eNewsletter

June 2009

Maximizing Fieldbus Availability
Bernd Schuessler, Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc.

Aging infrastructure, outdated technology and inefficient maintenance practices are a crippling reality in many process plants in North America. Plant managers are now given the task to reduce CAPEX and OPEX while at the same time increase productivity, safety and efficiency in order to compete on a tough global stage. To successfully complete their task, many of the plant managers are either considering or already implementing FOUNDATION fieldbus technology in combination with PAM (Process Asset Management) systems.

Continue this Article in PDF format HERE

Low Power Wireless Monitor Provides Solution for Remote Monitoring and Automation
Semaphore has introduced an intelligent, ultra-low power, wireless monitor that comprises of an integrated solution for management of remote assets and processes. The T-Box Wireless Monitor (WM) extends monitoring, automation and telemetry capabilities to installations requiring as few as one or two measurements.
 
The T-Box WM is well suited for decentralized SCADA system applications, such as infrastructure management and mobile asset management, where its push and Web technologies enable high performance yet economical implementation and operation. T-Box WM provides users real-time access to alarms, live information and historical data, anytime, anywhere, through a standard Web browser. Since T-Box WM also supports e-mail and SMS text messaging, personnel can be kept fully up-to-date using a cell phone or PDA.

Designed for locations which lack a power source, T-Box WM employs intelligent power management to allow operation using a small lithium battery. This ready-to-install solution is available in a variety of enclosures, such as an IP66 weatherproof housing, with internal single or dual lithium battery and a communications device. The redundant battery significantly reduces risk of failure, a necessity for a site visit, due to battery drain.

To reach all, point-of-use locations, T-Box WM is available with a variety of wireless communications devices including GSM cellular, CDMA cellular and spread spectrum radios. For landline telephone networks, a PSTN modem is also available. Additionally, T-Box WM further incorporates programmable automation capabilities. IEC 61131-3 Ladder Diagram, Basic and Microsoft Automation environments expedite configuration of automation tasks and custom calculations for virtually any remote asset or process.

Cooper Crouse-Hinds Releases New Industrial Wireless Solutions 
Cooper Crouse-Hinds has introduced a new product line of industrial-focused wireless monitoring solutions. Designed specifically for monitoring and controlling processes in industrial and hazardous applications, the wireless products provide an alternative to traditional hard-wired systems, which can be quite costly due to long distances between communication points, structural obstacles and general impracticality.

Through a system of transmitters, receivers, transceivers and interface gateways, Cooper Crouse-Hinds Industrial Wireless Solutions offer both one and two-way wireless monitoring capabilities for a host of industrial applications including tank level monitoring, pump performance metrics, heat trace monitoring and much more. In addition, the product line is complemented by a lengthy list of accessories including high-powered antennas for long-distance communications and explosion-proof enclosures for hazardous applications.

The Cooper Crouse-Hinds industrial wireless solutions offer a blend of features. Easy to use, and simple to install, each device offers a vast selection of digital, analog and pulse inputs that allow fewer radios per system, adding to overall cost savings.  In addition, each radio can be configured for exception reporting (only transmitting when a signal value changes) with messages delivered in blocks to compress signal information, thus minimizing bandwidth usage and preserving battery life. In applications where security is vital, the wireless system operates with high security data encryption and frequency encoding algorithms that protect against industrial espionage or malicious network hacking.

Multi-Tech Debuts M2M Cellular IP Modem for Remote Monitoring and Reporting 
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. is now shipping its new MultiModem iCell intelligent wireless modems designed for mission-critical M2M remote monitoring and control applications. The external modem features Multi-Tech's Universal IP stack (UIP) and a five-port general purpose input output (GPIO) interface providing remote signal monitoring for a wide range of control systems. The applications programming interface (API) for the IP stack means designers need only program IP functionality once for multiple applications and the GPIO interface enables the modem to capture and analyze data from remote sensors such as tank levels, cargo door access and temperature.

The new line of MultiModem iCell modems is available now in UMTS/HSDPA and EDGE/GSM/GPRS models with CDMA technology available next quarter. By combining industry-standard cellular technologies, multiple interface options, a built-in IP stack along with comprehensive service and support, Multi-Tech believes the next generation M2M modems will fill the demanding needs of emerging on-line applications.

