Virtual network measurement solution.

Accurate evaluation of communication quality in private cloud environments built by enterprises and organizations.

Anritsu has announced the expansion of its Virtual Network Master series, a network measurement solution for cloud and virtual environments with the launch of a new model, Virtual Network Master for KVM MX109031PC.

This product supports virtualised server environments based on KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), a widely used Linux-based virtualisation technology. It is primarily intended for use in private cloud environments built and operated by enterprises and organisations. It provides accurate evaluation of network communication quality for end-to-end (E2E) assessment even in virtual environments where hardware-based test instruments cannot be deployed.

Development background.
In recent years, business systems and social infrastructure have increasingly adopted cloud-based and large-scale architectures, resulting in highly distributed and complex system configurations. In order to assure availability and stability in such environments, operations now commonly span multiple data centers.

In fields such as medical and financial institutions - where large volumes of sensitive information, including personal data, are handled continuously - there is a growing trend toward operating private clouds in-house from a security and compliance standpoint. In private cloud environments, server virtualisation technologies such as KVM are essential to enable flexible system operations, and ensuring performance at the service level is becoming increasingly important.

However, hardware-based test instruments cannot be installed in virtual environments, making it difficult to accurately grasp actual communication quality between applications. To address this challenge, Anritsu has developed this software-based measurement solution running in KVM virtual environments to evaluate E2E communication quality accurately and with high reproducibility under close-to actual-operating conditions.

Overview.
Virtual Network Master is a software-based measurement solution that enables accurate evaluation of communication quality in networks, including cloud and virtual environments. While the existing model MX109030PC supports AWS® (Amazon Web Services) cloud environments, the new model MX109031PC supports KVM virtual environments, enabling accurate communication quality evaluation even in cloud and virtual environments where hardware-based test instruments cannot be deployed.

By combining these models, users can also evaluate communication quality in hybrid environments where public and private clouds coexist.

Key Features.

• Measurement parameters: Throughput, latency, jitter, and packet (frame) loss rate
• Operability: Supports remote operation and automation via Web browser GUI and APIs
• Interoperability: Supports end-to-end testing with other Virtual Network Master systems as well as MT1000A/MT1040A, enabling consistent visualisation of network quality from public and private clouds to field environments

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR  #TandM #Pauto

Virtual Reality implementation.

Last December the Ireland Section of ISA recognised this project as worthy of their Innovation Project Award. It was adjudged to have met the criteria for this award: "To recognise a project which has made a significant contribution to the advancement of industry in Ireland through the use of Automation Technology." 

Dan Moore

The awardee was Dan Moore, a young engineer with Depuy Syntes based in Cork (Ireland).

This project was entitled: Virtual Reality implemented as a design review tool on ‘Foundry of Future Project’

New machines and production lines are designed in 3D within the 2D environment. This leads to change the asset/production line once built and the end users interact with it. This has large cost implications (time and money) to fix issues that should have been caught at detail design.

Up to now, design reviews have consisted of static reviews of 3D design documentation and 2D layouts to assess if the machine fits within the space allocated (does not account adequately for utilities/facilities).

Among the advantages that Virtual Reality implementation has shown are the following benefits:

a) Safety/ Hazard Identification
Greater evaluation of Hazard identification within the working area, prior to installation
Operators not working with untoward hazards (moving parts, live electricity or other potential hazards that exist in the everyday operation of a facility) following installation.

b) Ergonomic Evaluation
Does the operator have a well-designed work cell that allow for easy access of parts & equipment?
(e.g. able to reach all part locations without moving their feet)
Will the operator be able to complete all necessary motions to operate the machine
Is the machine HMI positioned at the correct height?
Are there openings in the guarding that allow the operator to reach in to hazardous operations?
Are the E-stop buttons within reach of the operator?
How far can an operator reach through a gap?
What maintenance access is available around the machine?

c) Customer Presentation
View what will the completed machine will look like
Evaluate how the new machine will fit next to current equipment

d) Operator Training
Inside a VR training platform, operators can learn the correct and incorrect ways of performing various tasks without posing any risk to other employees or the facility.
Learn through trial & error, making mistakes via VR; often too dangerous to perform in training.

e) Creativity
Brainstorming potential solutions to problems is not limited by cost or time constraints, and conducting a full test for an idea is as simple as changing a few lines of code.

f) Time savings
No need to wait for physical machines to be created.

g) Layouts
Laser scanning of area to capture all utilities and ancillary equipment.

h) Engagement
Engagement with review process is substantially higher with all stakeholders- across the board.

The full slate of awards with pictures may be found on here: Ireland Section Awardees 2017.

