The NL100 is a new communication peripheral that allows Campbell Scientific dataloggers to communicate via TCP/IP, making it possible to communicate via a local area network or a dedicated Internet connection. The NL100 has several ports for connecting to a datalogger, including a 9-pin CS I/O port, an RS-232 port and, on the NL105 only, a T-Link port for connecting to the CR9000(C) Measurement and Control System. The NL100, in turn, connects to the TCP/IP network via a 10baseT Ethernet port.
Campbell Scientific software is used to communicate with the NL100/105 and datalogger. The PC must have the TCP/IP protocol installed. PC208W Version 3.2 (Spring 2000) supports TCP/IP communications with our array-based dataloggers, while PC9000 supports communications with the CR5000 and CR9000. LoggerNet is available for multi-PC networks and supports the "T" dataloggers (CR510-TD, CR10X-TD, CR23X-TD). Future versions of LoggerNet (2000) will support the CR5000, the CR9000, and the array-based dataloggers.
The advantages of TCP/IP communications are low marginal costs for connect time and faster communications rates. For example, the CR9000 can communicate at a 10 Mbit rate through an NL105; the CR5000 up to 115,200 bps through an NL100. The main disadvantage is a 130 mA current drain associated with maintaining a continuous link. The NL100 mounts directly to our enclosure back plates. Alternatively, the NL105 occupies a slot in the CR9000(C) chassis.
Both peripherals are currently available, contact us for pricing.
