New product: Dual Ethernet ports add versatility to RTU

By Control Engineering Staff May 2, 2007

Emerson has expanded Ethernet connectivity for its Bristol ControlWave Micro Hybrid RTU with dual Ethernet ports. This addition allows the unit to support larger applications by providing network segmentation without the need for external routers. Emerson says the result is that host communication can be separated from expansion I/O communication, maximizing speed and bandwidth available to control I/O.

The ControlWave Micro Hybrid RTU is a flexible standards-based controller designed for remote measurement, control. and SCADA applications in the energy, water, and wastewater industries. The base chassis is expandable with up to 14 I/O slots, and can support several additional chassis with 14 slots each, using the new dual port Ethernet CPU. Expansion chassis can be local or remote as needed. I/O connections can support analog or digital device communication.

Ethernet ports can also interface with third-party devices through integral Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, and CIP protocols. Programming software is compliant with IEC 61131-3 international standard for PLC programming, and supports all five languages. It is further enhanced with a library of ACCOL III process control function blocks allowing the use of a single controller for logic, process control functions, measurement, calculations, and data storage.

—Edited by Peter Welander, process industries editor, PWelander@cfemedia.com , Control Engineering Weekly News (Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free.)