CONVERTER – LOGGER LB-486

functions: logger, interface for the LAB-EL meters 4 digital current loop outputs 1 rain gauge input conversion RS-485/RS-232

DESCRIPTION

Converter is used for attaching few measurement devices to a standard PC computer. It is a low cost solution where a standard PC computer can be used to create a local climate monitoring station (i.e. in a laboratory) or an internet meteorological station.

When using an additional module 7188E1 there is a possibility of connecting the converter LB-486 through Ethernet network to a supervisory computer working in a network. 

In a basic version of the converter LB-486 it is possible to connect simultaneously to one of the RS-232 ports (COM) in a PC computer:

• from 1 to 4 measurement devices that work using a digital current loop (CPP, S300 LAB-EL, such as i.e.: LB-705, LB-710, LB-710D, LB-710DT, LB-710T, LB-711, LB-715, LB-716, LB-716D, LB-722, LB-724, LB-746),
• rain gauge (i.e. ARG-100),
• additional device which communicates using an interface RS-485 (i.e. LB-741).

It is possible to connect simultaneously up to 30 converters LB-486 with one another using the interface RS-485  (one twisted pair). It allows on creating big, scattered measurement systems of data collection. A device, which reads data from such a system has to be equipped with the port RS-485. In case of using a PC computer a converter LB-485 can be used to change the standard of the computer interface from RS-232 to RS-485.

The converter LB-486 fulfills the following functions:

• buffers the measurement results received from all of the attached devices working in CPP standard,
• calculates and stores (also when the power supply is switched off) the impulses from a rain gauge,
• powers the attached devices (i.e.: LB-710, LB-715),
• realizes two-way transmission using a port RS-232 or RS-485,
• secures a PC computer port from any damages and impulse interference resulting from the sensors’ installation,
• realizes isolation for constant current (using optoisolators) between:
• port RS-232,
• device inputs working in CPP standard and a rain gauge,
• port RS-485.

The converter has the following interfaces:

• port RS-232 (signals TxD and RxD) for a PC computer,
• four inputs for devices in CPP standard,
• rain gauge input,
• port RS-485 for the additional devices or for a PC
• computer,
• 230V/50Hz network power supply joint.

The converter is equipped with a memory and a real time clock, what allows on buffering in the converter (in the actual version) a set of measurement results from all of the devices (records) and collecting them at a time convenient to a user. The number of the results that can possibly be stored in the device's memory, depends on a number and type of the attached devices and i.e. for 4 hytherographs LB-710 (or hytherographs LB-701 with a panel LB-705), without a rain gauge, amounts to 472 records.

The converter does not have a built-in display and the measurement results are available only through the port RS-232 (or RS-485). The actual work status of the converter (i.e. attaching the devices to CPP inputs) is signaled using the LED diodes.

Standard equipment of LB-486 includes software for a PC computer working in the systems: DOS and Widows 95/98/NT that allow on reading current and registered measurement results as well as setting a clock and a converter registry interval (in the scope 1...65000 seconds). The persons that would like to individually prepare a program communicating with the converter LB-486, can use the attached communication protocol.

A program "Meteorology station panel" working with the system Windows 95/98, serves as an additional equipment of the converter LB-486. The program allows on graphic visualization of the current measurement results on a computer screen and its registry to HDD. The program is prepared for a certain set of the measurement devices attached to the converter according to the detailed user specifications (upon request).

TECHNICAL DATA