Measurement WLS-TC User Manual
WLS-TC
User's Guide
Document Revision 4
April 2014
© Copyright 2014
Wireless Thermocouple Measurement
HM WLS-TC.docx
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Table of Contents
Preface
About this User’s Guide ....................................................................................................................... 5
What you will learn from this user's guide ......................................................................................................... 5
Conventions in this user's guide ......................................................................................................................... 5
Where to find more information ......................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1
Introducing the WLS-TC ....................................................................................................................... 6
Overview: WLS-TC features .............................................................................................................................. 6
Remote wireless operation ................................................................................................................................................ 6
WLS-TC block diagram ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2
Installing the WLS-TC ........................................................................................................................... 8
What comes with your WLS-TC shipment? ....................................................................................................... 8
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Software ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Documentation .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Unpacking........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Installing the software ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Installing the hardware ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Configuring the WLS-TC ................................................................................................................................... 9
Thermocouple type ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
Network parameters (remote operation) ..........................................................................................................................10
Connecting the external power supply for remote operation ............................................................................ 11
Calibrating the WLS-TC .................................................................................................................................. 11
Warm up time ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 3
Sensor Connections ........................................................................................................................... 12
Screw terminal pinout ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Thermocouple inputs .......................................................................................................................................................12
CJC sensors ......................................................................................................................................................................12
Digital I/O ........................................................................................................................................................................13
Power outputs ..................................................................................................................................................................13
Ground .............................................................................................................................................................................13
Thermocouple connections ............................................................................................................................... 13
Wiring configuration ........................................................................................................................................................13
Digital I/O connections ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Configuring the DIO channels to generate alarms ...........................................................................................................14
Chapter 4
Functional Details ............................................................................................................................... 15
Thermocouple measurements ........................................................................................................................... 15
Cold junction compensation (CJC) ..................................................................................................................................15
Data linearization .............................................................................................................................................................15
Open-thermocouple detection (OTD) ..............................................................................................................................15
AC power supply .............................................................................................................................................. 16
External components ........................................................................................................................................ 16
Screw terminals................................................................................................................................................................16
Status LEDs .....................................................................................................................................................................17
LED Test button...............................................................................................................................................................17
USB connector .................................................................................................................................................................17
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WLS-TC User's Guide
Chapter 5
Specifications ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Analog input ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Channel configurations ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Accuracy ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
Thermocouple measurement accuracy .............................................................................................................................19
Throughput rate to PC (USB or wireless) ......................................................................................................... 19
Digital input/output........................................................................................................................................... 20
Temperature alarms .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Memory ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Microcontroller ................................ ................................................................................................ ................. 21
Wireless communications ................................................................................................................................. 21
USB +5V voltage ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Power ................................................................................................................................................................ 22
USB specifications ........................................................................................................................................... 22
Environmental .................................................................................................................................................. 22
Mechanical ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
LED / button configuration ............................................................................................................................... 23
Screw terminal connector ................................................................................................................................. 24
Declaration of Conformity .................................................................................................................. 25
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About this User’s Guide
What you will learn from this user's guide
This user's guide describes the Measurement Computing WLS-TC data acquisition device and lists device
specifications.
Conventions in this user's guide
For more information
Text presented in a box signifies additional information related to the subject matter.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on a screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase.
Where to find more information
Preface
Additional information about WLS-TC hardware is available on our website at www.mccdaq.com. You can
also contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.
Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com
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Chapter 1
Introducing the WLS-TC
Overview: WLS-TC features
The WLS-TC is a wireless-based USB 2.0 full-speed thermocouple input module that is supported under
popular Microsoft® Windows® operating systems. The WLS-TC is fully compatible with both USB 1.1 and
USB 2.0 ports.
The WLS-TC provides eight differential thermocouple input channels. Eight independent, TTL-compatible
digital I/O channels are provided to monitor TTL-level inputs, communicate with external devices, and to
generate alarms. The digital I/O channels are software programmable for input or output.
With the WLS-TC, you can take measurements from type J, K, R, S, T, N, E, and B thermocouples.
The WLS-TC provides two integrated cold junction compensation (CJC) sensors for thermocouple
measurements.
An open thermocouple detection feature lets you detect a broken thermocouple. An onboard microprocessor
automatically linearizes the measurement data.
The WLS-TC features eight independent temperature alarms. Each alarm controls an associated digital I/O
channel as an alarm output. The input to each alarm is one of the temperature input channels. The output of each
alarm is software-configurable as active high or low. You set up the temperature threshold conditions to activate
each alarm. When an alarm is activated, the associated DIO channel is driven to the output state.
All configurable options are software programmable. The WLS-TC is fully software-calibrated.
You can operate the WLS-TC as a standalone plug-and-play device which draws power through the USB cable.
You can also operate the WLS-TC as a remote device that communicates with the computer through the
WLS-IFC USB-to-wireless interface device. An external power supply is shipped with the device to provide
power during remote operations.
Remote wireless operation
When operating as a remote device, the WLS-TC communicates with the computer through the WLS-IFC
device connected to the computer's USB port.
Before you can operate the WLS-TC remotely, you must connect it to the computer's USB port and configure
the network parameters required to establish a wireless link with the interface device. Only devices with the
same parameter settings can communicate with each other. All configurable options are programmable with
InstaCal.
LEDs on the WLS-TC indicate the status of communication over the wireless link. An LED bar graph shows
the fade margin of signals received by the WLS-TC.
For more information on setting up network parameters, refer to "Network parameters (remote operation)" on
page 10.
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WLS-TC User's Guide Introducing the WLS-TC
WLS-TC block diagram
WLS-TC functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
Figure 1. WLS-TC functional block diagram
7
Installing the WLS-TC
What comes with your WLS-TC shipment?
The following items are shipped with the WLS-TC.
Hardware
WLS-TC
USB cable
USB power adapter (2.5 watt AC-to-USB power adapter for remote wireless operation)
Software
MCC DAQ Software CD
Documentation
MCC DAQ Software Quick Start Guide
This booklet provides an overview of the MCC DAQ software you received with the device, and includes
information about installing the software. Please read this booklet completely before installing any software
or hardware.
Setup Options
An overview of installation options is provided in the Wireless Setup document that ships with the device.
Chapter 2
Unpacking
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the device from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or by simply
touching the computer chassis or other grounded object to eliminate any stored static charge.
If any components are missing or damaged, contact us immediately using one of the following methods:
Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com
For international customers, contact your local distributor. Refer to the International Distributors section on our
website at www.mccdaq.com/International.
Installing the software
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the MCC DAQ CD. This booklet is
available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
Installing the hardware
Before you operate the WLS-TC as a local or remote device, first install it onto your system and configure it
with InstaCal.
Install the MCC DAQ software before you install the WLS-TC
The driver needed to run your board is installed with the MCC DAQ software. Therefore, you need to install the
MCC DAQ software before you install your board. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing
the software.
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