MAT Logger Commander is not recommended for new users.  We continue to list it here for some of our longer-term customers.  For new users, please check out our Domino software.

 

MAT Logger Commander software can be used to operate all TCM and MAT data loggers from Lowell Instruments. MAT Logger Commander was developed for Windows computers and was written in MATLAB, a high level language for scientific and technical computing. MAT Logger Commander requires that the MATLAB Compiler Runtime (MCR) be installed on the computer.

System Requirements Windows

  • Windows 7/8/8.1/10 (32 or 64 bit)
  • Any Intel or AMD x86 processor, Dual Core 2.0+ GHz recommended
  • 1 GB RAM minimum  (2+ GB recommended)
  • 1 GB disk space for the application, additional space for files
  • 1024 x 720 monitor minimum
  • MATLAB Compiler Runtime 8.2 (R21013b 32-bit) Installed
  • Microsoft .NET 3.5 or higher
  • You must have administrator privileges to install both the MCR and MAT Logger Commander

Download MAT Logger Commander 1.49b for Windows
MATLAB Compiler Runtime

 MATLAB Compiler Runtime 8.2

User Guide

 Universal User Guide

Setup Logger for Deployment

setup_file

  • Specify a deployment description
  • Choose recording intervals from 1 hour to 1/64 of a second
  • Program start and stop times
  • Enable or disable the LED
Start, Stop and Check Sensor Readings

logger_status

  • View logger orientation in real-time via USB
  • Start and stop logging
  • Check magnetometer, accelerometer and temperature sensor values
  • Check and set the logger's clock
Convert Data Files to Text Files

convert_files

  • Convert binary data files to text files
  • Choose time format
  • Split files into smaller files
  • Apply custom calibration coefficients
  • Convert pitch and yaw to current and direction for Tilt Current Meters

Software License Information

MAT Logger Commander is available to customers of Lowell Instruments, LLC under the terms of the License Agreement. The MATLAB Compiler Runtime is a free download and is subject to separate license agreement provided by The MathWorks, Inc.

MAT Logger Commander Installation Instructions

Note:  If you are using Windows 8 you must use "Advanced Startup" to load the USB drivers.  View detailed instructions.

  1. Download MATLAB Compiler Runtime R2013b (8.2).
    • Double-click the file to open the self extracting zip file.
    • The installer will automatically open.
    • Follow the installation instructions.
  2. Download MAT Logger Commander.
    • Double-click the file to open the zip file.
    • Double-click MAT Logger Commander Installer VX_XXX.exe
    • Follow the installation instructions.

MAT Logger Commander FAQs


A: Windows assigns a COM port number for each physical USB port.  If you change the USB port that you use for communicating with the MAT-1 logger, Windows will assign a new number for that port.  Use the "find" button in the "Logger Status" screen to determine what COM port Windows has assigned for the logger.

A: Windows requires that a Communications Device Class (CDC) USB  driver be installed in order for the logger to communicate with MAT Logger Commander.  The driver is automatically loaded when MAT Logger Commander is installed. But in some rare circumstances, it may not be loaded properly or may need to be reloaded.  The driver is found here.  To re-load the driver you will need to connect a logger, open the device manager, find the port and re-install the driver.

A: Starting with Windows 8 (and now 10), Windows will only load drivers that have valid driver certificates. Lowell Instruments has not obtained these certificates, so, in order to load the driver, you will need to restart with "Advanced Startup" enabled. View detailed instructions.

A: The logger is most likely running.  Only one device, either the logger's microprocessor or your computer, can use the SD card at one time. You need to stop the logger in MAT Logger Commander: Go to "Logger Status", open the port and click "Stop Logging". Wait a few seconds and the drive should appear in Windows Explorer.

A: No. Unfortunately we do not support any version of Apple OS or Linux.  Please contact us if this is critical for your application and we can possibly move it up the "To Do" list.

A: The short answer is that the MAT-1 logger uses a microprocessor that is designed for low power, not fast USB speed.  Real-world transfer rates are 10-15 MB per minute (substantially slower than USB 2.0 flash card readers and much, much slower than USB 3.0 readers).  For files that are larger than 5-10 MB the fastest way to transfer files is to eject the SD card from the logger and read it directly with a flash card reader. Remember to stop your logger before ejecting the card.

A: There are two possibilities.  First make sure that you only have one version of MAT Logger Commander Running.  (The logger may be connected in the other instance of the application.)  The second possibility is that the Windows USB manager is confused; there are several variations:  Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable and attempt to reopen the port.  If that fails, close MAT Logger Commander AND disconnect the logger, then reopen and reconnect.  If it still won't connect, you need to do the all-too-familiar Windows restart and try again (fortunately this is very rare).

A: All computers should use the 32-bit version of the MCR (MATLAB version R2013b 8.2).  When MAT Logger Commander was compiled it was set to be compatible with 32 and 64 bit machines and needs the 32-bit version of the MCR to run. It will not run with the 64-bit version of the MCR.

