Member's Corner

FAQ

- Frequently Asked Questions

Frequency Asked Questions for Addestation WISE Module

What are the computer requirements for Addestation?

What are the waveforms/signals that can be generated?

What is the highest and lowest frequency that can be generated?

How do I enlarge or shrink a waveform on the screen?

How do I view 2 waveforms at the same time?

The waveform captured is noisy.  How can I reduce the noise?

Can I record and playback my voice?

Can the software provide an automatic measurement of frequency and amplitude of a sine wave?

How do I measure the time difference or amplitude difference between 2 points on the screen?

After clicking 2 points on the screen to make a time or amplitude difference measurement, how do I erase the measurement displayed on the screen?

How do I save the waveform/signal captured?

How do I print the waveform that is displayed on the screen?

I tried to generate a sound through a loudspeaker, but I can't hear any sound.  How could I rectify the problem?

I generated a sound through a loudspeaker, but the sound is very soft.  How could I rectify the problem?

I tried to capture a sound using a microphone, but there is no waveform displayed on the screen.  How could I rectify the problem?

I captured a sound using a microphone, but the waveform displayed is very small.  How could I rectify the problem?

How do I prevent capturing clipped sound waveform?

There is no E.M.F. waveform displayed when I was using the Induced E.M.F. Sensor to capture a signal induced in a coil. How could I rectify the problem?

Why is there a DC offset in the E.M.F. waveform ?

My computer does not have a 9-pin serial port (COM port).  How do I connect the Induced E.M.F. Sensor to the computer?

Question & Answers

 Qn:  What are the computer requirements for Addestation?

 Ans:  The minimum hardware and software requirements  to use Addestation WISE Module are as follows:

• Pentium 166 MHz PC;

• Windows 95/98;

• Full-duplex sound card with Mic-In and Line/Speaker-Out jacks;

• 50 MB Hard Disk Space and

•  32 MB RAM.

 Qn:  What are the waveforms/signals that can be generated?

 Ans:  Addestation allows users to generate sine or pulse signals from its Waveform Generator. The Harmonics Generator allows users to generate waveforms consisting of up to 6 user defined frequency harmonics.

 Qn:  What is the highest and lowest frequency that can be generated?

 Ans:  The allowable range of frequencies lies between 1 Hz and 10,000Hz for the default setting.  You may increase the highest frequency to 20,000Hz by opening  the file "C:\Program Files\Addest\Addestation\Agt.ini" and changing the last parameter from 22050 to 44100.

Qn:  How do I enlarge or shrink a waveform on the screen?

Ans:  This can be done by adjusting the "msec/div" and "volt/div" of the Scope Settings Panel (on the bottom left side of the screen).  The "msec/div"  allows the user to adjust the horizontal range of the waveform to be displayed on the screen.  The "volt/div" allows the user to change the vertical range of the waveform.  To enlarge a waveform, one should select a larger value of "msec/div" or "volt/div".  To shrink a waveform, select a smaller value.

Qn:  How do I view 2 waveforms at the same time?

 Ans:  This is possible under 2 modes. The waveforms could be viewed either separately or overlapped. First choose “Scope” from the Menu Bar and then select “view channels 1 & 2 (overlap)” or “view channels 1 & 2 (Separate)”.

Qn:  The waveform captured is noisy.  How can I reduce the noise?

Ans:  If you are using a notebook computer with power from the A/C mains, the noise could be interferences coming from the A/C mains.  To reduce the interferences, please click "Options" from the Menu Bar, "Advanced", "Hum Removal".  There are 3 choices to choose from: "Weak", "Normal" or "Strong".  If the interference remains annoying, it would be advisable to operate the notebook computer using the internal battery.

Qn:  Can I record and playback my voice?

 Ans:  Yes. Speak into the microphone and freeze the waveform displayed on the screen.  Addestation has a “Playback” option under “Options”. Click on the “Playback” to playback your voice.

Qn:  Can the software provide an automatic measurement of frequency and amplitude of a sine wave?

 Ans:  Yes, Addestation provides an automatic average frequency calculation.  Likewise, it also provides an automatic peak-to-peak voltage measurement. These values are displayed on the top left and right hand corner of the Observation Screen respectively when the “Display Hz & Volt” command under the "Options" Menu is checked.

Qn:  How do I measure the time difference or amplitude difference between 2 points?

 Ans:  This could be easily done by clicking the left mouse button on the 2 points required on the waveform.  Three rows of readings will appear on the screen.  The first reading gives the time difference and the third reading gives the amplitude difference.  Note that the second reading would be the reciprocal of the time difference.

Qn:  After clicking 2 points on the screen to make a time or amplitude difference measurement, how do I erase the measurement displayed on the screen?

 Ans:  To erase the measurements, right click on the mouse button.

Qn:  How do I save the waveform/signal captured?

Ans:  Under “File” menu, choose “Save”.  The waveform is saved as “.fun” data format.  Note that all Generator  Settings , Scope  Settings  and advanced Options Settings are also saved.

Qn:  How do I print the waveform that is displayed on the screen?

 Ans:  Under “File” menu, choose “Print Preview & Print…”.

Qn:  I tried to generate a sound through a loudspeaker, but I can't hear any sound.  How could I rectify the problem?

 Ans:  Please follow the steps below to rectify the problem.

• Ensure that a loudspeaker is connected to Speaker-out or Line-out (usually symbolized as ,  or ) of your computer/soundcard

• Ensure that you have switched on the Generator by clicking , and that the “Amplitude ” of the Generator is not set to “0”.

• If the loudspeaker is not installed with batteries, ensure that the left button (the power ON/OFF button) of the loudspeaker is not pressed down.  Otherwise, ensure that the left button of the loudspeaker is pressed down, and the right button (the Volume button) is not set to “MIN”.

