MobileCollect FAQs

The primary reasons to consider MobileCollect are reliability, compatibility, flexibility, and ease of use as follows:

Reliability
MicroRidge has over 30 years of DAQ and gage interface experience and is dedicated to your success and customer satisfaction. We introduced our first wireless system in 2006 and have a proven track record with thousands of wireless systems installed throughout the world. It’s not unusual to hear from customers that are still using our first generation wireless products.

Compatibility
MobileCollect was designed to connect with a wide variety of gage brands and models. We currently offer compatibility with over 60 gage brands and over 3,200 gage models. MobileCollect can move data into any Windows program – from Excel spreadsheets to computer or cloud-based SPC/DAQ application software. MicroRidge is constantly researching new gage models and software applications to identify compatible products.

Flexibility
MicroRidge is the only US manufacturer that focuses exclusively on measurement collection solutions. Because of this, we’re constantly enhancing MobileCollect to provide the greatest range of product features and components for our customers. We offer three Base receivers and five transmitters; most of our competitors offer a single receiver and transmitter only. All product enhancements are posted on our website and are available for any customer to install at no charge.

Ease of Use
Our goal is to simplify the measurement collection process. From the initial setup process to the physical action of collecting measurements, each enhancement is made with the end user in mind. In fact, many of our product improvements are a result of customer input, providing feedback while using our products in real-world situations.

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The theoretical range for the Mobile Modules and Remotes (transmitters), and Bases (receivers) for indoor line-of-site measurements is 133 feet. The actual range that you achieve may be different due to environmental issues – physical walls or large equipment between the transmitter and receiver, or potential RF interference from motors, lighting, etc. The only way to determine the actual range you will achieve is to test the equipment in your operating environment.

MobileCollect is compatible with virtually any gage device with an SPC data port that is supported by the gage manufacturer. Our MobileCollect Selection Tool software program (free download) lists every gage model researched for compatibility with MobileCollect. This program is updated 1-2 times per year to include new gage models. You can contact MicroRidge if your gage is not listed in the MobileCollect Selection Tool. MicroRidge will research the gage for you and include the results in the next update.

Yes, this is a common request. You can send data to Excel or other programs that require keyboard entry with either the Wedge Base or via WedgeLink Xpress.

MobileCollect will work with any software that accepts ASCII strings; virtually all SPC/DAQ software accepts this kind of input. Most SPC/DAQ software providers recommend MobileCollect for sending measurement data to their applications.

There are two MobileCollect Setup programs; each requires Windows 7 or later. The computer receiving data from a MobileCollect Base (receiver) must have a physical serial port or support communications via a USB port. If you are using a computer other than a Windows-based PC, contact MicroRidge about the availability of the required USB drivers.

A PAN is short distance wireless network designed to support portable and mobile computing devices. The range of a PAN typically varies from 30 to several hundred feet. The Base (receiver) has the role of the controller, and this controller is in charge of the operation and communications within the PAN. The Controller also determines whether a new device can become a member or associated with the PAN. Multiple PANs can be operating in the same area and the data from one PAN is not processed by the other PANs.

Yes, MobileCollect is designed to allow multiple Bases (receivers) to operate in close proximity without concern. Each Base operates within its own Personal Area Network (PAN). The data for one PAN is ignored by all of the other PANs. More information on PANs is provided below.

All measurements sent in the MobileCollect system use a 32-bit encryption scheme to ensure data security. You can be confident that no other receiving device will be able to capture your measurement data.

Our tests with Mitutoyo gages indicate that you should be able to get at least 500,000 readings from a battery, which means years of use from each battery for most users. The Mini Mobile Module uses a CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell; this is a common battery type available at most retail locations that sell batteries.

You never have to be concerned about turning the Mobile Module (transmitter) off. As soon as the measurement transmission is complete, the Mobile Module automatically turns itself off.

MobileCollect provides visual feedback using LED’s on each Base receiver and each Mobile Module and Remote transmitter. For example, when sending a reading from a Mobile Module, the left LED will flash red once to confirm the data was received from the gage, and the right LED will flash green to confirm the reading was received and accepted by the Base. In addition, the Base receiver LED will flash yellow once to confirm the data packet was received.

MobileCollect operates at 2.4 GHz in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical) frequency band. MobileCollect has been approved for use in North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. You do not need any additional license. Contact us if you require use in other countries.

While this is a common concern, MobileCollect users rarely experience RF interference issues with installed Wi-Fi networks. MobileCollect channels operate between Wi-Fi channels so there is little opportunity for conflict. In addition, MobileCollect radios are only “on” when sending a data packet or receiving an acknowledgment. Each data packet transmission and acknowledgment takes approximately 20 msec. This means 5,000 readings per day would use less than 2 minutes of actual “air” time.

We recommend that you start by using the default MobileCollect channel 21. If you want to see what kind of wireless activity is actually occurring on each of the MobileCollect channels, you can run the MobileCollect RF Sniffer Program for a channel usage analysis. The RF Sniffer Program is included with the Xpress and Extended Setup Programs.

MicroRidge offers a MobileCollect Demo Kit as part of our Demo Program that allows interested companies to evaluate MobileCollect wireless for a 5-day period. A standard demo kit consists of a USB Base receiver and Mitutoyo caliper with attached Mini Mobile Module transmitter. MicroRidge will cover shipping to and from your location. This is a “no-cost” program available to USA and Canadian locations. You can submit a request for a MobileCollect Demo Kit from the MicroRidge website.

There are over 50 different gage cable options for MobileCollect. Some work on a specific gage only; others are used with multiple gage brands or models. The more common gage cables are listed in our MobileCollect Wireless Store. You can also download the free MobileCollect Selection Tool software for a listing of all transmitter gage cables and compatible gages.

Gage cables are a consumable item – they can wear out due to excessive use or become damaged if abused. Because of this, gage cables and transmitters are ordered as separate items, making it easier to order replacements. If fact, many customers order more cables than transmitters, allowing them to quickly replace a non-functioning cable.

It depends upon the information included in the data transmission packet. If you need to include a “Channel ID” with the measurement, there is a maximum of 30 transmitters per Base. If you do not include a “Channel ID”, an unlimited number of transmitters can be linked to a single Base.

Yes, you’ll need the following items: the RS-232/USB Base receiver, the Serial Converter cable, and the transmitter and cable combination for your gage. Use the Serial Converter cable to connect the RS-232 Base receiver output to the DP-1VR printer input. Connect the transmitter to the gage, take a measurement and press the “Send” button on the cable or transmitter. The measurement will be sent directly to the DP-1VR printer.

Yes, MobileCollect is designed to allow multiple transmitters to send data to a single Base (receiver). All Bases are compatible with all transmitters, so you can have a mixture of transmitters sending data to the same Base.