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In
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COVER
STORIES
NEW
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
PRODUCT
APPLICATIONS
MOXA
NEWS
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COVER
STORIES
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| Intelligent
Solutions for Intelligent Transportation Systems |
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Part II: Roadway Traffic Control System
ITS
(Intelligent Transportation Systems) is playing a major
role in modern transportation construction, with ITS technology
applied to roadway traffic control systems. In general,
ITS involves integrating communication, control, and electronics
technologies, and is used to monitor and manage traffic
flow, reduce congestion, provide alternative routes to travelers,
and enhance productivity to save lives, time, and money.
System
Description
Roadway
systems are made up of many subsystems, including Traffic
Signal Control Systems, Traffic Information Display Systems,
Real-time Traffic Video Monitors and Analysis Systems, and
Power Substation Systems.
ATMS
(Advanced Traffic Management Systems) and ATIS (Advanced
Traffic Information Systems) are two of the most important
aspects of ITS, and as such much of the cost for ITS implementations
goes into ATMS and ATIS. By using intelligent embedded traffic
controllers, traffic signals, vehicle detectors, LED display
boards, and traffic surveillance cameras, a road group with
several adjacent intersections can work together as one,
coordinated system.
- Vehicle
detectors collect traffic flow information, including
volume, speed, occupancy, and then send the information
to an intelligent embedded computer over a wireless transmission
system.
- The
embedded computer, which acts as a traffic controller,
calculates and analyzes the data to determine the state
of the traffic flow, and then makes control decisions—such
as when to change a particular traffic signal from red
to green—to avoid serious traffic jams.
- The
controller sends the estimated travel time information
and suggested alternative routes to the CMS (Changeable
Message System) display board to alert drivers of the
current traffic conditions.
A major
concern is system reliability. Due to the importance of
traffic control, the roadway system cannot be allowed to
fail due to power failures or disconnected transmission
lines. Furthermore, since the traffic situation changes
from day to day, and car accidents occur unpredictably,
an additional traffic monitor/surveillance mechanism should
be set up for prevention and emergency response.
Requirements
A roadway system designed with a solid and reliable networking
infrastructure and perfect traffic control/display strategy
can help to ensure higher performance. The following items
are what's needed to create the roadway system:
- Real-time
surveillance and capture—Video surveillance
must be available to provide real-time pictures of actual
traffic conditions.
- Wireless
network—Traffic controllers at each intersection
in the road group can synchronize the information by using
wireless to transmit at least some portion of the signal
over either a wireless or wired network, helping save
on the cost of cabling.
- Embedded
computing—The embedded computer calculates
control signals in real-time to make the right traffic
management decisions.
- Redundant power and network—Redundancy
plays an important role in transportation systems, since
it can help keep the system running non-stop.
- Extended
temperature—In general, devices used for
transportation automation must be able to operate in and
withstand extreme temperature conditions, such as from
-40 to 75°C.
MOXA's
Networking Solutions are Suitable for Railway Systems
The
stability and reliability of network communication is at
the core of constructing an intelligent transportation system.
Moxa provides many industrial device networking solutions
designed to control and manage traffic data for various
sites, including:
- Serial
to Ethernet/Wi-Fi Solution
Allows the vehicle detector and CMS (Changeable Message
System) to communicate via a wired or wireless LAN.
- Industrial
Wireless AP/Bridge/AP Client
Allows wireless devices to connect to wired LANs.
- Industrial
Ethernet Switch
Built-in Ethernet and power redundancy, and robust enough
to work in harsh environments.
- Embedded
Computer
Ideal for running dedicated programs for dynamic and real-time
computations and control.
- Video
Server
Monitor the traffic situation on-line and capture images
in real-time over the network.
Click
here to learn more about Moxa's Solutions for Intelligent
Transportation Systems.
