MCS UserManual EN

MCS
Signal Conditioning Module
User Manual
V. 11-22
NESA Srl - Via Sartori, 6/8 - 31020 - Vidor (TV) - Italy - Tel+39.0423.985209 - Fax+39.0423.985305 - E-mail: info@nesasrl.it - www.nesasrl.it
2
Guarantees
(Copyright) 2012 NESA Srl, all rights reserved.
Nesa Srl reserves the right to modify or change, in part or all, the product specifications and the pricing and
marketing of the same.
The information in this user manual replaces all information of previous manuals.
NESA Srl is not responsible for any damage or loss, direct and/or indirect, also deriving from sale of goods
and services related to the product for delayed and/or failure to deliver the product, nor for the non
correspondence of the product to the published specifications, or any other circumstances not attributed
directly to a detrimental conduct according to the Italian legislation.
In case of installation on a system, the installer will be the sole responsible for the proper connection of
the device. Nesa Srl ensures the operation of the unit only with original Nesa Srl modules and cables.
It is forbidden to readjust, copy or photocopy parts of this document without permission of Nesa Srl. More
info available on our web site www.nesasrl.it under warranty conditions.
For any questions or clarifications contact:
NESA Srl
Via Crociera, 11 - 31020 – VIDOR (TV) - ITALY
Tel. +39 0423 985209
Fax. +39 0423 985305
www.nesasrl.it
NESA Srl - Via Crociera, 11 - 31020 - Vidor (TV) - Italy - Tel+39.0423.985209 - Fax+39.0423.985305 - E-mail: info@nesasrl.it - www.nesasrl.it
3
Safety !
Carefully read the general safety rules before using or installing the device in order to avoid accidents,
injury or damage to property and/or people. To avoid potential risks, use the equipment in the limits and
as specified in this manual.
Use appropriate connection cables where specified in this manual or authorized by the local
! safety laws.
! Connect the ground wire where provided in the equipments and in the containers, even
during the test phases.
Do not operate without protections where required, never remove the safety protections,
! never touch exposed wires or contacts when the device is connected and / or where power is
on.
! Do not use the device if you suspect a malfunction, do not try to repair or inspect the device
yourself, contact the qualified personnel and authorized by Nesa Srl.
! It’s absolutely forbidden to try to repair by un-authorized personnel from Nesa Srl.
Inappropriate ventilation may cause an increase in temperature and damage the unit. Keep
!
product in a properly ventilated and inspect fans if they exist.
! Do Not operate in air with a relative humidity higher than 90% or in the presence of water.
! Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.
! Keep the surfaces of the device clean and dry.
! Operate in an area protected from electrostatic discharges when handling the device,
connect to ground the end of wires / connectors before cabling.
! Handle with care during transportation and installation to avoid damaging the unit.
The device is in accordance to the directives EMC 2004/108/CEE and LVD 73/23/CEE and relative
modifications.
4
Disposal
The following symbol indicates that the product reflects the requirements of European Union as specified
in the 2002/96/CE directive on disposal of electrical and electronic equipments and batteries.
Nesa Srl complies with the legislative decree on WEEE in force since 08.13.2005, this unit cannot be
disposed of as municipal waste.
At the end of the life cycle of this unit, it is to be deposited at a waste collection center for electrical and
electronic equipment also coming from non-domestic waste.
Please refer to the waste disposal of the town in case of any questions about the correct disposal of this
equipment.
This device can be returned to the seller only in case of purchase of a new one of the same type, which will
provide the proper disposal of the same, according to the regulations.
The disposal as municipal waste of this unit implies a penalty as provided by the applicable national law.
5
Index:
1. Description .......................................................................................................................................................6
2. Board ..............................................................................................................................................................7
3. Configuration Software ..................................................................................................................................9
4. RS485 commands mode ...............................................................................................................................15
5. RS485 mode MODBUS .................................................................................................................................17
6. Technical Specifications ...............................................................................................................................20
6
1. Description
The MCS module is a multifunctional board for signal conditioning.
MCS realizes a chain of conditioning composed of an input module, a processing module, an analog output
module and a differential output module.
The analog input module.

