NO more complex wiring - a new network solution network solution for easy and quick wiring of field-end components using AS-i technology

摘要

An intelligent open network, where the production control system is seamlessly integrated from the upper to lower levels, is greatly anticipated and needed in the FA (Factory Automation) fields. In the current network system, however, no such practical open network exists for components in the lowest layer called "field-end level". Therefore, very complicated labor-intensive wiring utilizing an enormous amount of connections is now required to connect the field-end components. With this being the situation, it is impossible to perform production control and maintenance of the production lines to the field-end components in remote location using Information Technology. In order to solve these problems, we have proposed the new concept of open networking technology called SwitchNet at IEEE Conference of Industry Application Society in Chicago in October 2001. SwitchNet was proposed as the first open network solution for field-end level and the name is derived from the representative application components. This paper reports on progress of the development and especially shows the new results of analysis of cost performance by comparing SwitchNet with existing technologies.