FAQ agroscience for Windows

smatrix Windows requires Windows 8.1 (or later) and Excel 2013 (or later). We also recommend having at least 4GB of RAM for quick and smooth operation. 

ATTENTION: smatrix cannot be installed on devices with Windows 10 S! The biggest difference to other Windows 10 versions is that Windows 10 S only supports programs from the Windows Store. So you can't just install programs like you are used to with Windows.

Any device that meets the hardware requirements and your own specific requirements (price, battery life, outdoor use etc.).

Typical tablets that our customers use are et al.:

• Juniper Mesa 3
• Panasonic FZ-G1
• Dell Latitude 7212
• Zebra XSlate B10
• Microsoft Surface

ATTENTION: smatrix cannot be installed on devices with Windows 10 S! The biggest difference to other Windows 10 versions is that Windows 10 S only supports programs from the Windows Store. So you can't just install programs like you are used to with Windows.

smatrix has no influence on the GPS localisation/location detection of your device or third-party software. It is not possible to navigate to individual test plots using GPS, as the accuracy is not sufficient to do so.

smatrix for Windows does not support direct GPS localisation.

The selection of headsets that are suitable for both, use with speech recognition software and use in rough work environments is very small. We therefore recommend the following features:

• a microphone with active noise cancellation
• a microphone windscreen of foam (can be purchased separately)
• USB connection type A for the most typical Windows devices, as jack plugs can rotate in the socket and impair the speech recognition
• the frequency range for voice input (microphone) should be at least 12 kHz (better still 16 kHz)
• optional: built-in controls including a mute button

We recommend using either a cable headset or the below mentioned cordless W-Series (no Bluetooth) from Poly, as the voice audio quality of Bluetooth headsets is subject to large fluctuations - depending on the combination of headset and device and the respective codecs.

The selection of headsets that are suitable for both, use with speech recognition software and use in rough work environments is very small. We therefore recommend the following models:

Cable headsets:

• Poly Blackwire 3200 series – models available with USB-A or USB-C connectors and with one or two earpieces, depending on your preferences/requirements
• CMP NET 2010 M with USB-A connector

Cordless headsets: 

• Poly SAVI W-Series (DECT – requires a USB port for the DECT receiver)

ATTENTION: We recommend using either a cable headset or the below mentioned cordless W-Series (no Bluetooth) from Poly, as the voice audio quality of Bluetooth headsets is subject to large fluctuations - depending on the combination of headset and device and the respective codecs.

smatrix was developed for applications in rough working environments (field trials, climate chambers, etc.) where background noise is present. The prerequisite for interference-free speech recognition is a headset with sufficiently strong noise cancellation.

There are only a few headsets that are suitable for use with voice recognition software as well as for use in rough working environments. Therefore, we recommend wearing the headset under a waterproof hood when it is raining and using a windscreen (e.g., made of foam) when it is windy. The headset should be equipped with sufficiently strong noise cancellation. If necessary, the headset drivers should be kept up to date.

The most important difference is that smatrix for Windows works directly in Excel while smatrix for Android uses its own data table, that can be exported as an Excel, CSV or PDF file after completion of the assessment/data input. You can find a detailed comparison of both versions here: Feature comparison Android vs. Windows.

smatrix (Windows) can be used with almost any Excel file. If the trial map/field plan is available as an Excel file, you can work with it. Linked cells should be avoided. Columns/cells containing more than one piece of information are also a hindrance. Therefore, make sure that each column/cell contains precisely one piece of information so that smatrix can work reliably with separate, stand-alone columns.

Yes, smatrix (Windows) recognises the structure of the ARM RatingShell and automatically uses "Plot (Sub)" as the ID column. Use the "Subsample Plot Data" Excel sheet for the assessment.

Specify the Excel columns which contain your desired trial unit numbers (e.g. plots, rows, etc.). Individual columns have to be separated by a comma (B,D,F) or enter a column range using a dash (A-C).

