nControl

nControl

Clearbox Systems is proud to present nControl, an exciting new solution to the Remote Monitoring and Control (M&C) problem. nControl offers cost effective reliability and scalability that was previously unheard of through the use of a new distributed processing archeticture. nControl allows you to put your M&C processing at the device being monitored.

Each nControl module contains a 140MHz CPU capable of running all the M&C software at the device. Using this low cost approach, each device can have its own control module meaning that in the unlikely event of a module failure, you only lose visability of a single device rather than a whole site.

This approach also suits large installations where equipment is spread around a large site, as it prevents the need for extensive cabling of the site. Business who have many sites with a small amount of equipment on each site, for example cellular operators, would also benefit greatly from this archeticture.

The nControl module is a device level control system, each module contains 2 multiformat serial ports (RS232/422/485) which are isolated to 4kV and have 15kV ESD protection. These ports can be used to connect to a device for monitoring, or to a modem for intersite communications.

A Dual ethernet ports can be used for redundany site communications, or to interconnect to a device for control over an ethernet protocol such as SNMP, ModbusTCP or a custom protocol. The ethernet ports have 2.5kV of isolation, and one port supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a method to power to module.

The module can use a USB powered modem for central site communications. This allows the use of USB modems (freeing the serial ports) and also means than local power is not required for the modem.

Power can be supplied to the the module over Ethernet (PoE) or as AC or DC 10 - 70V unregulated. This allows for a wide range of operating environments without the need for special power requirements. The internal power supply is fully isolated, and there are no moving parts in the module making it an industrial hardened unit.

Key Features At A Glance

  • Small modular design allows the control system to be located at the device being controlled
  • Modular design aviods the "all eggs in one basket" approach of site controller methodologies
  • A fully isolated design (Ethernet, Serial, and Power), protects downstream equipment from device faults such as lightning strikes of power failure
  • Powerful and versitile computing platform allows sophisticated network management platform software to be run
  • Powered from 9 - 70V unregulated AD/DC power, or Power over Ethernet
  • All software and config can reside on a removable SD card for each configuration and module replacement

 

Interfaces
  • 2 x 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with Power over Ethernet support and auto crossover
  • 2 x RS232/422/485 Serial ports, with software format selection
  • 1 x High speed type B USB port
Processing
  • 140MHz CPU with active frequency stepping for low power consumption
  • 32MB SDRAM system memory
  • 32MB on-board FLASH memory containing base system image
  • 1GB removable mini SD Card containing system configuration, logs, and custom software
Isolation
  • Ethernet Ports - 2.5kV
  • Serial Ports - 4kV + 15kV ESD protection
  • Isolated power supply
Power
  • 9-70V AC/DC unregulated
  • Power over Ethernet
  • Consumption: <10W
Environmental
  • Operating Temperature: 0 to +45 deg Celcius
  • Relative Humidity: less than 80% non-condensing
Physical
  • Size: 191mm x 88mm x 26mm
  • Weight: 300g