on or off from the remote distance.

The connector for power supply on SBOX has three pins, one is for voltage, one for a ground connection and one is a remote signal.

• Disabled: if the remote mode is disabled, SBOX can only be turned on or off by pressing the power button on the device.

• Remote power ON on external pin: The SBOX can be remotely turned on. When the voltage signal comes to pin for remote, the SBOX is turned on.

• Remote power ON and OFF on external pin: The SBOX can be remotely turned on or off. If the SBOX is off and the signal comes, it will be turned on. If the SBOX is on and the signal comes, it will be turned off.

Sirius

In this case, we have connected multiple Dewesoft DAQ devices. If we select the DAQ device and click on it, we see the devices information (device number, serial number, hardware, and firmware version, temperature).

Bridge amplifier offset shows us the initial amplifier offset. Sirius connects the input short on and the offset is measured.

With the button Reset offsets, we clear the initial amplifier bridge offsets.

Fan speed can be set only to Sirius devices. We can choose from default, minimum or maximum. The custom speed is defined with the percentage of the maximum fan speed.

We can change the CAN baud rate and CAN operation mode (Read only or Read/Write/Acknowledge).

Watchdog timer

DewesoftX is quite often used in a much critical application where the control system depends on the data acquisition system or the data acquisition system outputs alarms used to warn the user or switch off the test. In such cases, it is important to know the operation state of the data acquisition system. Watchdog is a safety feature to switch on the digital output when the system is in operation and switches off if the data acquisition system becomes unresponsive. A timeout can be set to delay switching of the watchdog. This feature can be used with any Sirius slice having Digital output. For SIRIUS 8xSTGM DB special watchdog hardware (DS-WDT) is available which has four relay outputs for directly switching on and off. Relays can be programmed as the watchdog or standard alarm/manual outputs.

The Watchdog functionality enables an external way to monitor the behavior of the DewesoftX software. To be able to use the watchdog a Sirius slice with a Digital out is needed or when using a single slice, the Sync signals can also be used. The slice must be connected in order to set up the watchdog.

Once enabled, the output selection can be made. Default settings are:

• Digital output: Ctrl DO Clk

• Timeout: 2 sec

• Operation mode: Active in measure mode

Digital output menu selects on which digital output the watchdog functionality is enabled. When using the Watchdog module, which is connected to the Sirius slice via a 25 pin cable, this selector should be set to Ctrl DO 1.

The timeout value specifies the time in which the Dewesoft must reset the watchdog.

Operation mode can be selected from:

• Always active in measure mode - watchdog functionality is active while DewesoftX is in measure mode

• Active in setup and measure mode - watchdog functionality is active while DewesoftX is in channel setup and while in measure mode. 

• Always active - watchdog is always active.

Digital output menu selects on which digital output the watchdog functionality is enabled. When using the Watchdog module, which is connected to the Sirius slice via a 25 pin cable, this selector should be set to Ctrl DO 1. The watchdog can be only mapped to one digital output!

The watchdog behavior is as follows:

• When the slice is powered up, the module is in the Alarm state (Watchdog LED is RED). The slice does not retain any information about watchdog after power loss!

• When DewesoftX is started and no watchdog functionality was set for the slice in a previous session the LED light is RED

• When the watchdog functionality is set, the following occurs:

  • Active in Ch. Setup is not set: The watchdog LED light is RED until the user switches to Measure mode; then the watchdog LED is GREEN. When switching back to channel setup mode the LED turns back to RED.

  • Active in Ch. Setup is set: The watchdog LED light is GREEN in both Channel setup and in Measure mode.

• When disconnecting the slice from USB or turning off Dewesoft X software the watchdog will trigger (after the preset time in case of disconnect or computer/software freeze or immediately when exiting Dewesoft). The LED light will turn RED

The watchdog module itself has 3 additional outputs that are user-controlled via the A/D module. The respective A/D outputs are CTRL DO 2, CTRL DO 3 and CTRL DO 4.

All four outputs are relay-based with a possibility to connect with a NO (Normally open) or NC (Normally closed) position.

When the watchdog has triggered or upon power up the watchdog relay is not energized meaning that the NO position is OPEN and the NC position is SHORTED.