ID columns may only consist of numbers or number-letter-combinations. If an Excel columns contains words such as variety names, those words will be read out by smatrix, however, they cannot be used for speech navigation!

ATTENTION: The order in which the ID columns have been specified is relevant for the ID column hierarchy! If ID columns are to be used independently, use the following format: A/1, B/1, etc.

After you have opened an Excel file with smatrix and defined the trait column range, you can define a trait and its value range for each trait column. To do this, first select the column by enabling the switch next to the column label. You can then select the desired trait from the 'Category' and 'Trait' drop-down menus. You also need to set the value range. 

If the Excel column header matches the vocabulary stored in the Headers.xml file, the respective Excel column is automatically recognized and configured (see ExpertManual smatrix for Windows → "4. Customizing Autoconfiguration).

Whatever the content of the Excel file, a new trait column can be added in three ways:

1) In the 'Configure trial' menu, switch to the 'Traits' section and edit the column range. There you can enter another letter corresponding to the desired Excel column in the 'Traits column range' field. The letter of the new column must be separated with a comma.

2) by voice command: “add column before / after <trait name>”
Example: “add column before yellow rust”

3) by voice command: “add <trait name> before / after <trait name>”
Example: “add brown rust before yellow rust”

→ This speech command only works for traits (like here “yellow rust”), that have been added to the XML-file “Headers” before.

If you are in the 'Configure trial' menu of smatrix, you can make any changes you wish to the Excel file, e.g. inserting or adding extra rows. Afterwards you need to adjust the row range in smatrix under the menu item 'Row selection'.

ATTENTION: If the structure of the Excel file is changed in 'Listen' or 'Pause' mode, smatrix will not recognize this change. Changes can therefore only be made from the 'Configure trial' menu of smatrix!

Yes, smatrix recognises the structure of the piaf test results page. The identifier (1/2 or 1/2/3) or plot number can be used as an ID column. You can assign the terms "Variety", "Repetition" and/or "Treatment" to the identifier (see UserManual smatrix for Windows, → "6.3.2 Identifier Groups").

If smatrix does not recognise and assign the piaf identifier automatically, the identifier column must be entered manually under the menu item 'Mapping IDs' in the format A/2 for the identifier X/Y or A/3 for the identifier X/Y/Z. You can then select a label from the dropdown menu for each element of the identifier (X, Y, and Z).

Yes, from version 1.7.1.6 you can change the order of the trait columns by entering the columns in the desired order in the trait column range field. For example, C,G,E,D,F (instead of C-G) means that first column C will be selected, then column G, E and so on.

For smatrix for Windws we recommed to regularly save the Excel file. This can be done using the „AutoSave“ feature of Excel. Please ensure a sufficiently short interval is chosen. Additionally smatrix can save the Data when closing the Excel file, or after the speech command „save workbook".

You can enter predefined comments (no free text) by speech. To allow for this, just create a new trait and assign a custom value range to it. The value range itself needs to be defined in the language specific Values.xml. The predefined comments can be specified as a text values as shown in detail in the ExpertManual smatrix for Windows → "Text Values".

Subsampling is activated by defining a subsample column. You can either use a separate column or, if the format is correct (see next point), an ID column. You can then set the number of subsamples per trial unit (e.g. plot) for each individual trait in the 'Subsamples Counts' field.

When subsampling is activated, the progress between cells changes: now all subsample measurements must be completed for one trait before proceeding to the next trait of the same trial unit (e.g. plot). Of course, you can still switch to any cell at any time by using voice navigation or by clicking.

The following voice commands are available additionally when using subsampling:

• "Fill with <value>" fills all subsamples of the currently active trait with the specified value.
• "Fill <trial unit> with 0 / 100 / unavailable" fills all subsamples of the specified trial unit (e.g. plot) with 0 / 100 / unavailable.

smatrix also recognises the subsample column if it has the header "Sample", "Subsample" or "Sub" and the number of subsamples if it is entered in an Excel column with the header "# Subsamples" or "Subsamples" (see XML and AutoConfiguration topics).

