Geokon 8020-59 User manual

No part of this instruction manual may be reproduced, by any means, without the written consent of Geokon, Inc.
The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Geokon, Inc. assumes no responsibility for
errors, omissions, or misinterpretation. The information herein is subject to change without notification.
Copyright © 2006 – 2018 by Geokon, Inc.
(Doc Rev J, 05/18/2018
Instruction Manual
Model 8020-59
Vibrating Wire to Analog Converter

Warranty Statement
Geokon, Inc. warrants its products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, under
normal use and service for a period of 13 months from date of purchase. If the unit should
malfunction, it must be returned to the factory for evaluation, freight prepaid. Upon examination
by Geokon, if the unit is found to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no charge.
However, the WARRANTY is VOID if the unit shows evidence of having been tampered with
or shows evidence of being damaged as a result of excessive corrosion or current, heat, moisture
or vibration, improper specification, misapplication, misuse or other operating conditions outside
of Geokon's control. Components which wear or which are damaged by misuse are not
warranted. This includes fuses and batteries.
Geokon manufactures scientific instruments whose misuse is potentially dangerous. The
instruments are intended to be installed and used only by qualified personnel. There are no
warranties except as stated herein. There are no other warranties, expressed or implied, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and of fitness for a particular
purpose. Geokon, Inc. is not responsible for any damages or losses caused to other equipment,
whether direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential which the purchaser may experience
as a result of the installation or use of the product. The buyer's sole remedy for any breach of this
agreement by Geokon, Inc. or any breach of any warranty by Geokon, Inc. shall not exceed the
purchase price paid by the purchaser to Geokon, Inc. for the unit or units, or equipment directly
affected by such breach. Under no circumstances will Geokon reimburse the claimant for loss
incurred in removing and/or reinstalling equipment.
Every precaution for accuracy has been taken in the preparation of manuals and/or software,
however, Geokon, Inc. neither assumes responsibility for any omissions or errors that may
appear nor assumes liability for any damages or losses that result from the use of the products in
accordance with the information contained in the manual or software.

TABLE of CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1
2. INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE 8020-59 SOFTWARE APPLICATION ..................................... 2
2.1 CONFIGURING THE COM PORT ........................................................................................................................... 5
3. QUICK START (SINGLE CHANNEL)............................................................................................................... 7
4. SINGLE AND MULTI-CHANNEL OPERATION............................................................................................10
4.1 THEORY OF OPERATION.....................................................................................................................................10
4.2 OPERATING MODES ...........................................................................................................................................11
4.2.1 Single Channel Mode................................................................................................................................11
4.2.2 16-Channel Multiplexed Mode..................................................................................................................12
4.2.3 32-Channel Multiplexed Mode..................................................................................................................13
4.3 CONVERSION TO “DIGITS” .................................................................................................................................14
4.4CONNECTION TO A VOLTAGE INPUT DAS..........................................................................................................15
4.5 CONNECTION TO A CURRENT INPUT DAS..........................................................................................................15
4.6 TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT .........................................................................................................................16
5. COMMUNICATIONS ..........................................................................................................................................17
5.1 COMMAND LINE INTERFACE..............................................................................................................................17
6. 8020-59 WINDOWS APPLICATION..................................................................................................................20
6.1 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................20
6.2 STARTING THE 8020-59 APPLICATION ...............................................................................................................20
6.3 COMMUNICATIONS TIMEOUT ERROR .................................................................................................................20
6.4 SINGLE CHANNEL CONFIGURATION...................................................................................................................21
6.5 16-CHANNEL CONFIGURATION ..........................................................................................................................22
6.6 32-CHANNEL CONFIGURATION ..........................................................................................................................25
APPENDIX A. SPECIFICATIONS.........................................................................................................................26
A.18020-59 SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................................................................................................26
A.2 MULTIPLEXER TIMING SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................27
APPENDIX B. THERMISTOR TEMPERATURE DERIVATION.....................................................................28
APPENDIX C. WIRING CONFIGURATIONS.....................................................................................................29
C.1 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –SINGLE CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL I/O DAS) ..................................................................29
C.2 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –16-CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL I/O DAS) .........................................................................30
C.3 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –32-CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL I/O DAS) .........................................................................31
C.4 CURRENT OUTPUT –SINGLE CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL I/O DAS) ..................................................................32
C.5 CURRENT OUTPUT –16-CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL I/O DAS): ........................................................................33
C.6 CURRENT OUTPUT –32-CHANNEL MODE (DIGITAL DAS)................................................................................34
C.7 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –SINGLE CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS) ..............................................................................35
C.8 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –16-CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS)......................................................................................36
C.9 VOLTAGE OUTPUT –32-CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS)......................................................................................37
C.10 CURRENT OUTPUT –SINGLE CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS).............................................................................38
C.11 CURRENT OUTPUT –16-CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS)....................................................................................39
C.12 CURRENT OUTPUT –32-CHANNEL MODE (PLC DAS)....................................................................................40
APPENDIX D. DATA REDUCTION ......................................................................................................................41
D.1 PRESSURE CALCULATION..................................................................................................................................41
D.2 TEMPERATURE CORRECTION.............................................................................................................................42
D.3 BAROMETRIC CORRECTION (REQUIRED ONLY ON NON-VENTED TRANSDUCERS)...............................................43
APPENDIX E. SAMPLE CALIBRATION REPORT ...........................................................................................44
APPENDIX F. IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF CALCULATED PRESSURES.......................................45
APPENDIX G. BAROMETRIC CORRECTION (NON-VENTED TRANSDUCERS ONLY).........................46

