Unlike other comparable power supply offered in the market, the new FieldConnex Compact Power Hub consumes less cabinet space with its 150 mm x 268 mm footprint, as it provides eight segments of redundant power. The advanced passive impedance design and especially selected components allows the FieldConnex Compact Power Hub to deliver outstanding power and performance in less space without compromise. It also supports safe fieldbus segments according to High Power Trunk concept and the Entity Ex nL or Ex ic classification.

“The power supply modules that mount on the motherboard are just 12.5 mm,” said Brian Traczyk, Product Manager at Pepperl+Fuchs. “Depending on the module the typical power loss is only 1.3 or 1.6 watts, which promises a long service life with the most efficient control room cabinet-packing density available today.”

“And because the FieldConnex Compact Power Hub is designed with built-in redundancy, two power modules are assigned to each segment. This means that exchanging a failed power module does not require any interruption of the power supply, and will not affect plan operation.”

The compact motherboard of FieldConnex Compact Power Hub comes in various versions that suit numerous application needs. It also provides all necessary interfaces and wiring connections and can support up to 16 plug-in power modules, which are safely secured and plugged in without the need for other tools.

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“Because of the revolutionary nature of TRUNKSAFE, obtaining approval and registration is a significant step,” said Leonard Moore, President of Moore Industries.

“TRUNKSAFE is the only fault-tolerant fieldbus system of its type in the world, and now end users and systems integrators can have complete confidence that it is suitable for use on both critical and non-critical process segments.”

TRUNKSAFE provides a real measure of fault-tolerance without duplicating/triplicating each component and installing special software at the DCS. The TRUNKSAFE Fault-Tolerant segment’s design only requires two TRUNKSAFE power conditioners, two H1 cards, one TRUNKSAFE device coupler and two cables. Users do not need to install special software at the DCS nor to duplicate the field instrument. If one of the field cables fails, the system still continues to operate via the alternative cable while the system notifies the DCS.

The TRUNKSAFE device coupler has been especially hardened to eliminate common-mode failures that might affect the whole segment.

Aside from saving money, TRUNKSAFE also prevents a hardware fault from affecting the entire segment.

TRUNKSAFE can be used on both Profibus and FOUNDATION fieldbus segments and on both non-critical and critical processes. It can be also used together with MooreHawke’s standard fieldbus power conditioner system.

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This embedded, low-power tool removes the need for an external ASIC, FPGA or PROFIBUS, which saves development cost and time while enhancing system performance. The AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU offers ample performance to support industrial applications implementation, whether or not these applications require a PROFIBUS. Industrial applications best suited for the AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU include a human machine interface (HMI) or programmable logic controller (PLC).

Texas Instruments also announced that it joined the PROFIBUS International, affirming its commitment to the industrial market by delivering an integrated and certified solution to improve costs and help make development easier for industrial designers.

Compared to other multi-chip solutions on the market, the AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU directly connects the PROFIBUS interface to the RS-485 transceiver, doing away with the need for a FPGA or ASIC.

“In the industrial space, the PROFIBUS standard is synonymous with reliable networking, and with this certification, TI is giving a higher assurance that our product is a quality alternative to existing solutions,” said Ram Sathappan, industrial end equipments manager of Texas Instruments Inc. “We are very excited to be a member of PI and introduce our certified AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU PROFIBUS solution to the industrial market. Our aim is to help our customers reduce BOM costs, PCB space and design time. We are confident that TI’s one chip solution, the AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU with PROFIBUS, will do just that.”

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“We are both upgrading the processor and offering enhanced features in our new Ethernet products,” said Charlie Norz, WAGO’s I/O System Product Manager. “Ethernet 2.0 is compatible with our existing platform and still uses a rackless design, which means the I/O modules fit together on a DIN rail and the user can easily add or subtract modules as needed.”

“We have upgraded our processor, so that it is 100 percent faster than our existing products, and a new file system on the controller enables the user to log more data or store web pages. The new controller doubles the amount of available memory, offering 1 Mbyte of program memory and a 2 Mbyte file system,” Norz added.

