SLC Remote IO over wireless

Hi all,
We have 4 processes, each with their own SLC 5/03 and I/O in a single rack. We now want to tie all the controls back to a SLC 5/05 so we can get everything onto the network. My biggest challenge is that the 4 processes need to connect to the 5/05 through wireless or radio.

My initial thought was to keep the 5/03's, use a NET-ENI interface from DF1 to Ethernet and message between the controllers, but we'd rather get rid of the 5/03's and change those racks to being stictly remote I/O racks using wireless.

Does anybody have any opinions on how best to approach this?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

I don't believe your wireless IO approach is doable with a SLC. From my knowledge, the only "remote" IO options for a SLC are to use an RIO Scanner module, and use the RIO protocol for control of the IO, which isn't wireless. I don't believe any other network option is available with a SLC for IO control.

If you really want wireless IO control, your talking an complete upgrade.

I bet your original idea will win out on this one!

Well....of course if you want to get CREATIVE....

Upgrade those 5/03's to 5/05s. Then the remote 5/05 program only consists of logic to transfer message bits directly to the IO for control. The main 5/05 would house all of the actual program logic, it just messages IO bits to the remote processors, and the remote processors run the IO.

Yay post 500!

Agreed, your initial idea may be the best (and cheapest).

There are 3rd party modules that add extra fieldbus options to the SLC (i.e. Prosoft), but if you're restricting yourself to using the existing SLC racks as remote I/O, your options are very limited.

I wouldn't discount the idea of attaching NET-ENI's to the 5/03's and loading them with simple programs that just handle the MSG instructions. As long as your I/O speed requirements aren't too demanding, it should work well. I do recall seeing posts on this board about NET-ENI's dropping connections, so you may want to do some testing before committing yourself.

Thanks both for the help!

If go with the NET-ENI's, I may program in a heartbeat so if I loose comms, it will revert to running off the 5/03's.

Here are some Wireless Solutions

Prosoft Module and a radiolynx unit for wireless http://www.prosoft-technology.com/prosoft/products/for_rockwell_automation/platform/slc/mvi46_dfnt

http://www.prosoft-technology.com/content/view/full/14584

Control Chief

http://www.controlchief.com/docs/communicator.pdf

Data Linc

If you are not in a hurry the 1747-Aent module will be right around the corner before the end of the year and most likely sooner than that.

http://www.data-linc.com/srmfamily/srm6200e.htm