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Overview
The CR216X is a small, low-cost datalogger that includes an internal 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum radio for transmitting data to another CR216(X), an RF416 radio, or RF432 radios. The 2.4 GHz frequency can be used worldwide.
The CR216X provides stand-alone operation in harsh, remote environments. It reads input from one or two sensors, then transmits its data wirelessly via its internal radio. Multiple CR216Xs can be configured as a network, or units can be deployed individually.
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Benefits and Features
- Small, low-cost data logger with internal spread spectrum radio for wireless communications
- Integrated radio lets this data logger function like a wireless sensor in a network, transmitting to a master data logger
- Ideal applications include wind energy, rural water, water level/flow, aquaculture, water quality
- Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) protected inputs
- Optimal for measuring one or two simple sensors
- Makes SDI-12, single-ended analog, pulse, switch closure, and bridge measurements
- Battery-backed clock that ensures accurate time is maintained while data logger is disconnected from battery power
- Program with LoggerNet, PC400, or Short Cut to fit your setup
- PakBus, Modbus, and SDI-12 protocols supported
Images
3D/CAD Files:
Detailed Description
The CR216X can be used in a wireless sensor network. Wireless sensor networks are appealing because they are often more economical than trenching, laying conduit, and pulling wire. When used as a wireless sensor, the CR216X measures the sensors attached to it, then transmits its data wirelessly via its spread-spectrum radio to a master datalogger. The master datalogger must use the PakBus communication protocol (e.g., CR800,CR850, CR1000, CR3000). For more information on how to configure a PakBus system, please read our PakBus Networking Guide.
The CR216X has several input channels for measuring a variety of sensors. Gas discharge tubes provide rugged electrostatic discharge protection for the inputs.
The CR216X does not make differential measurements and is not compatible with SDM devices, multiplexers, or thermocouples. (Refer to the Compatibility information on the web page for compatible sensors, peripherals, and software.) Recalibration services are not offered for the CR216X dataloggers.
Specifications
| -NOTE- | Note: Additional specifications are listed in the CR200X-Series Specifications Sheet. |
| Internal Spread-Spectrum Radio Operating Frequency Range | 2.450 to 2.482 GHz |
| Transmitter Power Output | 50 mW |
| Maximum Scan Rate | 1 Hz |
| Analog Channels |
|
| Pulse Count Channels | 2 |
| Switched Excitation Channels | 2 voltage |
| Digital Ports |
|
| Communication Ports | 1 RS-232 |
| Switched Battery Port | 1 |
| Input Voltage Range | 0 to 2500 mV |
| Analog Voltage Accuracy | ±(0.25% of reading + (1.2 mV)x(offset)) at -40° to +50°C |
| Analog Voltage Resolution | 0.6 mV |
| A/D Bits | 12 |
| Operating Temperature | -40° to +50°C |
| Power Requirements | 7 to 16 Vdc |
| Typical Current Drain |
|
| Clock Accuracy |
|
| Protocols Supported | PakBus (leaf node only), SDI-12 |
| CE Compliance Standards to which Conformity Is Declared | IEC61326:2002 |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Dimensions | 14.0 x 7.6 x 4.8 cm (5.5 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.) |
| Weight | 271 g (9.5 oz) |
Memory |
|
| Final Storage | 512 kB of flash memory for approximately 125,000 data points |
| Operating System | 106 kB of flash memory |
| Intermediate Storage | 8 kB of SRAM for communication buffers, calculations, variables, etc. |
Compatibility
Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.
