TSP, TSP-M

Liquid Level Sensors

Version 1.0

User’s Guide

September 3, 2015
 TSP - User’s Guide

c Copyright 2015, by MicroStep-MIS .

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior
written permission of MicroStep-MIS .

Trademarks
All trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned belong to their
respective owners.

Authors
Mr. Adam Krovina, MicroStep-MIS

Address
MicroStep-MIS Monitoring and Information Systems
Čavojského 1
841 04 Bratislava 4
Slovakia
Tel.: +421 2 602 00 100, Fax: +421 2 602 00 180
e-mail: info@microstep-mis.com

MicroStep-MIS develops, manufactures and markets monitoring

and information systems. The key fields of our activities are me-
teorology, aviation, environmental sciences, seismology, power en-
gineering, civil defense and tourism.

MicroStep-MIS operates worldwide. Our core customer groups are

airports, meteorological and seismological institutes, environmental
authorities, industry, power stations and electricity distribution com-
panies.

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 TSP - User’s Guide

Typographical conventions

Throughout this guide, several typographical conventions are used

to help reader to follow instructions and identify the important infor-
mation.

The special notes:

Note: Avoid applying excessive pressure to the sensor membrane.

The text input or command:

aMC!

The text output:

a<cr><lf>

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Contents

1 Introduction 6

2 Hardware 7

2.1 Measurement principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2 Mechanical construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.4 SDI-12 interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.5 Serial port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.5.1 Firmware upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.6 Installation and operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.6.1 Mechanical mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.6.2 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3 SDI-12 reference 11

3.1 Introduction to SDI-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

3.2 SDI-12 commands supported by TSP . . . . . . . . 11

3.2.1 Acknowledge Active Command (a!) . . . . . . 12

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3.2.2 Send Identification Command (aI!) . . . . . . 12

3.2.3 Address Query Command (?!) . . . . . . . . 12

3.2.4 Change Address Command (aAb!) . . . . . 13

3.2.5 Start Measurement (aM!) . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3.2.6 Send data (aD0!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3.2.7 Start Measurement and Request CRC (aMC!) 15

3.2.8 Start Concurrent Measurement (aC!) . . . . . 15

3.2.9 Start Concurrent Measurement and Request

CRC (aCC!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3.2.10 Continuous Measurement (aR0!) . . . . . . 16

3.2.11 Start verification (aV!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3.2.12 Setting new adjustment coefficients . . . . . 17

3.2.13 Adjustment coefficients readout . . . . . . . . 18

3.2.14 Bootloader waiting time (aXBt!) . . . . . . . . 19

3.2.15 Read bootloader waiting time (aXBt?!) . . . . 19

3.2.16 Set filter coefficient (aXFf!) . . . . . . . . . . 20

3.2.17 Read filter coefficient (aXF?!) . . . . . . . . . 21

4 Technical Data 22

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4.0.18 General for TSP and TSP-M types . . . . . . 22

4.1 Type TSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4.1.1 Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4.1.2 Operating Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4.1.3 TSP Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.2 Type TSP-M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.2.1 Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.2.2 Operating Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4.2.3 TSP-M B70 Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

5 History of changes 29

5.1 V. 1.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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1 Introduction

MicroStep-MIS TSP and TSP-M Liquid Level Sensors are designed

for use in meteorological, hydrological and other applications de-
manding measurement of liquid level height. Type TSP sensors are
intended for use in clean water conditions. For use in polluted water,
such as waste water, or river water, TSP-M models should be used.
TSP-M is also recommended for sea water. For use in streaming
liquids it is recommended to use type with frontal diaphragm - TSP-
M A50, or TSP-M A100. The type TSP-M B70 has two membranes
- this provides redundancy. It works even when one of the mem-
branes is polluted. TSP Liquid Level Sensors can be specified for
different pressure / liquid level ranges, for gauge or absolute pres-
sure measurement.

Advanced sensor technology

The TSP digitally compensated pressure transmitter combines
advanced piezoresistive metal sensor and smart transmitter
design.
High accuracy in small device
TSP offers the advantage of digital multipoint pressure and
temperature compensation. As a part of manufacturing pro-
cess, this procedure allows tight tolerance band over operat-
ing band.
Versatility - analog or digital output
TSP Liquid Level Sensors come either with SDI-12, RS-485
interfaces, or with analog current outputs. This enables their
use as a substitute in many existing systems.

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2 Hardware

2.1 Measurement principle

The principle of measuring liquid column height is based on mea-

suring hydrostatic pressure. The hydrostatic pressure generated by
a liquid column is dependent on the liquid density parameter, which
must be correctly set in order to get accurate measurement results.
For clean water the density is approx. 1000 kg/m3.

h = p/%g (1)

where

h is measured liquid column height

% is density of the liquid
g is gravitational acceleration

For example for measuring water level in sea water, sea water den-
sity must be set as the density parameter.

