PLC runs BASIC and Ladder

The CUSB range from Audon Electronics are low-cost open-frame PLCs based on the CuBloc core processor running both BASIC and Ladder-logic programs.

There are 3 models in the range, CUSB-22R, CUSB-30R and the CUSB36R. These DIN-rail mount PLC's have a different mix of I/O, but all have mains relay outputs, opto-inputs, analogue inputs, PWM outputs, counter/timers, simple connections to a LCD and keypad and two RS232 ports. These can be easily reconverted for RS485 multi-drop use and the CUSB can be programmed for use as both MODBUS master or slave.

The CUSB PLCs use the FREE CublocStudio application for program development. With CuBlocStudio you can write your BASIC and/or Ladder programs, simulate and de-bug and download to the CUSB PLC. CuBlocStudio has Ladder logic monitor and Time Chart tools to help with debugging.

The CUSB PLC can handle a wide variety of small to big applications while using only a fraction of the space of a full-size controller at a fraction of the price.

Audon Electronics
Phone: +44 (0)115 925 8412
Fax: +44 (0)115 925 9757
email: info@audon.co.uk
web: www.audon.co.uk

Low Cost Wireless temp/Humidity Logging

The TL Series is a wireless temperature and humidity logging system based on a USB based receiver base station and up to 50 remotely located transmitters. The TL series is suitable for a wide range of uses in both industrial and domestic applications. Over fifty wireless sensors can be installed and monitored by the USB base station and the included temperature logger software enables the monitoring and analysis of all the sensors separately.

The TL-300 is the entry level receiver whilst the TL-500 has stand alone data logging capability with 2Meg of built-in memory. There are several wireless sensors in the range covering indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. The sensor range will be expended over time, with a CO2 sensor due out next. The sensors can be located up to 40m from the receiver and use the licence exempt 433Mhz radio band.

The easy to use Software presents the temperature measurements with time and date graphically. The Software keeps track of the data over several years and will log data (in the background) as long as your computer is running.

The logged measurements can be exported in several formats for further processing. The package includes a screensaver that dynamically displays the actual temperature for each sensor. An additional feature, when the software is installed, is Messenger software that enables temperature messages to be sent by email and to be published on a website. With an email-to-SMS service it is therefore possible to receive information from the temperature logger system on an SMS enabled device.

Available as starter kits which include either the TL-300 or TL-500 receiver, 2 wireless sensors, USB lead and software CD. Prices start from £56 ex VAT and delivery.

Audon Electronics
Phone: +44 (0)115 925 8412
Fax: +44 (0)115 925 9757
email: info@audon.co.uk
web: www.audon.co.uk

Fast USB DAQ Unit for Dynamic Applications

New from Audon Electronics is the USB-AD16F high speed USB based multifunction I/O unit with 16 opto-isolated analogue inputs, 2 analogue output, 4 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs. Data can be acquired at up to 250kHz rate at 16-bit resolution. A range of analogue and digital expansion boards are also available. Supplied with a free copy of NextView4-Live software for data acquisition and control and a wide selection of Windows, MAC and Linux programming examples.

The USB-AD16f features 16-channel 16-bit analogue inputs with 4 programmable input ranges of ±10V, ±5V, ±2V, ±1V. With 250kHz sampling rate the USB-AD16f is perfectly suitable for dynamic applications such as noise and vibration measurements and impact testing. The galvanic isolation of the analogue inputs protects the measurement system and PC from accidents!

The 2 isolated analogue outputs are also at 16-bit resolution with a ±10V output range. For controlling and recording digital states 4 digital inputs and outputs each are available. An additional counter input allows pulse measurements.

All I/O are presented via two 37-way D-type sockets, one analogue and one digital. The user can connect to this directly or optional expansion boards are available. Also compatible with the MAL series of signal conditioning modules for connection of thermocouples, strain gauges etc. For use with USB 1.1 and 2.0 systems, up to 127 units can be connected to a single PC.

Drivers are available for Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems. The USB-AD16f is supplied with an Active-X component and comprehensive programming examples for use with most common programming languages. There are also VI for use with LabVIEW and there is a USB-AD16f component ion the ProfiLab programming package.

The USB-AD16f is also supplied with a copy of nextView4-Live data acquisition and control software. With NextView-Live, the user can acquire and analyse data, set analogue and digital outputs and read the status of the digital inputs. The user can create their own screens, with chart displays, text, alarm panels, output sliders etc.

The USB-AD - Where's the DAQ Unit?

Available from Audon Electronics is the USB-AD USB based multifunction I/O unit which is so small it could be mistaken for a connector. The USB-AD has 16 analogue inputs, 1 analogue output, 4 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs all enclosed in a standard 37-way D-type connector housing. Supplied with a copy of NextView4-Live software for data acquisition and control and a wide selection of Windows, MAC and Linux programming examples.

The USB-AD is a low cost USB based multifunction I/O unit with 16 x ±5V 12-bit analogue inputs, 1 x ±5V 12-bit analogue output, 4 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs. Data can be acquired at up to 500Hz rate at 12-bit resolution. All I/O are presented to a 37-way D-type socket. The user can connect to this directly or optional expansion boards are available. Up to 127 units can be connected to a single PC.

Drivers are available for Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems. The USB-AD is supplied with an Active-X component and comprehensive programming examples for use with most common programming languages. There are also VI for use with LabVIEW and there is a USB-AD component icon the ProfiLab-Expert programming package.

The USB-AD is also supplied with a copy of nextView4-Live data acquisition and control software. With NextView-Live, the user can acquire and analyse data, set analogue and digital outputs and read the status of the digital inputs. The user can create their own screens, with chart displays, text, alarm panels, output sliders etc.