#PAuto #ISAuto #Ireland

Upgrade for "All-in-One Instrument!"

New model delivers 500 MHz analog bandwidth and 40 MHz sine output for higher performance benchtop and automated test applications.

The VB-8054 instrument, from National Instruments (NI), is a new higher performance model of VirtualBench. VirtualBench* plays a key role in reducing the cost and footprint of test and measurement systems by consolidating five of the most commonly used instruments into one device without compromising the performance of each instrument. Combined with a modern software experience and simple programming interface, VirtualBench creates new efficiencies for engineers interacting with benchtop test equipment or developing low-cost automated test systems.

“Engineering workbenches and test systems are getting more and more crowded every day as technologies converge in the latest smart devices,” said Luke Schreier, director of automated test product marketing at NI. “VirtualBench provides the ideal combination of capability at performance levels that can legitimately replace five or more instruments needed to characterise new product designs or validate assembled units on a production floor. With 500 MHz of scope bandwidth and a faster generator in the latest model, VirtualBench meets the needs of even more engineers wrestling with how to lower their cost of capital equipment.”

Key new features of the VB-8054

• Four-channel, 500 MHz mixed-signal oscilloscope with 2 GS/s sampling rate and protocol analysis (34 digital channels)

• Function generator with 40 MHz max sine output, 5 MHz square, ramp/triangle, DC and arbitrary modes

Additional capability of the VirtualBench family

• True 5½ digit DMM with 300 V input range, three-channel programmable DC power supply (up to 3 A) and eight general-purpose digital I/O lines

• Intuitive, unified software view of all five instruments, visualization on larger displays and quick functionality to save data and screenshots

• USB, Ethernet and WiFi connectivity to Windows software application and WiFi connectivity to Apple iPad software application

• Programming interfaces to automate measurements in LabVIEW and C environments

The VirtualBench application requires zero installation and can load automatically through Windows AutoPlay when connected through USB. VirtualBench also includes software capabilities like digital phosphor density maps for displaying multiple acquisitions simultaneously, XY mode for plotting channels against one another and hands-free smart capture for automatic data capture of repeated stable waveforms. To help better maintain the value of any VirtualBench investment, NI provides free software and firmware updates as new features are released. These features, in addition to the consolidated interface, help engineers streamline their approach for benchtop characterization and validation. The small footprint and low price of VirtualBench compared with its equivalent set of boxes help enable lower cost of test on a manufacturing floor.

The VirtualBench hardware family consists of three models most easily designated by oscilloscope analog bandwidth: 100, 350 and 500 MHz. Through these models, the VirtualBench family serves a wide range of applications and price points in academic labs, hardware characterization/debug benches and automated test systems.

* What is Virtual Bench?

@NIglobal #TandM #PAuto @niukie 

Flexible and reliable DCS access with Thin Client terminals.

Series 500 Remote HMIs from R. Stahl HMI Systems are an ideal software and hardware package for operating current control systems in the process industry. Designed for safe and comfortable access to Emerson, Siemens, Yokogawa, Honeywell, Allen Bradley, ABB, Rockwell or Schneider control solutions, the Thin Clients are suitable for interoperation with both classic workstations as well as the ever more popular Virtual Machines (VMs).

VMs are increasingly used as host environments for control systems – especially in process plants with divergent control solutions, as they radically simplify the operation and maintenance of different systems and system generations. For one, a VM is not subject to any hardware defects, which in the case of dedicated computers may lead to problems with repairs and spare parts supply. Instead, an identically replicated system running in another VM can take over in the case of a fault. Secondly, IT capacities can be more fully exploited with virtualisation, instead of remaining underused in individual workstations.

Resource efficiency is also a guiding principle for Series 500 components in their own right: in contrast to standard PCs, these Thin Clients are limited to the features required for their intended use. The Remote HMIs are available both as touchscreen models and with keyboards, and come with displays sizes ranging from 15" to 24" (WUXGA), with resolutions from 1024 x 768 to 1920 x 1200 pixels. They have an energy-efficient LED backlight, and their extremely robust design makes them suitable for operation in temperatures from -30 °C to +55 °C (+50 °C in permanent operation). As well as in rough environments, they can also and especially be operated in clean rooms. In addition to versions for standard industrial operation, models certified according to ATEX and IECEx for operation in zone 1, 21 and 2, 22 are also available.

• Stahl products are available in Ireland through Douglas Controls & Automation.

#Stahl #PAuto #HMI

Virtualisation technologies for high availability and disaster recovery

Certification for VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V virtualisation platforms expanded!

