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 previously unheard of through the use of a new distributed processing architecture. 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 visibility 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. Businesses that have many sites with a small amount of equipment on each site, for example cellular operators, would also benefit greatly from this architecture.
The nControl module is a device level control system, each module contains 2 or 4 multi-format 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 inter-site communications.
Dual 10/100 Ethernet ports can be used for redundancy 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 are auto crossover.
Power can be supplied to the module as DC 9 – 70V unregulated. This allows for any site supply to power the unit. 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 avoids 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 or power failure.
- Powerful and versatile computing platform allows sophisticated network management platform software to be run.
- Powered from 9 – 70V unregulated DC power.
- All software and configuration can reside on a removable SD card for each configuration and module replacement.
Specifications
Interfaces
2 x 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with auto crossover
2 or 4 x RS232/422/485 Serial ports, with software format selection
Processing
140MHz CPU with active frequency stepping for low power consumption
32MB (or 64MB on 4 serial port models) 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 DC unregulated
Consumption: <10W
Environmental
Operating Temperature: 0 to +45 deg Celsius
Relative Humidity: less than 80% non-condensing
Physical
Size: 191mm x 88mm x 26mm
Weight: 300g