Banner
 
 

Software

 

Please note that the ALBA Interface and Logger is now obsolete. However the Applications software will still be available along with the Physics sensors and other add-on hardware. Users requiring ALBA CDs or ALBA support please contact djb directly.

 

The distinguishing features of djb microtech's software are:

  • crisp presentation
  • ease of use
  • on screen support
 


At the heart of our ALBA data logging software are the dedicated Applications that support learning and teaching throughout the Sciences - from elementary to advanced levels. There are now over 100 Applications and this number is growing. At no time does the user have to enter number of readings, logging interval, trigger levels, channel assignments ... All of this is transparent in our Applications. Step by step instructions support the student throughout their experiment with support for analysis of results and suggestions for addition investigative work. Follow the links below to view sample output.


For users wishing to be in full control of the ALBA Interface then the Investigator software allows them to set the logging interval, number of readings etc. Click to view sample Investigator setup screens.


The ALBA Core software is freely available in the Downloads section. The Core can be used without any hardware and it has all the Table and Graph tools available. Students can download this software at home and use the report writing facilities for presentation of their work.

 

Our current list of software is:

 

Excluding Simple Data Handling all of the above software is for use with The ALBA Interface and Logger. However the ALBA Core software has been adapted to facilitate the operation of the following additional hardware:

  • The ALBA Ranger
  • The Power - Energy - Cost Meter
  • The ALBA Biofermenter Control Unit
  • The A & D electronic balances - EK-i & GF series

Simple Data Handling
Simple Data Handling is a friendly, easy-to-use package that allows you to create attractive graphs, bar charts, pie charts and histograms with a minimum of fuss. With its intuitive interface, Simple Data Handling can be used by all ages. Charts are created and updated automatically to help you understand your data.

Features

  • uncluttered presentation
  • big, easily identifiable icons
  • copy & paste to other packages
  • on-screen instructions and help
  • runs on all Windows platforms
  • designed for Primary and Secondary schools

View video showing features of Simple Data Handling

View a selection of screen shots from Simple Data Handling

ALBA Disk 1
This disk is supplied free with the ALBA Interface and Logger. Most of the files on this disk are freely available when you download the demo version of the ALBA Software.
The Applications on this disk are:

  • A suite of five programs to study capacitor charge and discharge.
  • Evaporation by cooling (requires 2 temperature probes).
  • Cooling curves (requires 2 temperature probes).
  • Two speed of sound experiments (requires a pair of sound switches).
  • Inverse square law for light (requires a linear light sensor).

The manual has several Tutorials that refer to the Applications and sample data files on this disk. A data file accompanies each Application so that those without the ALBA hardware will get a feeling of what can be achieved.

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Disk 1.

View a list of hardware required for Disk 1.

ALBA Disk 2
The Applications on this disk are:

  • Analogue Snapshot - Allows a Table and Graph to be built up one reading at a time. The user enters the independent variable.
  • There are four general purpose Timing Applications:
    1. Fast Timer - Resolution 10 µs with a minimum time of 50 µs.
    2. Gap Timer - Designed primarily for introducing average speed between two light gates but has many other applications.
    3. Event Timer - Displays event times with channel information . Resolution 0.1 ms.
    4. Interval Timer - Used to develop the concept of instantaneous speed.
  • Introduction to Speed - This is a general purpose Application with a user selectable display of time, distance, speed, decimal places and display size.
  • Introduction to Acceleration - This is a general purpose Application with a user selectable display of v1, v2, Delta v, Delta t, acceleration, decimal places and display size.
  • Velocity / Time graph for vehicle accelerating down a slope. The graph is built up point by point.
  • Displacement / Time graph for vehicle accelerating down a slope. The graph is built up point by point.
  • 'g' by Free Fall - a replacement for the 'trap door' experiment. The graph and table are built up point by point.
  • QV relationship.

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Disk 2.

View a list of hardware required for Disk 2.

ALBA Disk 3
The Applications on this disk are all AC experiments:

  • Resistor Current/Voltage - shows that current and voltage are directly proportional for AC.
  • Resistor Current/Frequency - shows that current is independent of frequency.
  • Capacitor Current/Voltage - shows that current and voltage are directly proportional but the gradient of the graph depends on the frequency i.e. frequency is a variable.
  • Capacitor Current/Frequency - shows the direct relationship.
  • Capacitor Current /Capacitance - shows the direct relationship. Combining the three AC Capacitor experiments enables the expression for capacitive reactance to be derived.
  • Inductor Current/Voltage - shows that current and voltage are directly proportional but the gradient of the graph depends on the frequency i.e. frequency is a variable.
  • Inductor Current/Frequency - shows the inverse relationship.
  • Inductor Current/Inductance - shows the inverse relationship. Combining the three AC Inductor experiments enables the expression for inductive reactance to be derived.
  • Series Resonance
  • Parallel Resonance
  • Low-pass Filter - this is intended as an application of capacitors.
  • Bode Plot - this is a general purpose tool for ploting the gain/log(f) of a filter.

