AVW216
AVW216
Limited availability2.4 GHz Wireless 2-Channel Vibrating Wire Analyzer Module
Overview
The AVW216 is a vibrating wire analyzer module that includes an internal 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum radio for wireless communication in many countries worldwide. With this vibrating wire analyzer module, your data logger can measure vibrating wire strain gages, pressure transducers, piezometers, tiltmeters, crackmeters, and load cells. These sensors are used in a wide variety of structural, hydrological, and geotechnical applications because of their stability, accuracy, and durability.
Key Advantages
Includes built-in radio
Technical Description
The AVW216 uses vibrating wire spectral-analysis technology (VSPECT™). VSPECT observes the incoming sensor signal, performs a Fourier transform and a spectral analysis (transforming the time series into individual sinusoidal components in the frequency spectrum), and determines the sensor frequency by identifying the largest signal in the acceptable range while filtering out environmental and electrical noise.
The AVW216 analyzer module also provides many self-checking diagnostics such as vibrating element signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, vibrating element signal decay ratio, and incorrect signal response. These diagnostics can be running in the background to give continual feedback of the condition for each sensor.
The AVW216 typically transmits its data to an RF416 spread-spectrum radio that is connected to the data logger. The AVW216 can also be connected directly to the data logger.
Benefits
- Provides better measurements by significantly reducing incorrect readings caused by noise sources
- Interfaces two vibrating wire sensors; more sensors may be connected if an AM16/32B multiplexer is used
- Self-checking diagnostics give continual feedback on sensor condition
- High resolution—less than 0.001 Hz (industry standard is 0.1 Hz)
- Low current drain
- Remote, wireless operation with on-board radio
- Interfaces both temperature and frequency measurements from vibrating wire sensors
Specifications
- -NOTE-
- Electrical specifications are valid over a -25° to +50°C range unless otherwise specified. Non-condensing environment required.
- Operating Temperature Range
- -25° to +50°C
- Internal Radio Frequency Range
- 2.450 to 2.482 GHz
- Radio Power
- 50 mW
- Number of Vibrating Wire Sensors Measured
- Up to 2 vibrating wire sensors can be connected to the analyzer module.
Additional sensors can be measured by using an AM16/32-series multiplexer.
- Power Requirements
- 9.6 to 16 Vdc
- Analog Input/Outputs
- 2 differential (DF) vibrating wire measurements (V+ and V-) and 2 single-ended (SE) ratiometric resistive half-bridge measurements (T+ and T-) for vibrating wire sensor's onboard temperature sensor.
- Digital Control Ports
- 3 digital control ports (C1 – C3)
C1 functions as an SDI-12 I/O communication port.C2 functions as a Clk output for multiplexer control.C3 functions as a Reset output for multiplexer control.
- RS-232 Port
- 1 9-pin RS-232 port
(for connecting to a data logger COM port)
- Measurement Resolution
- 0.001 Hz RMS
(±250 mV differential input range; -55° to +85°C)
- Measurement Accuracy
- ±0.013% of reading
(±250 mV differential input range; -55° to +85°C)
- Input Voltage Range
- ±250 mV
(differential) for vibrating wire inputs
- Common Mode Range
- ±25 V
- Baud Rates
- Selectable from 1200 to 38.4 kbps
(ASCII protocol is one start bit, one stop bit, eight data bits, and no parity.)
- Memory
- Either 128 or 512 kB of SRAM2 MB of OS Flash
- Dimensions
- 21.6 x 11.18 x 3.18 cm
(8.5 x 4.5 x 1.2 in.)
