SPECTROTILTtm - Ratiometric Electronic Inclinometer

SPECTROTILT tm - Ratiometric Electronic Inclinometer 

The SPECTROTILT tm Ratiometric Electronic Inclinometer is 

a fully signal conditioned, single axis tilt sensor. By 

combining a proprietary glass/ceramic hybrid electrolytic tilt 

sensor, with custom electronics, the SPECTROTILT tm rivals 

both the performance of higher priced sensors, and the cost 

of less capable solutions. Features include a +/-70 degree 

total sensing range, ESD and EMI protection, aluminum 

housing, all in a hermetically sealed package. 

Designed to operate in the most physically demanding 

environments, this robust inclinometer is also ideal for 

numerous other applications. Standard options include 

vertical or horizontal mounting configurations, and a choice 

of output levels (scale factor). The viscosity of the fluid inside 

the sensing element can be altered, to decrease 

susceptibility in high vibration environments. Custom sensing 

ranges, cable length/type and connectors are also available. 

Applications 

Physical Dimensions (inches) 

• Construction Equipment (Boom Angle, Safe Load Indicators) 

• Road Graders and Pavers (Blade Angle) 

• Wheel Alignment (Caster and Chamber measurement) 

• Antenna Position (Satellite Dish Elevation Angle) 

General Specifications 

Input Voltage …………………… +5 to +15Vdc (regulated) 

Input Current …………………… 0.5mA (nom.) 

Output (+/- 1%, @ +9Vdc input) 

• standard …………….+30mV/ o 

• high scale factor …...+45mV/ o 

Null Output ……………………... ½ Supply 

Repeatability …………………… 0.05 degrees 

Resolution ……………………… 0.001 degrees 

Linear Range …………………... +/-60 degrees 

Total Range ……………………. +/-70 degrees 

Linearity 

• 0 to 10 deg. …………. 0.1 degrees 

• 10 to 60 deg. ………… 1% of reading 

• 60 to 70 deg. ………… monotonic 

Temperature Range 

• operating ……………… –40 o to +70 o C 

• storage ………………… –55 o to +80 o C 

Temp. Coefficient of Null ………… 0.008 deg./C o 

Temp. Coefficient of Scale ……… 0.1% / C o 

Start-up Time ……………………..

SPECTROTILT tm - Analog Electronic Inclinometer 

The SPECTROTILT tm Analog Electronic Inclinometer is a 

fully signal conditioned, single axis tilt sensor. By combining 

a proprietary glass/ceramic hybrid electrolytic tilt sensor, with 

custom electronics, the SPECTROTILT tm rivals both the 

performance of higher priced sensors, and the cost of less 

capable solutions. Features include a +/-70 degree total 

sensing range, bipolar input/output, ESD and EMI protection, 

aluminum housing, all in a hermetically sealed package. 



numerous other applications.. The viscosity of the fluid inside 

the sensing element can be altered, to decrease 

susceptibility in high vibration environments. Custom sensing 

ranges, cable length/type and connectors are also available. 

Applications 







Input Voltage …………………… +/-7 to +/-15Vdc (unregulated) 

Input Current …………………… 0.5mA (nom.) 

Output ………..…………….…...+60mV/ o (+/- 1%) 

Null Output ……………………... 0.0Vdc, +/-10 mVdc 




Total Range ……………………. +/-70 degrees 

Linearity 

• 0 to 10 deg. …………. 0.1 degrees 


• 60 to 70 deg. ………… monotonic 



• storage ………………… –55 o to +80 o C 




SPECTROTILT tm – RS232 Electronic Inclinometer 

Spectron Systems Technology is proud to announce the 

release of the SPECTROTILTtm RS232 Electronic 

Inclinometer. By combining a single axis / hybrid electrolytic 

tilt sensor, with custom digital electronics and software, 

Spectron has successfully spanned the gap between cost 

and performance. Features include a +/-60 degree angular 

sensing range, on-board linearity and temperature 

correction, ESD and EMI protection, aluminum housing, all in 

a hermetically sealed package. 

