Introduction to ADRE Sxp

Introduction to ADRE Sxp

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

In the first unit of this training, we introduced the 408 DSPi, summarized its
capabilities, and then briefly compared the 408 DSPi with ADRE for Windows
and with the 3500/22 TDI / System 1 units.
In this section we turn to the ADRE Sxp software that is used with the 408 DSPi.
ADRE Sxp software lets you control the DSPi from a client computer and
provides powerful and useful tools for accessing, displaying, and manipulating
the data in an DSPi. In this unit, we’ll provide a brief overview of this powerful
software and then, in later units in the training, we’ll take detailed looks at how to
use this software to perform common tasks.

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Objectives
At the end of this topic, the student will be able to do
the following with the ADRE Sxp and 408 DSPi:
• Identify proper care & handling precautions
• Identify file structures and navigate to specific locations on hard
drive or network.
• Identify ADRE Sxp databases and how they are managed
• Identify Configuration Hierarchy, Collection Groups & Database
Manager
• Identify security requirements in order to connect to 408 DSPi
remotely
• Connect to 408 DSPi remotely over LAN/WAN
• Use Database Manager in ADRE Sxp
• Save & retrieve databases
• Look up information in the Help system 2

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

•Front panel
•Sampler cards
•Connectors
• SMA Signal input
• Power Supply
• Contact Closure

•Power supply

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The anatomy of the 408 DSPi (Digital Signal Processing instrument) includes the
following major components:
•Front Panel – The front panel contains various indicator lights, menu buttons,
and a display. You can control data sampling from the client software or directly
from the 408 DSPi using the front panel.
•Sampling cards – Removable cards that provide connections to signal input
sources. Initially, there are two types of cards, an 8 Ch Dynamic Sampling card
and a 3 ch Speed Input/KPH card. Each 408 DSPi can accommodate up to four
sampling cards. One additional slot is available for future options/ enhancements
which currently include the Digital Replay card (which can only go in this slot)
and the Transducer Power Supply card (which can go in any slot 1-5).
•Connectors – The connectors on the back of the Sampler Cards are SMA
connectors. SMA is an acronym for Sub-Miniature version A and was developed
in the 1960's. It uses a threaded interface. These high-performance connectors
provide excellent electrical performance from DC to 18 GHz, are compact in
size, and mechanically have outstanding durability.
•Power Supply – The 408 DSPi obtains its power from a special power supply
that comes with your 408 DSPi. It supplies the 408 DSPi with the necessary
power (32 Vdc and 5 Vdc) power. The power supply is cooled via forced air and
provides status indicator lights. If desired, you can removed the power supply’s
rubber feet and mount it in an instrument rack.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

Ethernet ports

External SCSI port

408 to 408 Master /

Slave connector

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The anatomy of the 408 DSPi (Digital Signal Processing instrument) includes the
following major components:
•Ethernet Ports – Each 408 DSPi contains two Ethernet ports. You can connect
the 408 DSPi to your plant network and/or directly to your local computer.
Connectors
•The external SCSI connection is for added drive space. A drive array can
be connected however this requires special configuration prior to
operation. An external drive array is intended for installations such as test
stands.
•The 408 to 408 connectors will be used for providing deterministic
synchronization between multiple 408 DSPi units in the future.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

408 DSPi Front Panel Controls and
Indicators

• 408 DSPi front

panel

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The 408 DSPi is a stand alone unit in the sense that, after it is powered up,
connected, and configured, 408 DSPi can collect data without outside
intervention. The controls and display on the front panel of the 408 DSPi
enhances this standalone functionality by providing limited data acquisition and
display control directly from the 408 without having to connect to the instrument.
The ADRE Sxp help system contains information about how the front panel
works. To access this help topic, enter “Front Panel” in the Search tab and then
select “Front Panel” from the list of topics.
Section 3 of this training manual shows how to use the front panel.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

408 DSPi System Power

• External Power
supply

• Power and status

indicators

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Power is supplied to the 408 DSPi by a separate power supply that must be
connected to the back panel of the 408 DSPi with an interconnect cable.
The status and availability of power, network communication, and the DSPi
hardware are all indicated by the lights on the front panel of the 408 DSPi as
shown on this page.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

