PASCO PS-3225 Wireless Smart Gate User Manual

June 16, 2024
PASCO

PASCO PS-3225 Wireless Smart Gate User Manual

PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-
product

Specifications

  • Product Name: Wireless Smart Gate
  • Model: PS-3225
  • Connection: Bluetooth or micro USB cable
  • Detector Ports: 3
  • Auxiliary Port: 1

Introduction

The Wireless Smart Gate is a versatile measuring device that connects to a computer or mobile device wirelessly through Bluetooth, or to a computer via the included micro USB cable. The Wireless Smart Gate measures the time for an object’s motion, such as a PASCO cart, as the object blocks one or more beams of light. The Smart Gate has three detector ports and one auxiliary port. Port 1 and Port 2 operate in the same way as a pair of PASCO photogates that are side-by-side. The space between the emitters for Port 1 and Port 2 is 1.5 cm. PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue software records and displays the times for a variety of timing combinations, such as the amount of time each port is blocked or the time from when one port is blocked until the second port is blocked. The software also displays the values of various calculations using these times, such as the speed or velocity between Port 1 and Port 2. These ports also include slots for High Resolution Photogate Tape (ME-6666). Port 3, the Auxiliary Port, is the port for a photogate, or for a similar device such as a Time-of-Flight Accessory (ME-6810A). Port 3 accepts a ¼ inch (6.35 mm) “tip-ring-sleeve” phono plug. Port 4, the Laser Detector Port, works with an external laser beam to measure the movement of objects too large to pass through the Smart Gate. The software begins recording when a laser beam shining into the port is blocked by a passing object.

Equipment

Included equipment:

  • Wireless Smart Gate (PS-3225)
  • Mounting Rod
  • Micro USB cable

Required software:

  • PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue data collection software

Product Information

The Wireless Smart Gate is a versatile measuring device that connects to a computer or mobile device wirelessly through Bluetooth, or to a computer via the included micro USB cable. The Smart Gate measures the time for an object’s motion, such as aPASCO cart, as the object blocks one or more beams of light. It features three detector ports and one auxiliary port for various measurement setups.

Features

PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-
fig-1

  1. Bluetooth Status LED
    Indicates the status of the Wireless Smart Gate’s Bluetooth connection.

  2. Device ID
    Use to identify the Wireless Smart Gate when connecting via Bluetooth.

  3. Battery Status LED
    Indicates the status and charge level of the battery.

  4. ON/OFF button
    Press to turn the Smart Gate on. Press and briefly hold to turn the Smart Gate off. To preserve battery, the Smart Gate automatically turns itself off after several minutes of inactivity if not connected.

  5. Port 1 emitter
    Emits the laser which is detected by the Port 1 detector.

  6. Port 2 emitter
    Emits the laser which is detected by the Port 2 detector.

  7. ¼-20 Threaded Hole
    Use to attach the included Mounting Rod to the Smart Gate.

  8. Photogate Tape slot
    Insert High Resolution Photogate Tape (ME-6666) into this slot.

  9. Port 1 detector
    Provides a signal to the software when the beam from the Port 1 emitter is blocked.

  10. Port 2 detector
    Provides a signal to the software when the beam from the Port 2 emitter is blocked.

  11. Super Pulley tab
    Mount a Super Pulley (ME-9450A) here if setting up a pulley timer or other experiment using the pulley. (See Connecting a Super Pulley to the Smart Gate.)

  12. Swivel rod clamp
    Use with the included thumbscrew to mount the Smart Gate to a ¼ inch vertical rod, such as the Photogate Stand (ME-9805). Can be detached if desired.

  13. Port 3 (Auxiliary Port)
    Connects the Smart Gate to an external device, such as a Photogate Head (ME- 9498A) or Time-of-Flight Accessory (ME-6810A).

  14. Indicator LED
    Lights up when one or more of the ports in use are blocked.

  15. Micro USB port
    Use with the included micro USB cable to connect the Smart Gate to a USB charger. The port and cable can also be used to directly connect the sensor to a computer without the use of Bluetooth. This connection method is not supported by iOS.

  16. Port 4 (Laser Detector Port)
    Sends a signal to the software when a beam shining into the port is blocked.

  17. Initial step: Charge the battery
    Charge the battery by connecting the micro USB port to any standard USB charger. The Battery Status LED is solid yellow while charging. When fully charged, the LED changes to solid green.

