ADS1232REF - New Beginner

Hi Charles,

There are two versions of the ADS1232 reference design, one has the switches along bottom edge of the board and the other has switches along the right hand side.  The most recent hardware revision should match the documentation in SBAU120A, page 3, Figure 1.  The original version of the SBAU120 document is attached for your reference.  Can you let us know which version of hardware it is that you recieved?

Charles,

It would also be helpful to know which version of the firmware is installed.  You can verify which version by checking the LCD when the board is powered or reset.

Also, there are two modes of operation.  One is analysis mode, and the other is scale mode.  The TARE button only works in the scale mode.  There should be a red switch that changes the modes of operation.

Best regards,

Bob B

Tom, Bob,

Thanks for the response. 

The board configuration is as shown on page 3 of SBAU120A.  Firmware is vs 1.10d.

Charlie

Bob, Tom,

I have worked through the following sequence of commands which work.  The device is static sensitive and my bench is not properly grounded which results in a device reset when I touch anything close.  Following is a sequence which seems to work with some deficiencies.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

ASDS1232REF

My Operational Procedure

PWR UP  ---    Apply 9 volts

Device scrolls through its ID and Firmware version

Then displays a nonsense number which slowly drifts for a long time

Set the Mode Switch to SCALE

Configuration Setup

Press SW4 & SW5

NOT SW2  (SEL)   &   SW3   (ENT)

Device enters CONFIG

Displays KG

SW4 or SW5  will step through the list of parameters forwards or backwards

SW3  will step through the parameter values.

Only SW3 will work.  Steps one way only.  SW2 does not work.

            UNITS             KG

            AVGS              4

            SPD                 SLOW

            CW                  22.7 KG

SW3 Steps through the values of each digit  --  up only

            CHANNEL 1

There are two channels, but a switch is not to be found.

            OCAL?

SW3 Returns                OK

            SAVE?

SW3 Returns                DONE

Calibration

SBAU120A refers to section 3.4.1 for saving calibration settings

Should be section 2.4.1

Press SW4 & SW5 to return to SCALE mode

SW4 Returns                REMOVE WEIGHT

SW3 or SW4 or SW5  SETTLING

SW4                            PLACE CAL WEIGHT

SW3 or SW4 or SW5  SETTLING

SW3                            GOT 1

Then displays a number which appears to be valid

SW4 & SW5               Enters CONFIG Mode

SW4 or SW5               Step to OCAL?

SW3                            OK

SW4 or SW5               Step to SAVE?

SW3                            DONE

SW4 & SW5               Return to SCALE Mode

Displays                       GOT 1, NUMBER (reasonable)

SW3                            TARE. SETTLING, NUMBER (about 000 KG)

PWR DOWN for a few seconds

PWR UP  ---    Apply 9 volts

Scrolls through the Device ID and Firmware version

LCD then displays a nonsense number which slowly drifts for a long time.  Has no relation to calibrations previously entered.  Device Calibration and Offset are not saved.

Charles,

I'm sorry, but I'm currently out of the office this week, but will be in on Monday.  At that time I can set up a board with a load cell so that I can answer the question more specifically.

In the mean time, can you tell me a little bit about your load cell and how it is connected?  How are you exciting the load cell and at what voltage?  What is the mV/V specification of the load cell?  Are you connecting to the header or the terminal block?  What is the load range of the load cell?

Best regards,

Bob B

Thanks Bob,

I'm enjoying a few days of vacation also.

I am not connected to a load cell.  The sensor is a four element strain gage bridge.  I am attempting to determine the load characteristics of a carbon fiber composite plate which is intended to measure postural stability in an attempt to determine the presence of mild Traumatic Brain Injury in soldiers and sports related injurys.

The bridge has two active and two dummy elements of 120 ohms each and the four leads are enclosed in a shielded cable with the shield on the ground (negative) lead.  Connection is as shown in section 1.4.1, page 4 of SBAU120A.  Excitation is 5 volts, taken directly from the Terminal Block on the ADS1232REF board.

I am proceeding through an evaluation of the Analysis Mode and I am having similar results.  Some of the functions just don't appear to work.  As soon as I get this straightened out, I'll let you know what I find.

Charlie

Charles,

I'm taking a look at the switch commands now.  One thing to keep in mind.  The board is basically designed to be stand-alone, however if you use the software, the software may overwrite any commands that you have saved in flash.

Usually if the inputs are just drifiting around, the inputs are actually floating.  Make sure that the VREF switch, SW7, is in the +5VA position.  Use a voltmeter to make sure you have good continuity at the terminal block.  The +/- inputs should be around 2.5V measured to ground.

Best regards,

Bob B.