Solid State: A Practical Alternative to Mechanical Relays!

Mechanical Relays have a good home in low-cost control applications.  But for some users, only solid state switching will do.  Solid State Relays are ideal for users who require long term reliability, silent operation, or high induction tolerance.  Many inductive control applications require a solid state relay.  Inductive loads such as Motors, Valves, Pumps, Solenoids, and Large Transformers (including Fluorescent Lighting) benefit from the use of solid state relays because they reduce the chances of the inductive load interfering with the logic of the relay controller.

Bluetooth Communications

So, you are looking for an easy way for your laptop or PDA to talk to a relay controller with minimal programming.  No Problem, we have just the thing.  Data Collection and Control from a Single Controller allows any Bluetooth equipped computer to talk to our devices as though they were directly connected to a serial port....with NO DRIVERS REQUIRED!

It works like this.  Power up our controller.  Boot up your laptop or PDA.  Use your Bluetooth software built into your computer to Pair this device with your computer.  Once Paired, this device will mount as a COM port on your PDA or Laptop.  Now all you have to do is write a simple program to open the COM port of your computer to talk to this device or use our exclusive ProMOTE Software.  The ProMOTE Software now ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR PROGRAMMING!  Simply download and install the free software, configure the buttons to fit your needs and you're ready to go.  With no drivers required for the Bluetooth Connection and no programming for the control, what could be easier!

If you are already using one of our ProXR series controllers connected to the Serial Port or USB Port, then you will not have to make any software changes.  This device works as though it were directly connected to a serial port on your PC, offering 100% transparent wireless serial communications.

What is ProXR?

ProXR refers to a set of standardized commands used for computer control and data collection.  A controller that supports the ProXR command set is a controller that is built to control up to 256 relays, using commands that can be sent to any controller that offers ProXR compatibility.  This allows software developers to create programs for our products, then upgrade or change connectivity options without having to rewrite their software.  ProXR commands can be sent to our controllers via the RS-232 serial port, the USB port, Bluetooth, Fiber Optic, Wireless ZigBee/Mesh, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 802.11b...all without rewriting your software....simply develop your programs to work with the serial port of your computer.  Let ProXR controllers manage the rest.  Detailed information about the ProXR command set can be found in the ProXR Manual.

Building a solid foundation for future hardware is what ProXR is all about.  We have worked hard to modularize the ProXR firmware in such a way that it can support growth of features without sacrificing backward compatibility.  Most controllers produced from 2007 onward will support our ProXR command set.  These controllers will also include a XR Expansion Port, allowing you to add relays to any controller you choose.  So if your needs for computer control increase, our controllers will be ready for your growth.

With all the control and backward/forward compatibility you have come to expect from the ProXR series command set, this controller allow you to send simple commands to activate relays, read the status of relays, activate up to 16 relay timers, and control up to 256 total relays using the XR expansion port.  All relays are electronically latched, simply send a command to turn the relay on, send a different command to turn the relay off.

A/D Conversion

Analog to Digital Conversion allows you to read voltage levels from 0-5 volts using 8-bit or 10-bit resolution.  This is particularly useful for reading temperature sensors (one temperature sensor is built into the board, shared with analog input number 8).  A/D Inputs are also useful for reading light level sensors, thermocouples, switch closures, or just about any other kind of sensor you can think of.  Built-In Pull-Up/Down Resistors keep the inputs quiet.  Eight Different A/D Sample programs are available in the NCD Component Library.  These samples are available as a free download and are compatible with Visual Studio.   We've got sensors!  Visit our Sensor Page for sensors that have been tested and work with all NCD A/D Boards controller.

Read More About Analog to Digital Conversion