RETIRED ›
This product is no longer available and has been replaced by: TX325. Some accessories, replacement parts, or services may still be available.
TX321 Satellite Transmitter for GOES or Meteosat
Services Available
Repair No
Calibration No
Free Support Yes

Overview

The TX321 is a GOES and Meteosat satellite data transmitter. It provides an easy and reliable way for Campbell Scientific data collection platforms (DCP) to transmit data over geostationary satellites. The TX321 is typically used by government agencies and sponsored research organizations for the purpose of collecting environmental data.

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Benefits and Features

  • GOES High Data Rate Version 2, Meteosat SRD, and International DCS operation
  • Very low power consumption when idle (< 5 mA @ 12V)
  • Transmissions continue for 28 days if GPS is lost
  • Configuration and diagnostics easily performed by data logger or computer
  • Drop-in replacement for Campbell Scientific TX320, TX312, and SAT HDR GOES

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Detailed Description

The TX321 is designed for use on the NOAA GOES Data Collection System and the EUMETSAT Meteosat Data Collection Services satellite networks. These networks use geostationary satellites and ground stations to receive and relay data transmitted from remote data collection platforms (DCP), such as those provided by Campbell Scientific. These DCPs are typically owned and operated by government agencies and sponsored research organizations. Users are given a frequency and time slot for their transmissions.

Data Collection Platform (DCP) Equipment

  • TX321 Satellite Transmitter
  • 17992 or 31182 GPS antenna and their antenna mounts and coaxial cables
  • 25316 11 dBi Right-Hand Circular Polarized (RHCP) Yagi antenna and coaxial cable
  • Data logger
  • Power supply, such as Campbell Scientific’s BP12 or BP24 battery, CH150 or CH200 charge regulator, and SP10 10 W or SP20 20 W solar panel


GOES System Authorization Procedure

Non-U. S. government agencies and research organizations must have a sponsor from a U.S. government agency. Prospective GOES users must receive formal permission from NESDIS, by doing the following:

  1. Fill out the System Use Agreement (SUA) application form. The form can be submitted online or sent to:

    GOES DCS SUA Processing Unit NOAA,
    Satellite Services Division
    4231 Suitland Road, Rm 1646
    Suitland Federal Center Suitland, MD 20746
    Tel: 301-817-4563
    Fax: 301-817-4569
    Email: Letecia.Reeves@noaa.gov

  2. Following approval, NESDIS sends a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA must be signed and returned to NESDIS.
  3. After the MOA is approved, NESDIS will issue a channel assignment and an ID address code.
  4. NESDIS must be contacted to coordinate a start-up date.

Meteosat System Authorization Procedure

Complete and submit the EUMETSAT DCP Admission form.

Specifications

Transmission Distance or Area
  • GOES: North America
  • Meteosat: Europe
Transmissions Supported
  • Timed and random
  • ASCII and pseudo-binary message
Transmit RF Out Connector Type N jack
Radio Module G6 OEM
Operating Temperature Range -40° to +60°C
Storage Temperature Range -55° to +70°C
Case Dimensions 18.54 x 12.7 x 3.81 cm (7.3 x 5 x 1.5 in.)
Maximum Dimensions 20.96 x 13.34 x 4.06 cm (8.25 x 5.25 x 1.6 in.) including connectors
Weight 0.77 kg (1.7 lb)

Supply Power
Supply Voltage 10.8 to 16 Vdc
Typical Current Drain
  • < 5 mA (at 12 Vdc when idle)
  • < 100 mA (at 12 Vdc during GPS fix)
  • < 2.6 A (at 12 Vdc during transmit)
Connector Removable 2 pin screw terminal, 5 mm pitch

Satellite GOES
Standards NOAA/NESDIS GOES High Data Rate Certification Standards version 2
Baud Rates 300 and 1200 bps
Transmit Power
  • When transmitting to GOES-13 or later, transmit EIRP shall be 37 to 41 dBm for 300 bps and 43 to 47 dBm for 1200 bps.
  • Settings default for use with 11 dBi YAGI antenna
  • 31.5 dBm (300 bps default)
  • 37.5 dBm (1200 bps default)
  • 38 dBm (maximum)
Frequency Range 401.701 to 402.0985 MHz
Initial Frequency Stability ±20 Hz disciplined to GPS (GPS fix occurs after power up and once per day thereafter.)
Channel Bandwidth
  • 3 kHz (300 bps)
  • 1.5 KHzNOAA/NESDIS GOES High Data Rate Certification Standards version 2 (1200 bps)

