e-Report

March 2008

GarrettCom Introduces 32-Port Substation Switch for Fiber-Rich Deployments

GarrettCom, Inc. has released a convection-cooled managed Ethernet switch that is targeted at the power utilities industry. Named the Magnum 6K32FC, this highly substation-hardened switch offers up to 16 standard fiber ports or eight Gigabit (Gb) ports in a rack-mount package. 

For use in fiber-rich substation applications, the 6K32FC supports double the number of standard fiber ports and double the number of Gb ports as the  Magnum 6K32TRC switch. A typical application may include fiber connectivity to IEDs, RTUs, HMI computers, routers, video surveillance cameras, smaller field switches and other managed switches including multiple Gb backbone interconnections and redundancy.

The 6K32FC is an energy efficient, rack-mount substation switch. that features a static thermal design. The product utilizes techniques such as internal heat barriers, multiple heat sinks throughout the unit, extra cooling space and high-efficiency components to optimize cooling efficiency.

Four configuration slots in the Magnum 6K32FC support more than 30 port modules offering a variety of port types and combinations, including PoE. The Magnum line offers power options including AC and -48, 24, 125 VDC with Dual-Source. The Magnum 6K32FC managed fiber switch comes with LAN software support, network management security, ease-of-use features and is available in two versions, MNS-6K Basic and MNS-6K-Secure.

MTS Sensors and OleumTech Provide Customers' Tank Levels on the Web

MTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division has been working with OleumTech Corp. to provide a solution that allows the customer to monitor tank levels via the Web. MTS Sensors provides the tank measurements and the OleumTech wireless monitors transmit the data back to the control room, where a Modbus controller with Ethernet output passes the data onto the Web.  In the end, the customer is able to open a webpage and pull up the latest measurement at anytime.

MTS Sensors uses its Level Plus model MG liquid level transmitter to measure the level in storage tanks. The tank level is transmitted via Modbus to the OleumTech LevelMate Monitor that sends the measurement to the control room where the OleumTech DataHub is located.  The output from the DataHub is connected to a Fieldbus controller that places the information on the Internet. The customer can open the website and poll the unit to find out the last collected measurement. The user can customize the update time of the radios and the web interface.

The intended application for the current model MG transmitter and LevelMate Monitor solution is when the tank has line power from a local source but does not have communication lines back to the control room.  MTS has found several locations where the control room is located hundreds of yards away from the tanks and the expense of running conduit the full length has inhibited the use of automatic tank gauging on the tank. However, there is no need for battery-powered gauges and/or radios since power is located throughout the facility. The solution provided by MTS and OleumTech allows customers to reap the benefits of automatic tank gauging without having to endure the costs of running conduit.

The model MG transmitters provide 3 in 1 measurement of the product level, interface level and temperature along with offering  volume outputs from 100 point strap tables. The model MG has built a reputation of high accuracy, reliability, simple installation and field replacement. Every gauge is built custom to the application and is available in lengths from 508 mm to 18,288 mm. The model MG can operate on either 12 or 24 VDC power via its four wire Modbus connection.

Digi Extends High-Speed 3G Cellular Router Line

Digi International has introduced the Digi Connect WAN 3G, an upgradeable third generation 3G Wireless WAN router for primary and backup connectivity to remote sites and devices.  It is a targeted function Ethernet-to-cellular router that supports both HSDPA and EVDO 3G standards and adds a cost optimized, high-speed solution to Digi's industry leading line of cellular routers.

The Digi Connect WAN 3G provides primary Wireless WAN connections to remote sites containing Ethernet and serial devices.  Applications include new construction locations, power utility substations, retail/POS sites, temporary facilities and many more. For backup network applications, the Digi Connect WAN 3G integrates with remote locations via an Ethernet WAN port. 

This provides a diverse network connection for remote locations requiring maximum uptime, such as retail/POS sites and financial applications. It is also well suited for use where wired networks are not feasible or where alternative network connections are required. By providing drop-in connectivity to devices located behind third-party networks, the Digi Connect WAN 3G extends Digi's suite of drop-in networking solutions. 