The keys to the fast processing capabilities of the 750-881 are the upgrade in program memory and a new 32-bit CPU. The Fast File System supervises substantial data logging and a web-based management system, while an e-mail capability is also offered for authorized personnel. The standard CoDeSys V2 programming environment for the 750-881 is IEC 61131 compatible and offers all five programming languages. Up to 250 I/O modules can be supported by the PFC that allows machine users to tailor solutions from among 400+ digital, analog and specialty modules.

The additional processing power in WAGO’s new second generation Ethernet platform also allows the programmable fieldbus controller to process 1,000 instructions in just 235 μS.

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The comprehensive product portfolio is composed of embedded Ethernet solutions, fieldbus distributors and repeaters plus Industrial fieldbus and Ethernet cable, industrial plug-in connection systems and patch panels.

“Power stations’ data links to the power grid are progressing well, and Ethernet is increasingly being used in place of existing disparate and, in some cases, proprietary solutions. This means, for instance, that inverters are also being equipped with appropriate interfaces,” said Ute Decker, Belden’s Vertical Marketing Manager for Alternative Power Generation. She observed other trend, namely, increasing data is being recorded, transmission is increasingly in real time, and networks are acquiring ever more subscribers. “In this context we find that security, i.e., protecting the transmitted data against unauthorized access, is becoming more and more important,” she added.

In the distribution and generation of wind energy, data is exchanged not only in wind energy plants, but also between the plants and substations. There are separate networks for different tasks. “Besides Ethernet, certain applications also use fieldbuses such as CAN and wireless solutions for condition monitoring, and some remote monitoring facilities make use of existing interfaces such as GSM or DSL,” said Ms. Decker. To ensure the reliability of data communications, the systems and components must be particularly robust and must be able to withstand both high levels of humidity and extreme temperatures.

“The modular and compact Industrial Ethernet switches in our MICE, RS, RSB and MACH series have been successfully used in countless wind energy plants for many years, as have the WLAN access points in our BAT series, the industrial security solutions of our EAGLE line, and network management tools such as Industrial HiVision,” Ute Decker added.

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At the SPS/IPC/Drives fair in Nuremberg, Germany, HMS will launch a major enhancement to the X-gateway family, unveiling 10 completely updated design of CANopen master (manager) gateways in small slim-line housing. Any CANopen enabled device with slave functionality can communicate with any other industrial Ethernet or fieldbus network through the new and powerful CANopen X-gateways. The CANopen gateway family includes versions for all well-known fieldbusses such as DeviceNet, Profibus, ControlNet, Modbus and for industrial Ethernet with EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus-TCP and EtherCAT protocol. CANopen-based networks are typical applications that need to be incorporated into higher functional industrial Ethernet or fieldbus networks. Target markets include transportation, machine building, medical, infrastructure and other types of energy distribution, as well as control applications such as renewable energies.

The CANopen X-gateways, which are embedded into a small plastic housing, are slim-lined devices for 24 Volt power supply and standard DIN rail mounting. These are based on the Anybus communication modules and act as intelligent link between two industrial networks. They always function as a master (manager) on the CANopen side and work as slaves (servers) on the uplink network side. Based on HMS NP30 microprocessor, the implementation is certified by CIA (CAN in Automation) for conformance to the CANopen DS 301 v4.0.2 standard.

For the CANopen master interface’s configuration, any standard CANopen configuration tool can be utilized. The Ethernet slave or uplink fieldbus interface is configured with the standard engineering tool of the programmable logic controller (PLC) and a standard device description file (GSD/EDS). The Anybus X-gateway series transmits I/O data completely transparent into the two networks – I/O data from the uplink fieldbus/Ethernet network is mapped into the CANopen PDOs and vice versa.

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FOUNDATION fieldbus is a bidirectional digital communications standard between field instruments and control systems. A digital communications system provides more information compared to its analog counterpart, as it displays process variables and maintenance information from field instruments to improve maintenance, overall safety, productivity and reliability of an industrial plant.

Currently, Yokogawa is providing a range of field instruments and control systems that conform to FOUNDATION fieldbus. Its FVX110 Fieldbus Segment Indicator further strengthens this product lineup, meeting customers’ needs for a FOUNDATION fieldbus indicator solution.

