MLRemote

Overview

The Canary Systems® MLRemote® is a point-to-multipoint programmable wireless datalogging system designed for demanding environments in the mining, geotechnical, structural, and civil markets.
The MLRemote is part of a system which consists of two components, the MLBase™ which serves as a base communications station, and one or more MLRemotes. Each network of MLRemotes communicate with a single MLBase. The widespread capability makes MLRemote a first choice for sites where assets consist of numerous types of instruments distributed over a large area for long-term monitoring. More information is available for the MLBase with details and system specifications here.

System Details

Use of proprietary push communication technology allows for extended battery life: up to 2 years with alkaline batteries or up to 4 months of operation without charging when equipped with a solar panel and lead acid battery.

An integrated serial port supports digital sensors including MDT Smart Link-485 and HART 4-20mA sensors, among others. A switched power connection also allows power management for connected peripherals. MLRemote contains 8MB flash memory of onboard storage allowing the system to collect data in harsh conditions and when communications are temporarily unavailable.

The system is installed in a sealed polycarbonate enclosure with IP66/NEMA 4x rating to ensure longevity and resistance to harsh environmental conditions.

Communications & Measurements

Use of a 900MHz spread-spectrum radio in the MLRemote provides for flexible network configurations. Optional radios are available to support global deployments. A range up to 100km (60 miles) is possible with the 900MHz radio when using gain antennas over ideal topography.

The MLRemote offers analog instrument inputs to support a variety of measurements, typically a dedicated vibrating wire and thermistor, and additional inputs for voltage and current measurements. Integrated inputs support 4-20mA, RS-232, RS-485 and SDI-12 sensors. The MLRemote supports pulse and switch closure measurements as well as external device control via digital input and outputs.

Integration & Data Visualization

Our software MLSuite® includes a web-based system configuration and management platform, MLWebHardware, which provides for communicating with each MLBase and managing and organizing all MLRemote communications. It can also serve as a virtual MLBase for certain applications. MLRemote also includes built-in programming and control capabilities via the intuitive MLBasic programming language for very flexible measurement and control applications. MLWeb offers a browser-based portal to review data collected by the MLRemote systems and output complex charts & reports.

Long Distance

Point-to-multipoint wireless telemetry (900MHz or 2.4GHz) for ranges up to 100km

Multi-Channel

Each MLRemote® can control a multiplexer with up to 10 channels

Web-Based Configuration

Simple web-based configuration and programming using our MLWebHardware platform

Specifications

Physical

Operating Temperature-40 to +60 °C
-40 to +140 °F
Enclosure Dimensions
(L x W x H)
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
Assembled Weight3.4 kg
7.6 lbs

System Power

Battery12 V lead acid (4 months lifespan) or 8 D-cell alkaline (up to 2 years lifespan)

Solar Panel

Output VoltageMaximum 18 VDC (loaded)
Output PowerMaximum 2.4 A (40 W)

Power Requirements

Typical5.1-15 VDC
Nominal12 VDC
Operating Current<65 mA
Standby<10 µA

Analog Measurement Inputs

InputsUp to 5 VDC
Minimum Resolution14-bit

Measurement Inputs

Vibrating Wire
Thermistor
Two digital counters
-2.5 VDC to +5 VDC sensors
4-20 mA sensors

Vibrating Wire Input

SupportsDifferential excitation and signal conditioning front-end
Adjustable Gain Range20–65 DB
Nominal Input Impedance Ranges90–180 Ω
Excitation VoltageMinimum 5 V
Timing ResolutionMinimum 1 µS
Sampling FrequencyMinimum 16384 Hz

Control Outputs

Switched Power
Digital Outputs (2):5 VDC
Digital Output Maximum Current20 mA
Precision Output2.5 VDC
Precision Output Accuracy<2.5 mV
Precision Output Maximum Current100 mA

Communications

900 MHz RF Module
RangeUp to 100 km (60 miles) with high-gain antenna
2.4 GHz RF Module
RangeUp to 3.2 km (2 miles)

Memory

Flash Memory8 MB
Data StorageU to 250,000 arrays

Serial Port

TypeRS-232/RS-485
Data Rate Range1200–115200 bps

MLMux5 Multiplexer

Channels5-channel for 4-wire instruments or 10-channel for 2-wire instruments (switch selectable)
Control Inputs1 or 2
Control Input Tolerance5–12 V
Power4–16 VDC
Power Consumption<0.1µA (quiescent)
<10 mA (active)
Contact Resistance<160 mΩ (typical)
240 mΩ (maximum)
Contact Isolation500 V
Relay Operate Time~2 ms
Relay Release Time~0.5 ms
Relay Max Voltage60 VAC, 60 VDC
Relay Max Switching2.5 A

SDI-12 Converter

Enclosure TypeSize (L x W x H)Assembled WeightBatterySolarRadioConfigAntennaOptions
MLRemote-O/Y-A-Q
MLRemote5-O/Y-A-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
AlkalineN/A900MHzRS-232Directional or Panel MountMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-Y-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y-S-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
Lead Acid5 W900 MHzRS-232DirectionalMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-Y-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y-S-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
AlkalineN/A900 MHz (AU)
868 MHz (EU)
RS-232DirectionalMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-Y-AU/EU-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y-AU/EU-S-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
Lead Acid5 W900 MHz (AU)
868 MHz (EU)
RS-232DirectionalMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-Y24-A-Q
MLRemote5-Y24-A-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
AlkalineN/A2.4 GHzRS-232DirectionalMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-Y24-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y24-S-Q
Polycarbonate32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
Lead Acid5 W2.4 GHzRS-232DirectionalMLMux5
SDI-12
MLRemote-O/Y-A-Q
MLRemote5-O/Y-A-Q
MLRemote-Y-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y-S-Q
MLRemote-Y-AU/EU-A-Q
MLRemote5-Y-AU/EU-A-Q
MLRemote-Y-AU/EU-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y-AU/EU-S-Q
MLRemote-Y24-A-Q
MLRemote5-Y24-A-Q
MLRemote-Y24-S-Q
MLRemote5-Y24-S-Q
Enclosure TypePolycarbonatePolycarbonatePolycarbonatePolycarbonatePolycarbonatePolycarbonate
Size (L x W x H)26 x 16 x 9 cm
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
10.2 x 6.3 x 3.6 in
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
10.2 x 6.3 x 3.6 in
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
32 x 27 x 15 cm
12.6 x 10.7 x 5.9 in
Assembled Weight3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
3.4 kg
7.6 lbs
BatteryAlkalineLead AcidAlkalineLead AcidAlkalineLead Acid
SolarN/A5 WN/A5 WN/A5 W
Radio900MHz900 MHz900 MHz (AU)
868 MHz (EU)
900 MHz (AU)
868 MHz (EU)
2.4 GHz2.4 GHz
ReceivingRS-232RS-232RS-232RS-232RS-232
AntennaDirectional or Panel MountDirectionalDirectionalDirectionalDirectionalDirectional
OptionsMLMux5
SDI-12
MLMux5
SDI-12
MLMux5
SDI-12
MLMux5
SDI-12
MLMux5
SDI-12
MLMux5
SDI-12