LORD V-Link-200 Quick Start Manual

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LORD QUICKSTARTGUIDE

V-Link®-200

Wireless 8 Channel Analog Input Sensor Node

The V- Link - 200 wireless sensor node features eight analog input channels designed to accommodate a wide range of Whea tstone bridge and analog sensors, including strain, load cell, torque, pressure, acceleration, vibration, magnetic field, displacement, and geophones. There are four channels for singleended sensor measurement, four channels for differential sensor measurement, and an on-board internal temperature sensor.

To acquire sensor data, the V- L ink- 200 is used with a LORD Sensing data gateway such as the WSDA-101 or WSDA-1500 Base. V-Link-200 sensor nodes come with the following components.

Item Desc ri ption Quantity

V-Link-200 1

Antenna with right angle adapter 1

Node tester board 1

AA Lithium batteries (3.6 V dc, 2.4 Ah)

DIN rail clip 1 #6-32 x 3/8" Thread forming screws 3

The V-Link-200 LEDs indicate operational modes showing when the node is booting up, idle and waiting for a command , sampling, resynchronizing, or if the re is an error.

Figure 1 - Interf ace and Indicators

Indicator Behavior Node Status

Device

status

indicator

OFF Node is OFF Rapid green flashing

on start-up

Node is boo ting up

1 (slow) green pulse per second

Node is idle and waiting for a command

1 green blink every 2 seconds

Node is sampling

Blue LED during sampling

Node is resynch ronizing

Red LED Error or low battery

Wireless Simplicit y, Hardwired Reliab ilit y™

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SYSTEM OPERATION

Sensor no des have three ope rational modes:

active,sleep

, and

idle

. When the node is sampling, it is in active mode. When sampling stops, the node is switched into idle mode, which is used for configuring node settings, and allows toggling between sampling and sleeping modes. The node will automatically go into the ultra low- power slee p mode after a user- determined period of inactivity. The node will not go into sleep mode while sa mpling.

Figure 2 - Node Operat ional Modes

1. I nstall So ftware

Install the SensorCo nnect software on the host computer before connecting any hardware. Access the free software download on the LORD Sensing w ebsite at:

http://www.microstr ain.c om/software

2. Make System Connect ions

V-Link®-20 0 Wireless Sensor Node QuickStar t Guide

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3. Est ablish G ateway Communication

Drivers for the USB gateways are included the SensorConnect software installa tion. With the software installed, the USB gateway will be detected automatically whenever the gateway is plugged in.

1. Power is applied to the gateway through the USB connection. Verify the gatewa y status indicator is illuminated, showing the gateway is connected and powered on.

2. Open the Se nsorConnect software.

3. The gateway should appear in the Controller window au tomatically with a communication port assignment. If the gateway is not automatically discovered, verify the port is active on the ho st computer, and the n remo ve and re-insert the USB connector.

Figure 3 - USB G ateway Communication

4. Connect t o Nodes

Several methods can be used in Sen sorConnect to establish communication with the nodes: the automatic node discovery feature, manually entering the node address, and scanning transmission frequency and node address ra nges.

A. Add Node Via Node Discovery

If the base and node are on the same operating frequency, the node will populate below the Base Station listing when powering on the V-Link-200.

Figure 4 - Node Disco vered On Same Frequency

If a red circle with a number a ppears next to the Base Station, the node is operating on a separate radio channel (see Connect to Nodes on page 3.).

Figure 5 - Node On Other Frequency

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B. Add Node Manually

Adding a node manually requires entering the node address and its

current frequency setting.

From the Base Station, select the Manual Add Node tile, enter the Node Address, last known Frequency (factory default is 15), and select Add Node.

Figure 6 - Add Node By Address

If the node was successfully added, two confirmation messages will appear and it will be listed under the Base Station.

Figure 7 - Add Node Confirmation

If the node failed to be added, a failure message will appear. This means the node did not respond to the base station which could indicate the node is not in idle mode or it may be on another frequency. If "Add Node Anyway" is selected, it will associate that node with the channel entered but it is likely there will be a communication error. If the node was not in idle, move the base station to the frequency of the node and issue a "Set to Idle" command.

