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COVER
STORIES
PRODUCT
APPLICATIONS
MOXA
NEWS
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COVER
STORIES
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| Green
Product Announcement |
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Moxa
is dedicated to helping create and maintain a safe and clean
environment, and to this end, we are taking great care to ensure that the
complete product—the box, packing material, plastic
box handles, ink, and all other material used to process
and ship our products—is environmentally safe and
recyclable. We are gearing up to produce products
that conform to both the WEEE and RoHS directives. For more
information about WEEE and RoHS, please visit the green
product section of our website at http://www.moxa.com/greenproduct.
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APPLICATIONS
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| "Intelligent"
Vending Machines Improve Availability and Reliability |
| Introduction
Vending machines are one of those modern contrivances
that add convenience to our already hectic lives.
Whether it's pouring a cup of hot coffee while waiting
to catch a flight in a busy airport, buying a cold
soft drink at lunchtime, or grabbing a candy bar for
a mid afternoon snack, we've all taken advantage of
the time-saving convenience that vending machines
have to offer. On the downside, however, most of us
have also experienced the frustration of getting coffee
that's too cold, soft drinks that are too hot, or
those times when our favorite candy bar is in the
"item not available" category. UC-7420,
Moxa's miniature front-end computer for industrial
device networking applications, gives vending machine
manufacturers and maintainers the ability to stay
one step ahead of the customer.
Programmable
Means Customizable
One of the main advantages that Moxa's UC products
provide is programmability. System designers can write
custom C programs tailor-made to control the operation
of the vending machine. For example, UC can be programmed
to monitor temperatures and power status. If a thermometer
reading is too hot, or too cold, or the power supply
is interrupted, the maintenance person can be notified
automatically by phone or e-mail so the problem can
be fixed immediately. The program can also be used
to monitor the quantities of items dispensed by the
machine so that items running low can be replenished
before they run out. The ability to monitor temperature
and quantity helps to guarantee that customers get
the items they want, when they want them.
Built
to Last
In addition to the considerable cost reduction provided
by Moxa's Universal Communicators, users also get
a more reliable system that is designed for near zero-failure
operation. Moxa's Universal Communicators are compact
computers that have a built-in Linux OS, and to ensure
easy installation, the interfaces are integrated onto
a single PCB. The Intel IXP-422 CPU, which forms the
brains of the Universal Communicator, generates almost
no heat, ensuring that the no fan, no hard drive design
provides reliable service for a much longer period
of time.
Benefits
of Using Moxa's Universal Communicator
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No fan, no hard drive design for longer MTBF
- CompactFlash
slot for adding Gigabytes of storage space
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Multiple connection options for greater networking
versatility
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Programmability gives system integrators infinite
possibilities
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| EDS-508
and EDS-SNMP OPC Server Make Subway Signal Control Systems
More Stable |
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Subway No. 1 in Tianjin, China, has a total track length
of just over 26 km, with almost 14 km running underground.
The subway system includes 22 stations, one train-distribution
center, one train storage area, and a distribution control
center. The network system uses redundant and interference-free
functions to guarantee the safety of the signal control
system, and prevent accidents during emergency situations.
Eight
out of 22 stations in the system are equipped with WOC signal
collection devices, and four of these eight stations have
two signal-link devices. WOC and signal-link devices are
used for signal collection and on-site control, respectively.
The highly reliable front-signal-link-devices must be connected
in a safe and reliable network system to be able to communicate.
In addition, the system needs devices with a wider bandwidth
to achieve efficient communication and immediacy when collecting
signals for distribution. The media redundancy, 260,000-hour
MTBF, and 148800 pps forwarding and filtering rate of Moxa's
EDS-508-SS-SC EtherDevice Switch can satisfy the critical
requirements of this subway system.
EDS-508's
excellent features, such as redundant Turbo Ring, Tagged
VLAN, QoS, IGMP snooping, and its wide operating temperature
range (-40 to 75°C), make the switch a reliable part
of many automation applications.
Key
benefits:
MOXA
EtherDevice™ Switch EDS-508
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Fast network redundant ring
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Port Trunking, VLAN, QoS, IGMP Snooping for optimal network
performance
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-40 to 75°C operating temperature range
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E-mail notification by exception
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Easily integrated with EDS-SNMP
OPC Server Pro
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| Using
MOXA Serial Boards to Protect the Environment |
| Currently, one of the hottest
topics in many countries around the world is environmental
protection. The situation is particularly critical for China
because of the economic boom that began there more than
a decade ago. The Chinese government is taking measures
to ensure that manufacturers follow environmental guidelines,
and has made environmental protection an important part
of China's 5-year plan. Another major environmental issue
for China is the task of providing citizens with an ample
amount of clean water.
