Low cost, embeddable wireless thermocouple node. Supports J,K,R,S,T,E,B,N thermocouple types.
The TC-Link®-OEM Wireless Thermocouple Node provides a low cost way to embed wireless temperature sensing in industrial systems. TC-Link®-OEM features six standard thermocouple input connectors with an embedded cold junction temperature compensation sensor. On-board linearization algorithms are software programmable to support a wide range of thermocouple types including J, K, N, R, S, T, E and B. Its form factor allows remote, long term deployment. The node can simultaneously log data to internal memory and transmit real-time data to a host computer at user programmable data rates. Node Commander® software supports configuration of the wireless node including discovery, initialization, radio frequency, sample rate, reading/writing to node EEPROM, calibrating node sensors, managing node batteries including sleep, wake, and cycle power, and upgrading node firmware. The TC-Link®-OEM is compatible with any WSDA® -Base, WSDA® -1000 or SensorCloud™.
Ease of Integration
- Rapidly deployable wireless OEM form factor
- Simple integration supported by comprehensive SDK
High Performance
- Scalable temperature monitoring wireless sensor network
- High-speed, synchronized platform accepts most analog thermocouples
- Reliable wireless data collection
- Low-power for extended battery life
- SensorCloud – integrated web solution
Cost Effective
- Reduced cost and rapid time to market for customer’s applications
- Aggressive volume discount schedule
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General Documentation
Technical Notes
FAQ's
#1342: How do I repair or return a LORD MicroStrain® product?
In order to return any LORD MicroStrain® product either for repair or return, you must contact us for a Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA). If you purchased directly from LORD MicroStrain® in the United States, please contact your Sales or Support Engineer to obtain an RMA. If you purchased directly from a LORD MicroStrain® distributor, please contact your distributor to obtain an RMA.
Direct link: view#1341: What are the terms and conditions under which LORD MicroStrain® products are sold?
LORD MicroStrain® complete terms and conditions of sale may be found at: http://files.microstrain.com/terms-conditions-sale.pdf
Direct link: view#1340: Where do I purchase LORD MicroStrain® products?
If you are located in the United States, LORD MicroStrain® supplies you directly. If you are in located in another country, LORD MicroStrain® products are available exclusively from LORD MicroStrain® distributors. Please use this locator to determine your distributor: http://www.microstrain.com/support/international
Direct link: view#1339: Does LORD MicroStrain® provide a trial period for its products?
To enable customers to try our standard products risk free, LORD MicroStrain® offers a 30 day return on the purchase of a starter kit. In order to take advantage of this offer, a purchase order or payment for the starter kit is required when the order is placed. 30 day trial details may be found at: http://www.microstrain.com/support/warranty
Direct link: view#1338: How do I get support for my LORD MicroStrain® products?
LORD MicroStrain® Support Engineers are always available to support you in any way we can by phone, email, SKYPE or Live Chat from our home page. Contact details may be found at: http://www.microstrain.com/support/contact-support
Direct link: view#1337: What is the shipping policy for LORD MicroStrain® products?
LORD MicroStrain® insures all products shipments to their full value unless the customer specifically states a different method.
Direct link: view#1336: What is the warranty for LORD MicroStrain® products?
LORD MicroStrain® warrants its standard products to be free from defective material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the original date of purchase. Warranty details may be found at: http://www.microstrain.com/support/warranty
Direct link: view#1330: How do I make the data file timestamp human readable in Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel displays the timestamp contained in the wireless node data files incorrectly. If you were to open the CSV file with Microsoft Notepad, you will see that the timestamp is shown properly. In order to get Excel to show the human readable time, follow the below procedure:
- Highlight all of column A (column with the timestamp)
- Right click on highlighted region and select Format cells...
- Select the Number Tab in the window that open and choose Custom from the Category box
- Scroll to the bottom of the list in the Type box, find this entry: m/d/yyyy h:mm and click it
- Add to the entry an :ss.000 so it now looks like this: m/d/yyyy h:mm:ss.000
- Click OK
The timestamp willshould now be correct.
Direct link: view#1291: How do you change the radio channel on a wireless node and wireless base station?