It should be noted that some of the Applications on Disk 3 go beyond the Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher syllabus. However it is hoped that the resonance and filter Applications will lend themselves to investigative work.

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Disk 3.

View a list of hardware required for Disk 3.

ALBA Disk 4
The Applications on this disk are:

  • F=ma : Two Applications using air track; Acceleration/Force and Acceleration/Mass.
  • Internal Resistance - Uses the specially designed Internal Resistance Board to develop this concept.
  • Inductors and DC
  • Inductor current at switch-on
  • Inductor voltage at switch-on
  • Inductor current at switch-off
  • Induced voltage and di/dt - supports the use of Unilab 0.5H air cored coil as well as 2400-turn iron cored coil.
  • Pressure and depth - Determination of the pressure depth relationship and if required the pressure density relationship.
  • Pressure and Volume - Boyle's Law
  • Counter - A general purpose tool which will find applications in experiments involving Background Count, Half Life and the calibration of signal generators.
  • Ratemeter - Used for comparing the properties of α, β and γ radiation.

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Disk 4.

View a list of hardware required for Disk 4.

ALBA Disk 5
The Applications on this disk are:

  • Current in a bulb at switch-on
  • Efficiency of a Motor
  • Force and Motion
  • Half Value Thickness
  • Lift - Force & Motion
  • SHM - Force Constant (ALBA Ranger Application)
  • Specific Heat Capacity - Liquids
  • Specific Heat Capacity - Metals
  • The ALBA Joule and Watt Meter
  • Weight Component down a Slope
  • Wheatstone Bridge - Unbalanced

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Disk 5.

View a list of hardware required for Disk 5.

Biology Disk 1
The Applications this disk are: 

  • Seed Germination
  • Lipase (Effect of Enzyme Lipase on milk)
  • Cellular Respiration 2
  • Heart Rate - resting, exercise and recovery
  • Breathing Rate - normal
  • Breathing Rate - after holding breath
  • Breathing Rate - after exercise
  • Photosynthesis
  • Catalase1 - enzyme activity
  • Catalase2 - effect of enzyme concentration
  • Cellular respiration measuring both carbon dioxide and oxygen levels
  • Skin temperature using thermistor

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Biology Disk 1.

View a list of hardware required for Biology Disk 1.

Chemistry Disk 1
Rate of ReactionThe Applications supplied on this disk are: 

  • Neutralisation - strong and weak acids/bases
  • Effectiveness of buffer solution
  • Effect of surface area on rate of reaction (marble and acid)
  • Effect of concentration on rate of reaction
  • Comparison of pH and conductivity, strong/weak acids and bases
  • Measurement of enthalpy of solution
  • Thiosulphate/acid - rate and concentration
  • Effect of concentration on persulphate-iodine reaction
  • Measurements of conductivity of acids and water
  • Exo/endothermic reactions
  • Hetro/homogeneous catalysis
  • Measurement of the pH of common solutions

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Chemistry Disk 1.

View a list of hardware required for Chemistry Disk 1.

Science Basics Disk 1
The Applications in this disk have been designed to cover Science courses in the first two years of secondary school. However several of the Applications can easily be extended to courses further up the school.

Chemistry

  • Burning Candle - CO2
  • Burning Candle - O2
  • Catalyst - H2 O2 and MnO2
  • Ice and Salt
  • pH of Household Solutions
  • Rusting Iron

Physics

  • Convection
  • Heat Absorption
  • Heat Radiation
  • Insulation Competition
  • Solar Cell
  • Vacuum Flask

 Biology

  • Enzymes - Potato and H2 O2
  • Enzymes - Effect of Temperature (Potato and H2 O2)
  • Inhaled and Exhaled Air - CO2
  • Inhaled and Exhaled Air - O2
  • Photosynthesis Long Experiment
  • Photosynthesis Short Experiment
  • Respiration - Seeds
  • Respiration - Snails

View a selection of screen shots from some of the Applications on Science Basics Disk 1.

View a list of hardware required for Science Basics Disk 1.

 

 
 

 

Free Software  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
  © djb microtech ltd