Satellite Meteosat
Operation EUMETSAT Meteosat SRD
Baud Rates 100 bps
Transmit Power
  • Meteosat SRD transmit EIRP should be 43.25 to 52 dBm.
  • Default configuration for use with 11 dBi YAGI antenna
  • 37.5 dBm (100 bps default)
  • 41.5 dBm (maximum)
Frequency Range 402.0355 to 402.4345 MHz
Initial Frequency Stability ±20 Hz disciplined to GPS (GPS fix occurs after power up and once per day thereafter.)
Channel Bandwidth 3 kHz (100 bps)

GPS Receiver
Receiver Type 3.3 V active
Connector SMA jack

Timekeeping
Initial Accuracy ±100 μs (synchronized to GPS)
Drift ±10 ms/day (without GPS)
GPS Schedule 1 fix at power up (1 fix per day afterwards)
Transmission Continuation without GPS Fix 28 days

Interface Connectors
USB Micro B, USB device
RS-232 DB9 F, DCE, 3 wire RS-232
CS I/O DB9 M, SDC 4
Satellite RF Transmit Out Type N jack
GPS SMA jack
Power Removable 2 pin

Interface Command Protocols
Binary Command Protocol
  • Available on CS I/O when connected
  • Available on RS-232 if CS I/O is not connected
ASCII Command Protocol Available on all ports

25316 Transmit Antenna
Gain 11 dBi
Antenna Type Right-hand circular polarization Yagi
Connector Type N female
Wind Load ~100 knots

17992 GPS Antenna
Antenna Type 3.3 V active dome, pipe mount
Gain 28 dBi
Connector TNC jack

31182 GPS Antenna
Antenna Type 3.3 V active patch, magnetic mount
Gain 27 dBi
Connector SMA plug

Compatibility

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

Data Loggers

Compatible Note
21X (retired)
CR10 (retired)
CR1000 (retired)
CR10X (retired)
CR200 (retired)
CR200X (retired)
CR205 (retired)
CR206 (retired)
CR206X (retired)
CR23X (retired)
CR295 (retired)
CR295X (retired)
CR300 The CR300 requires a null modem cable, pn 18663.
CR3000 (retired)
CR310 The CR310 requires a null modem cable, pn 18663.
CR500 (retired)
CR5000 (retired)
CR510 (retired)
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)
CR9000 (retired)
CR9000X (retired)

Mounting Equipment

Compatible Note
ENC10/12
ENC10/12R When installing the TX321 into the ENC10/12R, it must be mounted flat or a right-angle serial connector must be used, such as that offered by the SC12 or a ribbon cable.
ENC12/14 When installing the TX321 into the ENC12/14, it must be mounted flat or a right-angle serial connector must be used, such as that offered by the SC12 or a ribbon cable.
ENC14/16 When installing the TX321 into the ENC14/16, it must be mounted flat or a right-angle serial connector must be used, such as that offered by the SC12 or a ribbon cable.
ENC16/18
ENC24/30

Additional Compatibility Information

Power Supply

Typical power supply is a BP12 12 Ahr or BP24 24 Ahr battery, CH150 or CH200 regulator, and an SP10 or SP20 solar panel. The BP85 or a user-supplied deep-cycle rechargeable battery can be used if the system contains higher power consumptive devices such as continuous bubblers or heated rain gages.

Note: Because of the peak power draw during transmit, do not connect to the 12V output of a data logger.

Downloads

TX321 / TX320 GPS Update v.4 (1.09 MB) 18-12-2019

This download is a zip file that contains new firmware v11.11 and v10.23 for the G6 radio internal to the TX321 and v8.04 for the G5 radio internal to the TX320.
The file also contains the software package that uploads the new firmware and the TX321 / TX320 firmware update procedure.

View Revision History

TX320 & TX321 USB Drivers v.2.08.28 (1.64 MB) 05-03-2013

TX320 & TX321 USB Drivers for the Windows operating system. 32 and 64 bit support for Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Note: Drivers should be loaded before plugging the TX320 or TX321 into the computer.

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