PC-based analyser gets to grips with Profibus
A
Hi-Port Software product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Dec 7, 2004
ProfiTrace is a small, cost effective, Profibus protocol and traffic analyser for use with notebook computers.
Profibus service engineers, maintainers and developers will welcome this powerful new analyser.
ProfiTrace is a small, cost effective, Profibus protocol and traffic analyser for use with notebook computers.
Powered from the supporting computer via a USB cable the analyser is very easy to set up and use, with true plug-and-play software installation, followed by a wide range of useful on-screen traffic report formats.
ProfiTrace's advanced algorithms and smart link between protocol and electrical measurements make it the essential tool for commissioning, troubleshooting and maintenance as well as product development.
It easily identifies classical failures such as double addresses, wire breaks and configuration faults.
Random errors such as data overshoots, damaged telegrams, repeats and diagnostics are also captured and logged.
Predictive maintenance and asset management are now really possible.
Developed by the Profibus Competence Centre, Netherlands, ProfiTrace capitalises on the fact that every modern PC or laptop has at least one USB port.
It is a truly user-friendly tool that can be quickly installed on any PC without the need for special licences, codes or dongles.
The small ProfiCore hardware module plugs directly onto a Profibus connector and is linked to the supporting computer by a USB cable.
ProfiTrace software on the PC logs traffic from the Profibus and interprets this for on-screen display.
Both high level summaries and underlying low level details may be shown.
Filter options are available to help locate traffic from particular slaves or to highlight specific message types.
ProfiTrace includes easy connection to an oscilloscope and, through synchronised triggering, allows inspection of the electrical signals from individual slaves.
Supporting sampling at all transmission speeds up to 12Mbit/s, it provides on-screen display of colour coded device states, process values, Identification Numbers, diagnostics and even product names.
Other user benefits include easy installation, operating system independence and elimination of potentially troublesome Profibus stub lines due to the long USB cable.
ProfiTrace is, according to its designers "the most powerful high-speed Profibus network analyser available and will boost the capabilities of service, maintenance and engineering personnel".
Priced at just GBP 714 plus delivery and VAT, ProfiTrace is available ex-stock from UK distributor Hi-Port Software.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Hi-Port Software
Related Stories
- Catalogue features industrial weighing solutions
- Monitoring corrosion with digital radiography
- SGS offers non-destructive testing of tanks
- NI develops controller for wireless testing
- Adept supplies Photonfocus monochrome cameras
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
