Wireless Telemetry Strain Gauge/Wireless Load Cell Acquisition Module (T24-SA)
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- Strain gauge to radio telemetry converter
- Miniature PCB for fitting inside sensors such as load cells
- Exceptionally low power for long battery life (up to 5 years)
- Remote power 'on' and 'off'
- High speed 200 Updates per second
- High Resolution of 1 part in 400,000 (18bit)
- In-built antenna
- Simple wireless configuration and calibration
- Antenna options giving up to 200m (650 ft) range
- Choice of enclosure versions available (see left and Related Products) - T24-ACMm, T24-ACMi & T24-ACM)
This remote acquisition module provides high performance wireless measurement of strain gauge, pressure, load cell, linear displacement and other 4 wire bridge sensors. Providing direct mV/V input and 5V bridge excitation for up to 4 load cells. The miniature size allows for the option of embedding within the sensor housing.
Low power modes allow the module to ‘power down’ between transmissions or to ‘power off’ completely and can be controlled by other T24 products such as the handheld displays or a base station. The module can be configured to last several years on 2 x alkaline AA batteries or alternatively be powered from 2 x NiMH or 1 x 3V Lithium.
The high accuracy, low noise measurement electronics deliver high resolution, low drift results which can be user calibrated over 9 points to enable linearization and to deliver results in user definable engineering units. The results can be transmitted at rates up to 200 per second to other T24 devices such as handheld displays, analog outputs and base stations etc.
Although this module can be used as an OEM solution (for example creating a wireless load cell by embedding the module), there are enclosure options available (see T24-ACM in 'Related Products Tab').
The module is configured and calibrated (either by applying known inputs or by table entry) using free T24 Toolkit software which runs on a PC connected to a T24 base station.
Integral antenna option offers up to 100m (325 ft) range and external antenna options allows up to 200m (650 ft) range in an open field site.
The licence free 2.4GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio technology offers high integrity, error free communications which can co-exist with other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and Zigbee®. FCC, ETSI and IC approvals
T24-SA
| General Radio | Min | Typical | Max | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | Licence Exempt | |||
| Modulation Method | MS (QPSK) | |||
| Radio Type | Transceiver (2 way) | |||
| Data Rate | 250 | k bits/sec | ||
| Radio Frequency | 2.4000 | 2.4835 | GHz | |
| Power | 1 | mw | ||
| Integral Antenna | 100 (325) | Metres (feet) * | ||
| External Antenna | 200 (650) | Metres (feet) * | ||
| Channels (DSSS) | 16 | |||
|
*Maximum range achieved in open field site with the T24 acquisition module at a height of 3 metres (9.8 feet) above ground and T24-HS held at chest height pointing towards the acquisition module. Specification at 3V supply at 25°C |
||||
| T24-SA | ||||
| Specifications with 1000R bridge, 2.5mV/V, at 3V supply at 25 Deg C | ||||
| Strain Gauge Excitation System | 4 wire | |||
| Strain Gauge Excitation Voltage | 4.5 | 5 | 5.25 | VDC |
| Strain Gauge Drive Capacity | 85 | - | 5000 | Ohms |
| Maximum Gauge Sensitivity (FR) | 3.2 | ±mV/V | ||
| Offset Temperature Stability | 1 | 4 | ppm/C | |
| Gain Temperature | 3 | 5 | ppm/C | |
| Offset Stability with Time | 20 | 80 | ppm of FR (1) | |
| Gain Stability with Time | 30 | ppm of FR (2) | ||
| Non Linearity before Linearization | 5 | 25 | ppm of FR | |
| Internal Resolution | 16,000,000/24 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Noise Free where Sample Time < 10mS | 50,000/15.5 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Noise Free where Sample Time < 50mS | 65,000/16 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Noise Free where Sample Time < 100mS | 150,000/17.25 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Noise Free where Sample Time < 1000mS | 250,000/18 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Noise Free where Sample Time < 10000mS | 400,000/18.75 | Resolution/bits | ||
| Electrical | ||||
| Power Supply Voltage | 2.1 | 3.0 | 3.6 | VDC |
| Power Supply Ripple | 50 | mV ac pk-pk | ||
| Power Supply Current | ||||
| Normal Mode (1K Bridge) | 60 | 65 | mA | |
| Standby/Low Power Mode | 5 | 20 | uA | |
| Environment | ||||
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 | +85 | C | |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 | +85 | C | |
| Humidity | 0 | 95 | %RH | |
Module transmits and Receives giving:
1. Full error detection and correction
2. Calibration & configuration via radio telemetry