Invensys Operations Management has expanded its certification for virtualisation technology, making it the first industrial automation provider to be certified for high availability, disaster recovery and fault tolerance in supervisory control applications leveraging both the VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V virtualisation platforms. The company’s ArchestrA® System Platform 2012 and Wonderware® InTouch® 2012 software are now certified for the latest VMware solutions, including VMware vSphere version 5.0 and ESXi version 5.0 for mission-critical applications.

“Historically, high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions in supervisory control systems were expensive to implement, not only because of hardware and software costs, but also because of additional administrative burdens,” said Maryanne Steidinger, director of product marketing, Invensys Operations Management. “Along with many other benefits, when ArchestrA System Platform 2012 and InTouch 2012 software are deployed, they support high-availability and disaster-recovery implementations using Windows Server Hyper-V virtualisation from Microsoft, as well as the latest remote desktop services that are part of Windows Server 2008 R2. Now, after a rigorous validation period, our ArchestrA System Platform 2012 and Wonderware InTouch 2012 software are also certified for disaster recovery and high availability using VMware virtualisation. All this is possible on commercial operating systems using off-the-shelf hardware, further reducing cost and easing implementation of mission-critical applications.”

Virtualisation software, like that offered by Microsoft and VMware, transforms or “virtualises” a computer’s hardware, e.g., the CPU, hard drive and network controller, to create a virtual computer that can run its own operating system and applications just like a “real” computer. By sharing hardware resources with each other, multiple operating systems can run simultaneously on a single physical computer. And because it has the CPU, memory and network devices of the “host,” a virtual machine is completely compatible with all standard operating systems, applications and drivers. With virtualisation, users can safely run several operating systems and applications at the same time on a single computer, with each having access to the resources it needs when it needs them. And it’s all possible with commercial off-the-shelf hardware and operating systems.

“End users are rapidly deploying virtualisation solutions to reduce the number of physical servers needed for their plants in order to lower their hardware costs, IT costs and energy bills,” said Craig Resnick, vice president, ARC Advisory Group. “Virtualisation technology also helps end users with system deployment of high-availability, disaster-recovery and fault-tolerance solutions as it is used to quickly get plants back up and running when computers fail, regardless of location. Invensys Operations Management’s certification for both VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V ensures that its customers are covered and protected regardless of their choice of platform.”

While the underlying technology is sophisticated, virtualisation can deliver benefits that are much simpler to understand and achieve. By eliminating dependencies between the physical hardware and the software, customers have more choices to better manage their applications, servers and equipment. One of the many benefits is the ability to move virtual machines between host computers, which enables a variety of different fail-safe scenarios to be implemented, each providing options for different levels of redundancy that make systems more resilient, less prone to equipment failure, less prone to site failure and simpler to upgrade.

“At OpsManage’11 last fall, we set up and demonstrated a scenario where an entire primary system in Florida failed over to a backup disaster recovery system in California,” Steidinger said. “Customers were impressed with the ease and speed with which the backup system took over control, using only commercial hardware. That’s the flexibility they are looking for to modernise and optimise their business. As the first industrial automation provider to be certified for high availability, disaster recovery and fault tolerance on the two major virtualisation platforms, we look forward to continuing to offer the products our customers need to achieve the highest levels of compliance, collaboration and operational excellence.”

Virtual instrument cluster

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) has announced a new application concept showing the possibilities for virtual instrumentation in future passenger and commercial vehicles. The intention of developing the virtual cluster application was to provide a ‘right-sized’ complete system solution including hardware and software components, a demo application, as well as tool support to enable a quick start to development.

The application uses Fujitsu’s MB86298 ‘Ruby’ graphic processing unit, a dedicated GPU for embedded applications. The graphics core technology forms the basis for next-generation System-on-Chips, combines visual computing with automotive-specific features and introduces impressive vehicle application opportunities. In addition to four integrated video capture units and two integrated display controllers, the GPU's unified shader architecture is fully compliant to Kronos OpenGL ES 2.0.

CGI Studio, the new independent software development platform from Fujitsu Microelectronics Embedded Solution Austria GmbH (FEAT), is also employed in this application. The software has been specifically designed for the development of automotive 3D instrument cluster and infotainment system graphical human machine interfaces (HMI/GUI). In addition to the 3D software engine ‘Candera’, CGI Studio provides a continuous authoring tool-chain based on ‘Scene Composer’ as well as the necessary software development process.

The demo application was created in close co-operation with icon incar, a professional automotive design studio located in Germany. Impressive and realistic 3D capabilities (using OpenGL ES 2.0) are shown, displaying different instrument cluster content in high resolution, which is related to various live situations.

