AVW216 2.4 GHz Wireless 2-Channel Vibrating Wire Analyzer Module
Greatly Reduces Signal Noise
Includes built-in radio
weather applications supported water applications supported energy applications supported gas flux and turbulence applications supported infrastructure applications supported soil applications supported

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.

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Benefits and Features

  • 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

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.

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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 SRAM
  • 2 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)

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Dataloggers

Product Compatible Note
CR1000 (retired)
CR1000X
CR200X (retired)
CR216X (retired)
CR3000
CR5000 (retired) The CR5000 supports the SDI-12 mode only.
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR9000X (retired)

Mounting Equipment

Product Compatible Note
ENC10/12 If using the RS-232 port, the AVW216 must be mounted flat to fit in an ENC10/12.
ENC12/14 If using the RS-232 port, the AVW216 must be mounted flat to fit in an ENC12/14.
ENC14/16
ENC16/18

Additional Compatibility Information

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.

Downloads

AVW200 OS v.06 (551 KB) 10-06-2016

Current AVW200 firmware. Use the Device Configuration Utility version 1.13 or greater to send firmware and to configure the AVW200.

View Revision History

FAQs for

Number of FAQs related to AVW216: 12

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  1. No. An AVW206, AVW211, or AVW216 is not capable of communicating with other AVW200-series modules.

  2. The AVW216 uses a 50 mW radio, and the AVW206 and AVW211 use 100 mW radios. If a radio with a higher output is desired, consider using the RF450 with the AVW200. The RF450 transmits at 1 W, which is 10 times the power of the radios in the AVW devices.

  3. The AVW200-series modules are not required, but they do reduce the chance of erroneous readings by filtering electrical noise that is sometimes present.

  4. Two probable causes are the following:

    • The SerialOpen() instruction has not been added to the data logger code.
    • The correct PakBus address setting has not been used in the AVW200 instruction.
  5. The AVW200 must be wired directly to the data logger via a cable.

    The AVW206, AVW2011, and AVW216 have built-in spread-spectrum radios tuned to different frequencies that allow the data logger to communicate with a remote AVW device through an appropriate radio link.

  6. It takes 2 s for the AVW200-series modules to acquire a measurement from each sensor. An AVW200-series module servicing two AM16/32B multiplexers, each with 16 vibrating wire sensors, requires approximately 64 s to acquire data.

  7. Dozens of AVW200-series modules can be accessed through one CR1000. The limiting factor is the frequency at which the CR1000 is set to retrieve data from each module. If the CR1000 needs to collect data very frequently from the modules, fewer AVW200-series modules can be accommodated in the time between data collection events.

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