Campbell Scientific SC932A User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SC932A 9-Pin to

RS-232-DCE Interface

Revision: 2/04

Copyright (c) 1987-2004

Campbell Scientific, Inc.

Warranty and Assistance

The SC932A 9-PIN TO RS-232-DCE INTERFACE is warranted by
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship under nor mal use and service for twelve (12) months from date of
shipment unless specifi ed otherwise. Batteries have no warranty. CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC, INC.'s obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or
replacing (at CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.'s option) defective products.
The customer shall assume all costs of removing, reinstalling, and shipping
defective products to CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC, INC. will return such products by surface carrier prepaid. This
warranty shall not apply to any CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. products
which have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents of
nature, or shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties,
expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. is not liable for special,
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

Products may not be returned without prior authorization. The following
contact information is for US and International customers residing in countries
served by Campbell Scientific, Inc. directly. Affiliate companies handle repairs
for customers wi thin their territories. Please visi t www.campbellsci.com to
determine which Campbell Scientific company serves your country. To obtain
a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA), contact CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC, INC., phone [phone]. After an applications engineer
determines the nature of the problem, an RMA number will be issued. Please
write this number clearly on the outside of the shipping container.
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC's shipping address is:

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

RMA#_____
815 West 1800 North
Logan, Utah 84321-1784

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. does not accept collect calls.

SC932A Table of Contents

PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
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1. General Description ....................................................1

2. Specifications .............................................................2

3. Installation...................................................................3

4. RAD Modem Application ............................................3

4.1 RAD Modem - Two Way..........................................................................4

4.2 RAD Modem Wiring and Grounding........................................................4

4.3 Testing RAD Modem Communication.....................................................6

Figures

1. SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface....................................................1

2. Two Way Communication..........................................................................4

3. Installation of Spark Gap Protection...........................................................5

Table

1. Approximate Range, miles and km.............................................................4

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SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC,INC.

Logan,Utah

Datalogger

SC932A

DCEDevice

MadeinUSA

SN:

FIGURE 1. SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

1. General Description

The SC932A (Figure 1) is used to interface a CSI datalogger to any modem that
is configured with an RS-232 DCE (Data Communications Equipment) serial
port. Features include:

• True RS-232 signal levels.

• Power for the SC932A is supplied from the 5 V supply on pin 1 of the

datalogger’s I/O port. The SC932A will use the 5 V supply to power the
RS-232 modem if needed.

• Two way (interactive) communication.

The SC932A is frequently used with a short haul modem to communicate
across a dedicated line made of 2 pairs of twisted wire with a shield. Section 3
describes the details of this application using a short haul modem built by RAD.

The SC932A is also commonly used with the satellite transmitters, cellular
modems, and spread spectrum radios.

The SC932A does not support one way output or printer communication. Data
transfer is blocked when pin 6 from the datalogger is high (SDE/printer enable).

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SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

2. Specifications

RS-232 9-Pin Male Connector Pin-out:

Pin No. I/O Name Description
1 In DCD Data Carrier Detect (No Connection)
2 In RXD Received Data
3 Out TXD Transmitted Data
4 Out DTR Data Terminal Ready (5 V Supply from CS I/O)
5 GND Signal Ground
6 In DSR Data Set Ready (No Connection)
7 Out RTS Request to Send – Modem Enable
8 In CTS Clear to Send ( N o Connection)
9 In Ring Rings Datalogger

CS I/O 9-Pin Male Connector Pin- out:

Pin No. I/O Name Description
1 in +5V Regulated 5 Volt supply

2 GND Ground
3 out RING Ring signal to data l ogger
4 out RXD SC932A transmits on this line
5 in ME Modem Enable—must be high for transfer
6 in SDE Synchronous Device Enable—data blocked when high
9 in TXD SC932A receives on this line

Data Rates

The SC932A will support baud rates up to 115,200 bps.

2

3. Installation

SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

Electrical

The SC932A uses power from the +5 V line on the 9-pin interface connected to
the datalogger.

Additional current (up to 10 mA) from the 5 V supply may be used by the RS­232 device connected to the SC932A.