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NEW
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS |
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| Moving
IP surveillance into the Industrial World! |
VPort
3310—1-ch Industrial MPEG4 Video Server
 Moxa
Networking recently announced the release of the Industrial
Video Server VPort
3310 to the Video Networking market. VPort 3310 is
an industrial grade 1-channel Video Server that adopts
the
high performance MPEG4 compression algorithm, and features
DIN-Rail Mounting capability, 24 VDC redundant power
inputs,
and IP30 protection to meet the requirements of industrial
environments.
An
extended temperature
model is also available. VPort 3310-T, which
can operate in a temperature range of -40 to 75°C,
is well-suited for outdoors and harsh environments,
including
roadways,
refineries,
and power plants.
Rugged
Industrial
Design
24 VDC power input
IP30 protection
DIN-Rail Mounting
-40 to 75°C operating temperature (VPort 3310-T)
Easy
Network Integration
Supports standard RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)
Supports SNMP (v1/v2c/v3)
User friendly MOXA VPort SDK (ActiveX Control and API)
Good Transmission
Efficiency
Standard MPEG4 video algorithm
Supports IGMP multicast video stream
VPort
3310 can be used to create
a highly reliable IP surveillance system for industrial environments. You
can also combine VPort 3310 with MOXA Industrial Ethernet Switches
and NPort Serial-to-Ethernet Device Servers to create
a complete and optimal Video/Data networking solution for
industrial automation markets.
Detailed
information about VPort 3310 is available on Moxa's website
at http://www.moxa.com/product/VPort_3310.htm.
Back
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| IMC-21
Series of Industrial Ethernet to Fiber Media Converters |
|
 MOXA's
new IMC-21
series of industrial media converters includes
entry-level solutions for industrial Ethernet to fiber
conversion.
IMC-21 is a cost-effective converter with a robust design,
and runs on either a 12 to 45 VDC power input or
18 to 30
VAC
power
input.
The wide operating temperature range of -10 to 60°C
ensures that your Ethernet equipment is well suited
for
any harsh,
industrial
environment.
Features
Supports Link Fault Pass Through (LFP)
Supports TP port's MDI/MDI-X and half/full mode
Power inputs support 12 to 45 VDC or 18 to VAC (47-63
Hz)
DIN-Rail mounting capability
Operating temperature range form -10 to 60°C
Ordering
Information
AVAILABLE
NOW!
| IMC-21-M-ST-FL |
Industrial
10BaseT to 10BaseFL media converter, multi mode,
ST connector, -10 to 60°C |
AVAILABLE
SOON!
| IMC-21-M-SC |
Industrial
10/100BaseT(X) to 100BaseFX media converter, multi
mode, SC connector, -10 to 60°C |
| IMC-21-M-ST |
Industrial
10/100BaseT(X) to 100BaseFX media converter, multi
mode, ST connector, -10 to 60°C |
| IMC-21-S-SC |
Industrial
10/100BaseT(X) to 100BaseFX media converter, single
mode, SC connector, -10 to 60°C |
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PRODUCT APPLICATIONS |
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| UC-7110—Energy
Monitoring and Management System |
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Moxa's UC-7110 embedded computer is a compact and programmable
serial to Ethernet gateway. In this application,
UC-7110 is used to manage
serial
data received
over the Internet from power meters.
Background:
As the world's population continues to increase and new
factories spring up all over the place, the problem
of providing
enough electric power has become a big concern. The "solar
power solution," which has received much publicity
and backing from environmental enthusiasts, is becoming
more mainstream.
Solar
power systems use roof solar panels to absorb the Sun's
energy. The purpose
of the panels is to convert solar engery into electric
energy, which is sent to a control box via RS-485 serial
wires.
Power companies that offer renewable energy systems are
making increasing use of the Internet to manage and
monitor
their systems. Due to the nature of this application, a
programmable serial to Ethernet communication gateway
is
needed to convert RS-485 serial data into a format suitable
for transmission over Ethernet.
Solution:
Moxa UC-7110 offers an economical and resourceful solution
to reroute serial data to an existing Ethernet network.