DEWE-43

In DEWE-43 settings, we can change the CAN baud rate and CAN operation mode (Read only or Read/Write/Acknowledge). We can also see the name of the device, serial number, hardware version, and firmware version.

ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION

ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION works in the same way as other Dewesoft USB devices. It is automatically recognized within Dewesoft X software. By default, ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION will be set up to synchronize KRYPTON EtherCAT® and SIRIUS USB. The serial number and the firmware version can be seen and also updated.

Krypton

Under the KRYPTON section, serial number, hardware, and firmware versions are seen. Also, the firmware upgrade can be done.

Channel setup sample rate

Channel setup sample rate defines the sample rate of channel setup. Channel setup sample rate does not run with the full acquisition sample rate but with the reduced one.

Let's take a look at a signal from a function generator (simple sine wave with 100 Hz). First, we let the channel setup sample rate at the default value, 20.000 s/s/ch.

When we enter the setup of the selected channel, we see the preview of the scope nicely.

Then we change the channel setup sample rate to 10 s/s/ch.

Now, the preview of the channel does not show the proper form of the signal, because it is sampled with a lower frequency than it should be.

The basic idea of synchronization is to provide a clock signal from a  time source. Clock slave receives the signal from the clock provider and the devices are synchronized.

Devices can be synchronized in two different ways:

• Software synchronization - The software synchronization accuracy is around 2-10 ms, which is enough for simple temperature measurement. This synchronization solution requires no additional hardware.

• Hardware synchronization - It is a hardware solution that can synchronize all USB devices (SIRIUS, DEWE-43, ...) and EtherCAT devices.

We have connected one SIRIUS, one DEWE-43 and one KRYPTON measurement unit to the SBOX

Time source

The time source provides a clock for synchronization. It can be selected from:

• Dewesoft DAQ devices (when we have a Dewesoft measurement device connected to our computer),

• External (Clock/Trigger, IRIG-B DC, NTP, GPS PPS),

• PC clock (when we have only a computer, without a measurement device),

• GPS devices (Dewesoft RS232 (Topcon/Javad/NVS), NMEA compatible GPS, ...).

Type of synchronization

If Dewesoft DAQ device is selected as a time source, a clock provider must be selected from:

• Automatic - this option automatically selects the best option for synchronization regarding the hardware connected to the system.

• Standalone - only one device, there is no synchronization between devices needed.

• SoftSync - this synchronization solution requires no additional hardware. The accuracy is > 10 ms.

• Clock/Trigger - the clock of the device gives a trigger signal.

• IRIG-B DC - It contains time-of-year and year information in a BCD format (it contains the information about the absolute time). This is the best way to synchronize the devices because it is the most exact one.

• GPS PPS - Since the satellites are transmitting exact absolute time and better receivers usually output this pulse with high precision (below one microsecond), we can use this technology to synchronize remote systems - and there is no distance limit.

• NTP - Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock synchronization between computer systems. It is less accurate than other methods.

To enter the addresses of the NTP server click the edit button near the drop-down menu. If you want to have more devices synchronized via NTP protocol, the same server address must be entered in all of them. 

When you check NTP servers, the time and date of the server will show. If the server address is wrong, the check will fail. 

If the synchronization via NTP is successful, you will see a green clock next to the time in measure mode. 

Synchronization between Dewesoft USB devices

Any Dewesoft device can be precisely synchronized by hardware (SIRIUS, DEWE-43, MINITAURs, DS-CAN2).

When using the NET system, there are several possibilities that can be used for synchronization:

• Clock/trigger - relative time

• IRIG-B DC Master / IRIG-B DC Slave - absolute time

• GPS - absolute time

• NTP - absolute time

Clock/trigger connection example

IRIG-B DC connection example of one unit

a) The Dewesoft device as IRIG-B DC generator

b) External IRIG-B DC provider

GPS PPS connection example of one unit

a) The Dewesoft device has a GPS receiver

b) External GPS receiver

NTP connection example of one unit

Synchronization with ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION

ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION works in the same way as other Dewesoft devices. It is automatically recognized within the Dewesoft X software (supported in version X2 SP4). By default, ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION will be set up to synchronize between KRYPTON EtherCAT® and SIRIUS USB.