The board features:
• a differential analog input in the range 0÷2.048V
• an output signal with reference in voltage 2.048V
• an output signal with current generator 2.85mA, continue or impulsive.
• a digital input with pull-up
The board allows to measure voltages in the range 0-2.048V with high precision and repeatability.
The data provided by the input module is the voltage value acquired or the frequency / number of pulses
detected.
NOTE: The module is factory calibrated with precision process for both input and output.
The processing board

The processing board takes the signal detected by the input module and processes it at intervals of about 3
seconds, by applying the following formula:
Measurement = Gain x Input Signal + offset
The processing module can be stopped to allow reprogramming the parameters of the module.
The analog output module

The analog output module takes the measurement data and carries it in output on a signal 4/20mA o 0-2V,
adapting the measuring range.
The adapting is made using the follwing formula:
Output Signal (mA o Volt) = Gain_out x Measurement + offset_out
The calculation of the gain and offset is facilitated by the configuration software which allows you to set
the correspondence between the read value and the desired value, for minimum and maximum of desired
range for reading and output value.
The digital output module

The digital output module allows reading by MODBUS protocol (command 3) of measurement value,
before conditioning of digital output module.
7
2. Board
The sensor board, top view, appears as shown:
Input Output
Figure 1: MCS module
Input
GND Ground digital input
In DIG Signal digital input (impedance 10Kohm)
GND Ground analog input
n.c. Not connected
V- Negative differential analog input 0-2.048V
V+ Positive differential analog input 0-2.048V
I+ Pt100 Current generator for measuring resistor and Pt100
2.048 Vref Reference Voltage output 2.048 V
Output
12V Voltage power supply 10-30 VDC
GND Ground power supply
I+ Output 4/20mA to load to ground
V+ Voltage output 0-2V
V- Ground for voltage output
I- Ground for current output /shield RS485
Rs485 B Serial RS485 B
Rs485 A Serial RS485 A
8
Connection examples of input of MCS board:
Voltage input signal NOT differential ( VIN+ / GND )

Connect the wire of sinal VIN+ to V+, and the other one (VIN-) to V- and also to GND
Voltage input signal differential ( VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Connect the wire of sinal VIN+ to V+, the other one (VIN-) to V-, and the eventual shield to GND
Ratiometric input signal with reference ( VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Connect the wire of reference signal VCCIN to 2.048-VREF, the wire of signal VIN+ to V+, VIN- to V-, and the
eventual shield to GND
Measurement of Temperature using PT100 4 wires (VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Connect the wire of reference signal VCCIN to I+ Pt100, the wire of signal VIN+ to V+, VIN- to V-, and the
Measurement of Resistance 4 wires (VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Connect the wire of reference signal VCCIN to I+ Pt100, the wire of signal VIN+ to V+, VIN- to V-, and the
Measurement of Frequence (SIGIN, GNDIN )

Connect the wire of signal SIGIN to In DIG, the other one (ground) to GND
Measurement of pulse counters or counters (SIGIN, GNDIN )

Connect the wire of signal SIGIN to In DIG, the other one (ground) to GND
9
3. Configuration Software
MCS is provided with a software for managing and configuration. It si possible to download it at:
www.nesaftp.it/Download/MCS/MCS-SW+Manual-EN.zip. The operative system requirements for this
software are:
o Windows XP/VISTA/7
o x.NET 2.0
o a Serial port RS485 configured in the system (using the appropriate interface optionally provided)
o speed: 9600
o parity: N
o data bit: 8
o stop bit: 1
1 +12Vdc
2 Gnd
3 A RS485
4 B RS485
USB RS485 interface
The English version of MCS configuration software can be obtained by renaming the file name in this way:
*_EN.exe (for example MCS_EN.exe, if MCS.exe is Italian version)
The configuration software appears as below:
3
1
2
10
It is divided into the following sections:

▪ The INPUT section (1) is used to configure the input of sensor.
▪ The MEASURE section (2) is used to configure the measurement data.
▪ The ANALOG OUTPUT section (3) is used to configure the analog output.
▪ The DIGITAL OUTPUT section (4) is used to configure the digital output.
INPUT section (1)

