eNewsletter

June 2010

CompactRIO Controllers Offer Extended Operating Temperature Range of -40°C to 70°C
National Instruments has released two CompactRIO programmable automation controllers (PACs), which offer engineers and machine builders a solution for measurement and control applications operating at extended temperatures. The NI cRIO-9023 and NI cRIO-9025 real-time controllers are also available with conformal coating for additional protection of components and circuitry within harsh conditions.

The CompactRIO controllers provide even more processing for advanced measurement and control applications ranging in temperatures between -40°C and 70°C. The NI cRIO-9023 controller has a 533 MHz PowerPC processor, and the NI cRIO-9025 controller has an 800 MHz PowerPC processor, as well as dual Ethernet ports for network programming, communication and expansion I/O. Both controllers work with the existing CompactRIO reconfigurable chassis, which include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are programmed using the NI LabVIEW 2009 graphical system design platform. Using LabVIEW and CompactRIO, engineers quickly can implement custom analog and digital control loops, along with high-speed signal processing algorithms to meet their advanced measurement application needs.

In addition to an extended operating temperature, the new CompactRIO controllers are available with conformal coating. This coating is a specially formulated thin film material applied directly to circuit boards or circuit card assemblies and provides an impermeable seal to protect circuitry from humidity, moisture, mold, mildew, fungus, dust and corrosion caused by exposure to extreme environments.

New Injector / Splitter from J-Systems
J-Systems, Inc. has released a new product that injects DC voltage, via a CAT5 cable, to power PoE enabled devices. This isn’t always an easy task as some devices use 12 or 24 VDC while others require 48VDC via pins 4, 5, 7 and 8 (spare wires in a CAT5 cable).

J-Systems’ PSI Power Splitter / Injector provides an easy solution. Simply add the correct voltage power supply and users can remotely power devices whether they are IEEE 802.3af compliant or not. This makes the solution well suited for powering an 802.3af compliant IP camera and a legacy PoE WiFi radio.

The splitter can also be used to inject 12 or 24 VDC via a CAT5 cable and then add a second PSI to split out the necessary power required to operate a cooling fan in a camera enclosure. The PSI is a legacy power injector and does not offer 802.3af detection.

Opto 22 Adds New RTD Temperature Sensing I/O Module
Opto 22 has released the SNAP-AIRTD-10, a two-channel analog input module used to monitor temperature via connection to copper resistance temperature detectors (RTDs.)

The SNAP-AIRTD-10 provides two channels of analog temperature input from 10-ohm copper  RTDs, which makes it well-suited for deployment in older installations. The module has an input range of -180°C to 260 °C and can also be used for 0 to 25 ohms resistance measurements. With its wide input temperature range, high over range limits for RTD input, and small footprint, the module will prove most useful in water treatment, refining, PID loop control, welding, and other temperature monitoring applications that require high resolution measurements with minimal drift.

Development of the 10-ohm SNAP-AIRTD-10 nicely complements Opto 22's SNAP-AIRTD input module, which accepts 100-ohm platinum RTD inputs. The addition of the SNAP-AIRTD-10 also expands Opto 22's already extensive line of multi-channel analog input modules for interfacing to RTDs, thermocouples, ICTDs, thermistors, and infrared sensors for the purposes of remote monitoring and data acquisition.

Cinterion and Asentria Team Up To Deliver Enhanced SiteBoss Solution for Remote Management of Cell Tower Equipment
Cinterion Wireless Modules and Asentria have announced that Asentria’s SiteBoss product line will begin integrating Cinterion’s MC75i module to enable enhanced wireless communication capabilities over GSM networks. SiteBoss was designed to help Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) remotely update, repair and manage maintenance for base transceiver stations (cell towers and equipment) from the network operation center (NOC).

SiteBoss integrates a Linux computer and the Cinterion MC75i module for data communications and provides a range of basic to sophisticated remote monitoring, maintenance and management functions for cell towers and equipment in the field. Part of Cinterion’s M2M Evolution Platform, the MC75i module offers high-speed data rates for worldwide GSM networks based on EDGE standards. The monitoring and control features in SiteBoss allow users to remotely optimize power consumption at tower sites, immediately detect and react to potential equipment threats in the field and increase network reliability and prevent downtime. In addition, SiteBoss enables software upgrades and patches and allows remote network upgrades to 4G technologies, all without rolling a truck or sending technicians to the site.

Survalent Technology Commissions New SCADA System for Carthage Water and Electric Plant
Survalent Technology has commissioned a new SCADA system for Carthage Water and Electric Plant. Carthage Water serves almost 6,000 residential customers and just over 900 commercial and industrial accounts with electric service. They service approximately 180 miles of distribution lines throughout Carthage that includes 162 miles of overhead line and 18 miles of underground line.

The new system features Survalent’s highly available, dual-redundant, open-architecture system based on Windows Server 2008.  The system includes Survalent’s MultiSpeak 3.0 real-time interfaces for engineering analysis, outage snalysis, GIS and load management.  The system was also commissioned with Survalent’s Remote Alarm Annunciation solution, an application to serve real-time SCADA alarms to cell phones via SMS text messaging.

“Reliable power delivery requires decisions based on real-time information” said Steve Mueller, president, Survalent Technology. “Our MultiSpeak interface allows interoperability of real-time information to a broad range of other system platforms, allowing our customers to make better decisions.”

Conergy Selects Draker to Monitor 1.1MW Aqua America PV System
Conergy has selected Draker Labs to provide monitoring services for a 1.1 MW solar system that Conergy designed and installed at Aqua America’s water treatment plant in West Chester, Pa. The PV system, supplies clean energy to the Aqua America plant and reduces dependence and congestion on the energy grid. To maximize energy production, the PV system’s ground-mounted panels are installed at a tilt angle to optimize the solar irradiance each panel receives.
 