With ECAT-SYNC-JUNCTION several connection options are possible:

• Synchronization of SIRIUS/DEWE-43 USB with KRYPTON/SIRIUSiwe EtherCAT®devices, where the accuracy of synchronization is < microsecond

• Synchronization of KRYPTONmodule with external IRIG B DC triggering source

• Synchronization of KRYPTON and SIRIUS USBwith external IRIG B DC triggering source

• Synchronization of KRYPTON/SIRIUSiwewith triggered cameras

• Synchronization of SIRIUS/DEWE-43 USB with KRYPTON/SIRIUSiweand triggered cameras

Offline mode can be used when we don't have any DAQ devices connected to our system and we want to simulate different types of channels to make an offline setup.

Offline mode can be chosen from:

• Simulated channels - we define the number of analog in channels, counter channels, digital in channels, asynchronous analog out channels, and asynchronous digital out channels.

• File replay - we can replay files, that have already been recorded.

• Sound card - we can use the sound card in our computer to collect the data and make a measurement.

Dewesoft NET

With Dewesoft NET, your measurement system can be controlled remotely with the ease of use you couldn't imagine before. Dewesoft NET also serves as the center for Distributed Data Acquisition systems where you have multiple systems located either together or scattered across an entire continent. By enabling this option, you allow remote connections to your system.

Once the remote connections to your system are allowed, the system can be added as a measurement unit on the client.

Measurement units connected through the Dewesoft NET system can be found under Standard devices.

For more informations about the Dewesoft NET system, visit out Dewesoft NET PRO training course.

If you want to enable plugins or extensions, please go to the Extensions section. Extensions are divided into five different sections:

• Export (export the datafiles to different formats, like ATI(.ati), Google earth(.kml), Broadcast wave format(.bwf), Standard data file.dat, Wave.wav, Technical data management(.tdm), ...)

• Import (DS NET USB log files or text files.)

• Math application (set additional settings to several additional math applications like balancing, CA, fatigue analysis, FFT analyzer, FRF, Power, ...)

• Plugin (enable several additional plugins like Polygon, Sound Power, Weather station, DS NET, Chapter 10, AutoExport, Control channels, Ethernet receiver, ...)

• Visual controls (information about different visual controls inside Dewesoft like FRF geometry, Modal circle, Polygon, Rotor balancer, Altitude indicator.)

To add a new extension, click the plus button. Here you can see plugins, that are disabled. To enable them, select the plugin and click on the Enable button.

When selecting all the needed Extensions, we can see some specific settings related to the selected plugin. To learn more about their meaning, please go to courses that are describing the specific section.

Global variables define the channels which can be used in a sequencer, math section, and displays. New variables can be added with a plus button.

The Unique ID must be defined, which is used as a reference for all other places where internal variables are used. Channel name can be freely defined, we can define the color and the unit.

Data type can be:

• Floating point (floating decimal point, we can also define the number of decimal numbers)

• Integer (whole number)

• Text (text written by the user)

Channel Type can be:

• Single value (storing only one value per entire measurement)

• Async (adding value each time the channel changes from sequencer or math)

Start value can be selected from:

• Last value (variable will remember the last value)

• Default value (it will always start with the defined default number)

Default value describes what value the channel has when starting up.

Data header allows you to define input fields in which operators can enter additional not measured parameters at the start or end of the measurement.

In data header, we can define:

• Info field- The Info button adds a new line in the right section of the window. Just click in the new line and enter the desired text, for example 'File header information'. 

• Input field- The Input field can be used for any single line values or comments (you can use it for example for location information...). Let's create a new field with the press on the Input icon and rename it (for example to 'Location'). To rename the field, just click on the name and overwrite it: 

• Selection field -The Selection field can be used for creating a list of 'value' and is very useful when you have to use the same 'value' very often. This can be for example a list of user names or also a list of departments within your company. Let's create a new list with the press on the Selection icon and label it (for example 'User' - click on 'Selection' and overwrite it).

Now you have to define the content of your list. To do that, press the three dots button on the right side and Create Selection. When the list window appears, enter the desired names in the New item field and press the Add item button. 

The name will appear in the list on the left side, in our example labeled User 1. 

