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There are two recommended methods to log data when using Incyte Arc viable cell density sensors.

  • Data capture using a dedicated PC with Hamilton ArcAir software
  • Integrate the sensor output into the process control system (PCS) or SCADA

The choice of method is often dependent on how advanced the user is with respect to testing and integration of the measurement.

Method 1: Using a Dedicated PC with ArcAir Software

Incyte Arc connection Method

This method relies upon a direct connection from the sensor to a dedicated PC or laptop running ArcAir software for data logging. It is most commonly used for demonstration and testing of the sensor in new applications where connection to the control system or SCADA is not available. The Arc USB Power Cable is used to connect and power the sensor to the computer. This method offers redundancy by using both data logging within the sensor as well as the chart data logging function within ArcAir.

Items needed to record and transfer data:

NOTE: The computer should be set to avoid going into SLEEP or STANDBY mode while recording data. If the computer does go into SLEEP or STANDBY mode, please export the chart data and follow the instructions in Step 3 listed below to restart ArcAir data logging.

Step 1: Connecting the sensor to ArcAir Software

  • Plug the USB connection from the Arc USB Power Cable into the computer and connect the VP connector cable end to the Incyte Arc Sensor.
  • Power the cable and sensor from a wall socket.
  • Open ArcAir and click on the sensor.

Step 2: Starting sensor data logging

Sensor data logging is an Incyte Arc feature that allows data to be recorded within the sensor electronics independently from the ArcAir Software.

NOTE: Start time of data logging and time of inoculation must be recorded manually.
  • Get into the sensor page via the sensor name in the top left section of the ArcAir software. Click the “Settings” tab. Go to “Sensor Data Logging” in the middle of the page. Input the name for the data recording. Adjust the “Record Rate in s” to accommodate the demo run time. Choose a Record Rate from the chart below which corresponds to your total cultivation time (Max. Record Time).
Record RateRecord Rate (S)Max. Record Time
6 seconds 6 13.65 hours
10 seconds 10 22.75 hours
15 seconds 15 34.13 hours
30 seconds 30 68.25 hours
1 minute 60 5.69 days
5 minutes 300 28.44 days
10 minutes 600 56.88 days
12 minutes 720 68.25 days
15 minutes 900 85.21 days
30 minutes 1800 170.63 days
  • Change the start condition to "Manual Start/Stop"
  • Click "Save" after all appropriate selections have been made.
  • Click "Start" to begin capturing data.


  • Define the start condition for the internal recording:
    • “Manual Start/Stop”- performed through ArcAir Software (via PC or mobile). A pop-up window will appear asking about resetting the inoculation. Please select “yes” if no inoculation has been performed for this run. Please refer to image #1 below.
    • Start Recording with Inoculation”- also performed through ArcAir Software (via PC or mobile). Recording will start once the culture is inoculated via the “Experiments” graph.
    • “Start Recording with next Powerup”- starts when the sensor is next powered up. Recording will automatically start without using the ArcAir Software. This condition will need to be reselected for any following powerups. Please refer to image #2 below.
Image #1
Image #2
  • If necessary, change the location where the data file will be saved after the run.
  • Press “Save” after all appropriate selections have been made.
  • Click “Start” to begin capturing data while using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition. A pop-up will warn you that the “Sensor Data Logging is active”. Select “OK”.
    • To start internal data logging when using the “Start Recording with Inoculation” condition, select the “Inoculate” option in your experiment. The “Start” button in the “Sensor Data Logging” section will not be available to select.
    • To start internal data logging when using the “Start Recording with next Powerup” condition, simply plug the sensor into the power source at your bioreactor. The “Start” button in the “Sensor Data Logging” section will not be available to select.
  • Manually record the date and time (if using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition) to update the file name when exporting at the end of the experiment.
  • Sensor Data Logging will be indicated in the Sensor List on the left side of the ArcAir software by the “LOG” label above the status indicator circle if the sensor is connected to the software.

NOTE: RECORDING A NEW INTERNAL DATA LOG WILL OVERWRITE ANY PREVIOUS DATA ON THE SENSOR HEAD. SEE STEP 5 TO EXPORT THE INTERNAL DATA FILE BEFORE STARTING A NEW RECORDING.

