Advantages Of Numeric DisplaysFiber-Optic Amplifiers are an integral part of many application areas. They have developed from what were originally simple devices into complex multi-functional switches packed with all kinds of features. One of these features is the numeric display, which is primarily used for visualizing the signal received and allows the device to be adjusted not only by instinct, but according to a reproducible measured value. This results in considerable advantages, particularly in critical applications.
Problems Of Conventional DevicesIn general, the use of numeric displays is not just limited to visualizing the value of the signal received. Conventional high-end devices also allow excess gain, minima and maxima, timer and counter values to be displayed. Although this is useful, its practical use is fairly confusing. Granted, there is no shortage of operating instructions describing the extensive functions in detail. But who wants to study voluminous and sometimes virtually incomprehensible manuals - and this only to select a perfectly simple function?
Alphanumeric DisplayThe newly-developed device from Contrinex (Picture 1) takes this unsatisfactory situation into account. The original idea was simply to incorporate essential elements of the operating instructions directly into the device. However, this requires text to be displayed, which is only possible to a limited extent with the 7-segment displays used previously. In order to transfer the operating instructions to the device, the use of an alphanumeric display seems therefore evident. The context-sensitive display thus realized guides the user from function to function starting from every imaginable
operating state (Picture 2).
Except for very complex, seldom-needed functions, the device can thus be used immediately after installation and without further instructions. The nevertheless
available operating instructions can remain in the packaging. Teach precision
A further, little-known problem of conventional devices lies in the accuracy and resolution of the teach process. The gullible user understandably assumes that the switch point he has programmed using the teach process also corresponds to the switch
point of the device. This is, however, rarely the case. The effectively available switch
points in no way form a continuum. In the case of long operating distances in particular, they can even be quite a few mm apart.
In practice, this means that the real switch point can be a few mm above or below the
value set by the teach process. Although decisive for success in many applications,
manufacturers are rather parsimonious with details in this regard. Indeed, there is
mention of, for example, a 12-bit resolution, which, however, has but little significance in reality. As a rule, this means that, in a narrowly restricted range, very high resolution is available, whereas in the near and, above all, in the distant areas, very poor values may be obtained. The new device from Contrinex also takes this problem into account. Teach resolution (in practice tantamount to teach accuracy) is specified and guaranteed throughout the whole setting range. With the LFK-3066-103 device, it is, for example, 1 mm maximum for the whole range from 0 to 200 mm. As a rule, this value is more than sufficient and is, in addition, reliably maintained.
IO-LinkThe large information content of the received signal and the diverse setting possibilities of conventional devices can, unfortunately, only be rudimentarily integrated into systems. As a result, in practice, only the switch signal is used. The loss of useful data could, unfortunately, not be prevented until now without considerable effort and costs. This somewhat unsatisfactory situation has, however, been considerably changed with the development of IO-Link. By using the IO-Link mode, superordinate systems now have access to all information and functions obtainable locally, as well as a few additional ones. Moreover, the extra costs arising are insignificant.
BenefitsDevices equipped with the new Contrinex technology offer the user significant, previously never seen, advantages:
- Wide functional scope that can actually be used effectively in practice, thanks to
simple operation. The printed operating instructions are only necessary in exceptional
circumstances.
- Excellent, predictable, specified and guaranteed teach resolution and accuracy for
the whole sensing range.
- Continuous access to information as well as integration of functions in superordinate systems by means of the IO-Link.
CostsThe use of state-of-the-art technology is a prerequisite for the above-mentioned
benefits to be used really effectively. Neither the alphanumeric display nor the IO-Link
connection cause any appreciable increase in production costs. The new technology is therefore optimized economically as well. A marked increase in performance at no additional cost: Where else can you get that?
ApplicationsThe new devices from Contrinex do not change the characteristics and benefits of
fiber-optic applications that can be assumed to be well-known. However, they offer a
number of additional advantages for the user:
- Many functions of fiber-optic amplifiers with numeric displays were previously only
used with reserve. Operating concepts were not very transparent and there were
doubts with regard to later field use. Thanks to the integrated operating instructions,
there are no longer any obstacles to the wide use of the new devices’ additional
functions.
- The teach function works precisely, reliably and predictably, even in the case of long operating distances.
- Thanks to real-time access to the signal received and the control functions via the
superordinate systems, complex detection tasks can be resolved elegantly and
economically. If required, the devices can be dynamically reconfigured via IO-Link at
any time and without delay. Problems in use due to contaminants, unstable setting,
temperature and other influences can thus, if required, be easily eliminated via the
system.
