AL200X

Name: AL200X
Brand: Campbell Scientific
SKU: 43846
Availability: InStock

ALERT and ALERT2 Modem and Sensor Interface

AL200X

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ALERT and ALERT2 Modem and Sensor Interface

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Model:: AL200X
Item Number:: 43846
Warranty:: 3 years

Overview

The AL200X is an ALERT and ALERT2 modem and sensor interface designed for critical flood warning weather systems. It complies with the ALERT and ALERT2 standards maintained by the National Hydrologic Warning Council (NHWC) and the ALERT Users Group (AUG).

Built to support both legacy and modern systems, the AL200X allows you to continue operating your existing ALERT field stations while preparing for the future. When you're ready, upgrading to ALERT2 can be done on your own timeline with a simple setting change in the user interface.

Transitioning to ALERT2 unlocks significant performance advantages, including faster data transfer, forward error correction, and a time division multiple access (TDMA) architecture that enhances the overall accuracy and reliability of flood warning systems and software.

With integrated sensor inputs and outputs, the AL200X enables you to create a minimal ALERT or ALERT2 transmitter/station, decreasing the cost of a typical flood warning system. Internal storage provides data logging capabilities to enhance troubleshooting and maintenance activities. The switched 12 volt and control ports can be configured to provide logic for control of other devices, such as warning beacons. Combining the AL200X with a Campbell Scientific data logger provides enhanced sensor support and extended telemetry options.

Key Advantages

For Critical Flood Warning Applications

Technical Description

Terminal Descriptions

SE1: One single-ended analog input to measure 0 to 5 Vdc or 4 to 20 mA sensors
P1: One pulse port for measuring tipping bucket rain gauges
C1, C2, and C3: Three digital I/O control ports that can be configured for SDI-12 as separate buses (standard and watch modes), digital input, or digital output
SW12A and SW12B: Two switched 12 Vdc power outputs that can be programmed to power sensors on and off
G: Two grounding ports

Operating Modes
The AL200X can be configured to operate in measurement and control mode as a stand-alone device or in Intelligent Network Device (IND) mode to connect to an external device, such as a data logger.

The measurement and control mode activates the sensor input and output ports to operate as an ALERT2 transmitter.
The IND mode allows connection to a data logger through the COM1 RS-232 interface for expanded sensor and telemetry device support.

Both configuration modes use the integrated radio and GPS interfaces.

Configuration
Easily configure the AL200X with the familiar Device Configuration (DevConfig) software utility. The intuitive user interface enables you to easily set up and maintain a station, spending less time in the field. You can configure the sensor input and output in either basic or advanced mode, providing flexible control over the device. The provided data monitor helps you view the current system data and the past three measurements. The command terminal offers powerful control over the AL200X, enabling access to raw sensor traffic, data logs, and SDI-12 sensor configuration, in addition to other features.

Benefits

Minimize setup time with easily configurable user software.
Upgrade networks over time using ALERT and ALERT2 compatibility.
Reduce system costs with integrated sensor inputs and data logging.
Generate event- or schedule-driven reports for battery, clock, tipping bucket, voltage, current, SDI-12, and high/low state.
Decrease field time with quick-access features for initiating sensor test transmissions, testing radio power, and checking antenna (VSWR) performance.
Ensure data integrity with encrypted ALERT2 messages.
Support 250-millisecond slots and configurable forward error correction to enable high data-rate transmissions over strong RF paths.

Specifications

Operating Temperature: -40° to +60°C
(-40° to +140°F)
Non-condensing environment
Case Material: Anodized aluminum
Analog Input: One single-ended (SE1), selectable 0 to 5 Vdc or 4 to 20 mA
16-bit ADC resolution
Pulse Counter: One pulse or switch closure (P1) with 16-bit counter
100 Hz maximum count rate, 100 kΩ pull-up to 5 Vdc
Digital I/O: Three terminals (C1 to C3) configurable for digital input, output, or SDI-12
Up to three independent SDI-12 channels
0 to 5 Vdc digital I/O, 200 kΩ pull-down
Switched 12 Volt: Two terminals
Current limit 0.9 A @ +20°C per terminal
Reverse polarity protected
Communications Ports: USB-C
RS-232 (COM1)
Power Requirements: 9 to 18 Vdc input
Reverse polarity protected
Current Drain: 6.8 mA
(@ 12 Vdc average when idle)
+ 19 mA additional
(@ 12 Vdc GPS active with typical 20 mA GPS antenna)
+ 7 mA additional
(@ 12 Vdc during transmit)
GPS Antenna Connection: SMA socket connector
Active or inactive antennas supported, 25 dB max gain
Active antenna power 3.2 Vdc @ 50 mA
(maximum)
System Timekeeping: 60 PPB (0.06 PPM) clock drift typical
(-40° to +60°C)
Internal UTC accuracy of 5 ms/day without continuous GPS synchronization derived from a precision TCXO tracking loop
Radio Interface: ALERT2 communications protocol
Tx audio, PTT, switched power, ground
Tx audio level adjustable from 100 to 1,000 mVpp
Programmable warm-up, carrier only, Automatic Gain Control (AGC), and RF tail time intervals
Data Storage: 128 MB on-board flash
Test Button: Initiates a 1 kHz transmit tone or self-report transmission
Dimensions: 15.9 x 7.7 x 2.8 cm
(6.3 x 3.0 x 1.09 in.)
Weight: 249 g
(0.55 lb)

Standards

ALERT2: IND API specification v2.1 draft
AirLink v1.2 draft
MANT v1.2
Application Layer Protocol v1.3, rev. E
Compliance: RoHS 2: EN IEC 63000:2018
Emissions: FCC Part 15