Step 3: Starting Chart Data Logging

  • Under the “Experiments” section, select the green plus sign (+) to create a new experiment.
Arc Air Datalogging
  • Select up to 6 sensors for the experiment. Input the batch and experiment names, select if data should be logged via the software, change the sampling time to the appropriate time from the chart in step 2, select which temperature sensor to display, adjust the file export path as necessary, and add any comments. Select “Save” to start the experiment.
Arc Air Datalogging


NOTE: USE A REASONABLE RECORD RATE BASED UPON THE PROCESS DURATION. ARCAIR CAN ONLY DISPLAY A FINITE AMOUNT OF DATA POINTS IN THE CHART AT A GIVEN TIME. A HIGHER RECORDING TIME WILL ALLOW FOR A LARGER TIMEFRAME OF THE CULTURE TO BE OBSERVED IN ARCAIR.

  • Equilibrate the Incyte Arc sensor in culture medium for at least 30 minutes prior to product calibration. When equilibrated and ready to perform the product calibration, press the “Mark Zero” button. Once any necessary inoculation is complete, press the “Inoculate” button to mark the event. Both events will record in the data file.
Arc Air Datalogging


Step 4: Ending the Chart Data Logging and Exporting the Data File

  • After the run is complete, press the “Stop” button on the chart. Press the “Export” button to save the data file in the location specified in step 3.
Arc Air Datalogging


Step 5: Ending the Sensor Data Logging and Exporting the Data File

  • Go back into the sensor page, then “Settings” and “Sensor Data Logging”. If using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition, select “Stop” to end the internal data logging.
  • Select “Export Log Data” to export the file to the location specified in step 2. The export can take up to 12 minutes if the internal memory is full.


NOTE: DO NOT RESTART THE SENSOR DATA LOG BEFORE THE FILE IS EXPORTED. RESTARTING THE RECORDING WILL OVERWRITE THE PRIOR DATA WITH A NEW FILE AND ALL OLD DATA WILL BE LOST.

  • A pop-up window will alert you that the “Export Sensor Data was successful”. Enter the date/time stamp that was manually recorded at the start of sensor data logging (step 2) and select “Confirm” to complete the export.
  • Another pop-up window will display the file location after the time stamp has been updated.

Method 2: Integration with the Process Control System (PCS)

This method provides an option to utilize the sensor data logging feature while integrated into a process control system. Configuration and data logging is activated via Bluetooth wireless connectivity. A computer with ArcAir software is used to complete the .csv file transfer for post-run analysis.

Items needed to log and transfer data:

Step 1: Connecting the Sensor and Wi 2G BT Adapter to the PCS

  • Connect the appropriate wires of the M12 8-pole open end cable to the 24VDC power supply from the PCS (Reference the cable wiring document for additional information)
  • Connect the Wi 2G BT Adapter to the M12 cable.
  • Connect the Incyte Arc Cell Density Sensor to the Wi 2G BT Adapter.

Step 2: Starting Sensor Data Logging

Sensor data logging is a feature of Incyte Arc that allows data to be recorded within the sensor independent of any connection with ArcAir software.

NOTE: Start time of data logging and time of inoculation must be recorded manually.
  • Install the Arc Wireless Converter BT into the USB port of a computer that has ArcAir software installed.
  • Open the ArcAir software and connect to the Incyte Arc sensor.
  • Click the “Settings” tab. Go to “Sensor Data Logging” in the middle of the page. Input the name for the data recording. Adjust the “Record Rate in s” to accommodate the demo run time. Choose a Record Rate from the chart below which corresponds to your total cultivation time (Max. Record Time).
Record RateRecord Rate (S)Max. Record Time
6 seconds613.65 hours
10 seconds1022.75 hours
15 seconds1534.13 hours
30 seconds3068.25 hours
1 minute605.69 days
5 minutes30028.44 days
10 minutes60056.88 days
12 minutes72068.25 days
15 minutes90085.21 days
30 minutes1800170.63 days

