DataMate and LabPro Operating System Revision History

DataMate and Vernier LabPro^® Operating System Revision History

The most recent version of the DataMate program is version 1.15 for the TI-83 Plus and TI-73, 6.15 for all other calculators. The most recent version of the LabPro operating system is version 6.27. These versions can be loaded into the Flash memory of your LabPro or CBL 2™. The following chart shows the changes that have been made to DataMate and to the operating system since version 1.0 of each software.

DataMate Revision History

Version Number	Changes
V 6.15/1.15 (08/16/03)	This upgrade includes a new version (version 1.15) of the DataMate application for the TI-73 and TI-83 Plus. The new version for the TI-73 is a true application allowing increased data collection and speed. For all other calculators, the DataMate version number has been increased for consistancy with no further programmatic changes.
V 6.15	Improvement: (TI-83 Plus only) User can enter an expression composed of arithmetic operators and numerical values while entering the Number of Samples or the Sample Interval parameters for Time Graph data collection.
	Bug Fix: (TI-83 Plus only) The maximum number of samples allowed is limited to 999, the maximum list length of the TI-83 Plus.
	Bug Fix: (TI-83 Plus only) Fixed a problem with displaying values larger than 999,999 on the Main Screen. Any value greater than 999,999 is displayed as 1E99.
V 6.13/1.14	This release of the LabPro firmware contains updates to the LabPro operating system (see LabPro Operating System Revision History below) and one change to the set of calculator programs. This upgrade includes a new version (version 1.14) of the TI-83 Plus DataMate application, but retains the previous version (version 6.13) for all of the other calculators. The new version for the TI-83 Plus is much faster application than the previous version.
V 6.13	Improvement: Added support for the Sound Level Meter. Added the new sensor to the sensor lookup table. Now all calculators (excluding the TI-82) will be able to choose a Sound Level Meter from the Sensor Setup List.
	Bug Fix: Fixed the following problem on the TI-82. If the calculator attempted to auto-id a motion detector (with no other sensors plugged in) an "Undefined" error was generated.
	Bug Fix: Repaired the pHDerivs program for the 89, 92, 92 Plus. Previous versions of the pHDerivs program would delete lists containing data collected by the DataMate program. When the user re-entered DataMate after using pHDerivs, an "Invalid Pathname" error was generated when any option requiring graphing was chosen (Graph, Curve Fit, Select Region, Rescale, etc.)
V 6.12	Improvement: If an auto-ID sensor was removed from LabPro or CBL 2, the program would automatically do a sensor check which would reset the interface and clear the data lists in the calculator. Now the program only performs an automatic sensor check on the main screen when a new auto-ID sensor is plugged in or when the CLEAR button is pressed. Unplugging auto-ID sensors will have no effect, and the sensor will still appear on the Main Screen. Plugging the same sensor back in will have no effect either. During this process the data is preserved.
	Improvement: Careful consideration of each sensor's resolution led to the update of many of the sensor's "Significant Figure" value within the sensor lookup tables. This value is used to determine how many decimal places should be shown for each sensor's readings while using DataMate.
	Improvement: Forced DataMate to consider only the "Significant Figure" value used for the LabPro. Now DataMate will always display the same number of decimal places for readings of a particular sensor, regardless of the interface being used (CBL2 or LabPro).
	Improvement: Force all resistor-id sensor names (except digital-id sensors) to be acquired from the language localized lookup tables. This facilitates the language localization of the DataMate program.
	Improvement: A change to DataMate for the TI-89/92 Plus so that the program can be more easily translated to other languages on these calculators. The changes have no effect on performance or functionality.
	Improvement: Code has been added to trap the majority of run-time link (calculator to interface communication) failures. Now, rather than crashing the program with a "Dimension Mismatch" or "Undefined" error, the program will enter its internal "*LINK ERROR*" warning screen, giving the user a chance to repair the problem.
