Aug 26 2010
B&B Electronics Manufacturing Co. is supplementing its product line- up with Zlinx Xtreme IP67 Outdoor-Rated I/O Modules and Radio Modems.
These devices include license-free RF and are readily accessible over long and short ranges. To acquire sensor or serial data in remote and harsh environments, product configurations are available in 2.4 GHz for short range and 900 MHz for long range wireless communication.
Consumers can with easily connect wireless systems to either Modbus or serial settings, and observe and record attributes such as pressure, temperature, flow, level or any digital or analog I/O, without extensive wiring (up to 40 miles). Zlinx is directly fixed on poles, panels, or machines leading to huge savings by eliminating the need for infrastructure such as enclosed spaces and cupboards.
Wireless sensor transceiver technology, initiated by Bill Conley, is the bedplate of Zlinx products. Bill Conley, currently the lead designer engineer in B&B, created the technology to interlink SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) tools, or data loggers, to most sensors available in the market. He also utilized wireless radio to act like wired systems.
The I/O modules consist of a pair of analog outputs, analog inputs, and relay outputs each leading to two configurations P2P and Modbus. The P2P includes two I/O modules with inputs on one side connected to the outputs at the other side, replacing cables or wires, and releasing I/O data to the controller. Users can speedily map two units using the auto-configure option, thereby eliminating the need for a PC. The Modbus interlinks the I/O modules to the Zlinx radio modem to send the data into the serial port of controllers such as HMI, SCADA, or PLC. This design has a plug-and-play option and permits users to operate two similar I/O modules by depressing a button, without needing converters or reconfiguration of equipment. Trouble alarms or signals can also be sent to the users through these devices.
Zlinx Serial radio modems are extremely safe systems with 256 bit AES-encrypted radios providing low latency reaction rates, easy wireless tracking, and adaptability. The radio modem also acts as a modbus gateway or access, for P2P or P2MP connections, to the Xtreme I/O modules. Two radio modems can replace RS-232, 485 and 422 serial-serial systems.
These devices are developed to EN61000-6-2 industrial standards, to be able to manage electromagnetic interferences and surges, normally found in big pumps, welding applications, varied frequency drives and sites with severe electrical utility, operating between -40°C and 74°C. These devices have undergone extreme testing environments, as a 1meter depth water chamber, shock, drop tests and vibrations.