Technical Guide - Doli Digital Protocol

Hardware Set-up

The DOLI EDCi20, EDCi50 and EDCi70 can be fitted with an RS232 serial connector. Measurements can be communicated from Vector to the controller using the proprietary adaptor, “Vector Digital Adaptor RS232 Over 9 Pin D-sub”, and a supplied standard 9 pin D-sub straight-through cable:

Check that port Y1 is available and fitted with an RS232 interface. If Y1 is already occupied, or it is fitted with an RS485 interface, contact your supplier to arrange the necessary fitment of an RS232 port.

• Connect the adaptor male 15 pin D-sub to the female D-sub tail of the Vector Combined Power and Data Cable.

• Connect the adaptor male 9 pin D-sub to the female 9 pin D-sub of the standard straight-through cable.

• Connect the straight-through cable 9 pin D-sub to the Y1 port of the Doli Controller.

Vector Interface Configuration

1. Power-on Vector and ensure Vector is Scanning.

   

2. Once connected to Vector, navigate to Settings and then Digital Output to configure the output.

   

3. Set up the connection and select the Doli protocol from the drop-down list.

   

The protocol parameters must match those configured on the Doli controller. Recommended settings are listed below.

Parameter	Recommended Setting
Baud rate	115,200 (maximum)
Data bits	8
Stop bits	1
Parity	Odd

Doli Controller

1. Launch the DOLI Hardware Installation Centre.

2. Select the controller and connect.

   Once launched, the program should show the controller Online with the system tree on the left-hand side.

   

3. Allocate the required sensors in the system tree.

   Select the first machine configuration, M1, and note the list of available sensors. A serial bus is a sensor.

   The Vector will output both the strain and extension for each measurement over the serial protocol. Two sensors are required for uniaxial, four sensors are required for biaxial.

   

4. In sensor configuration, assign the first measurement output to the first sensor connector.

   

   Each of the required Vector measurement outputs have the corresponding channel ID as follows:

   Vector Output	Y1 Port Connector ID
   Axial Strain	X62A (SerSen 1)
   Axial Extension	X62B (SerSen 2)
   Transverse Strain	X62C (SerSen 3)
   Transverse Extension	X62D (SerSen 4)

   For example, set sensor #8 connector to X62A (SerSen 1) to allocate this sensor to Vector Axial Strain.

5. In sensor configuration, assign the sensor parameters for the first sensor input.

   

   Each of the parameters should be set as follows:

   Parameter	Value
   Sign	N-INV “Non-inverting”
   Control Active	Yes
   Limit Control	STATE
   Filter Time (ms)	200 (minimum)
   EEPROM	NO
   Unit	For Strain: Unit. For Extension: mm or inch as required.
   Sensor ID	(label as required)

6. In sensor configuration, EEPROM, match the protocol parameters to Vector for the first sensor input.

   Open the Initialisation Assistant and click Serial Sensor.

   

   Configure each of the parameters as follows. Ensure they match the settings in Vector.

   Parameter	Value
   Protocol	DOLI Standard Binary Protocol
   Baud rate	115,200 (maximum)
   Data bits	8
   Stop bits	1
   Parity	Odd

   

7. In sensor configuration, EEPROM, assign the remaining sensor parameters for the first sensor input.

   

   Each of the parameters should be set as follows:

   Parameter	Value
   Nominal	0
   Offset	0
   Upper limit (%)	0
   Lower limit (%)	0
   Signal Period	000 01

   Ensure the Signal Period is correct for the intended unit scaling. For example, with a strain sensor:

   • A Signal Period of 0. 000 01 produces units in percent strain, and

   • A Signal Period of 0. 000 000 1 produces units in strain.

8. Repeat for all required sensors.

   Repeat steps 4 to 8 for the remaining strain and extension channels.

   For example, set sensor #9 connector to X62B (SerSen 2) to allocate this sensor to Vector Axial Extension.

9. Write to EDC and Confirm.

   Each sensor that is written will require a reinitialisation.

   Unwritten sensors and machines are labelled with a warning icon in the system tree.

   

10. Test to Confirm Correct Setup.

    1. Navigate to Test Centre Light.

    

    b. Mark, Align, and Measure a specimen with the Vector. | Note: for convenince, a split specimen could be used.

    c. Drive the specimen to a small strain or extension to observe a reading on the Vector Interface app. | Check each input sensor in DOLI Test Centre Light against the corresponding value on the Vector Interface.

    

    For example, when driving the UTM to strain a specimen to ~4%, sensors #8 and #9 match precisely to the corresponding axial values in the Vector Interface app.