2.2 Mechanical construction

The electronic module of the transmitter and pressure sensor are

placed in a stainless steel housing. The electronic module is pro-
duced with a SMT technology and it is protected against penetration
of measured liquid with a system of seals.

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Table 1: Connecting TSP to SDI-12

Wire color SDI-12 bus

Blue SDI-12 Ground Line
Red SDI-12 12 V Line
White, Transparent or Black* SDI-12 Data Line

2.3 Power supply

The device is supplied by direct current power source. For volgate

and current values and ranges please see the chapter 4.0.18 on
page 22.

2.4 SDI-12 interface

To connect TSP probe to SDI-12 bus only 3 wires are needed, see
table 1.

* The color of SDI-12 data line may differ according to actual cable
type used.

2.5 Serial port

TSP may feature asynchronous serial port. Voltage levels on serial

port can be 3.3 V TTL, RS-232 or RS-485 on request.

If the serial port is featured, the protocol can be Modbus-RTU, or

other. In such case the SDI-12 output is deactivated.

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2.5.1 Firmware upgrade

Firmware upgrade is performed by the manufacturer only.

2.6 Installation and operation

2.6.1 Mechanical mounting

Installation of TSP sensor depends highly on the specific applica-

tion, mainly the water depth and possible current strength. There is
therefore no single how-to, but rather a several suggestions for the
installation.

For installation in wells up to 50 m deep, it is possible to leave the

TSP hung on the electronic cable. For deeper installations, stronger
line holding the TSP sensor and cable is recommended.

For installation in river, sea or other sites with possible currents,

it is necessary to fix the sensor body and cable along its way by
appropriate means.

It is recommended to secure the far end of the cable against falling

in the well or bore.

It is recommended to enable easy removing of the sensor from the

site in case of calibration, cleaning or other service is required.

In case of gauge pressure measurement (most of the water level

applications), the cable contains air tube, which allows the atmo-
spheric pressure compensation. It is necessary to install the cable
in a way, that the atmospheric pressure may equalize and to prevent

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water getting into the cable. The cable end must not be enclosed
within an air-tight container, rather the container must be vented,
preferably at its bottom. This would allow possible water conden-
sate to drain.

Recommended position is vertical (sensor cable pointing upwards).

The device is factory - adjusted in this position. Pressure reading
may differ in other than vertical position. This effect is caused by
weight of the sensor’s sensing membrane.

2.6.2 Cleaning

For correct operation, it is highly recommended, that the sensor

condition is checked periodically. If the sensing membrane gets
blocked by material deposit, it will lead to incorrect pressure and
liquid level reading.

When removing the organic deposit from the membrane user must
be extremely careful not to apply mechanical force or pressure to
the membrane. This would lead to change of the measuring char-
acteristic and permanent sensor damage.

If the sensor is used in sea water, it is usual that calcium-based

organic mineral deposit (barnacles) will start to form over the sen-
sor body and sensing membrane. For removing such deposit, it is
recommended to immerse the sensor body into vinegar for suffi-
cient amount of time. This enables the deposit to dissolve and be
removed from the sensor without applying mechanical force.

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3 SDI-12 reference

3.1 Introduction to SDI-12

SDI-12 stands for serial data interface at 1200 baud. It is a standard

to interface battery powered data recorders with micro-processor
based sensors designed for environmental data acquisition (EDA).

Figure 1: SDI-12 Bus

Only three wires need to be connected when using SDI-12. To

use SDI-12 a SDI-12 compliant data recorder is required, for exam-
ple MicroStep-MIS AMS111 II data-logger. Follow the instructions
given by the data recorder manufacturer to set up the SDI-12 com-
munication.

3.2 SDI-12 commands supported by TSP

All SDI-12 commands start with address (“a” stands for address),
and are terminated by “!”.

All SDI-12 probe responses start with address (“a” stands for ad-
dress), and are terminated by <cr><lf> (which are ASCII characters

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0x0d 0x0a).

3.2.1 Acknowledge Active Command (a!)

This command is used to ensure that a sensor is responding to a

data recorder or another SDI-12 device. It asks a sensor to ac-
knowledge its presence on the SDI-12 bus.

Example:

a!a<cr><lf>

3.2.2 Send Identification Command (aI!)

This command is used to query sensors for their SDI-12 compati-

bility level, model number, and firmware version number.

Example:

aI!a13MS-MIS TSP 1.11402-138<cr><lf>

3.2.3 Address Query Command (?!)

When a question mark (?) is used as the address character with

the acknowledge active command (a!), the sensor will respond as
if it is being addressed on the SDI-12 bus. For example, if a sen-
sor detects ?!, it will respond with a<CR><LF>, no matter what its
address may be. This will allow a user to determine the address of

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a sensor. The user should understand that if more than one sen-
sor is connected to the bus, they will all respond, causing a bus
contention.

