2008 Press Releases-01

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its recently developed EtherNet/IP compatible communication interface for industrial recorders and data acquisition equipment has passed the ODVA(*) conformance test – a first in this field. Based on the EtherNet/IP protocol that is gaining acceptance as an industry standard, this interface eliminates the need for dedicated software to connect data acquisition equipment with other devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLC) or temperature controllers, thus simplifying system development. This communication interface will be installed on our industrial recorders and data acquisition equipment starting in fiscal year 2008.

Development Background
Previously, dedicated software was needed to connect PLCs and other industrial controllers to a network because controllers manufactured by different companies used a variety of communication protocols. Now that progress is being achieved in standardizing the communication protocol used by controllers, users can take advantage of the latest technology and select the most suitable equipment, without restrictions. The EtherNet/IP protocol supported by ODVA is widely used, especially in North America, and is increasingly being adopted by many manufacturers in Japan.

Although progress has been achieved with PLCs and more of these controllers are compatible with EtherNet/IP, the communication interfaces of industrial recorders, data acquisition equipment, and other devices have not been standardized. With the increasing importance of data acquisition in visualizing production line and other plant operations so as to conserve energy and improve quality and productivity, the prompt standardization of these instruments is expected.

Advantages of EtherNet/IP compatibility

1. Development of a highly flexible system
   By using EtherNet/IP in a standard interface, the most appropriate multivendor systems can be readily developed for users. In addition, instruments can be added or modified without any additional programming, thus improving efficiency.
   
   
2. Improved trend analysis
   By making it easier to install recorders and data acquisition equipment in plant control systems and thereby facilitating the chronological monitoring of equipment operating conditions and quality data, trends can be analyzed with higher precision.
   
   
3. Transmission of vast amounts of data at high speeds over a wide area
   Data can be transmitted periodically at high speeds to instruments distributed over a wide area.
   
   
4. Easy maintenance over a network
   By using the Ethernet protocol, maintenance staff do not need to learn a dedicated protocol for each instrument, making it easier to control a network.
   
   

Major applications of industrial recorders and data acquisition equipment
They can be used for collecting or recording data from production lines and other facilities in the automobile, iron and steel, metal, semiconductor, petroleum and chemical, pulp & paper, food, pharmaceutical, printing, water and sewage treatment, waste disposal, electricity, gas, transportation, and communications industries.

*ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association)
Established in 1995, the ODVA is an international organization of control instrument manufacturers. It promotes the standardization of communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP to realize an open network environment.