eNewsletter

December 2009

Stretching Wireless IO Throughout Your Infrastructure
Brent E. McAdams, Director, Major Accounts & Product Management
FreeWave Technologies, Inc.

Tough economic times are upon us, and as automation budgets remain flat or decline, doing more as efficiently as possible with existing assets and infrastructure has never been more important. Wireless IO offers one such avenue to accomplish this objective. Without question, the use of wireless IO offers substantial and measureable cost savings in terms of engineering, installation and logistics as well as dramatic improvements in the frequency, currency and reliability of field data collection.

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Brooks Instrument Expands Digital Communications Capabilities on 4800 Series Mass Flow Controllers/Meters
Brooks Instrument has introduced new digital communications capabilities on the 4800 series mass flow meters and mass flow controllers. In addition to the analog and RS232 communications, customers can now choose Profibus or RS485, which is delivered in a small field installable module that mounts directly on top of the 4800 series device.

The 4800 series with Profibus supports both DPV0 cyclic and DPV1 acyclic data communication. It has a standard nine pin female D-connector for signal and an M5 connector for power. Baud rates from 9,600 up to 12 M are supported, which are automatically detected.

The 4800 series with RS485 has a physical layer with proprietary “S-Protocol” based on HART command set. It has a standard 15 pin male D-connector for signal and power. Baud rates from 1,200 to 38.4 K are supported with a top accessible rotary switch for baud rate selection.

Onset Introduces new Temperature Sensor
Onset has introduced the new TMC6-HE air temperature sensor, the latest addition to the company’s line of external sensors for energy and environmental monitoring. Designed for a range of energy monitoring applications, the sensor’s copper-plated probe ensures high-accuracy measurements and faster response time than previous models. The sensor can be easily attached to water pipes, hot water storage tanks, boilers and is compatible with a number of Onset HOBO U12 USB data loggers.

For plotting and analyzing temperature data, Onset offers HOBOware software, a graphing and analysis software package for PC and Mac computers. HOBOware provides a user-friendly graphical user interface that enables users to quickly and easily graph, analyze and print data files, as well as export the data to Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs.

AvaLAN Announces New Through Wall 900 MHz Wireless Ethernet Bridge
AvaLAN Wireless Systems, Inc. has introduced the AW900iTR-PAIR, a 900 MHz indoor wireless Ethernet bridge, and the AW900iTR 900 MHz indoor wireless Ethernet radio designed for indoor machine to machine communications.  The AW900iTR radios now include a built-in spectrum analyzer and they are IP addressable with web browser based remote configuration and diagnostic tools included.
 
The product line allows you to build non-line-of-sight, point-to-multipoint wireless Ethernet connections that connect “fringe” IP devices, including IP access control readers, remote printers, remote PCs, VoIP phones, point-of-sale devices, digital signage or industrial control devices for smart grid applications.

With non line-of-site capabilities, this solution can easily penetrate indoors up to 1,500 ft. or through 10 building walls and supports industrial-grade temperature ranges.  The system configuration can include up to 12 access points, each on its own non-overlapping channel (up to 192 subscriber units across a given site with 16 active clients per access point).  These products are a replacement for modest data rate installations where 802.11 systems are under-performing or failing completely due to insufficient range or excessive interference.

SunMizer Introduces New DC Power Optimizer
Xandex Solar has introduced its SunMizer DC power optimizer for photovoltaic panels. SunMizer is a DC power optimizer that increases solar energy harvest by recovering power that is lost when shade falls on a solar panel. By isolating the shaded solar panel(s) from the rest of the panels in a series connected string, SunMizer prevents the shaded panel from drawing down the power output of the unshaded panels. At the same time, SunMizer harvests power from the shaded panel and contributes that power to the string. The result is recovered power that would normally be lost due to shade.

Avocado Security Launches Version 3.0 of its Security Solution
Avocado Security has released its Avocado Security version 3.0 software. The software platform technology further provides a turnkey software solution and integrates scores of CCTV security cameras and surveillance DVRs, irrespective of the device brand, functionality or when it was manufactured. Avocado Security’s technology helps squeeze the most out of existing CCTV surveillance systems by employing the client’s exiting security cameras and DVRs, and then converts security images into meaningful graphs and charts that deliver solid business intelligence to support continuity of operation.

