SL MD-220

Optical Transmittance Analyzer

SPECIFICATIONS
 2 channel digital interface
 Flexible optocoupler digital outputs
 Direct external control
 Minimal power consumption
 Adjustable trigger level impulse duration
 Sensor failure indication

The Sensor Line MD-220 is a two-channel digital

opto-electronic interface for Sensor Line's fiber optic load
sensors. This two-channel interface supplies light to two
fiber optic sensors, monitors the amount of light
transmitted through the sensors and detects small
changes caused by loads applied to the sensors. With its
advanced circuitry, the interface can detect a load on a
FEATURES sensor for as long as it is applied to the sensor.
 2 Channel, digital interface
 Works in stop and go traffic The MD-220 incorporates a TI MSP-430 embedded
 Up to 30dB dynamic range microcontroller, programmable via a JTAG interface. It
 Flexible optocoupler digital outputs (up to has a 10-wire screw-clip interface with power supply
60V) terminals and four floating optocoupler outputs. It also has
 Completely software driven – easily a RS-232 interface data transmission and troubleshooting.
adaptable for custom applications Direct external control is possible through the use of an 8-
 Optimized for toll applications way SIL switch, two jumpers and a reset switch. For
 Capable of dual tire detection quicker troubleshooting, six LED status displays show the
 RS-232 Output for use with Signal Viewer function of the interface and there are five easily
Software and Data Log capabilities accessible test points for analog measurements.
 4 triggered outputs (2 for sensors, 1 for dual
tire, and 1 for sensor failure) Power consumption has been minimized by circuitry
that operates the transmitter diodes in series while
independently controlling the current through each diode.
The MD-220 uses near infrared diodes which give each
channel a dynamic range of 30 dB.

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SL MD-220
Optical Transmittance Analyzer

TECHNICAL DATA
Hardware
Hardware Version 2.0c STD-1
Number of Channels 2
Size 3.54 x 4.33 x 0.75 in (100 x 110 x 19 mm)
10-wire screw terminal block
Electrical Connections RS-232, 3-wire*
5 test points
Optical connections SMA 905
LED Peak Output Wavelength 850 nm (NIR)
Maximum Sensor Loss 30 dB (NIR)
Relative Humidity 80% at 77°F (25°C)
Temperature Range -40 to 185°F (-40 to 85°C)
Supply Voltage +12 to +24 VDC
Supply Current < 140 mA
Analog Output at Test Points 0-10 V
OFF: 50 V/<1 uA
Optocoupler Outputs max.
ON: 5 V/50 mA (250 mW @ 25°C)
RS-232 connector 9-pin DSUB male
Velocity Range Up to 155 mph (250 km/h)
Feeder Length Up to 820 ft (250 meters)
Comparative Laser Class 3A (NIR, sensor disconnected)
EMV/EMI Meets CE-requirements
* selectable with SIL switch

Software
Program Name MD220STD
Program Version 1.3
Program cycle time 500 μs ± 5%
Watchdog expiration time 4 ms
0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.6%
Thresholds
change of light transmittance*
0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%
Adaptive Threshold
of load signal*
Hysteresis ± 2 digits
Triggering
Minimum input ON time 3 program cycles (1.5 ms)
3 program cycles (1.5 ms) /
Minimum output ON time 40 program cycles (20 ms)**
80 program cycles (40 ms)**
Maximum output ON time 30 s
Baud Rate 9600 / 19200 / 115200 Baud*
Data Bits 8
RS-232
Stop Bits 1
Parity N (no parity)

* selectable with SIL switch

** selectable with jumper J1

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SL MD-220
Optical Transmittance Analyzer

MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS in mm (in)

110 (4.331)

JTAG
Receiver 1
Connector +12..24VDC

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Channel 1 GND

System Terminal
AUX2-
Fiber Optic SMA 905 Receptacles

Receiver
Through Holes Ø3.1 (.122) AUX2+
Transmitter 1
AUX1-
Channel 1 AUX1+

100 (3.937)
Transmitter TRG2-
90 (3.543)

TRG2+
Transmitter 2
TRG1-
Channel 2 TRG1+
Transmitter
Receiver 2

RS-232
Channel 2 . Connector
Receiver SIL-Switch
Jumpers

Test Points Status LEDs Reset

Switch
120 (4.724)

Maximum Height 19 (.748)

Model Number Part Number Laser

SL MD-200-IR 1007062-2 IR

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SL MD-220
Optical Transmittance Analyzer

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

The drawing above is a simple circuit diagram of one channel. When the photodiode is illuminated with light from
the sensor it proportionally sinks a current to the incoming light power. This causes the output of the OPAMP to
go high so the current is supplied across the 7.5 MΩ resistor. When the light becomes too bright the OPAMP
output is clipped, and the controller supplies additional current via the DAC and the 470 k resistor until the
OPAMP output is “unclipped.”

Small changes of photo current are amplified by the OPAMP by a factor of 7.5 MΩ (7.5 V/μA). The controller
measures this voltage ("Analog Voltage" or VANAx) as well as the voltage produced by the A-D converter
("Monitor Voltage" or VMONx) with a resolution of 12 Bits. An additional A-D converter controls the light power fed
into the sensor

NORTH AMERICA ASIA

Measurement Specialties, Inc., Measurement Specialties (China), Ltd.,
a TE Connectivity Company a TE Connectivity Company
Phone +1-800-522-6752 Phone: +86-400-820-6015
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

TE.com/sensorsolutions
Measurement Specialties, Inc., a TE Connectivity company.
Accustar, American Sensor Technologies, AST, ATEXIS, DEUTSCH, IdentiCal, TruBlue, KPSI, Krystal Bond, Microfused, UltraStable, Measurement Specialties, MEAS, Schaevitz, TE
Connectivity, TE, and the TE connectivity (logo) are trademarks of the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies. Other logos, product and company names mentioned herein may be
trademarks of their respective owners.
The information given herein, including drawings, illustrations and schematics which are intended for illustration purposes only, is believed to be reliable. However, TE Connectivity makes
no warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and disclaims any liability in connection with its use. TE Connectivity‘s obligations shall only be as set forth in TE Connectivity‘s Standard
Terms and Conditions of Sale for this product and in no case will TE Connectivity be liable for any incidental, indirect or consequential damages arising out of the sale, resale, use or
misuse of the product. Users of TE Connectivity products should make their own evaluation to determine the suitability of each such product for the specific application.

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