Ethernet transmission via Bluetooth

June 2011 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Wago has introduced a Bluetooth Ethernet gateway to join its range of automation products. The new gateway transfers Ethernet protocols (Profinet, Modbus/TCP or EtherNet/IP) transparently via Bluetooth2.0. Two gateways replace the standard communication line between two automation systems; the internal circularly polarised antenna providing reliable radio connection even in highly metallic environments. With its compact IP65 housing and standard M12 connectors, the gateway is ideal for use in harsh industrial environments and equipped for a variety of installation requirements.

Standard Bluetooth wireless technology for 2,402 to 2,480 GHz ISM band achieves a range of up to 400 m. Both frequency hopping and low emission mode allows operation in environments including other wireless systems and additional configurations such as password and IP addresses may be implemented via Web-based management. Bluetooth technology can replace wired transmission systems wherever they are difficult to implement, for example in slip ring applications, mobile drive or high-bay storage systems.

For more information contact Christo Grobler, Shorrock Automation, +27 (0)12 345 4449, sales@shorrock.co.za, www.shorrock.co.za

Further reading:

Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.

Read more...

---

A single platform for all automation functions
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
: The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-4: Feedforward Control: Part 3
Michael Brown Control Engineering Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the previous articles in this series, the basic theory behind feedforward control was discussed, and it was also shown how to apply feedforward in practice. In this article, it will be shown how well feedforward can work in practice by giving a couple of examples.

Read more...

---

Control Station and Dimension Software partner to connect control performance monitoring with enterprise operations intelligence
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Control Station has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Dimension Software, a leading provider of industrial operations management platforms. The collaboration connects Control Station’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring platform with Dimension Software’s Asset Intellect operations intelligence environment, enabling manufacturers to operationalise control performance insights across their organisations.

Read more...

---

PCIe digitiser cards for optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis
Vepac Electronics Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The addition of two new PCIe Digitiser cards from Spectrum Instrumentation extends the company’s flagship M5i series to deliver optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis capabilities.

Read more...

---

Precise, synchronised control for automated steel mesh handling system
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Automation specialist Hambi Maschinenbau has developed a world-first system that automates the cutting, handling and stacking of heavy reinforcing steel mesh – a task that previously required up to six human operators.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-3: Feedforward Control: Part 2
Michael Brown Control Engineering Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control tuning is not nearly as critical as feedback tuning, and fairly simple models are usually fine for the purpose in hand.

Read more...

---

Upgrading radiological surveillance systems in nuclear facilities
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nuclear plant operators face an uncomfortable reality. Many of the control and monitoring systems still in use today were never designed to support the full operational lifespan of the facilities they serve.

Read more...

---

Next-level CAN Software enables easy access to CAN XL
Industrial Data Xchange (IDX) Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
With the release of its PCAN-Explorer 7, PEAK delivers a major update that adds full support for CAN XL, multiple symbol files per connection, Python scripting and flexible licensing including floating licenses.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-2: Feedforward Control: Part 1
Michael Brown Control Engineering Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control is a powerful technique that can dramatically improve control variance in cases where load changes cause big deviations from setpoint and the actual process dynamics are too slow to allow the feedback controller to operate fast enough to catch these disturbances.

Read more...

---