Multi-Tech's UIP consists of a common set of TCP/IP networking protocols and M2M applications using a standard AT command interface. The modem's GPIO interface accommodates a number of "handshaking" modes with peripheral equipment through the monitoring of voltage changes. The Multi-Tech GPIO interface features five general purpose sensor pins. Input conditions include programmable digital I/O, digital outputs and ADC.

Industrial GSM/GPRS Modem for Wireless Remote Data Acquisition
The new GSM/GPRS serial modem from Phoenix Contact provides global access to machines and systems via GSM connections. An integrated TCP/IP stack allows the implementation of simple control systems into the GPRS network.

The PSI-GPRS/GSM-MODEM/RS232-QB-USA modem has the necessary PTCRB and AT&T approvals for legal use to GSM and GPRS networks within the US and Canada. Once activated, the modem will work anywhere in North America where AT&T or Rogers Wireless cellular networks provide service coverage. 

A pre-installed SIM card makes activation quick and easy. Phoenix Contact's service partner, Stanza Systems, offers Diversenet service, eliminating the need to contact another carrier. Diversenet can be used to monitor both remote and metropolitan equipment as well as to send notifications and alarms via SMS, right to a cell phone.
The modem's quad band technology allows worldwide use. It features two digital alarm inputs via COMBICON connector and one digital output via T-bus connector. The modem operates in an extended temperature range of -25°C to 60°C.

Marshall Electronics Unveils Ultra Low Light Lens for Security and Safety Monitoring  
Marshall Electronics, Optical Systems division, has introduced the 140 mm F1.0, an ultra low-light camera lens that provides imaging in near zero ambient light conditions. The F1.0 aperture lens offers discreet and high quality video surveillance for commercial and industrial security, military and all industries where monitoring in low-light situations is necessary.

Compact, rugged, with a wide field of view, the F1.0 is particularly effective in high-risk and inaccessible areas and can withstand operating temperatures from -10ºC to 40ºC. When used with a 0.01 to 0.003 lux CS-mount camera, precision optics allow maximum light to reach, resulting in an image that is crisp, focused and bright even in the most unfavourable low-light conditions.

The fast and flexible F1.0 aperture allows in twice as much light as the standard lenses, making poor quality, barely visible surveillance a thing of the past. The F1.0 will perform just as effectively in bright daylight sun and in areas where lighting conditions may change drastically. A long focal length (140 mm) makes the F1.0 the perfect choice for use with any high performance CS-mount camera and an indispensable, cost-saving tool for law enforcement, military and safety/security professionals everywhere.

Napco Adds Surveillance Kits To iSee Video Line 
NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. has added new surveillance kits to its iSee Video product line. ISEE-VCMPT also known as iSee Video Pan/Tilt is the latest remote video monitoring solution to be released. Unique pan/tilt flexibility lets end users see more of their installations over the Internet at all times.

The kits feature new firmware that makes the product easy to install. For additional ease of use, users need only to plug the EOP module or CAT5 cable into a router and the camera will automatically adapt to the network regardless of service and modem type. Even in the most inflexible networks, the camera auto-configures through the network to the VideoAlert.net server.

Our digital IP camera’s compact design measures 5.7 by 3.8 by 3.1 inches and provides video clarity supporting a maximum of 640 by 480 lines of resolution. 126˚ pan and 64˚ tilt allow consumers to remotely survey 180˚ panoramic view of their facilities over the Internet.

Clients from anywhere in the world can view up to 30 FPS on a PC from the secure iSeeVideo VideoAlert server. To ensure that the DHCP IP address is always kept current, the digital IP camera checks in with its DNS server every 16 seconds. The pan/tilt camera uses MPEG-4 compression and provides dynamic IP support through the NAPCO iSeeVideo DNS server.

Three new money-saving pan/tilt IP camera kits are available with 12 months of secure iSee Video network service. VCMPT-EOPKT1/12 basic pan/tilt camera kit, VCMPT-EOP1/12 additional pan/tilt camera kit and ISEE-VCMPT/12 single pan/tilt camera provide installation companies the opportunity to bring in recurring monthly revenue (RMR) into their businesses.

The security technology also provides automatic recovery after power failures or network loss. If the network is down after a power failure, the camera will automatically reconnect to the server within a minute of network restoral. Retailers will never have to walk a customer through a power cycle to wake up the camera.

