GPS Synchronization Architecture for DSA Devices
By National Instruments
GPS synchronization enables measurement systems to make synchronized measurements over extremely large areas. GPS provides a method of sharing timing signals without the need of running timing cables to each measurement system. This article shows how to do it.

Signal Conditioning for PC-Based Control
Control Engineering, January 2008
By C.G. Masi
Control-system designers need to pay extra attention to signal conditioning issues when using PC-based controllers. PACs and PLCs don’t have the same problems.

Put Lightning in the Ground
Design News, January 2008
By Jon Titus, Contributing Editor
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a direct strike to turn expensive instruments or sensors into junk. Lightning within a few kilometers of equipment can induce destructive voltages and currents on conductors. You can do a quick cost-benefit analysis to determine what to protect and how to protect it.

Isolator and signal converter basics, Part 1
Plant Engineering, December 2007
By Greg Feliks, Moore Industries
Isolators are useful devices to solve instrumentation problems in process control applications. However, be sure to check the specs carefully. Not all isolators are created equal. Isolators can be used for many applications in process control beyond just eliminating ground loops and conditioning signals

Advanced applications for isolators and signal converters, Part 2
Plant Engineering, December 2007
By Greg Feliks, Moore Industries
a selection of advanced applications for isolators and signal converters, including HART, digital converters, signal conversion, VFD noise, AC current/voltage conversion and isolation and Hazardous area isolation.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Industrial I/O portal.

RF and Communications Fundamentals: Understanding Distortion Measurements
By National Instruments
Webcast describes three measurements used to specify system linearity: 1 dB compression point, third-order intercept (TOI), and intermodulation distortion (IM3).. In this webcast, learn how component nonlinearity causes both harmonic and intermodulation distortion.

Order Analysis for Machine Monitoring and NVH
By National Instruments
Webcast technical tutorial will help you understand signals generated by rotating and reciprocating components of mechanical systems (gears, blades, bearings, pumps, etc.). Measurements used to analyze these systems and the theory behind them is discussed.

2007 Machine Safeguarding Design Guide
This 2-volume Machine Safeguarding Design Guide offered by Omron STI includes over 200 pages of engineering and regulation data. The balance of the 1400 pages includes product specifications and selection guides for the following safety products: Light Curtains, Laser Scanners, Mats, Interlocks, Relays, Network Controllers, Contact Strips, Edges, Two Hand Controls, and Enabling Switches.

Computer Aided Solutions publishes data logging catalog  
Catalog covers products that monitor input signals from temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, voltage, current and digital sources.

B&B Electronics publishes guide to Understanding DAQ Systems
Data obtained through a DAQ must be accurate, clean and useful, says the "Understanding DAQ Systems and Discovering Their Real Purpose" guide.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the Industrial I/O portal.

CompactRIO Helps Nexans Spider Level Seabed
National Instruments LabVIEW and CompactRIO control hydraulic systems on the Nexans Spider remote operated vehicle (ROV) as it levels the seabed and clears a path for the pipeline.

Small data loggers take trips with perishable goods
Industrial Embedded Systems, January 2008
By Dov Bruker, Fourier Systems
Author discusses the technology that goes into a low-cost, tiny data logger and its accompanying software designed to monitor and analyze goods’ temperature during transportation.

Advanced Technology Exceeds Expectations
Control Engineering, January 2008
By David DeBari, Advanced Elastomer Systems
Using smart field instrumentation and bus-oriented plant architecture contributed to the timely startup of a new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) production line for Advanced Elastomer Systems.

Full Transparency Without a Central Process Control System
Process and Control Today, January 2008
Instead of an expensive centralized process control system, Follmann & Co, a chemical company in the UK, used compact modular controllers and HMI control terminals from Mitsubishi Electric. Follmann uses MX Sheet software to feed the process data from the controllers directly into the existing office software.

Browse these and more application stories on the Industrial I/O portal.

Smart Sensor Systems
April 21-24, 2008 Delft, The Netherlands
Recent developments in the field of smart sensor systems are reviewed, including: sensor principles, tandem transducers, smart analog interfaces, modifiers, A/D conversion, busses and digital interfaces, DSPs and microcontrollers. The lectures include case studies and hands-on demonstrations.

