Rugged VPX Carrier Cards for High Speed Performance

Our partner Acromag offers a full line of rugged OpenVPX carrier cards to deliver high-speed performance for data-intensive, high bandwidth applications. 

Available in 3U or 6U formats these mezzanine carrier cards provide a simple and cost-effective solution for interfacing a PMC or XMC module to a VPX computer system. By inserting PMC or XMC industrial I/O and configurable FPGA modules on the carrier, developers can now leverage hundreds of available function modules currently unavailable in a VPX platform.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on +1 248-295-0310 or solutions@acromag.com

VPX4810	• 3U OpenVPXTM carrier for one PMC/XMC module • PMC rear I/O • PCIe bus 8-lane Gen 1 or 2 interface backplane    connection • Air-cooled, conduction-cooled, REDI versions
See full specifications
VPX4812	• 3U OpenVPXTM carrier for one XMC module • XMC rear I/O • PCIe bus 16-lane Gen 1 or 2 switch on dataplane  • Air-cooled, conduction-cooled, REDI versions
	See full specifications
VPX4820	• 6U OpenVPXTM carrier for two PMC/XMC modules • PCIe bus 16-lane Gen 1 or 2 switch on expansion   plane • Air-cooled and conduction-cooled versions
	See full specifications
VPX4821	• 6U OpenVPXTM carrier for two PMC/XMC modules • PCIe bus 16-lane Gen 1 or 2 switch on dataplane • Air-cooled and conduction-cooled versions
	See full specifications

New RS232, RS422 and RS485 Serial Communication AcroPack® I/O Modules from Acromag

Acromag have proudly announced their latest PCIe-based AcroPack®modules, the AP500 Series. The boards offer up to eight RS232 or RS422/485 communication ports with 256-byte FIFO buffers to minimise CPU interaction for improved system performance.

They are an extended version of the mPCIe specification and feature a 100-pin connector to handle the I/O. The modules plug into AcroPack^® PCIe, VPX or XMC carriers in any combination for embedded applications running on Linux^®, Windows^®, or VxWorks^® operating systems.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on +1 248-295-0310 or solutions@acromag.com

New Imaging Technique helping surgeons to effectively remove all tumours during initial Breast Cancer Surgery

All information and images were kindly provided by Phd Researcher Wes Allen from the University of Western Australia, BRITElab at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.  Futek's Jnr S Beam Load Cells are used as part of the process.

Breast cancer has the second highest mortality rate of cancers in females. Breast-conserving surgery is the most common surgical procedure used in the treatment of early stage breast cancer. The aim of this surgery is to remove all malignant tissue surrounded by a ‘margin’ of healthy tissue. Malignant tumours found within the margin is associated with a higher rate of re occurrence of cancer and as a result the patient may undergo a second surgery. Currently, 20–30% of patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery require additional surgeries.

Compression optical coherence elastography is a high resolution optical imaging technique that probes the mechanical properties of tissue. The technique can identify regions of malignant tumour by generating three-dimensional images of tissue elasticity.

The bench-top system incorporates a motorised lab jack to apply a bulk preload to the tissue before elastography is performed. Biological tissues, including human breast tissue, exhibit nonlinear stress-strain relationships. In order to be able to perform intra- and inter-specimen comparison of elasticity the bulk preload and resulting applied force must be considered. FUTEK miniature s-beam load cells are mounted onto the motorised lab jack. The applied force is monitored as the bulk preload is applied.

After publishing a number of studies on the feasibility of the technique, their group are embarking on a larger scale clinical study to determine the sensitivity and sensitivity of the technique for clinical assessment of tumour margins. Their vision is that this technology will be used in surgery theatres around the world in the future, reducing the number of additional surgeries required.

For further information about the Research undertaken by BRITElab at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, please contact Mr Wes Allen on +61 8 6151 0700.  For further information on the Futek Load Cell used please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

Video: Advantages of i2o Peer-to-Peer Communication Technology

Acromag presents a general view of i2o peer-to-peer technology. See how i2o technology, in combination with Acromag BusWorks™ series, works as a solution with your existing infrastructure. No PLC, controller, or software necessary. Using minimal wiring and simple configuration, these standalone units are your answer for reliable failsafe communication.