Elster Announces Support for ANSI C12.22 Communication Standard
Elster has announced its support of C12.22, the newly ratified standard from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The standard is fundamental to smart metering systems and a foundational element of an open and interoperable smart grid.

Elster has been instrumental in designing and supporting ANSI standards as led by Edward J. Beroset, director of engineering for Elster and chairperson of the ANSI working group that developed the standard. The ANSI C12.22 open standard defines how to transmit standardized tables of meter data across wired or wireless networks using various transports such as IP.

“The ratification of this standard demonstrates how critical it is for companies to collaborate to create interoperable products and systems in the utility industry,” said Mark Munday, president and CEO, Elster Electricity. “We view this as a significant step forward for the emerging smart grid technology market and will help utilities in their effort to deploy open and interoperable smart grid systems.”

This open standard can play a vital role in unifying the information collected from advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems and smart grid projects while allowing utilities to select the communication technologies that meet financial and strategic objectives across their service territory. Other companies supporting the ANSI C12.22 standard include Itron and Trilliant.

Brooks Instrument Acquires Flow Products Supplier, Key Instruments 
Brooks Instrument  has acquired Key Instruments, Inc., terms of the deal were not disclosed. Key Instruments is a flow meter manufacturer based in Trevose, Pa. which offers precision machined acrylic flow meters, molded plastic flow meters, glass tube flow meters, electronic flow meters and flow control valves for medical, industrial, water, chemical and laboratory applications.

“Our companies are an excellent strategic fit,” said Jim Dale, CEO, Brooks Instrument. “Key Instruments offers an entirely complementary product line and broadens our reach in the low flow market place.”

“This is an exciting time for Key Instruments,” said Don Frick, president, Key Instruments. “By combining forces with Brooks Instrument, the Key Instruments brand will be positioned to better serve the competitive global environment.”

ND SatCom Awarded Frame Contract from Q-KON for New Generation SkyWAN Units
ND SatCom has received a two year frame contract from Q-KON, a service provider based in South Africa, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The contract was achieved in close cooperation with ND SatCom’s sister company SES ASTRA Africa.
Q-KON, which operates ten VSAT networks over nine satellites from seven teleports, will procure new generation SkyWAN units for up to 1,000 sites all over Africa, which will be used mainly for organizations in mining, oil & gas, banking, and transportation.
 
“It is our goal to establish a single pan-African network, which integrates teleports in Africa and Europe. With SkyWAN, we are able to set up a multi-dimensional, multi-star IP satellite access platform to provide seamless IP connectivity for corporate customers. SkyWAN‘s mesh capability supports single satellite hop connections,” said Dawie de Wet, CEO of Q-KON.

ND SatCom SkyWAN is a MF-TDMA VSAT system for establishing wide area corporate networks with an advanced and powerful modem for the TDMA market. The key capability is patented Turbo-Coding, which enables reduction of antenna size and RF equipment up to 50 percent or almost doubles the available data rate with existing RF equipment, and data rates up to 10 Mbit/s. SkyWAN’s complete IP feature set includes static and dynamic IP routing, robust header compression, TCP acceleration and load balancing.

EPRI Selected to Facilitate Development of the Smart Grid
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) was selected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency of the Department of Commerce, to facilitate the development of a smart grid interoperability roadmap for the electricity sector. The ultimate aim of the program will be to provide a framework to aid in the modernization of the nation’s transmission and distribution system.

EPRI’s development of this “interim roadmap” will be a major step toward harmonizing interoperability standards for the smart grid. It is intended to ensure that different vendors’ products will work together effectively, and that consensus standards should drive down the cost of components and systems, reduce the risk of early obsolescence and spur innovation. 

Scheduled to be completed by early summer, the interim roadmap will inventory existing standards, identify gaps, and list priorities for reconciling differences among current standards or developing entirely new ones.

Under terms of the $1.3 million contract, EPRI will develop the interim roadmap that has consensus support of utility industry, independent system operators, manufacturers, standards development organizations, state regulators and consumer representatives.
“EPRI is in a unique position to launch this effort quickly and efficiently because our research and development programs have been focusing on a number of key aspects of the smart grid,” said Arshad Mansoor, vice president of the Institute’s Power Delivery and Utilization sector. “We are already collaborating with many of the key players in smart grid in our R&D, and we understand who must be involved and the direction in which we must move.”

