Company Logo

Using infoblocks with Scream!

The DM24 has a 1kb buffer inside its firmware, which can be used to store information about attached sensors. Users are free to store any data they wish in the digitizer's information block.

Typically, this is used to store calibration parameters, poles and zeroes, etc. Newer digital sensors have their calibration information pre-loaded into the information block. DM24mk3 instruments use this information to perform their strong motion calculations. The format of information blocks is described here.

Reading the information block

Digitizers automatically transmit the information block, if it is set, at every reboot. The block is transmitted with a special stream ID ending IB. There is also provide a terminal command for accessing the information in the block.

SENDINFO
Causes the information block to be retransmitted as a GCF block after the terminal session closes. Depending on the filing mode, the block will either be transmitted over the serial port or stored to flash.

Setting the information block

First, you must prepare a file on your computer containing the relevant data, possibly using the format described here. The file must not be larger than 1000 bytes (it must fit inside a GCF block).

To change the content of the digitiser's information block, follow the steps applicable to your sensor type.

DM24 mk3 and newer sensors

  1. Connect to the digitizer terminal using Scream!. Right-click on the digitizer's icon in the main window and select Terminal from the pop-up menu.

    Scream-terminal-window

  2. Check that there is two-way communication with the digitizer by pressing return. The digitizer should reply with ok on a new line.

  3. Type re-boot to reinitialize the digitizer, and confirm with y. As it is restarting, the digitizer will report its status over the terminal connection, followed by a maintenance menu:

    MPE ARM ANS ROM PowerForth v6.20
ARM Serial BootStrap v1.100, 11 August 2003
Copyright (c) 2002-3  GSL, EDSL & MicroProcessor Engineering Ltd.
Port 0 38400 baud
Port 1 38400 baud
Port 2 38400 baud

Guralp Systems Ltd - ARM-BOOT v01.0 mgs 29/07/04 [b 015]
System Code versions loaded :-
0103:0000 Guralp Systems Ltd  DMARM  v01.0 mgs 09/07/04 [Build 017]
0106:0000 Guralp Systems Ltd - DM+FW  v01.1  mgs  22/07/04 [Build 007i]
0109:0000 Guralp Systems Ltd - DM+FW  v01.1  mgs  11/08/04 [Build 007]    Default
010C:0000 Blank
DSP Code :
0101:0000  ARMT16D16-050304.BIN
0102:0000  dsprot037.bin 04/08/04          Default
Command keys:
C - set real time Clock (2004 8 13 09:29:48 )
F - run the Forth monitor
R - Run an application
E - Erase an application
S - update System program
B - update Boot program
D - update DSP code
I - update Information block
N - set the default application Number (3)
Q - Quit maintenance system
3  seconds to auto-start
Enter command:

  4. Press I. The digitizer will then request a transfer. A file browser window will open automatically.

  5. Navigate through the directories on your computer and select the the file to be uploaded, or type in its full path and file name. Click Open.

    Selecting a file to transmit

    Whilst the file is being uploaded, a progress window will be displayed.

  6. A 6 channel digitiser (CMG-DM24S6) actually has two info blocks. The first holds information that applies to the Sensor A instrument, and the second holds information for Sensor B. After uploading the first block, the DM24 will ask if you wish to upload the second infoblock.

  7. Once the files are fully transferred, the digitizer will return to its maintenance menu. Press return to reboot the digitizer with the new information block.

CD24, EDU and 6TD sensors

  1. Convert the prepared file to Intel HEX format. Tools for performing this conversion are available on the Internet, or on request from Güralp Systems.

  2. Connect to the digitizer terminal using Scream!. Right-click on the digitizer's icon in the main window and select Terminal from the pop-up menu.

  3. Check that there is two-way communication with the digitizer by pressing return. The digitizer should reply with ok on a new line.

  4. Enable the extended dictionary with the ok-1 command.

  5. Enter the command load-i .

  6. Right-click in the window and select Send File.... Browse your local directories to the location of the new file, and click OK.

    If the transfer fails to start, the upload may have timed out. Repeat steps 5 and 6.

  7. A window will appear showing details of the file transfer. When it is finished, the digitizer should display Info Block.... Saved.

  8. Check that the new information block is successfully loaded by issuing the command .info (which is only implemented in the latest firmware).

DM24 mk2 and older 5TD sensors

  1. Convert the prepared file to Intel HEX format. Tools for performing this conversion are available on the Internet, or on request from Güralp Systems.

  2. Connect to the digitizer terminal using Scream!. Right-click on the digitizer's icon in the main window and select Terminal from the pop-up menu.

  3. Check that there is two-way communication with the digitizer by pressing return. The digitizer should reply with ok on a new line.

  4. Enable the extended dictionary with the ok-1 command.

  5. Issue the calinfo upload command. The digitizer should reply with Ready....

  6. Right-click in the window and select Send File.... Browse your local directories to the location of the new file, and click OK.

    If the transfer fails to start, the upload may have timed out. Repeat steps 5 and 6.

  7. A window will appear showing details of the file transfer. When it is finished, the digitizer should display Info Block.... Saved.

  8. Check that the new information block is successfully loaded by issuing the command .info.