• If your computer has an external volume control, ensure that it is set to the maximum.

• Ensure that the sound output of your system is properly configured.  To do so, first open the Volume Control Panel by clicking "Options" at the Menu Bar, then "Advanced", followed by "Volume Control".  Depending on your system, either the Volume Control Panel or the Play Control Panel will appear on the screen.  The figure below shows an example of a Volume Control Panel.

  

In the Volume or Play Control Panel, ensure that

• “Wave” is selected (or unmuted).

• “Volume” or “Play”  is selected (or unmuted).

• the volume levels associated with “Wave” and “Volume”/“Play” are not zero. 

Qn: I generated a sound through a loudspeaker, but the sound is very soft.  How could I rectify the problem?

Ans: Please follow the steps below to rectify the problem.

• Increase the “Amplitude ” of the Generator .

• If the loudspeaker is not installed with batteries, please install batteries into the loudspeaker.  Press down the left button (the ON/OFF button) and increase its volume by turning the right button (the Volume button) towards “MAX”.

• If the loudspeaker is installed with batteries, increase the volume of the loudspeaker by turning the right button (the Volume button) towards “MAX”.

• If your computer has an external volume control, increase its volume level.

Qn:  I tried to capture a sound using a microphone, but there is no waveform displayed on the screen.  How could I rectify the problem?

Ans:  Please follow the steps below to rectify the problem.

• Ensure that a Sound Sensor is connected to Mic-in (usually symbolized as ) of your computer/soundcard.

• Ensure that you have selected “Sound Sensor ” from Sensor Menu. 

• Ensure that you have switched on the Scope.   

• Ensure that the Sound Sensor is not too far away from the sound source. The sound source is a loudspeaker if you are capturing sound from a loudspeaker, or your mouth if you are speaking into the Sound Sensor. 

• The “volt/div” setting might not be appropriate for the captured sound signal.  Reduce the value of “volt/div”.

• Ensure that the Sound Input of your system is properly configured.  To do so, first open the Volume Control Panel by clicking "Options" at the Menu Bar, then "Advanced", followed by "Volume Control".  Then, follow the steps shown in Figure 3 below to open the Recording Control Panel.  

   Next, ensure that (in the Recording Control Panel)

• "Microphone" is selected (or unmuted).

• the volume level associated with "Microphone" is not zero.

Qn: I captured a sound using a microphone, but the waveform displayed is very small.  How could I rectify the problem?

Ans:  Please follow the steps below to rectify the problem.

• Carry out the first 5 steps stated in the answer for the previous question.

• Ensure that the Sound Input of your system is properly configured.To do so, first open the Volume Control Panel by clicking "Options" at the Menu Bar, then "Advanced", followed by "Volume Control".  Then, follow the steps shown in Figure 3 (shown above) to open the Recording Control Panel.  You should increase the volume level associated with “Microphone” (in the Recording Control Panel). 

Qn:  How do I prevent capturing clipped sound waveform? 

Ans:  If the sound waveform displayed on the Observation Screen appears clipped, please follow the instructions shown below. 

• Ensure that the Sound Sensor is not too near the sound source.

• Reduce the Generator Gain or Scope Gain by lowering the slider in the Addestation Gain Control Panel.  The Addestation Gain Control Panel can be activated by clicking “Options”, then “Advanced”, followed by “Gain Control". 

Qn:  There is no E.M.F. waveform displayed when I was using the Induced E.M.F. Sensor to capture a signal induced in a coil.  How could I rectify the problem?

Ans:  Please follow the steps below to rectify the problem. 

• Ensure that the Audio Plug of the E.M.F. Sensor, the "D"-plug and the 2 crocodile clips are properly connected to respectively the Mic-in of the computer/soundcard, the Serial Port (COM Port ) and the 2 ends of the coil.

• Ensure that you have selected “Induced E.M.F. Sensor ” from Sensor Menu . 

• Ensure that you have switched on the Scope . 

• The “volt/div ” setting might not be appropriate for the captured E.M.F. signal.  Reduce the value of “volt/div”. 

• Ensure that the E.M.F. Input of your system is properly configured.  To do so, first open the Volume Control Panel by clicking "Options" at the Menu Bar, then "Advanced", and followed by "Volume Control".  Then, follow the steps shown in Figure 3 (shown above) to open the Recording Control Panel.  Next, ensure that “Microphone” is selected (or unmuted), and increase the volume level associated with “Microphone”.

Qn:  Why is there a DC offset in the E.M.F. waveform? 

Ans:  This is because Addestation is not properly initialized.  

Method 1: To remove the DC offset, please re-initialize Addestaion by ensuring that “Automatic Calibration” is enabled (or ticked).  This is done by selecting "Options" from the Menu Bar, then “Advanced", followed by "Automatic Calibration” to toggle it on/off.  (For Addestation version 1.1.x only)

Method 2: If you are still using the Addestation version1.1.x, download the latest version of the Addestation software version 2.x free (You would need to Register and Login as an Addestation Member using the Serial No. printed at the back of the Addestation Software CD). In the Addestation Software version 2.x, Click "Options" from the Menu Bar, then "Calibration - Induced EMF Sensor...", and follow the step-by-step on-screen instruction to calibration your Induced EMF Sensor.

Qn:  My computer does not have a 9-pin serial port (COM port).  How do I connect the Induced E.M.F. Sensor to the computer? 

Ans:  If your computer does not have a 9-pin Serial Port (COM Port), please look for a 25-pin Serial Port (COM Port) as shown below.

If a 25-Pin Serial Port  (COM Port ) is found, please connect the ‘D’-Plug of the Induced E.M.F. Sensor  to such a Serial Port using a <9 to 25-Pin Adaptor> as shown in Figure 5 below.