Enter as many names as required. You can also edit values directly on the list by selecting an item. To remove an item, just select it from the list on the left side and press the Remove item button. When all names are entered, press the OK button or press Cancel to reject all entries. The result of upper entries is the following drop-down list in the global header window:

• Position up/down- With both buttons up and down, you can now change the position of the:

  • File name field

  • Comments field

  • Input field

  • Selection field

  • Info field (like created above)

• You can change the position of fields at any time. Just select it (the red box will appear) and move it up or down using the appropriate button.

• Delete field - To remove unused or non-required fields, select the field and press the Delete icon. The only field you can't delete is the File name entry field.

Under header settings, you can select whether to ask for the header on the start of the storing or at the end:

• Ask for header on start option will pop up a window with all entries before the start of storing.

• Ask for header at the end will open the same window when the measurement is stopped.

You can also export the header to .xml file or import the header from the setup file.

If we have selected the option Ask for the header at the end, we get the window like in the picture below after we stop storing the data. We can see the input sections defined earlier in Settings.

Startup option allows you to select what do you want DewesoftX to do when you start it.

Multiple instances of DewesoftX can be selected to allow that DewesoftX is started multiple times on the same computer for special applications (running different devices, analysing old data while measurement process is running...).

Under Starting setup options you select what to do when DewesoftX starts.

• Nothing (DewesoftX opens normally, no action is performed.)

• Load setup (DewesoftX automatically loads a defined setup. We can also tell the program to go straight to Acquisition mode or to start DewesoftX in full-screen mode.) 

Load sequence (Load sequence at start will load the sequence defined in the file name and run when DewesoftX starts.)

General

• Application process priority defines the process priority of DewesoftX.

• Usually, DewesoftX should run on its own in the OS and, therefore Normal priority is enough.

• High priority allows DewesoftX to increase its performance if other processes are also running on the system.

• Real-time is useful only in special applications. Even though thinking that real-time priority would be the best, but in reality, it might stall acquisition low-level drivers which must have enough CPU time. Setting DewesoftX to real-time would mean that tasks like displaying data on the screen would have to high priority.

• Use multiple cores is a very important function to split the data acquisition and math processing between different CPU cores.

• Acquisition update rate defines the preferred rate of acquisition loop. The graphic part was always a part of acquisition loop (data acquisition, calculation, storing, graphics). The graphics were drawn at the same time and that did not allow us to run a faster acquisition. Now, the graphics can be done in parallel. As a result, we could lower the priority of graphic part and have faster acquisition times. Average acquisition loop was running with about 50 Hz and now it can run up to 1000 Hz. Set the acquisition update rate higher if you want to have the faster reaction times.

• Display update rate option defines the preferred refresh rate of displays. With defining lower display update rates, we can reduce CPU load of Displays. If we change the update rate from 50 Hz to 1 Hz, the CPU load of displays dropped from 30 % to 1 %. This is very useful when we are on the limit with our computer CPU. 

• Decoupled acquisition and UI option are enabled by default. This option will use a dedicated thread for acquisition. One core will be used for acquisition and one core will be used for the user interface.

Memory

Memory sizes are important to run the software correctly for a different application. There are sizes which need to be defined for:

• Sync DB - This is the memory size in seconds for all synchronous channels (analog, counters, ...). The value should be larger than maximum refresh time - 2 seconds is the default.

• Async DB - This is the memory size for all asynchronous channels (CAN, GPS, and many others...). The default value is 50 seconds.

• Video memory - Size of the video buffer; with lots of cameras the default 64 MB value should be reduced to half, for example not to run out of system memory.

Enable Freeze buffers should be enabled if we plan to use Freeze mode (to see data during the measurement).

When we enable it, the Freeze button is seen during the Measure mode.

When storing the data, you will see a special Freeze button. This is a sign for Grandview, enhanced freeze mode. Grandview allows the user to review stored data from the start of measurement without interrupting data acquisition and storing process. User is able to zoom into any region of data already stored on disk during the measurement and review any type of signal including video, which makes (long term) measurements easier to manage.

Analog out

• AO buffer length - when you use the Function generator function in DewesoftX, the software sends the data to Sirius. Sirius waits for the amount of AO buffer length (in our case, this is 1 second) before it starts to output the signal. This has to be done, to prevent data loss. By default, the buffer length is set to 1 second.