Physical

Height: 0.9 in (2.3 cm)
Width: 1.6 in (4.1 cm)
Length: 3 in (7.6 cm)
Weight: 1.6 oz (45.4 g)

Environmental

o

Temperature: -25 to +50
Humidity: up to 95% non-cond ensing

C

Connect the SC932A to the RS-232 device and to the datalogger with the SC12
9-pin cable (included). If the device has a 25-pin connector, a 9-pin female to
25-pin male adaptor is required (CSI PN 15751).

Proper transient protection should be installed to protect the computer and
datalogger in areas where damage due to lightning is possible. If this is a RAD
modem application, see Section 4.2.

4. RAD Modem Application

The SC932A is frequently used with a short range modem to communicate
across a 4-wire, unconditioned dedicated line. Campbell Scientific offers a kit
(PN 15770) that includes the SC932A, the 9- to 25-pin adaptor (PN 15751),
and a mounting bracket (PN 6282). The bracket will mount the RAD, SC932A
and adaptor to the back plate in a Campbell Scientific enclosure. This section
describes using a short range asynchronous modem built by RAD*.

* SRM - 5A RAD Modem

RAD Data Communications Inc.
900 Corporate Drive
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
http://www.rad.com

For transmission, the RAD modem uses a cable made of 2 pairs of twisted
wires with a shield. Data rates up to 9600 bps are possible. The low voltage
transmission levels minimize cross-talk between adjacent lines within the same
cable. Data are transmitted and received at a balanced impedance, providing

3

SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

excellent immunity to circuit noise. Table 1 gives the data rate possible for
several gage cables ac ross several distances.

Data Rate 19 Gauge (0.9 mm) 24 Gauge (0.5 mm) 26 Gauge (0.4 mm)
bps miles km miles km miles km

9,600 6.2 10.0 2.8 4.5 2.0 3.3
1,200 7.6 12.2 3.4 5.5 2.5 4.0

4.1 RAD Modem - Two Way

TABLE 1. Approximate Range, miles and km

4-WIRE UNCONDITIONED

TELEPHONE LINE

TWO TWISTED PAIRS

OR

SRM

FIGURE 2. Two Way Communication

When using Campbell Scientific’s datalogger support software to communicate
through the SC932/RAD modem, “Setup” the link as a direct connect between
the datalogger and the desired COM port. Start two way communication using
the “Connect” button on the Tool bar and the “Connect” button in the
“Connect” window.

4.2 RAD Modem Wiring and Grounding

Figure 3 shows a typical setup of the RAD modems. Installation is as follows:

1. Set the DCE/DTE switch on the back of the RAD modem connected to the
SC932A to DCE. For a RAD modem connected to a PC, set the
DCE/DTE switch to DCE. For a RAD modem connected to a serial
printer, set the DCE/DTE switch to DTE.

2. Select a cable with two or more twisted pairs. A recommended direct
burial rodent resistant cable is listed below. They also sell several gopher
resistant cables for even greater protection.

9 TO 25 PIN

ADAPTOR

SC932A DATALOGGERPC SRM

Company Part Number

AWG.
Anixter F-02P22BPN 22
Tel: [phone]
http://www.anixter.com

3. Wiring connections are made as shown in Figure 3 . Note wires labele d A
and B are one twisted pair of the cable. Wires labeled C and D are the
other twisted pair.

4. Transients induced on the communication line may damage any
electronics connected at either end of the line. To decrease the chances
for damage, spark gaps should be installed as shown in Figure 3. The
transient protection shown may be purchased from Campbell Scientific,
Inc. (p.n. 5563 shown in Figure 3, p.n. 6536 includes a plastic case, p.n.

4

SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

6361 includes hardware for mounting to ground lug of CSI enclosures
models ENC 10/12, ENC 12/14, or ENC 16/18). Spark gap wiring is
straight through such that pin to pin c ontinuity exists between the t wo
modems. If the modems are installed entirely within a building, the
transient spark gap protection is probably not needed.

