CR6 Measurement and Control Data Logger
One Data Logger, Countless Applications
Now offering a Wi-Fi option
weather applications supported water applications supported energy applications supported gas flux & turbulence applications supported infrastructure applications supported soil applications supported
Already own this product?
View the QuickStart Guide

Overview

Please ask us about the lead time on this product due to component shortages.

The CR6 Measurement and Control Datalogger is a powerful core component for your data-acquisition system. The CR6 datalogger provides fast communication, low power requirements, built-in USB, compact size, and high analog input accuracy and resolution. It uses universal (U) terminals to allow a connection to virtually any sensor—analog, digital, or smart. This multipurpose data logger is also capable of doing static vibrating-wire measurements.

The CR6 can include integrated radio options:

  • CR6-RF407: 900 MHz (United States and Canada)
  • CR6-RF412: 920 MHz (Australia and New Zealand)
  • CR6-RF422: 868 MHz (Europe)
  • CR6-RF427: 905/920 MHz (Brazil)
  • CR6-RF451: 900 MHz, 1 W (United States, Canada, and Australia)
  • CR6-WIFI: 2.4 GHz

Learn about our patented VSPECT® spectral-analysis technology at our VSPECT® Essentials web resource.

The dynamic vibrating-wire measurement technique is protected under U.S. Patent No. 8,671,758, and the vibrating-wire spectral-analysis technology (VSPECT®) is protected under U.S. Patent No. 7,779,690.

Read More

Benefits and Features

  • Operational in extreme environments with a standard operating range of -40° to +70°C and an extended operating range of -55° to +85°C
  • Connects directly to a computer's USB port
  • U terminals configurable to what you want them to be: analog or digital, input or output
  • Supports static vibrating-wire measurements using our patented VSPECT® spectral-analysis technology
  • Differentiates even slight changes in data values with high-resolution measurements (to 0.05 µV, 24 bit Adc)
  • Contains an onboard CPI port for hosting Campbell sensors and distributed modules (CDMs)
  • Directly connects to Ethernet with 10/100 Ethernet RJ-45 or Ethernet over USB (virtual Ethernet)
  • Includes a microSD card drive for extended memory requirements
  • Provides simple serial sensor integration and measurement with SDI-12, RS-232, and/or RS-485
  • Supports full PakBus® networking
  • Includes an embedded web page for direct connection via web browser

Images

CR6 left front view with covers
CR6 left front view with covers
CR6 left front view with covers
CR6 front view with covers
CR6 right front view with covers
CR6 right front view with covers and box
CR6 glam view without covers
CR6 front view without covers
CR6 back view
CR6 left view
CR6 right view
CR6 top view
CR6 bottom view
CR6-WIFI option (additional charge) - front view with covers
CR6-RF407 option (additional charge) - front view with covers
CR6-RF412 option (additional charge) - front view with covers
CR6-RF451 option (additional charge) - left front view with covers
CR6-RF451 option (additional charge) - front view with covers
CR6-RF451 option (additional charge) - right front view with covers
CR6-RF451 option (additional charge) - right front view with covers and box

Technical Description

The CR6 measures almost any sensor with an electrical response, drives direct communications and telecommunications, reduces data to statistical values, performs calculations, and controls external devices. After measurements are made, data are stored in onboard, nonvolatile memory awaiting transfer to the computer. Because most applications do not require that every measurement be recorded, the program usually combines several measurements into computational or statistical summaries, such as averages and standard deviations.

Communication Options

The CR6-WIFI Option

The CR6-WIFI is the ideal solution for short-range wireless IP communications.

Using a Wi-Fi enabled device and our free LoggerLink Mobile App, you can wirelessly connect to the CR6-WIFI. The CR6-WIFI comes factory-configured as a Wi-Fi access point. Alternatively, the CR6-WIFI can be configured to join an existing Wi-Fi network with standard or Enterprise (EAP) security.

The CR6-RF407 Option

The CR6-RF407 is ideal for medium-range, license-free radio communications.

This 900 MHz, 250 mW frequency-hopping spread-spectrum radio option can join a high-speed "mesh topology" radio network of other data loggers using the included RF407 radio.