The demand for equipment used for environmental protection,
and particularly for sewage and water treatment, is sure
to experience a huge growth in the near future. For this
reason, Moxa has established long-term relationships with
manufacturers of environmental monitoring instruments, ground
water treatment plants, and environmental monitoring control
centers.
Environmental monitoring devices include air and water
quality monitors. The typical air quality monitor is used
to monitor the amount of pollution in the atmosphere. Water
quality monitoring and analysis devices include PH controllers,
and monitors for determining the chemical composition of
pollutants in the water (e.g., chlorine and fluoride).
Moxa provides both 4-port (CP-104UL
V2) and 8-port (CP-168U
V2, CP-118U)
serial boards to accommodate stations that use different
numbers and types of environmental monitoring devices. The
boards are used to receive data from monitoring devices,
with the data transmitted through the serial board, and
then on to industrial control devices for front-end data
processing and analysis. Since the distance between stations
could be large, and at some locations it may not be convenient
to set up a network, a modem or GPRS device may be needed
to transmit industrial control data back to the environmental
monitoring device to achieve the goal of data integration
management. In this way, it is possible to set up a real-time,
efficient data transmission system.
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MOXA
NEWS |
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| Moxa
Welcomes NextWarehouse, the Newest Device Networking Distributor
of Moxa Products for the United States |
Moxa
Technologies would like to welcome its newest Device
Networking Distributor, NextWarehouse. NextWarehouse
will be selling Device Networking products, such as
Serial Device Servers, Multiport Serial Boards, Embedded
Device Servers, Media Converters, and more. NextWarehouse
will provide coverage for the entire United States, and use its experience
and large customer base to help Moxa Technologies
attract future Device Networking customers.
NextWarehouse specializes in industrial computers
and peripheral components. Established in 1995 as
a reseller in Los Angeles, NextWarehouse has become
one of the leading companies in the industry. NextWarehouse
has the ability to deliver the best value while meeting
on-demand needs throughout the United States. NextWarehouse
represents hundreds of leading manufacturers of industrial
computers. Their product line includes device networking
and data acquisition tools, single board computers,
field communication items, and much more. As a marketing
company, they have developed strong relationships
with both manufacturers and customers.
NextWarehouse's customer base encompasses federal
government agencies, state and local governments,
educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and
value-added resellers. With over a decade of experience,
NextWarehouse has identified and met the needs of
many different customers. NextWarehouse operates on
the belief that success is achieved through the customer's
success. Moxa Technologies is proud to have NextWarehouse
as a partner.
For more information on NextWarehouse, please visit
the NextWarehouse website at http://www.NextWarehouse.com.
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| Moxa's EDS-508 Industrial Ethernet Switch now available with Multimode ST option |
Multimode ST, the most popular connector for multimode networks, is now availabile with
Moxa's EDS-508 series of industrial Ethernet switches. The features of the multimode ST models are equivalent
to those of SC models, ensuring good quality
and reliability, and hassle-free operation
for industrial automation applications. Long-haul transmission type is available as an option with EDS-508's multimode ST models.
ST models are available upon request. For
more product details and ordering information, please
visit Moxa's website at www.moxa.com/product/EDS-508.htm, or contact a Moxa sales representative directly.
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| Moxa's 2005 Series of Intelligent Transportation System Forums to be Held in
China and Taiwan |
ITS
(Intelligent Transportation Systems) is a major
emphasis of modern transportation construction worldwide.
Establishing an advanced, intelligent transportation
system involves integrating data, video, and voice
over IP networks to set up a management surveillance
system.
ITS helps engineers solve the many problems posed by modern transportation systems by
providing real-time traffic flow information. However, the stability and reliability of network
communication devices is a major concern.
Moxa
is eager to share ITS know-how with traffic engineers at Moxa's "ITS Solution Forum 2005"
in China (during August) and Taiwan (during September).
In addition to speeches by expert lecturers, Moxa
will present the direction that our development
and application of the ITS market is taking. We
will also present typical applications, and show
why MOXA's communication products are suitable for
use with ITS applications. MOXA would like to invite
participants to discuss and share how to realize
a one-net intelligent transportation system, and
assist users in establishing a stable, reliable,
yet economical networking solution.
