In Logger Pro 2 the photogates could not be used simultaneously with any other sensors, so all the necessary setup was taken care of using a special data-collection mode. Photogate mode was distinct from time-based analog data collection. Once Logger Pro 2 was in Photogate Timing mode, you could then choose a specific type of photogate mode, such as Pulse, Gate, or Motion timing. The appropriate columns would be added to the data table. However, it was not always clear how the values were calculated. In Logger Pro 3, the calculations are more transparent.
In addition, Logger Pro 3 lets you use photogates simultaneously with analog sensors. As a result, the setup for photogates is more complicated than in Logger Pro 2. The easiest way to use photogates is to open an experiment file for the particular type of gate experiment planned. If Logger Pro 3 is launched with auto-ID photogates attached, the default mode will be Motion Timing, such as for a picket fence experiment.
In all photogate modes the time column contains the clock times for all gate status changes, that is, when the gate goes from being unblocked to blocked or blocked to unblocked. From these times, all desired information can be determined. Logger Pro 3 provides a number of functions for calculated columns. For detailed help with those functions, click here. The basic Photogate Timing mode includes only clock time and gate status.
A number of common photogate modes are built into Logger Pro 3 to allow rapid set up for typical experiments. Choose Set Up Sensors from the Experiment menu. Click the Photogate port and choose a mode from the sensor drop-down menu to have the necessary calculated columns and associated graphs automatically created. All of the modes can be built from scratch from the basic Photogate Timing mode. The Motion Timing, Gate Timing, and Pendulum Timing modes are analogous to Logger Pro 2 modes of the same name. Photogate Pulse Width gives you the block to block time intervals for a single Photogate.
Unlike Logger Pro 2, all of the built-in modes are for a single channel only, since the sensor drop-down menu is associated with only one channel. If you want to set up a timing mode for photogates in two channels, you must either open an experiment file or add additional calculated columns.
Logger Pro 2 offered a mode called Gate Timing - Two Gates. To obtain this mode, set up both digital channels for Gate Timing and you will have an equivalent mode. Another Logger Pro 2 mode is Pulse Timing. The Logger Pro 3 mode of the same name is for a single gate; to emulate the Logger Pro 2 mode set up both channels for Pulse Timing and modify one of the Pulse columns to determine the block to block time between gates 1 and 2. The Logger Pro 2 mode called Collision Timing can be replicated by setting up both digital channels for Gate Timing. The Logger Pro 2 mode called Gate and Pulse Timing can be replicated by setting up both digital channels for Gate Timing, and adding a calculated column with the function Unblocktoblock between gates 1 and 2.