T24 General System
- Q: How reliable are the readings?
- A: Due to the digital nature of the T24 system, when a reading is
received by any device it is guaranteed not to have been distorted
over the RF transmission channel.
- Q: What software is provided with the T24 devices?
- A: All devices are supported by the T24 Toolkit that allows users
to configure all devices from the T24 range as well as view and log
data from acquisition modules in range. Technical manuals in PDF format
are supplied on the same disc.
- 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, free software is available for logging up to 24 inputs to
one base station, in addition the open COM driver can be used to gather
data through customer's own PC software to applications in Visual
Basic which in turn has been used to integrate the T24 system with
Lab View.
- 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
and WiFi devices with out conflicts.
- Q: What limits the RF range of the devices?
- A: Any metal surface will reflect 2.4 GHz radio waves so large metal
objects will affect signal propagation. Non-metal objects also have
an effect; some plastics can be particularly bad.
- Q: What test conditions were used for the transmission distances
in the data-sheets?
- A: The loadcell acquisition module was mounted 3 metres above the
ground in a free field site with a clear line of sight to a T24-HS
handheld display held at chest height.
- 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 is the communication protocol?
- A: Proprietary protocol based on an 804.15.4 chip. This allows the
T24 range to co-exist with Bluetooth, Zigbee and WiFi devices without
conflicts.
T24 Loadcell Acquisition Module
- Q: What are the sampling rates of the loadcell acquisition module?
- A: The T24 standard loadcell acquisition module samples from 0 to
200 updates/sec. The resolution is dependant on the sampling rate.
- Q: What is the resolution of the loadcell acquisition modules?
- A: The noise free resolution for a sample time of 10 milli-seconds
better than 15 bits (1 in 32,768); with increased sample times resolution
can be increased to better 18 bits (1 in 262,141).
- Q: What is the battery life for the T24-ACM/SAe loadcell acquisition
module?
- A: This is a complicated issue as the battery life is affected by
a number of factors. Using good quality alkaline batteries, a 700ohm
loadcell, a 100ms sample time at 3 readings a second with 24 hours
a day operation the battery life is approximately 18 days. The Toolkit
software will calculate typical battery life for a given set of conditions.
If 24 hours a day operation is not required the battery life can be
increased as the unit goes into low power mode when readings are not
being taken.
- Q: What is the battery life for the T24-ACMi/SAe loadcell acquisition
module?
- A: With the same operating conditions given above for the T24-ACM/SAe
the battery life is approximately 4 days. Reducing the time that the
unit is taking readings each day to 5 hours would increase the battery
life to 18 days.
- Q: Is the length of the cable between the loadcell and the loadcell
acquisition module limited?
- A: Yes. The maximum length of the cable should be 3m.
- Q: Does the loadcell acquisition module require an external antenna?
- A: No. The standard version has an internal antenna.
- Q: Is the loadcell acquisition module enclosure sealed?
- A: Yes. When the loadcell cable is properly fitted into its cable
gland the enclosure is sealed to IP65.
T24 Handheld Display
- Q: What is the battery life of the handhelds?
- A: Approximately 40 hours continuous use with alkaline batteries.
- Q: Are they IP or NEMA rated?
- A: Yes to IP65 and NEMA4.
- Q: What batteries are required?
- A: 2 x AA, alkaline, zinc or rechargeable NiCad, NiMH.
T24 Base Station
- Q: Once an acquisition module has been configured, will it require
regular connections to the base station?
- A: No. Once an acquisition module has been configured it will remain
stable providing its operating limits are not exceeded.
- Q: How many T24 Acquisition modules can be controlled by one USB
Base Station at the same time?
- A: Acquisition modules are not controlled when providing data, rather
data is provided at a user determined rate during configuration set
up. The base station can gather data from a number of acquisition modules
providing they are on the same channel. The number of modules a single
base station can process depends upon the frequency of transmission
from the acquisition modules on that channel.
- Q: Is the T24-Bsu base station sealed?
- A: No. It is reasonably dust proof but it is not sealed. It uses
a standard USB connector.
- Q: Can the USB cable be extended?
- A: Yes, up to a maximum of 5m. This limit is set by the USB standard.
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