August 2021

n TECHNOLOGY July/August 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 22 PHOENIX CONTACT has developed a technology for contactless transmission of data and power which, it claims, is the first that can transmit protocol- independent and latency-free Ethernet wirelessly at speeds of up to 100 Mbps across an air gap of up to 10mm. The NearFi technology can also transmit 50W constantly across the gap. The couplers can transmit any Ethernet signals – including Profinet IRT, Sercos and EtherCat – with no appreciable latency. They are also suitable for developments such as TSN and OPC UA. The technology provides the full duplex transmission – simultaneous transmission in both directions – needed for real-time Ethernet protocols. It does this using two 60GHz connections (an uplink and a downlink) operating in parallel on separate frequency bands. Other wireless transmission technologies use packet-based transmission, resulting in significant latency because packets are first received, then repackaged before being sent wirelessly. At the receiver, the wireless packet must be unpackaged, and output again. This process involves many asynchronous and latency-causing operations. Phoenix says that its synchronous bit-oriented transmission technology eliminates such delays. Two devices are needed for transmission: a base coupler and a remote coupler. They do not need to be configured and are said to be as easy to use as a connector. A built-in alignment aid ensures that signals can be transmitted as soon as the devices are coupled. Many NearFi systems can operate in parallel and can coexist with existing wireless technologies such as WLAN or Bluetooth, without interference. One of the first applications is expected to be replacing wear-prone connectors or sliprings, especially when parts are reaching their limits due to contamination, vibration, or frequent contact. Another potential application is in robotic tool-changers, where connectors need to be connected and disconnected frequently and connector service lives are limited. In such applications, the contacts can become damaged, dirty and misshapen, leading to production stoppages and requiring costly maintenance. The NearFi couplers can be mounted easily and flexibly using universal mounts. Unlike conventional connectors, they can face each other from any direction, even rotating relative to each other. They can face each other with an offset, or at a tangential angle. With robust IP65 housings and M12 connections for Ethernet and power, the couplers can be used in tough environments. Transmission is possible through non- metallic materials such as glass, plastic and wood. The inductive transmission of up to 2A at 24V can be used to power devices such as I/O stations and switches without needing to make contact. The base coupler generates a magnetic field via a coil, which is induced in the coil of the remote coupler. Active closed-loop control selects the best possible parameters for the power transmission. This means that the power does not reduce with distance, and remains at a constant 50W over distances of up to 10mm. Bright LEDs provide all-around visual signals, indicating the readiness of the coupling link in all directions. www.phoenixcontact.co.uk https://www.phoenixcontact.com/onlin e/portal/gb Wireless technology is ‘first’ to transmit Ethernet with no latency p The US semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology has announced a series of 1.7kV silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor devices and modules which, it says, will allow engineers to move beyond silicon (Si) IGBTs (integrated gate bipolar transistors), thus boosting performance and saving space and weight in power converter designs.“Lossy”Si IGBTs, it says, compromise performance and need complicated topologies due to their switching frequency limitations. They also need large, heavy transformers. SiC systems will allow two-level topologies with fewer parts, higher efficiencies, and simpler control schemes. www.microchip.com p The Belgian piezo specialist Xeryon has announced a miniature (22.7 x 14.8 x 5.4mm) linear actuator, based on ultrasonic piezo technology, which it claims is the world’s smallest. The XLA 1 actuator can achieve speeds up to 1m/s and precision levels of 78nm. Depending on the application, the travel range can be 5–185mm and the lifetime“well over 100km”. There is also a bigger version (the XLA 3) with a 3Nmotor which can move larger payloads. https://xeryon.com p Mitsubishi Electric has opened a 132m 2 5G Open Innovation Lab in Japan where it will collaborate with customers and partners to test and research 5G private communications systems. The 4.8–4.9GHz test environment will be used to compare the performance of 5G with other wireless technologies such asWi-Fi 6 and LTE. It will also test and demonstrate automatic and remote control of mobile robots via 5G for applications such as security and facility inspections. p A US company, NironMagnetics , has secured $21.3m of funding from backers that include Volvo, to build a pilot production facility for what, it claims, will be the world’s first high-performance permanent magnets free of rare-earth materials. The technology, the result of a decade of r&d, relies on iron and nitrogen to deliver better performance and lower costs. No toxic mining or processing is needed. The first-generation magnets will achieve a field strength of 0.9 Tesla – enough for industrial motors – while Niron is aiming for 1.5 Tesla in a second generation, making the magnets suitable for high-torque-density applications such as EV drivetrains. https://nironmagnetics.com p The Ethernet Alliance has announced progress on standards that will allow data transmissions at speeds of 400Gb/s or faster. One new standard (IEEE 802.3cu) supports power-efficient single-mode fibre interfaces for 100 and 400Gb/s Ethernet networking, using 100Gb/s optical technology to cuts costs and increase densities. Another standard (IEEE P802.3ct), at the final review stage, will support 100Gb/s speeds over distances of more than 80km. www.ethernetalliance.org p California-based Inseego has announced a 5G industrial gateway which, it claims, offers best-in-class throughput and reliability for industrial IoT and enterprise networks. TheWavemaker Pro 2000e is claimed to be the only 5G industrial gateway to offer simultaneous 4x4 Mimo LTE and 5G connections, allowing faster throughputs and better coverage at all times, even when falling back to LTE. It is also said to operate better at higher temperatures than other gateways. www.inseego.com TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology can transmit latency-free Ethernet and power across a gap of up to 10mm.