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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.
Read MoreBenefits 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
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 |
|
| 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
Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.
Sensors
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 014A-L | ||
| 03002-L | ||
| 03101-L | ||
| 034B-L | ||
| 05103-45-L (retired) | ||
| 05103-L | ||
| 05106-L (retired) | ||
| 05305-L | ||
| 083E-L (retired) | ||
| 092-L (retired) | ||
| 107 | ||
| 108 | ||
| 109 | ||
| 109SS-L | ||
| 110PV-L (retired) | ||
| 237-L (retired) | ||
| 255-100 | ||
| 27106T-L | ||
| 43347-L | ||
| 52202-L | ||
| A100LK-L | ||
| CMP11-L (retired) | ||
| CMP21-L | ||
| CMP6-L (retired) | ||
| CS100 | ||
| CS106 | ||
| CS11-L | ||
| CS215-L (retired) | ||
| CS300-L (retired) | ||
| CS410-L (retired) | ||
| CS451 | ||
| 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) | ||
| HC2S3-L (retired) | ||
| HMP155A-L | ||
| HMP60-L | ||
| ICEFREE3A (retired) | ||
| ICEFREE3V (retired) | ||
| LI190SB-L (retired) | ||
| LI200X-L (retired) | ||
| LWS-L | ||
| OBS-3+ (retired) | ||
| OBS300 (retired) | ||
| OBS500 (retired) | ||
| P2546A-L | ||
| SEN12512 (retired) | ||
| SR50A-L (retired) | ||
| TB4-L | ||
| TB4MM-L | ||
| TE525-L | ||
| TE525MM-L | ||
| TE525WS-L | ||
| WINDSONIC1-L | ||
| WINDSONIC4-L | ||
| WXT520 (retired) |
Software
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LoggerNet | Version 2.1 or higher | |
| PC200W (retired) | ||
| PC400 | Version 1.0 or higher | |
| PCONNECT (retired) | ||
| PCONNECTCE (retired) | Version 2.0 or higher | |
| Short Cut | ||
| VISUALWEATHER | Version 2 or higher |
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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Not directly. If the CS15-L is connected to a CR200(X) datalogger, the data logger can take the ac measurement and control a solid-state relay based on some threshold within the data logger program. The solid-state relay can then control other relays, solenoids, or motor starters. (Use of a solid-state relay is preferred because the data logger can trigger it with a small 5 Vdc mA signal.) For more information, see the “Measurement and Control Peripherals” section of the operator’s manual.
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Yes. The simplest method is to use conditional program statements that execute most of the code based on time. For example, the data could be scheduled to log at 6 a.m. and finish at 8 p.m. using CRBasic instructions such as IfTime(). Another option is to use an IfThen/EndIf construction that does a logical test of light-level measurements based on a light sensor. An additional option is to use calculated sunrise and sunset times along with a combination of RealTime() and Case instructions.
For more information, see the “Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…” article.
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Current data loggers compatible with the BMP5 Direct SDK are the CR200X-series, CR1000, CR3000, CR800, and CR850.
Retired compatible data loggers include the CR10X-PB, CR23X-PB, and CR510-PB. These data loggers must have the optional PakBus operating system installed, which is available on the Downloads page of our website.
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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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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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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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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 Dataloggers” application note.
Note: The CR200X-series dataloggers have very limited serial capabilities.
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A data logger can be programmed to initiate data transfer by using the SendVariables() or ModemCallback() instruction in CRBasic.
NOTE: These instructions are not supported in the CR200X operating system.
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Yes. All Campbell Scientific dataloggers currently have nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory was added to the CR10X in 1996. All datalogger models introduced since then have included nonvolatile memory.
Nonvolatile memory is reliant on the 3 V lithium battery inside the datalogger. As long as this internal battery has a charge above 3 V, no data should be lost if the datalogger loses power.