Introducing CEM Communicator

CEM Communicator is a software package that provides:

• Automatic data collection from CEM instrumentation,
• Method specific data storage and organization in a Microsoft Access database,
• Tabular and graphical data review,
• Advanced data processing.

Setup Overview
Minimal setup is required to allow the software to collect and store instrument results.
The Instrument and Communications Settings must be configured prior to data collection.
The software saves your setup information so these settings will never have to be re-
entered, unless for instance you wish to collect data from another instrument.

Uses
CEM Communicator supports the following instruments:
• SMART System 5,
• SMART Trac.
The CEM Communicator software can be used to collect data in three ways:
• Option A: SMART System 5 data collection to an external personal computer,
• Option B: SMART Trac data collection to an external personal computer,
• Option C: SMART Trac data collection by the internal personal computer
residing in the processor module.

Software Installation
The software is only available on a CD-ROM. For Option A and Option B, the CEM
Communicator software must be installed on the external personal computer. The
external personal computer must have access to a CD-ROM drive. For Option C, the
CEM Communicator software must be installed on the internal personal computer
residing in the processor module. This requires the use of an external CD-ROM that
connects by USB port, which is compatible with the internal PC.

When the CD-ROM containing the CEM Communicator software is inserted into the CD-
ROM drive, the install should start automatically. If this does not occur, choose run from
the Start panel, browse for the CD-ROM drive and select the setup executable. Follow
the on-screen directions to complete installation and allow it to place the installation files
in the default directory, C:\Program Files\CEM Communicator.

Hardware Configuration
For Option A, the SMART System 5 data collection to an external personal computer, a
null modem serial cable is connected from the “pc port” on the back of the SMART
System 5 to the serial COM port on the external PC.

For Option B, the SMART Trac data collection to an external person computer, a null
modem serial cable and y-cable are needed for the connection between the SMART Trac
system and the external PC. The y-cable is plugged into the “external balance” port on
the back of the SMART System 5. The split part of the y-cable labeled “scanner” is
plugged into the null modem serial cable. Finally, the other end of the null modem serial
cable is plugged into the COM port on the external PC.

For Option C, the SMART Trac data collection by the internal personal computer
residing in the processor module, a null modem serial cable is connected from the “pc
port” on the back of the SMART System 5 to the top-right connection of the internal PC.
This connection should already exist, because it is necessary for the operation of the
SMART Trac instrument.

Communications Settings
Port
The port is the physical connection on the computer that the instrument is connected to.
The software allows the selection of COM1 and COM2.

Baud Rate, Parity, Data Bits, and Stop Bits

These setting are for the communication between the computer and the instrument. The
computer and the instrument require the same communications settings for the software
to function properly. When an instrument is selected, default communications settings
for the instrument are assigned. Unless the settings have been changed on the instrument,
no setup is required. The settings should be the following for both the instrument and the
PC: band rate, 9600; parity, none; data bits, 8; and stop bits, 1.
To check or edit the settings in the SMART System 5 or SMART Trac instrument, follow
the steps shown below.
• From Main Menu, choose 4) Setup,
• Choose 4) Com Port
• 1) Baud: 9600
2) Bits: 8
 3) Stop: 1
4) Parity: None
To check or edit the setting in the CEM Communicator software, choose Setup-
>Configuration and select the “Communications” tab.
Serial Output Settings
The path of the output for the data collection is dependent on which of three options are
being utilized for the collection of data. To check or edit the output path for the SMART
System 5 or SMART Trac instrument, follow the steps shown below.
• From the Main Menu, choose 4) Setup,
• Press the operation key below Next Page,
• Choose 3) Serial Options,
a. For Option A: Results/Data: PC
b. For Option B: Results/Data: NMR EXT
c. For Option C: Results/Data: NMR
• 3) Company Name: Off
All of the other serial output parameters must be set to ON.

Database Management
A default Microsoft Access database is created during software installation, however, a
new database should be created to identify the data it contains. For instance, a database
could be named “June2007”, to monitor monthly production data. The option to create a
new database is located under File on the Main Menu.
Data is automatically collected and stored as a record in the user named database. Within
the database, the data is organized by the name of the method that generated the data.
The database can contain data from any number of different methods. Each time data is
received, the software associates the data with a method entry if it exists or creates a new
entry if it does not exist. A pull-down menu allows you to select and review the data for
all methods within the database.
Additional data can be stored to an existing database by simply opening the database.
The option to open an existing database is located under File on the Main Menu.
An existing database can be saved as another name. The option to save an existing
database as another name is located under File on the Main Menu.
Records within the database cannot be edited or deleted. This is in order to maintain data
integrity. Data filtering will allow you to ignore any errant data prior to further analysis.

Data Collection
When results from the instrument are received, the software creates a record for the
method in the database. The results are displayed in a tabular format with columns of
method specific information. The type of method dictates the columns that are displayed.

Data Filtering
Records within the database can be filtered to customize data presentation or to perform
additional data analysis such as SPC Charting.

Select Columns
The software provides the functionality to enable/disable the columns displayed in the
table. This allows you to customize the display of your data. The Restore command
located under Edit on the Main Menu allows you to recover from any inadvertent
changes.

Sort Records
Database records can be sorted by record number, sample id, date, and time. This allows
you to review data for certain product or period in time. The Restore command located
under Edit on the Main Menu allows you to recover from any inadvertent changes.

Bookmarks
Individual records within the database can be bookmarked. Actions such as sorting
records will only be performed on the bookmarked records. To bookmark a single
record, simply click on the record selector for the desired record. The entire record will
become highlighted. To bookmark additional records, you must hold down the control
key while clicking on the records.

Bookmark All
Since records cannot be deleted from the database, the ability to bookmark all records
allows you to un-bookmark records containing errant data. This is done by holding down
the control key while clicking on the records to un-bookmark.

Restore All
This operation restores the operation of selecting columns, sorting records, and
bookmarking.

SPC Charting
The software provides the ability to define control points for a method over a period of
time to determine whether the data is outside control parameters. The data for the
specified time period is graphically displayed to easily determine any process control
issues.
The SPC chart can be saved as a file or printed from the chart toolbar.

Database Maintenance
The database functions, backup and repair, are provided to perform maintenance on your
database files. The database functions are located under Tools on the Main Menu.

Backup
Backup provides a mechanism to create a copy of the database to secure your data in the
event the database is lost or becomes non-repairable.

Repair
If your database contains empty or incomplete records, it is corrupted. This operation
will attempt to repair the database by removing incomplete or empty records. In extreme
cases, a database may be non-repairable. It is advised that the database be backed up at
least monthly.

Database Corruption
If the database contains empty or incomplete records, it has become corrupted. Database
corruption may occur if power is interrupted while the database is being modified. Please
refer to Database Maintenance for information on repairing a database.

Communications Errors
If the software does not collect data from the instrument, it is because the CEM
Communicator software and the instrument are not communicating. Communications
problems generally occur as a result of:
• Missing/incorrect communications cable
• Incorrect instrument communications settings
Please verify that the NULL modem cable is connected between the computer and the
instrument and that the communications settings for the computer and the instrument are
the same.

Contacting Applications Support

CEM Applications Support can be contacted at (800) 726-3331.
Please try to provide as much information as possible to assist the Applications Support
Specialist in providing an accurate response to your questions.