The angular range, scale factor / resolution, and number of 

readings internally averaged (ie: filtering), can all be custom 

tailored to satisfy most applications. The viscosity of the fluid 

inside the sensing element can also be altered, to decrease 

susceptibility in high vibration environments. In addition, the 

digital output signal is ideal for long cable runs, eliminating 

concerns over signal loss and noise. 

. 

Applications 







Input Voltage …………………… +7 to +14Vdc (unregulated) 

Input Current …………………… 20mA 

Output …………………………... RS232 

Range (linear) ………..………... +/-60 degrees 

Accuracy………………………... +/-0.5 degrees maximum 

Scale Factor/Resolution ……… 0.137 degrees per count 

Output at null (zero degrees) … 512 counts 



• storage ………………… –55 o to +80 o C 


Application Note 

SPECTROTILT tm RS232 Communication Protocol 

The SPECTROTILTtm RS232 Electronic Inclinometer (p/n’s SSY0185-VDS and SSY0185-HDS) output is transmitted on a 

single wire in a RS232 format. The driver is a CMOS 0 to +5VDC. The output is high (+5VDC) when the unit is not 

transmitting. The unit sends data as soon as the power is applied to it. Two bytes, MSByte and LSByte, are continuously 

transmitted at 15ms intervals. B7 identifies the most significant byte (MSB) and the less significant byte (LSB). The output 

data is an average of 3 readings from the A/D converter. The output range is 0 to 1023 (512 is zero). The scale is 

adjusted to 0.137 degrees per count. 

Data format: 

The MSByte is sent first. 

9600baud rate 

1 start bit 

1 stop bit 

Parity Even 

Start,b0,b1,b2,b3,b4,b5,b6,b7,Stop 

MSByte: 

B7 is 1: To indicate that this is the most significant byte. 

B6 is even parity: All the bits are included when the parity is calculated. 

B5-B4: reserved 

B3-B0: Is the output from the A/D converter 

Parity is even (for instance: data = 1X000001 transmitted 10000001). 

LSByte: 

B7 is 0: To indicate that this is the less significant byte 

B6 is even parity: All the bits are included when the parity is calculated 


Examples: 

Byte 1001 0110 and 0101 0101 

A/D converter → Hex 195 → Dec 405 → -14.65 Deg 

Byte 1101 1110 and 0011 0011 

AD converter → Hex 3B3 → Dec 947 → 59.595 Deg 

Connections: 

Red wire: +7VDC to +14VDC (unregulated) 

White wire: Data output, 0 to +5VDC (serial stream) 

Black wire: Ground 

SPECTRON SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY INC. 

595 OLD WILLETS PATH 

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788 

PHONE: 631 582-5600 

FAX: 631 582-5671 

Specifications are subject to change without notice! 

Doc.# SAN-206-0404

SPECTROTILT tm – RS232 / 12 bit Electronic Inclinometer 

The SPECTROTILTtm RS232 / 12 bit Electronic 

Inclinometer offers unparalleled accuracy and value. By 

combining a single axis / hybrid electrolytic tilt sensor, with 

custom digital electronics and software, Spectron has 

successfully spanned the gap between cost and 

performance. Features include a +/-60 degree linear 

sensing range, on-board linearity and temperature 

correction, ESD and EMI protection, aluminum housing, all in 

a hermetically sealed package. 

The angular range, scale factor / resolution, and number of 

readings internally averaged (ie: filtering), can all be custom 

tailored to satisfy most applications. The viscosity of the fluid 

inside the sensing element can also be altered, to decrease 

susceptibility in high vibration environments. In addition, the 

digital output signal is ideal for long cable runs, eliminating 

concerns over signal loss and noise. 

. 