The solution provider can embed their own monitoring and
protocol conversion software into one of Moxa's UC-7110
embedded computers to handle all power generation and consumption
data. As a front-end controller, UC-7110 is compact, and
has customizable programming options to convert all serial
data received from multiple power meters to Ethernet packet
format. By using UC-7110 to replace the PC, not only is
cost reduced, but system managers obtain greater flexibility
due to UC-7110's small size.
Benefits:
- UC-7110
is a compact sized Linux computer
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Easy to port existing applications to the Linux platform
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Use the Linux environment to shorten the programming learning
curve
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UC-7110 is a front-end, reliable, fanless, cable-less
computer, that eliminates maintenance cost
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Fast time to market through existing H/W and S/W design
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| UC-7420—Monitoring
Unmanned Weather Stations |
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Introduction
Unmanned weather stations play an essential role in the
effort to analyze and predict the world's ever-changing
weather patterns. The unmanned stations collect and store
large amounts of weather data and then download the data
at regular intervals to a back-end host for analysis and
long-term storage. The computing device housed in the weather
station must be robust enough to work continuously for long
periods of time while exposed to a wide range of temperatures.
It should also be able to collect readings from diverse
sensors that use different data transmission protocols,
and have the capability to store large amounts of data.
Protocol
Conversion and Front-end Data Processing
The data collected by a typical unmanned weather station
includes temperature, rainfall and snow amounts, air pressure,
humidity, and ultraviolet intensity. One of the tasks that
the UC-7420
unit must handle is protocol conversion, since there is
no guarantee that the devices collecting the weather data
all use the same protocol. In addition, the UC-7420 can
be used to do preliminary data processing before downloading
data to the central computer. Moxa's UC-7420 is ideally
suited for these tasks, since the user can easily embed
a C program that is custom written for the devices used
at the station. If future changes involve adding or removing
devices, the programmer simply needs to modify the C code,
recompile it, and then download the executable program over
the network to the UC unit.
Connecting
to the Network and the Internet
In addition to being programmable, UC also offers users
with an array of connection options. To begin with, data
entering the serial ports from attached sensors can be processed
and then forwarded through one or both of the dual Ethernet
ports to the LAN. One of the serial ports can also be connected
to a V.90 or GPRS modem for PPP connections, and a PCMCIA
port is available for installing a wireless LAN card for
802.11b/g networks. By including multiple connection options
in UC's design, user's gain the flexibility needed to connect
from virtually anywhere. Combinations of connection types
can also be used to provide redundancy. For example, if
unavoidable network problems cause an interruption in service,
the user can connect by modem.
CompactFlash
Storage Space
One of the dilemmas faced when creating a "small"
computer is how to provide users with adequate storage
space. For unmanned applications, it is best if the storage
device
does not contain moving parts. Although for day-to-day
use it may seem that hard drives last forever, we cannot
make
this assumption for continuous use at a remote location.
Moxa's embedded Linux computer gets around this problem
by providing a CompactFlash slot. If needed, Flash memory
cards with
storage
capacity
of up to several Gigabytes can be used to store data until
it's convenient to transfer the data to a central computer.
Benefits
of Using Moxa's Embedded Computer
- No
fan, no hard drive design for longer MTBF
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Compact Flash slot for adding Gigabytes of storage space
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Dual-LAN ports for setting up super-redundant systems
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Programmability gives system integrators infinite possibilities
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| NPort
IA—Fuel Duct Monitoring Case Study |
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One
of the most important tasks for petrochemical applications
is monitoring the status of oil pipes. In the past, information
was gathered manually, but with the NPort
IA series, engineers can monitor oil density, oil
pressure, and oil temperature over an Ethernet connection.
Furthermore, since the distance between measurement points
could be 1 km, 1.5 km, or even more than 10 km, fiber
Ethernet is a convenient choice for this type of application.
The NPort IA series has passed Class I/Div II explosion-proof
certification, which provides a further guarantee of
the products' safety.
