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Machines communications can be wire-less

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jan 7, 2008

Wireless products enable machine builders to integrate wireless networking into their products, achieving considerable reductions in cabling and installation costs.

To make the cable-less machine concept a reality, IDC has developed its ZigBee wireless products, which enable machine builders and original equipment manufacturers to integrate wireless networking into their products.

IDC said users can achieve considerable reductions in cabling and installation costs.

IDC told manufacturingtalk.com that these savings are possible because ZigBee is a full- blown telemetry system; as such it eliminates physical data buses, such as USB and Ethernet cables.

IDC's ZigBee products are designed around the company's ZB108 OEM module, which features a complete system-on-chip (SoC).

This comprises a high performance microprocessor with digital, analogue and serial connectivity.

Also included in the family of modules are Ethernet and serial gateways, routers, logic and serial controllers, hand-held keypads, key fobs with touch-screen, and analogue general purpose modules, which are to be introduced shortly.

All the devices offer the benefit of being designed to operate in electrically noisy environments, said IDC.

They feature embedded intelligence, unique 16- digit identifiers, extremely low power consumption, and integrate internal position tracking algorithms based on received signal strength.

The wireless network used by the ZigBee products is based on the licence- free international standard IEEE 802.15.4, which provides 2.4GHz, two- way communications and is capable of connecting hundreds of devices together in a mesh network using gateways, router and end devices (usually battery powered).

The product range features the ZigBee stack which leverages the advantages of continued main stream development and future compatibility with other manufacturers' equipment and products.

IDC is supporting its ZigBee range of products with complementary software applications including 'over-the-air' programming, data logging, remote control and position tracking.

A function block logic configuration tool, based on IEC61499 distributed multiprocessor networking, is also in development and due for release in 2008.

In addition, for machine builders and system designers who require wireless mesh networking, IDC offers the ability to design bespoke hardware and software solutions based on existing designs, to reduce risk, the cost of development, time to market and certification costs.

Importantly for users of the ZigBee range, IDC are is not reliant on third- party software providers; hardware, application firmware, PC- based software and server applications are all designed in-house by IDC software engineers at the company's headquarters in Derby.

* About IDC - Intelligent Distributed Controls (IDC ) is based in Derby, UK.

The company has a highly skilled team of dedicated hardware and software design, development and application engineers.

These personnel have specialist application knowledge of control systems applied to logistics, warehouse distribution and manufacturing.

This applications experience has IDC enabled to develop key skills in real time control, RFID and wireless technology, and to develop niche products for these industries and related OEMs.

IDC's customer base includes Toyota, Toys R Us, ASDA George, Smiths Areospace, Astra Zeneca and Vestas Wind Systems .