Autodesk Inc. on Feb. 29, 2012 announced the immediate availability of Autodesk PLM 360. The company states this "next-generation cloud-based alternative provides a powerful, affordable and easy-to-implement solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional product lifecycle management (PLM) systems."With the goal of creating a device to help music students improve their skills on the trumpet, engineering students at the University of California, San Diego, employ microcontrollers, servo motors and software to create a device that enables a trumpet to hit the perfect pitch.These EtherNet/IP I/O modules are intended for the connection of discrete wiring devices (sensor/actuators) via 16 digital I/O channels with universal input/output or input functionality directly to industrial controllers. The LNP-1204GN 12-port Industrial Managed Gigabit PoE (Power over Ethernet) Switch provides eight 10/100/1000Base-T(X) PoE ports and four 1000Base-X SFP ports and can transmit power up to 30 watts to remote devices per PoE port.The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) will celebrate its 10 anniversary in the U.S. on March 14 at the J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, with a half-day program that features recent technology advancements and application successes. The first announcement of CLPA’s Gateway-to-China, an initiative for providing support services to automation exporters, will also be made.Wireless data radio communications is gaining traction for many applications in oil, gas, military and smart grid markets, among others.netBrick, a gateway solution for harsh industrial environments, converts real-time Ethernet protocols (including ProfiNet and EtherNet/IP) into other fieldbus and serial protocols using loadable firmware modules.
Microchip Technology introduced their SST12LF03 RF front-end module for WLAN IEEE 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth systems. The SST12LF03 includes a transmitter power amplifier, a receiver low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a low-loss antenna switch — in one integrated, compact package. The high level of integration simplifies board design and extends the range of wireless systems. It is [...]RTI Connext product family addresses need to connect edge devices, operational technology and information technology. Company leverages expertise in aerospace and defense technology to extend to industrial applications.The annual Manufacturing Forum sponsored by the ARC Advisory Group, perhaps the industry’s largest gathering of automation suppliers, was held from Feb. 6-9 in Orlando. Where ever more than 600 industry people are gathered, rumors abound. I spent much time finding facts among the rumors and learning much about the state of the industry.
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Macronix rolled out the MX30LF Single-Level Cell (SLC) NAND Flash family for embedded applications. The new MX30LF family is an extension of Macronix’s existing Serial and Parallel NOR Flash products. The MX30LF SLC NAND devices are sampling now. Trial production will start this quarter. Macronix is a world leading supplier of NOR Flash memory. Read [...]
Conexant Systems introduced their CX20805 digital audio processor. The CX20805 IC integrates high-speed USB 2.0, other key audio interfaces, advanced power management and a high-performance 800 MIPS digital signal processor. The new digital audio solution is based on the Conexant Audio Processing Engine (CAPE) architecture. Samples of the CX20805 DSP is available in a small [...]A new line of media converters for industrial applications features real-time compatibility for reliable and robust data exchange between copper and fiber optic media. The VC10 Valve Controller has been added to the Accutech wireless sensor network product line. Family of industrial-grade Elinx Ethernet Extenders has been extended with models featuring built-in Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) and network management (called “managed”) capabilities. Two companies focused on combining video with industrial automation join forces to expand use of “video MES” and other HMI SCADA technologies. Devolinx line of serial-to-Ethernet device servers gains the 16-port STE-516C device server, in addition to the 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-port models. Two Ethernet communications options for the Kingfisher Plus+ remote terminal unit (RTU) product line extend the functionality of SCADA system applications.852 Series Ethernet Switch family now features two wide temperature models for operation between -40°C to +70 °C. 
VLSI Solution introduced the VS1005 all-in-one MP3 audio System-on-a-Chip. The VS1005 SoC includes controllers for high-speed USB host/slave, SD card, parallel NAND flash, SPI, Ethernet, S/PDIF, I2S master/slave and UART. The VLSI VS1005 chip is ideal for portable audio devices, docking stations, and portable recorder applications. Engineering samples of the VS1005 are expected to be [...]The FMC722 Ethernet Driver for the DeltaV Virtual I/O Module (VIM) provides a high performance integration solution between Emerson’s DeltaV process systems and FMC Technologies’ subsea control systems used in Floating Production and Storage Operations (FPSO) at oil and gas production facilities. The push to keep large, complex production lines working at high speeds requires technologies that tightly control timing. In many high performance environments, synchronization is as important as determinism. Technologies like PXI backplanes and the IEEE 1588 standard can help.The iServer can make an existing serial device into a “node” on an Ethernet network with a unique IP address that’s accessible from any authorized computer on the LAN, WAN, or Internet.Automation solutions vendor Advantech (www.advantech.com) has selected the Innovasic fido1100 System on a Chip (SoC) from Innovasic Semiconductor (www.innovasic.com) to provide Profinet connectivity in Advantech's new APAX-5071 Profinet Communication Coupler. Usage of deterministic networks is broadening as a growing number of plant managers turn to automation or search for technologies that speed up existing operations. Engineers know that Ethernet is a stable and well-known industrial network, but building determinism into the network to enable control has been an issue that is now solvable.The term “safety network” can apply to both peer-to-peer networks and I/O bus systems, and the safety protocols used can range from proprietary to various levels of open or vendor-independent. Here are some safety protocols and the industrial networks they are associated with:
The IP 67 Bayonet Style RJ45/Ethernet field-wireable connector offers robust housing in both plastic and metal models.This Industrial Ethernet device (2.4Ghz, Wi-FiA) can be dropped into any existing network to provide wireless connections in process/automation applications, connecting to PLCs, DCS/SCADA, data loggers or field instruments with an RS232/485 or Ethernet port/interface.