Byres Security Teams with Juniper Networks to Secure SCADA with Tofino Solution
The Tofino Industrial Security group at Byres Security Inc. has teamed with Juniper Networks, Inc. to demonstrate how the emerging IF-MAP standard from the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) can secure SCADA systems.

SCADA systems, the brains of the world's critical infrastructures, such as electric generation and transmission, oil and gas production and waste and water utilities, have become a security concern for government policy makers. The widespread interconnectivity of these industrial control systems with enterprise IT networks, combined with legacy systems that can't be patched due to operational considerations and protocols never designed for security, have become a potential soft target for attackers.  Complicating the situation, most of these SCADA devices have little or no security capability on their own and will take decades to be replaced.

The IF-MAP-based SCADA security system allows corporate-wide security policy to be easily deployed for SCADA devices that simply don't know what security is. It lets the information driving these policy decisions be dynamically determined from a large number of real-time sources, like Active Directory servers, SCADA equipment positions or network security events.

Downturn Dampens Video Surveillance Market Growth Expectations in 2009
Despite the impact of the economic downturn, IMS Research’s latest report, “The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment - 2009 Edition” forecasts that the world market for video surveillance equipment will grow by 3 percent in 2009.

More mature markets in Western Europe are forecast to be most affected by the economic downturn in 2009 with video surveillance equipment revenues expected to decline by nearly 7 percent. The large decrease in growth in countries such as the UK and Spain reflects the dire state of their respective economies.

The Americas video surveillance equipment market is forecast to grow in 2009, albeit at a lower rate than in previous years. Despite being the nucleus of the economic downturn, the demand for video surveillance equipment in the Americas is expected to remain comparatively strong in 2009, buoyed by government investment and the emerging trickle-down from financial stimuli.

Furthermore, investment in verticals such as education and transportation is still strong in 2009, installation of video surveillance is perceived to be a necessary expenditure in these markets. Likewise, the transition from analogue video surveillance to higher value network video surveillance in the Americas is driving growth in 2009. The Americas network video surveillance market is forecast to grow at over four times the rate of the network video surveillance market in EMEA in 2009.

The economies of Asian countries (excluding Japan and Singapore) have generally been less affected by the economic downturn and as a result of this, investment in video surveillance equipment has remained strong. IMS Research forecasts that Asia will be the fastest growing regional market for video surveillance globally, primarily driven by the sustained demand for video surveillance in China. If Japan is excluded from the Asian market, revenue growth in the region will likely exceed 13 percent in 2009.

Lower sales and new technologies are also re-shaping the competitive arena. Dominant players are finding their market share eroded by emerging players who can offer innovative technologies, better product support or the same products at lower prices. IMS Research forecasts significant variation in the market ecosystem over the next 18 months. Vendors, distributors, installers, integrators and end-users should prepare themselves for change.
 
In summary, whilst relatively modest global growth is forecast for 2009, IMS Research projects that the global video surveillance market will begin to recover in the later stages of 2010. Improving economies, the transition to IP and emerging markets are all vital ingredients to the recovery.

NEMA Announces Completion of First Official Smart Grid Standard
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has announced the completion of SG-AMI 1-2009 Requirements for Smart Meter Upgradeability, the first official original Smart Grid standard. SG-AMI 1-2009 was developed by a team of meter manufacturers and electric utilities to provide guidance to utilities, state commissions and others that want to deploy advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) prior to completion of the standards work identified in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Smart Grid Interoperability Roadmap.

“First, the standard solves an immediate Smart Grid industry problem by providing guidance to utilities and state commissions on the procurement of AMI systems,” said NEMA president and CEO Evan R. Gaddis. “Second, the standard was completed in less than 90 days from the creation of the standards task team to the official approval by an authorized standards development organization.”