Get the software

You can use the sensor with SPARKvue or PASCO Capstone software. If you’re not sure which to use, visit pasco.com/products/guides/software- comparison. SPARKvue is available as a free app for Chromebook, iOS, and Android devices. We offer a free trial of SPARKvue and Capstone for Windows and Mac. To get the software, go to pasco.com/downloads or search for SPARKvue in your device’s app store.

If you have installed the software previously, check that you have the latest update:

  • SPARKvue: Main Menu > Check for Updates
  • PASCO Capstone: Help > Check for Updates

Check for a firmware update

  • SPARKvue
1. Press the power button until the LEDs turn on.
2. Open SPARKvue, then select Sensor Data on the Welcome Screen.
3. From the list of available devices, select the sensor that matches your sensor’s device ID.
4. A notification will appear if a firmware update is available. Click Yes to update the firmware.
5. Close SPARKvue once the update is complete.
  • PASCO Capstone
1. Press the power button until the LEDs turn on.
2. Open PASCO Capstone and click Hardware Setup from the Tools palette.
3. From the list of available wireless devices, select the sensor that matches your sensor’s device ID.
4. A notification will appear if a firmware update is available. Click Yes to update the firmware.
5. Close Capstone once the update is complete.

Hardware setup

NOTE: The open space for the Wireless Smart Gate is 7.2 cm (width) by 4.0 cm (depth). Use Port 4 to measure the motion of objects larger than this.

Mounting the Smart Gate to a rod
The included Mounting Rod fits into the ¼-20 threaded hole on the side of the Wireless Smart Gate opposite the swivel rod clamp, as shown in Figure 1. The swivel rod clamp and thumbscrew also allow the Smart Gate to be mounted on a ¼-inch diameter rod, such as the Photogate Stand (ME-9805).ASCO-PS-3225
-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-fig-6

Adding a Super Pulley to the Smart Gate
The tab on the Wireless Smart Gate housing provides a seat to attach a Super Pulley (ME-9450) using the Mounting Rod. Slide the ¼-20 threaded end of the rod through the gap in the tab, as shown in Figure 2, then screw the Super Pulley onto the rod.PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-
fig-8

NOTE: When using the Super Pulley with the Wireless Smart Gate, only Port 1 will record state changes caused by the rotating pulley.

This setup should be used with the Smart Pulley (Linear) or Smart Pulley (Rotational) timers in SPARKvue or the Photogate with Pulley timer in Capstone. (See Timers.)

Mounting the Smart Gate on a track
The Wireless Smart Gate can be attached to the side of a PASCO track using a Photogate Bracket (ME-9806), as shown in Figure 3. To do so:

  1. Slide the Photogate Bracket’s square nut into the T-slot on the side of the track.
  2. Secure the Photogate Bracket in place using the included large thumbscrew.
  3. Remove the swivel rod clamp from the Wireless Smart Gate. Set it aside to be reattached at a later time.
  4. Use the short thumbscrew from the Photogate Bracket assembly to attach the Wireless Smart Gate to the Photogate Bracket. (See Figure 3.)PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-fig-7

Half of the Wireless Smart Gate’s casing fits between the “rails” on the ribbed side of the Photogate Bracket, allowing the Smart Gate to be adjusted up or down. To adjust the Photogate Bracket to an angle relative to the track, mount the bracket on the track with the smooth side against the edge of the track. The small thumbscrew will hold the Wireless Smart Gate in place against the smooth side of the bracket. Both the bracket and the Smart Gate can then be set at any angle.

Mounting the Smart Gate on a projectile launcher
You may use a Photogate Mounting Bracket (ME-6821A) to attach the Wireless Smart Gate to a Projectile Launcher (ME-6800) or Mini Launcher (ME-6825B), as shown in Figure 4. To do so:

  1. Clamp the Projectile Launcher in place on the included base. See the Projectile Launcher manual for setup instructions.
  2. Mount the Photogate Mounting Bracket in the T-slot of the Projectile Launcher. Adjust the bracket so that the second position of the bracket is aligned with the end of the launcher.
  3. Remove the swivel rod clamp from the side of the Wireless Smart Gate. Set it aside to be reattached at a later time.
  4. Use one of the smaller thumbscrews from the Photogate Mounting Bracket to attach the Smart Gate to the bracket. (See Figure 4.)PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-fig-9

