RETIRED ›
This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: CR300,CR310.
CR206X Datalogger with 900 MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio
Services Available
Repair Yes
Calibration No
Free Support Yes

Overview

The CR206X is a small, low-cost data logger that includes an internal 900 MHz spread-spectrum radio for transmitting data to another CR206(X), an RF401(A) radio, or an RF430 radio. The 900 MHz frequency is used in the US and Canada.

The CR206X provides stand-alone operation in harsh, remote environments. It reads input from one or two sensors, then transmits its data wirelessly via its internal radio. Multiple CR206Xs can be configured as a network, or units can be deployed individually.

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Benefits and Features

  • Small, low-cost data logger with internal spread spectrum radio for wireless communications
  • Integrated radio lets this data logger function like a wireless sensor in a network, transmitting to a master data logger
  • Ideal applications include wind energy, rural water, water level/flow, aquaculture, water quality
  • Gas Discharge Tube (GDT) protected inputs
  • Optimal for measuring one or two simple sensors
  • Makes SDI-12, single-ended analog, pulse, switch closure, and bridge measurements
  • Battery-backed clock that ensures accurate time is maintained while data logger is disconnected from battery power
  • Program with LoggerNet, PC400, or Short Cut to fit your setup
  • PakBus, Modbus, and SDI-12 protocols supported

Images

Detailed Description

The CR206X can be used in a wireless sensor network. Wireless sensor networks are appealing because they are often more economical than trenching, laying conduit, and pulling wire. When used as a wireless sensor, the CR206X measures the sensors attached to it, then transmits its data wirelessly via its spread-spectrum radio to a master data logger. The master data logger must support the PakBus communication protocol (e.g., CR800, CR850, CR1000, CR3000). For more information on how to configure a PakBus system, please read our PakBus Networking Guide.

The CR206X has several input channels for measuring a variety of sensors. Gas discharge tubes provide rugged electrostatic discharge protection for the inputs.

The CR206X does not make differential measurements and is not compatible with SDM devices, multiplexers, or thermocouples (refer to the Compatibility information for compatible sensors, peripherals, and software). Recalibration services are not offered for the CR206X datalogger.

Specifications

-NOTE- Note: Additional specifications are listed in the CR200X-Series Specifications Sheet.
Internal Spread-Spectrum Radio Operating Frequency Range 910 to 918 MHz
Radio Power 250 mW
Older CR206X dataloggers (serial # < 19122) have 100 mW radios.
Antenna Connector Type RPSMA female
Transmitter Power Output 250 mW
Maximum Scan Rate 1 Hz
Analog Channels
  • The single-ended analog inputs can also be used as control ports.
  • 5 single-ended (no differential) individually configured
Pulse Count Channels 2
Switched Excitation Channels 2 voltage
Digital Ports
  • Certain digital ports can be used to count switch closures.
  • 2 I/O
Communication Ports 1 RS-232
Switched Battery Port 1
Input Voltage Range 0 to 2500 mV
Analog Voltage Accuracy ±(0.25% of reading + (1.2 mV)x(offset)) at -40° to +50°C
Analog Voltage Resolution 0.6 mV
A/D Bits 12
Operating Temperature -40° to +50°C
Power Requirements 7 to 16 Vdc
Typical Current Drain
  • ~0.2 mA (quiescent)
  • ~3 mA (active, no radio)
  • ~20 mA (active, radio receive)
  • ~75 mA (active, radio transmit)
Clock Accuracy
  • 8.2 min./month (@ -40° to +50°C)
  • 1 min./month (@ +25°C)
Protocols Supported PakBus (leaf node only), SDI-12
Warranty 3 years
Dimensions 14.0 x 7.6 x 4.8 cm (5.5 x 3.0 x 1.9 in.)
Weight 271 g (9.5 oz)

Memory
Final Storage 512 kB of flash memory for approximately 125,000 data points
Operating System 106 kB of flash memory
Intermediate Storage 8 kB of SRAM for communication buffers, calculations, variables, etc.

Compatibility

Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.

