Xylem XL Series H-522 - Plus - Manual (Page 157)

Chapter 16
Operation with the GOES Radio
XL™ Series
Operation with the GOES Radio 16-1
16.1 Introduction
The GOES Radio is capable of sending data at regular timed intervals called the Timed
Transmissions or Self Timed Mode, and at random intervals called the Random Transmissions or
random mode. Both types of transmissions can be in operation at the same time. The XL™ will
check if data is to be sent to the GOES Radio data buffer after each scan interval. If data is in the
GOES radio timed data buffer it will be transmitted at its normal interval. Data in the random
buffer will be transmitted at a random time based on the random rate setting.
16.1.1 GOES Radio Data Connection
The XL™ is used to program the GOES Radio setup options and to send data to the Radio to be
transmitted. The communication link between the XL™ and the GOES Radio is normally
through the RS-232 Com Port 2. This is always the case when using the H-350XL, H-500XL
and H-510XL. On the H-522 and H-522+ it depends on the board revision on which port is used.
On board revisions 3.1 and older, com port 2 is disconnected from the I/O panel and connects
internally to the built in GOES radio. The connector on the I/O panel for com port 2 is only there
for mechanical reasons. On board revision 3.3 and newer there is a new internal com port used
specifically for the GOES radio (com 5) that is not available on the outside of the unit. In this
case com port 2 can still be used by the user for other applications. The software can detect the
hardware version and automatically adjusts to use the correct com port.
16.1.2 GOES Radio Types
The XL series data logger is compatible with several different GOES radios from three different
manufactures. The menus used to set up and program the GOES radio is basically the same for
all of the different radios. The radio may be the original GOES radio from Telonics that
supported only 100 baud transmissions or the newer units from Signal Engineering and
Microcom offering 100, 300 or 1200 baud operation. Although all attempts have been made to
make the interface the same for all radios, there are still a few differences between the radios.
The table below shows the different radios used with the XL series data logger and some of the
basic differences. Other differences will be explained under each section as needed.
Note: There are several options in the GOES Radio setup, some of these options are stored in
the Radio memory, and some in the XL™ memory. The options stored in the XL™ are
protected from power failures, but those stored in the radio are not. To protect the options
stored in the radio, make sure power connections are secure and heavy gauge wire is used.