NL241 Wireless Network Link Interface
Powerful Wi-Fi Network Link and Access Point
Extremely low power consumption
weather applications supported water applications supported energy applications supported gas flux and turbulence applications supported infrastructure applications supported soil applications supported

Overview

The NL241 is a Wi-Fi WLAN (wireless local area network) interface that provides connectivity to your data logger through your existing Wi-Fi network or any available Wi-Fi hotspot. It can either join an existing network or create a network providing a direct link to the data logger or to a cloud data service, like Campbell Scientific’s Konect. The NL241 can also be used as an access point for directly connecting to the data logger from any Wi-Fi enabled device.

The NL241 is a wide-operating-temperature and low-power-consumption device, making it ideal for providing Wi-Fi client and access point functionality in demanding and remote applications. The wireless access point feature allows any Wi-Fi device to connect, including your PC, phone, tablet, or even another NL241 or NL240. It can be always on, cycled on and off under program control, or brought up with the touch of a button. Unlike the NL240, the NL241 is a true access point and does not rely on ad hoc networking.

This wireless network link interface is configurable to support a number of different types of connections including PakBus, TCP serial server and client, Modbus/TCP gateway, and Wi-Fi to CS I/O port bridging.

Benefits and Features

  • Low power consumption for reduced power supply costs
  • Embedded radio transmitter for simplified operation and use as an access point without the need for ad hoc networking
  • Quick configuration as an access point in the field
  • Access to full PakBus routing capabilities
  • Direct data logger communication with IP connectivity supported through LoggerLink smartphone app and LoggerNet PC software

Images



Specifications

Transmission Distance or Area Worldwide
Material Aluminum case with black anodized finish
Operating Temperature Range -40° to +70°C
Configuration
  • Device Configuration Utility over USB or Wi-Fi
  • Telnet console over Wi-Fi
  • Terminal menu over RS-232
CS I/O Port
  • SDC 7, 8, 10, or 11 (does not support ME)
  • 9600 bps to 460.8 kbps
RS-232 Port
  • DTE, DB9 PIn (Male)
  • 1200 bps to 115.2 kbps
USB Port Micro-B
Supported Protocols IPv4, IPv6, ICMP/Ping, ICMPv6/Ping, TCP/IP, DHCP Client, DHCP Server (in access point mode only), SLAAC, DNS Client, HTTPS Proxy,TLS, Telnet Server, PakBus, Modbus
TCP Connections
  • 50 simultaneous connections supported
  • 10 of the 50 TCP connections can be used for TLS
PakBus Router 50 routes supported
Modbus Server Up to 15 concurrent transactions supported
Power Source CS I/O or DC barrel connector (not USB)
Supply Voltage 9 to 16 Vdc
Compliance Information
  • CE Compliant
  • Complies with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules
Embedded Radio Transmitter Approvals
  • FCC Identifier: XF6-RS9113SB
  • Industry Canada: 8407A-RS9113SB
Service Requirements Wi-Fi hotspot (access to standard 802.11b/g/n networks)
Dimensions 16 x 7.3 x 2.54 cm (6.3 x 2.9 x 1 in.)
Weight 180.35 g (6.36 oz)

WLAN

Antenna Connector RPSMA
Supported Technologies 802.11b/g/n, WPA/WPA2-Personal, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise Security, WEP
Client Mode WPA/WPA2-Personal and Enterprise, WEP
Access Point Mode WPA2-Personal
Communication Rate
  • up to 11 Mbps (802.11b)
  • up to 54 Mbps (802.11g)
  • up to 72 Mbps (802.11n)
Transmit Power
  • 7 ± 1 dBm (low)
  • 10 ± 1 dBm (medium)
  • 18 ± 2 dBm (high)
Rx Sensitivity -97 dBm
Frequency 2.4 GHz

Power Consumption

Client Mode
  • 7.5 to 8 mA (idle)
  • 65 to 75 mA (communicating)
Access Point Mode
  • 67 mA (idle)
  • 70 mA (communicating)
Standby < 1.5 mA

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Data Loggers

Compatible Note
CR1000 (retired) OS version 31.08 or greater
CR1000X
CR3000 (retired) OS version 31.08 or greater
CR6 OS version 06.08 or greater
CR800 (retired) OS version 31.08 or greater

Software

Compatible Note
DevConfig Version 2.15 or greater

Additional Compatibility Information

The NL241 is powered by the data logger when connecting through the CS I/O port. When connected to the RS-232 port, a field cable (pn 14291) is used to connect the NL241 to an appropriate 12 Vdc power supply.

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.

Articles and Press Releases