The CR6-RF412 Option

The CR6-RF412 is ideal for medium-range, license-free radio communications.

Designed primarily for unlicensed operation in Australia and New Zealand, this 922 GHz, 250 mW frequency-hopping spread-spectrum radio can join a high-speed "mesh topology" radio network of other data loggers using the included RF412 radio.

The CR6-RF422 Option

The CR6-RF422 is ideal for short- to medium-range, license-free radio communications.

Used in the EU, this 868 MHz, 25 mW radio option includes listen-before-talk (LBT) and adaptive-frequency-agility (AFA). It can join a high-speed "mesh topology" radio network of other data loggers using the included RF422 radio.

The CR6-RF451 Option

The CR6-RF451 is typically used for long-range, license-free radio communications.

With this internal 900 MHz, 1 W, frequency-hopping spread-spectrum radio option, the CR6-RF451 can be part of a "star topology" network where all RF traffic routes back through the master. It can work in a network with other devices using RF450 or RF451 radios. CR6-RF451s may be configured as master, repeater, or remote devices and can be located miles apart in harsh RF environments.

Specifications

-NOTE-
  • Additional specifications are listed in the CR6 Specifications Sheet.
  • This information applies to CR6 dataloggers with serial numbers 7502 and newer. These data loggers have two blue stripes on the label.
Operating Temperature Range
  • -40° to +70°C (standard)
  • -55° to +85°C (extended)
  • Non-condensing environment
Maximum Scan Rate 1000 Hz
Case Material High-impact-resistant polycarbonate and UV-resistant TPE, recycle code 7
Analog Inputs Up to 12 single-ended or 6 differential (The CR6 has 12 universal [U] and 4 control [C] terminals that can be programmed for a variety of functions. The number of analog inputs, switched excitations, and digital ports assume all the ports are configured the same.)
Universal Inputs 12 individually configured inputs for analog or digital functions
Pulse Counters 16 (C1 to C4 and U1 to U12)
Communications Ports
  • Ethernet
  • USB Micro B
  • CS I/O
  • CPI
  • RS-485
  • RS-422
  • SDI-12
Data Storage Ports microSD
Switched 12 Volt 2 terminals
Digital I/O 16 terminals (C1 to C4, U1 to U12) configurable for digital input and output. Terminals are configurable in pairs for 5 V or 3.3 V logic for some functions.
Input Limits ±5 V
Analog Voltage Accuracy
  • Accuracy specifications do not include sensor or measurement noise.
  • ±(0.04% of measurement + offset) at 0° to 40°C
  • ±(0.06% of measurement + offset) at -40° to +70°C
  • ±(0.08% of measurement + offset) at -55° to +85°C (extended temperature range)
ADC 24-bit
Power Requirements
  • 16 to 32 Vdc for charger input (CHG) (Current limited at 12 Vdc to 1.2 A at 20°C maximum.)
  • 10 to 18 Vdc for battery input (BAT) (Current limited at 12 Vdc to 2.5 A maximum at 20°C.)
Real-Time Clock Accuracy ±3 min. per year (optional GPS correction to ±10 µs)
Internet Protocols Ethernet, PPP, RNDIS, ICMP/Ping, Auto-IP (APIPA), IPv4, IPv6, UDP, TCP, TLS (v1.2), DNS, DHCP, SLAAC, Telnet, HTTP(S), SFTP, FTP(S), POP3/TLS, NTP, SMTP/TLS, SNMPv3, CS I/O IP, MQTT
Communication Protocols CPI, PakBus, SDM, SDI-12, Modbus, TCP, DNP3, UDP, NTCIP, NMEA 0183, I2C, SPI, and others
Battery-backed SRAM for CPU Usage & Final Storage 4 MB
Data Storage 4 MB SRAM + 72 MB flash (Storage expansion of up to 16 GB with removable microSD flash memory card.)
Idle Current Drain, Average
  • Assumes 12 Vdc on BAT terminals; add 2 mA if using CHG terminals.
  • < 1 mA
Active Current Drain, Average
  • Assumes 12 Vdc on BAT terminals; add 2 mA if using CHG terminals.
  • 3 mA (1 Hz scan)
  • 67 mA (20 Hz scan)
Static Vibrating-Wire Measurements Supported
Dimensions 21.0 x 10.2 x 5.6 cm (8.3 x 4.0 x 2.2 in.)
Additional clearance required for cables and leads.
Weight 0.42 to 0.52 kg (0.92 to 1.15 lb) depending on communication option selected

