Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2021 - 22

Integrating QC Measurement Data

Bridge

Remote Gateway

Repeater
Remote Gateway

* Over 100 Tools - uses a Bridge and Remote Gateway
* Optionally can use repeaters

from every point of operation where
data collection is needed.
Practicality: It is efficient to use end
nodes and wireless measuring tools that
are rechargeable, eliminating battery
replacement and associated costs. Also,
consider using end nodes and wireless
measuring tools that offer an IP67 level
of protection for use in harsh shop environments. The ability to adapt to most
existing SPC, MRP, and ERP programs is
another advantage to the measuring
data collection system.

* Computer/laptop running DataSure 4.0

Other Details and Capabilities
to Consider

* Backpack range: ~200'/60m from Remote Gateway
* Embedded radio range: 30' from Remote Gateway
* 20 tools per Remote Gateway
OVERALL SYSTEM RANGE: Hundreds of yards to over a mile or more
Yagi Long Range Antenna

Figure 4. Enterprise Scheme

Scheme, measurement data transmission
can be increased from hundreds of yards
to over a mile. By using remote gateways,
bridges, and perhaps adding in repeaters,
over 100 measuring tools can be incorporated. Each remote gateway can facilitate
20 measuring tools. For even greater distances, Yagi Long Range Antennas can be
incorporated in the scheme (Figure 4).
Robust data encryption and protection: Data security is top-of-mind for all
manufacturers including military. And
while quality control measurement data
by itself might not be particularly valuable to hackers, cybercriminals can still
spoof the networks used to transmit quality control data to gain more general
access to digital infrastructure. Measuring data collection systems address this
issue through a variety of measures
including security efforts that feature a
highly secure wireless platform. Transported data is encrypted using a multilayered approach that absolutely prevents any outside access to the data,
whether passive or active.
In addition, the mobile app doesn't
connect to the OS of a smartphone or
tablet, restricting unintended access at a
critical point. Maintaining good security
also includes addressing emerging vulnerabilities in radio transmission on a
frequent basis to keep systems secure
going forward, with which your measuring data collection systems supplier
should be dedicated to keeping pace.
Unrestricted distances and unencumbered use for transmission: Leveraging

remote gateways, bridges, and repeaters
offers an efficient and reliable data
transmission framework. System structures can involve as few components as a
backpack or embedded radio along with
a mobile device running the mobile app,
or utilize bridges, gateways, and repeaters to greatly extend transmission ranges
in a large factory configuration.
The latest measuring data collection
systems' software application uses a wireless network to gather information from
multiple measuring tools. The wireless
network relies on the measuring tools'
embedded wireless technology or end
nodes to gather and then relay data back
to the PC. The data collection system
can also send signals out to the network
components to verify transmissions and
request data. The hardware components
of the system are the USB Gateway,
Remote Gateway, Bridge Extenders, and
End Node(s). The End Node is a radio
transmitter/receiver that gets attached
to a measuring tool. The USB Gateway is
a radio transmitter/receiver attached to
a PC. The Remote Gateway is the same
as the USB Gateway but also extends the
communication range from the PC by
using a Bridge extender to boost the signals between the Remote Gateway and
the PC. The Remote Gateway has the
same range as the USB Gateway but can
be set up very far away from the PC.
Regardless of the system architecture
put into place, the result is a dependable, accurate, and fast solution for gathering quality control measurement data

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* Operating distance from Gateways or
mobile device is up to 30 feet (10
meters) for Wireless Measuring Tools.
* Operating distance from Gateways is
up to 200 feet (61 meters) for backpack end nodes.
* One Gateway system handles up to 20
measuring tools, primarily calipers,
micrometers, and indicators.
* Additional Remote Gateways will
expand the number of measuring tools
supported in increments of 20 each,
and a repeater can increase the transmission range to miles.
* End Node Radios can store up to 10
readings if the main system is down or
busy.
* Broadcast range is up to 2,000 feet (610
meters) between Remote Gateways
and Bridge.
* Virtual multiplexers provided in the
measuring data collection system take
many inputs (tool data) and share them
over a single output resource, which is a
virtual COM port. The virtual multiplexer takes tool data and sends them
on to a COM port for SPC software and
other SW packages to process.
* Remote access over a LAN to the data
collection server via remote client software.
* Optional antenna types for various
deployments.
Suppler knowledge, service, and support are key when choosing a measuring
wireless data collection system. A deep
level of experience combined with expertise in quality control will go far in
establishing a successful implementation.
This article was written by Jeff Wilkinson,
Director, Research & Development and
General Manager - Advanced Technology
Division at the L.S. Starrett Company
(Athol, MA). For more information, visit
http://info.hotims.com/79410-121.
Tech Briefs, February 2021

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Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2021

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