DIALOG: record GNSS, analogue and digital inputs

Record GNSS position, motion and the REBEL's analogue and digital inputs. Start logging from a push button and turn the logger's GPS time into a date.

Before you start

• DIALOG Configurator or above.
• The REBEL USB driver.
• The logger, connected over USB.
• The GNSS upgrade, fitted to the logger. REBEL CT takes an 18 Hz GNSS module with an external antenna socket. It can also have a 1 kHz three-axis accelerometer and a 3D gyroscope. REBEL LT takes GNSS with an external antenna. Ask for upgrades when you order.
• The multi-connect cable INF4204.1, which carries the analogue and digital channels. For its pinout, see REBEL breakout cables.

Record GNSS position

1. Start the configuration. Select New Configuration, name it and select OK. For the general steps, see DIALOG: create projects and configurations and send them to a REBEL.
2. Set the sleep mode. On the Sleep Mode tab, choose No Sleep and select OK.
3. Add the GNSS bus. Select New Bus, choose GPS and Accelerometer and select OK.
4. Set the rates. In New GPS Protocol, choose the GPS rate: Off, 1, 2, 5 or 10 Hz, or Max. On a logger with the motion upgrades, set the accelerometer's Rate (Off to 1000 Hz, or Max) and Range and the gyroscope's Range. Select OK.

   

5. Send the configuration to the logger. See DIALOG: create projects and configurations and send them to a REBEL.

DIALOG Standard and Plus show the track on a map synchronised with the signal timeline. They can also export GNSS data to Google Earth KML to analyse area coverage.

Watch: Configuring a REBEL to record GNSS data (3:11, recorded with an earlier version)

If GNSS data is missing

• Check the configuration has the GPS and Accelerometer bus.
• Check the GNSS antenna is connected to the logger.
• Check the vehicle is somewhere with a clear view of the sky and a satellite signal.
• If the configuration logs CAN as well as GNSS, check the CAN bus is active. If it is not, GNSS logging stops after a while.

Convert GPS time to a date

The REBEL's GPS Time channel is a count of seconds. To turn it into a date and time in Excel, put the value in a cell (A1 in this example) and use this formula:

=(A1/86400)+25569

Format the result cell as a custom date and time, for example dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm. A value of 1520210274 becomes 05/03/2018 00:37.

The result is in UTC. For another time zone, add or subtract the offset in seconds (3,600 for each hour) before dividing:

• British Summer Time, UTC+1: =((A1+3600)/86400)+25569
• India Standard Time, UTC+5:30: =((A1+19800)/86400)+25569

Record analogue and digital inputs

1. Start the configuration. Select New Configuration, name it and select OK.
2. Set the sleep mode. On the Sleep Mode tab, choose No Sleep and select OK.
3. Add the inputs bus. Select New Bus, choose Digital/Analogue and select OK. DIALOG adds items for the digital inputs (Digital_In_0 onwards) and the analogue inputs (A_In_1 onwards).
4. Set the rates. Right-click the Digital/Analogue protocol and select Properties. In Edit Digital/Analogue Protocol, set the Digital Rate and the Analogue Rate, then select OK.

   

5. Send the configuration to the logger. Use the same route as for GNSS.

For input ranges and limits, see REBEL LT and REBEL CT: specifications. For wiring examples, see REBEL and K-Series: wiring the wake-up pin and digital I/O.

Watch: Configuring analogue and digital inputs in DIALOG (1:23, recorded with an earlier version)

Start logging with a push button

Use the 15-way Dig & Analog connector on the multi-connect cable INF4204.1. Wire a momentary switch between pin 9 (Digital I/O 0) and pin 11 (ground). Pressing it takes digital input 0 from 1 to 0. Then a trigger starts logging. The INF4302 REBEL digital switch is a ready-made switch on a 15-way plug wired to those two pins.

1. Add the inputs. Add the Digital/Analogue bus to the configuration, as in the section above.
2. Choose the input. Right-click Digital_In_0 and select Add Item To Triggers.
3. Build the condition. In New Condition, name the condition. Parameter already shows Digital/Analogue->Digital_In_0. Under Parameter 3, choose <, select Value and enter 1. The condition is true when the input drops from 1 to 0. Select OK.

   

4. Create the trigger. Select Advanced Config > New/Edit Triggers and create a trigger. Enter a Name and set Action to Start and Options to Continuous. Choose your condition in Condition1.
5. Add a debounce. Enter a short Debounce time, for example 100 ms. The logger then ignores rapid changes from a bouncing switch. Select OK.

   

6. Send and test. Send the configuration to the logger and press the button. Check the trigger works before the vehicle goes on trial.

The trigger window has more settings:

• Other actions and sample methods
• A pre-log and post-log time
• An assigned LED
• A digital output
• Store On SD Card

Next: DIALOG: log UDS and OBD diagnostic data.