The USB-AD is available ex-stock for £79 (ex VAT and Delivery)

Modbus I/O Units for easy SCADA Integration

Available from Audon Electronics is a new range of low-cost Modbus based remote IO units which provide a simple way of integrating analogue or digital signals to supervisory SCADA systems. There are several models in the range from voltage, current, thermocouple and PT-100 inputs, voltage and current outputs and digital and relay I/O. Supplied with the IO Studio configuration software. The optional DAQ Studio software can be used to provide a data acquisition, trending and alarm management interface for the PC. Also compatible with all SCADA packages such as DAQFactory.

A new line of Modbus based IO modules for data acquisition and other applications. These IO modules offer good reliability with a low-cost solution for distributed control applications. They are compact, easy to integrate with existing Modbus networks and simple to use for the end user. Various types of IO modules are available for different kinds of requirements. All IO modules have LED indications of IO status and fault diagnostics. All IO modules have an ioslated 2 wire RS485 interface. The use of Modbus RTU protocol allows for easy integration with most SCADA software packages such as DAQFactory.

There are 4 digital I/O modules, the 16DI has 16 digital inputs which also double as 32-bit pulse counter inputs, the 16DO has 16 open collector transistor outputs, the 4RO has 4 mains capable power relays, and the 8DIO is a combination unit with 8 digital inputs and 8 transistor outputs.

The analogue I/O modules include the 8AIIS and 8VIS which accept 8 x 4-20mA or voltage inputs, the 8TCS which accepts 8 thermocouples including ,K,E,T,N,B,S,R,mV, C,D and G types, the 6RTD which accepts 6 x 3-wire RTD temperature probes and the 8AOI and 8OV which are 8 channel 4-20mA and voltage output models. There is also the DAIO combination unit with 2 analogue inputs, 1 analogue outputs, 4 digital/counter inputs, 2 transistor outputs and 2 RTD inputs.

IOStudio is a free software package supplied with the units used to configure the communication settings for IO modules on the Modbus network. Once a module is detected, it is possible to view real-time data of the module directly on the PC and it can be used for diagnostic purposes too.

Available ex-stock, prices start at only £99.

USB Relay Units need no PSU

The UDIN range are a low-cost range of USB relay, digital I/O units for desk-top, panel or industrial DIN rail mounting. They feature mains rated relays capable of switching mains 3A and fully opto-isolated digital inputs. They do not require any external PSU. All units come with both Virtual Com port drivers so that they can be used with most legacy software packages or with a .DLL for direct programming. Supplied with cable, test programs and programming examples.

The UDIN range consists of a USB interface, a micro-controller and relay outputs and/or opto-isolator inputs. The UDIN units are controlled by simple ASCII commands. The USB interface handles the USB protocols and present the ASCII commands to the micro-controller as serial data. The micro-controller then uses the commands to control the relays or report back input status.

There are 4 models in the range. The UDIN-8R has 8 relays, the UDIN-8I has 8 opto-isolated inputs and the UDIN-44 has 4 relays and 4 opto-isolated inputs. There is also the UDIN-16A which has 4 mains rated 16A relays and 4 opto-isolated inputs.

Most software packages that can send or receive ASCII data to a RS232 port should be able to control the UDIN range. The UDIN units comes with a Virtual Com Port driver, which installs a "Virtual" Com port on the PC. Software can then send and receive ASCII data to and from this Virtual Com port and thus to the UDIN unit. Typical packages that can be used include Windows HyperTerminal (and most other terminal emulator packages), data acquisition packages such as Profilab, DAQFactory, LabVIEW, DasyLab, VEE, TestPoint etc. and also most SCADA Software packages.

Programmers can bypass the VCP route, and use direct .DLL function calls instead. The UDIN units are supplied with a test application complete with all source code. Drivers are available for the Windows operating system, Linux, MAC and Win CE.NET

The UDIN range can be desktop, panel or DIN rail mount. The units will clip on to standard 35mm DIN rail. The DIN rail mounting clips may be extended to reveal 4mm screw holes for fixing to a panel or wall

GL800 - One-of-a-kind Data Logger/Chart Recorder

The GL800 data logger and hand-held chart recorder is one of a kind in its ability to read up to 200 channels of temperature, humidity and voltage data. With its large format LCD display, you can easily set up and capture data with the ability to monitor waveforms and digital values during measurements. Its instant replay function makes it easy to review data that has been captured to internal memory or to a USB memory stick. Standard PC interface makes GL800 accessible through USB or a LAN using the standard network settings built in to GL800

The GL800 is a compact data logger come chart recorder, with an A5 footprint, providing excellent portability. The GL800 is fitted with 20 channels as standard but can be expanded from 20 to 200 channels with the optional expansion modules. All channels are isolated channel-to-channel and channel-to-ground. It has the ability to perform simultaneous measurement of voltage , temperature and humidity. It also supports such inputs as pulse (e.g. power, rpm and flow) and logic, in addition to voltage and temperature.

Two USB ports are provided, one for a USB memory device and one for linking to a PC. Commercially available USB memory devices may be used for direct capture of data. With a 512M device, users can capture data for up to 269 days (10 channels, 1 second sampling rate). An optional battery pack is available for use where mains power is unavailable. The battery pack allows up to 9 hours of operation.

All the GL800's functions can be accessed through the easy-to-use keypad and LCD screen. Single touch buttons for such tasks as display mode, setup and logging start/stop negate the need for complicated menu trees. The bright easy-to-read 5.7" colour LCD screen makes it even easier to review measurement settings, measured waveforms and digital values.

The GL800 is bundled with PC application software that enables measurements directly to a PC. In addition to waveform monitoring, this software provides other useful functions such as direct writing of data to an Excel file and report creation. The software also provides a Help display function for enhanced usability.