ATTENTION: the number of subsamples defined in the 'Subsamples Counts' field must not exceed the actual number of subsample rows in the Excel file; it must be the same or lower!

1. In a separate subsample column. This column is located directly below the ID column range field when a workbook is set up.
2. In ARM format (i.e. 101 1, 101 2, 101 3, ..., 201 1, 201 2, 201 3, etc.); in this case, the ID and subsample columns are one and the same.

Yes, besides "Position feedback on/off" there is a subsampling countdown which announces after every ten subsamples how many subsamples remain for the current trial unit (e.g. plot). It also announces the fifth-to-last and last samples and confirms when all subsample measurements have been performed for the current trial unit.

Yes, you can define an individual number of subsamples for each individual criterion per trial unit (e.g. plot) in the 'Subsamples Counts' field.

smatrix recognises the number of subsamples if it is entered in an Excel column with the header "# Subsamples" or "Subsamples" (see XML and Auto Configuration topics).

ATTENTION: the number of subsamples defined in the 'Subsamples Count' field must not exceed the actual number of subsample rows in the Excel file; it must be the same or lower!

The order in which samples are collected can be modified by subsample groups. For this, please refer to point 5.3.1 in our user manual: → UserManual smatrix for Windows

All terms and value ranges used by smatrix are stored in the language-specific XML files Values_lang.xml and Headers_lang.xml. These can be found under C:\ProgramData\smatrix\templates.

ATTENTION: Never edit XML files in the templates folder. Instead, copy the required XML files from the templates folder into the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\data and edit these copies. smatrix first retrieves the user's customised XML files from the data folder and only then, if the data folder is empty, reverts to the XML files in the templates folder. 

To edit XML files, you need to use an appropriate XML editor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML_editor). 

We recommend the free programme NotePad++, available to download at the following link: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/

If the Excel column headers match the predefined terms/traits (more precisely: the subject name), smatrix automatically assigns these traits to the Excel columns when a new Excel file is opened. The same applies to the headings of the identifiers (plot etc.).

From version 1.8 smatrix can detect up to three cells per columns (version 1.7: only one cell per column), meaning column headers with multiple cells are available.

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows → "4. Customizing Autoconfiguration".

The vocabulary of smatrix is stored in the language-specific Headers.xml file (English: Headers_en.xml). If you want to define your own terms after an initial or new installation, copy the Headers.xml file from the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\templates into the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\data. The file can be edited there.

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows, → "3.1. Column names".

The vocabulary of smatrix is stored in the language-specific Headers.xml file (English: Headers_en.xml). If you want to define your own terms after an initial or new installation, copy the Headers.xml file from the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\templates into the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\data. The file can be edited there.

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows → "3.3 Trait names".

The value ranges of smatrix are stored in the language-specific Values.xml file (English: Values_en.xml) If you want to define your own value ranges after an initial or new installation, copy the Values.xml file from the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\templates into the folder C:\ProgramData\smatrix\data. The file can be edited there.

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows, → "3.4 Value ranges".

Yes, you can use words or letters as values as well as numbers and the date, but you need to create them first. You do this in the Values.xml file.

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows, → "3.4.2 Text values".

Yes, in the Headers.xml file you can associate each individual trait with a value range, so when you select this trait, the value range is also set automatically.

Add the element range="ABC" to a trait (subject) in the Headers.xml file. ABC corresponds to the topic id of the value range as specified in the Values.xml file.

The following example links the trait 'Phytotoxicity' with the value range '0-100':

<subject id="181" name="Phytotoxicity" range="NUMBER1"/>

<topic id="NUMBER1" name="0 - 100">

     <generator type="NUMBER" from="0" to="100"/>

  </topic>

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows  "3.3 Trait names".

