Communication interface for industrial recorders and data-acquisition equipment passes ODVA's conformance test

Previously, dedicated software was needed to connect PLCs and other industrial controllers to a network because controllers manufactured by different companies used a variety of communication protocols. Now that progress is being achieved in standardising the communication protocol used by controllers, users can take advantage of the latest technology and select the most suitable equipment, without restrictions. The EtherNet/IP protocol supported by ODVA is widely used, especially in North America, and is increasingly being adopted by many manufacturers in Japan.

Although progress has been achieved with PLCs and more of these controllers are compatible with EtherNet/IP, the communication interfaces of industrial recorders, data-acquisition equipment, and other devices have not been standardised. With the increasing importance of data acquisition in visualising production line and other plant operations so as to conserve energy and improve quality and productivity, the prompt standardisation of these instruments is expected.

Advantages of EtherNet/IP compatibility

1. Development of a highly flexible system
By using EtherNet/IP in a standard interface, the most appropriate multivendor systems can be readily developed for users. In addition, instruments can be added or modified without any additional programming, thus improving efficiency.

2. Improved trend analysis
By making it easier to install recorders and data-acquisition equipment in plant control systems and thereby facilitating the chronological monitoring of equipment operating conditions and quality data, trends can be analysed with higher precision.

3. Transmission of vast amounts of data at high speeds over a wide area
Data can be transmitted periodically at high speeds to instruments distributed over a wide area.

4. Easy maintenance over a network
By using the Ethernet protocol, maintenance staff do not need to learn a dedicated protocol for each instrument, making it easier to control a network.

Industrial recorders and data-acquisition equipment can be used for collecting or recording data from production lines and other facilities in the automobile, iron and steel, metal, semiconductor, petroleum and chemical, pulp & paper, food, pharmaceutical, printing, water and sewage treatment, waste disposal, electricity, gas, transportation, and communications industries.

Established in 1995, the ODVA is an international organisation of control instrument manufacturers. It promotes the standardisation of communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP to realise an open network environment.