3. Ability to be switched from sleep to operating mode via radio
4. mV/V Calibration stored within the module
5. Remote battery check
6. Data Encrytion for complete security (128 bit AES)
Documents
Product order options
| T24-SAi | Code |
|---|---|
| Strain Acquisition with fitting with Internal Antenna | T24-SAi |
| T24-SAe | Code |
| Strain Acquisition with fitting for External Antenna | T24-SAe |
These are the following industries and applications in which this product has been used:
- Torque Measurement - Wireless Torque Measurement
- Civil Engineering - Telemetry Monitoring on High Altitude Roads
- Civil Engineering - Wireless Monitoring of Bridge Structures
- Construction - Wireless Monitoring of Building Foundations
- Lifting & Handling - Wireless Truck Load Weight Monitoring
- Lifting & Handling - Digital Crane Scales
- Marine - Wireless Mooring Rope Monitoring of Maritime Vessel
- Silo & Weighing Industry - Wireless Silo Weighing
- Torque Measurement - Wireless Torque Measurement
- Torque Measurement - Torque Measurement Using Wireless Technology
- Waste Management - Wireless Skip Weighing System
- Waste Management - Wireless Platform Weighing With Ticket Printing
- Waste Management - Wireless Laundry Collection Tail Gate Weighing
- Construction - Wireless Monitoring of Anchor Loads
- Civil Engineering - Remote Load Monitoring of Construction Shoring Struts
- Construction - Remote Load Monitoring of Construction Shoring Struts
- Automotive - Force Measurement in Formula Racing
- Automotive - Measuring the Output Power of a Motor
Wireless Sensing Module for Load Cell, Strain Gauge Data Acquisition
Wireless Sensor Converter for Strain Gauge Sensors, 0-20mA, 0-10V
Radio Telemetry Module for Strain Gauge, 0-20mA, 0-10V Sensors
Wireless Telemetry Handheld Display Multiple Inputs
Wireless Telemetry Handheld Display Single Input
Wireless Telemetry Handheld Display Unlimited Inputs
- Q: What are the sampling rates of the acquisition modules?
A: The T24 standard acquisition modules (SA, IA, VA, RA, TA, PA) sample from 0-200 updates/sec. The T24-SA fast acquisition modules are fixed at 2,000 updates/sec.
- Q: What is the resolution of the acquisition modules?
A: The noise free resolution for a sample time of 10 milli-seconds or less is 15.5 bits for the T24 SA, 12.5 bits for the T24-VA, 14 bits for the VA and 12.25 bits for the T24IA.
The T24-PA’s accuracy % input error @ 1 Hz is 0.15% and for the T24 RA the accuracy is 0.01% of the full scale.
With increased sample times resolution can be increased up to 18.75 bits for the T24-SA.
- Q: What is the supply voltage for the acquisition modules?
A: 3V for the acquisition modules and handheld displays. Other modules in the range take 9-36 V.
- Q: What is the difference between the T24-SA and T24-SAf?
A: The standard acquisition modules are capable of providing data up to 200Hz. The ‘fast’ T24-SAf provides data at a fixed 2Khz.
- Q: What is the difference between the ‘i’ and ‘e’ versions of the acquisition units?
A: The ‘i’ modules all feature an on chip integrated antenna. The ‘e’ modules are fitted with a miniature UFL connector which can be used with any of the antenna options available; the T24-ANTA (PCB antenna) or T24-ANTB (fixed 90 degree Whip antenna) or T24-ANTC (flexible whip antenna).
- Q: How is the strain gauge acquisition module calibrated?
A: The modules are factory calibrated to 2.5 mV/V which can be custom calibrated and linearised over up to 9 points by using the T24 Toolkit. The T24-SAf has fixed factory calibration and cannot be linearised.
- Q: How are the modules powered?
A: Two standard AA batteries or the T24-BC1 Battery Charger, which provides a re-chargeable power supply using a Li-ion Cell. Find out the battery life of your system using our Battery Calculator.
- For more 'Frequently Asked Questions' please see our Knowledge Centre
- Q: What software is provided with the T24 devices?
A: All devices are supported by the T24 Tool Kit which allows users to
configure all devices from the T24 range as well as view and log data from
acquisition modules in range. The software can also be downloaded directly
from our website.
- Q: How many devices can operate on one radio channel?
A: Many devices can operate on the same radio channel depending on the sample rate of the acquisition modules present in the system. There are 16 channels available with each one capable of supporting up to 200 data packets per second.
- Q: Can PC software gather data from many devices?
A: Yes, Mantracourt provides freeware for logging up to 24 inputs to one base station, in addition the open COM driver can be used to gather data through customers own PC software to applications in Visual Basic which in turn has been used to integrate the T24 system with Lab View.
- Q: What limits the RF range of the devices?