Sampler cards
• 408 DSPi back
panel

• Dynamic
Sampling card

• Speed Input /
Keyphasor card

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The upper four slots on the back of the 408 DSPi can contain any combination of
Dynamic Sampling cards and Keyphasor cards with a maximum of 2 Keyphasor
cards. These cards can be inserted into any of these four slots. After the cards are
installed, the 408 DSPi can identify which card is in each slot.
*** Warning - Cards should be inserted only when the DSPi is powered
down. While the cards will not be damaged if inserted “hot”, this action can
cause the 408 DSPi to interrupt data collection or reboot. ***
The lower right slot on the back of the DSPi is reserved for the ADRE System
Management Card and the lower left slot is reserved for special purpose cards
like the ADRE 408 Replay Card.
Dynamic Sampling card
Dynamic Sampling cards have input connectors for 8 input channels and each
connector has an indicator light that shows the status of the connection. The Sxp
help topic called “Dynamic Sampling Card” contains additional information
about this card and explains how the indicator lights display that status of each
connector.
Speed Input / Keyphasor card
The Keyphasor card has input connectors for 3 Keyphasor signals, a Keyphasor
power connector, and buffered output connectors for the three Keyphasor
channels. The Sxp help topic called “The Keyphasor Card” contains additional
information about this card.

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408 DSPi Anatomy

The Replay card and Transducer
Power Supply card

• Replay card

• Transducer
Power Supply
card

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The ADRE 408 DSPi Replay card lets you “replay” or “reprocess” data from any
database that contains Raw Continuous waveform records in a similar way that
you would with a digital tape recorder. The Replay card must be installed in slot
5. Section 19 and 20 of this training contains information about how to use the
Replay card.
The Transducer Power Supply card provides power for a wide variety of sensors
and can power up to 64 sensors. Section 21 of this training contains information
about using the Power Supply card.

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408 DSPi Care & Handling

•The 408 DSPi incorporates a full computer
system and hard drives.
– Handle with care, observe specified limitations
– Pack carefully for shipping purposes

• Forced air cooling – 408 DSPi & Power Supply

– Insure adequate air flow, do not block fans or ventilation holes.
– The unit is not intended to be operated in harsh weather conditions
such as rain or dust storms.
– Be careful not to damage fan vents (note – hardened cover
available)
• Inspect and clean with compressed gas duster

© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Your 408 DSPi is a high-performance data acquisition instrument. Proper care

and handling is important. Treat the 408 DSPi like a computer. Handle with care
and observe all specifications.
The 408 DSPi consumes about 300 Watts of power. This means that it produces
about 300 Watts of heat that must be removed. To accomplish this, the 408 DSPi
contains forced air cooling. Do not leave it out in the rain or subject it to
sand/dust storms. Furthermore, do not cover it in plastic to protect against the
weather because you must have proper ventilation to keep it cool. Treat the power
supply in like manner because it is also forced-air cooled.
The 408 DSPi contains two 75 GB hard drives. When transporting, use the
rugged travel case to protect your investment.
Periodically, your 408 DSPi will require cleaning. Use a compressed gas duster
designed for cleaning electronic equipment to remove dust and dirt.

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ADRE Sxp Client Software

Requirements
• ADRE Sxp client software
– Each computer requires a “licensed”
installation of the software.
– Licensed per computer
• Recommended Computer requirements
– O/S: Windows XP w/SP2
– RAM: 1 to 2 GB ( 768 MB *)
– HD Space: 60 to 80 GB
100 MB Free Disk Space
– Processor speed:
2.4 GHz or greater (P4 or Xeon)
1.6 GHz or greater (Pentium M)
(1.0 GHz P4 *)
– Ethernet Port: 10/100/1000 Mb

( * = Minimum )

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The ADRE Sxp client software should be installed on each computer that you
need to use. The software is licensed per computer installation, so you’ll need to
have purchased a license for each computer installation.