  • Define the start condition for the internal recording:
    • “Manual Start/Stop”- performed through ArcAir Software (via PC or mobile). A pop-up window will appear asking about resetting the inoculation. Please select “yes” if no inoculation has been performed for this run. Refer to image #3 below.
    • “Start Recording with Inoculation”- also performed through ArcAir Software (via PC or mobile). Recording will start once the culture is inoculated via the “Experiments” graph. Refer to image #4 below'
    • Start Recording with next Powerup”- starts when the sensor is next powered up. Recording will automatically start without using the ArcAir Software. This condition will need to be reselected for any following powerups.
Image #3
Image #4


  • If necessary, change the location where the data file will be saved after the run.
  • Press “Save” after all appropriate selections have been made.
  • Click “Start” to begin capturing data while using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition. A pop-up will warn you that the “Sensor Data Logging is active”. Select “OK”.
    • To start internal data logging when using the “Start Recording with Inoculation” condition, select the “Inoculate” option in your experiment. The “Start” button in the “Sensor Data Logging” section will not be available to select.
    • To start internal data logging when using the “Start Recording with next Powerup” condition, simply plug the sensor into the power source at your bioreactor. The “Start” button in the “Sensor Data Logging” section will not be available to select.
  • Manually record the date and time (if using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition) to update the file name when exporting at the end of the experiment.
  • Sensor Data Logging will be indicated in the Sensor List on the left side of the ArcAir software by the “LOG” label above the status indicator circle if the sensor is connected to the software.

NOTE: RECORDING A NEW INTERNAL DATA LOG WILL OVERWRITE ANY PREVIOUS DATA ON THE SENSOR HEAD. SEE STEP 5 TO EXPORT THE INTERNAL DATA FILE BEFORE STARTING A NEW RECORDING.

Step 3: Recording Inoculation Time

  • If desired, use the Arc Air software to start an experiment and log the chart data (see Method 1, Steps 3 and 4 above).
  • If using the software is not desired or an option, record the inoculation date/time manually to calculate the total run time.

Step 4: Ending the Sensor Data Logging and Exporting the Data File

  • Go back into the sensor page, then “Settings” and “Sensor Data Logging”. If using the “Manual Start/Stop” condition, select “Stop” to end the internal data logging.

Since the run is complete and data logging has been stopped the sensor can now be removed from the process. A direct connection between the sensor and the computer with ArcAir will be needed to transfer the .csv data file.

  • Disconnect the M12 cable from the Arc Wi 2G Wireless BT Adapter.
  • Disconnect the Arc Wi 2G Wireless BT Adapter from the Incyte Arc sensor.
  • Remove the sensor from the process and perform any cleaning steps that may be needed for safe handling.
  • Connect the Arc USB Power Cable to the computer running ArcAir software and power the cable.
  • Connect the Incyte Arc sensor to the USB cable directly (no Wi adapter).
  • Open the ArcAir software and select the sensor.
  • Select “Export Log Data” to export the file to the location specified in step 2. The export can take up to 12 minutes if the internal memory is full.


NOTE: DO NOT RESTART THE SENSOR DATA LOG BEFORE THE FILE IS EXPORTED. RESTARTING THE RECORDING WILL OVERWRITE THE PRIOR DATA WITH A NEW FILE AND ALL OLD DATA WILL BE LOST.

  • A pop-up window will alert you that the “Export Sensor Data was successful”. Enter the date/time stamp that was manually recorded at the start of sensor data logging (step 2) and select “Confirm” to complete the export.

  • Another pop-up window will display the file location after the time stamp has been updated.
  • If the inoculation time was manually recorded, add to the .csv file under “[[EVENTS]]” and update the “Culture Time” column to reflect the offset due to the inoculation time.

Related Content

  • Curious about typical cell density measurement applications for Incyte Arc? Download our Applications eBook.
  • Do you still use our ArcAir Software before the 3.6 version update? Refer to this article.
  • Get in-depth on how Incyte Arc connects to your process with this article on wiring.
  • Visit our Main Knowledge Base Article Page to see all related articles on cell density measurement.