The Digi Connect WAN 3G features built-in VPN for secure connections, one Ethernet port, one serial port, a sensor port for connecting Digi's Watchport sensors and a USB port for local data storage via a USB memory stick. The USB port can also be used for connecting Digi's Watchport USB camera or for connecting an external global positioning system (GPS). 

The Digi Connect WAN 3G features Digi SureLink for persistent connections over wireless networks and Digi Connectware Manager for easy setup, configuration and maintenance of large installations.  It also supports Python, an easy to use, object based, free, open-source programming language for developing customized controlling applications.  

FreeWave Technologies Launches Cathodic Protection Radio to Monitor Oil, Gas, Water/Wastewater
Pipeline Integrity

FreeWave Technologies has launched its new low cost, robust, secure FGRCP Industrial 900 MHz cathodic protection (CP) remote monitoring radio. The FGRCP radio is a multi-purpose, spread spectrum, board level product with specific inputs and outputs for monitoring and reporting operational values on pipelines, tanks, structures and other underground facilities subject to environmental corrosion. In the corrosion prevention industry, the FGRCP monitors pipe-to-soil test stations, rectifier stations, critical bonds, interference points, pipeline pressure stations and pipeline scrubbing stations.

The FGRCP automates the remote monitoring of critical pipes and culverts to identify and prevent corrosion that can lead to leaks, groundwater contamination and other such adverse scenarios affecting overall water quality, supply and/or public safety.

"An aging pipeline infrastructure, combined with increased legislation, has forced oil and gas companies, for example, to look for new, more efficient and effective solutions to remotely monitor and optimize the long term performance of these buried assets,” said David Southern, P.E., product development manager, FreeWave. "Our cathodic protection solution is designed for pipeline, tank companies and water/wastewater interests wishing to extend their investment in telemetry automation to cathodic protection structures as well.” 

The 900 MHz FGRCP radio is also available in a pre-assembled LineMarker Test Station with solar power system, antenna and conduit mounting bracket. As with all FreeWave radios, there is no issue with obsolescence of the technology as FreeWave offers 100 percent backwards compatibility.

Visit Freewave Technologies’ Booth at the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo!
November 5-6, 2008 • Atlanta, Ga.• www.remotemagazine.com/rem08_sponsors.php

IdaTech Introduces the 250 Watt iGen System

IdaTech, plc has launched its iGen fuel cell system, a CE certified 250 watt integrated power generation solution for charging batteries in industrial applications. Operating on a liquid fuel, the compact iGen system is the newest addition to IdaTech’s family of fuel cell power products for critical power applications.

Designed to work with battery packs and renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power, quietly and efficiently providing power, the iGen system incorporates IdaTech’s patented fuel processor, purifier and fuel cell stack in a compact, rugged, outdoor package. By operating on HydroPlus, IdaTech’s methanol-water fuel mixture, the iGen system provides a dependable and flexible solution for critical power needs. Potential applications for the iGen system include automated battery charging in signaling, sensing and telemetry, security, and telecommunications applications, including PV and wind hybrid configurations.

“As an integrated system operating on a compact liquid fuel source, the industrial iGen system provides IdaTech customers with another attractive solution for a wide range of applications, said Hal Koyama, president and CEO, IdaTech. “The commercial launch of the compact iGen battery charging fuel cell system marks a significant milestone for IdaTech. This compact system extends IdaTech's product and market capabilities significantly, addressing the sub-kilowatt power range.”

Speco Technologies Transforms Intensifier Camera Family Line

Speco Technologies Intensifier Technology amplifies and maximizes existing light to generate color pictures in darkness. The latest in the HT-INTD intensifier camera series encompasses the best features of bullet and dome cameras into a single package that lends itself to many types of installations.