A: Any metal surface will reflect 2.4 GHz radio waves, therefore in a sealed metal box, no RF will escape. However by providing a suitable RF window the signals will propagate out.
- Q: What Frequency does the system operate on?
A: Licence free world wide 2.4GHz, although this frequency is used by other equipment the T24 range has been tested with Bluetooth, Zigbee & WiFi devices with out conflicts.
- Q: Is it possible to use repeaters within T24 network?
A: The T24-AR Active repeater which can be added to the system can propagate a signal around corners and obstacles. This unit can also double the effective range.
- Q: Is the system point to point?
A: Yes, however the modules may also operate in many to one (such as multiple data acquisition modules communicating with a base station) and one to many (such as a data acquisition module supplying data to multiple handhelds and displays).
- Q: What sensors would these inputs cover?
A: Any sensor that provides a voltage, current or ratio metric interface can be connected to an acquisition module, including load cells, inclinometers, accelerometers, displacement LVDT, pressure, potentiometer, pulse, temperature, humidity, ph, shock.
- Q: What is the communication protocol?
A: Proprietary protocol based on a 804.15.4 chip. This allows the T24 range to co-exist with Bluetooth, Zigbee & WiFi devices with out conflicts.
- Q: What are the sampling rates of the acquisition modules?
A: The T24 standard acquisition modules (SA, IA, VA, RA, TA, PA) sample from 0-200 updates/sec. The T24-SA fast acquisition modules are fixed at 2,000 updates/sec.
- Q: What is the resolution of the acquisition modules?
A: The noise free resolution for a sample time of 10 milli-seconds or less is 15.5 bits for the T24 SA, 12.5 bits for the T24-VA, 14 bits for the VA and 12.25 bits for the T24IA.
The T24-PA’s accuracy % input error @ 1 Hz is 0.15% and for the T24 RA the accuracy is 0.01% of the full scale.
With increased sample times resolution can be increased up to 18.75 bits for the T24-SA.
- Q: What is the supply voltage for the acquisition modules?
A: 3V for the acquisition modules and handheld displays. Other modules in the range take 9-36 V.
- Q: How are the modules powered?
A: The ACMm is the smallest module and has a separate battery pack (T24-BB1 using 2 x AAA). The T24-ACMi is the mid size module and provides power via 2 x AA batteries and has terminal block style field connectors for wiring to acquisition modules. The T24-ACM although larger can provide power from an external power supply (5-18V) as well as 2 x D cell batteries which provide a higher battery capacity allowing for longer battery life.
Find out the battery life of your system using our Battery Calculator.
- Q: Can power be provided to a sensor?
A: Yes, all acquisition modules feature a 5V supply which is a excitation voltage (with exception of T24-RA which has 2.5V supply).
- Q: How is the strain gauge acquisition module calibrated?
A: The modules are factory calibrated to 2.5 mV/V which can be custom calibrated and linearised over up to 9 points by using the T24 Toolkit. The T24-SAf has fixed factory calibration and cannot be linearised.
- Q: What is the difference between the ‘i’ and ‘e’ versions of the acquisition units?
A: The ‘i’ modules all feature an on chip integrated antenna. The ‘e’ modules are fitted with a miniature UFL connector which can be used with any of the antenna options available; the T24-ANTA (PCB antenna) or T24-ANTB (fixed 90 degree Whip antenna) or T24-ANTC (flexible whip antenna).
- Q: What is the difference between the T24-SA and T24-SAf?
A: The standard acquisition modules are capable of providing data up to 200Hz. The ‘fast’ T24-SAf provides data at a fixed 2Khz.
- Q: How many acquisition modules can be acquired by the base stations?
A: Each base station can use one of 16 channels. From one of those channels a base station can collect data simultaneously from any number acquisition modules depending upon the frequency of readings being provided by the acquisition module.
- Q: What are the input ranges of the T24 acquisition modules?
A: T24-SA 2.5mV/V calibrated strain gauge based measurement; T24-VA 0-10V, T24-IA 4-20mA, T24-TA pt100 sensor input, T24-RA potentiometer 500 to 100000 Ohms and T24-PA 0.5Hz to 3kHz.
There are other terms which may help to describe this product and is capabilities. These are:
wireless strain gauge
wireless strain gage
wireless sensor
loadcell wireless sensor network
wireless sensors network
radio sensor network
digital telemetry
remote data logging
multi channel data logger
telemetry data logger
radio telemetry
telemetry system
telemetry monitoring
wireless telemetry
wireless data acquisition
remote data acquisition
Other common terms used in industry are also:
vehicle weighing
torque telemetry
load cell telemetry interface
load cell wireless interface
load cell radio system
wireless load cell
wireless crane scale
wireless vehicle weighing
crane scale
vehicle weighing
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