*** The 2005
Moxa Solution Forum is a series of seminars
that focus on the trend of using Industrial Ethernet
technology in industry. During these forums, we
cover specific market applications and solutions.
Together with our local solution partners, we will
share successful project experiences from customers,
and demonstrate the latest Industrial Ethernet solutions
and applications for vertical market development.
***
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| Wireless
Device Server Daily Winner Contest a Great Success |
Moxa's
Wireless Device Server Daily Winner Contest, which
ran from May 1 to June 30, was a smashing success!
Over the course of these two months, we received
more than 450 applications, and gave away more than
40 NPort W2150 wireless device servers to people
around the world. Click
here to view the winner's list!
All in all, we received almost 200 entries from the United States, more than 150 from Europe and Africa, and more than 125 from Asia. Although the majority of the application ideas we received were from Industrial Automation, many of the entrants were also interested in Security, POS/Retail, Building Automation, Utilities, and Medical applications. As you can see, the convenience provided by serial to wireless device servers is making wireless a much sought after alternative to more traditional solutions.
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DID
YOU KNOW? |
|
--
by Tim Stemple
Did
you know that the Virginia Tech "smart road" project, which was first conceived of almost 20 years ago, has
resulted in the construction of a 2.2-mile (3.5-km) stretch of highway devoted exclusively to ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) research?
I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads wondering what on earth a smart road is, and just why I would focus on Virginia Tech. In fact,
I have to admit a certain amount of bias for this month's "Did you know?" topic—I graduated from Virginia Tech's Engineering Science and
Mechanics Department back in 1998, and for a few years at least, I lived just off Nellie's Cave Road in the southeast part of Blacksburg, less than
a mile from the then still incipient smart road.
According to the Virginia Department of Transportation's "Smart Road Facts," when the smart road is completed, it will continue
to be used as a real-life laboratory for smart road research, but will also serve as a 5.7-mile (9-km) public roadway connecting Blacksburg to
Interstate 81, making it the only test road to handle regular traffic.
One of the most interesting features of the Blacksburg smart road is that when
conducting tests, engineers have the power to create different types of artificial precipitation—including rain, snow, and ice—to
simulate hazardous driving conditions. The 75 towers used to create artificial precipitation can rotate a full 360° to compensate dynamically
for changes in wind strength and direction.
VDOT expects the road to give rise to a whole slew of safety benefits, including improving
visibility during foggy conditions, preventing multi-car accidents due to icy bridges, advances in snow plow and emergency vehicle
technology, and an increase in vehicle safety. In fact, the smart road is actually more than just a 1.7-mile stretch of highway—the "at normal speed turnarounds" at each end of the road allow test vehicles to keep moving indefinitely. The Blacksburg smart road also includes a
2,000-foot long bridge that at a height of 175 feet (53.3 meters) makes it the tallest bridge in Virginia.
A wide range of data about road conditions and traffic flow can be recorded using more than 400 sensors that transmit data to the smart road's control center over
fiber-optic cable. More to the point as far as smart "driving" is concerned is that future improvements to the smart road will include
dynamic message signs and sensors located above the highway, as well as GPS sensors on the road to keep track of drivers' performance,
and to be used as part of an automated control system.
One of the ultimate goals of any "smart road, smart car, smart driving" system is to create a safe and efficient autonomous driving
environment in which all cars on the highway communicate via some type of wireless network.
"Vehicle platooning" is the term used to describe the smart driving arrangement that involves a small group of cars driving in formation, separated by only a few meters. A computerized control system handles steering, braking, and accelerating, so that the drivers can do other things. Vehicle platooning essentially turns the highway into a mass of remotely controlled "virtual trains."
Moxa's own interest in Intelligent Transportation Systems will culminate this year with a series of "ITS Solution Forum 2005" seminars. The first round of Moxa ITS seminars, to be held in Asia in the Fall, will feature talks by experts in the field, and provide detailed information about using Moxa's own products for ITS applications. For more information about these seminars, see the article Moxa's 2005 Series of Intelligent Transportation System Forums to be Held in China and Taiwan in this issue of Moxa Connection.
Additional References
Smart Cars
Vehicle Platooning
Virginia's Smart Road
Virginia Tech
This common interest column is published each month in Moxa Connection. Click here to contact Tim by e-mail.
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