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New MAXIFLEX CPU for Inter-networking

OMNIFLEX releases most versatile MAXIFLEX CPU Ever

Omniflex has announced the release of the most versatile CPU ever designed for the Maxiflex RTU product range. This addition considerably enhances what is already a powerful remote I/O system that uses the field proven Conet local area inter-networking technology. The new 'T1' CPU is designed specifically for Remote I/O, offering 4 major new features in a combination of technologies that enhance functionality, user-friendliness and value to the user. Enhanced Data Access through Virtual Data Access The first upgrade is that the Data Interchange Table (DIT), which is used to store paramaters and I/O variables, has been increased from 3250 to 64000 registers, with each I/O slot in a Maxiflex node now allocated 4000 registers. Thus the network can read and write all I/O and configuration parameters directly without the need for any user programming. The major benefit is that all of the data within a Maxiflex rack is totally available to the network, right down to I/O level, with no programming effort whatsoever. Internetwork Routing Secondly, following the ISO OSI 7-layer network model, new developments in the network layer have resulted in a powerful facility for reaching right down to the factory floor in very large, geographically spread out Conet networked installations. While much debate prevails over the choice of Fieldbus to use, Omniflex has quietly taken Conet internetworking to a new level of user friendliness and functionality and the T1 CPU, together with Network Interface Modules (NIMs) provide an unbeatable "Zero Programming" combination. This new technology allows Conet to be used together with the increasing range of Maxiflex Network Interface modules to create a seamless network across various fieldbus systems and manufacturer's instruments. The internetworking feature very simply means that the TI CPU has a built-in router which enables the user to link many dissimilar networks into a single seamless intranet. Using additional Network Interface Modules, Conet networks can be extended indefinitely (so that the distance limitation issue in single network installations is no longer an issue), at the same time facilitating a distributed hub topology for complex cable routing applications. Plug & Talk The T1 CPU also automatically monitors the presence of any I/O module in the system, and, without the need for a programmer to write a single line of code, scans these and writes the I/O values into corresponding Data Interchange Table registers for quick and easy network access. The CPU keeps a copy of the module configuration parameters in non-volatile memory so if any I/O module requires replacement, it is instantly re-configured and updated as it is plugged in - without user intervention. Any Maxiflex I/O module can be plugged into any slot in the base and it is instantly recognized and included in the scan tasks without any user intervention, thus taking data acquisition and control to a new level of user friendliness, with minimised system programming.

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