CR6-RF407 Option

Radio Type Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Output Power 5 to 250 mW (user-selectable)
Frequency 902 to 928 MHz (US, Canada)
RF Data Rate 200 kbps
Receive Sensitivity -101 dBm
Antenna Connector RPSMA (External antenna required; see www.campbellsci.com/order/rf407 for Campbell Scientific antennas.)
Idle Current Drain, Average 12 mA (@ 12 Vdc)
Active Current Drain, Average < 80 mA (@ 12 Vdc)

CR6-RF412 Option

Radio Type Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Output Power 5 to 250 mW (user-selectable)
Frequency 915 to 928 MHz (Australia, New Zealand)
RF Data Rate 200 kbps
Receive Sensitivity -101 dBm
Antenna Connector RPSMA (External antenna required; see www.campbellsci.com/order/rf412 for Campbell Scientific antennas.)
Idle Current Drain, Average 12 mA (@ 12 Vdc)
Active Current Drain, Average < 80 mA (@ 12 Vdc)

CR6-RF422 Option

Radio Type Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Output Power 2 to 25 mW (user-selectable)
Frequency 863 to 870 MHz (European Union)
RF Data Rate 10 kbps
Receive Sensitivity -106 dBm
Antenna Connector RPSMA (External antenna required; see www.campbellsci.com/order/rf422 for Campbell Scientific antennas.)
Idle Current Drain, Average 9.5 mA
Active Current Drain, Average 20 mA

CR6-RF427 Option

Radio Type Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Output Power 5 to 250 mW (user-selectable)
Frequency 902 to 907.5 MHz/915 to 928 MHz (Brazil)
RF Data Rate 200 kbps
Receive Sensitivity –101 dBm
Antenna Connector RPSMA (External antenna required.)
Idle Current Drain, Average 12 mA (@ 12 Vdc)
Active Current Drain, Average < 80 mA (@ 12 Vdc)

CR6-RF451 Option

Radio Type Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Output Power 10 to 1,000 mW (user-selectable)
Frequency 902 to 928 MHz
RF Data Rate 115.2 or 153.6 kbps (user-selectable)
Receive Sensitivity
  • -108 dBm (at 115.2 kbps for 10-4 BER)
  • -103 dBm (at 153.6 kbps for 10-4 BER)
Antenna Connector RPSMA (External antenna required; see www.campbellsci.com/order/rf451 for Campbell Scientific antennas.)
Idle Current Drain, Average 15 mA maximum (@ 12 Vdc)
Active Current Drain, Average 650 mA maximum (@ 12 Vdc)

CR6-WIFI Option

Operational Modes Client or Access Point
Operating Frequency 2.4 GHz, 20 MHz bandwidth
Antenna Connector RPSMA
Antenna pn 16005 unity gain (0 dBd), 1/2 wave whip, omnidirectional with articulating knuckle joint for vertical or horizontal orientation
Transmit Power 7 to 18 dBm (5 to 63 mW)

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Miscellaneous

Product Compatible Note
DevConfig (Version 2.10 or higher)
LoggerLink (Version 1.3 or higher)
LoggerNet (Version 4.3 or higher)
LoggerNet Mobile Connect (Version 1.0 or higher)
PC400 (Version 4.3 or higher)
RTDAQ (Version 1.2 or higher)
Short Cut (Version 3.1 or higher)

Additional Compatibility Information

Sensors

With several terminal types, the CR6 is compatible with nearly every available sensor, including analog (both voltage and current), thermocouples, serial, SDI-12, vibrating wire, pulse, and frequency sensors. 

Measurement and Control Peripherals

The CR6 is compatible with all CDMs, multiplexers, vibrating wire interfaces, terminal input modules, and relays.

Communications

The CR6 communicates with a PC via direct USB port, 10/100baseT Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, multidrop modems, short-haul modems, phone modems (land-line, digital cellular, and voice-synthesized), RF telemetry, and satellite transmitters (HDR GOES, Argos, Meteosat, Iridium, and Inmarsat).

