The fibre interface extends the maximum distance between a PowerDNA I/O Cube and its host computer from the 100 metre ethernet/100base-T limitation to two kilometres
United Electronic Industries (UEI) announces the release of the DNA-FPPC series of 100BASE-FX based data acquisition and control cubes The 2km limitation reflects the use of standard, off-the-shelf multimode fibre.
A single mode fibre interface is also available which extends the maximum distance between the computer and an PowerDNA FPPC series cube to 20 kilometers.
The new FPPC cubes are ideal for distributed data acquisition and control in large facilities or in any application where the host computer must be remote from the I/O subsystem.
In addition to dramatically extending the range of the PowerDNA interface, fibre has the advantage of being virtually immune to all forms of electromagnetic interference.
This makes it ideal in high noise environments such as factory floors, Hvac installations and power plants.
The fibre link also offers virtually infinite electrical isolation between the host computer and the I/O Cube.
This makes it the perfect communications link in applications where the host computer and I/O system may be on different legs of the power grid, where ground leakage current may compromise measurement accuracy, or where lightning strikes are a realistic possibility.
"The fiber interface development was driven by requests from our customers", according to UEI president Shaun Miller.
"We have had requests for PowerDNA Cubes that will function two miles below the ocean surface, over a five mile grid in the dessert, and up a 2000 metre mountain.
"Of course, we have also had requests for more common applications where I/O Cubes need to be installed on the opposite ends of a production line".
Pricing.
DNA-FPPC5 100BASE-FX based Cube with three I/O slots US$1395.
DNA-FPPC8 100BASE-FX based Cube with six I/O slots US$1595.
