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| Control44
Evaluation Kit enables user to evaluate Control44 Encoder/Decoder
and appropriate single frequency Radiometrix module for
a wireless remote control system. Radio modules can be
assessed for their suitability in terms of range, price
and operating frequency band |
Figure 1: Control44 Encoder
(left) and Decoder (right) Evaluation Kits
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Features
- 4-bit address, 4 bit data select
switches
- 4 relays to control mains powered
devices rated up to 8A, 250VAC/30VDC
- Visual indication of valid code
received and active relays
- RF module range testing
- Push button for momentary control
of relays
- Momentary, Latched outputs
- Dynamic relay state changes
- Setup is simple as Plug-and-Play
- RF Remote Control Demonstration
- PP3 9V battery powered. Terminal
block to prolong use with external power supply
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| Kit Contents
The CTR44 Evaluation Kit is supplied with
the following contents:
2 CTR44-000-DIL
1 CTR44 Eval Kit PCB populated as Encoder (ENC)
1 CTR44 Eval Kit PCB populated as Decoder (DEC)
1 Single frequency Radiometrix Transmitter module (ordered
separately)
1 Single frequency Radiometrix Receiver module (ordered
separately)
2 9V alkaline battery (PP3)
2 1/4 wavelength monopole or helical antennas (ordered separately)
2 Jumpers
1 CTR44 data sheet
1 CTR44 Evaluation Kit manual
1 Data sheet of Radio module ordered
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Additional optional requirements
- External power supply or 12V DC
power adaptor for prolonged use
- Electrical device to be controlled
with a maximum rating of 8A, 30VDC or 250VAC
- Electric Tester Screwdriver
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| General description
Evaluation Kit uses a common PCB for both
Encoder and Decoder just like CTR44-000 IC can be used as
either Encoder or Decoder. However, the modes cannot be changed
on the evaluation kit as PCBs are populated with necessary
components for respective mode. Decoder PCB can be easily
identified by the noticeable presence of relays.
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| Visual Indication
The following status LEDs will be
activated depending on the status of CTR44.
| LED |
Function |
Description |
| D9 |
TX (Red) |
Transmitter Enabled; |
| D3:D0 |
DB3:DB0 (Red) |
Relay Activated, Data
bit High received |
| D8 |
OK (bright Yellow) |
Valid code (data packet)
received |
| D10 |
POWER (Green) |
Power Supply Switched
ON |
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Quick Functionality Guide
| Component |
Encoder
Function |
Decoder
Function |
| J3:J0 |
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1 - CO (Common)
2 - NC (Normally Closed)
3 - NO (Normally Opened)
Relay OFF: Terminal 1 - 2 linked
Relay ON: Terminal 1 - 3 linked |
| JP1 |
Encoder = 5V |
Decoder=0V |
| JP2 |
Continuously encode and
SEND |
LATCH received data until
next valid reception |
| J5 |
7.5V - 16V |
9V - 12V |
| RLA3:RLA0 |
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Relay Switch
with rating of 8A 250VAC or 30VDC |
| SW1 |
Address Switches (A3:A0)
ON=0V=0
OFF=5V=1 |
Address Switches (A3:A0)
ON=0V=0
OFF=5V=1 |
| SW2 |
Data Switches
(DB3:DB0)
ON=0V=0
OFF=5V=1 |
- |
| SW3 |
Momentary SEND |
- |
| SW4 |
Power Switch |
Power Switch |
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| On-board low drop out regulator (LE50CZ)
provides clean regulated 5V supply to the radio modules and
microcontroller. However, the relay coils are powered from the
external power supply or on-board 9V alkaline battery via 1N4001
diode (0.7<VF<1.1V) for protection against accidental
reverse supply connection. Although 12V relays are used, the
minimum pull-in voltage for relay coil is 8.4V.
Copper on all unused PCB area connected to 0V, provides ground
plane necessary for the ¼ wavelength monopole antenna
to perform efficiently. At VHF frequencies, the ground plane
dimension is not sufficient for a ¼ wavelength whip
antenna. A helical antenna would perform better compared to
a ¼ wavelength monopole antenna without proper ground
plane as it does not rely on ground plane as much as a monopole.
Sockets are provided for easy insertion of radio modules.
However, long pins and the large gap between ground plane
of the Evaluation Kit PCB and ground plane of the module will
degrade the range performance of the module. In a finished
product, the SIL type modules should be mounted flat on the
PCB with their pins trimmed to bare minimum. Can lugs, which
are pre-soldered to ground plane of the module, should also
be soldered to ground plane pads on the main PCB of the product.
Frequency of the ceramic resonator (RES) can be decreased
(e.g. 2MHz) to reduce the bit rate (1200bps) through radio
when using radio receiver with reduced bandwidth optimised
for longer range. For fast activation, it can also be increased
up to 20MHz, however, the CTR44-000-DIL should be replaced
with CTR44H-000-DIL which provides higher drive level for
>4MHz resonator to oscillate.
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| Resonator |
Bit
rate through radio |
IC |
Module |
| 2MHz |
1.1kbps |
CTR44-000-DIL |
BiM1T, RX1-xxx.xxx-1.2 |
| 3.58MHz |
2kbps (55ms power-up preamble) |
CTR44-000-DIL |
TX1, RX1 |
| £20MHz |
11.2kbps |
CTR44H-000-DIL |
TX2, RX2, TX3A, RX3A |
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CTR44 Encoder Board
In this mode, jumper link (JP1) connects the MODE pin of
the CTR44-000-DIL to 5V supply line. RST pin is also tied
to 5V. 5V supply to CTR44 IC is decoupled close to its VCC
pin via 100nF Ceramic capacitor (C1).