‘Basic’ mode is focussed on ease-of-use with a menu application that minimises the information level to allow the driver to concentrate on the essentials using harmonised design elements. This mode is the standard interface and provides the driver with all the information that is required and relevant to the current driving situation. The 'Ice' colour scheme mixes temperate colouring with clearly structured elements. The whole scene is modelled like a tunnel and gives the impression of an infinite space. A pointer moves on a defined axis into the background. This background area enables the display of moving elements that are smaller or bigger, depending on the distance of the objects or their importance. The user can choose between ‘navigation’, ‘media’, ‘phone’ and ‘assistance’ view.

‘Sports’ mode is designed to impress the viewer with ‘Fire’ colour scheme - a red background showing traditional needle instruments. In this mode, the cluster provides minimal information only - keeping the driver’s attention focused. Important information such as the rotational-speed sensor is displayed in the centre. Additional colouring features will be used if the speed needle moves into the red area. Speed information is displayed on the right-hand side, while the left-hand side provides information in the form of a stop watch.

Minimal vehicle system and economy information is displayed during ‘Stop’ mode, which switches to use the complete display area. This mode provides the highest level of screen flexibility and is used when traffic information that is normally displayed does not need to be shown - e.g. at a red traffic light when the car is stationary, or when the engine stops. In these situations, information about speed and other standard items is not required. The driver can call up information regarding the vehicle, the route or the traffic situation – it would even be possible to transfer traffic light information, e.g. the red phase duration, into the scene.

Step-by-step, fully digital visualisations are replacing traditional in-car electromechanical instrument panels, reducing the complexity of systems and the need for numerous production variants. With a high degree of flexibility, and showing only content that is relevant to different specific driver situations, these new instrument displays help to increase safety in the vehicle.

ELVIS @ university!

Standardised for new mechatronic engineering course

Kingston University (GB) recently purchased thirty NI ELVIS (National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite) units to equip its state-of-the-art laboratories for its new Mechatronic Engineering course, which started in 2009.

“We chose to standardise on NI hardware and software tools in order to provide the best learning experience for our engineering students” said Gordana Collier, Senior Lecturer at Kingston University (in picture left with Robert Morton of National Instruments). “Our strategy is to adopt an ‘applied approach to teaching and research’ which was the driving force behind the investment. We are very passionate about hands-on, project-based learning being more engaging and producing better skilled, better prepared engineers for the workplace. NI ELVIS, LabVIEW and Multisim help us deliver this experience to students and more effectively support their learning.”

Mechatronics: An Integrated Approach
Clarence De Silva; available through ISA

This book offers a strong foundation in such core subjects as dynamic system modeling, electronic components and analysis, mechanical components and analysis, robotics, sensors/transducers and instrumentation, stepper motors, dc and ac motors and drives, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, fluidics, automatic control, digital processing and hardware, communication and interfacing, software tools, design, and prototyping. Appendices provide additional background on Laplace and Fourier transform techniques, and software tools including MATLAB®, SIMULINK®, and LabVIEW®. The book emphasizes practical situations and applications with numerous worked examples, problems, and exercises. An entire chapter is devoted to practical case studies.

Head of School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Professor Andrzej Ordys pointed out: “Our MSc in Mechatronics combines strong theoretical background with practical hands-on experience. We believe that this addresses the needs of students and employers. Moreover, we are seeing an ever increasing importance of applied electronics in virtually all engineering disciplines; for example in the automotive industry. Thus it is our imperative to enhance the electronics content and delivery in all our courses, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Furthermore, the NI equipment has already proven very useful in our research projects.”

NI ELVIS, based on National Instruments LabVIEW, features an integrated suite of twelve instruments in one compact form factor and is ideal for hands-on learning. Educators use it to teach concepts in circuit design, instrumentation, control, telecommunications and embedded/MCU theory.

Each unit in Kingston’s lab is accompanied by a Freescale microprocessor teaching board. Several experiments from Quansar, including an inverted pendulum are also used with NI ELVIS. A suite of fifteen National Instruments CompactRIOs have been deployed in research and teaching of advanced control.
“NI has always been passionate about enabling STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education and inspiring future engineers and scientists” said Robert Morton, National Instruments UK & Ireland Managing Director. “Now, more than ever, we believe universities need to deliver a healthy stream of innovative, creative and talented engineers and scientists to address some of the serious challenges industry, and the world, faces in the 21st Century. NI is proud to be able to supply tools to help universities do this.”

To continue developing the strong partnership between NI and Kingston University, National Instruments UK & Ireland is a regular participant in the Industrial Advisory Board, held at the University campus. The role of the Industrial Advisory Board is to shape and tailor university courses to meet industry needs, ensuring graduates achieve the relevant technical skills, knowledge and experience to take a proactive role in industry.