Remote 2009 Conference & Expo IEC 61850/61400-25, DNP3 Workshop
The reality of the world-wide retiring process of the most valuable assets (the senior engineers in the utilities), the aging systems, the companies tightening budgets and lowering sales expectations - could bring some great opportunities for everyone involved in information management of local and remote devices and processes. Less people means less proprietary solutions could be supported. This is the time for a single, internationally standardized and accepted solution: IEC 61850.

In this comprehensive two-day workshop students learn the fundamental concepts and vision of the IEC 61850 standard series. Students compare traditional solutions like DNP3 and the new OPC UA to IEC 61850 and discuss the strength each method offers. All the IEC 61850 standards, their extensions, and many application domains are briefly discussed and the class delves into IEC 61850 real-time and client/server solutions.

Added Attendee Benefits:
Attendees will also receive access to Remote 2009 Conference & Expo morning keynote sessions, networking breaks, lunches, cocktail reception, and the show's expo hall.  

Learn More HERE

Download the Issue Copy of Remote Magazine!

Issue Highlights:

• MTS Systems Corp.’s Sensors Help Monitor and Measure Daily Shipments of More Than One Million Gallons of Petroleum
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Implements Cost Effective and Efficient Network Solution for Renewed Plant Automation
• Antenna Selection for Water Monitoring
• Remote 2009 Conference & Expo Preliminary Program Announced
• New Products and Services

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June 2009
1-3, Green Building Power Forum, Anaheim, Calif. Contact http://greenbuildingpower.darnell.com

1-4, UTC Telecom 2009, Las Vegas, Nev. Contact www.utctelecom2009.utc.org

1-5, ISA International Instrumentation Symposium, League City, Texas Contact www.isa.org/iis

2-4 ISCe 2009, San Diego, Cal. Contact: www.isce.com

3-4, Federal Information Security Conference, Colorado Springs, Co. Contact www.fbcinc.com/fisc

8-10, Sensors Expo, Chicago, Ill. Contact www.sensorsexpo.com

8-11, Supercomm 2009, Chicago, Ill. Contact www.supercomm2009.com

9-12, M2M Connected World, Chicago, Ill. Contact www.specialtypub.com/m2m/connected-world

10-11, West Coast EMC, Long Beach, Calif. Contact www.energyevent.com

13-17, APPA 2009 National Conference & Public Power Expo, SLC, Utah. Contact www.appanet.org

14-18, ACE 2009, San Deigo, Calif. Contact www.awwa.org

22-25, 6th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV2009)
Bridgeport, Ct. Contact www.rev2009bridgeport.org

22-26, Annual Remote Device Monitoring & Mgt Summit/IQPC, Contact www.iqpc.com

29 - July 1, EPRI Power Quality Applications (PQA) and Advanced Distribution Automation (ADA) 2009, Orlando, Fla. Contact www.epri.org

INTERNATIONAL CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & ENTERTAINMENT 2009
October 7-9, 2009
San Diego Convention Center San Diego, Calif.

No matter what your business is - healthcare, entertainment, fleet management or financial planning - wireless can transform how you do business. International CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment brings this possibility to life.

With a focus on applications, network architecture and technologies such as LBS, machine-to-machine and WiMAX (just to name a few), this international event brings a community of users, carriers, developers and manufacturers together to generate dialogue, share ideas and debate the economics of MOBILE BUSINESS.

Register now at www.CTIAShow.com!

SUPERCOMM
October 21-23, 2009
Chicago, IL

SUPERCOMM provides a foundation for the communications industry to explore the technological transformation created by broadband innovation. By creating a world-class platform where global brands showcase the entire broadband continuum, service providers, and enterprise and institutional communication buyers have the ability to identify the solutions enhance their networks and monetize investments in broadband. From enabling technologies to content delivery and next generation applications, SUPERCOMM is the forum where the vision of broadband technology comes to life. SUPERCOMM will showcase the very latest innovations and technologies in next generation services enabling infrastructure networks and will demonstrate how the communications industry delivers fast content, applications and services in a converged world. Register now for SUPERCOMM 2009. October 21–23. Chicago, Illinois.

Garysguide is the #1 Business Events Calendar in the country covering Tech, Media, Finance, Legal, Biotech, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship &more across 30 cities. Our audience is a highly targeted mix of connectors and influencers including Entrepreneurs, VCs, CEOs, CTOs, Bloggers, Analysts and Technologists.

For more information please visit www.garysguide.org.

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