Integral electronics versions of magnetostrictive position sensors transmit data directly from transducer to other devices networked on the fieldbus
RDP Electronics has announced a Profibus-DP fieldbus solution for position sensing with the introduction of new integral electronics versions of the versatile MTS Temposonics III range of magnetostrictive position sensors.
Demands for measurement systems with the ability to transmit data directly from transducer to other devices networked on the field bus such as PLCs and drives, or to real-time monitoring locations, depend on 'smart' devices with inbuilt communication capability. Supplied exclusively by RDP in the UK, the MTS range of Temposonics long-stroke displacement transducers now includes a Profibus-DP version for direct digital transmission of position. Ideal for long stroke displacements, the magnetostrictive technique pioneered and perfected by MTS involves the interaction between a current pulse present in a fixed waveguide and a magnetic field produced by an adjacent magnet attached to the movable piece.
The waveguide runs the length of the transducer and at the point the current pulse and magnetic field coincide, an acoustic pulse - the 'strain pulse' - is generated. The time interval between the current pulse and strain pulse is proportional to the position of the magnet.
Internal digital processing provides a direct digital output that is then converted to the Profibus DP protocol.
These versions of Temposonics III sensors now have the capability to be connected directly to a Profibus-DP network along with drives, actuators, other sensors and displays, and interact both with the master controller and other distributed intelligent field devices.
In addition to the Profibus-DP field bus option, RDP's range also includes magnetostrictive position sensors for CanBus, DeviceNet and SSI industry-standard networks.