• Fill samples when the buffer is more that __ % full. Let's say that we have a buffer of 2 seconds. The samples will be sent when the buffer will be filled with the defined amount of percentage (at 2-second buffer, 50 % means, that it will wait for 1 second). By default, the value is set to 50 %.

Under the user interface section, we define the language of the program, display characteristics, sound card selection, and keyboard shortcuts.

Language

The language file can be selected from the drop-down list.

The language files can be found in a folder locale located in the DewesoftX installation folder. Here, you can also add your own language files if they are written with the appropriate tool.

Displays

Font size defines the size of the font in measure mode (example: in the left picture, the font size is 8 and in the right picture the font size is 16).

If we change the background color to white, the background of the measure mode will change.

Show channel description sets that the channel description is shown in the name of the channels in visual controls (like recorder, for example). When switched off, only names are shown.

Show instrument toolbar in full-screen displays instruments button in full-screen mode; full screen (available with Ctrl-F) usually shows only instruments, but in this case, also a toolbar with standard displays are shown. In the left picture, this option is disabled, and in the right picture, this option is enabled. We can see the toolbar with different screens.

For the Time axis display Local time, UTC and Telemetry (UTC) can be selected from the drop-down list:

This selection will affect the absolute axis of the recorder, time display in the multimeter, and other displays showing absolute time. DewesoftX always stores the data in UTC format (without the local time bias).

• Local time display will show with data in local time based on OS settings, therefore the same data file will have different absolute times if viewed in the USA than if it is opened in China.

• UTC will show the universal coordinated time (without bias) and will be displayed the same around the globe.

• Telemetry UTC will not display the day, month and the year, but will display the day of the year instead.

Sounds

Sound sections allow you to tell DewesoftX which capable sound card in this computer you want to use for making voice annotations when storing data.

Sound format can be chosen from the drop-down menu:

The voice events can be entered by pressing V during recording, but only if the sound card is defined. The sound at the start and stop triggers allows us to have a sound indication for triggering. 

Let's make an example of voice recording. I have chosen my Microphone as a sound card driver.

When I go to Measure mode, click the Store button to start storing the data.

While measuring, press the V button on the keyboard and the program will record the voice with the selected sound card.

In Analysis mode, when we open the data file, we can see a voice event under the events section.

 In the events window, you can see when we started and stopped the storing and when we made a voice event. If you want to replay the voice event, double click on it.

The following window will appear and the voice will be replayed.

Shortcuts

Under the shortcuts section, you can see all the available keyboard shortcuts in DewesoftX.

You can change the buttons that will lead you to the wanted shortcut. Select the Custom Shortcut mapping.

After that, a pen icon will show at every shortcut. To change the shortcut button, click on the pen icon.

The following window will appear. After assigning a new shortcut, click the OK button. 

The new button for the shortcut is assigned.

User manual

If the checkbox is checked, Dewesoft will not attempt to get manual sources from the webserver. It will only use the sources installed with Dewesoft installation.

Section Files and folder defines a starting point within the folder structure.

Default folders

• Default folder for setup files - Defines the starting folder where the setups will be loaded from. This default folder can be changed also from the Folders menu in Measure - Setup files with setting Set as the default project folder.

• Default folder for data files - Defines the folder where to store the data files by default. This can be also changed as above, but inside Measure - Ch. setup - Storing or Analysis - Data files. 

• Default folder for exports - Defines the default place where the files are exported. If we select Remember the last selected folder, then the folder which was last selected when exporting data will be set as default and remembered for the next export.

GPS maps

We have to define the path to GPS folder(s), which will be shown in the GPS plugin in DewesoftX. 

Database files

Under Database files, we define the path to different files:

• Analog sensors

• Bearings

• S-N curve

• Counter sensors

• Kinematic cursors

• Math templates

Data files

Always overwrite data fields is an option that allows you to automatically overwrite the files without additional confirmation.

DewesoftX can create a zipped data files (.dxz) at the end of the measurement. The advantage of this function is, that the data file is compressed and, therefore, takes less space.

