Serial Box

Introduction:About this Manual

 

This manual presents an overview of the Serial Box Interface. The first section explains how to set up the Serial Box Interface and the computer. The next section describes sensors that can be used with the Serial Box Interface. The appendixes include troubleshooting tips, hardware specifications for the Serial Box Interface, and information on other Vernier Software products.

 

Most of these programs come with their own manual that should answer any questions you have about using the software.

 

About the Serial Box Interface

 

The Serial Box Interface can read the output of each of two probes with 12-bit resolution as fast as 50 times/second. Any of the Vernier Software sensors with 5-pin DIN connectors (except a Microphone) can be used. The Serial Box Interface hardware was designed by John Wheeler of Vernier Software.

 

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.  However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

 

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

 

This product is to be used for educational purposes only. Vernier Software is not responsible for equipment use outside this intent. This equipment is not appropriate for industrial, medical, research or commercial applications.

 

 

 

Serial Box Interface

User's Manual

Getting Started and Parts List

 

The Serial Box Interface package should contain the following items. If anything is missing from your package, please contact Vernier Software.

 

• Serial Box Interface

• power supply, 9VDC, 200 mA

• Serial Box Interface User's Manual (this manual)

• Cable to IBM (with a 9-pin plug)

• 9-pin to 25-pin adapter

• One Voltage Probe

 

Initial Setup

The Serial Box Interface should be placed on the desktop near the computer. Complete the steps below to properly connect your Serial Box to the computer.

 

1. Plug the serial port cable into the larger hole in the back of the Serial Box Interface and connect it to the serial port at the back of the computers.

2. Plug the 9-volt power supply into the smaller connector on the back of the Serial Box Interface and plug it into a source of 60-hertz, 115-VAC power.

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                                                                Sensor

                                                9-V Power

                                                supply

 

 

 

 

 

Now you need to connect the appropriate sensors to the Serial Box Interface. The Serial Box Interface can read the output of each of two sensors as fast as 50 times/second. The sensors and probes available at this time are listed below.

 

Temperature Probes                 EKG Sensor                                         CO2 Sensor

pH System                               Conductivity Probe                               Light Sensor

Pressure Sensor                        Heart Rate Monitors                             Thermocouple

Barometer                                Magnetic Field Sensor              Relative Humidity Sensor

Student Force Sensor               Dissolved Oxygen Probe                      Respiration Monitor Belt

Colorimeter                              Biology Gas Pressure Sensor                Voltage Probe

Accelerometers                        Dual-Range Force Sensor

 

Once the Serial Box Interface is set up and the appropriate sensors are connected, turn on the computer. Use your normal startup procedure. If you have any difficulty starting up the programs consult  The Troubleshooting Guide of this manual.

 

Serial Box Connectors

DIN Connectors

Two 5-pin DIN plugs are located on the front of the Serial Box

Interface. These connectors are designed for use with sensors which produce a voltage signal. The pin configuration for the 5-pin

DIN socket is shown here:

 

 


                               ID INPUT                                 Vin 

                                  GND                                       +5V

 


                                                         

 

                                                                   Din Socket on the Serial Box Interface

 

The voltage range is 0 to 5 V. The ID Input pin can be used as an additional analog voltage input line, for example, to identify a resistor plugged in by the voltage supplied at this pin. This feature is not supported by the Data Logger program at this time.

 

These DIN sockets are used for most Vernier Software sensors.  You may also want to build your own sensors to connect to these DIN connectors. Several "do-it-yourself" circuits are described in the manual which comes with the Data Logger prograrn. The 5-pin (180°) DIN plug for connection to this connector is available at most electronics stores, including Radio Shack. The pinouts for the plug are shown below:

 

 

 


                                          Vin                                 ID INPUT

                                    +5V                                 GND

 


           

5-pin DIN Plug (Pins Pointing at You)

 

This DIN connector uses the same pinout pattern as the connector on the Vernier Software Voltage Input Unit (VIU) or ULI.

 

The inputs and grounds on the DIN connector are optically isolated from the computer's ground. The grounds on the two DIN connectors are connected.