Example:

?!a<cr><lf>

3.2.4 Change Address Command (aAb!)

This command changes the address of a sensor.

Example:

aAb!b<cr><lf>

In the example the probe address has been changed from “a” to
“b”.

3.2.5 Start Measurement (aM!)

This command tells the barometer to take one measurement. The

measurement will be ready in ttt seconds and n values will be re-
turned in a respond to subsequent aD0! command. If the data is
ready sooner than the specified time expires, TSP issues a service
request:

a<cr><lf>

By issuing a service request the sensor tells the datalogger that the
measured data is ready for download.

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Table 2: TSP output data interpretation

Output data interpretation

order parameter range unit
1. Liquid level or pressure see spec.
◦
2. Temperature see spec. C

Example use:

aM!a0012<cr><lf>

The TSP’s reply means data will be ready in 1 second and two
measurements will be ready.

To get the measured data aD0! command is used:

aD0!a0+0000.127+0025.423<cr><lf>

The interpretation of data at the output are described in table 2.

3.2.6 Send data (aD0!)

This command is used to get data from the sensor. aD0! is issued
after an M, MC, C, CC, or V command. The barometer responds by
sending the data. Examples are described in subsections accord-
ing to the respective commands.

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3.2.7 Start Measurement and Request CRC (aMC!)

This command is used to start measurement. Reply to a subse-

quent aD0! command will contain CRC according to SDI-12 V 1.3
specification.

Example:

aMC!a0012<cr><lf>

The TSP’s reply means data will be ready in 1 second and two
measurements will be ready.

To get the measured data aD0! command is used:

aD0!a+0483.581+0010.890Gmu<cr><lf>

The interpretation of data at the output are described in table 2 on

page 14.

3.2.8 Start Concurrent Measurement (aC!)

This command is similar to the aM! command (page 13), the only
difference is that no service request is issued. This allows to start
measurement on several sensors on the SDI-12 bus simultane-
ously. Data from the sensors will be collected after specified time.

Example use:

aC!a00102<cr><lf>
aD0!a+0483.581+0010.890<cr><lf>

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3.2.9 Start Concurrent Measurement and Request CRC (aCC!)

This command is similar to the aC! command, but also CRC is

added in reply to subsequent aD0! command.

Example:

aCC!a00102<cr><lf>
aD0!a+0496.838+0025.271C <cr><lf>

3.2.10 Continuous Measurement (aR0!)

The barometer continuously updates actual pressure value with a

period of less than 1 s. To download the actual pressure value, use
following command:

Example:

aR0!a+0497.263+0025.741<cr><lf>

The interpretation of data at the output are described in table 2 on

page 14.

For the first time the aR0! command is issued after power-up or
after other command, empty measurement is returned:

aR0!a<cr><lf>

The reason is that no measurements have been taken yet.

After first time the aR0! command is received, the barometer starts
taking measurements continuously. The barometer stops taking

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Table 3: TSP diagnostic message interpretation

Diagnostic message interpretation

Message Description
a+00000 No errors
a+00001 CRC check error
a+00010 SENSOR error
a+00100 reserved
a+01000 reserved
a+10000 reserved

measurements after 10 minutes, or after receiving other than aR0!

command.

3.2.11 Start verification (aV!)

Command is used to poll diagnostic message. Explanation of diag-

nostic message is in table 3.

Example of polling the diagnostic message:

aV!a0001<cr><lf>

aD0!a+00000<cr><lf>

3.2.12 Setting new adjustment coefficients

Note: It is advised to readout and write-down the adjustment coeffi-

cients before making any changes. After changing the coefficients,

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there is no way back other than inserting the original coefficients in

case that something goes wrong.

To set coefficient k to value (for example) k = 1.002, following com-

mand would be used:

aXK1.002!a<cr><lf>

To set coefficient q to value (for example) q = 0.15, following com-

mand would be used:

aXQ0.15!a<cr><lf>

New coefficients are now stored in non-volatile memory. It is a good

practice to re-read the coefficients to make sure they were inserted
correctly.

New coefficients are used immediately.

If only offset correction is required, it is sufficient to alter the q coef-

ficient.

3.2.13 Adjustment coefficients readout

To read the coefficients, following command may be used:

aXK?!a+1.00199997<cr><lf>

to read k coefficient and

aXQ?!a+0.15000001<cr><lf>

to read q coefficient.

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The coefficient values read in this example were:

k = 1.00199997
q = 0.15000001

The q coefficient may vary slightly - it is fine-tuned at factory.

