EC: PACSystems RSTi

Network Integration - I/O systems: PACSystems RSTi, an innovative standards-based granular machine I/O, is based on global standards and delivers on Profinet's promise of a consistent and standard high performance communication link between field I/O and controller. This is a Control Engineering 2013 Engineers' Choice finalist.

By Control Engineering November 12, 2012

The RSTi family of Profinet-based granular I/O is part of GE Intelligent Platforms’ High Performance Platform that leverages industry standards as well as the company’s experience in embedded technology and automation to deliver long-life higher performance solutions that are easy to configure, manage, and upgrade. The RSTi, like all of new GE Intelligent Platforms control solutions, is based on open standards, leveraging GE expertise in automation and ruggedized computing to meet the needs of the industrial Internet.

The RSTi provides simplified installation by placing the granular I/O modules closer to the field devices using standard Ethernet cabling. The distributed nature of the unit provides the flexibility to expand and reconfigure field devices without impacting control-to-device wiring unlike centralized control systems that require new wiring to be installed back to the central control cabinet, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership by reducing the high cost of field wiring. 

OEMs can build machines in sections with local I/O drops which can easily be assembled at the customer site, connected to the controller by a high performance network, one standard Ethernet cable versus hundreds of wires. And, the compact size will be attractive to equipment builders and end users alike because it allows the modules to be closer to the control devices and therefore reduces wiring and hardware cost. 

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www.ge-ip.com/rsti  

GE Intelligent Platforms