Sensors

Product Compatible Note
014A-L
03002-L
03101-L
034B-L
05103-45-L (retired)
05103-L
05106-L (retired)
05305-L
083E-L (retired)
092-L (retired)
107
108
109
109SS-L
110PV-L (retired)
237-L (retired)
255-100
27106T-L
43347-L
52202-L
A100LK-L
CMP11-L (retired)
CMP21-L
CMP3-L
CMP6-L (retired)
CS100
CS106
CS11-L
CS215-L (retired)
CS300-L (retired)
CS410-L (retired)
CS451
CS456
CS460-L (retired)
CS470 (retired)
CS471 (retired)
CS475A-L
CS475-L (retired)
CS476-L (retired)
CS477-L (retired)
CS511-L
CS526-L (retired)
CS547A-L
CS616
CS625 (retired)
CS650
CS655
CS700-L
CSAT3 (retired)
CSIM11-L
CSIM11-ORP-L
ENVIROSCAN (retired)
HC2S3-L (retired)
HMP155A-L
HMP60-L
ICEFREE3A (retired)
ICEFREE3V (retired)
LI190SB-L (retired)
LI200X-L (retired)
LWS
OBS-3+ (retired)
OBS300 (retired)
OBS500 (retired)
OBS501 (retired)
P2546A-L
SEN12512 (retired)
SR50A-L (retired)
TB4-L
TB4MM-L
TE525-L
TE525MM-L
TE525WS-L
WINDSONIC1-L
WINDSONIC4-L
WXT520 (retired)

Software

Product Compatible Note
LoggerNet Version 2.1 or higher
PC200W (retired)
PC400 Version 1.0 or higher
PCONNECT (retired) Version 3.0 or higher
PCONNECTCE (retired) Version 2.0 or higher
Short Cut
VISUALWEATHER Version 2 or higher

Additional Compatibility Information

Communications

The CR206X can communicate with a PC via direct connect, NL201 Network Link Interface, NL240 Wi-Fi Network Link, MD485 multidrop modem, and digital cellular modems. Data can be viewed on an iOS device, an Android device, CD295 DataView II Display, or a user-supplied PDA. To use an iOS or Android device, go to the Apple Store or Google Play and download our LoggerLink Mobile Apps free of charge. User-supplied PDAs require either PConnect or PConnectCE software.

The CR206X's internal spread spectrum radio can transmit data to other CR206(X) loggers, RF401A radios, RF401 radios, or RF430 radios. Certain CR206X settings must match the radio's settings for communications between the data logger and radio to be successful. The factory default settings of these devices might not match; therefore, they may need to be reconfigured before communications can take place. Refer to the Quick Reference Guide for Setting Up RF401-to-CR206(X) Communications application note for more information.

If the CR206X is in the transparent mode, it can communicate with the retired CR205 loggers or RF400 radios.

Measurement & Control Peripherals

The CR206X is not compatible with SDM devices and multiplexers.

Sensors

The CR206X can measure a variety of sensors including SDI-12 sensors and 4 to 20 mA sensors. It cannot make differential measurements and is not compatible with the freezing-rain/ice, fuel moisture/temperature, geographic position, present weather, soil heat flux, soil matric water potential, and strain sensors listed on our price lists.

Enclosures

Applications with minimal power requirements can use the ENC200 enclosure to house the data logger and the #16869 sealed rechargeable battery. The ENC200 cannot house a barometer or a battery that is larger than the #16869. However, an ENC10/12 or ENC12/14 enclosure is adequate for most CR206X-based systems.

Power Supplies

The CR206X uses an external power supply and has a built-in regulator. When connected to the on-board charging circuit, the sealed rechargeable battery should be 7 A h or smaller. Using larger batteries with the data logger's built-in charger may result in excessive PC board heating. This is especially a concern when the battery is deeply discharged or failing with a shorted cell. Campbell Scientific also recommends that solar panels be 10 W or less and wall chargers be 1 A or smaller.

Operating System Considerations

Newer data loggers with 250 mW radios must use OS 3 or higher for their data logger operating system.

Downloads

CR200X Series OS v.04 (1.29 MB) 09-22-2015

Execution of this download installs the Operating System and Compiler on your computer for the following dataloggers:CR200X, CR206X, CR211X, CR216X and CR295X.  It also updates the support files for the CRBasic Editor.  

