I have multiple devices sending data via the FTPClient command. I would like to have these devices send data every 10 minutes with those 10 minute intervals synchronized (as closely as the internal clock allows). Is there a way to set up the FTPClient (and/or its SlowSequence Scan) so that it sends 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 minutes into the hour? Additionally, I would like to stagger the transmission of this data so that each station is not sending at the same time (i.e., some stations delayed a few minutes within the 10 minute interval).
There is an IfTime/TimeIntoInterval instruction that will let you trigger execution of an instruction based on time.
Best, Dana
A better option would be to use the Interval/Unit options of FTPClient. Running as you would like to, set Interval to 10 and set the Units to Minutes. Everytime the scan run, the logger will check to see if the interval is hit and send 10 minutes worth of data to the FTPServer.
The nice thing using the FTPClient instruction this way is (doing data streaming directly from the data tables), if comms are lost for some reason for some time, the logger will send all the data that should have been sent during time communications was lost. Say I missed the 10 minute and 20 minute mark due to the internet link being down. At the 30 minute mark, FTPClient/datalogger will send all the data to the FTP server that would have been sent at the 10 and 20 minute marks as well as the data for the 30 minute mark.
Thank you. I was considering the IfTime function. However, to use this, my understanding is that I'll have to scan quite fast. For example, if I scan at a 30 second interval and want to transmit every 10 minutes starting at the top of the hour (using IfTime), I'll be able to hit that transmission interval within 30 seconds of the desired interval. If I want 0.1 sec accuracy, I'd have to scan at that interval. Is this accurate?
I assume I'd get better accuracy if the scan itself was aligned with absolute time. I.e., a 10 minute scan aligned with absolute time. Is this possible?
Thank you, GaryTRoberts. Your suggestion of using the FTPClient timing is my current approach. However, I'd like to get the FTPClient interval lined up with aboslute time instead of relative time to when the scan starts. I have multiple CR6s running and their respective 10-minute intervals end up staggered in absolute time. I'm trying to align them based on absolute time.