	Improvement: Using sensors with power warm up times can wear out batteries quickly. The new version will use the unique warm up times (found in the sensor lookup tables) to preserve battery power during long-term and remote experiments. For example in an experiment, when any of these conditions apply (1) the sample interval is longer than 270 seconds, (2) there is a remote trigger, or (3) the there is no live graph and the total experimental duration exceeds 270 seconds, the LabPro will use the least amount of power possible to accommodate those sensors that need to warm up. When the above conditions are met, the interface will not take the first sample until it has allowed the warm-up period to pass. If multiple sensors are being used, the longest warm-up time takes effect regardless of which channel the sensors are occupying. Currently the sensor with the longest warm-up time is the Dissolved Oxygen probe (10 minutes).
	Bug Fix: The new line of digital-id sensors (many of the -BTA sensors) provide the interface with their name, calibration and other details from their internal memory. This same information is also in the sensor lookup tables. If the sensor is not present to provide this information during the Loading of an experiment, DataMate now properly acquires the information from the lookup table instead. This change ensures that the proper units are shown after the experiment is loaded.
	Bug fix: Trapped the following error. When on the DataMate Setup screen and connected to LabPro (not CBL 2) it was possible to choose Calibrate when the cursor was next to the MODE: line. This would cause a Dimension Error.
	Bug Fix: On the TI-73 the results of the power fit are displayed incorrectly. The variables "A" and "B" were reversed. The resulting regression coefficients are now displayed next to the proper label.
	Bug Fix: Fixed CBL2 and TI-86 crash that occurred when running DataMate on a CBL2 after running it on a LabPro. A variable related to the number of channels was not properly initialized.
	Bug Fix: Added code to properly initialized Model variables (A,B,C,D, and E)on the TI-86. These un-initialized variables previously caused an "Undefined" error under certain conditions.
	Bug Fix: Repaired the following problem. Some older TI-82 calculators (running the early operating system) display different behavior when a program is waiting for a key press. During an Events With Entry or Selected Events data collection, the older calculators would continuously collect points after the first time the [ENTER] key was pressed.
	Bug Fix: Changed a reference number for the digital-id Flow Rate Sensor (FLO-BTA). The previously, incorrect reference number caused DataMate to ignore the sensors warm up time and improperly configure the channel during the loading of an experiment.
V 6.11	Changed the version number to differentiate Vernier and TI DataMate versions. TI code will be in the form "1.xx". Vernier code will be "6.xx". There is no functional difference between this version and version V 1.11.
V 1.11	This release changes the calculator lookup table so that the Dissolved Oxygen Sensor readings are properly displayed on the main screen, in the digital portion of a live graph, and in single point data collection.
V 1.1	Added a string table to the archive containing: release date, version numbers for all archived calculator software (DataMate), and lookup table version number.
	Changed all calculator code to make the labels associated with sonic channel 12 independent of configuration of sonic channel 11. Previously, labels for channel 12 reflected the units (M or FT) of channel 11.
	Changed all calculator code to support the use of older Vernier non-auto-ID motion detectors. Previously, only auto-ID type motion detectors would be properly setup to collect data.
	Changed TI-82 and TI-83 code to repair data retrieval during "Events with Entry" or "Selected Events" data collection modes when using multiple, analog sensors and/or one or two motion detectors. Previously, data was incorrectly distributed to the calculator lists.
	Changed all calculator code to verify the interface type (CBL2 or LabPro) when the [CLEAR] button is pressed. Previously, if using a LabPro, this could cause the calculator to ignore LabPro-specific channels (CH4 and CH12), resulting in 'dimension' errors.
	Added assembly routines for the TI-92+ and TI-89 to increase the translation speed of archived strings in the CBL2/LabPro lookup tables. The speed increase is most noticeable on the "Select Sensor" menus.