 

Power Connector

The power connector on the Serial Box Interface is a 23 mm DIN power jack for the power adapter. A 9-volt (at full load) adapter capable of supplying up to 200 milliampere should be used. The center connects to the positive lead. The Serial Box Interface package comes with a power adapter when shipped and they are also available from other sources. The Serial Box Interface contains circuitry to protect it from reverse polarity, but it is not fused internally. The power adapter used should be self-limiting.

 

Since the Serial Box Interface uses a power adapter rather than a built-in power supply, it is easy-to use in parts of the world outside North America. In countries with electrical power lines with different voltages and frequencies, all that is needed is a power adapter that works with the local power lines and provides 200 rnA at 9VDC.

 

Serial Port

The Serial Box Interface uses an 8-pin mini-DIN socket for the serial connection to a Macintosh, or IBM computer. With most IBM-compatible computers, the Serial Box Interface uses a 9-pin plug to connect to the 9-pin sub-D connector of the IBM serial port (also referred to as a COM port). An adapter (9-pin to 25 pin) is provided to allow the cable to be connected to a 25-pin D socket of the serial port of some IBM-compatible computers. The Serial Box Interface supports RS-232/422 serial communication at 2400 baud.

Appendix A

Troubleshooting Guide

 

Problem

Cause

Solution

Data Logger program cannot find

Serial Box Interface

Serial box interface not connected to the correct serial port

Make sure that the cable from the Serial Box Interface is connected the serial (COM2) port of the IBM.

 

Serial Box Interface not receiving power

Make sure that the power adapter is plugged in and connected to the Serial Box Interface. The green LED on the back of the Serial Box should be on when the power is on and the program is running.

 

Wrong software being used with the Serial Box Interface

Make sure you are using a program designed for use with the Serial Box Interface. These programs are listed at the beginning of this manual. Do not use Temperature (MS-DOS), Voltage Plotter, or Temperature Plotter.

 

Old version of the Data Logger program is being used

Any version of Data Logger 4.09 or newer for IBM, should work with the Serial Box Interface.

Sensor/probe not working

 

Sensor is not plugged Into correct connector on Serial Box Interface

Make sure the sensor is plugged into the correct connector (Port 1 or Port 2).

 

Sensor defective

Test with another sensor. Replace or repair sensor if necessary.

Readings are noisy

 

Serial Box Interface is picking up interference signals from the

 

Place the Serial Box Interface at least 30 cm away from the computer

 

 

 

If these suggestions do not help, please contact Vernier Software.

 

Appendix B

 

Technical Information on the Serial Box Interface

 

Analog-to-Digital Converter: LTC1290DCN - 12-bit, switched-capacitor, successive-approximation AID converter with 8 inputs and an on-chip multiplexer. Sample-and-hold circuitry is included in the IC.

 

Voltage input range: 0 to 5 volts

Conversion time: 464 msec

Channel acquisition time: 3 msec

Maximum samples/sec/channel: 52.9

Total unadjusted error ± 1.5 LSB maximum

 

PLD: AMD PALCE16V8H-25PC/4 used for serial word formatting.

 

Serial Communication: Baud rate: 2400 (Actual rate = 2327 bps) Word Length: 8 bits Parity: none Stop Bits: 2 Transmit Data: Must transmit all 1 ' s to power SBI serial driver. Controls: DTR line High to read input voltages, Low to read ID voltages.

 

Power Supply: 9-volt, 200 milliamp, wall-mount transformer

 

Power Requirements: Serial Box Interface (no probes) 80 mA @ 6 - 12VDC. For each additional probe add 10 - 50 mA (depending on probe).

 

Connectors:

 

(2) 5-pin DIN sockets including voltage-in and power leads

 

8-pin rnini DIN socket for serial connection

 

2.5 mm (I.D.), center positive, power jack

 

Input Isolation: The inputs and grounds on the DIN connector are optically isolated from the computer's ground. The grounds on the two DIN connectors are connected together.

 

Indicators: Green LED indicates box is receiving power