Project Introduction Radio towers are used to extend the range of radio signals that provide communication between people or companies. Since radio towers are spread out over wide areas, they are particularly difficult to monitor. Usually, field engineers are required to drive to each site for regular status checks. A more efficient solution would be to monitor each tower remotely. Traditionally, this involves the use of a PLC to monitor and control a number of devices on-site.
System Requirements A client needed to monitor many individual items for a set of unmanned radio towers. Sensors would be used to detect motion, smoke, fuel tank levels, door activity, power generator status, and lighting system status. In addition, a local alarm system would be installed and would need to be managed. While PLCs are traditionally used for this type of I/O device monitoring and control, a different solution was desired for remote management over IP networks. The system needed to providereal-time information to the central station and allow easy remotemaintenance. The I/O controller needed to satisfy the following requirements:
Simple local device control capability
Implementation that does not require programming
Time-stamped data for I/O device status
Efficient use of Ethernet bandwidth
Software that can easily manage thousands of stations
System Description
An ioLogik E2210 served as the I/O controller at each radio tower for unmanned monitoring. If the attached sensors detect motion and a door opening, the ioLogik E2210 will activate the alarm buzzer, trigger an IP camera, and send an alarm message with real-time stamp over the network to the control center. The ioLogik E2210 will also send a message to the control center if the fuel level sensor detects that the level has dropped below a certain threshold. Establishing the control logic required no programming thanks to the ioLogik's patented Click&Go logic. The architecture allowed complete monitoring of critical items at the radio tower without requiring a field engineer to visit each site. Engineers could operate from a control center and simply respond to alarm messages as they are received.
Project Implementation
Why Moxa?
Conclusion
ioLogik E2210
Active Ethernet I/O server with 12 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs
VPort 351
1-channel industrial video encoder
supporting full motion MPEG4/MJPEG
Real-time stamp for alarm messages
Proactive alarm messages that reduce bandwidth
Click&Go logic for local device control without programming
Industrial-grade IP camera
Rugged industrial Ethernet switch
Moxa is the one of leading companies that provides industrial communication solutions. The Active Ethernet I/O solution in this application is an excellent alternative to using traditional PLCs for remote monitoring of unmanned sites. Active Ethernet I/O not only allows local device control, but also provides efficient Ethernet connectivity. Furthermore, Moxa offers all the products necessary for a complete, tightlyintegrated solution for the whole system.