Changing a radio channel on your wireless node and wireless base station is accomplished through Node Commander software. Follow the four step process outlined below to update your radio channel (frequency) setting. Note that radio channels on both your wireless node and wireless base station must match to establish network communication.
To change node/base station radio channel:
- Right-click Base Station/Node.
- Click Configure.
- Click Frequency.
- Click Channel, e.g. 24 (2.470 GHz).
#1142: What is the rate at which data is downloaded from a wireless node's memory?
The wireless node's effective download rate is ~9.2 kBps, or 73.6 kbps. In perfect wireless conditions, a node's full 2MB memory can be downloaded in approximately 3.7 minutes. While 250 kbps is the radio transmission rate, there are others variables that factor into the effective download rate including memory read time, packet overhead, radio acknowledgments, and base station to PC communication.
Direct link: view#501: What is the format of the data generated by the wireless system?
All software provided by MicroStrain saves data files in CSV (comma separated value) format. The CSV file is readily importable into any third party analysis program.
Direct link: view#500: What are the shock limits of wireless nodes?
The wireless nodes, including circuit boards, antenna, internal battery and enclosure, can withstand shock loads up to 500g. LORD MicroStrain® can provide customization of the nodes by using high-G crystals, potting and non-masted antennas to withstand greater shock loads.
Direct link: view#499: How much datalogging memory do wireless nodes have?
The wireless nodes all have 2 Mbytes of datalogging memory. This 2 Mbytes is organized into 8,191 ‘pages’ of memory, each page holds 132 data points. The maximum number of data points that can be held in memory can be calculated as follows: 8,191 pages x 132 data points/page = 1,081,212 total data points.
Now the question arises, ‘how long can a node datalog before its memory is full?’. The answer is that it varies depending on how many channels are being sampled and what sampling rate has been set. Here are two examples:
Let’s set a V-Link-LXRS so that channel 1 is active with a datalogging sampling rate of 2048 samples per second and we launch continuous datalogging. Our calculation would be:
- 1 channel x 2,048 samples per second = 2,048 data points per second
- 1,081,212 data points / 2,048 data points per second = 527 seconds
- 527 seconds / 60 seconds per minute = ~9 minutes to fill the memory
Let’s set a G-Link-LXRS so that channels 1, 2 and 3 are active with a datalogging sampling rate of 32 samples per second and we launch continuous datalogging. Our calculation would be:
- 3 channels x 32 samples per second = 96 data points per second
- 1,081,212 data points / 96 data points per second = 11,262 seconds
- 11,262 seconds / 60 seconds per minute = ~187 minutes to fill the memory
#496: What radios are used in LORD MicroStrain® Wireless Sensor Networks?
The gateways (base stations and WSDA-1000) and the wireless nodes employ radios with these general specifications (see the individual product data sheet for any variations):
| Radio frequency (RF) transceiver carrier | 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum, license free worldwide (2.405 to 2.480 GHz) – 16 channels, radiated power programmable from 0 dBm (1 mW) to 16 dBm (39 mW); European models limited to 10 dBm (10 mW) |
| RF data packet standard | IEEE 802.15.4, open communication architecture |
| RF data downloading | 8 minutes to download full memory |
| Range for bi-directional RF link | programmable communication range from 70 meters to 2 kilometers |
Direct link: view
#494: Where would I find white papers describing the use of Wireless Sensor Networks?
White papers are posted at: http://www.microstrain.com/white-papers.aspx
Direct link: view#493: What is the difference between finite sampling and continuous sampling?
In FINITE sampling, the user sets a total number of samples to be taken which equates to a time period. Because the sampling rate per second is known, the user can adjust the number of samples to be taken to determine how long the sampling period will be.
In CONTINUOUS sampling, the user does not set the total number of samples and therefore does not set the time of the sampling period. By selecting CONTINUOUS sampling, the user is instructing the system to sample data until the user manually stops the sampling (via software), the power is cycled, the on-board datalogging memory is full, the battery dies, the power fails, etc.
Direct link: viewHighlighted Documents
Applications
Provides easy wireless sensing capability to OEM manufacturers
- Thermal Profiling
- Refrigeration Monitoring
- Production Process Monitoring
- Quality Control
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