Alongside the RAD Line serial devices, which enable the setup of a wireless network of up to 255 users, Phoenix Contact’s RAD-ISM-2400-DATA-BD-BUS device now provides the option to capture I/O signals and integrate them directly into the controller.
In this way, digital and analog I/O signals can be connected to I/O extension modules, which are linked to the respective wireless module via an integrated bus interface. The bus interface does not just exchange data it also supplies the extension modules with voltage. This enables simple, fast, and trouble-free device installation without additional wiring costs.
Another advantage of the wireless network installation are that I/O signals can be captured at different points using the RAD Line system and can either be forwarded directly to the master station or used as a repeater for other wireless modules. In this way, a distance of up to 2 km (in clear visibility) can be bridged between wireless modules. Signals distributed widely across a plant can be reliably and simply integrated via radio into a controller (multipoint to point.)
This network structure offers the additional option of self-healing. If a wireless module being used as a repeater to forward the data of other wireless modules to the master station fails due to a power outage, for example, the other wireless modules will automatically attempt to find another wireless module with which to continue communication with the master station. In this way, a system’s availability to capture signals is greatly enhanced.
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