Selector of Measure Type
Selector of sampling and

relative precision
Setting of the maximum

count value or counter
module
De-activation of current
generator
Activation of current
generator
Activation of pulse current
generator
The INPUT section allows you to configure precision and sampling rate of analog input signal and the type
of measurement.
The available types of measurement are the following:

1. Voltage 0÷200 mV (on differential analog input)
5. Resistance in the range 1÷700 ohm (on differential analog input with current generator)
6. Temperature PT100 (on differential analog input with current generator)
7. Frequency in the range 0.5÷1000 Hz (on digital input)
8. Potentiometer 1K÷10K (0-2048mV) (on differential analog input)
9. Pulse counter variable module (the module or maximum value, less than 65535, on digital input)
10. Wind Direction (with optical encoder)
11
The available sampling rates and precisions are the following:
15 SPS – 16bit
3.75 SPS – 18 bit
NOTE: The measurements of resistance and temperature PT100 reset the current generator to the
maximum precision (2.85 mA).
The current generator can be switched on / off or operate in pulse mode. The generator setting is
associated with the measurement type chosen. The measurement of resistance sets the current generator
in switched on mode; the temperature measurement sets it in pulse mode.
The three buttons in the input section are used to temporally set the current generator which maintains
settings until the module turns off (module test function).
NOTE: To read a PT100 in test mode, than with the program during configuration, you should temporally
active the current generator in continuous mode.
12
MEASURE section (2) Selector of measure Gain
Selector of measure Offset
Measurement Display
Last Measurement Request
Start Measure Cycle
Stop Measure Cycle
Current state of measurement cycle
The MEASURE section allows you to configure the main conditioning module of measures.
The measure is calculated by the following formula:
MEASURE = Gain x Input_Value + offset
NOTE: The module, during the normal operation, updates the measure value each 3 seconds. This cycle
causes, in cascade, also the update of analog output value of device MCS.
You can obtain the last measure value of module by clicking the button MEASURE, by interrupting the
internal updating cycle or doing again.
The connection of the module to configuration software interrupts the internal measurement cycle, to
require a measurement after saving configuration data, reactivate the measurement cycle.
13
ANALOG OUTPUT section (3)

Output Type Selector
Gain Value
Offset applied
Output Value
Button to calculate the

output parameters
Minimum output Value
Maximum output Value Minimum effective output
Maximum effective output
The ANALOG OUTPUT section allow you to configure the conditioning module for analog output. The
module provides an analog output that can be configured either as current or voltage output (on two
different output pins, see Fig. 1).
The electrical value of output module is calculated by the formula:
OUTPUT = Gain_out x MEASURE + offset_out
Where gain and offset are calculated entering the desired measurement range (minimum and maximum)
and the desired output range (minimum and maximum)
The output range for the voltage output is in Volts and has a value from 0 to 2.048V.
The output range for the current output is in mA and has a value from 0 to 20.48mA.
Enter desired values of range and click ADAPT OUT to calculate the Gain and Offset parameters required to
get the ranges. Clicking the button MEASURE in MEASURE section (2) you also update the field OUTPUT
that shows the relative analog output value, if it has been set.
14
DIGITAL OUTPUT section (4)

Address setting (ID) of
module MCS
Mode selecting
The module provides of a digital connection on bus RS 485 Half Duplex in four modes, TERM NOECHO,
MODBUS, TERM ECHO and NEMA 0183.
The TERM NOECHO mode is always available in the first 5 seconds after the module power has been
turned on; a different operating mode, if configured, is activated 5 seconds after switching on. If neither of
MODBUS, TERM ECHO and NEMA 0183 mode is not configured, the module remains in TERM NOECHO
mode (default).
NOTE: The configuration software switches the module from one mode to another until the next reboot.
The ADDRESS field is used for any selected mode. The 000 value is the default and permits always to read
the device.
READ and WRITE BUTTONS
Click on READ button for reading the configuration from a MCS module, after selecting the COM port.
Click on WRITE button for saving the changes, and load the new configuration to the MCS module.
15
4. RS485 commands mode

