IIoT support is now available for Acromag’s Ethernet I/O Modules to simplify cloud connectivity and data sharing across the network.
Acromag’s BusWorks® NT series remote I/O modules now offer a cost-effective solution for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. The NT Ethernet I/O modules provide an OPC UA server and MQTT client in addition to the fieldbus protocol stacks (Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, and PROFINET). This integrated IIoT functionality offers a standardized data exchange to simplify industrial communication in an increasingly complex environment. Applications for these high-performance Ethernet I/O modules include remote data acquisition, status monitoring, actuator control, predictive maintenance, energy management, and more.
The new OPC UA and MQTT support make data sharing and connecting to the cloud very easy and secure. Users can combine Ethernet protocols with IoT protocols for real time and IoT data transfer over the same network cable. An abstract data object model eliminates hassles with protocol details. The user application simply reads and writes data that is transparently fed into the IoT protocols and information models. Input, output and configuration data objects closely resemble fieldbus I/O tags to simplify data exchanges.
NTE Ethernet I/O models have dual RJ45 ports and a webserver for monitoring or controlling its I/O channels to interface sensors and actuators with system controllers. Each I/O module offers up to 16 input or output signals for voltage, current, temperature, and relay control signals. Connecting up to three NTX expansion I/O modules enables interfacing an additional 48 channels with a mix of I/O functions networked on a single IP address.
“With the addition of OPC UA and MQTT capabilities, NT Series Ethernet I/O modules make data from remote equipment available for sophisticated applications in the cloud or on edge gateways,” explains Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s Director of Business Development.
The NT2000 Series offers a broad variety of I/O signal processing options. Fifteen I/O configurations are available as either NTE Ethernet I/O or NTX expansion I/O models. Analog I/O models feature eight differential or sixteen single-ended inputs for monitoring current or voltage signals. Analog output modules drive eight channels of process current or voltage signals to control various field devices. Discrete I/O models provide 16 tandem input/output channels with either active high/low input and sinking/sourcing output. A six-channel mechanical relay output model is also available. For temperature monitoring, thermocouple and RTD input models support many sensor types, as well as resistance and millivolt ranges. More models will release over the coming months for additional I/O functions.
In addition to the new IIoT protocols, each module will also support all three industrial Ethernet protocols which are selectable using any web browser to configure the network settings and I/O operation. The modules typically function as a network server, but also offer Acromag’s i2o® peer-to-peer communication technology to transfer data between modules directly or multicast without a host or master in between. Conditional logic capabilities let users control operations with IF/THEN/ELSE statements.
Acromag, a mid-sized international corporation, has been developing and manufacturing measurement and control products for more than 60 years. They offer a complete line of industrial I/O products including process instruments, signal conditioning equipment, data acquisition boards, distributed I/O systems, and communication devices.
For more information about Acromag products, call the Inside Sales Department at (248) 295-0880 or Marketing Communications at (248) 295-0866. You can also visit us online at www.acromag.com, e-mail [email protected], or write Acromag at 30765 S. Wixom Rd., Wixom, MI 48393-2417 USA.
