FlukePad
Thomas Anderson
August 2000
Why this project?
To investigate the resources needed to create an application for Palm compatible PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
Why was this project chosen?
Why this project?
Devices with the Palm OS hold approximately 70% of the PDA market share.
Why the Palm Device Specifically?
What is FlukePad?A PalmPilot application that will allow a
user to view stored event data from a Fluke89-IV DMM (Digital Multi-Meter).
What data exactly?Event data!
Event Data is different then saved data. Saved data is stored one piece at a time, and can be multiple types, such as: two readings in volts, three in Farads, etc.
Event data is logged automatically after being started by the user. The data is all of the same type (I.e. all DC Voltage, or All Resistance, etc).
This is the data my software works with.
What can it do?Communicate with a Fluke 89
FlukePad uses the built in IR port on the Palm IIIxe to communicate with the IR port on the Fluke 89-IV.
What can it do?Graph logged data
- Auto Scales to allow easy interpolation
- Adds 20% to view to help minimize zooming in on noise
Why zoom out 20%?Same Data with and with 20% zoom
out
With 20% Without 20%
What can it do?Store data for later use
-Stores all data received from the meter in a database
This feature will be useful if a version is created that uploads data to Fluke View Forms.
What can it do?Display the information on individual
events.
What can it do?Display the information on individual
events.
When the pen touches the screen, FlukePad calculate what even the user has selected, and displays it. Due to the low resolution the is sometimes multiple events.
What can it do?Display the information on individual
events.
A user can see individual records by pressing the up or down hard keys on the palm.
The Low down on FlukePad
Development Platform:
Language:
Lines:
routines:
files:
CodeWarrior 6.0
C
2,600 +
58
12
Why 12 files?
Main
Communication
Data Parser
Database Graphing
Form
Database
To allow for easier maintenance and Upgrades
How much space does it take on a PalmPilot?The Application is approximately 20KThe Database Ranges from
98 bytes (just the database header)40K (995 records)
What features still need to be added?
Support for multiple databases The Ability to send data to Fluke
View Forms
What problems came up during this project?The Fluke 189 does not have IrDA
compatible hardware, and will not directly interface with the PalmPilot.
The current software is only compatible with Palm OS 3.5 and greater. (I.e. currently no Handspring Visor support,or older palms that do not have FLASH RAM)
What is this IrDA stuff?IrDA stands for Infrared Data
AssociationIrDA is a standard for Infrared
communications. The 189 Meter doesn’t needs IrDA to
communicate with Fluke View Forms. This hardware change saves about $2.00 a meter.
Does this mean the 189 can’t be used?Not necessarily. Fluke View Forms
uses an IR cable, with the proper adapter this could be used off the serial port on the Palm. There are also Ir adapter for the Palm that could be adapted
Who Cares?The customers!
What additional feature would you like to see in the next multimeter your purchase?
“ The capability to download data logged info straight to a palm pilot hand held
computer”
-Service Technician
ConclusionThis Technology is viable, we can
make it work with Fluke products.There is a market for it
Special Thanks toDavid DyckJody MagnusonBob GibsonJeff MeyerPaul HeydronGlen MeldrumThe Industrial Tools Group
Questions?