FIGURES
FIGURE 1-EXTRACTING THE 8020-59 INSTALLER .........................................................................................................2
FIGURE 2-SELECT DESTINATION FOLDER .....................................................................................................................2
FIGURE 3-EXTRACTED 8020-59 INSTALLER .................................................................................................................3
FIGURE 4-INSTALL WIZARD,START SCREEN................................................................................................................3
FIGURE 5-INSTALL WIZARD,CHOOSE USERS ...............................................................................................................3
FIGURE 6-INSTALL WIZARD,CHOOSE START MENU FOLDER.......................................................................................4
FIGURE 7-INSTALL WIZARD,INSTALLATION COMPLETE ..............................................................................................4
FIGURE 8-INSTALL WIZARD,LAUNCH 8020-59 APPLICATION......................................................................................5
FIGURE 9-8020-59 SOFTWARE APPLICATION,STARTUP DIALOG..................................................................................5
FIGURE 10 -COMMUNICATIONS PARAMETERS DIALOG .................................................................................................6
FIGURE 11 -SINGLE CHANNEL CONFIGURATION SCREEN ..............................................................................................8
FIGURE 12 -SINGLE CHANNEL MONITOR.......................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 13 -CONTROL SIGNAL SEQUENCE:SINGLE CHANNEL MODE ..........................................................................11
FIGURE 14 -CONTROL SIGNAL SEQUENCE:16-CHANNEL MODE (CHANNELS ONE AND TWO ONLY) ..........................12
FIGURE 15 -CONTROL SIGNAL SEQUENCE:32-CHANNEL MODE (CHANNELS ONE THROUGH FOUR ONLY) ................13
FIGURE 16 -COMMUNICATION TIMEOUT WARNING MESSAGE ....................................................................................20
FIGURE 17 -16-CHANNEL CONFIGURATION SCREEN ...................................................................................................22
FIGURE 18 -16-CHANNEL MONITOR SCREEN...............................................................................................................23
FIGURE 19 -CHANNEL ONE MONITOR .........................................................................................................................24
FIGURE 20 -32-CHANNEL MONITOR SCREEN...............................................................................................................25
FIGURE 21 -CHANNEL THREE MONITOR......................................................................................................................25
FIGURE 22 -16-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER TIMING REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................27
FIGURE 23 -32-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER TIMING REQUIREMENTS ..............................................................................27
FIGURE 24 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR ONE CHANNEL 8020-59 WITH VOLTAGE OUTPUT TO DIGITAL I/O DAS.....29
FIGURE 25 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 16-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 WITH VOLTAGE OUTPUT AND DIGITAL
I/O DAS .............................................................................................................................................................30
FIGURE 26 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 32-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 WITH VOLTAGE OUTPUT AND DIGITAL
I/O DAS .............................................................................................................................................................31
FIGURE 27 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR ONE CHANNEL 8020-59 WITH CURRENT OUTPUT TO DIGITAL I/O DAS .....32
FIGURE 28 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 16-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 WITH CURRENT OUTPUT AND DIGITAL
I/O DAS .............................................................................................................................................................33
FIGURE 29 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 32-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 WITH CURRENT OUTPUT AND DIGITAL
I/O DAS .............................................................................................................................................................34
FIGURE 30 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR ONE CHANNEL.8020-59 WITH VOLTAGE OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC AND PLC
DAS ...................................................................................................................................................................35
FIGURE 31 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 16-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 W/VOLTAGE OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC
AND PLC DAS....................................................................................................................................................36
FIGURE 32 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 32-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 W/VOLTAGE OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC
AND PLC DAS....................................................................................................................................................37
FIGURE 33 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR ONE CHANNEL 8020-59 WITH CURRENT OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC AND PLC
DAS ...................................................................................................................................................................38
FIGURE 34 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 16-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 W/CURRENT OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC
AND PLC DAS....................................................................................................................................................39
FIGURE 35 -CONNECTION EXAMPLE FOR 32-CHANNEL MULTIPLEXER,8020-59 W/CURRENT OUTPUT,8020-59 PLC
AND PLC DAS....................................................................................................................................................40
FIGURE 36 -VIBRATING WIRE PRESSURE TRANSDUCER CALIBRATION REPORT..........................................................44

