WDSS Troubleshooting and FAQs

Wireless Dynamics Sensor System, order code WDSS, $249
Specifications and User Guide

TROUBLESHOOTING
- Primary Test: There is extensive information on installing Bluetooth radios and establishing radio communications with WDSS at http://www.vernier.com/bthelp
- Secondary Test: Once communication is established, choose Set Up Sensors --> WDSS:(name) from the Experiment menu. Click Identify; Run light will blink on WDSS. Click Manage Memory; you will see any stored runs existing on the device. Check the Delete boxes and click OK if you want to clear the memory; otherwise just click OK. Enable all five sensors by placing a check in each checkbox, click Close. You should see five meters on screen. Push and pull force sensor; does reading change? Hold WDSS so each of x, y and z axes are up; does meter read about 9.8 m/s^2 in each case? Altimeter will read near zero, but cannot be easily tested indoors.

Note that if you last used a particular WDSS with, say, only the force channel active, the next time that computer detects that WDSS, only force will be active.

RELATED TIL ENTRIES
-TIL 2128: Logger Pro sees my WDSS by name, but then fails to collect data
-TIL 1611: Wireless FAQs
-TIL 1771: Will LabQuest work with the Wireless Dynamics Sensor System?
-TIL 2410: WDSS flashes red continuously.
-TIL 2729: Is there a way to force my bluetooth radio to load the Microsoft driver?

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions: 121 mm × 53 mm × 39 mm
Mass: about 200 g, depending on battery type used and attachments
Batteries: 3.7 volts, 1600–1800 mAh, Li-Ion rechargeable with safety circuit, or 3 × 1.5 V AAA alkaline, NiCd or NiMH batteries (Auxiliary battery pack)
Lithium ion batteries self-discharge about 5 to 10% of its stored charge each month until approximately half depleted. This is normal. Disconnecting the battery will not change this.
Operating Current: 35–50 mA @ DC minimum 3.2V
Nominal Charging Current: @350 mA
DC input, Rating: DC 6V 500mA maximum
(Max. with battery charging with unit operating)
Bluetooth radio frequency: approximately 2.45 GHz (2450 MHz), with frequency hopping, so the frequency is not fixed
Wireless Range: Up to 10 meters (30 ft) with no obstruction.
Number of WDSS devices that can be connected to one computer: 7
Force Sensor
Range: ±50 N
Frequency Response: 0–100 Hz
Resolution: 0.0025N
Accelerometers
(for each of the three accelerometers):
Range: –60 to +60 m/s2
Accuracy: ±0.5 m/s2 (±0.05 g)
Frequency Response (maximum): 100 Hz
Temperature Range: –40 to +85ºC
Altimeter
Altitude change range: ±300 m (1000 ft)
Sensitivity: 1 meter
Combined linearity and hysteresis: typical ±0.1% full scale, maximum ±0.5% full scale
Response time: 0.5 second

Accelerometer location: 54 mm from the force sensor end of the base, 24 mm above the bottom, and on the midline.

CALIBRATION
-Calibrate not normally needed or advised. The sensor is set to the stored calibration before shipping. See Specifications and User Guide for detailed calibration information.

RELATED VERNIER PRODUCTS
- Low-g Accelerometer, order code LGA-BTA, $89
- 25-g Accelerometer, order code ACC-BTA, $92
- Dual-Range Force Sensor, order code DFS-BTA, $109
- Vernier AC Adapter, order code IPS, $12