DATAWEEK
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www.technews.co.zaIssue Date: 28 May 2008
Event data recorder with integrated F-RAM memory
28 May 2008
The FM6124 from Ramtron is an F-RAM-based event data recorder (EDR) that continuously monitors state changes, stores them in the F-RAM, and alerts the system to the changes.
Like a programmable logic controller (PLC), the FM6124 features simple device settings and data retrieval for easy system integration and a shorter design-in cycle. The device can be customised by Ramtron to monitor inputs other than edge-detected signals. For example, pulse width monitoring of a preset min or max pulse width, as well as frequency monitoring, are also possible.
The FM6124 is designed for broad industry use in the industrial control, medical, and metering markets. The EDR can perform in a host of applications such as activity/equipment/environmental monitoring; maintenance scheduling; power system management; automotive/industrial automation event recording; vehicle/pedestrian traffic counting; and surveillance systems.
The device features 32 KBytes of F-RAM memory that can be used to store event records, while up to 24 KBytes of F-RAM can be configured to store event/user data. The on-chip realtime clock (RTC) with calendar enables time stamping of events and can function as a system clock and calendar. The RTC enables further analysis of captured data, which can be used by the system to generate alerts such as an equipment malfunction or a call for maintenance.
The EDR includes 12 digital inputs that can be individually configured to trigger event recording on either a rising or falling edge. The FM6124's F-RAM memory can store up to 4000 event records. The device features an I²C interface that sustains communication speeds up to 100 Kbps. The I²C interface allows for flexible placement of the chip away from the host system and closer to the equipment and/or sensors it is monitoring. Up to four FM6124 devices can share the same I²C bus.
Other features include a 16-bit battery-backed event counter input, an early power fail monitoring input and a user-programmable 64-bit serial number. The device operates from 3,0 to 3,6 V over the industrial temperature range from -40 to +85°C and is available in a 44-pin QFP package. |
