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This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: NL241. Some accessories, replacement parts, or services may still be available.
NL240 Wireless Network Link Interface
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Overview

The NL240 is a wireless networking peripheral that provides Wi-Fi connectivity to our dataloggers and peripheral devices over standard 802.11b/g/n networks. It is a low-power device that offers unique and powerful PakBus networking capabilities, but it is easy to configure. The NL240 provides direct access to all the IP capabilities of the CR800, CR1000, and CR3000 dataloggers.


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Benefits and Features

  • Low power consumption
  • Wi-Fi-to-CS I/O bridging provides direct access to Internet protocol capabilities of CR6, CR800, CR850, CR1000, or CR3000 dataloggers
  • Powerful PakBus routing capabilities
  • Serial server functionality for networking Campbell Scientific devices, as well as third-party devices
  • Provides IP connectivity for communication with LoggerLink smartphone app and LoggerNet PC software

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Detailed Description

The NL240 can take advantage of the thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots available in cafés, universities, hotels, and airports. Wi-Fi also provides encryption to protect traffic and uses a global set of standards so the same device can be used internationally.

The NL240 is an industrial device that goes beyond the typical Wi-Fi serial device server. It supports Wi-Fi communication with an iOS or Android device when used with our LoggerLink apps. By providing direct access to all the IP capabilities of the CR800, CR1000, and CR3000 dataloggers, the NL240 provides:

  • M2M communication of data and events
  • PakBus communication over TCP/IP for remote configuration, control, and data collection
  • HTTP and FTP for posting, retrieving, and local hosting of data
  • Email client for data and control messaging
  • ModBus TCP/IP, DNP3, and NTCIP ESS industrial protocol support

Specifications

Compliance CE compliant
Material Aluminum case with black anodized finish
Configuration
  • Device Configuration Utility over USB or Wi-Fi
  • Terminal menu over Telnet
  • Terminal menu over RS-232
CS I/O Port SDC 7, 8, 10, or 11 (does not support ME)
RS-232 Port DTE, DB9 Pin (Male)
USB Port Micro-B
Operating Temperature Range
  • -25° to +50°C (standard)
  • -55° to +85°C (extended)
Power Connector CS I/O Port, DC barrel connector (not powered over USB)
Powered Over CS I/O or barrel plug
Supply Voltage 7 to 20 Vdc
Connections/Routes Supported
  • Supports 50 simultaneous TCP connections.
  • Up to 10 of the 50 TCP connections can be used for TLS.
  • PakBus Router supports 50 routes.
  • 15 Modbus Server Transactions (maximum)
Dimensions 16 x 6.73 x 2.54 cm (6.3 x 2.65 x 1 in.)
Weight 177 g (6.3 oz)

Communication Rate
RS-232 Port 1200 bps to 115.2 kbps
CS I/O Port 9600 bps to 460.8 kbps

WLAN
Antenna Connector RPSMA
Technologies Supported 802.11b/g/n, WPA, WPA2 /TKIP or AES, WEP, WEP(open), APIPA/AutoIP, IPv4, IPv6, ICMP/Ping, ICMPv6/Ping, TCP, DHCP Client, SLAAC, DNS Client, HTTPS Proxy, Telnet Server, TLS, PakBus, Modbus, TCP/IP
Topologies Infrastructure and ad-hoc
Transmit Power 7 to 17 dBm (5 to 50 mW)
Rx Sensitivity -97 dBm (< 8% PER)
Frequency 2.4 to 2.5 GHz (2.4 GHz ISM band)

Power Consumption
Maximum 950 mW
Typical (Always On)
  • 600 mW (idle)
  • 670 mW (communicating)
  • 65 mW (searching for out-of-range network)
Typical (Low Power Mode Enabled)
  • 73 mW (idle)
  • 480 mW (communicating)
  • 50 mW (searching for out-of-range network)
Sleep 16 mW

Compatibility

Wi-Fi ad hoc networking is provided for the purpose of networking between NL240 interfaces. Ad hoc networking is supported by iOS, allowing an iOS device to connect to an NL240 that has created a network. Wi-Fi ad hoc networking is not supported natively by Android OS and is difficult to support on Windows 7 and greater.

Software

Our Device Configuration Utility must be version 2.03 or higher.