A: Yes. MAT Logger Commander requires MCR R2013b (8.2) 32-bit version to run.  See the full system requirements.

screen magnification errorA: The MATLAB Compiler Runtime is not compatible with changes to display magnification in Windows.  To fix, open "Control Panel" then "Appearance and Personalization" and "Display" and change the view to "Smaller -100% (default)."  You will need to log off and log on again.  When you reopen MAT Logger Commander the screen will return to normal.


A:  MAT Logger Commander Version History

MAT Logger commander is periodically updated as new features are added to the application and bugs are found and fixed.

Update 1.49b October 5, 2018

  • Fixes an intermittent USB communications failure that appears to be more likely with older Windows 7 machines.
  • Fixed a rare data conversion error when using non-typical settings.

Update 1.47b April 13, 2018

  • Adds support for future features.
  • Corrects a rare bug where MAT Logger Commander will not communicate with a data logger due to a formatting error in the loggers internal flash memory.

Update 1.46b April 2, 2018

  • Corrects a minor error when averaging Yaw/Pitch/Roll.
  • Adds back in compatibility for calibration values that were used in some older data loggers.

Update 1.42b December 21, 2017

  • Restores support for the Yaw/Pitch/Roll as an output type.

Update 1.41b November 3, 2017

  • Adds support for the TCM-4 Shallow Water Current Meter
  • Restricts temperature recording interval to be equal to or longer than the burst interval when both temperature and accelerometer and/or magnetometer are enabled.

Update 1.40b August 22, 2017

  • Added support for new calibration parameters included with firmware version 1.8.xx and higher.
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes.

Update 1.36b July 10, 2017

  • Modified USB communications to improve reliability.
  • Fixed an error in the installer where the TCM calibration files were loaded in the wrong location for new installations.

Update 1.34b June 27, 2017

  • Fixed a bug where if "averaging" was selected with "heading" as an output type, the binary file conversion could become stuck at ~99%.
  • Fixed a bug where, for certain recording settings, when converting from binary to text files, a redundant bad data point would appear in the text file for every 1MB of data file.

Update 1.30b January 26, 2017

  • Added user defined magnetic declination to compass calculations when converting binary files to heading and current.
  • Removed Yaw/Pitch/Roll output type and replaced with Heading by customer request.
  • Fixed bug where it was possible to create invalid logger settings that resulted in a data file that would not parse automatically.  Added an additional check to prevent it from occuring in the future.
  • Minor bug fixes and edits.

Update 1.26b July 7, 2016

  • Fixed a calibration error in a handful of loggers manufactured in 2014 using and older procedure.
  • Minor bug fixes and edits.

Update 1.25b April 5, 2016

  • Renamed the "Status" tab to "Start/Stop Status."
  • Changed user interface to switch tabs from "Setup File" to "Star/Stop Status" after saving MAT.cfg file.
  • Minor bug fixes and improvements.

Update 1.22b January 12, 2015

  • Added support and tilt-to-speed curves for the TCM-3 Tilt Current Meter.
  • Fixed a bug that resulted in one bogus data point for every 1 MB of binary data for certain channel configurations.
  • Added limited support for planned firmware upgrades.
  • Minor bug fixes and improvements.

Update 1.10b December 8, 2014

  • Updated the TCM-1 calibration curves to improve average accuracy in the field and reflect the best available test data.
  • Updated the "Convert Files" screen to streamline selection of tilt-to-speed curve.
  • User interface changes to the "Logging Control" to clarify how to start and stop the logger.
  • Moved LED control check box to clarify its use with respect to the temperature channel.
  • Minor bug fixes and user interface changes.

Update 1.04b August 7, 2014

  • Revised the TCM-1 calibration curves to improve accuracy beyond the recommended speed range.
  • Modified the user interface to clarify that the Setup File must be saved on the SD card in the logger.
  • Minor bug fixes.

Update 1.03b June 13, 2014

  • Updated the tilt-to-current calibration tables to support fresh and salt water with and without the low-speed ballast washer for the TCM-1.
  • Adds "Roll" to Pitch and Yaw output type.
  • Corrects an error in how the average bearing over the major interval is calculated.
  • Minor bug fixes.

Update 1.01b May 30, 2014

  • For logger with serial numbers greater than 1404099: corrects an error in how calibration coefficients are applied to raw acceleration values.  All users with serial numbers 1404100 or greater should upgrade to this release.
  • Minor bug fixes.

Update 1.00b May 16, 2014

  • Adds support for the TCM-1 Current Meter.
  • Adds "real time orientation mode" while logger is connected to USB.
  • Adds "Pitch and Yaw" as a file conversion output option.
  • Adds support for additional magnetometer and accelerometer calibration parameters.

Update 0.80b February 3, 2013

  • Recompiled on 32-bit version of the MATLAB Compiler Runtime to support older 32-bit Windows machines.
  • Downgraded Windows .NET version to 3.5 (from 4.0) so that the application is compatible with stock versions of Windows 7.
  • Minor bug fixes.

Update 0.78b December 3, 2013

  • Corrected a bug that resulted in a missing data point for every 1 MB of binary data for certain channel and interval combinations.
  • Changed text file name format to reduce the length of file names.
  • Updated software license agreement.

Update 0.76b November 15, 2013

  • Initial beta release