NIST conducted several workshops throughout 2009 to obtain input on the development of a Smart Grid Interoperability Roadmap. The Roadmap identifies a plan for moving forward with the development and/or modification of Smart Grid related standards. While Roadmap and its component priority action plans will take several years to complete, utilities and other stakeholders need guidance on the purchase of Smart Grid products and systems today. In particular, utilities are installing AMI and smart metering systems now to bring Smart Grid benefits to consumers as soon as possible.

The team completed the draft of the standard in less than 60 days, and coordinated the review and approval within NEMA in roughly 30 days. In total, the entire project, from initial team meeting to officially approved standard, was completed in less than 90 days. This standard will be used by smart meter suppliers, utility customers and key constituents, such as regulators, to guide both development and decision making as related to smart meter upgradeability.

Remote 2010 Conference and Expo Show Dates Announced
Remote 2010 Conference & Expo - Advancements in Managing and Monitoring Mission Critical Sites and Equipment

Remote Site and Equipment Management Magazine is happy to announce the dates for its Remote 2010 Conference and Expo. The ninth annual conference and expo will be held October 19-20, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. This technology-driven and solution oriented event brings together the innovators and users from multiple industries, including utilities, infrastructure, power, oil & gas, telecom, industrial, water & public utilities, agriculture, remote networks, and facilities management.

The Remote 2010 Conference and Expo’s technical program and highly focused exhibit hall will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, infrastructure, automated process & system controls and device networks. Large-scale users and industry experts will speak on SCADA, remote networking technology, security (cyber and physical), control, automation, onsite and back-up power, M2M, emerging wireless technology, telemetry and condition monitoring.

For more information about speaking on our technical program please contact Nick Depperschmidt at 800-803-9488 x.111 or nickd@infowebcom.com

For more information on sponsoring or exhibiting at Remote 2010, contact Jessi Albers at 800-803-9488 x.124 or jessia@infowebcom.com

January 2010
17-21, BICSI Winter, Orlando Fla. Contact www.bicsi.org

20-21, Solar Power Generation, Las Vegas, NV. Contact www.solarpowercongress.com

February 2010
2-3, Grid ComForum, Santa Clara, Calif. Contact www.gridcomforum.com

3-4, SCADA Northeast Asia, Hong Kong, Contact www.scadasummit.com

3-5, RETECH 2010, Washington DC. Contact www.retech2009.com

8-10, 2010 Utility Telecom Forum, Reno, NV. Contact www.utc.org

11-15, TechAdvantave 2010, Atlata, Ga. Contact www.techadvantage.org

15-18, NATE 2010, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Contact www.natehome.com

World Meter Design Congress
March 7-9, 2010
San Diego, CA

The challenges facing meter and systems design engineers in the current environment of change and development are many. Besides ensuring the meter can collect data securely, the quality and functionality of the meter needs to conform to standards and utility and customer requirements, while minimizing costs and maximizing return on investment. Because of evolving market requirements, smart meters also need to be upgradeable as well as interoperable with multiple communication technologies and home area networks.The World Meter Design Congress provides the only forum for the world’s meter design engineers, system architects, research engineers and production professionals to gain insights from over 20 industry-elite speakers into the new requirements and opportunities shaping the design and development of next generation smart metering and grid systems. To download a preliminary program visit www.metering.com/wmdc

Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010
March 7-10, 2010
San Diego, CA

Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010 conference and exhibition is North America’s premium forum where technology meets the customer.  Cutting through the hype of where the industry currently lies, Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010 will focus on the new customer paradigm. With 100 speakers covering four dedicated tracks, a clutch of senior level panel discussions, a choice selection of challenging workshops and interactive networking breakfast sessions, you and your team cannot afford to miss out on Metering, Billing/MDM America 2010. Anne Shen Smith, senior vice president of customer services with San Diego Gas & Electric will be delivering the keynote address. Her presentation will look at the utility perspective of where technology meets the customer, and what immediate impact smart meters will have on the road to full smart grid capabilities. This is a not to be missed event, register today at www.meteringamerica.com

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