1. Auto Configuration: if the subject name of a trait/identifier corresponds to the content of an Excel cell, the trait/identifier is automatically assigned to the Excel column. Additionally, you can associate a trait with a value range so that you no longer have to set this range manually. smatrix also recognises the subsample column if it has the header "Sample", "Subsample" or "Sub", and it recognises the number of subsamples if it is entered in an Excel column with the header "# Subsamples" or "Subsamples".
2. Templates: If you are using identical or very similar Excel files for a trial or series of trials, you can save the configuration of the first file as a template for subsequent Excel files. 

For further information have a look here: ExpertManual smatrix for Windows, →  "4. Customizing Autoconfiguration" and “4.3.5 Save as template”.

smatrix is available in many different languages: 

• German  

• English: American, Australian, British and Indian English (US/AU/UK/IN)  

• French  

• Italian  

• Spanish: European and Mexican Spanish (ES/MX) 

• Dutch  

• Portuguese: European and Brazilian Portuguese (PT/BR) 

With a subscription of smatrix you get access to all these languages. 

Yes, but all IDs, trait and value ranges for each language must be available in the respective Headers and Values.mxl files.

Yes, smatrix learns to handle the individual characteristics of every voice through its unique speech technology. This makes smatrix easy to use for anyone with an accent or dialect or speaking a non-native language.

Click on the question mark symbol in the upper right corner.

Yes, with the voice command "Correction <new value>" the last entered value is replaced by the <new value> (e.g. "Correction 50" replaces the last entered value with 50).

If you use the voice command "Correction" without a new value, the cell where you last entered a value is selected. This value is not deleted but can be overwritten by entering a new value.

Another option is the "Undo" command. This will undo the last operation that modified values. This also works after commands that write multiple values at once, such as "five times unavailable". All five values entered would be reset to their previous value. With "Redo" you restore the same state as before the "Undo" command.

Yes, with the "Echo" option, smatrix repeats back the recorded value. To toggle this setting at any time, use the voice command "Echo on" or "Echo off".

Yes, the option "Position feedback on/off" allows a read out of the trial unit and the trait of the selected cell each time you move cells (by automatic progress, click or direct speech command).

In addition, you can make smatrix read out the trial unit and the trait of the currently selected cell at any time using the speech command "Where am I?".

Deactivate smatrix's voice recognition by saying "Pause" or clicking the microphone button.

If you are using a headset with a mute button, press it to mute the headset microphone.

This can have various causes:

1. Check if smatrix is receiving input from the correct headset ('Settings' > 'Audio' > 'Voice input').
2. Check that the headset is not muted (mute button).
3. Check that the microphone of the headset is pointing towards the user's mouth.
4. Check that smatrix is in "Listen" mode.
5. If you are using a headset with a microphone that has no or inadequate noise cancellation, smatrix may not be able to understand you when there is loud background noise or wind. It is therefore essential to use a headset with noise cancellation and a windscreen (see Headsets).
6. Check whether the "Barge in" option is activated. If "Barge in" is deactivated, no voice commands can be given or data entered while smatrix itself is reading something out (e.g. the input echo or the current position after cell change). This means you have to wait for smatrix to finish speaking. If you speak too early, parts of your voice command / data input will not be recognised by smatrix, leading to false entries or no recognition at all. So please wait for the beep or the voice feedback to end, then speak.

Make sure a headset or microphone is connected to your device/tablet. Click the Loudspeaker icon on the Windows taskbar and select the correct device. Then restart smatrix. You may need to disable the on-board microphone of your device/tablet in your Windows settings so that smatrix only uses the headset's microphone. Click on 'Sound' in the Windows Control Panel and select the 'Recording' tab of the window that opens. Right-click the on-board microphone of your device/tablet and select 'Disable'.

Make sure a headset or microphone is connected to your device/tablet. Click the Loudspeaker icon on the Windows taskbar and select the correct device. Then restart smatrix. You may need to disable the on-board microphone of your device/tablet in your Windows settings so that smatrix only uses the headset's microphone. Click on 'Sound' in the Windows Control Panel and select the 'Recording' tab of the window that opens. Right-click the on-board microphone of your device/tablet and select 'Disable'.