Data can be viewed on an iOS or Android device.

Data Logger Option Radio Type Integrated Radio Is Over-the-Air Compatible With

CR6-WIFI

2.4 GHz, 20 MHz bandwidth

Most other Wi-Fi devices, such as the CR310-WIFI, CR300-WIFI, NL240

CR6-RF407

902 to 928 MHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

RF407, CR300-RF407, CRVW3-RF407

CR6-RF412

915 to 928 MHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

RF412, CR300-RF412, CRVW3-RF412 

CR6-RF422

868 MHz SRD860 LBT+AFA

RF422, CR300-RF422, CRVW3-RF422 

CR6-RF452

902 to 928 MHz, 1 W Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum

Enclosures

The CR6 and its power supply can be housed in any of our standard enclosures.

Power

The CR6 uses an external power source and has a built-in charger/regulator. Intelligent power sourcing autoselects the highest voltage from three input sources (CHG, BAT, or USB) to operate in one of the following four modes:

  • UPS (recommended)—A 16 to 32 Vdc source, solar panel (SP10, SP20), or power converter is used to charge a 12 Vdc battery, such as our BP7, BP12, or BP24.
  • 12 Vdc battery or other reliable 12 Vdc source
  • Charge only—dc power supply (16 to 32 Vdc)
  • USB—Powered over 5 Vdc USB port for setup, programming, and testing (will not charge battery or boost USB power to provide 12 Vdc to the SW12 switched battery terminals or the 12V power output terminal)

Software

CRBasic, the CR6's full programming language, supports simple or complex programming and many on-board data reduction processes. The CR6 is compatible with CRBasic (version 3.5 or higher).

Videos & Tutorials

Downloads

CR6 OS v.12.02 (8.27 MB) 06-03-2023

This download is for the CR6 datalogger. Execution of this download places the Operating System file(.obj) on your computer. It also updates the CRBasic Editor compiler and support files. 

Why Update?  This OS has fixes related to the TX325/TX326 and other fixes.  With this OS update it is recommended that you also update the Device Configuration Utility to the most recent version so that new datalogger features are available in the utility.  

Note: Campbell Scientific always recommends updating operating systems on site if possible. When remote updates are required, it is recommended that you implement the necessary precautions to handle unexpected OS upload complications. All datalogger settings should be retained when updated remotely. If you choose to roll back to a previous operating system, the datalogger settings will be reset to default.

Watch the Video Tutorial: Sending an OS to a Local Datalogger.

View Revision History

CR6-RF407 Series OS Update v.2.0 (430 KB) 03-07-2019

This CR6-RF407 Series OS update is for the following:

  • CR6-RF407
  • CR6-RF412
  • CR6-RF422
  • CR6-RF427

 Use the Device Configuration Utility to perform this update.

Note: This is not for the CR6-RF451.

View Revision History

Device Configuration Utility v.2.28 (45.7 MB) 20-04-2022

A software utility used to download operating systems and set up Campbell Scientific hardware. Also will update PakBus Graph and the Network Planner if they have been installed previously by another Campbell Scientific software package.

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 (Both 32 and 64 bit)

View Revision History

CPI Calculator v.1.0 (2.49 MB) 06-07-2016

The CPI Calculator is a downloadable Microsoft Excel spreadsheet used to estimate the usage and capacity of a CPI network.  The calculator provides an overview on CPI devices including the CDM-A108, CDM-A116, CDM-VW300, CDM-VW305, and the CSAT3B.  The calculator can also estimate the measurement speed of the CDM-A108 and CDM-A116 based on the number of channels and measurement parameters.