TABLES
TABLE 1-CONNECTOR PINOUT AND SIGNAL DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 1
TABLE 2-THERMISTOR RESISTANCE VERSUS TEMPERATURE .....................................................................................28
TABLE 3-ENGINEERING UNITS MULTIPLICATION FACTORS ........................................................................................42
EQUATIONS
EQUATION 1-VIBRATING WIRE FREQUENCY TO DIGITS CONVERSION........................................................................14
EQUATION 2-ANALOG VOLTAGE OUTPUT ..................................................................................................................14
EQUATION 3-ANALOG CURRENT OUTPUT ..................................................................................................................14
EQUATION 4-ANALOG VOLTAGE OUTPUT ..................................................................................................................14
EQUATION 5-ANALOG CURRENT OUTPUT ..................................................................................................................14
EQUATION 6-TEMPERATURE DERIVED FROM VOLTAGE OUTPUT................................................................................16
EQUATION 7-TEMPERATURE DERIVED FROM CURRENT OUTPUT................................................................................16
EQUATION 8-RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE .............................................................................................................28
EQUATION 9-DIGITS CALCULATION............................................................................................................................41
EQUATION 10 -CONVERT DIGITS TO PRESSURE ...........................................................................................................41
EQUATION 11 -TEMPERATURE CORRECTION ...............................................................................................................42
EQUATION 12 -BAROMETRIC CORRECTION..................................................................................................................43
EQUATION 13 -CORRECTED PRESSURE CALCULATION ................................................................................................43
EQUATION 14 -SECOND ORDER POLYNOMIAL EXPRESSION.........................................................................................45
EQUATION 15 -LINEARITY CALCULATION ...................................................................................................................45

