
AR4000 User’s Manual
12
LLL004001 – Rev 2.7
6. Installation
6.1 Cabling
6.1.1 Standalone Cabling
To use the AccuRange 4000 without a serial connection to a host computer, the
only connections necessary are the power and ground lines, and the pulse width
or current loop signal connection to your data display or recording equipment.
See the Signal and Power Interface for wire connections. In its default
configuration, the AccuRange 4000 will begin measuring and transmitting range
on power-up (following a 6 second laser power-on delay for the 4000-LIR).
Depending on the configuration ordered, the range output line will have either
the current loop or pulse width output on it. The best accuracy and linearity for
the current loop is obtained with a 500 ohm load to ground at the measurement
point.
The signal strength, background light, sensor temperature, and/or the optional
current loop range output may be connected to analog input hardware. Use of a
temperature stabilization power supply is also recommended for maximum
accuracy. If you want to use temperature stabilization, attach the heater power
lines to a 5 volt supply.
The AR4000 requires at least 5 volts for sensor power, so if the same supply is
used for the sensor power as for the heater power, make sure that the lines are
connected together at the supply. Tying them together at a distance from the
supply may cause voltage drops in the power lines due to the heavy currents (up
to 4A in cold conditions) drawn by the heaters.
6.1.2 Connection to a Host Computer
Unless ordered with the RS-422 option, the cable with the 9 pin connector is the
RS-232 serial connection to the sensor. This may be directly connected to an
IBM-PC compatible serial port. Connect a 5 to 6 volt power supply to the power
and ground lines of the Power/Signal cable. See the Signal and Power Interface
for wire connections. Only the power and ground need be connected for
operation with the serial interface. Temperature stabilization power may also be
connected, as described above. For testing use a terminal emulation program
such as the Windows terminal, set to 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
Sensors configured with the RS-422 option behave identically in software, and
any of several commercially available RS-22 cards may be used to support the
sensor on a PC communcations port.