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| From One Techie to Another |
Automation Embedded – Control & Connectivity on a Chip
Last week, I wrote about some of the wireless activity at ISA EXPO. I was amazed to see the number of companies with embedded offerings which would allow automation suppliers to easily embed wireless connectivity in their own products. This week we are featuring an article by Jim Pinto which is the best summary anyone can find on the subject of industrial wireless. Check out The Industrial Wireless Wars.
This week, I’d also like to expand on the embedded topic because there were a couple of new products introduced at ISA EXPO that represent how automation is becoming more embedded.
In the Moxa booth, SoftPLC Corporation was showing what looked like one of Moxa’s Ethernet Switches, but it was running the SoftPLC Runtime Control Module. Here was one small package that offers full-blown PLC control with an embedded Gatecraft Linux firewall.
This package can be used with a wide variety of I/O devices via Ethernet or serial connections. Ethernet I/O systems that communicate on ModbusTCP and a number of serial I/O products are supported. With the SoftPLC Programmer's Toolkit, additional I/O systems may be supported.
MOXA and SoftPLC have partnered to bring this product to market using the Moxa model name of ThinkCore IA240/241 and the SoftPLC model name of SPTC-24OT/241T. For more information on the SoftPLC model, please contact SoftPLC directly.
Real Time Automation (RTA) takes embedded to a whole new level with the release of the InstantPLC chip. InstantPLC is a complete IEC 61131-3 controller on an IC chip with integrated industrial networking. InstantPLC enables manufacturers to immediately embed an industrial controller in their products with Modbus, Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and/or TCP industrial communications.
InstantPLC enables Engineers to add control to a wide range of products and applications never considered until now. InstantPLC solutions for OEM manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators are delivered on chips, small circuit board modules, packaged add-on modules, and control bricks to meet any control requirement.
At the same time, RTA announced InstantCommunications, a complete industrial communications interface on a chip. InstantCommunications enables manufacturers to immediately add Modbus, Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and/or TCP industrial communications to their products.
With these IC chips, there is no longer a reason we can’t embed more control and connectivity into small footprint devices. The end results are a higher degree of automation, intelligent devices, and greater visibility of every aspect of the process or manufacturing facility. Good news all around!
Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
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| Featured Article |
The Industrial Wireless Wars
This article is the best summary anyone can find anywhere on the important subject of Industrial Wireless. Most companies in the automation industry recognize Wireless as a new "inflection point" which will generate significant growth and market share for the industry leaders. The Wireless Wars are really marketing ploys to gain market-share through the differentiation of standards that support the majors’ market strategies.
Read full article by Jim Pinto
Read more articles by Jim Pinto
Browse Portals for more articles, white papers and application stories by topic |
| Product Announcements |
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NI introduces PXIe-6672 System Timing Controller
PXIe-6672 can synchronize multiple PXI Express systems or synchronize PXI Express systems with GPIB, VXI and other measurement and instrumentation systems. |
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Opto 22 Releases SNAP PAC Serial I/O processors
I/O processors are used for serial I/O networking and performing local control for SNAP I/O. |
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Advantech launches Pentium M embedded computer
UNO-2172 embedded automation computer has two fanless CPU options: Pentium M 1.6 GHz or Celeron M 1.5 GHz, with 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM. |
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Moore Industries offers free WORM temperature sensor
The offer includes choice of a thermocouple or RTD, 24 in. of extension wire, and an installation kit with all the necessary mounting components, including a spring, spacers and a clip. |
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Emerson announces Rosemount 702 Discrete Wireless Transmitter
The 702 supports a variety of non-powered switch types, with single or dual channel capacity and is hazardous area approved. |
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TURCK releases 12-PIN eurofast connectors
Twelve-pin connectors are commonly used in motor environments, material handling and safety industries. |
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ASI announces colored terminal block labels
Terminal block labels are available in white, red, blue, yellow, green and orange. |
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National Instruments LabVIEW works with Anritsu Instrumentation
LabVIEW development platform and LabWindows/CVI ANSI C development environment work with Anritsu RF and wireless communications test instruments. |
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Exele enhances TopView 6.0
Improvements include new components and diagnostic tools, support for Windows Vista, and support for PI HA (High Availability) and PI Expressions (TopView PI) |
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Other Product Announcements
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Product & Supplier Search
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| Resources & Literature |
Linear Motor and Positioner Catalog
Parker's Electromechanical Automation Division released a new catalog featuring its Trilogy brand of linear motors and linear motor positioners. This 114-page, full-color guide covers a breadth of linear motor technologies, including ironless and ironcore linear motors, as well as industrial-grade and precision-grade linear motor positioners. |
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| Events, Seminars & Training |
Industrial Automation India
December 4-7, 2007 Bangalore, India
One of the primary themes at INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION INDIA will be electrical and electronic components for automation. Mechanical and plant engineering will also feature strongly, with a major focus on components for machine and plant automation. Deutsche Messe AG, organizer of the event, indicates that 150 companies – including such industry leaders as ABB, Lapp, Rittal and Siemens – will exhibit on 21,520 square feet of display area. |
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Other Upcoming Events & Training
- Siemens Safety Webinars: Started May 24, 2007
- Opto 22 Lunch & Learn Program: Today through November 23, 2007
- 2007 NI Technical Symposium: September-December, 2007
- WonderWorld 2007 Conferences: September-December, 2007
- OPC Training Workshops: Workshops begin October 22, 2007
- EIC/EME Manufacturing Expo: October 22-24, 2007
- GE Fanuc's 2007 Discover User Conference: October 22-25, 2007
- Midwest RFID Symposium: October 23-24
- ISA Training Courses at WonderWorld: October 23-25, 2007
- KUKA hosts regional Metal Fabrication Symposiums: October 23 & 30, 2007
- Hands-On PLC Troubleshooting Training Workshop (1.6 CEU): October 24-26, 2007
- RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition: October 25-26, 2007
- Introduction to Fieldbus: October 27, 2007
- IEEE SENSORS 2007: October 28-31, 2007
- Industrial Technology Expo: October 30, 2007
- CHEM Show: October 30 - November 1, 2007
- Benchmarking Workshop: November 6, 2007
- WAGO Industrial Ethernet and IEC 61131-3 Seminar: November 5-7, 2007
- ISA Process Analytical Technology Conference: November 6-7, 2007
- Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show: November 6-10, 2007
- Free SERCOS Seminar: November 13, 2007
- OMAC Technical Symposium: November 28-29, 2007
Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar. |
| Company & Organizational News |
ISA, MIMOSA, OAGi, OPC and WBF establish OpenO&M
OpenO&M is a cooperative forum where members can work together to solve automation challenges through standardization and harmonization of industry guidelines. |
ISA EXPO 2007 attracts 12,000
ISA EXPO technology exchanges covered security, process automation, safety, environmental and quality control, enterprise integration, and wireless and networking.
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GE Fanuc is now GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms brings together GE Fanuc Automation, CNC and Embedded Systems groups. |
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Other Company & Organization News:
Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
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| Application News |
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Other Application News:
Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| New Jobs |
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function. For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com. |
| Humor of the Week |
Dilbert - Be careful not to set an unrealistic precedence
Goin' Fishin' - The hardware engineer picks the microprocessor |
I hope you enjoyed this Automation Weekly update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com
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