My unofficial mini F.A.Q. Part 1 Subjects :
1) Software crash or not working.
2) COM Port details
On the Help file of the software ,
that is the same with the pdf document
U1251-90023.pdf = Data logger Quick Start Guide
Agilent did their part, by writing several
NOTESOn the chapter :
Set Up a Communication With the MultimeterNote 1 :a) The U1173A IR-USB cable functions as a serial RS-232 port that connects the multimeter to the USB port of your PC. b) The RS232 port is not meant for hot plugging or hot swapping. c) Disconnecting the U1173A IR-USB cable when it is in use will crash the Agilent GUI Data Logger.
As additional info to this note, I will add : a) Disable any power saving modes on your laptop ,
exactly like your DMM does automatically ,
every time that you activate the data logging function.
b) The Windows power saving modes, can also control the RS232 COM port status ( power On and OFF ),
This would lead to trouble, as the software fails when this communication fails too.
( And it is equal to hot plugging or hot swapping , as Agilent correctly noted about the RS232 port ) Steps to follow for Out door Data logging : 1) Fresh booted laptop
2) Plug in the USB slot , the IR-USB cable ( as soon the laptop settles from booting )
3) Wait 10 seconds ( So the laptop to recognise the device )
4) Start the software Data logger .
5) Do your job
6) Close the software .
7) Remove the IR-USB cable ( un plug it)
8 ) Select on your laptop -> System shutdown - > Power off .
9) Go to the step one , if you need another use of it , in a later time.
Note 2 : For U1271A and U1272A models, only baud rates of 9600 and 19200 bits/second are available.And this Translates to:
Model Number="U1251A" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1251B" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1252A" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1252B" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1253B" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1253A" Baud Rate="9600 or 14400 or 19200 "
Model Number="U1271A" Baud Rate="9600 or 19200"
Model Number="U1272A" Baud Rate="9600 or 19200"
The 19200 Baud Rate, adds Extra bandwidth = faster download time of the stored logs (DMM to PC ).
The 9600 Baud Rate are more than enough, for real-time logging.
I bet, that the function on the software named as Auto discovery of the DMM .
It will do what it says, and so, no user interaction or extra manual settings needed.
The U1271A / U1272A has two fixed Baud Rates "9600 or 19200" ,
And so it’s hard to go wrong with it, when setting it up even manually.
What is still untested by me , are if the software are capable ,
To auto-detected the U1271A / U1272A, no mater what Baud Rate, was set manually in the DMM .
For example : If I have manually set on the DMM menu 19200 Baud Rate instead of 9600.
Will be automatically detected?
( If not , I would had to set manually on the software too,
the same setting as 19200 Baud Rate & and COM port number ? )
Tip 1 : You can find the COM port number of the IR-USB cable,
In your Windows -> Device Manager -> Ports ( COM & LPT) .
Tip 2: If you set manually higher Baud Rate settings in the Data logger software,
than what your DMM supports, It will lead to No communication with your DMM.
If you like to help this thread, you need to test and submit the workable Baud Rates of the models listed at the end of this post .
Example : Model U1272A
4800 = No
7200 = No
9600 = Yes
14400 = No
19200 = Yes
Models to be tested:
U1251A
U1251B
U1252A
U1252B
U1253B
U1253A