Siemens allows photoelectric sensor distributed parameterization

Alpharetta, Ga. - Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. has introduced IQ Sense, a new sensor module and software for its SIMATIC ET200S distributed I/O system that allows remote parameterization of photoelectric sensors over Profibus-DP or DeviceNet industrial networks.

Alpharetta, Ga. – Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. has introduced IQ Sense, a new sensor module and software for its SIMATIC ET200S distributed I/O system that allows remote parameterization of photoelectric sensors over Profibus-DP or DeviceNet industrial networks.

IQ Sense eliminates the need for wiring three-, four-, or five-wire sensors and individual set up of each, instead providing the flexibility of fieldbus cabling and programming from a remote workstation. The module snaps into an ET200S station and is ready to coordinate parameters from a sensor’s two-wire cable, sending data to a PLC or PC via Profibus-DP or DeviceNet networks. Programming and diagnostics can still be performed manually at a sensor’s teach-in button.

Inherent advantages of fieldbus technology are reflected in IQ Sense. Parameter programming can be replicated systematically to multiple sensors, eliminating the time-consuming task of programming individual sensors on a line. Failed sensors can be hot-swapped and the controller will automatically re-establish the settings previously established.

IQ Sense software parameters include sensitivity, output selection, timer function, and hysteresis. IQ Sense also offers system diagnostics for wire breakage, short-circuit, maladjustment, and module/sensor failures that are automatically detected and signaled for each channel. In harsh environments, dirt accumulation on the optical system is also reliably detected in normal operation by an alarm signal that is sent before an optical failure occurs.

The IQ Sense module and initial optical sensor product offering will be available from Siemens in December 2001. Siemens is planning to have a full range of IQ-Sense-sensors (optical, ultrasonic and inductive) by end of Year 2002.

Siemens also plans to license IQ-Sense technology to interested third-party companies.