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Connect a sensor from the Experiment Screen

After opening a saved experiment, PASCO experiment, or building a new experiment, you can connect your sensor from the Experiment Screen.

You can connect a PASCO Wireless, PASPORT, or ScienceWorkshop sensor to SPARKvue. The steps required are different for each type of sensor, so navigate to the instructions for your sensor using the Table of contents on the right.

Tip

If you're starting a new experiment from scratch, the easiest way to get started is to use the Sensor Data path from the Welcome Screen. See Set up and display sensor data.

Note

The PWA version of SPARKvue features a slightly different method of connecting sensors. If you are using the PWA version of the program, go here for information on this method.

Wireless Sensors

You can connect Wireless Sensors directly to SPARKvue using Bluetooth or USB.

A selection of PASCO Wireless Sensors

  1. Turn on the sensor by pressing the power button until the lights turn on.

  2. Click the Bluetooth button on the upper toolbar to open the Wireless Devices window.

  3. Select the sensor that matches the device ID printed on your sensor.

  4. Click Done.

You can connect Wireless Sensors that have a USB port directly to a PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device.

Connect the sensor to the device's USB port using a USB cable. The sensor turns on and connects to SPARKvue automatically.

Tip

Click Hardware Setup to confirm that the sensor connected successfully.

PASPORT Sensors

Connecting PASPORT sensors to SPARKvue requires a PASPORT interface. Depending on the interface, you can connect using Bluetooth or USB.

A selection of PASCO PASPORT sensors

  1. Turn on the interface.

  2. Pair the interface with your computer or mobile device using your device's Bluetooth settings.

    Note

    Pairing is not needed if using an AirLink Interface.

  3. Click Bluetooth to open the Wireless Devices window.

  4. Select the interface that matches the device ID printed on your interface.

  5. Click Done.

  6. Connect the sensor to a PASPORT port on the interface.

    Tip

    Click Hardware Setup to confirm that the sensor connected successfully.

  1. Power on the interface.

  2. Connect the interface directly to a PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device using a USB cable.

  3. Connect the sensor to a PASPORT port on the interface.

    Tip

    Click Hardware Setup to confirm that the sensor connected successfully.

ScienceWorkshop Sensors

ScienceWorkshop Sensors can be either digital or analog. Digital sensors have a 1/4" audio plug. Analog sensors have an 8 pin DIN plug.

Note

The 850 Universal Interface and legacy ScienceWorkshop interfaces are not compatible with SPARKvue.

Analog sensors

Connecting analog Science Workshop sensors requires a 550 Universal Interface or a PASPORT interface with an Analog Adapter. Depending on the interface, you can connect using Bluetooth or USB.

A selection of PASCO ScienceWorkshop analog sensors

  1. Turn on the interface.

  2. Pair the interface with your computer or mobile device using the device's Bluetooth settings.

    Note

    Pairing is not needed if using an AirLink Interface.

  3. Click Bluetooth to open the Wireless Devices window.

  4. Select the interface that matches the device ID printed on your interface.

  5. Click Done.

  6. Connect the sensor to an analog port on the interface.

  7. Click Hardware Setup.

  8. Click Properties for the channel that you connected the sensor to.

  9. In the Assign Analog Adapter window, select the sensor in the list, then click OK.

    Tip

    If desired, the gain of the sensor can be changed from the Assign Analog Adapter window by clicking the box next to Gain and selecting a value from the list. The default gain setting of Low (1x) works well for most applications.

  10. Click the right arrow to close Hardware Setup.

  1. Turn on the interface.

  2. Connect the interface directly to a PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device using a USB cable.

  3. Connect the sensor to an analog port on the interface.

  4. Click Hardware Setup .

  5. Click Properties for the channel that you connected the sensor to.

  6. In the Assign Analog Adapter window, select the sensor in the list, then click OK.

    Tip

    If desired, the gain of the sensor can be changed from the Assign Analog Adapter window by clicking the box next to Gain and selecting a value from the list. The default gain setting of Low (1x) works well for most applications.

  7. Click the right arrow to close Hardware Setup.

Digital sensors

Connecting digital ScienceWorkshop sensors to SPARKvue requires a 550 Universal Interface or a PASPORT interface with a Digital Adapter. Depending on the interface, you can connect using Bluetooth or USB.

A selection of ScienceWorkshop digital sensors

  1. Turn on the interface.

  2. Pair the interface with your computing device using your device's Bluetooth settings.

    Note

    Pairing is not needed if using an AirLink Interface.

  3. Click Bluetooth to open the Wireless Devices window.

  4. Select the interface that matches the device ID printed on your interface.

  5. Click Done.

  6. Connect the sensor to a digital port on the interface. The Assign 550 Digital Channels window appears.

  7. Select one of the menu items to expand the list.

  8. Select a device or timer from the list.

  9. If prompted, enter the properties for the device or timer.

  10. Click OK.

  1. Turn on the interface.

  2. Connect the interface directly to a PC, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device using a USB cable.

  3. Connect the sensor to a digital port on the interface. The Assign 550 Digital Channels window will appear.

  4. Select one of the menu items to expand the list.

  5. Select a device or timer from the list.

  6. If prompted, enter the properties for the device or timer.

  7. Click OK.

Connecting sensors in the PWA version

The PWA version of SPARKvue has slightly different procedures for connecting a device on the Experiment Screen. If you are using the PWA version of the program, follow the appropriate instructions below to connect a sensor from the Experiment Screen.

Wireless Sensors

  1. Turn on the sensor by pressing the power button until the lights turn on.

  2. Click or tap the Bluetooth button on the upper toolbar to open the Wireless Devices window.

    Connect Bluetooth from Experiment Screen

  3. From the Wireless Devices window, click the New Bluetooth Device button to open a list of available Bluetooth devices.

    New Bluetooth devices

  4. Select the sensor with a device ID matching the ID printed on your sensor, then select Pair.

  5. Click Done to return to the Experiment Screen.
  1. Turn on the sensor by pressing the power button until the lights turn on.

  2. Click Bluetooth to open a list of available USB devices.

    USB device list

  3. Select Pasco USB Bridge from the list of devices, then select Connect.

PASPORT and ScienceWorkshop Sensors

PASPORT and ScienceWorkshop analog or digital sensors can be connected to the PWA version of SPARKvue from the Experiment Screen in mostly the same way as the standalone app version. However, the PASPORT, analog, or digital interface will need to be connected in the same way as a Wireless Sensor, either via Bluetooth or USB. Follow the appropriate directions above to connect the interface, then plug the sensor into a corresponding port on the interface and proceed as normal.

Note

When connecting an interface to your browser via USB, the name of your interface may be listed instead of "Pasco USB Bridge". For example, a 550 Universal Interface will be listed as "PS550" in the menu. All other connection steps will be the same as described for Wireless Sensors.

Connecting a 550 Universal Interface to the browser