Effective communication between different network stations and seamless communications from the field level through to the corporate control level utilising just one network technology – Weidmüller reacts to these trends in industrial automation by introducing its communicationenabled signal converters.

Weidmüller will be presenting the first prototypes of a new generation of signal converters equipped with an Ethernet interface at the Hanover Trade Fair 2010. „Based on an example process application we will be demonstrating how the devices can ensure integration in an existing Industrial Ethernet network and component interaction in a practical application,“ explains Michael Höing, head of the electronics business unit at Weidmüller. „What is particularly special about this solution is that in addition to the typical functions such as signal acquisition, conditioning, standardisation and output our Ethernet enabled signal converters will also provide extensive diagnostic functions for more process transparency.“

Office and automation worlds are growing together

Industrial Ethernet technology achieves the goal of seamless communications from the field level through to the corporate control level utilising just one network technology. Office and automation worlds are growing together.

However, due to the fact that they place greater demands on availability, reaction time and installation processes industrial applications differ a great deal from office applications. Above all, a great deal of importance is attached to monitoring automation processes, automation componentsas well as the network. By being directly integrated in process control and central engineering systems via the Ethernet network the communication-enabled signal converters will provide optimum support to meet the demands being placed on industrial applications.

Extensive and transparent process information

In particular, signal-converter functionality of event-controlled transmission of diagnostic information is in line with user requirements for extensive and transparent process information. Thanks to Ethernet based communications all diagnostic data will be transmitted from a signal converter to the master terminal or the engineering system. The diagnostic data made available generates a significantly more exact image of the device, the sensor and the process than wouldbe possible with conventional converters.

„Our prototypes are able to monitor measurement values continuously,“ explains Michael Höing. „For example, they can generate an alarm independent of process statuses; for instance, if measured values exceed or fall short of user definable limit values.“ Consequently, measurements and conditioning of process values are moving significantly closer to the engineering and control systems. Diagnostic options that otherwise would be the reserve of complex process devices can now be extended to all measurements in an application.

Fast and simple integration

In addition to the increase in process transparency low installation costs are a further remarkablebenefit of utilising Ethernet based signal converters. As companies usually already have an Ethernet network installed to link their office PCs in the production environment it is possible to quickly and simply integrate the communicationenabled devices required to control and monitor production processes. To facilitate integration in engineering and control systems two industry standards are available in the form of FDT/DTM and OPC; these are compatible with all process control systems.

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