Edge controller provides flexible digitisation

As well as facilitating the exchange of data between industrial control systems and cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and AnyViz, the new edgeController from ifm electronic also provides freely programmable control functionality and versatile visualisation options in a single compact unit. It, therefore, offers a complete and flexible solution for the digitisation of machines and systems.

The new edgeController incorporates a high-resolution, high-brightness 12.3-inch colour touchscreen display partnered with a powerful 64-bit 1.2GHz quad-core processor which delivers full performance at ambient temperatures as high as 60 ºC. A further important benefit is that it can be used in almost all industrial applications without the need for additional protection as it features a robust diecast aluminium housing with an IP65 ingress protection rating.

Plug-and-play access to plant or machine I/O data in real-time is supported via industrial Ethernet protocols such as EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP. Control functions are programmed using CODESYS V3.5, or the unit can be used as a platform for pre-defined functions which means that no programming is necessary. A real-time clock with battery back-up is incorporated and, to maximise data security, the unit complies with the requirements of BSI and IEC 62443-4-2.

For ease of connection, the edgeController offers two USB and two Ethernet interfaces. The Ethernet interfaces support 10Base-T and 100Base-TX transmission standards with TCP/IP, TCP/IP JSON, UDP and HTTP protocols, while the USB interfaces support the USB 2.0 standard with data transmission rates up to 480Mbit/s.