The HT-INTD8, weatherproof, tamperproof camera features a resolution of 560 lines and a wider range 2.8 to 12 mm auto iris varifocal lens. This model also offers dual voltage (12 Volt DC / 24 Volt AC) operation with line lock and the new EZ mount system to simplify installation. The HT-INTD9, 5 to 50 mm lens, and the HT-INTD10, 9 to 22 mm lens, round out this new line of Intensifiers.

The advanced noise reduction circuitry in the Intensifier camera coupled with the virtual 3D filter that is built into the DSP will allow user’s DVR to have 30 percent better compression in scenes that were typically subject to video noise. This means that low light and nighttime pictures will not only look better, but they will also use up less hard drive space.

Are You a Security Expert?
If so then you should speak at the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo. Changes for 2008 include a session track dedicated to physical and cyber security!

Contact Nick Depperschmidt for more information nickd@infowebcom.com or 800-803-9488 x.111

This initiative will allow Elster, in collaboration with its partners, to offer standards-based solutions that enable utilities to improve the operation of the electrical network by leveraging their AMI investment. ABB will work with Elster Electricity on applications that utilize AMI information to improve network performance to realize the vision of an efficient smart power grid.

“We are excited to have ABB join AGI”, said Mark Monday, Elster Electricity president and CEO. “ABB’s experience in power systems and our EnergyAxis System deployments are significant resources for achieving the utility of the future. Elster is committed to partnering with others to provide innovative solutions to enable the power grid to operate more efficiently.”

“AMI lays the technological groundwork for a modern smart grid, which is something ABB is committed to developing,” said Enrique Santacana, president and CEO of ABB Inc. “Helping our utility customers improve operational efficiency and grid reliability is part of our core focus.”

ZigBee Smart Energy Profile Delivers Efficiency and Saving

The ZigBee Alliance has completed development of its ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile. ZigBee Smart Energy offers utility companies a global open standard for implementing secure, easy-to-use wireless home area networks for managing energy. The profile also offers product manufacturers access to a burgeoning green marketplace by establishing a standards-based technology for new products designed to enhance energy management and efficiency by consumers everywhere.

ZigBee Smart Energy enables wireless communication between utility companies and common household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances. It improves energy efficiency by allowing consumers to choose interoperable products from different manufacturers giving them the means to manage their energy consumption more precisely using automation and near real-time information. It also helps utility companies implement new advanced metering and demand response programs to drive greater energy management and efficiency, while responding to changing government requirements.

ZigBee Smart Energy offers electric, gas and water utilities support for advanced metering, demand response, load control, pricing and customer messaging programs. It provides communication and control for devices such as in-home displays, programmable communicating thermostats, water heaters, lighting, smart appliances, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, plus energy service portals and energy management systems.

Interested in ZigBee Wireless Technology?
Then you should check out our new ZigBee Resource Guide!

Visit www.ZigBeeResourceGuide.com for more information.

Rowan Grants Long-Term Contract To CapRock

CapRock Communications has reached a multi-year agreement with Rowan Companies, Inc. to deliver broadband satellite communications to its fleet of onshore and offshore rigs. Rowan will leverage CapRock's communication services to increase the efficiency and performance of its drilling operations.

"Having a monitored and managed communication service at our rig sites enables our crews to maintain the logistical support necessary to keep drilling operations running smoothly,” said Rowan Executive VP David Russell. "By extending applications such as our maintenance program, we are able to work remotely with our suppliers to order replacement parts or make direct orders ourselves should the need arise. This helps to increase the delivery speed of ordered materials, reducing wait time.”

Mu Security Partners with ISA Security Compliance Institute to Develop New ‘ISA Secure’ Certification

Mu Security is now an early “technical member “of the ISA Security Compliance Institute (ISA SCI).  The ISA SCI uniquely counts both industrial technology vendors and industrial control end-users dedicated to establishing specifications and processes for testing and certifying control systems products.  Mu’s membership in the ISA-SCI will help develop meaningful security development and certification benchmarks for ensuring safely-developed and deployed Industrial Control systems.