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Software User Interface

• Configuration Hierarchy
• Database Manager
• Plot Session Manager
• Event Logs

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

When you first open the ADRE Sxp client software, you will notice two main
areas of the user interface: Configuration Hierarchy and Plot Session Manager
Hierarchy.
The Configuration Hierarchy contains all of the instruments, 408 DSPi’s, Sampler
Cards, Channels, variables, and waveforms in a hierarchical or parent- child
relationship. All configuration is done through the Configuration Hierarchy.
The Plot Session Manager Hierarchy allows you to configure and save multiple
plots of your data. You can also open plots directly from the Configuration
hierarchy, but the Plot Session Manager Hierarchy allows you to save and
manage your plots for convenience.
Two tools that you will use frequently include the Database Manager and Event
Log. You will use the Database Manager to open databases and connect to a 408
DSPi. The Event Log keeps track of major ADRE Sxp events such as
configuration changes, database upload/download, trigger events, etc.

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Open/Connect to Database

• Open Database Manager

• Connect to:
– 408 DSPi
– On a network
– Direct connection
– Use Database Manager to Browse**
and show all 408s.
– Database on local computer
– Database on network
computer/server
** Firewalls or Routers may block communication to
the 408 DSPi.

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

When you first open the ADRE Sxp software, the Configuration Hierarchy and
Plot Session Manager will be blank because you have not connected to a database
or 408. Use the Database Manager to connect to one of three things:
•408 – the software will automatically search for and display any 408 on the
network. If your 408 is located behind a firewall or router, it may not appear, but
you can manually type in the IP address to connect to it.
•Local Database – connect to an ADRE Sxp database that resides on your local
computer’s hard drive.
•Network Database – connect to a database that resides on a networked
computer’s hard drive.

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Open/Connect to Database

• Database Manager
– Listed databases are
links
– Quick Connect option
– Data Modified column
– Implications of deleting a
database

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The Database Manager lists the connection links that you have made in the past.
When you open the software for the first time after installing it, no connection
links will be present. After you have added them, they will appear in the
Database Manager list.
You can choose to designate any number of your database links as Quick
Connect. This will allow you to quickly open your database or databases from the
main ADRE Sxp software screen.
The Data Modified column keeps track of when the database was last saved or
modified. This may help you monitor any anticipated or unanticipated changes.
If you ever move or delete a database, the connection link will still be present,
but you will be unable to connect to that database. Simply delete the connection
link to your deleted/moved database to keep your list manageable.

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Security
Two Security Options
• Administrator
– Save/Edit Configuration
– Save/Edit Plots
– Collect Data (Store Enable)
– Set Passwords for Admin or Operator
– 1 Admin connection at a time
• Operator
– View Configuration
– View Data
– Read Only, no saving of configuration or plots

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

When connecting to a 408 or database, ADRE Sxp provides two basic methods to
manage access and control of the 408 DSPi and ADRE Sxp databases:
Administrator
The administrator security option allows you full control of the 408 DSPi or
database. You can save and edit configuration, save and edit plots, and put the 408
into Store Enable. It also allows you the ability to set the password for the
Administrator and Operator accounts. Only one Administrator can be connected
to a 408 at a single time. If another administrator is already connected and you
wish to connect as an administrator, you must “take control” from the user who is
currently connected. A message will be provided informing the other user that
they will be disconnected.
Operator
The operator security option gives you read-only control of the 408 DSPi or
database that you are trying to connect to. You can view configuration, view data,
create new plots, but you cannot over-write the existing database/configuration
with any changes that you make. An “Operator” is not able to control data
acquisition. Up to 5 users, 4 with “Operator” and 1 with “Administrator” security
permissions may connect simultaneously to a single 408 DSPi.

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Connecting Options
Software Client to 408
DSPi “Server”
• Max 5 simultaneous clients per 408
DSPi
• Max 5 Simultaneous 408 DSPi 408 DSPi
connections per client
• Each 408 DSPi has two Ethernet
ports

408i-DAI

408i-DAI
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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Up to five client computers can simultaneously access the 408 DSPi. Only one of
these can be connected as an administrator, but the other four can connect as
operators. The 408 DSPi has two network ports, so accepting a connection from
more than two clients must be done over a network backbone or hub.
Also, a user on a single client computer can simultaneously connect to five 408
DSPi’s. This is helpful if you want to simultaneously view data from 408’s in
different locations.