LabPro Operating System Revision History

Version Number	Changes
V 6.27	Improvement: Altered warm up process prior to Manually triggered data collection. Now a sample is taken as soon as Start/Stop is pressed. Previously a warm up delay occurred before the first sample was taken.
	Bug Fix: Corrected time base for analog sensors during photogate/analog data collection.
	Bug Fix: Corrected bad first points return by the 8 command during Non-Real-Time data collection.
V 6.26	Improvement: Added support to auto-id new id-ready photogates.
	Improvement: Added ability to setup photogates using command1. This simplifies the command set. Command 12 may still be used for setup and remains the only way to retrieve data. Use the digital/sonic channels (11,12) although the photogate pseudo-channels (41,42) are also supported. The mode numbers have been offset by 10 to prevent conflict with existing Ch11 modes. Usage: s{1,11,14,0} is the same as s{12,41,4,0}.
	Improvement: Added ability to trigger on a photogate event. Allows photogate event to trigger data collection. Prestore refers only to photogate events. Usage: s{3,.01,100,7,4x}. Analog data will be offset from digital data in that analog time 0 starts at the photogate event but the photogate time begins at the start of data collection. The time correction may be applied (if desired) by using the -2 data retrieval for the event that triggered data collection.
	Improvement: Added fast/universal photogate mode. Usage: setup = s{12,4x,10}; # transitions = s{12,4x,0}; delta T = s{12,4x,-1}; absolute T = s{12,4x,-2}; state = s{12,4x,-3}
	Improvement: Added CO2 sensor mode 17. CO2 will autoID as 17 but you can also send 1,1,17 as a mode to have ASCII data returned in CO2 numbers. On LabPro this uses the ports in differential mode to reduce fluctuations seen when IR lamp goes on.
	Improvement: Allow software to reset UNREAD DATA status bit. Usage: s{5,-2}.
	Improvement: Added support to retrieve of every Nth point of digital channels.
	Improvement: Do not create error on termination of FastSample mode.
	Improvement: Improved usefulness of 2001 command to avoid conflicts. Usage: s{2002,mask} = Mask digital output where a 1 indicates bit may change mask is 0<255; s{2011,data} = same as 2001 but limited to DIG 1; s{2012,data} = same as 2001 but limited to DIG 2
	Bug Fix: Fixed some triggering issues through optimization.
	Bug Fix: Fixed the polarity parameter of photogate mode 4 (pendulum mode.)
	Bug Fix: Fixed triggering on Motion Detector data.
V 6.23	Improvement: Added retrieval of every Nth point into command 5.
	Improvement: Added bursty over sampling mode for analog channels. This mode is intended to be used for smoothing results of remote data collection. New command: {107,rate,number of samples} to be sent prior to regular trigger command.
	Improvement: Added under sampling for sonic channels to accomodate crash mode data collection. New Command: {106,channel,rate} to be sent prior to regular trigger command.
	Improvement: Added ability to use Rotary Mode during Real Time data collection. Altered Command: {12,ch,6,resolution,reset}.
	Improvement: Added support for Auto-ID of new Colorimeter.
	Bug Fix: Fixed minor timing problem in Real Time slow collection mode.
	Bug Fix: Fixed first point problem with changing digital inputs (i.e. pulley, photogates). This would often cause large time values to be returned if a transition happened at the start of data collection.
V 6.22	Improvement: Added function generator. Sine, Ramp Up, Ramp Down, Triangle, and Square Waves.
	Improvement: Changed initialization process of analog output to allow simultaneous analog output and normal sampling.
	Improvement: Added 102,-2 command to keep whole unit awake (like previous 102,-1).
	Bug Fix: Changed order of AutoID to look for digial ID first. This solves problems like improper ID on Dual Range Force Sensor when a motion detector was plugged in.
	Bug Fix: Added missing Absolute Time storage in 12,42,3,0 operation.
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem with triggering on Sonic.
	Bug Fix: Fix to not interrupt power during certain communications (cmd 8 etc.). This bug was introduced in version 6.20.
V 6.20	Improvement: Longer battery life. Unit always strives for low power mode.
	Improvement: Added feature to send directory program using the Transfer button. Hold the Transfer button down for 5 seconds to send the directory program.
	Improvement: Updated parameters for resistor id based sensors.
	Improvement: Enabled Quick Setup feature to use more of the parameters from the auto ID sensors. Quick Setup now uses sampling rates and warmup times specified by the sensors.
	Improvement: Button reset feature. If Start/Stop button held for 5 sec, LabPro will reset and power down.
	Improvement: Improved use of two motion detectors by delaying the firing of the second detector until after the first one has fired.
	Improvement: Updated analog output to use a more useable equation.
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem with non-realtime data collection and simultaneous monitoring of multiple channels. This problem would lead to repeated values when for example, collecting pressure and temperature data.
	Bug Fix: Fixed first point problem with changing digital inputs (i.e. pulley, photogates). This would often cause large time values to be returned if a transition happened at the start of data collection.
	Bug Fix: Fixed serial port overflow.
	Bug Fix: Allowed two digital output channels (CH31, CH32) to be used simultaneously.
	Bug Fix: Fixed realtime timebase error when using USB.
V 1.120	NOTE: This version was not compatible with older DataMate versions. You must use DataMate version v 1.0x or newer.
	Improvement: Updates to the Flash Manager interface, after initial integration testing with Windows and Mac.
	Improvement: Added 89/92+ app support for datamate and archiving.
	Bug Fix: Fixed link timeout when storing large calculator programs to archive.
	Bug Fix: Reduce timeout in case of lost interrupt (fixes potential -60 reading on temp sensor problem).
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem that occasionally LabPro becomes out of synch with the Z80 calculators.
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem with TI86 where the turnaround between successive transmit blocks was too fast.
	Bug Fix: Correct LabPro command line for FASTMODE (Caused -60s for {3,-1} usage).
	Bug Fix: Fixed link timeout when storing large calculator programs to archive.
	Bug Fix: Fixed timeout preventing loading of A/D code.
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem with real time binary first data point reading FFFF.
	Bug Fix: Fixed problem with power down too soon at end of sampling motion on batteries.
	Bug Fix: Fixed creeping timing error when using the slow/snooze clock during sampling.
	Bug Fix: Correct LabPro command line for FASTMODE (only happens in USB).
V 0.670	Initial shipping version for first 3000 units.