New Input-Output Gear From Wixom's Acromag
Wixom-based Acromag Inc. Thursday rolled out two new CAN bus modules that link network sensors and actuators to control systems.
The CAN bus is a popular device network used to monitor and control sensor arrays in cars, airplanes, industrial machinery, and research labs. For example, anti-lock brake sensors typically communicate with the car's computer over CAN. Potential applications for the products are on-board a tank, inside a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), as part of a semiconductor lithography machine, or monitoring sensors in an atomic research lab.
Two versions of the CAN bus interface modules are available. One, the IP560, is a card that plugs into VME, CompactPCI and PCI bus cards or single-board computers in embedded systems. The format is popular for aerospace, defense, and scientific applications.
The IOS-560, meanwhile, is designed for use in Acormag's input-output server industrial PC, a small, fanless box computer that serves mobile computing, machine control and test applications.
Both modules feature two channels with optional isolation. Each channel has an NXP SJA1000 CAN controller with a TJA1041 transceiver.
Extended temperature models support operations at -40 Centigrade (-40 Fahrenheit) to 85 C (185 F).
Single quantity pricing starts at $500. Isolated and extended temperature models are more expensive.
"The addition of CAN bus interface modules to Acromag's line of I/O products provides even more flexibility to control system developers who can mix several I/O functions on a single carrier card for high-density, cost-effective computing solutions," said Joseph Primeau, Acromag's sales and marketing director for embedded products.
CAN bus technology is popular for automotive, marine, and avionic subsystems and also is used for security systems and industrial automation.
An isolation option eliminates ground loop potentials and protects equipment from electrical noise, surges, and spikes. The 1000-volt isolation barrier safely separates channel-to-channel and channel-to-host.
Acromag also offers programmer support tools, including a Windows development package provides API development software and Win32 DLL drivers, plus examples for C, Visual Basic, .Net and LabView environments. The Linux software includes a library of input-output function routines to speed code development. IP modules are additionally supported by C libraries for VxWorks and QNX realtime operating systems. These packages include demonstration programs with C source code to test and exercise the I/O module operation.
Acromag has designed and manufactured measurement and control products for more than 50 years. Acromag offers a complete line of embedded I/O and industrial computer products for military, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, and scientific research applications.
More at www.acromag.com.
(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.