MCS can be controlled by a set of commands via RS485 HALF DUPLEX on 2 wires.
For using MCS in this mode, deactivate MODBUS by using the configuration software and connect a
terminal program for serial ports (for example PUTTY) for RS485 at 9600 baud, Parity NONE, Data bits 8,
Stop bits 1.
To verify the connection, try typing (Enter), MCS responds with a '>' to indicate that it is ready to receive
commands.
Note: In this mode the echo of characters is managed, that you can enable typing ECHO ON and de-enable
typing ECHO OFF; if you do not receive the echo of what you typed, you have to activate ECHO.
Measurement request command with address

Syntax: XXX(Enter) (where XXX is the module address )
Response: [MEASURES](Enter)
Note: With this module is not sent the prompt character '>' to allow the querying of more sensors on bus
by addressing.
Note: The command 000(Enter) read the measure data whatever set address (default ID).
Activation command ECHO

Syntax: ECHO ON(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
De-activation command ECHO

Syntax: ECHO OFF(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
Temporally activation commando of current generator

Syntax: GENON(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
Temporally de-activation commando of current generator

Syntax: GENOFF(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
Temporally activation commando of pulse current generator

Syntax: GENPULSE(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
Activation commando of measurement cycle (1 measure each 3 seconds)

Syntax: ENABLE(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
16
De-activation commando of measurement cycle (1 measure each 3 seconds)

Syntax: DISABLE(Enter)
Response: >( Enter)
Command for reading the analog measurement sequence

Syntax: READ(Enter)
Response: GREZZO =....(Enter)
Response: TENSIONE =....(Enter)
Response: RESIST =....(Enter)
Response: TEMPER =....(Enter)
Response: MISURA =....(Enter)
Response: USCITA =....(Enter)
Response: OUTDAC =....(Enter)
Response: OUT420 =....(Enter)
Response: >(Enter)
Command for reading the digital measurement sequence

Syntax: REAT(Enter)
Response: FREQUENZA =....(Enter)
Response: PERIODO =....(Enter)
Response: DELTATICK =....(Enter)
Response: TICK RAMPA =....(Enter)
Response: MAX RAMPA =....(Enter)
Response: >(Enter)
17
5. RS485 mode MODBUS

The module in ModBus mode uses the electrical interface RS485 HALF DUPLEX on two wires at 9600 baud
Parity NONE Data 8 Stop 1.
The module MCS in MODBUS mode responds to command MODBUS RTU to the only FUNCTION CODE
0x03 (Read Holding Register)
The ModBus addresses used by MCS are:
40002-40003 ( 2 registers required by single command)
The protocol allows the reading of the measurement’s value that is inserted into two MODBUS registers 32
bits single precision according to IEEE754. The floating-point value is represented in 32 bits holding two
ModBus registers 16 bits, in reverse words order.
You can see below the representation of a floating-point number into a 32-bit string
1 8 23 lenght in bits
+-+--------+-----------------------+
|S| Esp. | Mantissa |
+-+--------+-----------------------+
31 30 22 0 bit order
Example of Modbus MCS calling string of two registers, ID board =1:

DATA start DATA start DATA bit # DATA bit #
ADDR FUNC CRC HI CRC LO
Addr HI Addr LO HI LO
01 03 00 02 00 02 65 CB
Modbus answer:
DATA byte DATA byte DATA byte DATA byte DATA byte
ADDR FUNC CRC HI CRC LO
count 02 HI 02 LO 03 HI 03 LO
01 03 04 00 00 3F 80 3A 2C
Where hexadecimal floating-point value 0x3F800000 is equal to decimal value 1.
It shows, below, the decimal / hexadecimal conversion / floating point single precision 32bits, according to
IEEE754:
18
Modbus mode, if configured is activated after 5 seconds from switching on the module.
Following you can view the setting windows of commercial software called ModbusPoll, if have to read
Nesa MCS with ID = 1.
Read Definition
19
Display Measure
Connection Setup
20
6. Technical Specifications
Power Supply
• Power supply voltage 10 – 30V DC
• Maximum power supply current < 5mA @ 12V

