INCREASING INTENSITY
Beyond determining installation location using intensity levels of received radio waves, EX600-W wireless system from SMC can add a wireless master to increase wave intensity to level 2 or 3.
The EX600-W series wireless system is designed to provide safe and reliable communications by using 2.4-GHz radio frequency bands reserved for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) use. It provides stable communications using various forms of radio-wave propagation, including direct wave, transmitted wave and reflected wave, with communication between master and slave possible in a 10-m (33-ft) radius.
The system has a signal response time of 5 ms and a high-speed connection of 250 ms for a wireless slave from power on. It accommodates a maximum of 1,280 inputs/1,280 outputs, and registration and communication of up to 127 slave units is possible. One to 15 units are recommended for simultaneous operation, and it's possible to install multiple wireless masters in the same area. However, while a wired system with one master and 15 units requires 29 communication connections, EX600-W's wireless master and 15 wireless slaves only need one connection.
“The EX600-W wireless system means reduced wiring work, space and cost,” says Andy Thedjoprasetyono, head of project management at SMC Corp. of America. “Disconnection risk is minimized. And 5-ms frequency hopping guarantees a stable wireless environment is established using an original protocol that’s not affected by interference. Interference from other wireless equipment is prevented.”
The communication technology rapidly changes frequency to prevent interference from other wireless equipment. When the frequency of Wi-Fi and other wireless communications compete, or radio wave interference is present, then other frequencies are used for communication. Unauthorized access from outside is prevented by using data encryption.
Wireless status can be monitored during operation according to the diagnostic data, such as when communication from the slave can’t be received or when communication retry has exceeded the upper limit of 32 times.
Installation location can be ascertained according to the intensity level of the radio wave received by the unit display. For example, a received radio-wave intensity level of 1 means intensity is weak. A wireless master can be added to increase wave intensity to level 2 or 3, or users can remove obstacles between the master and slave, or reduce the distance between them.
Communication status also can be downloaded by a PC. By connecting the wireless master to a PC, it's possible to view log files that show the number of retries or the received radio-wave intensity. Log files are accessed by using a web browser to connect to the built-in web server.
The wireless environment and installation location can be optimized by checking the number of retries and received radio-wave intensity. The log files, showing the number of retries or the received radio-wave intensity, can be downloaded in the form of a CSV file.
Settings are possible using a near field communication (NFC) reader/writer and setting software. Some items can be set when there is no power supplied. Using a PC and NFC reader/writer, users can:
- Write IP address to the master,
- Set the I/O points for the system and unit,
- Pair the master and slave, and
- Monitor I/O.
EX600-W wireless system consists of a wireless master unit for EtherNet/IP and wireless slave units. Slave options include digital input units, digital output units, digital input/output units, analog input units, analog output units, analog input/output units, D-side end plate and U-side end plate.
For more information, call 317-688-0164, email [email protected], or visit www.smcusa.com.