Smart Sensors Systems Design Web course
The course focuses on measuring methods and techniques to build full intelligent sensor systems, digital sensors, data acquisition and measuring systems with self-adaptation and self-identification possibilities.

Practical Hazardous Areas for Engineers and Technicians
IDC Technologies, UK
This workshop will provide you with a solid grounding in the principles of explosion protection and intrinsic safety

Practical Safety Instrumentation & Emergency Shutdown Systems for Process Industries
IDC Technologies, UK
Workshop introduces managers, engineers and technicians to standards and practices for safety instrumented systems and Emergency Shutdown systems for the protection of hazardous processes.

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on Industrial I/O portal.

• Softing releases CAN-bus PC/104 Board for OEMs
• Phoenix Contact introduces RAD-80211-XD-BUS Wireless Ethernet Radio
• TandD introduces S Family data loggerrs
• Endevco announces model 4999 Multi-Channel Signal Conditioner
• MESA releases 7I43 FPGA I/O card
• Cooper introduces Cybectec SMP I/O for substations
• Rockwell introduces CompactBlock Guard Ethernet I/O
• Imsys announces IM3910 RSoC MCU for I/O demanding and power sensitive devices
• UEI announces DNR-12-1G Ethernet I/O Chassis

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Industrial I/O portal.

Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date.

ARC says Ethernet moving downward in the control hierarchy
Industrial Ethernet’s migration into the device or I/O level of the automation network hierarchy signals its continued march downward in the enterprise architecture.

MCAA makes Three-Year Market Forecast
MCAA says the 2006 total market value for twelve PI&A products is $6.7 billion for the United States and $784 million for Canada. In the U.S., annual growth will be 3.6% with 4.2 % in Canada. Four products are forecasted to grow faster than the average in both regions – Electronic Flow, Pressure, Remote I/O and Electronic Level.

Schneider reports record growth in 2007
Schneider Electric sales for 2007 rose 26.1% to €17,309 million, double the Group’s sales in 2003.

TURCK incorporates full subsidiary in Australia to support emerging markets
Prior to this, TURCK products have been distributed in Australia by Micromax, who will remain TURCK’s distribution arm for factory automation focused products with the full support of the new local subsidiary to help grow the TURCK market.

MTL acquires RTK Instruments
MTL acquired a 90% stake in RTK, a manufacturer of process alarm equipment, displays and interface products.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Industrial I/O portal.

Virginia Tech uses NI LabVIEW to win 3rd Place in DARPA Race
Virginia Tech won the $500,000 third place prize at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Urban Challenge.

CitectSCADA monitors St Fergus gas terminal
Process and Control Today, January 2008
TOTAL E&P UK installed a 10,000+ point CitectSCADA system to provide monitoring - with full dual redundancy - of the control and safety systems for the giant St Fergus gas terminal in Scotland.

Semaphore adds ISaGRAF 5 to Kingfisher G30 SCADA System
Kingfisher G30 embeds the ISaGRAF 5 control software environment to provide support both the IEC 61131-3 and IEC 61499 standards.

DSPCon Wins Four NASA Contracts for Data Acquisition and Analysis
DSPCon will provide NASA with advanced data acquisition and analysis systems for a variety of satellite, rocket and aviation testing applications.

Eleventh LXI PlugFest  
February 11-13, 2008 Newport Beach, California
The public is invited to the General Meeting on the 13th. PlugFest results will be summarized, and technical applications sessions held.

Instrumentation & Control Master Series
February 25-28, 2008 Manchester UK
The I&C Master Series is brings together an elite group of instrumentation and control engineers for an intensive, compressed 4 days of learning covering the key areas of instrumentation and control.

Fieldbus Foundation General Assembly
February 27-29. 2008 Antwerp, Belgium
Includes overview of current Fieldbus Foundation developments across the globe, and end user presentations focused on process integrity, open scalable integration, business intelligence, asset management, factory site acceptance testing, commissioning and trouble shooting.

ISA International Instrumentation Symposium
May 5-8, 2008 Pensacola Beach, Florida
The 54th annual ISA International Instrumentation Symposium will include paper sessions, short courses, tutorials, and a student presentation competition.

International Manufacturing Technology Show
September 8-13, 2008 Chicago, IL
The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world.. IMTS attracts over 90,000 visitors from every level of industry and over 40 countries.

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Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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