Application Overview: A satellite launch company required a solution to distribute critical signals to multiple locations across their networked facilities. The system needed to ensure simultaneous, fail-safe signal distribution while withstanding harsh environments, including vibrations during launches.

The Challenge: Signals needed to be sent simultaneously to several different buildings within the same network. The system also required rugged, fail-safe modules to ensure reliable operation under extreme conditions, including launch vibrations.

Solution: Acromag's BusWorks NT E-2111 Ethernet modules with I2O multicast were implemented to meet the customer's needs. Multicast allows peer-to-peer communication from a single unit to multiple locations, distributing signals over an Ethernet network in real-time. Each NT module operates as a standard remote I/O unit, and additional multicast sending and listening IP addresses can be assigned to extend its functionality.

The NT E-2111 module allows specific channels to act as peer-to-peer outputs, synchronized with a corresponding input. When an input changes state, the module broadcasts a message to a multicast IP address. Any NT unit assigned to the same multicast IP address will receive the message simultaneously, ensuring real-time distribution of critical signals across multiple locations. This setup effectively removes limitations on the number of output locations.

Key Features: Low-Side Switching: The NT E-2111 provides a positive off voltage, ensuring fail-safe operation in the event of power or unit failure. In such cases, the output indicates an alarm condition, keeping the system operational and alerting staff to potential issues.Rugged Design: The NT series is designed for harsh environments, with high immunity to noise, shock, and vibration. Its industrial-grade enclosures, pluggable terminal blocks, and hazardous location approvals make it ideal for the satellite launch environment.Scalability and Customization: Each NT module supports up to three NTX expansion units, allowing for cost-effective system expansion with flexible I/O types. This modular design provides scalability for future needs without significant infrastructure changes.

Conclusion: By implementing Acromag’s NT E-2111 Ethernet modules with I2O multicast, the satellite launch company achieved reliable, simultaneous distribution of critical signals across multiple facilities. The rugged and flexible design of the NT series provided the fail-safe operation required during satellite launches, ensuring signal integrity in harsh conditions. This solution allows for limitless expansion of output locations, delivering a robust and scalable system to meet current and future demands.

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