Belden's Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 

Belden® has introduced Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 to meet the needs for maximum network visibility. This new state-of-the-art software for industrial network management is ideal for configuring and supervising all Hirschmann managed products, as well as third-party devices.

Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 provides insight into the status of the end devices and network components whilst they are in operation. This enables the user to rectify faults before system failures occur which could result in expensive downtime. New Industrial HiVision guarantees a higher level of operational availability. Automatic topology detection now includes unmanaged switches, providing an even more realistic depiction of network connectivity.   

Belden's Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 meets the needs for maximum network visibility.

MultiConfigTM multiple device configuration
Building on many years of experience with HiVision network configuration products, the new Industrial HiVision v4.0 was expressly designed so users can configure multiple devices simultaneously. Using MultiConfig™ saves effort and reduces the chance of making mistakes. MultiConfig™ is also useful throughout a network's lifetime, facilitating regular changing of device passwords and firmware upgrades, thus keeping networks secure and reliable.

Introducing the new software, Mark Cooksley, Product Manager Network Management explains: "Compared to office networks, industrial networks require more peremptory monitoring, because they are subject to higher levels of stress from environmental conditions. Network availability is a key factor for industrial processes. Here, Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision is an essential tool, because it is specifically designed for effective industrial network supervision."

Third-party device integration
Although Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 is optimized for Hirschmann™ products, third-party products can easily be integrated. Any SNMP-enabled device can be supervised to the same level of detail as a Hirschmann™ product. As a result, only a single management application is required to monitor the complete network infrastructure and connected end devices.

Synthesis with SCADA
Hirschmann™ Industrial HiVision v4.0 can easily be integrated into SCADA applications and offers an embedded SNMP/OPC server. The graphical user interface is available as an ActiveX control. The DTM for Field Device Tool frame applications completes the synthesis with other industrial management platforms.

For further information, view website: www.belden-emea.com   Refer to page 104

SBS Science and Technology develops solid-state
disk for demanding industrial automation applications

Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR), the leading developer and supplier of nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) and integrated semiconductor products, has announced that its FM22L16 4-Megabit (Mb) F-RAM has been selected by SBS Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (SBS) for use in an innovative solid-state disk (SSD) data storage device.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, SBS specialises in the research, development, and manufacturing of international standards-based embedded hardware and software that targets industrial automation markets, such as railway transportation, electric power, medical equipment, and motion control applications.

In addition to retaining data when power is removed, F-RAM memory offers virtually unlimited reads and writes with no write delay and very low power consumption. This unique feature set, combined with 4-megabits of data storage capacity, makes Ramtron's FM22L16 a compelling solution for SBS in their industrial SSD product.

Alex Tsui, Marketing Director for Ramtron, commented: "The advent of Flash-based solid-state disks represents a paradigm shift in the architecture of computer storage subsystems. F-RAM enabled solid-state disks overcome the endurance problems that have challenged the SSD industry while eliminating backup batteries, improving system power consumption, increasing reliability, and shrinking the form factor."

SBS will deploy the FM22L16 along with a standard Hard Disk Drive (HDD) interface and controller to store the virtual block-to-sector map for the Flash memory in the SSD. Flash memory is prone to wearing out prematurely due to its limited write endurance. The block-to-sector map is used to store the frequently updated address locations for the data in the SSD, which reduces wear on the Flash memory. Since virtual block-to-sector maps are written frequently and need to be stored when power is removed, F-RAM is an ideal choice due to its extremely high read/write endurance and low power consumption.  F-RAM-enabled SSDs are well suited for industrial applications since they have no moving parts or mechanical failure points that are common in rotating hard disk drives.

Mr. Tsui added: "Ramtron is pleased to assist SBS Science & Technology with the development of its SSD. In the world of industrial automation, the Ramtron FM22L16 is the perfect memory for highly reliable industrial applications that thrive on high-endurance, battery-free operation, and low power consumption."

FM22L16 features
Ramtron's FM22L16 is a 256Kx16 nonvolatile memory that reads and writes like a standard SRAM. It is superior to other types of nonvolatile memory because of its fast write speed, virtually infinite write endurance, and its ability to store data during unexpected power down events. The FM22L16 does not require a battery and uses low 18 milliamps active and 150 microamp standby current. It provides data retention for over 10 years while eliminating the reliability concerns, functional disadvantages, and system design complexities of battery-backed SRAM (BBSRAM).