The FVX110 Fieldbus Segment Indicator offers display of up to 16 process variables, excellent visibility and operability, and high added value through its standard features including link master*3, PID control*2 and software download*1 functions.

It can be used in process industries such as natural gas and oil, chemicals, petrochemicals, pulp and paper, iron and steel, water treatment and electric power.

The Yokogawa FVX110 fieldbus indicator displays pressure, temperature, flow rate and other readings from field instruments. It facilitates easy download and installation of dedicated programs for the upgrade of FVX, enables control loops to be made in the field, as well as facilitates the smooth exchange of data between field instruments and the FVX110 while controlling FOUNDATION fieldbus communications.

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Majority of CC-Link I/O networks are being operated by control cabinets. IP20 I/O modules are typically placed in costly and bulky enclosures. Due to the need to terminate all I/O points, the solutions are very labor intensive and costly. This can be simplified through the use of supporting cordsets and IP67 CC-Link I/O modules by placing these modules near the concentration of actuators and sensors. The ease of setup and smaller footprint will cut labor and cost of installation materials, and decrease repairs and maintenance troubleshooting.

Among the features of Balluff CC-Link Product include I/O Module Unique push-button display, which allows for easy configuration placed near the block IP67 rugged metal housing that can withstand harsh industrial environments. Its open network is well supported by the CC-Link partner association CLPA, which is comprised of over 1000 companies. The standardized fieldbus CC-Link is designed to integrate various automation components from various providers.

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The ATP helps users who are involved in a specific application software development or the automotive industry but don’t have the relevant target hardware.

Based on a powerful microprocessor, the hardware can bear a temperature range of -20°C to +70°C. Its selected architecture guarantees high data throughput through all interfaces with low load on the main processor. The message packets are assigned with timestamp on every automotive bus system interface with 1 µs accuracy.

The Automotive Test Platform now comes with the necessary software to allow it to develop custom applications for Windows CE in C++, C# or C. When the application is successfully implemented, IXXAT offers adaptation or optimization of the ATP design to the user’s specific needs.

The ATP is based on a dual processor concept. Pre-configured fieldbus controller represents the interface to the supported fieldbuses, with the user’s own application running on the main processor.

Exchange of data between the processors is done through an FPGA. It is transparent for the operator as access to the controller is mapped through a well-documented API that comes with the platform. API provides all necessary functions for communication through several various buses.

Aside from functions for initialization, stopping and starting an interface, functions are also available for the transmission and receiving of data.

The user’s own application is applied on the main processor on Windows CE 5.0. It communicates with pre-configured fieldbus controller through the API provided.

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The Wireless and Networking Track will cover fieldbus implementation, fiber optic solutions, wireless and the infrastructure, and radio and other types of data communication. Experts from Fieldbus Foundation, Exxon/Mobil, Bechtel and Hart Communication Foundation are among the presenters of the Wireless and Networking Track.

Session titles of the Wireless and Networking Track include Convergence of Standards and Organizations, Project Management for Wireless and Networking, Wireless Technologies for Process Control, Moving the Data – Backhaul, Common Installation Challenges, Asset Management – How to Handle and Use the Data, and Future Direction of Wireless and Networking in Process Control.

“ISA’s annual conference continues to offer the best venue for wireless professionals to meet. Industry’s brightest professionals across all functions will meet in Houston, Texas, to share their expertise and experiences. An abundance of knowledge is available here that can be applied to the attendee’s career right away,” said Gerald Cockrell, ISA Automation Week Program Committee Co-chair and 2009 ISA President of Indiana State University.

The 2010 ISA Automation Week, which will be held for two and a half days of sessions, is a technical conference that includes two keynote addresses, social events and networking. It will be held in a 10,000-sq-ft exhibit area featuring more than 100 exhibitors.

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The specifications from Fieldbus Foundation describe the open, non-proprietary, FOUNDATION fieldbus protocol. This technology provides an all-digital, multi-drop, two-way communications link among automation systems and smart field devices. It serves as the network for instruments utilized in process automation and has the capability to distribute the control application across the network.

Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation Manager – Fieldbus Products, said the latest FOUNDATION fieldbus specification reflects the increasing demand in the industry for NE107 field diagnostics. “Field diagnostics, as implemented in FOUNDATION fieldbus, standardizes how today’s intelligent devices communicate regardless of the vendor. This technology ensures that the right message will be delivered to the right person in the plant, at the right time. Operators, engineers and technicians not only receive detailed information, but it is provided in a categorized manner that makes data easier to assess and act upon,” said Mitschke.

“The updated specification also defines the minimum requirements for testing of hosts employing FOUNDATION for Safety Instrumented Functions, which is an ideal platform for advancing standards-based solutions for plant SIFs. FF-SIF enables process end users to realize significant reductions in their total cost of ownership by extending fieldbus benefits into plant safety systems.”

FOUNDATION fieldbus Specification Version 2010.1 features updates to the Function Block Specification (FF-892, FF-891 and FF-890) and CFF Specification (FF-103) to reflect the changes implemented in the Interoperability Test Kit (ITK) 6.0, which is set for release soon. ITK 6.0 features software components built with VC9, support for testing Custom Profiled Function Blocks and USB interface hardware compatibility available from National Instruments.

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Currently, PROFIBUS has over 30 million installed nodes around the world and is a leader in industrial networks for connecting programmable logic controllers (“PLCs”), drives, sensors and I/O in automation and industrial systems. The new C Series modules can make it possible to connect NI Single-Board RIO and CompactRIO PACs embedded systems to PROFIBUS industrial network and add custom field-programmable gate array (“FPGA”) logic, high-performance measurements and advanced analysis to existing systems. Engineers now can easily retrofit and upgrade existing systems and machines by using the new PROFIBUS modules to quickly add LabVIEW graphical software and flexible, high-performance NI hardware to accomplish custom and high-speed tasks that traditional PLCs cannot solve.

Foundation Fieldbus is a two-way digital communication protocol normally used in process automation. The latest NI USB-8486 is a one-port FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 interface that gives data control, logging and configuration in distributed control system and HMI applications.

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The compact X-gateway is a device for 24 V industrial power supply and standard DIN rail mounting. It operates as a master on the Profibus network and as a server (“slave”) on the Modbus-TCP side. The Profibus master functionality is configured using HMS Anybus NetTool for Profibus, a powerful, easy to use Windows-based configuration tool which comes free with the X-gateway. When the initial configuration is downloaded into the X-gateway, it transfers up to 512 byte of output and 512 byte of input data transparently between Profibus and Modbus-TCP. Up to 124 Profibus slaves can also be connected to the gateway. The X-gateway incorporates a powerful integrated web server on the Modbus-TCP network that supports web-based visualization and remote diagnostics. An OPC server is also included in X-gateway’s scope of delivery. The X-gateway’s Modbus-TCP and Profibus communication interfaces have a certification for full compliance to respective protocol standards.

The new Anybus X-gateway family consists of more than 200 proven, ready-to-use and robust gateways targeted to connect almost all of the possible combinations of two industrial networks. The product family can support 17 different industrial Ethernet and fieldbus networks, including Profinet, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus and many more. All versions operate the same way and they give a flexible standard solution to connect two industrial networks.

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The new Segment Checker version 1.20 features project-export functionality, new products, and enhanced calculations to further simplify fieldbus validation and design.

“Segment Checker automatically calculates the voltage drop and load current on a fieldbus segment for any given configuration. The user simply chooses the explosion protection method such as FISCO, Entity, FNICO and High Power Trunk, or the safe area, and segment design error checking makes clear whether the desired configuration is workable,” said Brian Traczyk, Product Manager of Pepperl+Fuchs.

The new Segment Checker allows machine builders to intuitively check their operational parameters to validate fieldbus PA segment architecture. Also, it allows machine builders to print, archive and display an entire design, and import the field devices from its library, or create additional devices by using the “device editor” feature. Moreover, machine builders can click on a device for straight access to the most recent product and technical information on the Pepperl+Fuchs website. Its cables can be tagged and attributes defined by the machine builder. The Spur cable’s length can be set to a defined number as well, removing the need of repetitive editing in larger projects.

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Dreyer & Bosse (D&B) , a German power plant specialist, provides autonomous cogeneration units using CC-Link open fieldbus network technology for monitoring functions and data communications.