Let's make a 30-second data file with 4 channels and a sample rate of 20000 samples/second. With a normal storing, the size of the data file is 5 MB. Then we select to have a zipped data file. The size of the datafile got reduced to 105kB.

We can also define the Minimum disk space, that is required to make a data file. If we reach this limit during the measurement, storing will be stopped and the data file will be saved.

If there is not enough space from the beginning of the measurement, you will get a warning.

Default video settings

Online video file format can be selected between DVI or AVI format.

Online video compressions settings (We can compress the video during the measurement and make the datafiles smaller. Our computer has to have good performance characteristics to perform online video compression):

Offline video compression settings (with offline video compression we can reduce the size of the data file):

For lower CPU usage, we can enable the option Auto compress (offline) after measurement. By enabling this option, we also disable online compression.

Use your own company logo on printouts. After selecting the three dots button, the standard window explorer window appears to simply select an image file (*.jpg type).

Under Print margins, we define printer border in millimeters.

Report header is seen when we want to print the document. Go to Analysis mode, select print and on the top of the document is our report header (with text and logo).

Under security options, you can lock the access to settings and preventing the access to DewesoftX procedures.

If we select this option, you will have to enter the password the next time you will enter the Settings.

 You can also select the option Never ask again. It will not ask you for a password unit DewesoftX is restarted.

If we select to use User access password, we can use it:

• for stoping measurement,

• for changing the setup,

• for changing the sequence,

• for leaving the full screen,

• for editing sensors and

• for allowing users to select different projects.

We can also define that the files being stored will be locked. We have three options:

• Disabled - file locking will be disabled and the files can be post-processed.

• With password - file locking will be enabled and a password will be defined to unlock the file in analysing.

• Permanent - the file will be permanently locked and we can be sure it will not be modified in analyze.

The firmware for DewesoftX hardware can now be upgraded directly in DewesoftX software (firmware upgrade tool is no longer required).

Required equipment

• Dewesoft instrument (SIRIUS, DEWE43, KRYPTON, ...): 

• DewesoftX (version X2 SP7 or above)

• Dewesoft firmware upgrade package (.dxu file)

Upgrade process

Download the Dewesoft upgrade package (.dxu file) from the Dewesoft downloads page under section drivers.

Copy the file into the Firmware folder of your Dewesoft X installation (D:\DewesoftX\System\X\Firmwares).

Connect the Dewesoft instrument to PC and run Dewesoft X software.

Go to Settings and the Update menu. If the firmware package isn't selected, select it by pressing the "three-dot button" and find the folder with the firmware file in it.

Select the device you want to upgrade and start the firmware upgrade by pressing the Upgrade button. The window should appear indicating that the upgrade has begun:

Wait until the software finishes the upgrade and close the window. After the upgrade, the device status should turn green and say 'Up to date'.

Here you can find advanced options for different areas, like hardware, visuals, math, diagnostics, and analysis.

Hardware

Dewesoft devices

• USB speed limit warning(per slice) - here you can define the USB speed limit per slice. If the speed is exceeded, the warning will be shown in the channel setup.

• Softsync sample rate limit - we can define the maximum sample rate limit if two devices are synced with soft sync (e.g. KRYPTON). The software synchronization accuracy is around 2-10 ms, which is enough for simple temperature measurement. This synchronization solution requires no additional hardware.

• Always enable USB system driver - if Dewesoft USB system driver is disabled in device manager, it will be enabled automatically

• Disable EtherCAT interface - check this option if you do not want Dewesoft to scan or use EtherCAT devices

• Set SIRIUSsample rate limit to 204.8 kHz - set maximum sample rate to 204.8 kHz for DW-43, Sirius, Sirius-CD and Sirius-HD

• Decode 2nd part of the IRIG time frame - DS-Clock can now decode also 2nd part of the IRIG signal. Once this option is enabled, a new channel is shown in the system monitor.

• Not resetting acquisition while timing is lost - with this option enabled, Dewesoft will keep recording even if the timing is lost.

• Available sample rates

• Channel sample rate behavior -allows you to choose the behavior of the channel sample rate in relation to the global sample rate.