A few points featured in this video:
•	The benefits of peer-to-peer technology
•	How i2o is configured and mapped
•	Examples of applications and industries that benefit from i2o

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on sales@acromag.com

Click to watch "A glimpse inside FUTEK's Quality Assurance Department"

This blog was initially written by Ehsan Mokhberi who is the Business Development Manager of FUTEK.

Over the past twenty years FUTEK has created and developed its integrated Quality Culture by organizing and training a highly skilled team of professionals and selecting qualified partners. FUTEK recognizes the importance of a solid, well-disciplined supply chain and has established long-term relationships and alliances with our critical suppliers, some whom have been part of our team for over two decades. Much of our success is a direct result of this close working relationship with these FUTEK partners. Management commitment is also evident by their personal involvement in all quality related issues and the high level of communication throughout all levels of the organization.

FUTEK is uniquely positioned to produce the sensors using our proven experience and solid quality management system based on our ISO9001, ISO17025 certification, and ISO13485. In addition, FUTEK has a full in-house mechanical and electrical engineering team to design and develop the required sensors, components, and assembly along with extensive experience with the very special machining and production techniques necessary to deliver this project.

For further information on the FUTEK product range in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside this area, please contact FUTEK directly on +1 949 465 0900

App Note: Desalination System Monitoring

This application note is provided by our valued supplier, FUTEK and is purely conceptual.  For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

Application Summary

Access to clean drinking water is a necessity for every individual around the world. In many drought-stricken areas, freshwater is limited while saltwater from the ocean is abundant and plentiful. Converting saltwater into freshwater is most commonly performed through high-pressure reverse osmosis. These systems require constant pressure delivered from a system of pumps to maintain membrane health and maximize system efficiency. By incorporating a pressure sensor into a control loop control system, the pump can maintain a constant operating pressure for maximum efficiency.

Products in Use

FUTEK's PFT510 Miniature Flush Mount Pressure Sensor paired with Instrumentation (IAA Series or IDA100 Amplifiers) View Product Details

How it Works

1. A PFT510 miniature pressure sensor is inserted between the water pump output and reverse osmosis filter input.
2. The output signal from the pressure sensor is amplified with the IAA series or IDA100 amplifier and fed into a PLC.
3. The PLC regulates the motor output in response to changing pressures maintaining a constant output pressure.
4. By maintaining a consistent pressure, filter life is increased and system efficiency is maximized.
5. Additionally, with the IDA100, amplifier output can be monitored and adjusted accordingly over USB connection with FUTEK's SENSIT software.

PFT510

Miniature Flush Mount Pressure Sensor

IAA SERIES

Strain Gauge Analogue Amplifier

IDA100

Digitally Configurable Amplifier

FUTEK's YouTube Channel - one stop shop for resources, guides, demonstrations

FUTEK's YouTube Channel delivers a massive amount of content and resources in their videos. Whether it's 30 seconds of features or 10 minutes of full set-up instructions, videos often help us navigate our way through a physical product. And YouTube is a great stop for all these assets.

These days, time is money and videos are more concise and reliable at sharing need-to-know information with you (because who has time to read through hundreds of pages of manuals). From product highlights to troubleshooting guides, FUTEK's channel has tons of resources you can take advantage of. And don't forget to subscribe to their channel to stay up-to-date!

Link to FUTEK's YouTube Channel is below.

https://www.youtube.com/user/futekadvsensortech/videos

If you like further information on any of the Futek's Applications and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

For outside this area, contact FUTEK directly on +949 465 0900

Acromag XMC-7K FPGA I/O Processor Module

		Acromag’s XMC-7K modules feature a high performance user-configurable Xilinx® Kintex®-7 FPGA enhanced with high-speed memory and a high-throughput serial bus interface. The result is a powerful and flexible I/O processor module that is capable of executing custom instruction sets and algorithms.
		Get the specification sheet and user manual for complete information
		Key Features:
	•	Reconfigurable Kintex®-7 FPGA with 325k or 410k logic cells
	•	128M x 64-bit DDR3 SDRAM
	•	8-lane high-speed serial interface on rear P15 connector for PCIe
		Gen 1/2 , Serial Rapid I/O, 10Gb Ethernet, Xilinx® Aurora
	•	8-lane high-speed interfaces on rear P16 connector for
		customer-installed soft cores
	•	60 SelectI/O or 30 LVDS pairs plus 2 global clock pairs direct to
		FPGA via rear P4 port
	•	4 SelectI/O or 17 LVDS pairs plus 2 global clock pairs direct to
		FPGA via rear P16 port

