Remote Data Logger

The RDL was developed by Geode in 2004 for a specific customer, although the development effort was funded by Geode. We retain the rights on the electronic hardware, firmware and software. This product is no longer available because more design work is needed to update the product to meet the ROHS regulations. Consequently, the complete design is now offered for sale. If you are interested, please contact us.

Introduction

The RDL is used to record and monitor up to eight input channels, including three fast pulse counting inputs for connection to metering equipment. Automatic load shedding and maximum demand limiting is provided, as is access control keypad logging using a standard PS/2 keypad interface.

RDL records information from many sources; 0..10V, 4..20mA, NTC10, Ohms and digital. The logged data is fed back to a central database on your computer. Each model can record over 100,000 samples and is capable of monitoring each input for alarms. Alarms can be sent to the computer in two levels of priority or to a mobile phone via an SMS message.

Models

Three models are available.

• RDL-STD - 8 Universal inputs
• RDL-MDL - 5 Universal inputs with Load Shedding and Maximum Demand Limiting
• RDL-AC - 8 Universal inputs with Access Control logging

Features

• Remote Controlled device using standard or GSM mobile modems.
• Alarm Monitoring: Transmission to computer and/or by SMS text message to mobile phone. Can store 5,500 samples.
• Logging: Can store 90,000 samples.
• 8 Universal Inputs: Software configurable.
• 3 Fast Pulse Counting Inputs for metering applications (RDL-MDL model only).
• Load Shedding and Maximum Demand Limiting.
• Access Control using standard PS/2 keypad (RDL-AC model only).
• LED Indication of status and active alarms.
• Battery backup (20 days), maintaining internal clock. Charged when power is available.
• Flash Memory ensures settings are not lost even if battery runs flat.
• SQL Database used for easy export to other applications, e.g. Microsoft Excel, Access.
• 2 Relay Outputs can be controlled by alarm state, load shedding or manually by SMS message.
• DDE I/O Server is available to provide a real-time display of the input values to third party visualisation tools, such as Wonderware InTouch.

Overview

The Remote Data Logger (RDL) has been designed to log data such as temperature, humidity, pressure (etc.) on both local and remote sites. It can be connected to a standard modem or to a GSM mobile modem, allowing it to be used in truly remote areas. As well as providing data logging and monitoring for alarms, the RDL is capable of electrical load shedding when wired to electricity meters. One model is provided for access control logging via an industrial PS/2 keypad (sealed to IP65).

The following diagram shows the main components of an RDL system:

Up to 111,350 samples can be stored in the device before being uploaded to a SQL database managed by Microsoft SQL Server (Desktop Edition). You can view the logged data graphically using the "RDLView" application. Both the configuration and view software tools are intuitive, easy to use and are capable of managing multiple RDL devices from one computer. If you have any problems using the software, an extensive Engineering Guide is available to help.

Depending on the model, a maximum of five or eight inputs are available for measurement. Each is capable of measuring a wide variety of input types; 0..10V, 4..20mA, Temperature NTC10, PT1000, Ohms and dry contact (open collector) digital.

The RDL-MDL model provides maximum demand limiting and load shedding capability using its pulse counting inputs and relay outputs. Three inputs are capable of counting fast pulses down to 5ms and up to 50 pulses per second. The internal battery backup circuit not only maintains the current meter values during a power failure but also continues to count further pulses, ensuring no pulses are lost. You can define four time periods per day, each using a different consumption limit.

The RDL-AC model is used with an industrial PS/2 numeric keypad for access control and PIN code logging. Each code entered can be logged in the database. Ten access codes can be stored in the product and used to operate either of the two relays.

Order Codes

• RDL-STD - 8 Input Logger & Monitor
• RDL-MDL - 5 Input Logger & Monitor plus Load Shedding & Demand Limiting
• RDL-AC - 8 Input Logger & Monitor with Access Control Logging
• RDL-PS-UK - Wall outlet power supply. 230VAC to 9V Power Supply (optional)
• RDL-SW - RDL Software Tools for Windows XP CD-ROM

The PC software (RDL-SW) is required in order to configure the RDL, view alarms and logged data. However, you can manage many RDL devices from one computer running the software. If you intend to use more than one computer at once (connecting to different sites), you need to purchase a copy of the software for each computer.