The FM22L16 includes a low voltage monitor that blocks access to the memory array when the supply voltage (VDD) drops below a critical threshold. The memory is protected against an inadvertent access and data corruption under this condition. The device also features software-controlled write protection. The memory array is divided into 8 uniform blocks, each of which can be individually write protected.  In-system operation of the FM22L16 is very similar to other RAM devices and can be used as a drop-in replacement for standard SRAM. Read and write cycles may be triggered by /CE or simply by changing the address.

For further information, view website: www.ramtron.com     Refer to next page

Westermo enhances the Wolverine range of Ethernet line extenders

Westermo Data Communications, the UK's largest supplier of industrial data communications equipment, has enhanced its' "Wolverine" range of industrial Ethernet line extenders by adding a new high speed unit for simple point-to-point applications and achieving ATEX approval for three existing devices.

The Wolverine DDW-220, 221 and 222 high speed Ethernet line extenders have been ATEX approved according to II 3G Eex nA IIT5 and can be fitted in Zone 2 environments. The ground breaking Wolverine series uses SHDSL technology to establish a high-speed remote connection between two Ethernet networks using any existing twisted pair copper cables. These rugged industrial devices can now be applied to potentially explosive environments.

The latest addition to this very popular range is the high speed DDW-120 Ethernet Line Extender, which is capable of extending Ethernet networks over copper cables where in the past the only option would have been fibre. The DDW-120 is specifically for point-to-point applications or as a start or termination unit together with the DDW-220/221/222 in daisy-chain applications.

At shorter ranges the data rate will be as high as 5.7 Mbit/s in both directions. Transmission distances of up to 10 km (6.2 miles) can be achieved at lower data rates (depending on the quality of the cables) although much greater distances have been achieved in practical applications. The units will auto-negotiate the transmission speed but can also be forced to choose a slower (more reliable) or faster (less reliable) data rate.

As with other products in the Wolverine series the DDW-120 is suitable for tough industrial environments. The rugged unit can operate in a wide temperature range (-25 to +70°C) and total galvanic isolation and transient protection of the electronics makes it suitable for a broad range of applications including the railway industry.

The DDW-120 is transparent for multicast addressing, allows VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through for IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) and can be used with protocols like Modbus^®/ TCP and PROFINET^® I/O. The DDW-120 also features a Link Fault Forward (LFF) functionality whereby the Ethernet link status is sent over the SHDSL link between two units.

Details of the ATEX approved products, DDW-120, and other models from the Wolverine series can be found in a new 20 page brochure that outlines all the available features as well as suitable applications. Several applications of the Wolverine series, notably at NUON, one of the biggest energy suppliers in the Netherlands, and at Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, a global utility company, provide a good overview of what can be realised using the devices.

For further information e-mail: abollard@westermo.co.uk or view website: www.westermo.co.uk to download a copy of the brochure.   

Lynx switch used in military application

Westermo Lynx switches are being used in the FALCON tactical communications systems being supplied to the MOD by a BAE Systems led team. Westermo has already received equipment orders in excess of £500,000 for shipment in 2009 with the estimated total order requirement for Ethernet Switches valued at greater than £3M over the duration of the project.

The Lynx switch was chosen as a commercial off the shelf product (COTS), which could be used in the most hostile environments. The Lynx can operate in temperature ranges from -40 to +70°C and importantly is one of the smallest form factor switches on the market.

The Lynx series switches have a military design with a full metal housing (IP 40). They have a wide DC power range from 19 to 60 VDC, no moving parts or electrolytic capacitors, low power consumption with redundancy and support QoS (Quality of Service) with four priority queues and strict priority scheduling as well as HoL (Head of Line Blocking Prevention).

FALCON Increments A and C will deliver secure broadband-like voice, data and video communications for the British Army and Royal Air Force respectively. As such it is central to the network enabled capability required by UK Armed Forces in the 21st century. It is designed to operate with communication and information systems such as Bowman, Cormorant and SKYNET V, and is compatible with other NATO systems. For further information e-mail: abollard@westermo.co.uk or view website: www.westermo.co.uk    Refer to page 104