Figure 8 - Failure to Add Node

C. Move Node t o Base Station F requency

If a red circle with a number appears next to Base Station, the node is operating on a separate radio chann el. Select the Base Station and then select the Nodes on Other Freq uencies tile.

Figure 9 - Nodes On Other Frequencies

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Highlight the new node being added and select Move N ode to Frequency (#).

Figure 10 - Move No de

5. Configure Node

Node settings are stored to non- volatile memory and may be configured using SensorConnect. The configuration menus show the channels and configuration options available for the type of node being used.

For this e xample the V-Lin k-200 tester board is on channel 1.

1. Select Hardware > Input Range for channel 1, select +/-2 mV from the drop down me nu.

2. Under Hardware Offset, select Balance Target for channel 1, select Mid (50%) from the drop down menu.

3. Select Auto- Balance. When auto- balance is complete, a blue information window will indicate the balance result.

Figure 11 - Auto-Balance

4. Select Calibration.

5. Select Microstrainfrom the Unit drop do wn menu , and select the Shunt Cal button enabled on the right.

Figure 12 - Node Configurat ion Menu

6. Use the following settings:

a. Calibration Mode: Internal

b. Number of Active Gauges: 4

c. Gauge F actor: 2

d. Gauge Resistance: 1000

e. Shunt Resist ance: 499000

7. Select Start Shunt Cal for Slope and Offset calibrations.

8. Select Accept Calibration.

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Figure 13 - Channel Settings

9. When the calibration is complete, the Wireless Nod e Configuration window will a ppear.

10. Select Apply Configuration to write to node memory.

See below for wiring of other strain gauges.

Figure 14 - F ull-Bridge (Standard)

Figure 15 - Half-Bridge *

Figure 16 - T wo Wire Quarter-Bridge *

Figure 17 - T hree Wire Quart er-Bridg e *

* Requires optional on-board bridge completion

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6. Configure Sampling Sett ing and St art Data Acquisit ion

1. Left click on the Base Station > Sa mpling, and indicate the nodes to be sampled by checking the box to the left of each node.

2. Under 3 Channels, select Raw Channels, ch1, ch2 and ch3 from the drop down menu.

3. Under Sampling, select Sample Rate from the drop down menu, select Continuously to sample indefinitely, or For to set a limited time for sample sets.

Figure 18 - Sampling Set tin g

4. Select Apply and Start Network.

5. Select Create QuickView Dashboard in the pop up window immediately to create a dashboard of the new data.

Figure 19 - Q uick View Da shboard

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V-Link®-20 0 Wireless Sensor Node QuickStart Guide

7. Replacing Batteries

1. Remove the screws on both sides of the face plate to open the V-Link-

200.

2. It is importan t to replace all four of t he batteries at t he same time, observing the correct polarity orientation. The positive polarities are indicated on the batteries and the node by a "+" symbol.

3. Reassemble.

Figure 20 - Replace Bat teries

8. Battery Hazards

The V- Link - 200 contains internal, non- rechargeable lithium batteries . Lithium batteries are a fire and explosion hazard. Do not store or operate the node at temperatures above 212°F (100°C). Do not disassemble, short circuit, crush, puncture, o r otherwise misuse the battery.

Lithium b atteries contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment. Disposal is subject to federal a nd local laws. Do not discard the battery or the node in the trash. Follow proper battery disposal protocol, or contact LORD Sensing Technical Support for information on extracting the battery or returning the product for proper recycling and disposal.

9. Power Supply

Apply only the input voltage range specified for the VLink-200 . Connect to a p ower source that is near the device, is accessible, and adheres to all n ational wiring standards. Compliance with wiring standards is assumed in the installation of the power source an d includes pro tection against excessive currents, short circuits, and ground faults. Failure to do so could result in personal injury and permanent damage to the device.

LORDCo rpo ratio n Micro Strain®Sensin g Systems 459Hurri caneLane, Suite 102 Willi ston, VT 05495USA

ph: 802-862-6629

[email protected] [email protected]

www.microstrain.com