TSI Instruments DUSTTRAK 8520 Application Note

SERIAL DATA ACQUISITION
WITH THE TSI

Introduction

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The D T Aerosol Monitor Model 8520 offers several methods for reading aerosol mass
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concentration:
1. The front panel displays aerosol concentration in real time.
2. The data logging feature allows users to record and view historical data about aerosol concentration
using a computer and T
3. Remote serial data acquisition and control via the D
4. Remote analog data acquisition via 0 to 5 VDC analog output feature built into all D
monitor's with serial numbers 22499 and higher. Most older units can have this feature added.
This application note concerns remote serial data acquisition and control (item 3) only. For information on
the other methods listed above, refer to the D
Application Note ITI-073 Analog Output for the TSI D
The RS-232 serial data acquisition and control option has been incorporated into all D
8520 Aerosol Monitors manufactured on or after October 31, 1996. You can find the date of manufacture
listed on the serial number tag. For D
enhancement, the firmware will be automatically upgraded when the unit is returned to TSI or a TSI
authorized service center for servicing and calibration. If the date on the white calibration tag is November
1996 or later, the unit has already been upgraded.
The firmware which operates the D
able to configure the D
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values through the serial interface cable using simple ASCII commands. The D
set to automatically transmit a reading once per user-defined interval (from 0 to 60 seconds) or to output
a single concentration reading. This allows D
real time using a data-logger or personal computer. The information may be used for closed-loop control
and/or monitoring applications.

Technical Specifications

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The D T monitor already includes the cable necessary to do serial data acquisition. The
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connector required for the RS-232 port is an eight pin, RJ-45 modular connector. The D
monitor transmits serial data as ASCII character codes. The specifications for serial communication are
shown in the following table. The data string is terminated with carriage return/line feed (0D/0A
hexadecimal).
AEROSOL MONITOR
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P Data Analysis Software.
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T
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T monitor users with instruments which pre-date this
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T monitor includes serial data output capabilities. Users are
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T monitor to automatically transmit the aerosol mass concentration
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T
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®
DUSTTRAK™
MODEL 8520
APPLICATION NOTE ITI-044
monitor's RS-232 serial port.
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T
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Operation and Service Manual and/or
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T Aerosol Monitor Model
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monitor users to monitor aerosol fluctuations in
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T
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8520.
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T Model
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T monitor can be
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T
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