CTR44 has an internal weak pull-up to 5V on its Address and
Data pins. Therefore the DIL switches when switched ON shorts
the respective pin to 0V. Therefore, address/data bit values
are inverted relative to switch positions. Address and Data
Switch number starts from 1 instead of 0. (SW2 No 2=DB1)
PNP transistor (T4) is used to Enable and supply power to
SIL type transmitters. It inverts the Active Low TXE from
CTR44 to Active High Enable for TX1/TX3A and connects supply
to module when switched ON.
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Setup
- Insert the supplied Radiometrix Transmitter module into
the appropriate slot with RF pins towards BNC connector
SIL slots marked TX1/2/3 are for TX1/TX2/TX3A modules
DIL slot is for BiM1T module (Note: on-board legend orientation
is upside down)
- Connect the supplied antenna to BNC connector according
to module frequency
- Set desired Address Bits by sliding each switch (ON=0=5V,
OFF=1=5V)
- Set Data Switch position to OFF (=1=5V) for relays which
need to be activated
- Insert the supplied 9V battery or connect an external
7.5V-16V supply.
- Go to Decoder Setup
- Slide the Power Switch to ON
- Press the RED SEND button to momentarily activate the
relays
Insert the supplied JP2 jumper across both pins to continuously
SEND.
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CTR44 will execute a power-up transmission
when switched ON just after procedure 7. TX LED will be momentarily
lit followed by DB LEDs for which Data Switch was set to OFF
position. Relay will make a 'clicking sound' when the internal
relay switch positions are changed. This power-up transmission
feature can be used for low cost remote control which requires
a single switch/button operation with default address and
data.
If the SEND button switch (SW3) is pressed
intermittently, the Encoder PCB will transmit a short bursts
of Address and Data switch settings to decoder PCB. Instead
of holding the depressed SEND button, the Jumper JP2 can be
used for continuous transmission which allows user to dynamically
change data switches.
When performing range test, the SEND Jumper
(JP2) should be inserted on the Encoder PCB to transmit continuously
from a fixed location. User can walk around with the Decoder
PCB and monitor the status of OK and DB3:DB0 LEDs.
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| CTR44 Decoder Board
It is populated with additional components
to drive the Relay and provide visual indication of received
data bits. NPN transistors (T3:T0) will provide the required
drive current and voltage drop to activate relay coil to pull-in
the internal relay switch and to activate the LEDs if the
received data bit is '1'. Diodes (D7:D4) provide protection
against back EMF developed by the relay coil when switching
OFF.
Since the STROBE pulse signal generated
by the CTR44 is 10ms long, OK LED output may not be visible
in bright sunlight.
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Setup
- Insert the supplied Radiometrix Receiver
module into the appropriate slot with RF pins towards BNC
connector
SIL slots marked RX1/2/3 are for RX1/RX2/RX2A/RX3/RX3A modules
DIL slot is for BiM1R module (Note: on-board legend orientation
is upside down)
- Connect the supplied antenna to BNC
connector according to module frequency
- Set Decoder PCB Address Bits to match
Encoder PCB Address Bits
- Insert the JP2 jumper to latch (hold)
received data (relay) position until next valid change
Remove JP2 to keep relay active only while reception is
valid (Useful for range test)
- Connect 250VAC device(s) to the 3-way
terminal block(s). [Observe Safety Procedure]
- Insert the supplied 9V battery or connect
an external 9V-12V supply
- Slide the Power Switch to ON
- Return to Encoder Setup Procedure 7
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| SAFETY WARNING:
Extra care should be taken when handling the electrical connection
from relay to 250AC device. Mains power should be disconnected
before connecting the wires to 3-way terminal blocks to prevent
electric shock. Exposed wires or terminal block should not be
touched during evaluation.
LATCH Jumper (JP2) can be used to hold
the received data bit value (Relay Position) without continuously
transmitting the same data bit values. Relay position can
be updated and maintained with a momentary update transmission
after adjusting Data Switch positions on the Encoder PCB.
When performing range test, the Latch Jumper
(JP2) should be removed to notice loss of reception when the
DB3:DB0 LED starts to flicker. Flickering indicates that the
receiver is beyond its maximum reliable operating range or
in weak RF signal reception area where some of the packets
are correctly received while others are lost. In building
environment, DB LED may stop working even though receiver
may be within its operating range due to 'null-spot'. Moving
the position or orientation the decoder (antenna) will enable
receiver to continue to receive sufficient RF signal level
for decoder to correctly decode the transmitted data.
The above procedures can be used
in a site survey to identify areas of weak RF signal reception,
null-spots and to find best position for antenna placement
to maximise coverage.
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Figure
2: Schematic of CTR44 Evaluation Kit |
Figure
3: Component layout of CTR44 Evaluation Kit PCB |
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Limitation of liability
The information furnished by Radiometrix
Ltd is believed to be accurate and reliable. Radiometrix Ltd
reserves the right to make changes or improvements in the
design, specification or manufacture of its subassembly products
without notice. Radiometrix Ltd does not assume any liability
arising from the application or use of any product or circuit
described herein, nor for any infringements of patents or
other rights of third parties which may result from the use
of its products. This data sheet neither states nor implies
warranty of any kind, including fitness for any particular
application. These radio devices may be subject to radio interference
and may not function as intended if interference is present.
We do NOT recommend their use for life critical applications.
The Intrastat commodity code for all our modules is: 8542
6000.
R&TTE Directive
After 7 April 2001 the manufacturer can
only place finished product on the market under the provisions
of the R&TTE Directive. Equipment within the scope of
the R&TTE Directive may demonstrate compliance to the
essential requirements specified in Article 3 of the Directive,
as appropriate to the particular equipment.
Further details are available on The Office of Communications
(Ofcom) web site:
Licensing
policy manual
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