• Average power supply current < 3 mA @ 12V
• Operative temperature -40°C +80 °C
Analog Input
• Input with Differential converter Sigma-Delta 18 bits with auto-calibration
• Differential input range+-2.048V

• Common mode input range 0-5V
• PGA automatic with scale 1/2/4/8
• Differential impedance analog input 2.2Mohm / PGA
• Common mode impedance 25 Mohm
• Internal voltage reference 2.048 +- 0.05%
• Drift measure < 15 ppm/°C
• PGA 1,2,4,8 Automatic
• Sample speed variable 3.75 SPS (18bit)– 15 SPS (16bit)
• Measurement error after calibration < 0.1% on all the scale
Digital Input
• Digital input 0-5V
• Impedance input 5Kohm (with pull up for internal 5V)

• Frequency range 0-1000 Hz
• Pulse counter range 0-65535 with programmable module
• Maximum speed of pulse sequence 0.75 Hz
• Measurement error of frequency after calibration < 0.1% on all the scale
• Input range of commond mode 0-5V
Voltage reference output and current generator

• Voltage reference output 2.048V +-5mV with drift < 20 ppm/°C
• Maximum current at voltage reference 15mA

• Current reference output 2.85mA +- 200uA drift < 20 ppm/°C
• Maximum voltage at current reference 2.048V
Output RS485 HALF DUPLEX

• Connection 2 wires Half Duplex
• Connection parameters 9600 N 8 1

• Up to 32 nodes on the same pair of wires

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MCS

Signal Conditioning Module

For any questions or clarifications contact:

! Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.

! Keep the surfaces of the device clean and dry.

3. Configuration Software ..................................................................................................................................9

4. RS485 commands mode ...............................................................................................................................15

5. RS485 mode MODBUS .................................................................................................................................17

6. Technical Specifications ...............................................................................................................................20

The analog input module.

The processing board

Measurement = Gain x Input Signal + offset

The analog output module

The adapting is made using the follwing formula:

Output Signal (mA o Volt) = Gain_out x Measurement + offset_out

The digital output module

Figure 1: MCS module

Connection examples of input of MCS board:

Voltage input signal NOT differential ( VIN+ / GND )

Voltage input signal differential ( VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Ratiometric input signal with reference ( VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Measurement of Temperature using PT100 4 wires (VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Measurement of Resistance 4 wires (VCCIN, VIN+ / VIN- / shield )

Measurement of Frequence (SIGIN, GNDIN )

Measurement of pulse counters or counters (SIGIN, GNDIN )

USB RS485 interface

*_EN.exe (for example MCS_EN.exe, if MCS.exe is Italian version)

The configuration software appears as below:

It is divided into the following sections:

▪ The MEASURE section (2) is used to configure the measurement data.

INPUT section (1)

Selector of sampling and

Setting of the maximum

The available types of measurement are the following:

The available sampling rates and precisions are the following:

MEASURE section (2) Selector of measure Gain

Selector of measure Offset

Last Measurement Request

Start Measure Cycle

Stop Measure Cycle

Current state of measurement cycle

The measure is calculated by the following formula:

MEASURE = Gain x Input_Value + offset

ANALOG OUTPUT section (3)

Button to calculate the

Maximum output Value Minimum effective output

Maximum effective output

The electrical value of output module is calculated by the formula:

OUTPUT = Gain_out x MEASURE + offset_out

DIGITAL OUTPUT section (4)

READ and WRITE BUTTONS

4. RS485 commands mode

Measurement request command with address

Activation command ECHO

De-activation command ECHO

Temporally activation commando of current generator

Temporally de-activation commando of current generator

Temporally activation commando of pulse current generator

Activation commando of measurement cycle (1 measure each 3 seconds)

De-activation commando of measurement cycle (1 measure each 3 seconds)

Command for reading the analog measurement sequence

Command for reading the digital measurement sequence

5. RS485 mode MODBUS