Biogas-fuelled power plants convert special fuel crops, plant waste and liquid manure into energy. Its main component is a power and heat cogeneration unit that produces heat and power from biogas, which is the biomass fermentation unit’s primary output.

German operators of plants which produce electricity from renewable energy sources are being paid guaranteed rates for the green electricity they feed to the public. They can also give the produced heat to a local district heating network.

D&B builds cogeneration units derived from individual selection of standard components. The generators are usually driven by biogas with dual-fuel biogas/diesel engines as backup to ensure availability and reliability.

The CC-Link fieldbus network and modern control technology are made to ensure that the power plants are both economical to operate and reliable.

A D&B system, for example, consists of a 500-kilowatt cogeneration unit installed on a farm with 12.5 acres (five hectares) of pastures and 173 acres (70 hectares). The slurry will be a mixture of manure and straw.

The entire D&B system is being controlled by a powerful compact controller of Mitsubishi Electric, supported by two smaller controllers. The main controller, MELSEC FX3U, is a programmable logic controller (PLC) that communicates with various automation components in the system through standard serial ports and a CC-Link master module. Integrated drivers and instructions for Mitsubishi Electric automation components eliminate time-consuming and complex controller programming.

Automation components include a control panel for clear visualization of all processes, which makes the operation easier for the farmers. An industrial modem will serve as a backup to provide remote access so that the service engineers can interrogate the plant without actually visiting remote farms.

A number of important system monitoring and safety functions are executed through advanced switchgear components with CC-Link interfaces. These air circuit breakers protect the generators against power failure, short circuits and overloads and it also handle the automatic network synchronization with the public power grid. The Mitsubishi Electric Super AE series’ fast-switching circuit breakers serve as a link between the generator set and the gas engine of the public power grid and the cogeneration unit.

The circuit breakers’ electronic trip relay is linked to the central controller through the CC-Link network. The trip relay’s measurement circuits integrated can monitor and analyze all the relevant generator parameters. The circuit breaker can be switched on/off remotely using the CC-Link network through the peripheral I/O module with digital outputs and inputs. The digital inputs are dimensioned to handle the electric currents of the circuit breaker’s drive motor, shunt trip device and closing coil, and are configured as relay contacts.

The simple installation of the system components and the CC-Link fieldbus network enabled the D&B engineers reduce both wiring overheads and material costs. The major factor for choosing this technology is its resistance against electromagnetic interference. Unlike other fieldbus network systems, its CC-Link compatible devices’ conformity tests include comprehensive electromagnetic compatibility tests (EMC), plus other standard tests such as resistance to damp, aging performance and proper functioning.

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This Leine & Linde series supports 13-bit singleturn or 25-bit multiturn with screw terminal or miniature M12 connection. Mechanically, various shafted- and hollow-shafted versions are available. The DeviceNet™ encoder supports encoder profile revision 2 and the functionality has been fully tested in compliance with the ODVA conformance test.

Overall, fieldbus technology is rapidly gaining acceptance and integration into automation applications worldwide. Based on network topology, system requirements and performance, various types of fieldbus systems are available, all developed and supported by individual standardization organizations. The key principle of fieldbus technology is to enhance device functionality, achieve communication transparency, simplify and standardize installations, as well as limiting the installation and maintenance costs. Sensors, like encoders, with support for various fieldbus interfaces have been available for several years and are increasingly gaining in acceptance and installed market share.

www.leinelinde.com

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Murrelektronik Cube67 is a modular and flexible field bus automation system that considerably reduces electrical and mechanical assembly time.

With 16 multifunctional 1.6 A input or output points and an additional 16 output points with up to 2A each, Cube67 is suited for applications like hydraulic valve management. The resulting increase in power coupled with the dual configuration options of the ports allows double valves to be conveniently connected to one port on the module.

Cube67 processes up to 32 signals in a compact and robust package, allowing for flexibility in circuit design and expansion. Two separate load voltage circuits with up to 9 A can be realized via every 7/8” connector. As a result, four voltage circuits with 9A each can be realized within this single module.

Murrelektronik designed the Cube67 as an extension module, ensuring that the system can be directly connected to additional modules for increased I/O management under one bus node.

www.murrinc.com

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