 

The CPI Calculator is an estimation tool and will help you better understand and design CPI networks by considering the following:

  1. What is the capability of each CDM or CPI device
  2. What is the CPI network capacity
  3. How much of the CPI capacity are the CDMs or CPI devices using

 

Related FAQs

Number of FAQs related to CR6: 6

Expand AllCollapse All

  1. The CPI bus speed is adjustable in your CRBasic data logger program. Use the CPISpeed() instruction in your CRBasic program to adjust the CPI bus bandwidth to meet the following maximum combined (total) Ethernet cable lengths:

    • 1000 kB/s for maximum combined Ethernet cable lengths of 15.2 m (50.0 ft)
    • 500 kB/s for maximum combined Ethernet cable lengths of 61 m (200 ft)
    • 250 kB/s for maximum combined Ethernet cable lengths of 152.4 m (500 ft)
  2. The potential transformer and the current transformer provide differential outputs that have galvanic isolation from the voltage and current in the circuit they are measuring. However, there is no need to run the outputs of these transformers into differential inputs of the data logger and unnecessarily consume additional data logger channels. We conducted extensive testing for noise immunity, for inaccuracies from ground loops, and more before concluding that single-ended measurements in the ACPower() instruction have the same performance as differential measurements would provide. Please note that as a result of the galvanic isolation of the potential transformer and current transformer, the data logger ground is NOT connected to the ground of the circuit they are measuring.

    Said differently, you can connect differential outputs of a sensor to single-ended inputs of the data logger. However, doing so creates the possibility of poor common-mode noise rejection in the data logger and the possibility of introducing inaccuracies from ground loops between the sensor and the data logger. Note that in this application, the transformer isolation of the potential transformer and the current transformer eliminates these concerns.

    Simply connect one of the potential transformer secondary wires and one of the current transformer secondary wires to the data logger ground. Which wire in either case makes a difference, as the phase information allows the measurement of power flowing in either direction. If you measure negative real power when it should be positive, then reverse the secondary wires of the potential transformer where they connect to the data logger. Alternatively, you can reverse the secondary wires on the current transformer, but don't reverse both pairs of wires.

  3. When idle, the CR1000, CR6, and CR1000X consume less than 1 mA @ 12Vdc. Similar to the CR6, the CR1000X has a much faster processor that requires more power when up and running. As such, there will be higher current draws during active measurements, serial communications, or when plugged into a PC via USB or Ethernet.

    It may be helpful to think of the CR6 and CR1000X as being built on the same "platform."

  4. Campbell Scientific sells, and embeds in their products, microSD cards that have single-level cell (SLC) memory. In contrast, many electronics retailers sell microSD cards that have multi-level cell (MLC) memory. The difference between these two types of memory is significant.

    • The SLC microSD cards from Campbell Scientific are better suited for industrial and environmental applications where wide operating temperatures, low power consumption, and longevity are very important. Most SLC memory cards are designed with industrial applications in mind and, therefore, often have additional perks such as enhanced protection from ESD (electrostatic discharge) and mechanical damage.
    • The MLC microSD cards commonly available at electronics retailers are less expensive, but they are generally not well suited for the majority of applications in which Campbell Scientific data acquisition products are used.
  5. The serial modem can be connected to a CR6 using any of the following methods:

    • Connect the modem to the RS-232/CPI port on the CR6 using cable pn 31055 (RS-232/CPI RJ45 to DB9 Male DTE).
    • Connect the modem to the RS-232/CPI port on the CR6 using cable pn 31056 (RS-232/CPI RJ45 to DB9 Female DCE).
    • Connect the modem to a C or U terminal pair on the CR6, where the pair has been configured for serial I/O.
    • Connect the modem to the CS I/O port on the CR6 using an SC105.

Case Studies

Hong Kong: Long-Term Monitoring for the World’s Longest Sea Crossing
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB)—comprising viaduct bridges, cable-stayed bridges, a submerged tunnel, and artificial islands—is......read more
Panama Canal: Upgraded Flood Warning System
The Panama Canal was using an outdated water-level system until the Panama Canal Authorities (ACP)......read more
Louisiana: Sinkhole monitoring
In August 2012, RESPEC was contracted to provide field instrumentation and early-warning monitoring services at......read more
Wyoming: Landslide Warning
Recent loss of life from large landslides in the United States (such as those in......read more
Pennsylvania: Flood Warning
Flooding is the number one natural cause of fatalities worldwide and was responsible for 6.8......read more
Costa Rica: Buoy System
Overview The existing port of Limon was constructed over 30 years ago. With the increase of......read more
Northern California: SCADA
The Yuba County Water Agency (YCWA) was in need of upgrading an unserviceable supervisory, control,......read more