AL200
AL200
Limited availabilityALERT2 Encoder, Modulator, and Sensor Interface
Overview
The AL200 is an ALERT2 encoder and modulator that supports ALERT2 and ALERT-concentration services. It meets the ALERT2 standards maintained by National Hydrologic Warning Council (NHWC) and ALERT Users Group (AUG). ALERT2 improves the accuracy and performance of flood warning systems and software, by providing you with faster data transfer, forward error correction, and a TDMA architecture.
With integrated sensor inputs, the AL200 allows you to create a minimal ALERT2 transmitter/station, decreasing the cost of a typical flood warning system. Combining the AL200 with a Campbell Scientific data logger provides enhanced sensor support, user-defined logic and control, and data logging capabilities.
Key Advantages
Improved accuracy and performance for flood warning systems
Technical Description
Channels Available and Their Functions
- P1: Tipping Bucket / Switch Closure Count Accumulator
- SE1: Single-ended Analog Input, millivolt or milliamp
- C1: Digital for limited SDI-12
- SW12: Switched power for powering sensors
- G: Ground
ALERT2 Reporting
When used standalone, the AL200 can generate time and event driven reports for Battery, Clock Status, Tipping Bucket, Analog Input (mV or mA), Digital (SDI-12).
Benefits
- Easily configurable with graphical, point-and-click software
- Integrated sensor inputs for greatly reduced station cost
- Onboard measurement of supply voltage, clock/GPS quality
- Event or schedule driven reports for battery, clock, tipping bucket, voltage, current, SDI-12, high/low state
- Screw terminals for power, radio, and sensors for easy cabling
- Easy access test features for transmission, radio power, and alignment
- Support of encrypted ALERT2 messages; support of 250-millisecond slots
Specifications
- Power Connector
- Two-wire, 0.15-in. pitch removable terminal
(reverse polarity protected)
- Power Requirements
- 9 to 18 Vdc
- Configuration
- Device Configuration Utility over USB
(settable modulation levels using Device Configuration Utility)
- LEDs
- GPS, Serial, Radio
(RS-232 and CS I/O share serial activity LED.)
- CS I/O Port
- SDC 7, 8,10, or 11
(multiplexed with on-board sensor interface)
- RS-232 Port
- DCE
- USB Port
- Micro-B
- Temperature Range
- -40° to +60°C
- Communication Rate
- 1200 to 115,200 bps
(RS-232 DCE Port)
- Communication Rate
- 9600 to 57,600 bps
(CS I/O Port)
- Current Drain
- 1.5 mA
(@ 12 Vdc when idle)
- Current Drain
- 40 mA
(@ 12 Vdc during GPS fix)
- Current Drain
- 35 mA
(@12 Vdc during transmit)
- Timekeeping Setting via GPS
- ±61 μs
- Drift
- ±0.17 s/day
(without GPS sync, 40°C temperature change)
- Analog Input (SE1) Sensor Interface
- 0 to 5 Vdc
(16-bit ADC; millivolt or 4 to 20 mA selectable)
- Protocols Supported
- ALERT(1) and ALERT2
- SMA Connector
- Active GPS socket (female) antenna
- Test Button
- Test transmit and tone
- Dimensions
- 16 x 7.7 x 2.2 cm
(6.3 x 3.0 x 0.9 in.)
Sensor Interface
- Channels Available
- Switch closure (P1), single-ended analog (SE1), limited SDI-12 (C1), switched 12 V, ground
- Analog input (SE1)
- 0 to 5 Vdc, 16-bit Adc
(millivolt or 4 to 20 mA selectable)
Radio Interface
- Channels Available
- TX, PTT, switched battery, ground
- RCFSK Modulation
- 100 to 1000 mV, ±50 mV
(software selectable)
Standards
- ALERT2
- ALERT2 IND API Specification Version 2.0
(as released by the ALERT2 Technical Working Group dated June 2020)
- Compliance
- RoHS and CE
- Product Standard
- EN 61326-1:2013
- Test Standards
- IEC 61000-4-2, Electrostatic Discharge Immunity
- Test Standards
- IEC 61000-4-3, Radiated RF Immunity
- Test Standards
- IEC 61000-4-4, Electrical Fast Transients Immunity
- Test Standards
- IEC 61000-4-5, Surge Immunity
- Test Standards
- IEC 61000-4-6, Conducted RF Immunity
- Test Standards
- CIPSR 11, Class B Emission
Accessories
(6)17992
28 dBi 3.3 V active GPS Antenna without Cable
Orderable31182
27 dBi GPS Antenna with 3 V Magnetic Mount and SMA Connector
OrderableSC12
Robust CS I/O Cable, 2 ft
OrderableALERT2ADM
ALERT2 Administrator (requires LoggerNetADM)
Orderable8125
Flat-Bladed Screwdriver, 2.5 mm Blade x 50 mm Shaft
Orderable10873
Serial Data Cable, 9-Pin Socket (Female) to 9-Pin Pin (Male)
Orderable
Related Resources
Case Studies

Texas: Hurricane Harvey
Upgrading system that monitors flood conditions and provides warnings
Harris County, Texas
October 18, 2017
View
Texas: Transitioning to ALERT2
Upgrading system that monitors flood conditions and provides warnings
Harris County, Texas
April 6, 2016
View
Panama Canal: Upgraded Flood Warning System
Promoting ship safety for passage through the canal
Panama Canal
February 26, 2020
View
Documents
- Document
ALERT2 Intelligent Network Device Application Program Interface Specification from the NHWC
April 2013
View Document - Compliance
AL200 UK Declaration of Conformity
August 2022
View Document - Compliance
AL200 EU Declaration of Conformity
April 2020
View Document - Compliance
AL200 FCC Supplier Declaration of Conformity and FCC Statement
April 2020
View Document - View all documents