Solid State: A Practical Alternative to Mechanical Relays!

Mechanical Relays have a good home in low-cost control applications.  But for some users, only solid state switching will do.  Solid State Relays are ideal for users who require long term reliability, silent operation, or high induction tolerance.  Many inductive control applications require a solid state relay.  Inductive loads such as Motors, Valves, Pumps, Solenoids, and Large Transformers (including Fluorescent Lighting) benefit from the use of solid state relays because they reduce the chances of the inductive load interfering with the logic of the relay controller.

Fiber Optic Communications

Fiber Optic Devices have Inherited the Benefits of an Interface that is Easily Changed while Breaking the EMI Barrier Between the Controller and the Interface.  Future-Proof for Whatever the Next Generation of Interface Solutions Can Provide.

Fiber optic relay controllers offer a somewhat unconventional and unique solution to many technological challenges brought to us by our customers.  We find our controllers subjected to harsh environments without failure.  We find our customers working daily in unique switching applications, without failure.  And now, we begin to face our largest computer control adversary...head on.  Electromagnetic interference disrupts logic circuits of all varieties.  It is a menacing problem that can only be equated to the futile attempt of building a computer that runs flawlessly while being struck directly by lightning.  While we can never guarantee our products to work in high EMI applications, Fiber Optics advances the capacity of our product line to tolerate more EMI by physically and electrically isolating the computer interface from the controller.  This monumental advancement in product evolution will bring us yet another step forward in suppressing EMI.

With the benefits of improved EMI tolerance comes the benefits of building upon a new foundation of controllers that is immune to obsolescence as well.  We call it Future Proof because Fiber Optics is the only interface that can guarantee a forward path of computer interface solutions while still maintaining superior EMI tolerance.

A Future Proof Fiber Optic (FO) controller can be equipped with a Ethernet interface, if you need to control the device over a network.  FO controllers can also be equipped with a Wi-Fi interface if Ethernet is not available.  FO controllers can also be equipped with a ZigBee or Bluetooth wireless interface, allowing you to position the communications circuit well away from the most likely sources of interference.  FO controllers can also be equipped with a USB interface, which has traditionally been the biggest adversary to EMI.  And of course RS-232 to FO conversion is also supported.  But the future holds many other interesting communication options as well, we have our sights set on two new technologies now!

So Where Do we Go From Here?  Fiber-Optic Communication Opens the Doors to Future Interface Technologies, Whatever the Future may Hold.  Because of its Noise Immunity and Reliable Communications, Some Devices will ONLY be Available with a Fiber Optic Interface.

What is ProXR?

ProXR refers to a set of standardized commands used for computer control and data collection.  A controller that supports the ProXR command set is a controller that is built to control up to 256 relays, using commands that can be sent to any controller that offers ProXR compatibility.  This allows software developers to create programs for our products, then upgrade or change connectivity options without having to rewrite their software.  ProXR commands can be sent to our controllers via the RS-232 serial port, the USB port, Bluetooth, Fiber Optic, Wireless ZigBee/Mesh, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 802.11b...all without rewriting your software....simply develop your programs to work with the serial port of your computer.  Let ProXR controllers manage the rest.  Detailed information about the ProXR command set can be found in the ProXR Manual.

Building a solid foundation for future hardware is what ProXR is all about.  We have worked hard to modularize the ProXR firmware in such a way that it can support growth of features without sacrificing backward compatibility.  Most controllers produced from 2007 onward will support our ProXR command set.  These controllers will also include a XR Expansion Port, allowing you to add relays to any controller you choose.  So if your needs for computer control increase, our controllers will be ready for your growth.

With all the control and backward/forward compatibility you have come to expect from the ProXR series command set, this controller allow you to send simple commands to activate relays, read the status of relays, activate up to 16 relay timers, and control up to 256 total relays using the XR expansion port.  All relays are electronically latched, simply send a command to turn the relay on, send a different command to turn the relay off.

A/D Conversion

Analog to Digital Conversion allows you to read voltage levels from 0-5 volts using 8-bit or 10-bit resolution.  This is particularly useful for reading temperature sensors (one temperature sensor is built into the board, shared with analog input number 8).  A/D Inputs are also useful for reading light level sensors, thermocouples, switch closures, or just about any other kind of sensor you can think of.  Built-In Pull-Up/Down Resistors keep the inputs quiet.  Eight Different A/D Sample programs are available in the NCD Component Library.  These samples are available as a free download and are compatible with Visual Studio.   We've got sensors!  Visit our Sensor Page for sensors that have been tested and work with all NCD A/D Boards controller.

Read More About Analog to Digital Conversion