Applications 




• Wheel Alignment (Caster and Camber measurement) 




Input Current …………………… 20mA 

Output …………………………... RS232 

Range (linear) ………..………... +/-60 degrees 

Accuracy………………………... +/-0.3 degrees maximum 

Scale Factor/Resolution ……… 0.03425 degrees per count 

Output at null (zero degrees) … 2048 counts 



• storage ………………… –55 o to +80 o C 



SPECTROTILT tm RS232 / 12 bit Communication Protocol 

The SPECTROTILTtm RS232 12 bit Electronic Inclinometer (p/n’s SSY0185-VDS12 and SSY0185-HDS12) output is 

transmitted on a single wire in a RS232 format. The driver is a CMOS 0 to +5VDC. The output is high (+5VDC) when the 

unit is not transmitting. The unit sends data as soon as the power is applied to it. Two bytes, MSByte and LSByte, are 

continuously transmitted at 15ms intervals. B7 identifies the most significant byte (MSB) and the less significant byte 

(LSB). The output data is an average of 3 readings from the A/D converter. The output range is 0 to 4095 (2048 is zero). 

The scale is adjusted to 0.03425 degrees per count. 

Data format: 

The MSByte is sent first. 

9600baud rate 

1 start bit 

1 stop bit 

Parity Even 

Start,b0,b1,b2,b3,b4,b5,b6,b7,Stop 

MSByte: 

B7 is 1: To indicate that this is the most significant byte. 

B6 is even parity: All the bits are included when the parity is calculated. 


B7 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 

1 Parity D11 D10 D9 D8 D7 D6 

Parity is even (for instance: data = 1X000001 transmitted 10000001). 

LSByte: 

B7 is 0: To indicate that this is the less significant byte 

B6 is even parity: All the bits are included when the parity is calculated 


B7 B6 B5 B4 B3 B2 B1 B0 

0 Parity D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 

Examples: 

Byte 1100 0110 and 0101 0101 

A/D converter → Hex 195 → Dec 405 → -56.27 Deg 

Byte 1000 1110 and 0011 0011 

AD converter → Hex 3B3 → Dec 947 → -37.71 Deg 

Connections: 

Red wire: +7VDC to +14VDC (unregulated) 

White wire: Data output, 0 to +5VDC (serial stream) 

Black wire: Ground 




PHONE: 631 582-5600 

FAX: 631 582-5671 


Doc.# SAN-213-0406

SPECTROTILT tm – 4-20mA Electronic Inclinometer 

The SPECTROTILT tm 4-20mA Electronic Inclinometer is a 

fully signal conditioned, single axis tilt sensor. By combining 

a proprietary glass/ceramic hybrid electrolytic tilt sensor, with 

custom electronics, the SPECTROTILT tm rivals both the 

performance of higher priced sensors, and the cost of less 

capable solutions. Features include a +/-60 degree linear 

sensing range, ESD and EMI protection, aluminum housing, 

all in a hermetically sealed package. 



numerous other applications. Options include vertical or 

horizontal mounting. The viscosity of the fluid inside the 

sensing element can be altered, to decrease susceptibility in 

high vibration environments. Custom sensing ranges, cable 

length/type and connectors are also available. 

Applications 


• Construction Equipment 

• Process Monitoring 

• Weir Gates 

• Leveling Systems 

• Drilling Rigs 



Input Current …………………… 26mA (max.) 

Output ……………. ……………. 0.133mA / degree 

Load (preferred) ……………….. 475 – 510 ohms 

Null Output ……………………... 12mA 




Linearity 

• 0 to 10 deg. …………. 0.1 degrees 




• storage ………………… –55 o to +80 o C 





SPECTROTILT 4-20mA Electronic Inclinometer Load Chart 

• Output: 4-20mA 

• Input Voltage: +14 to +25 Vdc 

• Load: See graph below 




PHONE: 631 582-5600 

FAX: 631 582-5671 

www.spectronsensors.com 


Doc.# SAN-217-1107

SPECTROTILTtm - Ratiometric Electronic Inclinometer

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