Last Updated: 19-June-2007
2.1. General requirements
2.2. PC requirements
2.3. Mac requirements
2.4. Further information about the hardware requirements
3. Installation
3.1. Installation Overview
3.2. Pre Installation
3.3. Installation3.3.1. Run the Installer
3.3.2. Setup the Measuring System
4.1. Cabling
4.2. Digital Readout Configuration
4.2.1 Metronics Digital Readout Setup
4.2.1.1. Metronics QC-10V Digital Readout
4.2.1.2. Metronics QC-1000 or QC-1100 Digital Readout4.2.3. Boeckler Digital Readout Setup
4.2.2. Acu-Rite/MasterG Digital Readout Setup
4.2.4. Measucron Digital Readout Setup
5. Post Setup
Appendix 1. Metronics Cable Construction
Appendix 2. Testing the Measuring System Setup
The MeasureJ2X program is a full featured software program for measuring tree rings. The program enables capture of measurements from a variety of measuring stage/encoder/digital readout units and has features for creating measurements of new series or editing existing series. Its functionality is similar to that of the PJK or MEDIR program that was written by Paul Krusic of the Tree Ring Lab at the Columbia University’s LDEO with some enhancements. The editing capabilities include being able to append, insert or delete measurements from a series and shift a series forwards or backwards in time. The program reads and writes files of series in the "decadal" format, allowing its output to be used with analysis programs available from the Dendrochronology Program Library (DPL).
The name, MeasureJ2X, reflects some of the underlying features of the software. The ‘J’ represents the fact that the program is written in the Java programming language. Because it is written in Java, it is able to run on both the PC and the Mac platforms - the '2X' part. In reality, the program is able to run on any platform that can provide the underlying Java runtime environment necessary but the testing for MeasureJ2X has focused on the PC and Mac platforms. Other platforms which currently have support for Java are most variants of Unix (Sun Solaris, Linux, etc.), among others.
The program runs on either a PC or a Mac computer and supports measuring using a measuring stage with a linear encoder and digital readout unit connected to the computer via a serial port. To run on other platforms or for questions about a specific hardware configuration, contact us directly at projectj2x@voortech.com.
The program requires a PC running any of the Windows versions beginning with Win95, including Win98, WinME, WinNT, Win2000 or WinXP.
A minimum of 32 Mb of memory is required under Win95, and 48Mb or more recommended. For Win98 and WinME a minimum of 48Mb is required and 64Mb or more is recommended. To run under WinNT, Win2000 or WinXP the minimum memory configuration will depend on the configuration of the machine, but 64Mb is a suggested minimum, with 128Mb or more recommended. If you plan to run on anything less than 48Mb, please contact us at projectj2x@voortech.com
The PC must have a serial communications port of one of the following types:
Approximately 25Mb of disk space is needed for the installation.
The program requires a Macintosh running OS X V10.3 or later with Java updates installed. To get the latest Java updates, run Software Update on the Mac (System Preferences, Software Update) and install any Java updates that are available for your version of OS X.
The Mac must have a serial communications port of one of the following types:
Approximately 25 Mb of disk space is needed for the installation.
To run the program on previous versions of the Mac OS (System 7,8 or 9 or OS X V 10.2 or earlier) please contact us at projectj2x@voortech.com.
2.3. Measuring system requirements
A digital readout unit of one of the following types with proper cabling between the digital readout and the serial port of the computer. Please note that the cabling is not a standard serial cable. See Section 4.1. for full details.
The digital readout must be connected to a measuring stage with a linear encoder for capturing measurements. There are various suppliers of this portion of the system, but a system such as those supplied by Velmex, Inc. will meet the program requirements. The Velmex, Inc. system consists of a measuring stage with an Acurite linear encoder with a Metronics QC10V (Quadra-Chek 10V) digital readout unit.
The MeasureJ2X installation package is either a downloaded zip file or contained on a CD. The package contains the installer, the required supporting Java components and the MeasureJ2X documentation.
The downloaded version is a compressed zip file which must be first unzipped.
The CD contains the components in the appropriate platform directory (/pc or /mac).
Review the hardware requirements in Section 2. of the Installation Guide (web site version) or (local version - on CD or after unzipping files).
Electronic distributions (only)
1. Download the distribution file (typically something like 'mj2xV411PC.zip' or 'mj2xV411Mac.zip') using the instructions you were given.
2. Unzip the distribution .zip file into a temporary location on your hard drive. For example:
C:\Tmp\measureJ2X
Run the MeasureJ2X installation by double clicking on the ‘install.exe’ (PC) or 'install.pkg' (Mac) file.
Complete the procedures in Section 4. for setting up and configuring the Measuring System.
There are 3 steps to setting up the measuring system and having it properly communicate with the MeasureJ2X program:
Put in place the serial cable between the serial port of the computer and the digital readout box.