Note: Newer CR206X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19122) and newer CR211X dataloggers (serial # ≥ 19143) have 250 mW radios that must use OS 3 or higher for their datalogger operating system.

View Update History

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to CR206X: 41

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  1. How many CR206X dataloggers can one RF430 communicate with?

    In theory, a single RF430 can communicate with 4,000 CR206X dataloggers, as this is the maximum number of unique PakBus addresses available for use in a single RF network. The practical limit depends on how frequently data is retrieved from all the remote sites.

  2. Can the CS15-L activate a small relay?

    Not directly. If the CS15-L is connected to a CR200(X) datalogger, the data logger can take the ac measurement and control a solid-state relay based on some threshold within the data logger program. The solid-state relay can then control other relays, solenoids, or motor starters. (Use of a solid-state relay is preferred because the data logger can trigger it with a small 5 Vdc mA signal.) For more information, see the “Measurement and Control Peripherals” section of the operator’s manual.

  3. Is there a way to only record measurements during the daytime and put a CR200X-series datalogger in sleep mode during the nighttime to conserve power?

    Yes. The simplest method is to use conditional program statements that execute most of the code based on time. For example, the data could be scheduled to log at 6 a.m. and finish at 8 p.m. using CRBasic instructions such as IfTime(). Another option is to use an IfThen/EndIf construction that does a logical test of light-level measurements based on a light sensor. An additional option is to use calculated sunrise and sunset times along with a combination of RealTime() and Case instructions.

    For more information, see the “Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…” article. 

  4. Can BMP5 Direct SDK software be used to interface/interact with a CR206X/CR211X datalogger via an RF416/RF411 connected to a PC serial port?

    Yes. The BMP5 Direct SDK can communicate with the data logger as long as two conditions are met:

    1. The communications link between the data logger and the computer is transparent.
    2. There are no excessive delays.

  5. Can an RF401A be used as a base radio to communicate with RF400 devices, as well as with a PakBus network of CR206X dataloggers?

    No. In this scenario, the base RF401A can only communicate with the RF400 devices via the transparent communications protocol, or with the CR206X dataloggers via the PakBus protocol.

  6. Which data loggers are compatible with the BMP5 Direct SDK ?

    Current data loggers compatible with the BMP5 Direct SDK are the CR200X-series, CR1000, CR3000, CR800, and CR850.

    Retired compatible data loggers include the CR10X-PB, CR23X-PB, and CR510-PB. These data loggers must have the optional PakBus operating system installed, which is available on the Downloads page of our website.

  7. Are the CR200X, CR206X, CR211X, CR216X, or CR295X dataloggers compatible with SDMs and multiplexers?

    The CR200X-series and the retired CR200-series dataloggers are NOT compatible with SDMs or multiplexers. If more channels are needed or may be needed in the future, consider purchasing a CR800, CR850, or CR1000 instead.

  8. What makes the SRM-5A incompatible with the CR200X-series dataloggers?

    Technically, the SRM-5A is compatible with the CR200X-series dataloggers, but it is more complicated to use it with these data loggers. To use a SRM-5A with a CR200X-series datalogger, the SRM-5A must be in the DTE position on the station modem. In addition, user-supplied adapters and gender changers are needed to complete the connections between the SRM-5A and the RS-232 port of the data logger. Contact Campbell Scientific for more information.

  9. If an RF modem is used to communicate with a data logger and a PC running LoggerNet, but the modem baud rate is one third of the data logger baud rate, is that a problem?

    If small amounts of data are transferred per transmission, it will not be a problem. Larger amounts of data can overrun buffers in the modem, causing lost data. In that situation, lower the baud rate on the data logger to avoid the issue.

  10. If a CR200X-series datalogger has not been used in a while and the internal battery is low, will the battery recharge if the data logger is connected to a power supply? Or does the battery need to be replaced?

    The internal battery is not rechargeable. In the case of low internal battery voltage, data will only be maintained as long as a power supply is connected. Collect all data from the data logger before disconnecting the power.

    The battery, a 15598, is not user replaceable. The data logger should be returned to Campbell Scientific to have the battery replaced. To request a return material authorization (RMA) number, follow the steps listed on our Repair and Calibration page.

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