FIGURE 3. Installation of Spark Gap Protection

5

SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

Occasionally a customer needs to transmit data across longer or smaller gage
wires or at higher speeds than can be done with the RAD modem powered by
the SC932A. RAD does sell a 9 volt power supply that will boost the signals
enough to meet some of these more demanding applications. P lease contact
RAD for more information.

4.3 Testing RAD Modem Communication

The modem communication link is divided into the following three sections: 1)
RAD modem computer end, 2) cable from computer modem to datalogger
modem, 3) RAD modem datalogger end. When unable to establish
communication with the datalogger, test each of the three sections.

Before proceeding thro ugh the testing procedures, a terminal emulator software
program such as HyperTerminal or Campbell Scientific’s datalogger support
software (Test Terminal Emulator) must be used to communicate through the
COM port of the computer. Once the emulator program is set up, testing can
proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect the 4 conductor cables from the SRM-6A RAD modem at the
computer end. Jumper the XMT + to RCV + and jumper the XMT - to
RCV -. This creates a transmit loop which allows any key pressed at the
computer keyboard to be seen on the screen. If the key pressed is not
seen, check the following: COM port configuration, 25-pin cable from the
computer to the modem and the RAD modem.

2. Reconnect the 4 conductor cables to the modem at the computer end and
disconnect the cable from the modem at the datalogger end. Twist
together the XMT + wire and RCV + wire, twist together the XMT - wire
and the RCV - wire. Repeat the process of step 1 by pressing a key on the
computer keyboard. If the key pressed is not returned, then the cable from
the modem at the computer to the datalogger modem is defective and will
need to be repaired or replaced.

3. If steps 1 and 2 pass, the modem at the datalogger is suspect. Disconnect
the modem from the SC932A and bring the modem to the computer site.
Attach the modem to the computer, and repeat step 1 by jumpering the
terminals of the modem and pressing a key on the computer keyboard.

If the above tests pass and communication to the datalogger still has not been
established, perform tests 4, 5, and 6.

4. A 12 V lead acid battery supply should not be discharged below 11.76 V.
If this occurs, the batteries will go into a deep discharge state and will
need to be replaced. The CR10 will function properly on a battery voltage
of 10 to 15 volts. Check the 12 V supply with a volt meter.

5. On the wiring panel of most Campbell Scientific dataloggers there is a
terminal marked 5 V. Check the 5 V supply with a volt meter. This 5 V
supply should be within a tenth of a volt. If not, it would indicate a
problem.

6

SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

6. To verify that the datalogger and its serial I/O port are working, try to
access input memory locations using a laptop PC with the SC32B or the
CR10KD Keyboard Display.

If the datalogger passes tests 4, 5, and 6, then the SC932A is suspect and will
need to be repaired or replaced.

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SC932A 9-Pin to RS-232-DCE Interface

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Campbell Scientific Companies

Campbell Scientific, Inc. (CSI)

815 West 1800 North

Logan, Utah 84321

UNITED STATES
www.campbellsci.com
[e-mail]

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PO Box 2450

Somerset West 7129

SOUTH AFRICA

www.csafrica.co.za

[e-mail]

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PO Box 444

Thuringo wa Cent ra l
QLD 4812 AUSTRALIA
www.campbellsci.com.au

[e-mail]

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Rua Luisa Crapsi Orsi, 15 Butantã

CEP: 005543-000 São Paulo SP BRAZIL

www.campbellsci.com.br

[e-mail]

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11564 - 149th Street NW

Edmonton, Alberta T5M 1W7

CANADA

www.campbellsci.ca

[e-mail]

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Campbell Park

80 Hathern Road

Shepshed, Loughborough LE12 9GX

UNITED KINGDOM

www.campbellsci.co.uk

[e-mail]

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Miniparc du Verger - Bat. H

1, rue de Terre Neuve - Les Ulis

91967 COURTABOEUF CEDEX

FRANCE

www.campbellsci.fr

[e-mail]

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Psg. Font 14, local 8

08013 Barcelona

SPAIN
www.campbellsci.es
[e-mail]

Please visit www.campbellsci.com to obtain contact information for your local US or International representative.