Draker’s monitoring system provides the plant’s owners and operators with real time performance indicators to ensure that energy production is at peak efficiency and to alert maintenance crews should the system experience an unexpected decline in energy output. Draker provided hardware, field instrumentation and a web-based data management and reporting system. Draker also provided onsite support services during the installation and commissioning of the PV system.

“The Draker Sentalis 1000 system was a great fit for this utility-scale PV project, said Richard Holz, Conergy’s director of engineering. “The Draker monitoring platform provides everything we need in terms of remote monitoring for properly operating and maintaining the Aqua PV plant. We are very pleased with the support we received and the professionalism of the Draker staff. I look forward to using the Draker system on future PV projects.”

Russelectric Unveils Website Highlighting New ATS Control and Custom SCADA
The new website, www.russelectric.com, presents detailed information on Russelectric’s power control systems for on-site power generators as well as the company’s recently expanded line of transfer and bypass/isolation switches.

The site describes the sophisticated control schemes for which Russelectric systems can be configured, including emergency/backup power, soft loading, load curtailment, peak shaving, utility paralleling, cogeneration and prime power. Russelectric’s single-source approach includes project-engineer responsibility from system design through installation and 24/7 service by factory-trained technicians.  A section on custom SCADA shows examples of various highly detailed, full-color remote monitoring and control screens and describes an available simulation system that allows training off-line without affecting any operating system parameters.

In addition to information on the company’s full line of 3-cycle switches, the site provides complete details on Russelectric’s new RTS Series switches, the industry’s most complete line of UL tested (per UL 1008), listed, and labeled 30-cycle-rated transfer switches and bypass/isolation switches. 

Emerson Network Power Shares Strategies for Transition to Smart Grid in Free eBook
Emerson Network Power has announced a new eBook, “What Smart Grid Means to You.” In the eBook, Emerson Network Power experts outline strategies to help those on the front lines of the Smart Grid transition. The eBook addresses challenges and opportunities for CIOs and IT departments, consulting and specifying engineers, facility managers, telecom providers and solar power system integrators.

The core framework of the nation's electrical grid was established in the late 19th century. It is not capable of addressing the unique demands and challenges of a next-generation power infrastructure, such as the desire to incorporate alternate energy sources and to make energy-use decisions based on real-time pricing information. To realize the benefits of Smart Grid, organizations should begin planning now. “What Smart Grid Means to You” eBook downloadable at no cost at EmersonNetworkPower.com/SmartGrid

Remote 2010 Pre-Conference Workshop
A Vendor-Neutral, Educational Seminar on the First Open Interoperable Wireless Communication Standard for the Process Industries

October 18, 2010 - Dallas, Texas
1:00pm - 4:30pm at the Gaylord Texan Hotel & Convention Center
Register Here - (Free! Space is limited - Pre-registration is recommended)

Learn how this exciting new technology can help lower your operating costs, reduce downtime and move your company from a costly scheduled maintenance strategy to a more cost-effective predictive maintenance strategy.

Topics include:

1. An introduction to wireless technology
2. What WirelessHART technology can do for you
3. An overview of WirelessHART technology
4. Using WirelessHART technology
5. Planning a successful wireless project
6. Live WirelessHART demonstrations

Fee:
There is no charge for the seminar but attendance is limited. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the experts about this exciting new technology!  REGISTER TODAY!

June 2010
20-24, AWWA ACE 2010, Chicago, Ill. Contact www.awwa.org

21-23, Remote Device Monitoring Summit, San Jose, CA. Contact www.remotedevicesummit.com

21-23, Critical Infrastructure Security Summit, Washington, DC 

22-23, Federal Information Security Conference (FISC) 2010, Colorado Springs, Co. Contact www.fbcinc.com

28-30, Aspen Security Forum, Aspen, Co. Contact www.aspeninstitute.org

July 2010
27-30, HydroVision International, Charlotte, NC. Contact www.hydroevent.com

August 2010
1-5, APCO 2010, Houston, Texas. Contact www.apco2010.org

31- September 1, Smart Energy West Coast, San Deigo, Calif. Contact www.spintelligent-events.com

The Technology World in One Location!
Top design engineers, system engineers and technical managers from multiple markets and industries will be converging in Dallas this fall, October 18-20, to attend six leading technical events that are being co-located for the first time ever. Make plans today to attend!

Battery Power 2010 • Thermal Management & Technology Symposium
REMOTE Site & Equipment Management 2010 • Energy Efficiency Expo 2010
Antenna Systems 2010 • Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Expo

Remote Device Monitoring Summit
June 21-23, 2010
San Jose, Calif.

RSEM has arranged for a special discount to attend IQPC’s 7th Annual Remote Device Monitoring Summit on June 21-23 in San Jose. Mention the code RDRSEM3 and receive 20% off the standard all access price. Attend this cross-industry event to network with industry thought leaders in prognostics, data analytics, services marketing and remote tools in highly complex environments. This summit will serve as a roadmap for remote service deployment combining both business and technology aspects of deployment projects. To learn more about the event, view the program brochure.

CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2010 Conference and Exposition
October 6–8, 2010     
Moscone West, San Francisco, CA

Fifteen years ago, CTIA launched Wireless I.T. to educate and drive wireless data deployments within the enterprise. Along the way, the show has nurtured every piece of the ecosystem and has been a proud contributor to the fulfillment of the Mobile Business vision. As we enter the Mobile Decade, this event becomes more relevant, more vital than ever. CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2010 is focused on the integration and usage of wireless technology in any business or vertical industry such as enterprise, media, content, health, energy, retail and transportation. We invite you to join the Mobile Business revolution. Come learn, network and succeed with CTIA Enterprise & Applications!  Register Now!

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