3.2.14 Bootloader waiting time (aXBt!)

This extra command is used to set the bootloader waiting time at

power-up. After power-up, the sensor waits t seconds for bootloader
on serial port. To accelerate the power-up procedure, the t value
can be set to zero - in this case the sensor will not wait at start-up.
The bootloader waiting time should be set to 0 in normal operation.

The t parameter can be set in range (0 to 9) s.

Example of setting the t value to t = 0:

aXB0!a<cr><lf>

3.2.15 Read bootloader waiting time (aXBt?!)

To read the current setting of bootloader waiting time, use the fol-
lowing command:

aXB?!a+0000000<cr><lf>

The bootloader waiting time was 0 seconds.

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3.2.16 Set filter coefficient (aXFf!)

TSP features a simple IIR (infinite impulse response) filter. The filter
is computed according to (2).

p = pt−1 + (f ∗ (pmeas − pt−1 )) (2)

where

p is the value at output

pmeas is value measured by the sensor
f is filter coefficient
pt−1 is previous value of p

Filter calculation is performed on every measured sample of the

pressure transducer. In continuous measurement mode, the mea-
surement is performed more than once per second. However, when
not in continuous measurement mode (when using M, MC, C, CC
commands for measurement), between the measurements the sen-
sor does not take the readings. If the frequency of taking measure-
ment is too low, application of filter calculation may lead to misp-
resentation of the measured value. In theese cases setting filter
coeficient to 1 (filter disabled) is recommended.

Filter function is disabled by setting the filter coefficient to 1.

Valid range of filter coefficient is (0.01 to 1).

Example of setting the filter coefficient to 0.6:

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aXF0.6!a<cr><lf>

3.2.17 Read filter coefficient (aXF?!)

This command returns current setting of the filter coefficient.

Example:

aXF?!a+0.600000<cr><lf>

The current filter coefficient setting in the example was 0.6.

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4 Technical Data

4.0.18 General for TSP and TSP-M types

Power Supply
Supply voltage range (6 to 16) V DC
Supply current during 6.5 mA typ. @ 12 V
measurement
Supply current sleep 460 µA typ. @ 12 V
mode
Sleep mode automatic according to
SDI-12 spec.
Data output
Option 1: SDI-12
Option 2: analog (4 to 20) mA
Option 3: RS-232 modbus RTU
Option 4: RS-485 modbus RTU
Option 5: customized solution
Output unit liquid column mm
Output unit pressure kPa
◦
Output unit temperature C

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Mechanics
Electrical connector pigtail (none) or per re-
quest
Cable type
hline Cable diameter
Cable weight approx. 51 g / m
Housing material stainless steel
Diaphragm material stainless steel
Housing classification IP68
Sensor type piezoresistive transducer

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4.1 Type TSP

4.1.1 Performance

TSP Performance
Accuracy A ±0.05 % of range
Accuracy W ±0.1 % of range
Accuracy V ±0.25 % of range
Accuracy S ±0.4 % of range
Long-term stability ±0.1 % of range / year
Temperature dependence 0.003 % of range / ◦ C
Resolution <= 0.01 % of range
Time to first sample <2s
Sampling period <1s

4.1.2 Operating Ranges

TSP Liquid level measurement

Measuring range of liquid (0 to 0.25..800) m at liquid
column density 1000 kg/m
Measuring range of pres- (0 to 25..8000) kPa
sure
Compensated tempera- -40 ◦ C to +60 ◦ C
ture range
Storage temperature -40 ◦ C to +60 ◦ C
Minimum pressure limit 0 kPa
Maximum pressure limit > 130 % of range

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4.1.3 TSP Dimensions

Dimensions are in mm units. The shorter (110 mm) version is with-

out built-in overvoltage protection. Default is the 140 mm sensor
length.

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4.2 Type TSP-M

4.2.1 Performance

TSP-M Performance
Accuracy V ±0.25 % of range (only for
range 10 m and more)
Accuracy S ±0.4 % of range
Accuracy Z ±1 % of range
Long-term stability ±0.2 % of range / year
Temperature dependence 0.003 % of range / ◦ C
Resolution <= 0.01 % of range
Time to first sample <2s
Sampling period <1s

4.2.2 Operating Ranges

TSP-M Liquid level measurement

Measuring range of liquid (0 to 0.25..800) m at liquid
column density 1000 kg/m
Measuring range of (0 to 25..8000) kPa
gauge pressure
Compensated tempera- -40 ◦ C to +60 ◦ C
ture range
Storage temperature -40 ◦ C to +60 ◦ C
Minimum pressure limit 0 kPa
Maximum pressure limit > 130 % of range

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4.2.3 TSP-M B70 Dimensions

TSP-M B70 without protective basket. Dimensions are in mm units.

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TSP-M B70 with protective basket. Dimensions are in mm units.

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5 History of changes

5.1 V. 1.0
• Document created

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