• Disable HW sample rate dividers - disables HW drivers and uses software sample rate dividers instead

Amplifiers

• When we have sensors with TEDS chip, we have to scan it. If we enable this option, we scan for TEDS chip only once or we can continuously scan for TEDS sensors and leave this option disabled.

• When the sensor is read, we can see the serial number, settings of the amplifier, and the sensitivity of the sensor.

• Write Dewesoft TEDS templates only

• Shunt calibration error limit (works on STG, STGM modules) - The shunt calibration can be used to measure and correct the resistance of strain gages. Shunt calibration takes a while since it has to set several configurations and measure back the results. With the Shunt calibration error limit, we define the maximum allowed deviation from the Shunt cal target value. If the value is more than 2%, the results are not ok and if the result is under 2%, the result is accepted.

• Capacity check error limit (works on CHG modules) - if we have connected charge sensors, we can perform the Capacity check. We have to enter the known value for the capacity target. After the value is input, we press check. Dewesoft will generate a sine wave and check what is the actual capacity. After this procedure is finished, Dewesoft will give us the actual capacity and the error. If the value is bigger than our defined value, it will be written in red color.

• Option Enable calibration by the shunt enables you to trust your shunt calculation result and use it for further measurement.

• Disable additional software high pass filter if below calculation limit - If this checkbox is checked and the limit of SW-HPFilter is reached, no additional SW-HPFilter is calculated. The SWHPFilter is needed for slow accelerometers to see also very low frequencies, and offset is ignored. If this checkbox is not checked and the limit of SW-HPFilter is reached, the SW-HPFilter is calculated based on the limit possible (offset can bother customers more than the very low frequencies missing). In the end, it depends on the sensor used and what the users want to see from it. This option is special for some customers who have MSI-ACC (or DSI-ACC). Also, some accelerometers in the IEPE mode might still have some offset even if the amplifier has an HW-HPFilter. To remove this offset, we calculate a HPFilter frequency based on this formula: Frequency(SW-HPFilter) = Frequency(HW-HPFilter) / 10. In most cases, this does not make any problems, but there are MSI-ACC which have an HW-HPFilter at 0.08 Hz. Depending on the sample rate, we can easily run into the limit of SW-HPFilter calculation where it is simply not possible to calculate it anymore.

• Always keep TEDS header serial number

• Allow changing offset when scaling is disabled

CAN

CAN can be set to acknowledge mode by default when a new device is found.

We can see the CAN operation mode when selecting the settings of a measurement device. In read-only mode, the DAQ device can only read messages from CAN data.

In Read/write/acknowledge mode, the DAQ device can read and send CAN data. To add a new transmit channel, click the icon in a red square. 

Digital filters

• Default LP filter setting- if the wanted filter is not available on a connected device, the first filter will be selected

  • OFF

  • Anti-aliasing (IIR)

  • AAF (zero-phase distortion)

  • Ring free

• AAF (zero-phase distortion) transition width

  • Auto adjust will set the AAF to 16% transition width (up to 1:100 of sample rate ratio)

  • User-defined - the transition band will always be achieved, but the computational load can become heavy

• Enable alias-free filtering on Sirius-HS - This option enables additional AAF has a cut-off frequency at 80 kHz, when the sample rate is equal or above 160kHz or a cut-off frequency of s/2 when the sample rate is under 160 kHz.

Visuals 

• Graphics

Use asynchronous buffer for GDI calls option allows you to use a dedicated thread for the graphics.

• In the XY graph, we define delta cursor angle offset and delta cursor decimal places.

In the image 145, the delta cursor offset is set to 0 and the delta cursor decimal places are set to 5. We can see that the dX and dY have 5 decimal places and the angle is 60°. In the image 146, we can see that the decimal places of the dX and dY have increased to 10 places, and the offset of the angle for 5° and is now 65°.

• 3D graph

  • Show miss distance calculation

  • Max vertex count (Number of points generated for the 3D graph widget. The points can be limited if you are running out of memory.)

• GPS map

  • Max samples shown (This is the maximum number of samples which will be still shown in the GPS map)

• Scope

  • Memory size (Scope trigger memory size per channel.)

  • Maximum picture size

  • Maximum number of pictures

Math

Under the math section, we can enable sharper anti-aliasing filter in the order tracking. 