Sensors
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 03002-L | ||
| 034B-L | ||
| 05103-L | ||
| 109 | ||
| 110PV-L (retired) | ||
| CMP11-L (retired) | ||
| CS100 | ||
| CS215-L (retired) | ||
| CS300-L (retired) | ||
| CS451 | ||
| HC2S3-L (retired) | ||
| ICEFREE3A (retired) | ||
| ICEFREE3V (retired) | ||
| TB4-L (retired) | ||
| TE525-L |
Miscellaneous
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 014A-L | ||
| 03101-L | ||
| 05103-45-L | ||
| 05106-L | ||
| 05305-L | ||
| 083E-L (retired) | ||
| 107 | ||
| 108 | ||
| 109SS-L | ||
| 237-L (retired) | ||
| 255-100 | ||
| 27106T-L | ||
| 43347-L | ||
| 52202-L | ||
| A100LK-L | ||
| CMP21-L | ||
| CMP6-L | ||
| CS106 | ||
| CS11-L | ||
| CS410-L (retired) | ||
| CS456 | ||
| CS460-L (retired) | ||
| CS470 (retired) | ||
| CS471 (retired) | ||
| CS475A-L | ||
| CS475-L (retired) | ||
| CS511-L | ||
| CS526-L (retired) | ||
| CS547A-L | ||
| CS616 | ||
| CS625 (retired) | ||
| CS650 | ||
| CS655 | ||
| CS700-L | ||
| CSAT3 (retired) | ||
| CSIM11-L | ||
| CSIM11-ORP-L | ||
| ENVIROSCAN (retired) | ||
| HMP155A-L | ||
| HMP60-L | ||
| LI190SB-L (retired) | ||
| LI200X-L (retired) | ||
| LoggerNet | Version 2.1 or higher | |
| LWS | ||
| OBS-3+ (retired) | ||
| OBS300 (retired) | ||
| OBS501 (retired) | ||
| PC200 (retired) | ||
| PC400 | Version 1.0 or higher | |
| PCONNECT (retired) | ||
| PCONNECTCE (retired) | Version 2.0 or higher | |
| SEN12512 (retired) | ||
| Short Cut | ||
| SR50A-L (retired) | ||
| TB4MM-L (retired) | ||
| TE525MM-L | ||
| VISUALWEATHER | Version 2 or higher | |
| WINDSONIC1-L | ||
| WINDSONIC4-L | ||
| WXT520 (retired) |
Additional Compatibility Information
Communications
The CR216X can communicate with a PC via direct connect, NL201 Network Link Interface, NL240 Wi-Fi Network Link, MD485 multidrop modem, and digital cellular modems. Data can be viewed on an iOS device, an Android device, CD295 DataView II Display, or a user-supplied PDA. To use an iOS or Android device, go to the Apple Store or Google Play and download our LoggerLink Mobile Apps free of charge. User-supplied PDAs require either PConnect or PConnectCE software.
The CR216X's internal spread spectrum radio can transmit data to other CR216(X) loggers, RF416 radios, or RF430 radios. Certain CR216X settings must match the radio's settings for communications between the data logger and radio to be successful. The factory default settings of these devices might not match; therefore, they may need to be reconfigured before communications can take place.
If the CR216X is in the transparent mode, it can communicate with the retired CR215 loggers or RF415 radios.
Measurement & Control Peripherals
Campbell Scientific’s SDM devices and multiplexers are not supported.
Sensors
The CR216X can measure a variety of sensors including SDI-12 sensors and 4 to 20 mA sensors. It cannot make differential measurements and is not compatible with the freezing-rain/ice, fuel moisture/temperature, geographic position, present weather, soil heat flux, soil matric water potential, and strain sensors listed on our price lists.
Enclosures
Applications with minimal power requirements can use the ENC200 enclosure to house the data logger and the #16869 sealed rechargeable battery. The ENC200 cannot house a barometer or a battery that is larger than the #16869. However, an ENC10/12 or ENC12/14 enclosure is adequate for most CR216X-based systems.
Power Supplies
The CR216X uses an external power supply and has a built-in regulator. When connected to the on-board charging circuit, the sealed rechargeable battery should be 7 A h or smaller. Using larger batteries with the data logger's built-in charger may result in excessive PC board heating. This is especially a concern when the battery is deeply discharged or failing with a shorted cell. Campbell Scientific also recommends that solar panels be 10 W or less and wall chargers be 1 A or smaller.