- Weight
- 0.43 kg
(0.95 lb)
Typical Current Drain @ 12 Vdc
- Quiescent, Radio Off
- ~0.3 mA
- Radio Duty Cycling 1 s
- ~3 mA
(includes quiescent current)
- Radio Always On
- ~26 mA
(radio transmit current 100 mA)
- Active RS-232 Communication
- ~6 mA
(3 s after communication stops, the current will drop to the quiescent current)
- Measurement
- ~25 mA
(averaged over the 2 s)
Accessories
(8)16005
2.4 GHz 0 dBd Omnidirectional 1/2 Wave Whip Antenna
Orderable17480
Tri-Band 1 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector and Adhesive Mount
Limited availability16755
2.4 GHz 13 dBd Yagi Enclosed Antenna with Mounting Hardware
Orderable30411
2.4 GHz 5.8 dBd Omnidirectional Fiberglass Antenna without Mounting Hardware
Orderable17855
Serial Cable, DB9 Pin (Male) to Pigtail
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
OrderableCABLE3CBL
3-Conductor 22 AWG Cable with Drain
Orderable13906
Mount for Fiberglass Antenex Omnidirectional Antennas
Orderable
Common Accessories
(9)16755
2.4 GHz 13 dBd Yagi Enclosed Antenna with Mounting Hardware
The AVW216 requires the purchase of an antenna. Several antennas are offered. The 16755 is a high-gain (13 dBd), directional (Yagi) antenna that has a narrow beam width, so precise aiming is mandatory. It is useful for longer distances, and when only communicating with one other station (due to narrow beam width). This antenna requires an antenna cable to connect it to the AVW216. The antenna is suitable for outdoor use.
Orderable16005
2.4 GHz 0 dBd Omnidirectional 1/2 Wave Whip Antenna
The AVW216 requires the purchase of an antenna. Several antennas are offered. The 16005 is a unity gain (0 dBd), 1/2 wave whip, omnidirectional antenna. Its articulating knuckle joint can be oriented vertically or at right angles. This antenna attaches directly to the radio; a cable is not required. The 16005 must reside inside a building or enclosure.
Orderable17480
Tri-Band 1 dBd Omnidirectional Antenna with RPSMA Connector and Adhesive Mount
The AVW216 requires the purchase of an antenna. Several antennas are offered. The 17480 is an omnidirectional antenna with a 1 dBd gain. It has adhesive backing that adheres to a wall, rear-view mirror, window, or another suitable flat, non-conductive surface. This antenna includes a 10-ft cable that attaches to the AVW216.
Limited availability30411
2.4 GHz 5.8 dBd Omnidirectional Fiberglass Antenna without Mounting Hardware
The 30411 is a higher gain (5.8 dBd) omnidirectional antenna. It is suitable for base station use where you need to communicate with multiple stations located in different directions. The antenna has a TYPE N female connector and requires an antenna cable to connect it to the radio. It does not include mounting hardware, and is typically mounted with the 13906 (see below).
Orderable13906
Mount for Fiberglass Antenex Omnidirectional Antennas
The 13906 provides hardware for mounting the 30411 antenna (see above).
OrderableCOAXRPSMA
LMR195 Antenna Cable with Reverse Polarity SMA and Type N Pin (Male) Connector
Either this cable or the COAXNTN (see below) is required when using the 16755 or 30411 antenna. The COAXRPSMA is an LMR 195 cable that terminates in a type N pin (male) connector on the "antenna end" and a Reverse Polarity SMA (RPSMA) pin (male) connector on the "transceiver end." This cable is recommended for applications where the cable length is less than 10 feet.
OrderableCOAXNTN
RG8 Antenna Cable with 2 Type N Pin (Male) Connectors
Either this cable or the COAXRPSMA (see above) is required when using the 16755 or 30411 antenna. The COAXNTN is a low-loss RG8 coaxial cable that requires the 31314 surge protection kit to connect it to the AVW216. The COAXNTN/31314 combination is recommended over the COAXRPSMA when the antenna cable is longer than 10 feet (as measured between the transceiver and the antenna) or when the AVW216 is used in an environment susceptible to lightning or electrostatic buildup.
Orderable31314
Surge Protection Kit, Type N to RPSMA, 700 to 2700 MHz
The 31314 is an RF surge protection kit with flange mounting bracket. It may be flange-mounted to an enclosure backplate or bulkhead-mounted through an enclosure wall. One side of the surge protector connects to a radio with an RPSMA antenna connection. The other side connects to an antenna/antenna coaxial cable with Type N connector.
Orderable21212
Black Cold Shrink Tape
This 10 ft (3.1 m) roll of 1"-wide black self-vulcanizing tape can help protect the connection of outdoor antennas. After connecting the coaxial cable to the antenna, wrap the tape around the connectors that are exposed to the environment.
Orderable
Other Accessories
(3)17855
Serial Cable, DB9 Pin (Male) to Pigtail
One end of this cable is fitted with a 9-pin connector, and the other end terminates in pigtails. The 17855 is used to connect the AVW216's RS-232 port to a pair of control ports on a CR800, CR850, CR1000, or CR3000.