Data Logger Considerations

Data Logger Serial Server PakBus Router Bridge Mode*
CR300♣
CR200(X) Series
CR800/CR850
CR1000
CR3000
CR5000
CR9000X
CR6
CR1000X
CR510-PB
CR10X-PB
CR23X-PB
Mixed-Array
Data Loggers		 **

Notes:
♣The CR300 connects to the NL240 using a 10873 serial cable that is not supplied with the CR300 or the NL240. The CR300-series dataloggers are not compatible with the bridge mode functionality in the NL240 interface.
* The data logger OS must be OS 25 or higher for bridge mode applications.
** It is possible to use an NL240 to connect to a mixed-array data logger (e.g., CR10, CR10X, CR23X, 21X, CR7) by using an SC32B between the data logger's CS I/O port and the NL240's RS-232 port.

Downloads

NL240 Drivers () 01-01-2014

Windows USB drivers for the NL240 are installed via the Device Configuration Utililty. In the Device Configuration Utility, click on the link "install the device driver for the NL240" in the main body of text for the NL240.

Note: Drivers must be installed before connecting the NL240 to your computer.

 

NL240 Firmware v.10.03 (671 KB) 04-09-2018

Current NL240 firmware. Requires the Device Configuration Utility and a USB micro cable. 

Note: When updating to OS 10.03 from OS 6 or previous, settings will be reinitialized to factory defaults. When updating to OS 10.03 from OS 7, settings will be retained.

View Revision History

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to NL240: 14

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  1. Can communication be established between a computer and a CR3000, CR1000, CR800, or CR850 data logger in a Wi-Fi network environment?
    Yes, using an NL240.
  2. What might cause a connection issue between a data logger and an NL240 in LoggerNet?

    If the NL240 is on a different network from the server running LoggerNet, either the station or LoggerNet needs to be able to initiate a connection to the other:

    • The NL240/data logger needs an IP address that is accessible to the LoggerNet computer

    OR

    • LoggerNet needs an IP address that is accessible to the NL240/data logger.
  3. What is the best way to communicate wirelessly between a PC and a CR3000?

    It depends on the application, funds available for new hardware, and the quantity of data that will be collected. Viable options include the NL240, RF4xx spread-spectrum-series radios, RF32x UHF/VHF radios, and cellular modems.

  4. Does the NL240 come with a whip?

    No. Antennas are ordered separately, allowing customers to choose the best antenna for their application and site.

  5. How can two data loggers be connected to a single NL240 device?

    Connect one data logger to the RS-232 port (6784) and the other data logger to the CS I/O port (6783). To access a data logger on the RS-232 port, use the IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:6784. To access a data logger on the CS I/O port, use xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:6783. For setup instructions and configuration assistance, refer to the NL240 instruction manual, use the LoggerNet Network Planner tool, or contact Campbell Scientific. 

  6. What are the powering options for the NL201 and NL240?

    The NL201 and NL240 are powered via the DC barrel connector and/or the CS I/O port. Sometimes, users who are using the network link
    interface as a serial terminal server, PakBus router, or Modbus gateway want to connect their devices via the CS I/O port while
    providing power only through the DC barrel connector and a 12 V source (such as a data logger SW12V output). In this scenario, a jumper
    inside the NL201 or NL240 can be removed, preventing the interfaces from always being powered by the CS I/O connections. For more
    information, refer to the instruction manual for the interface.

  7. Using a CR800 or CR850 with a Wi-Fi adapter positioned near a Wi-Fi network hotspot, could a distant PC running LoggerNet collect the data logger data (or could the data logger send the data to the PC)?

    Yes. The NL240 wireless network link was designed for this purpose.

  8. Is the NL240 compatible with a WPA-Enterprise network?

    No, it is not.

  9. In terms of a network link interface, what is "bridge mode"?

    The NL200-series of devices can be set to bridge the Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface and the CS I/O interface. All packets that come into the device via Ethernet or Wi-Fi will be transferred to the data logger over the CS I/O port. This enables the data logger to make all of its IP-related services available. Configuring an NL200-series device with bridge mode enabled is analogous to adding a native Ethernet or Wi-Fi port to the data logger. Bridge mode does not use PPP.

  10. Does Campbell Scientific support IPv6 networking?

    Yes. We currently have, and continue to develop, a variety of products that are compatible with IPv6 networking. For example, the NL200/201 and NL240 can serve as IPv6 serial servers for our data loggers and communications peripherals. We anticipate IPv6 compatibility to be included in the CR800, CR850, CR1000, and CR3000 by mid-2014. 

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