DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM

Texas Instruments Calculator-Based Laboratory CBL

Date of introduction:	January 31, 1994	Display technology:	LCD
New price:	$130.00	Display size:	4
Size:	8.4" x 3.3" x 1.5"
Weight:	9.7 ounces	Serial No:	63801567
Batteries:	4*AA	Date of manufacture:	mth 06 year 1999
AC-Adapter:		Origin of manufacture:	Taiwan (I)
Precision:		Integrated circuits:	CPU: Hitachi HD6433813 RAM: W2465S ADC: AD7776
Memories:
Program steps:		Courtesy of:	Joerg Woerner

Texas Instruments introduced in 1994 with the Calculator-Based Laboratory™ System (CBL™) a portable and versatile data collection device for math and science. A wide variety of sensors, such as a Motion Detector, Dual-Range Force Sensor, pH system, Colorimeter, and Barometer, can be connected to the CBL interface. In this configuration the battery powered CBL could be uses a stand-alone data logger even outside the classroom for experiments.

An additional link cable connects the CBL to one of TI’s graphing calculators such as the a TI-73, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, TI-85, TI-86, TI-89, TI-92, TI-92 Plus and Voyage 200. Data is now collected under program control of the calculator and the systems is capable to analyze real-world data as a low-cost alternative to using computers.

The hardware of the CBL System makes use of a powerful H8/3813 microcontroller connected to a fast 10-bit Analog-Digital converter, a 8k*8 RAM and a LC-Display for convenient readout. The microcontroller is based on a H8/300L Low-Power 8-bit CPU and integrates the LCD-drivers, 0.5kByte RAM for internal storage and 24kByte ROM for the program.

The CBL system accepts three analog inputs, an ultrasonic motion detector input to connect the Calculator-Based Ranger CBR, a digital input channel with 4 discrete bits, and a digital output channel with 4 bits. The sampling rate is adjustable between 10,000 samples per second to one sample every 4 hours. Due to the own microcontroller and memory the CBL could be disconnected from the graphing calculator and act as a stand-alone device.

The software inside the CBL is powerful and includes:

• Compute first and second derivatives on collected data.
• Compute minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation
statistics values on collected data.
• Record absolute or relative time as data is collected.
• Sophisticated data smoothing algorithms built in.
• View data being collected on all active channels via the
Channel View function (CH VIEW key).
• 6 different triggering options including sample on TRIGGER keypress.

The CBL System comes packaged with the original CBL interface, a temperature probe, light probe, voltage probe, experiment workbook, user's guidebook, batteries, and carrying case.

Vernier Software of Portland, Oregon manufactures a lot of CBL compatible sensors, don't miss their website www.vernier.com.

In 1999 the CBL System was replaced with the CBL 2.

The CBL System was mentioned in TI's press release dated August 15, 2002 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of its invention of the electronic calculator.

Find here the original press release dated January 31, 1994:

Versatile, easy-to-use calculator-based data collection system brings science and math to life for high school and college students

Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) system gives students a more personal, portable, affordable tool for collecting real-world data

DALLAS, January 31, 1994

Texas Instruments today announced a versatile, easy-to-use, calculator-based data collection system designed for science and math students in high school and college. Students who use TI's new Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) System can gather a variety of real-world data and transfer it directly to a TI-82 or TI-85* Graphics calculator. Using either of these powerful calculators, students can generate graphs and analyze the results of their experiments virtually anytime and anywhere. TI designed the CBL for long life and convenience in lab and field experiments; the rugged, handheld device can operate from battery power, so it is fully portable.

"Students can collect real-world data with the CBL System more quickly and more easily than they can using manual techniques or microcomputer-based solutions," said Charlotte Clark, product manager in TI's Personal Productivity Products Division. "Students who use the CBL can take ownership of the data they gather and make new connections between math and science."

"Math and science teachers told us their students needed a real-world data collection tool that would be easy-to-use, compact, portable and affordable. The CBL System is our response. Because the device is easy-to-use, it engages students and helps them get involved with the data they collect. And the CBL is ideal in team-learning environments."

Stand-alone data collection device makes science and math come to life.

An intelligent device with its own microprocessor and memory, the CBL System can function as a stand-alone data collection device after a user sets it up with a TI-82 or TI-85 calculator. The CBL has six channels for data collection -- three analog inputs, one ultrasonic motion detector input, one digital input and one digital output. Data can be collected on up to five channels simultaneously.

Included with the system are three probes that students can use to measure temperature, light intensity and voltage. An optional adapter provides compatibility with many popular probes, making it possible to measure motion, force, sound, pH and other characteristics and phenomena.

Once students collect the data, they can transfer it directly to a TI-82 or a TI-85 using the CBL I/O port and the link cable included with each calculator. Then students can analyze the data, share it with other TI-82s or TI-85s, or print it out on a Macintosh® or IBM®-compatible computer using TI-GRAPHLINK, an accessory that is available separately.

The easy-to use CBL has a friendly, uncluttered design. A large liquid crystal display shows status and collected data, and five keys are used for control and communications.

Included with the CBL are an impact-resistant carrying and storage case, a comprehensive guidebook and a workbook containing proven classroom experiments for physics, math and chemistry classes. Four AA batteries (included) power the CBL; an AC adapter is available separately.

The CBL System has a suggested retail price of $250.00; actual retail price may vary. TI plans to begin shipments to authorized instructional dealers in the third quarter of 1994. The CBL is covered by a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. TRADEMARKS: Calculator-Based Laboratory, CBL and TI-GRAPH LINK are trademarks of Texas Instruments Incorporated. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
*The current TI-85 supports the majority of the CBL features, except for real-time data collection and CBL control through programming commands.

Product details:

Texas Instruments versatile, easy-to-use, Calculator-Based Laboratory [tm] System is a data collection system designed for science and math students in high school and college. Students who use the CBL [tm] System can gather a variety of real-world data and transfer it directly into a TI-82 or TI-85 Graphics calculator. Using either of these powerful calculators, students can generate graphs and analyze the results of their experiments virtually anytime and anywhere. TI designed the CBL for long life and convenience in lab and field experiments; the rugged, handheld device can operate from battery power, so it is fully portable.

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.