1
SC-USB USB to CS I/O Opto-isolated
Interface
The SC-USB is designed to allow Campbell Scientific dataloggers to communicate directly
with computers fitted with a USB interface. It provides an isolated connection which can
also operate at higher speeds than conventional RS-232 connections.
1. Introduction
The SC-USB is optically isolated thus preventing possible noise pickup
associated with PC power supplies and ground connections. It also supports
synchronous communications modes, available in some models of dataloggers,
which allow multiple devices to be connected in parallel. The SC-USB can be
used in place of an SC32B interface. The SC-USB also has the potential for
high-speed data transfer to the PC at up to 1 MBit/second where the datalogger
supports it.
The SC-USB will appear in PC software as a new virtual serial port, allowing it
to be used with many software packages.
The SC-USB PC drivers support various operating systems including Windows
2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. The SC-USB is shipped with a software CD
containing suitable drivers and a set-up/programming utility called SC-
USB.exe which can be found in a directory named ‘Utility’ on the CD. The
CD also contains a comprehensive help file and manual. These files can be
accessed directly from the CD, if required, by running the setup program.
The SC-USB will normally operate ‘straight from the box’ for most
applications using the default settings. However, you can change the baud rate,
the communication rate, and its USB ID by using the Sc-usb.exe set-up utility
provided (see Section
Set-up Modes – the SC_USB Programming Utility
(p. 13)
). This utility can also be used to upgrade the SC-USB operating system.
Set-up Modes – the SC_USB Programming Utility
(p. 13)
, if
using a 21X, CR7, CR10X-TD, or CR23X-TD datalogger, using call-back, or
when upgrading a datalogger operating system using the CSOS or
Device
Configuration Utility
.
Please check with Campbell Scientific if you wish to use the SC-USB with a
CR9000X.
If you are using a CR5000 datalogger, make sure the datalogger
operating system is version 2.0 or later as this will enable the
highest communication speeds. For older versions set the SC-
USB to work in ME Comms Mode (see Section
– the SC_USB Programming Utility
(p. 13)
NOTE