Factory Automation

We describe the use of IEEE 1394b, Ethernet and the new CoaXPress™ standard for Machine Vision applications. Cameras can be used alone in inspection systems – or integrated into automated process equipment (robotics).

However, there are other applications in Factory Automation (FA) including system control, motion control and the integration of sensor signals for servo control. There is a clear benefit to using general commercial networking technology where possible; for example "industrial grade" Ethernet is widely used in factory-wide automation. Ethernet is not, however, the optimum solution for high-precision motion control. This is due to the potential for latency in the Ethernet protocol. For this reason, FireWire is often preferred for motion control applications.

EqcoLogic has a number of products that support FA, with or without the inclusion of cameras:

• The EQCO400T is an equalizer for FireWire (or IEEE1394b) that allows signals up to 500Mbit/s to be transmitted over long lengths of Cat5 or Cat6 cable. It is widely used in motion control and more complex robotics applications
• The EQCO850SC and EQCO875SC permit transmission of 1394b (up to 1Gbit/s) or Ethernet (100Mbit/s and 1Gigabit/s) over single long-haul coax cables. The benefit of coax is its intrinsically good behaviour with regard to electro-magnetic noise. Both immunity and emissions can be better than with unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables such as Cat 5 or Cat 6.