FlowChief Edge Controller

Download PDF

Plug & Play Peripheral equipment based on PLC

The module based Edge controller is an easy and fast integrable solution for the linking of decentralised networks with the FlowChief software platform. The assignment of IO addresses is performed directly in the FlowChief platform - no further PLC engineering environment is required. The simple integration on site and the direct addressing in FlowChief leads to a maximum time saving and therefor to minimal energy costs.

Main features

  • Module-based system structure and easy peripheral enhancement through PLC assembly

  • "Over The Air" configuration directly from the FlowChief platform

  • 2 Ethernet interfaces with switch functionality (F31 separated networks)

  • Connectivity of devices via Modbus TCP1

  • Secure communication via X.509 TLS encryption

  • Preprocessing and data security through buffering at connection failure

  • Bidirectional transmission of notifications, commands, current and set point values and meter readings

Variants

  • FC_EdgeCo_AX_F11

  • FC_EdgeCo_AX_F31 (enhanced storage for data buffering)

Supported communication channels

Ethernet PLC-Interface

  • Via routing enabled gateway

  • Alternatively: LAN without further hardware components

  • TCP/IP communication to FlowChief Connect in the control

  • TLS encrypted communication

Features

  • Pre-configured product bundle from default

  • PLC with integrated library and communication interface

  • Transmission of random time stamped process data such as measured values, notifications, alerts, commands, set point values, strings or meter readings

  • Active data transmission from remote sub-sites to the control enable a cyclic and event triggered data transfer

  • Buffering of process data at connection failure

Setup

  • Remote control functionality and PLC control in one device

  • Application of PLCnext Technology in reliable quality

  • No additional communication processor required

  • No header PLC required

  • Direct periphery addressing from the FlowChief system

High security

  • High level of data security through integrated buffering

  • Communication encryption via X.509 TLS encryption

  • Monitoring of connection quality on various levels

Simple Engineering

  • Initial configuration of the controller via integrated web application

  • Parametrization of the hardware addresses directly in FlowChief (Plantexplorer)

  • On site only power supply and periphery required

  • No PLC knowledge and development environment required

  • Simple parametrization of the connection in the control

  • Process variables are directly addressed with the periphery address of the controller → minimal costs through maximum time saving

Low operation costs

  • Low transmission costs through optimized transmission protocols

  • Utilization of cost-efficient standard components with long product cycles

Hardware sub station

Ethernet SPS-Interface

Control center

Technical Data

Measurements & Weight AX F11 AX F31
Width 45 mm 100 mm
Height 126,93 mm
Depth 75 mm
Weight 498 g 223 g
Environmental Conditions
Protection type IP20
Environmental temperature (operation)

  • -25 °C ... 60 °C bis 2000 m üNN (consider derating)

  • -25 °C ... 55 °C bis 3000 m üNN (consider derating)

  • ≤ 55 °C (at max. 1 A on UBus)

  • > 55 °C ... 60 °C (only in combination with an Axioline F feeder module AXL F PWR 1H)
Environmental temperature (storage/transport) -40 °C ... 85 °C
Admissible humidity (operation) 5 % ... 95 % (nach DIN EN 61131-2)
Admissible humidity (storage/transport) 5 % ... 95 % (nach DIN EN 61131-2)
Atmospheric pressure (operation) 70 kPa ... 106 kPa (up to 3000 m üNN)
Atmospheric pressure (storage/transport) 58 kPa ... 106 kPa (up to 4500 m üNN)
General data AX F11 AX F31
Processor Arm® Cortex®-A9 1x 800 MHz Intel® Atom™ x5-E3930 2x 1,3 GHz
Operational system Linux
Memory 512 MByte DDR3 SDRAM 2048 MByte
131-Runtime System AX F11 AX F31
Program memory 8 Mbyte 16 Mbyte
Data memory 16 Mbyte 32 Mbyte
Remanent data memory 48 kByte (NVRAM) 1 Mbyte
Real time clock yes
Accuracy Real time clock 1,73 s/day = 20 ppm at 25 °C 0,7 s/day = 8 ppm at 25 °C
Data Interface AX F11 AX F31
Interface Ethernet
Connection type RJ45-socket
Amount 2 3
Transmission speed 10/100 MBit/s (full duplex) 10/100/1000 MBit/s
Supported protocols HTTP, HTTPS
Fieldbus-Functionality AX F11 AX F31
Process data amount

  • max. 16384 Bit (per Station)

  • max. 8192 Bit (Axioline F-Localbus (Input)

  • max. 8192 Bit (Axioline F-Localbus (Output))
Number of supported participants max. 63 (per Station)
Number of connectable local bus participants max. 63 (consider power draw)
Program memory 8 MByte 16 MByte

Technical Drawings

Controller Variants

  • FC_EdgeCo_AX_F11

  • FC_EdgeCo_AX_F31

Module Rack Variants

  • 4 slots (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SE4)

  • 6 slots (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SE6)

Functional Module

  • Digital input module (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SEDI16)

  • Digital output module (FC_EdgeCoAX_SEDO16)

  • Analogue input 4–20mA (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SEAI4I)

  • Analogue input 0–10V (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SEAI4U)

  • Cover module for non required slots (FC_EdgeCo_AX_SEC)