The cable is not a standard serial cable. New measuring systems from Velmex, Inc.systems are supplied with the proper cabling or a cable can be made using the pinouts described in Appendix 1. If you have working setup with the 'PJK' measuring program, there has been no change in the cabling requirements for systems so can use your existing cabling:
digital readout <---(specialized digital readout serial cable) ---> computer serial port
When using a USB port and a USB-serial converter such as the Keyspan device, you will connect the specialized digital readout cable from the digital readout to the serial side of the USB-serial converter and then using the USB cable supplied with the converter, connect the USB side of the converter to the computer:
digital readout <---(specialized digital readout serial cable) ---> USB-serial converter <--- (USB cable) ---> computer USB port
4.2. Digital Readout Configuration
Set up your digital readout unit according to the configurations given below.
If you currently have a working system right now with a 'PJK' measuring program, you will need to change only the settings indicated by the (*) notation.
4.2.1. Metronics Digital Readout Setup
4.2.1.1 Metronics QC-10V Digital Readout
The QC-10V is configured using the setup menu which is accessible from the front panel softkeys. The operation of the front panel and how to access the Setup menu is given in the "Quadra-Chek 10 User's Guide". New systems should already be setup by the distributor from whom you received the unit (i.e. Velmex, Inc.) but the following are the settings required by the MeasureJ2X program and should be checked if there are any problems with communication between the MeasureJ2X program and the digital readout (settings not listed are not relevant to the MeasureJ2X program):
Setup Function Setting Display, Startup Linear MM Display, MM Disp Res 0.001 Encoder, Res 0.001 Encoder, Units MM Encoder, Label X Hot Keys, Keys, Foot, Key 1 Zero Key Hot Keys, Keys, Foot, Key 2 Print Key Port, Baud 9600 Port, Word Len 8 Port, Stop Bits 2 Port, Parity None Port, Handshake Hard. (hardware) Port, Line Terminator CR/LF Port, Send Label Yes Port, Send Units Yes
4.2.1.2 Metronics QC-1000 or QC-1100 Digital Readout
The QC1100 is configured by using sequence of pressing the display panel buttons as outlined in the operation manual 'Quick-Chek QC-1100 Digital Readout Operation Manual' that comes with the display. Using the instructions in the manual in the 'Setup' section, change the following (all other setup parameters should be set to their default values):
Baud -> 9600
Encoder Linear Res (i.e. resolution or scale) -> 0.001 mm
Encoder Linear Disp MM (i.e. display units) -> 0.001 mm
4.2.2. Acu-Rite/MasterG Digital Readout Setup
The Acu-Rite/Master G is configured using an internal configuration program. Refer to the manual pages 3-5, 3-6, 3-7 and 3-9 of the Acu-Rite III RS232 computer/printer interface option manual for the procedure for invoking the configuration program and make the following changes to the factory’s default settings:
Baud -> 9600
StopBits -> 1
DataBits -> 7
Parity -> even
Acu-Rite Code Value 21 1 22 82 23 71 24 00 26 02 *Differs from PJK program setup 27 10 28 10 29 12 *Differs from PJK program setup 31 0 42 1 43 0
All other settings should be set to their default.
4.2.3. Boeckler Digital Readout Setup
The Boeckler encoder is configured by setting the banks of dip switches inside the unit. They are accessed by opening the rear panel (screw driver required). Inside there are two 8 position dip-switches, one top and one bottom. Set them as follows:
Top bank: all positions OFF except pins 3 and 5 set ON.
Bottom bank: all positions OFF except pins 2, 6 and 8 set ON *.
*The bottom bank setting differs from the PJK program.
4.2.4 Measucron Digital Readout Setup
There is no configuration for the Measucron digital readout.
The last part of the setup is done by from within the MeasureJ2X program. Start the program up by double clicking on the MeasureJ2X icon on the Desktop created by the installer.
First use the Setup, Measuring System and select the appropriate type of digital readout that you have, and select the appropriate precision for the encoder for your measuring system.
Next, use the Setup, Connection menu item and set the 'Port' to the serial port that you have connected the digital readout to in Step 4.1 and and set the remaining communications parameters using the table below for your digital readout type.
If you are unsure about which serial port you have connected the digital readout to, and depending on your disposition, you can use trial and error to determine the port or you can use the testing technique described in Appendix 2. The program will list all the ports found on the computer in the 'Port' dropdown box. To use trial and error, you can select each port on the list and attempt to measure a series with that port selected as described in the User Guide - Scenario 1. Measuring a new series. If you receive an error message about the port being in use, an incorrect format, or you receive no measurements, the wrong port is selected and the next port on the list can be tried. The testing technique described in Appendix 2. is more thorough than using trial and error and in that sense is recommended over trial and error. In all cases, the testing procedure given in Appendix 2. should be used if the port is not discovered through trial and error
Once you have a working setup, save the configuration settings using the Setup, Save Configuration menu item. This will cause the program to use the same settings the next time the program is run.
4.3.1. Metronics Precision and Connection Parameters
Precision 0.001 Baud 9600 Data Bits 8 Stop Bits 2 Parity none
4.4.2. Acu-Rite/MasterG Precision and Connection Parameters
Precision 0.001 Baud 9600 Data Bits 7 Stop Bits 1 Parity even
4.4.3. Boeckler Precision and Connection Parameters
Precision 0.001 Baud 9600 Data Bits 7 Stop Bits 2 Parity none
4.4.4 Measucron Precision and Connection Parameters
Precision 0.01 Baud 1200 Data Bits 7 Stop Bits 2 Parity even
Test the installation by following the instructions in User's Guide - Scenario 1. Measuring a new series.