Orderable18663
Null Modem Cable, 9-Pin PIn (Male) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
This 1-ft, null modem cable has 9-pin connectors on both ends. The 18663 can connect the AVW216's RS-232 port to the datalogger's RS-232 port.
OrderableCABLE3CBL
3-Conductor 22 AWG Cable with Drain
The CABLE3CBL is recommended to connect the AVW216 to a datalogger when SDI-12 is used. This 22-AWG, three-conductor cable has a Santoprene jacket and an aluminum Mylar shield.
Orderable
Replacement Parts
(6)3768
2-Pin Screw Terminal Plug Connector
This green, plug-in power connector is shipped attached to the AVW216. The 3768 provides screw terminals for connecting the 12V and GND wires of the 19246 power cable. The other end of the 19246 power cable connects to the 12V and G terminals of a datalogger or power supply.
Orderable20581
Green Terminal Connector Plug
The 20581 provides screw terminals for connecting the sensor(s) and multiplexer(s) to the AVW216. This green, plug-in connector may be purchased to have a spare terminal strip or as a replacement item if the strip has been lost or damaged.
Orderable19246
Power Cable, AVW200-Series to Datalogger
This power cable is used to connect the 12V and G terminals of a datalogger or power supply. The 19246 is shipped with the AVW216 and available as a replacement part.
Orderable10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
This RS-232 cable connects the AVW216 to a PC. The AVW216 is connected to a PC during configuration and troubleshooting. The 10873 is shipped with the AVW216 and available as a replacement part.
Orderable6044
Grommet for #6 or #8 Screw
These grommets are commonly used with the 505 screws to secure our equipment to the backplates of our enclosures.
Orderable505
Screw #6-32 x .375 Pan Phillips
These screws, along with the 6044 grommets, are commonly used together to secure our equipment to the backplates of our enclosures.
Orderable
Compatibility
Sensors
The AVW216 Vibrating Wire Spectrum Analyzer Module allows our data loggers to measure vibrating wire strain gages, pressure transducers, piezometers, tiltmeters, crackmeters, and load cells.
Communications
The AVW216's internal spread-spectrum radio can transmit data to other AVW216 analyzer modules, RF416 spread-spectrum radios, and RF432 spread-spectrum radios. The AVW216 does not have a transparent mode, and therefore its internal radio cannot communicate with the RF415 radio.
Enclosure Considerations
The AVW216 requires a desiccated, non-condensing environment. A Campbell Scientific enclosure is recommended when the analyzer module is in the field. The AVW216 has built-in keyhole flanges for mounting to an enclosure backplate.
Power Considerations
The AVW216 is typically powered by the data logger's power supply.
Compatible Products
(7)ENC10/12
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 10 x 12 inches
OrderableNotesIf using the RS-232 port, the AVW216 must be mounted flat to fit in an ENC10/12.
ENC10/12R
Raised Lid Enclosure, 10 x 12 inches
OrderableNotesIf using the RS-232 port, the AVW216 must be mounted flat to fit in an ENC10/12R.
ENC12/14
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 12 x 14 inches
OrderableNotesIf using the RS-232 port, the AVW216 must be mounted flat to fit in an ENC12/14.
ENC14/16
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 14 x 16 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC16/18
Weather-Resistant Enclosure, 16 x 18 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC24/30
Painted Steel Enclosure, 24 x 30 inches
OrderableNotes—ENC24/30S
Stainless-Steel Enclosure, 24 x 30 inches
OrderableNotes—
Related Resources
Documents
- Manual
AVW200-series 2-Channel Vibrating Wire Spectrum Analyzer Modules
February 2025
View Document - Manual
AVW200 Series Product Manual (online)
February 2025
View Document - Brochure
Vibrating Wire Spectral-Analysis Technology (VSPECT)
April 2017
View Document - Brochure
AVW216 2-Channel Wireless Vibrating Wire Analyzer Module
March 2026
View Document
Showing 4 of 5 results
See all DocumentsDownloads
- AVW200 OSv06Login required
June 10, 2016
OS and FirmwareCurrent AVW200 firmware. Use the Device Configuration Utility version 1.13 or greater to send firmware and to configure the AVW200.
- AVW200 Program Examplesv1Login required
January 31, 2025
Software ApplicationsExample programs for the AVW200 and AVW206. The examples demonstrate a direct RS-232 connection to the AVW200, a wireless connection to an AVW206, an SDI-12 connection to the AVW200 and using multiplexers with the AVW200.