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Database Structure
• 408 Name
– Database Name
– 408
– Sampler Card slots
– Reference Data
– Collection Group

• Selecting a database downloads

the XML config file to your client
• Multiple databases per 408
– One active database at a time
(green check mark)
– Active definition.

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

Once you connect to a 408 DSPi, the Configuration Hierarchy will display the
details of that 408. The 408 is listed by name. Underneath that it will display the
name of each database configured on that 408. ADRE Sxp databases are XML
files that download to your client software when you select them. ADRE Sxp
collects data for just one database at a time: the active database. The active
database is identified with a green check next to it. If you expand the database
node, you will see each 408 DSPi that the database uses to collect data along with
Reference data and Collection Group.
Since one 408 DSPi can acquire data from up to 32 channels, typical databases
will use just one 408 DSPi. If you have linked two to four 408s together (future
enhancement), you will see each one listed under the database. Expanding the
408 node will reveal the sampler cards, channels, and variables/waveforms.
Configuration of these sampler cards and channels is done here in the
Configuration Hierarchy.
The Reference data node is where all the reference data sets are kept and
accessed from. More details on collecting and using reference data will be
discussed in later topics.

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Database Collection Groups

What is a Collection
Group?
• A uniquely defined set of signal
inputs (channels).
• Common sampling criteria
• Sampling Criteria defines:
– When to start data storage
– When to sample
– What to sample
– How to sample
– When to stop data storage

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

A Collection Group is a uniquely defined set of signal inputs (channels) with

common sampling criteria and data collection triggering parameters. All channels
in a Collection Group are always sampled simultaneously.

The first release of ADRE Sxp provides a single Collection Group, containing all
active channels in your 408 DSPi. Future releases of ADRE Sxp will provide
multiple collection groups so you can choose which channels that you want in
each collection group. The collection group is where you will tell ADRE Sxp
when to start collecting data, how often to collect data, and when to stop
collecting data. More details about Collection Group configuration will be given
in later topics.

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Plot Session Manager

• Plot Session
– Collection of Plot Groups that share a
common configuration
• Plot Group
– Collection of similar plot types
• Open or print a plot
– Right click on a plot session or plot group
and select Open All Plots or Print

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

The Plot Session Manager displays all the saved plots for each 408 and database
that you are connected to. Each plot you configure and save is located in a plot
group, which is a collection of plots of similar type. For example, only trend plots
will be located in the Trend plot Group. These plot groups are located inside a
plot session, which is a collection of one or more plot groups that share a common
configuration. Every plot in a plot session can share the same plot filter settings
and date range. This is a convenience tool for correlating and ease of
configuration. More details about creating and configuring plots will be given in
later topics.

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Event Log

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

ADRE Sxp automatically logs an event for data collection, communication,

system and other event types. The Event log allows you to view the time and
sample count for when these events occurred. The event log contains useful
filtering tools to view just the event types that you want to see.

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Information References
What if I get lost using
ADRE Sxp?
• Help
– Search
– Table of Contents
– Individual dialog Help buttons
• Training manual
• Right-click menu

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

What if you get lost or forget how to do something in ADRE Sxp, what do you
do? The ADRE Sxp Help system contains a wealth of information that you can
access any time. Also, the training manual contains many documents and step-
by-step procedures to help you use ADRE Sxp. Another quick and easy tool for
getting help is to right-click your mouse. Chances are, the menu that appears
when you right-click will have an option that will help you do what you want
ADRE Sxp to do.

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Review
• What care & handling precautions are required for the ADRE 408 DSPi?
• Identify file structures and navigate to specific locations on hard drive or
network.
• Identify Instrument Hierarchy, Collection Groups, & Database Manager
• What are the two security levels that are available in ADRE Sxp?
• Connect to 408 DSPi remotely over LAN/WAN
• Use Database Manager in ADRE Sxp
• How do you save & retrieve databases?

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© 2008 General Electric Company. All rights reserved.

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