Get the specification sheet and user manual for complete information

XMC-7K-AX	XMC-7K-CC	XMC-7K-F
I/O Extension Modules	Conduction Cooled	Dual SFP+ Ports

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au 

Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on +1 248-295-0310 or solutions@acromag.com

WP: How to add circuit protection when switching inductive loads

Acromag have released a new educational technical brief on how to add circuit protection when switching inductive loads. Since their digital output modules and alarm relays commonly drive inductive loads that include motor windings, solenoids, interposing relay coils, and more, they routinely recommend practices such as adding a reverse-biased shunt diode across the load terminals. Learn why curbing destructive transients produced when switching inductive loads can save equipment, extend its life, lower coupled noise and emissions, and even help protect personnel.

To download this white paper, please click here - Item 7 under downloads & manuals under the support section of our website.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on sales@acromag.com

WP: Understanding the differences between single ended and differential voltage measurement

Acromag has released a new educational guide to understanding the differences between single-ended and differential voltage measurements written by their senior design engineer, Bruce Cyburt. The guide helps explain when to choose which method. It also dispels some of the myths and misconceptions of voltage measurement and shows how to correctly apply earth ground to these connections.

To download the white paper, please click here see item 5 and 6 under the headline downloads and manuals under the support section of our website.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on sales@acromag.com

Application Note: Networking Remote Gas Detectors with Ethernet I/O

Defining the Problem:

In a wastewater treatment plant, remotely mounted gas detectors monitoring Methane CH4 (ceiling), Oxygen O2 (6 ft high) and Hydrogen Sulfide H2S (floor) have analogue outputs. The gas levels need to be saved to chart recorders located in a control room a long distance away in the plant. To save on the cost of running copper twisted pair wires, we would like to network the analogue outputs for transmission over the Ethernet infrastructure.

This application note was provided by our valued supplier Acromag.

System Requirements:

A ControlLogix PLC in the control room can communicate using Ethernet/IP protocol. The Ethernet remote I/O will accept 4 – 20mA inputs from the gas detectors and convert to Ethernet/IP. The PLC will output 4 – 20mA to the chart recorders nearby. Also, the hazardous area requires Class 1 Div 2 instruments.

Implementing the Solution:	Featured Products:
1. In the USB configured XT software, set the IP address, network parameters and input scaling.	• XT1212-000
2. Configure the PLC with Acromag’s ControlLogix application note. This document includes instructions for RSLogix 5000 and RSLinx.
3. With the XT1212-000 software and inputs wired, poll the module and check the measurements using the test page. 4. Validate the Ethernet/IP communications with an Ethernet connection between the XT and the PLC.

---

Why Acromag: 

The XT series of Remote I/O has Class 1 Div 2 ratings for hazardous locations where the Gas Detectors are installed. With simple software configuration and an application note detailing the PLC configuration, installation and testing are easily accomplished.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on sales@acromag.com

Crystal Group releases new white paper on "Direction Finding and Locating Systems that require Rugged Electronics"

The ability to detect, analyse and locate sources of radio-frequency signals has become increasingly important in many use cases. Direction finding and locating systems, also known as radio direction finding devices, are typically used in aerospace and defence, public safety, homeland security, law enforcement, and other fields to detect and locate electronic signals.

The white paper, "Direction Finding and Locating Systems Require Rugged Electronics,"  by the Crystal Group outlines the latest rugged computer and network technology for deployment in hostile environments of extreme temperature and vehicle-caused shock, including an explanation of how signal detection technology works and the potential benefits.

To download this valuable document, please click this link https://www.crystalrugged.com/white-papers/

For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

Video on advantages of i20 Peer to Peer Communication Technology

Acromag presents a general view of i2o peer-to-peer technology. See how i2o technology, in combination with Acromag BusWorks™ series, works as a solution with your existing infrastructure. No PLC, controller, or software necessary. Using minimal wiring and simple configuration, these standalone units are your answer for reliable fail safe communication.

A few points featured in this video:

The benefits of peer-to-peer technology

How i2o is configured and mapped

Examples of applications and industries that benefit from i2o

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on sales@acromag.com