LOGO Ethernet

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Siemens Industry has announced a new range of Logo! logic modules equipped with integral Ethernet interfaces. The new devices, with communication and network capabilities are geared to meeting more demanding applications.  The logic modules are simple to integrate into an existing structure via Ethernet and can be combined, for example, with PCs, Simatic S7 PLCs or Simatic HMI (Human Machine Interface) components. This provides Logo! users with new options for data storage and... Read More

The Latest Thinking on Using Ethernet for Machine Safety Networks

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A networking expert takes a look at how networked machine safety has evolved, examining the implications of Ethernet-based machine safety networks as a replacement for field buses. The rate of evolution exemplified, and perhaps driven, by Moore’s Law is not limited to computers and consumer products like tablets, PCs and phones. The same innovative wave has splashed across all aspects of technology, including the automation industry, which has been inundated with constantly... Read More

Transitioning from Fieldbus to Ethernet: Benefits and Requirements for the Plant Floor

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Ethernet long ago became the de facto network standard for enterprise office networks on the strength of its performance, wide availability, openness and cost-effectiveness. For many of the same reasons, Ethernet has been finding its way to factory floor networks, a fact that may give pause to plant engineers who have long relied on fieldbus technology to foster communications among their various machines and devices. While any kind of change can be cause for concern, the transition... Read More

Wireless Networks: Self Healing Capabilities Offer Edge

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The self healing capabilities of wireless networks offer an edge over traditional wired technology. In the wired versus wireless debate, network cables have always been touted as the most reliable solution. That’s likely to change in coming years as wireless architectures bring self-healing capabilities to the networking world. When nodes on wireless networks fail, modern peer to peer architectures have the ability to find alternative paths, sending signals to other nodes until... Read More

Simple communication via Ethernet in RFID applications using TCP/IP

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Siemens Industry, Inc. has released a new communication module specifically geared to connecting RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) read/write devices to Ethernet networks. According to Ed Housler, business manager for Siemens, the Simatic RF182C is designed for Ethernet communications environments, is based on TCP/IP protocols, and uses state of the art XML messaging technology. “The goal with this device is to simplify Ethernet communications for factory floor RFID applications.... Read More