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vDash can accept data from a variety of interfaces including USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Serial. The CONNECT panel allows selection of input choice and setup of connection parameters.

The Most common method of connection is a Serial or Virtual Serial port. Most USB adapters and Bluetooth adapters use a Virtual Serial Port device driver to interface with PC software. After the device is installed, it will create a new COM Port number in the system device manager which can be used by vDash to perform data transfer. Most problems occur when using improper COM Port Numbers or Baud Rates (communication speed)

USB PORT Section

Use this connection method if connecting by a USB to SERIAL or USB to USB adapter supplied only by Chetco Digital Instruments. Not all USB adapters are the same and those supplied by other vendors may not work with this option.

A USB to SERIAL adapter (part #VGUSBS002)  will be required to connect a Serial Port on a vGauge-Remote unit or vGauge Display Head. The adapter is supplied with 2 cables. One cable has a 6-Pin connector used for vGauge-Remote Serial Port and the other cable has a 8-pin connector for the vGauge Display Head.

A USB to USB (part #VGUSBU001)  adapter will be required to connect a Master USB port (USB1) on a  vGauge-Remote unit to a PC USB port. The adapter has 2 type A male USB ends with an interface module in the middle

vGauge Display Heads supplied with a direct USB cable do not require an adapter and can be plugged directly into Host PC USB ports

Once the adapters are plugged into the Host PC and device drivers loaded, this option panel can be used to configure settings and verify operation.

Discover USB Devices – Press this button to search Host PC for properly attached USB devices which are compatible with vDash protocols.

Once the search is complete, a list of supported devices will be displayed. In most cases, only one device will be shown. In the case of multiple devices, click on the appropriate item.

Device Number – Should be 0 for a single device otherwise will reflect the device number of the selected interface

USB Buffer – Can be adjusted down to decrease latency but should default to 600 for best performance.

Baud Rate – Set to match rate programmed into vGauge Unit – Default is 57600.

TCP PORT Section

Use this option if connecting via Ethernet or WI-FI interface utilizing TCP/IP protocols. A Ethernet adapter (part #VGENETC001) or WI-FI adapter (part #VGENETW001) will need to be attached to vGauge-Remote unit and configured with proper IP address as covered in the adapter installation manual. Once configured, communication with a vGauge-Remote sensor unit is possible over most Internet connections.

Test TCP/IP connection – Performs a communication test using the supplied IP address and TCP port number.

IP Address – Enter IP address obtained from adapter setup and configuration. This is usually a DHCP assigned local address and can often change when new devices are added.

TCP Buffer – Can be adjusted down to decrease latency but should remain at 600 for best performance

TCP PORT – the number obtained during adapter installation. It is user controlled for firewall security. Default value is 10001

SERIAL PORT Section

Use this option for connecting via physical serial (COM) ports and non-standard devices such as Bluetooth and third-party USB to Serial adapters which use Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers.

SEARCH COM PORT –  Searches for available COM ports. If any are found, Double-Click on item to perform test and automatically enter COM port number

COM PORT – Select the COM port number obtained from the system device manger for the selected device. Physical COM port numbers do not change but VCP numbers can change each time a device is plugged in. Some devices such as Bluetooth, have several VCP numbers so choose the correct number for serial input.

Serial Buffer – Can be adjusted down to decrease latency but should be set to 600 for best performance

Baud Rate – Select the appropriate Baud rate to match the attached vGauge unit. Most VCP drivers will automatically adjust to the chosen rate. The common rate is 57600

To perform a firmware update – you must connect to the unit with the COM Port method. Firmware updates can not be performed via TCP or USB connections.

Record Settings Section

The capture rate for data logging is specified with the Update Interval Drop-Down menu.

vDash will wait the specified amount (1 second to 5 minutes) before writing a new buffer of sensor data to the Log file. When set to “Fastest”, vDash will capture data as fast as it arrives without waiting.

Log file playback is also controlled by the Update Interval setting.

Communication Status Window Section

A status window can be enabled to show RAW data arriving from a connected vGauge-Remote unit in the main display window. This can be useful in diagnosing any communication problems with the unit. It should remain disabled (unchecked) when not needed for best performance.

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