1
1. INTRODUCTION
The Model 8020-59 Vibrating Wire (VW) to Analog Converter is a low cost module that
provides a simple way to connect Geokon’s vibrating wire transducers to data acquisition
systems that are not capable of reading frequency signals nor able to generate the proper signals
required to excite VW transducers. The converter can operate with single transducers, as a stand-
alone device, or with multiple transducers in conjunction with the Geokon Model 8032
Multiplexer. The converter is powered using either a 12V or a 24V supply.
The 8020-59 interface is capable of outputting a 0-5V or 4-20mA signal that is directly
proportional to “digits”, a vibrating wire sensor’s native units. These outputs are easily converted
to digits via several simple formulas (see Section 4.3). The analog outputs are automatically
scaled to minimum and maximum parameters (defaults are 0 and 25,000) and sloped to provide
their complete 0-5V or 4-20mA range for each individual transducer. These analog outputs offer
20-bit resolution (one part in 1,048,576) with an accuracy of better than 0.1% of full scale span
(0-5V output) throughout the operating temperature range (-20 ºC min, +80 ºC max). In a similar
fashion, the temperature reading from the transducer’s thermistor is available with 10-bit
resolution (one part in 1024). When configured for single-channel operation, the 8020-59
updates the reading approximately once every second.
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
Signal Description
1
GND
Analog Signal Ground
2
V OUT
Conversion Voltage Output, 0 to 5 Volts
3
+24V
24 Volt Power In
4
+24V GND
Ground for 24V Power
5
I-RET
Return for Conversion Current Output
6
+12V
12 Volt Power Supply In OR +12V Output, if powered by 24V
7
GND
Ground for 12 Volt Power
8
TH+
Thermistor Positive Lead
9
TH-
Thermistor Negative Lead
10
C+
Vibrating Wire Positive Lead
11
C-
Vibrating Wire Negative Lead
12
VALID
Valid Output:
5V indicates conversion complete
0V indicates conversion not done
13
ENABLE
Enable Input:
Single Channel Mode: 0V = VW output (digits)
5V = Temperature output (˚C)
16/32-Channel Mode: 0V = Conversion Disabled
5V = Conversion Enabled
14
CLOCK
Clock Input:
Single Channel Mode: 0V = 8020-59 ON
5V = 8020-59 OFF
16-Channel Mode: 0 → 5V transition =
increment channel and select VW Analog or Temperature Analog
32-Channel Mode: 0 → 5V transition = increment channel
15
I-OUT
VW and Thermistor Conversion Current Output
Table 1 - Connector Pinout and Signal Description

2
2. INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING THE 8020-59 SOFTWARE
APPLICATION
A free setup and configuration application is available for download on Geokon’s website,
providing a user-friendly way to set up the 8020-59 VW to Analog Converter. Follow the steps
below to install the software:
1) After downloading the installer from the Geokon website, right-click on the zip file, “8020-
59_setup.zip”, and select “Extract All…” from the resulting popup menu (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 - Extracting the 8020-59 Installer
2) Another dialog will be displayed showing the editable default destination folder for the
extracted contents (see Figure 2). When satisfied with the destination folder, click on the
Extract button to extract the contents of the zipped installer (see Figure 2).
Figure 2 - Select Destination Folder
3) Figure 3 on the following page shows the extracted installer in the destination folder. Double
click on the file, “setup.exe”, to start the install process.

3
Figure 3 - Extracted 8020-59 Installer
4) After a few moments, the dialog shown in Figure 4 will be displayed.
Figure 4 - Install Wizard, Start Screen
5) After clicking on the “Next >” button, the dialog shown in Figure 5 is displayed.
Figure 5 - Install Wizard, Choose Users

4
6) Choose whether to install the 8020-59 Software Application for all users or just for the
current user (see Figure 5). NOTE: Without administrative privileges on the PC, the only
option allowed will be “Install just for me”. After making a selection, click “Next >”; this
will bring up the dialog shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6 - Install Wizard, Choose Start Menu Folder
7) The dialog shown in Figure 6 allows the installer to choose where the “shortcut” to launch
the application will be located – the default is the “Geokon” folder. A “shortcut” will also be
located on the desktop. Clicking on “Install” begins the process of copying files and causes
the dialog box shown in Figure 7 to be displayed:
Figure 7 - Install Wizard, Installation Complete