Using the Smart Gate with the Time-of-Flight Accessory
The Time-of-Flight Accessory (ME-6810A) is designed for projectile motion experiments. The accessory can be used with a Wireless Smart Gate mounted on a Projectile Launcher (ME-6800) or Mini Launcher (ME-6825B) to measure the time of a projectile’s motion from launch to landing. To do so, follow the setup instructions from Mounting the Smart Gate on a Projectile Launcher, then connect the plug from the Time-of-Flight Accessory into Port 3 on the back of the Wireless Smart Gate, as shown in Figure 5. The Smart Gate will measure the initial speed of the projectile, and the Time-of-Flight Accessory will measure total travel time. This setup should be used with the Time Of Flight timer in SPARKvue or the Time of Flight (Smart Gate) timer in Capstone. (See Timers .)PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-fig-10

Using the Smart Gate with Photogate Tape
High Resolution Photogate Tape (ME-6666) fits through the Photogate Tape Slot on the detector side of the Wireless Smart Gate. The Photogate Tape is reusable and is made of a flexible Mylar material that can be cut to any length. The tape is 30 m long in total, with 1 cm spacing between bands (edge- to-edge). When the tape is threaded through the slot, the student can measure position, velocity, and acceleration with high accuracy.

Using the Smart Gate with a cart and picket fence
Mount a Picket Fence (ME-9804) or a Smart Timer Picket Fence (ME-8933) to the accessory tray of a PASCO cart, such as the PAScar (ME-6950). Use a Photogate Mounting Bracket (ME-9806) to mount the Smart Gate on the side of a PASCO track, such as the PAStrack (ME-6960), as shown in Figure 6. Adjust the height of the Smart Gate to match the level of the desired flag pattern on the picket fence.PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-
fig-12

The picket fence setup should be used with the Photogate and Picket Fence timer in SPARKvue or the Picket Fence timer in Capstone. (See Timers.)

Using the Smart Gate with a Photogate Pendulum
Use a Pendulum Clamp (ME-9506), a support rod, and string (such as the Braided Physics String (SE-8050)) to hang a Photogate Pendulum (ME-8752) with the string attached at two points on the Pendulum Clamp, as shown in Figure 7. Using the included Mounting Rod and a Multi-Clamp (ME-9507), mount the Wireless Smart Gate so that the pendulum interrupts the infrared beam as it swings through the Smart Gate. For more accurate results, arrange the pendulum so that it swings close to the emitter side of the Smart Gate, as shown in Figure 7.PASCO-PS-3225-Wireless-Smart-Gate-User-Manual-
fig-11

This setup should be used with the Photogate and Pendulum timer in SPARKvue or the Pendulum Timer in Capstone. (See Timers.)

Software setup

SPARKvue

Connect the Smart Gate via Bluetooth:

  1. Start SPARKvue, then select Sensor Data.
  2. Turn on the Wireless Smart Gate. The Bluetooth Status LED should blink red to show that the device is ready to pair.
  3. From the list of available wireless devices, select the Smart Gate with the device ID matching the ID printed on your Smart Gate.

Connect the Smart Gate via USB:

  1. Start SPARKvue, then select Sensor Data.
  2. Using the included USB cable, connect the micro USB port on the Smart Gate to a USB port or powered USB hub on your computing device. The device will automatically connect to SPARKvue.

Create a display:

  1. In the Select measurements for templates column, click the Properties button next to the Wireless Smart Gate’s name. Select a timer option from the list and click OK. (See Timers for a description of the various timer options.)
  2. Click the box next to the measurement you wish to display, then select a display from the Displays column to open the Experiment Screen. The corresponding type of display will be created and configured to display the selected measurement.
  3. Click Start to begin recording data.
PASCO Capstone

Connect the Smart Gate via Bluetooth:

  1. Start Capstone, then select Hardware Setup from the Tools palette on the left.
  2. Turn on the Wireless Smart Gate. The Bluetooth Status LED should blink red to show that the device is ready to pair.
  3. From the list of available wireless devices, select the Smart Gate with the device ID matching the ID printed on your Smart Gate.

Connect the Smart Gate via USB:

  1. Start Capstone, then select Hardware Setup from the Tools palette on the left.
  2. Using the included USB cable, connect the micro USB port on the Smart Gate to a USB port or powered USB hub on your computer. The device will automatically connect to Capstone.

Create a display:

  1. By default, the Smart Gate (Single Flag) timer is enabled. If you wish to change this timer, select the Timer Setup tool, click the red X next to the timer’s name to delete it, and create a new timer.(See Timers for more information.)
  2. Double-click the icon for the desired display from the Displays palette on the right of the screen. The selected type of display will automatically be created in the main experiment window.
  3. Click each