Documents
Technical Papers
- RF401-to-CR206 Communications: Quick Reference Guide
- Benefits of Input Reversal and Excitation Reversal for Voltage Measurements
- Preventing and Attacking Measurement Noise Problems
- Voltage Measurement Accuracy, Self-Calibration, and Ratiometric Measurements
- The Link Budget and Fade Margin
- Line of Sight Obstruction
Miscellaneous
Videos & Tutorials
Downloads
CR200X Series OS v.04 (1.29 MB) 22-09-2015
Execution of this download installs the Operating System and Compiler on your computer for the following dataloggers:CR200X, CR206X, CR211X, CR216X and CR295X. It also updates the support files for the CRBasic Editor.
Note: Newer CR206X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19122) and newer CR211X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19143) have 250 mW radios that must use OS 3 or higher for their datalogger operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Number of FAQs related to CR216X: 38
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No, because it would not work. The SC32B is used to do the following:
- Convert data logger logic levels (on the CS I/O port) to RS-232 levels
- Optically isolate the data logger from the RS-232 peripheral
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If small amounts of data are transferred per transmission, it will not be a problem. Larger amounts of data can overrun buffers in the modem, causing lost data. In that situation, lower the baud rate on the data logger to avoid the issue.
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Some Campbell Scientific sensors with an RS-232 output are supported in Short Cut. Because of the large variety of serial data formats, other sensors require creating a program in the CRBasic Editor. CRBasic Editor is included in several of the purchased software packages, such as LoggerNet. For more information, see the “Interfacing Serial Sensors with Campbell Scientific Data loggers” application note.
Note: The CR200X-series data loggers have very limited serial capabilities.
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The SC32B is not needed for a data logger that has an RS-232 port. If the RS-232 port is not being used by another peripheral, the port can be used with a serial cable or a serial-to-USB cable to connect to the computer.
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It is not possible to connect two data loggers to one modem and transmit data from both data loggers. However, two data loggers can be networked together so that data is sent from one data logger to the other, and then the data logger connected to the modem can transmit the data from both data loggers.
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Yes, but only with a direct connection, such as an RS-232 cable or a USB-to-serial adapter. While connected to the data logger, press the Send Program button on the Clock\Program tab, and browse to the program file.
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This might happen because the data logger clock is being adjusted by a remote time source. If this occurs close to the same time that the data logger is due to store data, it can result in either a skipped record or an additional record of data.
If LoggerNet 4 is used to collect data on a schedule, check the setup for that data logger. Look at the settings on the Clock tab in the LoggerNet Setup Screen. If that is enabled, the clock is checked and set at midnight every day and may interfere with data collection at that same time.
Skipped scans and power outages could also result in records missing from a data table. Check the data logger’s station status or Status table and look for skipped scans, watchdogs, and low 12 V counts.
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It is possible to upgrade the OS without downloading each OS version between the existing one on the data logger and the most current one available. For example, a CR1000 can be upgraded directly from OS 14 to OS 25. However, when a large jump in OS versions is made, the upgrade will likely restructure the Status table and the Setting table, and they will need to be manually reloaded.
Note that in many instances, an OS update may not be necessary. Before updating, check the OS Revision History to see if a newer version would provide desired benefits.
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Technically, the SRM-5A is compatible with the CR200X-series dataloggers, but it is more complicated to use it with these data loggers. To use a SRM-5A with a CR200X-series datalogger, the SRM-5A must be in the DTE position on the station modem. In addition, user-supplied adapters and gender changers are needed to complete the connections between the SRM-5A and the RS-232 port of the data logger. Contact Campbell Scientific for more information.
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Yes. There are low-level instructions for the CR800, CR850, CR1000, and CR3000 available in CRBasic that make this possible. The CR200X-series data loggers do not have the ability to manipulate string type data.
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