Banner Engineering recently presented its first wireless system at the SPS/IPC/Drives show in Nuremberg, Germany. The wireless network system DX80 enables wireless communication between sensors/actuators and the control or a fieldbus station via the RS485 interface and Modbus protocol. The wireless solution is suitable for many applications - ranging from the replacement of expensive slip rings prone to malfunction, to flexible design of production lines and to the bridging of long distances.
The DX80 consists of a gateway which transfers the I/O signals to the control and up to seven nodes, each with up to four sensors/actuators connected. The power supply can be optionally applied via 24 V d.c., by a solar panel or with a battery. The DX80 stations can operate with a single battery for up to five years thanks to the sophisticated power management employed. The signals of all conventional sensors - ranging from pressure and temperature measurements to PNP/NPN switching signals to analog 4-20 mA/0-10 V signals - can be transmitted using the wireless system.
The Banner wireless solution operates on the 2,4 GHz frequency band and uses FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum) technology with TDMA (time division multiple access) to protect against interference. Scanning of the I/O data can be performed at defined intervals or each time the I/O status changes. If the wireless connection is lost, the DX80 automatically assumes a predefined security mode. The system will continue in normal mode as soon as the connection is re-established. The gateway and stations feature IP67 degree of protection and operate at ambient temperatures between -40 and +85°C.
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