US Digital

T7 Networked Absolute Inclinometer

1 / 2

Overview

  • Solid state technology - no moving parts
  • Full 360° range, temperature compensated from 0C to 70C
  • ±0.1° accuracy, 0.01° resolution
  • US Digital CAN interface allows up to sixty-four T7s to be networked
  • USD-CAN version has 700 ft. (213 m) maximum cable length
  • Simple serial port interface to CAN bus using USD's CAN-232/CAN-485 adapters
  • RS232 version supports up to 100 ft. (30 m) of cable
  • Field programmable
  • Reports temperature
  • Rugged, dustproof and waterproof (IP-67 rated) package

Product Specifications

ParameterMin.Typ.Max.Units
Supply Voltage 5.5 24 30

Supply Current (Operating, 22C ambient)
@ 5.5V
@ 12V
@ 24V
@ 30V



50
30
20
18
 
mA
Operating Temperature -10 25 70 C
Storage Temperature -40   125 C
Acceleration (single-axis version)     50000 G
Bandwidth     8 Hz


Note: A lower power variant of the T7 is available on special order. Contact customer service for more information.

 

ParameterMax.Units
Number of T7s in network 64  
Cable length to furthest T7 in network (excluding stubs) 700 feet
Individual stub length 16 feet
Total length of all stubs 250 feet

ParameterMax.Units
Number of T7s on bus 1  
Maximum total cable length 100 feet

Note: The T7 can drive 100 ft. of cable. Some PC's have limited drive on the RS232 bus which will limit the maximum cable length to less than 100 ft.

ParameterMax.UnitsTest Conditions
Axis 2 Angular Error  ±0.1 Angular Degrees 0°C to 70°C, on-axis ±5°

 

Damping Time, millisecondsStandard Deviation (σ)
of Angle Noise, degrees
95% confidence  interval
(± 2σ), degrees
10 .060 .121
20 .037 .074
50 .021 .042
100 .015 .029
200 .010 .021
500 .007 .014
1000 .005 .011
2000 .004 .008
5000 .003 .006

  • Measurements taken at 25°C
  • Damping time is a user programmable parameter

ParameterSpecification
Case Material Glass filled polycarbonate
Weight 1.2 oz (34 g) nom.

 Single Axis Orientation:

X4Rotation.jpg

The T7 uses a FIR (Finite Impulse Response) digital filter to provide electronic damping of the angle readings. The digital filter's impulse response has a triangular weighting that decays linearly to zero. The damping time is user programmable from 2 milliseconds to 5000 milliseconds.  Since the sensor bandwidth is 8 Hz, damping times below 125 milliseconds do not provide any faster response. Increasing the damping time will average more samples together to form the reported angle. This will reduce noise in the output but increase the response time.

An inclinometer network assembled with the USD-CAN version or RS232 version of the T7 is shown below.

T7network_ex2b.gif

US Digital sells all the cables and connectors needed to wire a T7 network. The same cable and connectors can be used for both the USD-CAN or RS232 version since the T7 uses the same connector for both interface versions.

Regardless of the interface option, a host PC, PLC or microcontroller communicates with a network of T7s by sending/receiving simple serial port commands over the RS232 or RS485 bus. In the case of the USD-CAN version, the CAN adapter serves as a command translator between a standard RS232 or RS485 port and the USD-CAN bus used by the T7. The CAN adapter translates serial port command to the USD-CAN protocol and handles all network functions (access, error correction, etc.) to access the T7. Conversely, the CAN adapter also translates the reply from the T7 and sends the data to the host on the serial port. The CAN adapter frees the user from a complicated network interface on the host side. Note that the CAN adapter is not needed for the RS232 version of the T7. A host can communicate directly to a RS232 T7.

For more information on wiring T7 CAN networks see the CANA-232/CANA-485 Datasheet.

Each T7 on the network must be assigned a unique address from 1 to 100 or 127 (decimal). Address assignment is optional for the RS232 version. All T7s are shipped with a default address of 127. Address 126 is a special broadcast address - all T7s will listen and respond to commands sent to this address. To assign an address to a T7 unit, connect one T7 to a PC's serial port - either directly if using the RS232 version or through the CAN adapter for the CAN version. The address can be set using the the included PC based "T7 Demo" software . Alternately, a host computer can send the "Set Address" serial port command to the T7. This procedure only needs to be done once for each T7 since the address is stored in non-volatile flash memory.

j1_0.gif

PinDescription
1 Shield
2 Vin
3 GND
4 CANH / TXD
5 CANL / RXD

All T7 units ship from US Digital with a default configuration.  All configuration parameters are stored in non-volatile flash memory and can be easily changed by the user. The specifications are shown below.  However, in larger quantities, special orders may be placed where the units can be preconfigured with any of the available settings noted in the CAN Adapter Host Serial Communication User Guide.  Please contact customer service for special orders.

Default Configuration:

  • Address = 127
  • Single-axis version uses Axis 2
  • Angle output range set to +/-180 (-179.99 to 179.99) deg.
  • Counting Direction set to "forward"
  • Angle Offset set to 0
  • Damping time = 1000 milliseconds

Product Description

Restriction of Hazardous Substances

The T7 is a solid state absolute inclinometer that senses tilt angles over a full 360° range in a single axis. A multi-axis version is planned for the future. The T7 is sealed against dust and water (IP-67 rated) for operation in dirty environments. The T7 incorporates a number of breakthroughs to create a new type of inclinometer that is rugged, compact, fast, flexible and easy to use.

The T7 is available with two interface options: RS232 or US Digital's CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol.  The RS232 version supports a single T7 with up to 100 ft of cable. For users that need longer cable lengths or multiple T7s on a single bus, a US Digital CAN (Controller Area Network) version of the T7 is also available. The USD-CAN protocol to allows a single T7 or a network of up to sixty-four T7s to be easily connected to a single host. Power for each T7 is supplied over the CAN network cable. T7s are networked together as a daisy chain with or without stubs. The host accesses the USD-CAN T7s through US Digital's low cost CANA-232/CANA-485 adapter module. This module allows the host to access each T7 on the network using simple, easy serial port commands, just like the RS232 version.

The T7 calculates tilt angle (inclination) by sensing the acceleration from solid state accelerometers integrated into a monolithic chip. Gravity, centrifugal forces, and linear speed changes are all forms of acceleration. The T7 will report the mathematically calculated tilt angle based on all sensed acceleration(s).

The serial port interface provides an efficient way to read and write data to a network of T7s. All configurations and parameters are stored in nonvolatile memory. A Windows demo application is provided for displaying the angles and temperature as well as setting operating modes, orientation, zero position, damping / averaging time, direction, and more for every T7 on the network. In addition, a Windows DLL gives the user a set of simple functions to read and write data to a network of T7s.

Typical applications include heavy construction equipment, dredging machinery, mining equipment, solar tracking and warehouse automation.

Product Notes
  • Cables and connectors are not included and must be ordered separately.
  • For ordering information please see the Compatible Cables / Connectors section above.
  • US Digital warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for two years. See complete warranty for details.

Purchasing

Configure and Purchase

1. Number of Calibrated Axis

2. Interface



Product Part Number


Quantity Price
1 $225.00
Over 1 Call for quote
Quantity
Unit Price

$225.00

Subtotal

$225.00


For your convenience, use the above part number to order via phone 800.736.0194

Related Products & Accessories