COMbricks™ – The first PROFIBUS and PROFINET-based automation system that unites network components, permanent monitoring with ProfiTrace and remote I/O.COMbricks is a modular system that allows a mix of automation components on a backplane. Repeater modules can be inserted next to a PROFIBUS device and at the same time, in a web browser over Ethernet, the condition of the installation can be remotely inspected with ProfiTrace OE.
Applications
- Remote maintenance station (ProfiTrace OE)
- Modular repeater backbone with hotswap
- Transparent datahub; repeaters, fibre optic, RS 485-IS, DP device, etc
- Gateway between PROFIBUS and PROFINET (DP/PN couplers)
- Remote I/O for PROFIBUS and PROFINET
Product Features
- 32 modules (10 high-speed modules)
- A wide range of modules available
- ProfiTrace OE
- Hotswap and extendible
- DIN-rail mounting
- IP 20
Modular PROFIBUS repeaters
The current trend with PROFIBUS projects is to use segmentation with repeaters, fibre optic and ProfiHubs to bridge the common faults of the end-user concerning his cabling difficulties. COMbricks adds another important element; the creation of modular and random repeater hubs that can be maintained remotely with a permanent internal ProfiTrace.
COMbricks is based on a backplane into which 10 hot swap repeater modules with 2 channels each can be inserted (20 galvanic isolated transparent segments). Every channel can handle 31 devices and a maximum 1200 m cable length (depending on the baudrate).
The bus redundancy technology of the repeater modules is very advanced. A redundant system with 10 parallel network cables can be built. This architecture provides extremely high availability. Most suppliers only allow 2 cables.
ProfiTrace OE – Remote monitoring in a web browser
Permanent and simultaneous monitoring of 4 PROFIBUS networks is a powerful feature of COMbricks.Global projects and a shortage of (qualified) technical staff members are causing significant capacity problems. COMbricks offers a solution by remotely monitoring PROFIBUS installations over the Internet and alerting the user by email.
A web server with a ProfiTrace shell visualises the information in an understandable format (ProfiTrace OE). Because of the web browser, additional software is NOT required and a constant connection with a PC to the COMbricks is NOT necessary. The monitoring and logging are performed by the repeater modules which are inserted in the backplane. COMbricks is the first system that has integrated the busmonitor into the network components. Deploying COMbricks repeaters for regular automation means an automatic availability of ProfiTrace OE.
E-mail messages provide real-time alerts should malfunctions be detected in the PROFIBUS installation. These can be easily set up through the web server.
A brand new functionality within ProfiTrace OE is device location detection. It gives a detailed overview of on which repeater segment the devices are installed in.
