The Sercos International user organization announced at Hannover Fair that it will soon release a powerful diagnostic tool for Sercos III automation bus networks and offer it as a free download on the Sercos websites. The diagnostic tool allows a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the data traffic in Sercos III networks.

The Sercos Monitor supports the Windows XP and Windows 7 operating systems and is based on the WinPcap interface. The tool allows both retroactive evaluation of stored network records in the pcap file format and an analysis of the network traffic in real time. A user-friendly interface plus overview functions for the typical features of a Sercos III network, such as topology, communications phases and service channel transmission, enable a fast and targeted launch of the analysis process. Experienced users are additionally provided with comprehensive protocol and analysis functions. Different views and filter mechanisms allow the customized evaluation of Sercos III real time telegrams and other Ethernet telegrams based on the individual requirements of the user. Users can add additional functions to the Sercos Monitor via user-specific plug-ins, if needed.

The Sercos Monitor was developed by Steinbeis Transferzentrum Systemtechnik in Esslingen, Germany, in cooperation with numerous providers and users from the Sercos community. Prof. Reinhard Keller, Director of Steinbeis-Transferzentrum Systemtechnik, explains: “The Sercos Monitor supports the users of a Sercos III network in various ways. Service staff and system integrators can utilize a great number of tailor-made functions. The tool not only provides detailed information about the data that is exchanged within the network, but also presents it to the user in clearly structured and easily comprehensible units. This greatly facilitates troubleshooting in Sercos III networks.”

Eaton's new C441 Ethernet series of communications cards allow customers to select from Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, HTTP web services and Modbus RTU communication protocols in a single card. The innovation is designed to help industrial customers, machinery OEMs and panel builders with flexible communication options to configure, control and monitor their systems.

Integral web services provide an easy-to-use web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to make it easier to recognize potential problems. Using a laptop or smart device, customers can drill down to a given load by simply entering an IP address into their web browser. With four levels of access, the cards ensure only those with credentials have access to critical or sensitive functions.

An Eaton representative explained, “Integral web services allow for configuration, control, monitoring and diagnostics. Also, the flexibility in communications allows OEM customers to add value to their equipment with simple and desirable features, like supervision and control.”

The C441 is compatible with Eaton C440, XTOE and C441 electronic motor protection relays, S611 soft starters, and can be used as stand-alone input/output (IO). Now, the suite of protocols available for Eaton motor protection and soft starter solutions includes PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP and RTU, DeviceNet, and Ethernet IP.

Problems can be addressed in real time with intelligent monitoring readouts from starters and onboard available four digital inputs (120 volts alternating current or 24 volts direct current) and two discrete relay outputs. With a dual port switch, the Ethernet card allows for easy daisy chaining and reliable ring configurations. Additionally, customers have the ability to use one network for control and another for monitoring – through the Modbus serial protocol used in parallel with the Ethernet network –allowing redundant communications and greater reliability with a single card.

Process Engineers have a wide choice of technologies and products at their disposal for custody transfer flow measurement, a transaction involving transporting physical substance from one operator. Newer flowmeter technologies such as coriolis and ultrasonic offer increased reliability, reduced pressure drop, and high accuracy. At the same time, flowmeter suppliers are making improvements in the performance of meters using more established technologies. Turbine flowmeters, for example, are being made with stronger bearings, offering longer life.

Paul Everett at IMS Research comments, “differential pressure (DP) flowmeters appear to be holding their own. DP flowmeters still have the largest installed base of any type of flowmeter, and customers appreciate the meters versatility to measure liquid, gas, and steam flows. Manufacturers have been very diligent in researching and developing technological improvements in their products”.

There are several flowmeter technologies available today; some are well established, whereas others are emerging. In its latest flowmeter report, IMS Research confirms coriolis flowmeters steady hold on the custody transfer market. Everett continues, “Coriolis meters are gaining industry approval for custody transfer of natural gas. In addition, several European standards organizations include coriolis meters on their list of meters approved for custody transfer. There is also a significant trend occuring in the production and use of ultrasonic flowmeters making the custody transfer market one to watch”.

Ultrasonic flowmeters used in custody transfer are growing at a faster rate than any other flowmeter type available today. Despite the rapid growth, differential pressure flowmeters still account for the largest share of a custody transfer, estimated to be worth some $500 million in 2010.

Understanding the flow and congestion of vehicular traffic is essential for efficient road systems in cities. Smooth vehicle flows reduce journey times, reduce emissions and save energy. Similarly the efficient flow of pedestrians in an airport, stadium or shopping centre saves time and can make the difference between a good and a bad visit. Monitoring traffic – whether road vehicles or people - is useful for operators of roads, attractions and transport hubs.

Libelium’s Vehicle Traffic Monitoring Platform enables system integrators to create intelligent monitoring systems for the urban environment. Libelium’s CTO David Gascón says, “With widespread use of Bluetooth devices both vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be monitored anonymously by detecting and tracking the MAC addresses of such devices”. He adds, “The platform can help drivers avoid congested roads through provision of real time warnings on electronic displays or via smartphone applications”. Similarly, pedestrian monitoring enables improvements to be made in the operation of airports, shopping centers, tourist attractions and sports stadiums. Such data can even be used to assess the suitability of emergency evacuation plans or even to detect ‘hot’ routes inside commercial centers for marketing and product placing purposes.

The Platform uses the new Expansion Radio Board for Waspmote which allows two different types of radio to be connected at the same time. In this case a Bluetooth radio is used as a sensor to make inquiries and to detect nearby devices, while the ZigBee radio sends the information collected using its multi-hop capabilities. Six power levels allow sensor operators to set an “inquiry zone” from between 10 and 50 meters. Although Bluetooth, ZigBee and WiFi all operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, Waspmote uses Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) to enable the Bluetooth radio to identify channels already in use by ZigBee and WiFi devices and thus avoid interference.

The new Vehicle Traffic Monitoring Platform as part of Libelium's Smart Cities solution. The platform is capable of sensing the flow of Bluetooth devices in a given street, roadway or passageway while differentiating hands-free car kits from pedestrian phones. Sensor data is then transferred by a multi-hop ZigBee radio, via an internet gateway, to a server. The traffic measurements can then be analyzed to address congestion of either vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

The platform will be presented in two of the major Smart Cities events: Intelligent Cities (Hamburg, 8-10 November 2011, booth H/14.3) and in Smart City Expo (Barcelona, 29th November 2011, booth G705).

Magnetek's new RDSI module is designed to allow crane operators to communicate with IMPULSE crane control drives through a serial interface, reducing system cost by eliminating relay cards, wiring and labor.

Communication to any number of drives is achieved with only three wires.

The new RDSI module can now monitor performance parameters such as drive status, torque reference, and output frequency, voltage, current, and power.

The new Flex M wireless receiver, compatible with most Magnetek transmitters, features a modular, plug-and-play design which allows one plant to use the same type of receiver component for any size application.

Mountable modules are combined to create a flexible, expandable radio receiver system that meets the requirements of a variety of applications, from simple relay outputs to complex I/O and communication networks.