Sensor Interface

Sensor Interface

SI (Sensor Interface) is a required module when tank sensors are present or computed data is being sent back by GHS and GLM. SI offers a flexible interface for configuring and monitoring tank gauges and offers the user full control over which sensors are online, the format of data transmission and whether transmission is constant or at the discretion of the operator.

The following is a list of currently supported communication protocols:

1. ASCII data broadcast

a. Datasound53 - Broadcasts ASCII text in RS232 (serial) form using a protocol that the GHS Sensor system is programmed to recognize.

b. AN-PRO3 - This protocol is from Ariston Norway. It is likewise ASCII text broadcast to serial ports.

c. Sentry IV - This protocol is for a Centralized Tank Montoring System from Consilium US. Once again, it broadcasts ASCII text over a serial line.

d. Bergan - This system makes sounding information available on a data file in a form that the GHS Sensor system is able to use.

e. Modbus - This is the standard Modbus serial line protocol, broadcasting data using function code 16 in RTU transmission mode.

f. Modbus TCP;

g. NMEA 0183 - The record ID field is the initial 5-character talker/type string, with comma-separated data from field index 2 until the checksum.

h. Musasino - An ASCII text serial broadcast protocol from Musasino Co., Ltd.

i. VIGO - Uses Windows facility for communication.

2. TextFile - Similar to the serial protocol but a text file is used rather than a serial port. The file must have one line per sensor, with the sensor ID being the first item on each line.

3. Command - You supply an external program that writes GHS LOAD commands to a run file. The GHS Sensor system executes your program, then processes the commands from the run file whenever it needs to update tank loads from the sounding instrumentation system.

Interfacing to other tank gauging systems is possible so long as full specifications are provided and the gauging system supports either (1) ASCII data broadcast over a serial port, or (2) writing of tank data to a text file (with the text file method preferred for being more foolproof and easier to troubleshoot).