Appendix 1. Metronics Cable Construction
You may construct a cable for a Metronics digital readout unit using the following chart:
| QC1000 or QC1100 | PC DB25 serial port | PC DB9 serial port | Mac MiniDin8 | Function |
| pin # | pin # | pin # | pin# | |
| 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | GND |
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | TXD |
| 5&7 | 6,8,20 | 1,4,6 | 2 | RTS/CTS |
| 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | RXD |
A remote print switch may be added by using the RJ-45 "REMOTE" jack on the back panel. The print function is initiated by momentarily closing lines 4&5. The remote switch may also provide the function to zero the display. This is performed by momentarily closing lines 1&6 on the same jack.
The above cabling information is from the document 'Program PJK6 and PJK5 February, 1998 /AcuRite/Metronics/Boeckeler/Measuchron Installation Notes' written by Paul Krusic of Columbia University. The full text of the document can be found at:
Appendix 2. Testing the Measuring System Setup
The following procedures will test the connections between your measuring system and the computer, independently from the MeasureJ2X program. You should follow this procedure unless you are already familiar with your measuring system and are confident that you have no problems in cabling, your measuring system is properly configured and you know what port you are using.
You should always follow this procedure if you are not receiving measurements in the MeasureJ2X program.
4.3.1. Testing the Measuring System Setup using HyperTerminal (PC)
HyperTerminal is part of the Windows software and is usually found on the Programs, Accessories menu. Double clicking on the menu item, opens the HyperTerminal folder. Set up a new connection by double clicking on the icon named "Hyperterm.ext". In the New Connection window that opens, enter a reasonable name, such as "Metronics –COM1" or whatever system and port you are using. Click on Okay and in the Phone Number box that opens, use the pull down in the 'connect using' box and set the connection to "Direct to Com1" or whichever com port you plan to use.
If you don’t see any direct connections listed when you start HyperTerminal then you have a problem with your system recognizing your Com ports from within Windows. You will need to straighten that out before proceeding.
If you do see the port you wish to use listed, select it and click on Okay and the Port Settings window will appear. Set the baud rate, parity and stop bits settings to those listed in the 'MeasureJ2X Program Setup' section for your encoder unit. Leave all the other settings are they are.
Click on Okay and you are ready to test the connection. Use the telephone icon, or Call, Connect menu item to make the connection. The status bar on the bottom of the HyperTerminal window should indicate things are connected. Now send a measurement as you would if you were measuring. It should show up in the window as readable letters and numbers like this:
X 0.002 mm
If all you get is gibberish, recheck the port settings by using the File, Properties menu item, then clicking on the Configure button.
If nothing at all shows up when you try to send a measurement, you are either plugged into a different port than you have specified or your cabling is bad. Recheck both your port setting in from the File Properties menu item, and where you have plugged the cable in. If you have those correct, then your cable is probably wired incorrectly.
Note that with HyperTerminal, you often have to exit and restart the connection for changes to take effect. If you make adjustments to the settings, use the File, Save menu item after making the changes to save the connection and its settings, and then restart it and test the connection again. Restarting is done by double clicking in the icon in the HyperTerminal folder with the name you gave.
Once you have this working properly so that you can see strings and numbers, use the File, Save menu item to save your working test and you can use it again if you ever need it.
4.3.2. Testing the Measuring System Setup using VersaTerm (Mac)
The VersaTerm software has the ability to run both telnet sessions and sessions that run via the serial ports.
Once in VersaTerm, use the Sessions, Edit Sessions menu item to setup a connection to the serial port. Select ‘Simple Serial’ for the 'Connection Type:' and select either the Modem Port or the Printer Port. Leave the 'Initialization String:' and the 'Hangup String:' fields blank. Click on the Okay button to open the session window.
Use the Settings menu to set the port settings to those listed in the 'MeasureJ2X Program Setup' for your encoder unit.
Once the communication parameters are set, try sending a measurement from your encoder as if you were measuring. As described in the HyperTerminal section, you should see the measurement sent from the encoder in the window as readable letters and numbers like this:
X 0.002 mm
If all you get is gibberish, recheck the settings by using the Settings menu items.
If nothing at all shows up when you try to send a measurement, you are either plugged into a different port than you have specified or your cabling is bad. Recheck both your port setting in VersaTerm and and where the cable is plugged in. If you have those correct, then your cable is probably wired incorrectly.
MeasureJ2X has been developed under ProjectJ2X, through support from the dendroecological community. It is software that will exist only through continued support from the community. Please feel a part of the process and make comments and suggestions on any aspect of the MeasureJ2X program or ProjectJ2X. We want to hear from you!
Enjoy the measuring program.
ProjectJ2X
VoorTech Consulting
projectj2x@voortech.com