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MOXA
NEWS |
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| Moxa's
Integrating Video, Voice, and Data Over One Network Solution
Unveiled at SPS Show 2005 |
|  Moxa
Networking, a world-class manufacturer of industrial
Ethernet
products, displayed its total solution for "Video,
Voice, and Data Over One Network" at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES
show from November 22 to 24, 2005, in Nuremberg, Germany.
Each
year, the SPS show attracts automation players—especially
for manufacturing automation—from all over the world.
At this 3-day show, we exhibited our newest products,
and
attracted many interested visitors to our booth. Product
lines exhibited included Industrial Ethernet Switches,
Media
Converters, Wireless AP/Bridge/AP Client, NPort IA Industrial
Serial Device Servers, Network I/O Servers, Embedded
Computers,
and Video over IP Servers. All products generated much
interest from people visiting the show.
Moxa's
two new Gigabit Ethernet Switches—EDS-726
and EDS-518,
both of which are ideal for industrial control and automation
applications—generated a particular amount of interest
at the show. EtherDevice™ Switch EDS-726 is a 26-port
modular
Gigabit managed switch that supports a redundant Gigabit
Ethernet Turbo Ring. This highly versatile, high performance
switch meets the demands of harsh industrial applications.
EtherDevice™ Switch EDS-518, an 18-port Gigabit managed
switch, supports many intelligent network management functions,
including QoS, IGMP Snooping/GMRP, VLAN, and IEEE 802.1X.
Another
product featured at the show was AWK-1100,
an Industrial IEEE 802.11g Wireless AP/Bridge/AP Client,
which is designed to be used with Ethernet switches and
other Ethernet-ready devices to provide ready access to
a wireless LAN. Attractive features include WPA (Wi-Fi Protected
Access) security capability, operating temperature range
from 0 to 60°C, and redundant power inputs.
In
addition to the Industrial Ethernet Switch series and
Wireless Ethernet
products, Moxa's Network I/O server solution—ioLogik
4000 series—also got a big response. Moxa ioLogik
4000 is designed to link the analog world with the digital
world. With ioLogik 4000, you can connect a variety
of sensors and devices to computers and applications over
standard Ethernet networks and the Internet.
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| Moxa
Technologies Connects BabyLove Art with Wireless Application |
|  Moxa
Technologies was happy to provide several wireless
serial device servers to the BabyLove project, which
will be
displayed
at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. The BabyLove
project, which took four months to complete, was led
by
the well-known artist Shu Lea Cheang. Mr Cheang and eight
teams located around the world used digital technology
to
create this avant-garde audio-visual art exhibit.
The
BabyLove exhibit consists of baby dolls seated inside large-sized
spinning coffee cups that double as bumper cars. A combination
of red, blue, green, yellow, and orange colors is used to
create a striking and attractive display. Each of the dolls
has a wireless device server hidden in the doll's
interior, and two speakers are attached to the doll's
diapers to transmit sound. Spectators who sit in the cups
can upload their favorite music to the doll's music
system over a wireless network. When one cup bumps into
another, the two participants will be able to hear each
others' music emanating from the speakers in their
own cup. The purpose of creating such a unique combination
of dolls, bumper cars, and digital technology is to emphasize
how modern technology can be used to enhance interpersonal
communications.
 The
BabyLove project will be exhibited on December 8th
at the Palais
de Tokyo exhibition hall in Paris, France, and in May at
the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.
The
Moxa product used for this project is NPort 2150, a wireless
serial device server that is used to connect serial devices
to a wireless network. More information about this product
is available on the Moxa Group's website at http://www.moxa.com/product/NPort_W22502150.htm
For
more information about the BabyLove project, please visit
the artist's website at http://babylove.tmoa.gov.tw.
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| Moxa's
Green Products Are Ready to Go |
| Moxa
is dedicated to helping create and maintain a safe and clean
environment, but our efforts are not limited just to the
product. We have also taken great care to ensure that the
product box, all types of packing material, plastic box
handles, ink, and all other materials used to process and
ship our products, meet the RoHS guidelines.