“Control system security is a critical concern to our customers and a key element of today’s control system strategies,” said Alicia DuBay, director of systems marketing, ABB Inc.  “Use of the Mu-4000 appliance throughout our internal development process paired with Music certification’s evolution to ISA SCI certification program will help further ensure ABB customers that our control systems will meet or exceed very stringent security and robustness criteria.  The Control System industry benefits with an independent ISA SCI certification program, especially with the incorporation of existing rigorous certifications including Foundation-level Music certification.”

Interested in Learning More About Cyber Security?
Then you should attend ISA’s Securing Industrial Networks: Cyber Protection for Automation, Control and SCADA Systems workshop at the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo!

Visit www.remotemagazine.com/rem08_workshop.php  for more information

Laird Technologies, Inc. Acquires Ezurio, Ltd.  

Laird Technologies, Inc. has acquired Ezurio, Ltd., a privately-held company and supplier of short range wireless M2M solutions. Ezurio’s sales revenues in the 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2007, were approximately $8 million, an increase of 24 percent over the same period in 2006. 

Ezurio is a supplier of Bluetooth and 802.11 (WiFi) embedded RF modules, as well as M2M solutions for wireless data communication applications. RF modules allow customers to incorporate wireless data communications solutions into their products. 

Half Day Workshop: Intellectual Property Issues for New Product Development

May 14, 2008 (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) - Beverages and Course Materials Provided

The workshop will start with an overview of the various types of intellectual property, including patents, trademark, copyrights, trade secrets, non-competes and publishing. It will feature a detailed discussion of patents, including type of patents, what is patentable, patent laws and rules, the patenting process and patent strategy. Also covered will be the integration of the patenting process with the new product development process and discussion of critical patent strategy issues. It will conclude with a practical training session for writing technical disclosures for patenting purposes.

For more details about what attendees can expect to learn from this workshop visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshops.htm#akc.

• Register before March 14, 2008 - $395 • Register after March 14, 2008 - $495

Register Now!

Visit http://www.magneticsmagazine.com/mag_conf08_workshop_reg.php/.

2008 Remote Conference and Expo Call for Presentations
 

No other industry conference brings together technology users that manage remote sites like the Remote 2008 Conference and Expo. This is your chance to speak with, and educate technology innovators and users from multiple industries, including utilities, power, oil & gas, telecom, industrial, water & public utilities, agriculture and facilities management.

Over 50 conference sessions will provide cutting-edge technology direction and application strategies from the companies and users driving the growth in SCADA, M2M, device networking, data communications, system & site security, emerging wireless technology, remote monitoring and automated control, and onsite powering of distributed equipment, networks and facilities.  

Subject areas include, but not limited to:

For more information about speaking please contact Nick Depperschmidt at: Nickd@infowebcom.com or 800-803-9488 x.111

For more information about sponsoring or exhibiting please contact Scott Nash at: Scottn@infowebcom.com or 800-803-9488 x.114

April
ISC West, Las Vegas, Nev., Contact www.isc365.com/isc_west_2007.aspx

1-3, ISA LDAR Symposium, San Antonio, Texas,
Contact www.isa.org/fugitiveemissions

1-3, CTIA Wireless, Las Vegas, Nev. Contact www.ctiawireless.com

3-4, NERC Cyber Security Conference, St. Louis, Mo. Contact www.utc.org

4-6, ATA 2008, Seattle, Wash. Contact - www.americantelemed.org

6-8, Water Security Congress, Cincinnate, Oh. Contact www.awwa.org

7-10, Field Service 2008, Tucson, Az. Contact - www.fieldservice2008.com

8-9, Gas market Dynamics, Houston, Texas, Contact www.enerdynamics.com

9-11, ENTELEC, Houston, Texas  Contact www.entelec.org

19-23, Metering Americas, San Deigo, Calif.
Contact www.spintelligent-events.com

21-24, 2008 IEEE Power Engineering Conference, Chicago, Ill.
Contact www.ieeet-d.org