Technology

The RDL contains some of the latest microprocessor and memory technology as well as some new innovations in software. These features allow the RDL to manage an internal database of over 103,000 records.

Real Time Clock

The internal clock of the RDL is based on UTC, from which the local time is derived. This allows the product to adjust the time for each summer/winter changeover automatically. Similarly, alarms and logged data is always stored in the database in UTC format, and adjusted to the local time zone of the computer when viewed.

Power Supply

The product features a power supply that can support an input voltage range from 7V to 24V (AC) or 7V to 40V (DC). This allows the product to be used in both automotive and industrial environments.

Configurable Inputs

Each model contains low-noise input circuitry that can be configured in software as voltage, current (4..20mA), resistive or digital. No jumper links need to be made; the electronics is capable of adjusting the input type automatically. Each input is sampled many times per second and achieves a resolution of better than 1 in 4000 steps. In addition, the product contains a unique Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR) filter that can compensate for noise present on the input wiring. The software filter ratios are automatically adjusted as the unit responds to the amount of input noise present.

Pulse Counting Inputs

The RDL-MDL model is able to time the pulses produced by metering equipment to calculate the rate of consumption accurate to 0.1%. In addition, if the power to the product fails, the internal battery maintains the processor, memory and pulse counting circuitry to allow it to continue to count pulses even during a power fail condition. The product can be set to record the meter reading and rate of consumption over time and can generate an alarm if the values exceed set limits. The calculated figures are used in the Load Shedding function. The unit can forecast the consumption and will operate one or both of the relays to shed load when the forecast exceeds set limits (four periods each day).

Access Control

The RDL-AC model connects to a PS/2 numeric keypad to provide access control and code logging. The product stores up to ten codes of four digits and allows either relay to operate when the code is entered on the keypad. Keypads offering an IP rating up to IP65 are available.

Communications

The RDL connects to a local computer using RS-232 or via a modem. When used via a modem link, both standard and GSM modems are supported. The GSM modem allows the product to send and receive SMS text messages when it detects an alarm condition. It also allows the relays to be operated remotely by an SMS message. Security is enforced so that only a designated mobile phone is able to acknowledge an alarm or operate the relays.

Configuration

The software tools are intuitive and easy to use.

A number of RDL devices can be managed from one computer. You can define how the computer is to contact the remote sites, using up to three modems for each site. Therefore, you can define a rule for sites connected to GSM modems so that the computer should call using its GSM modem first, and use a standard modem if the connection cannot be made. This allows you to take advantage of cheaper calls across the mobile network while still allowing a standard modem to act as a backup.

For each site, the configuration properties are laid out on a tabbed form to make them easy to locate.

Visualisation

All logged data and alarms are stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database, which means they are available to other software packages such as Excel, Access and third party statistics software. The software package includes a viewer for looking at the alarm history and logged data, both in tabular and graphical format.

The program allows the logged data to be exported to CSV file, for easy transfer into Excel or another graphing package. You can also manage the data using this program, deleting old data you no longer need and so on.

The graph tab is able to show up to six trend lines on one graph and can be customised and exported as a graphic for including in a report.

Real Time Data

Data contained in the RDL can be viewed in real time on a visualisation tool such as Wonderware InTouch by using the RDL DDE I/O Server. This software presents a standard DDE interface to the various inputs, configuration and status properties contained in each RDL. It automatically connects to a remote site when needed, and disconnects when values are no longer required.

Any application supporting DDE is able to display real-time values contained in the RDL, and applications that support the DDE “poke” interface can alter configuration properties as well. This can be used to override a relay output or to acknowledge an alarm for example.

More Information

For more detailed information about the RDL, please read the Product Data Sheet. There is also a comprehensive Software Engineering Guide available for download. This gives detailed information about the software used to configure and view the logged data.

This product is now available for sale. If you have any questions about the product, or would like more information, please contact us (Tel: 0121 288 6160).