USB-to-RS485 Converter Board for Micron MM50 Series Electronics 1/8 DIN Instruments

Key Features

• Suitable for all 1/8 DIN Micron DPMs, counters, timers & remote displays.
• Connects host meter to a computer via USB 2.0 while also acting as server
  for up to 31 Micron devices on an RS485 network.
• Includes USB Type-B receptacle plus an RJ11 jack for connection to
  RS485 bus.
• Selectable baud rates to 19,200.
• Powered by instrument.
• Isolated from meter and power grounds.

The Micron USB-to-RS485 Converter Board can connect up to 31 Micron meters and counter on an RS485 bus to a computer wity a USB port. It features a USB Type-B connector for connection to a PC via a standard USB cable, plus an RJ11 jack for interface to an RS485 bus which can support up to 31 Micron meters equipped with Micron's RS485 interface board. That board features dual RJ11 connectors for RS485 daisy-chaining using commercial 6-wire RJ11 data cables, with no need for a hub.

Connecting the USB board to a PC will cause the PC to download the required driver. That driver will assign a COM port address to the connected USB device, which is then treated like an RS232 device, making the presence of the USB line transparent to the user and PC software. The individual meters, including the host meter, are selected in software by their own digital address, which can be entered from the meter front panel or by using Micron's free Windows-based Instrument Setup Software.

Three serial protocols are user-selectable: Modbus RTU, Modbus ASCII, and Micron ASCII. The Micron ASCII protocol is the simplest and is recommended if Microns are the only devices on the network. For more information, please see our Modbus Protocol Serial Communications Manual and our Serial Communications Manual. The Micron Micron ASCII protocol supports 31 device addresses, one of which needs to be the converter board. The two Modbus protocols support 247 device addresses; however, only 31 addresses can be electrically driven on an RS485 line without a repeater.

Multiple meters on an RS485 bus can also be digitally addressed using our Ethernet-to-RS485 converter board, which is normally connected to an Ethernet network router via an Ethernet line.

Software Requiring a Communications Board

• Instrument Setup Software runs on a PC and provides a Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) as an alternative to programming the meter from the front panel. This software can be downloaded from this website at no charge. Its use requires a serial communications board in the meter, but following setup that board can be removed if desired. Compatible with Modbus or Micron ASCII protocol.
• Custom Curve Linearizing Software is compatible with the Extended option version of all Microns. Not applicable to temperature. Custom curve linearization can provide exceptional accuracy from low cost transducers and extend their working range on the high and low ends. This software can be downloaded from this website at no charge. Meter setup requires a serial communications board in the meter and the Micron ASCII protocol, but following setup that board can be removed if desired and any protocol can be used.
• Data Logging Software turns a PC into a data logging system. The RS232 board allows data logging with a single meter. Use of RS485 boards allows data logging with up to 31 Micron instruments. Data can be logged from selected meters into an ASCII file, which can then be imported into MS Excel. Data can also be displayed on the computer screen in the form of up to 64 actual or virtual panel meters in 4 groups (or screens) of up to 16 meters each. Compatible with Micron ASCII protocol only.