Electricity + Control August 2019

round up

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

AS-Interface signal transmission via fibre optic

capacities and resistances (as is the case with copper cables, for example), do not occur either. Consequently, the new AS-i fibre

ifm’s new AS-i fibre optic repeater enables AS-Interface signal transmission via an optical medium and vice versa. This allows for considerable cable length extension in the AS-i network. Every AS-i fibre optic repeater has two independent channels that consist of a transmitting and a receiving element which are supplied via the AS-Interface system. Various LEDs indicate the current operating status. This innovation is integrated into the new SmartLine housing. While conventional repeaters usually have a temperature range from 0...55 °C, the new unit from ifm operates reliably across a broad temperature range from -25...70 °C. Another new feature is the integrated passive bus termination. In the field, optical transmission means there is no interfering radiation, nor any ground problems. Fibre optic transmission systems inherently exclude EMC risk. Distance-related losses due to inductances,

optic repeater contributes to life- time extension and cost reduction on equipment. The new AS-i fibre optic repeater also allows for use of additional fibre optic network topologies (line topology, star topology). Enquiries: ifm electronic ZA.Tel +27 0861 436 772, or +27 (0)12 450 0400, or email: info.za@ifm.com The new AS-i fibre optic repeater enables AS-Interface signal transmission via an optical medium.

Ageing networks can hamper cloud performance

Dreckmeyr adds, “Because they are as easy to install as a patch lead and are inexpensive, media converters are a great way to ensure a network is cloud- and IoT- ready. They provide network administrators a safe means to upgrade the network to increase performance while buying time to decide which parts of the network will need to be replaced in due course. “We have a lot of industrial customers turning to media converters for their IoT applications in the field, because they have realised that their current networks are not up to the task of carrying the size and type of data packets required. From a commercial perspective, some of our enterprise customers have rolled certain applications into the cloudwithout realising the full extent of the cost – and now don’t have the capex available to support a full network upgrade. The applications of media converters are extensive.” Enquiries: Marien Dreckmeyr, Tel. +27 (0)12 841 0320, or email: sales@netshieldsa.com

and the perception that the application itself is sub-standard – whereas in fact it is the network that is letting you down.” When installed, a media converter will change the signal of the network from copper to fibre transparently, without any additional cabling having to be laid or any other changes to the network. Media converters are particularly useful in ‘creating the last optical mile’.Working at the physical layer of the network, installation of the converters is seamless; it requires very little intervention and no specialised skills are required to roll them out. In IoT installations that require IP network connectivity, the converters link copper to fibre that then links the devices, which now behave as if they are on a fibre network, to a control room or data centre. The applications extend to CCTV cameras, IoT sensors in industrial or mining environments, VoIP phones and even wireless access points. The 10/100/1000Mmedia converters are available in a number of options, including a range that can be managed remotely allowing an administrator to supervise real- time incidents on the network. With these devices, response times can be improved and fewer network disruptions occur. If there is a fault on the network the devices will relay where the fault is, making fault discovery much easier, and if the converter itself is faulty, it can be swapped out immediately, without spending time and money on trying to discover where the problem is on the network.

The cloud, IoT and hyper-converged infrastructure require a robust and solid network to relay the information to and from the data centre to which they are connected. But older, legacy networks can hamper this and lead to downtime and sub-standard connections. Netshield South Africa is offering businesses an alternative to replacing ageing and unstable networks at enormous cost, with its media converter range. Media converters are small cost- effective devices that, when installed in the network, upgrade the existing (often copper) network ports to SFP-based ports for fibre connectivity. The fibre options increase available bandwidth and distance that higher speed connections can reach. The Netshield range is made up of a series of small form factor deviceswith twomedia- dependent interfaces and includes Multi- Port and Power over Ethernet converters. Inus Dreckmeyr, CEO at Netshield South Africa, explains: “In order for IoT installations and cloud applications to perform at their best in any environment, a stable, quality network is required. While many businesses have already transformed parts of their networks to fibre there are some areas, such as the factory floor, old office buildings or warehouses, or even gatehouses as an example, which still have old copper infrastructure. “Replacing these networks usually comes at enormous cost, but without them, IoT sensors and cloud apps simply will not function optimally. This leads to frustration

Inus Dreckmeyr, CEO of Netshield.

Electricity + Control

AUGUST 2019

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