Trendows

A comprehensive measurement data acquisition and visualization system

Trendows® is a powerful and user-friendly software solution for the acquisition, visualization, and evaluation of measurement and testing data, which can be flexibly adapted to various industrial and scientific applications. With intuitive operation, extensive functions, and integrated communication protocols, it enables quick, secure, and efficient execution of measurement tasks and quality controls.

Trendows is divided into three task areas:

• Creating the application in a Trendows worksheet
• Performing the measurement
• Evaluating the stored measurement and result data

The measurement application is created with "Function-Integrated Image Elements" (FiBs) on the graphical user interface, comparable to a measurement setup on the laboratory table.

Devices and apparatus are represented by the FiBs, and the laboratory strips in Trendows are the data flow lines that transmit the signals. The FiBs contain a programmed function corresponding to their task, which is configured by the user as needed. This achieves intuitive operation.

Usable across industries

Trendows® is applicable across industries thanks to its flexible configuration options. Whether in quality assurance, process monitoring, or for customer-specific test stands – the software allows for the creation and implementation of individual requirements.

Trendows® is already successfully used in industries such as environmental technology (e.g., emission measurements), pharmaceutical production (monitoring of environmental parameters), thermal process control, and at test stands for fans and motors. With its versatility, Trendows® covers both standardized and customized applications and offers solutions for various industrial and scientific challenges.

Recordings of continuous measurements

Trendows was developed to optimally support the recording of continuous measurements. Reliable and secure data acquisition is one of its main tasks, which the system excels at. Other outstanding features include:

• Storage occurs dynamically and can be adjusted in a time interval as well as depending on an adjustable value change. This ensures that peaks are also reliably captured at larger time intervals.
• Data is stored unalterable, encrypted, and with real-time indication.
• The data is automatically summarized and stored in a data folder named after the worksheet in daily files.
• A printable proof of signal processing and data calculation secures the results.
• All operator inputs are recorded. The measurement can be accompanied by comments that are entered in real-time into a logbook.
• With an optional extension, personal access authorization with electronic signature and an audit trail according to FDA CFR 21 Part 11 is possible.

Practical evaluation functions

Trendows makes it easier for you to evaluate the data by summarizing various operational steps. Thus, there is no need to search for data files! Trendows does this itself, either through time specifications or by selecting from the logbook.

Trendows offers several different evaluations for each element on the surface:

• Characteristic curve representation of measurement quantity over time y/t diagram
• Characteristic curve representation of measurement quantity over measurement quantity in an x/y diagram
• Frequency distribution as a bar chart with separate representation of values that lie outside defined limits.
• Output of up to 256 channels into a selectable EXCEL workbook or to the clipboard.

In addition to raw data transmission, three other outputs are available:

• Output of adjustable averages, samples, and raw values.
• Series evaluation of graphical characteristic curves in WORD.
• Calculation and output of the "Mean Kinetic Temperature" (MKT).

Signal processing and calculations

In Trendows, extensive calculations can be performed and functions for
signal processing can be used. The formulas used in the formula and control element
can be seenhere. An unlimited number of formula elements can be used and cascaded.

Communication

Trendows communicates with measurement modules, measuring devices, and sensors with digital
interfaces to read their measurement signals. Analog and digital signals can be read in with measurement boxes of type MBI or the RasPi Measurement Controller. Trendows is network-capable and can transmit measurement values online to clients or web servers.

For the measurement data acquisition from various measurement modules and measuring devices,
the following communication protocols are integrated and available at the click of a mouse:
Standardized protocols:

ASCII column-wise

• AKON
• BACnet web service
• Modbus client and server
• MQTT
• NEMA
• OPC, OPC-UA
• SCPI
• Company-specific protocols

Advantech (ADAM modules)

• Almemo bus and RS232
• Gantner local bus
• Testo XML protocol
• etc.
• Control and regulation functions

With the control and regulator element, complete test stand controls can be realized.

For control and regulation tasks, relays, a PID controller, and a control element are available, which can be used in any number of cascades. The control element can be seen as a "virtual PLC," where up to 50 program steps can be defined only through configuration.

In the example mentioned above, the influence of the P, I, and D components is simulated and visually represented.
Alarm functions

In online monitoring systems, alarming in case of a limit value exceedance is a central task. Therefore, several alarming methods have been included in Trendows.

For limit value monitoring and alarming, a pre-configured

control element is provided, which monitors two dependent measurement quantities such as temperature and humidity of the air. Limit values and a time delay can be manually specified. With the outputs of the FiBs, the following functions can be triggered:
Visual individual and collective alarming using image symbols

• Email sending via SMTP mail server
• SMS sending via mobile network
• Notification via open messenger protocols
• Voice announcement
• Control of lights and sirens
• Evaluations

Trendows offers several different evaluations for each FiB on the surface:

Characteristic curve representation over time y/t diagram.

• Characteristic curve representation of measurement quantity over measurement quantity in a y/x diagram.
• Characteristic curve representation of a measurement quantity at different positions.
• Frequency distribution as a bar chart with separate representation of values that lie outside defined limits.
• Output of up to 256 channels into a selectable EXCEL workbook or to the clipboard.
• For the evaluations, there are several buttons for quick time range selection. The graphical evaluations can be parameterized, printed, and copied. In addition to raw data transmission, three other outputs are available:

Output of adjustable averages, samples, and raw values.

• Series evaluation of graphical characteristic curves in WORD©.
• Calculation and output of the "Mean Kinetic Temperature" (MKT).
• At the customer's request, we create special evaluations to obtain a finished
• acceptance protocol at the end of a quality inspection.
  Trendows in use

Trendows monitors the compliance with room climate conditions of an air conditioning system using wireless sensors.

Visualization of a fan test stand with image elements for displaying measurement values and operation using Trendows.