Diagnostics

When we are in the measure screen we can access the system performances by pressing a shortcut CTRL+SHITF+P. Here, we can set that as the default part of the screen.

System info default page can be selected as Performance or Details.

If we have measurement hardware connected to our computer, we can also show debug system channels (sync error, IRIG time, VCXO values, ...). These settings can also be seen under the System monitor in Channel setup.

Analysis

Here, you can select the synchronous channel as output for sound replaying in analysis mode (0 - none, 1 - first sync channel, ...).

Let's say we measure the signal from 5 channels, and we want to use the third one (AI 3) as a default channel for sound replaying.

To set the third channel (AI 3) as the channel for sound replaying, just enter the number 3 in a checkbox. 

After we store and replay the data file we can see the third channel (AI 3) as the default one for sound replay output channel.

Use relative event time by default for new setups - with the new setup all the events will have the event time in relative time. If this option is disabled, the default time is absolute. The time type can be also changed during measurement by right-clicking on the event and change time display.

NET

• Connection

Starting TCP/IP port for MU data connection. (It is possible to define the starting port on the master measurement unit.)

For example, if the starting port is 8998, this port is used by the first measurement unit. The second measurement unit will use port 8997. The port 8999 is fixed and can't be changed. This port needs to be opened on master and slave units.

The port 1999 is used for Dewesoft launcher and also needs to be opened.

Allow NET connection in the master mode (If Dewesoft is Master client or Master measurement unit, it is possible to define which clients are allowed to connect.)

• None

• View client only

• Master or view client

• Cross trigger

  • Selected network interface for the cross trigger - Select the network card which is used for the NET system.

  • Multicast group - Set-up the same IP multicast address on both master and slave units for the cross trigger to work correctly.

  • Cross trigger delay - Maximum allowed network delay for the cross trigger.

• Setup screen connection

Keep client connection on view change (needs Dewesoft 64-bit connection. The master PC stays connected to the slave units even when they aren't selected. This allows a smoother transition between the slave units.)

Default protocol for connection:

• VNC (ultra VNC) - Default password - by default, the password is set to a but for better security Dewesoft allows you to change the password.

• RDP (windows remote desktop) - The remote desktop offers two types of authentication:

  • Use Windows credentials - If the master unit was already connected to a slave unit via remote desktop, and if the connection is saved, this option can be used.

  • User name and password - If the master unit is connecting to the slave unit for the first time.

• Events

It is possible to define which events will be shown on the master client or master measurement unit.

The license for measuring with DewesoftX is included in the device (usually PROF version). Once it is connected to the USB port, it acts as a dongle.

The license for analyzing is free! DewesoftX can be installed on any computer and the stored data files can be opened, recalculated, and exported.

Additional licenses can be required for plugins, these can then also be written into the Dewesoft® device. To test plugins, you can request a 30-days-

Under the licensing section, you see your Active licenses, Create a new license, or Import offline license (*.lic file format).

Offline registration

If your measurement PC has access to an internet connection you can register directly from inside DewesoftX software. If not DewesoftX will automatically offer offline registration.

Enter your license key and press the arrow next to the license number button.

If there are no DAQ devices connected to the computer, the license is generated only for MAC addresses of the PC.

DewesoftX will connect to the internet and will register automatically (online). If there is no internet connection, DewesoftX will offer offline registration.

DewesoftX will create a *.lic file and you have to save it to the computer.

Copy the created license ".lic" file from the measurement computer, and go to a computer with internet access. Visit Dewesoft home page, and select registration.

Drop the *.lic file to the window.

When you drop your license, the following window will appear. Please, download the generated file.

Save and overwrite the new ".lic" file over the ".lic" file on the measurement computer.

Restart DewesoftX software and select the option Import license. Import the *.lic file that was downloaded from the web page.

Evaluation license

To receive a fully functional 30-day evaluation license for DewesoftX software, fill and submit the form below. Data marked with * is required. Please provide a valid email address to which we can send the evaluation license.

Write license to Dewesoft devices

When we have a license for software on our PC, we can also write the license to Dewesoft measurement devices. This can be done, so the devices can be used also with another computer.

If the license is already written on the measurement device, we get a warning. We can overwrite the existing license with a new one.