Our Blog

Categories

How Time-Sensitive Networking Enables IIoT

The world’s first time-sensitive networking (TSN) testbed is being developed in a collaborative effort to change network infrastructure so that it will enhance the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). As this develops, it is essential that Industry 4.0. Machine designers, builders, and users have reliable and secure access to smart edge devices. This will force the current, standard network technologies to transform in an effort to meet the requirements of the next generation of industrial systems.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Tool Demonstration

his is a brief tutorial on how to operate the Procentec PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Toolkit Ultra Plus. For this tutorial, the PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Toolkit Ultra Plus is used. The PROFIBUS Training Kit will also be utilized; this is used for our troubleshooting and maintenance training using the ProfiTrace tools. In the PROFIBUS Training Kit, there is a PLC in the bottom of the case as well as five devices in the inner lid of the case. The last thing we will use is a Windows PC that is running ProfiTrace software.

Will Net Neutrality Impact the Future of IoT?

The debate over net neutrality has the potential to transform the current infrastructure of the internet. Net neutrality is primarily focused on whether Internet Service Providers (ISP) should be able to provide “fast lanes” or throttle speeds based on bandwidth consumption, and as a measure to provide quality internet speeds. Certain corporations such as Netflix provide services that consume mass quantities of data, which can drastically slow down internet speeds for other users. If situations like these enable ISPs to be able to charge large data consumers for quality service, then there will be an impact on a corporate level that could trickle down to the level of individual consumers. Net neutrality has the potential to alter the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) as more internet-enabled devices are generating data and using bandwidth.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Tool Demo: Topology

The last part that is included in the troubleshooting kit Ultra Plus is the tab called “Topology,” which is located directly to the right of the bar graph tab. This can be used to calculate the topology, which is basically a drawing of the instillation. It tells the user who is connected to who in this daisy chain of PROFIBUS cables. When starting this up, it is important that the user selects where on the bus they are connected. In this case, we plugged the ProfiCore Ultra onto the PG connector on the PLC/master. So on the drop down menu, we would select master.

The Internet of Things Mentality

Whatever there is to be said about the development of connected devices in recent years, it is obvious that the attitude behind the Internet of Things (IoT) has been mostly visionary up until this point. Some products have had more success than others, but on a broad scale, the adoption of IoT tech has been a slow process.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Demo: Bar Graph

The next thing we will take a look at is the “Bar graph” tab, which is directly to the right of the ScopeWare one. The bar graph is measuring the amplitude of the signal coming from each device. On the graph, there is the signal and address on the far left in which the ProfiCore Ultra is connected to in order for it to be the strongest. Devices further away have a little bit less strength in signal.

The Importance of STEM Education

Innovation is at the forefront of the technical field, requiring a societal emphasis on the development of technological skills. It is now more important than ever that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are a main aspect of the educational infrastructure. Science and technology are improving the quality of human life by creating innovative technology that is becoming a more integrated part of our bodies and environments. Engineering and mathematics are helping to overcome the challenges faced around the globe. The need for STEM-based innovation will make it essential that students are being trained to fill the occupational demands in STEM fields.

PROFIBUS Troubleshooting Tool Demo: ScopeWare

Most problems in PROFIBUS are caused by physical layer problems. This essentially means there are cabling issues such as terminating resistors, shielding, rounding, and EMC. Things like this can cause problems with the high speed data communication cable, which is the PROFIBUS cable. One of the important tools in this program is called “ScopeWare,” which can be accessed on the upper left corner of the screen directly to the right of the ProfiTrace tab.

The Internet of Things Wins the Gold Medal in Rio

Every four years, the world’s best athletes come together to represent their countries and demonstrate their superior athletic ability. The spectacular showmanship displayed from the start of the opening ceremony, all the way to the end of the last competition, can make it hard to see some of the other amazing things that occur during the Olympics. The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics will include a variety of cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technology that will assist in creating and improving the beautiful showcase of events that we have come to adore.

Better with Age: Chicago’s Top Ten Startup Founders over 40

Successful startups are driven by experience, knowledge, and an overall understanding of respective industries. This type of wisdom enables older founders to be well-equipped to envision the ideal workplace, with its unique office perks that are often associated with startup cultures. While most people picture a youthful individual as the stereotypical startup found, this does not pertain to a lot of startup companies.

Get our monthly newsletter for product and technology updates