We are happy
to annouce that several of Moxa's green products are being
released in December, with more products ready to ship next
month. In order to maintain a smooth transition from "non-green
products" to "green products," we would like
all of you to announce this "green news" to your
customers. To learn how to obtain samples of green products
for testing, please contact your Moxa sales representative.
Limited
quantities of the following Green products will be available
in December of this year:
CP-118U, CP-168U V2, CP-104UL V2, CP-104JU V2, CP-102U/UL,
CP-132UL V2 Series, CA-104, CA-132, CA-132I, NPort 5400
Series, NE-4100 Series.
Green
versions of the following models will be available in
January
of 2006:
CP-118U, CP-168U V2, CP-104JU V2, CP-132UL-I V2.
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PROMOTIONS
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New
UC-7408 Web Pages Promote Moxa's
DI / DO Embedded
Computer |
| The
combination of a ready-to-run embedded Linux OS with
a small, all-in-one computer is reason
enough to sit up and take notice. But add on an 8-channel
DIO and what you get is a powerful tool for data acquisition
with DIO control.
UC-7408
features eight RS-232/422/485 serial ports, dual 10/100
Mbps Ethernet ports, 8-ch DI and 8-ch DO, PCMCIA slot, CompactFlash
interface for flash disk, and Wireless communication expansion.
The
pre-installed Linux OS provides an open software operating
system for your software program development. Software written
for a desktop PC can be easily ported to the UC-7408
platform by using a GNU cross compiler, without needing
to modify the source code.
>>
Contact us now
Key
Features
Intel Xscale IXP-422 266 MHz Processor
On-board 128 MB RAM, 32 MB Flash Disk
Eight RS-232/422/485 serial ports
8 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs (TTL level)
Dual 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
Optional PCMCIA/CompactFlash/Wireless LAN expansion
Linux-ready communication platform
Wall mountable
Robust fanless design
5-year warranty
Application
Focus
Data Acquisition with DIO Control
Alarm and Event Handing
Protocol Conversion
Web Monitoring
Secure Device Server
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| New
ITS Theme Site Promotes Moxa's Products in the Traffic &
Transportation Markets |
|
Moxa
recently launched a new theme site that focuses on industrial
Ethernet solutions for Intelligent Transportation Systems.
Traffic systems are made up of many complex subsystems,
and require a more stable, reliable, and secure solution.
Moxa's ITS
theme site highlights applications for roadways, railways,
and tunnel traffic solutions.
The
following information is available on Moxa's ITS theme
site:
Industrial
Ethernet Solutions for Roadways, Railways, and
Tunnel Systems
See
how MOXA products can be used to create roadway,
railway, and tunnel traffic control and monitoring
for:
- Roadway Traffic Control Solutions
- Integrated Ethernet Solutions for Railway Automation
- Tunnel Traffic Control Solutions
Application
References for Intelligent Transportation Vertical Markets
The
reference stories in this section describe application
methods and system diagrams for using Moxa's
products in traffic systems:
- Signal Control System for Subway No. 1
- Baifeng Tunnel Monitoring System
- Video/Voice/Data over One Network for Industrial Science Parks
Technical
Information on Using Ethernet for Transportation
Management Systems
Ethernet
is being used as the communication interface for
many traffic applications. The following White Papers
and brochures are available for download:
- The Transmission of Video Images for Transportation Management Systems
- Video over Gigabit IP Networks
- The Serial to Ethernet Guidebook
Product
Showcase of Moxa’s Industrial Ethernet
Solutions for ITS Applications
Moxa provides robust networking equipment that includes
a wide array of industrial Ethernet switches, wireless
Ethernet products, Video over IP video servers, interface
converters, serial device servers, Ethernet I/O servers,
and embedded computers. The many choices available can
be used for traffic control applications, such as railway
traffic control systems, traffic information display
systems, vehicle management systems, intelligent transportation
systems, and traffic signal and video monitoring systems.
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