21-25, Hanover Messe, Hanover, Germany, Contact www.hf-usa.com

27-May 2, Introp, Las Vegas, Nev. Contact www.interop.com

28 - May 1, BICSI Spring, Nashville, Tn. Contact www.bicsi.org

29 - May 1, Automation World Conference and Expo, Houston, Texas
Contact www.abb.com/automationworld

Center for Connected Health

We are engaging patients, providers and the connected health community to deliver quality care outside of traditional medical settings. Visit our site to learn about our connected health programs and access research articles, patient stories and news in the areas of Remote Monitoring, Cardiac Care, Diabetes, E-Visits, Medication Adherence, Remote Consultations, and more. Join our discussions and learn what others are saying about connected health. www.connected-health.org.

CTIA WIRELESS
April 1-3, 2008
Las Vegas (NV) Convention Center

CTIA WIRELESS® is traditionally held in the spring and is the largest and most comprehensive trade show in the wireless industry. It is the premier venue to exchange ideas, create partnerships and collaborate to bring wireless telecommunications to new heights. 

CTIA WIRELESS® draws ten of thousands attendees from dozens of different industries from more than 100 countries around the world, serving every aspect of wireless - providers, users, developers, buyers and manufacturers in more than 400,000 square feet of exhibits representing a $500 billion global industry.

Request Information:

Are you interested in being added to our Convention’s email list? We periodically send out information regarding all the exciting things happening at the show as well as attendee and exhibitor information. Sign-Up today!

ENTELEC
April 9–11, 2008
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston , Texas

"We're Racing to the Future" as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the ENTELEC Association.

You're invited to join industry professionals in over 50 overs of technical papers, 200 exhibiting companies and a variety of networking events over the 3-day conference & expo. http://www.entelec.org/conference-and-expo/

Metering America
April 20 – 23, 2008
San Diego, California

The 9th annual Metering, Billing/CIS America conference and exhibition presents its greatest line-up yet of industry seminars, exhibits, panel discussions and hands-on training. From strategy to technology, this is the only place where all aspects of advanced, smart and automatic metering, as well as customer management and service, are covered and the biggest names are found to share with you the knowledge you need to stay ahead and be competitive.

Click Here to learn more.

2008 Niagara Summit  
May 4-6, 2008
Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, Florida  

The 2008 Niagara Summit is the largest gathering of industry professionals and practitioners developing applications and deploying solutions built around open, interoperability, integration and connectivity. At the Niagara Summit, attendees exchange ideas, discover the latest next-generation solutions and forge partnerships with end users, systems integrators, distributors and manufacturers that make up this dynamic community. 

From the enabling capabilities of Niagara^AX, oBIX and the soon to be released Sedona, to wireless, M2M, industrial, energy and residential applications, attendees will encounter the ultimate educational experience, in-depth presentations and peer brainstorming that provides thought provoking ideas and visionary insight for device-to-enterprise applications and automation infrastructure. 

        WHEN:        May 4-6, 2008 

WHERE:       Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, Florida 

REGISTRATION: www.niagarasummit.com

ACE 2008
June 8-12, 2008
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia

Come explore a world of ideas and innovation with your peers and leaders in the world of water. ACE08 registration is now open! Plan to attend the one event where you can get all the information you need, sharpen your skills, and replenish your passion to become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment. The ACE08 Professional Program will bring you knowledge and insight to cutting-edge research and exceptional best practices on both universal topics and items specifically focused to meet your needs. At the ACE08 Exposition, more than 500 exhibitors will be on hand to answer questions and educate you about the latest technology available. Learn more and register.

Submit editorial content to Nick Depperschmidt at
720-528-3770 X111 or nickd@infowebcom.com.

For more information on advertising or exhibiting contact Scott Nash at
800-803-9488 X114 or scottn@infowebcom.com.

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