International Frequency Sensor Association (IFSA) Newsletter

   (ISSN 1726-6017)

This monthly e-newsletter, written by the editors of Sensors & Transducers Magazine (ISSN 1726-5479), delivers the product and research news you asked for, and updates you on happenings in the sensor science and industry. Who should read this Newsletter ? All who are interested in the newest information and trends in sensors, transducers, MEMS and sensor instrumentation, including DAQ.

IFSA Newsletter, No. 5, May 2005

Sponsors Links:

In this issue:

1.   CAN (Controller Area Network) – not just for automotives

2.   New Sensors Books

3.   Sensors & Transducers Magazine (e-Digest), No.5, May 2005

4.   Sensors Web Portal Up-dates Briefs

5.   Subscriber services

6.   Additional Information

Plus lots more information to be found on Sensors Web Portal: http://www.sensorsportal.com

CAN (Controller Area Network) – Not Just for Automotives

CAN is a communication protocol used in cars, right? Correct, but that is just half of the truth: Despite the fact that CAN (Controller Area Network) is widely known as a network for automotives, its usage in other application areas has been substantially growing.

Two popular CAN-based higher layer protocols, CANopen and DeviceNet, are heavily employed in industrial automation. Whereas DeviceNet historically is employed more in North America, CANopen has had immense success in the European automation industries. CANopen, the "embedded network", is highly flexible in configuration and is made up of inexpensive CAN hardware, such as has been used in automotives for years. CANopen is a major player in motion control networks, but it has also been very successful in a variety of application areas: Public transport, building automation, maritime electronics, medical equipment, and many more.

CAN in Automation (CiA) is the international user and manufacturer association that develops and standardizes CANopen-based device and application profiles. With these profiles, a high degree of standardization is achieved within the CANopen network. This benefits users, such as system designers and integrators, since they can go and purchase "off-the-shelf" devices and do not need to put much effort into configuration. Standardization enables "plug-and-play" of devices, and thus offers a variety of purchase options to buyers. CANopen also provides for those, who need to implement application-specific features: the network is flexible enough to accommodate additional features.

The most successful application area in North-America has been medical technology: CiA and members (e.g. GE Healthcare, Philips Medical Systems, Siemens Medical Solutions, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tyco Healthcare, etc.) have developed device and application profiles for the medical market. The latest profile is the CANopen device profile for contrast media injectors. Diagnostic devices such as computertomograph, angiograph or magnet-resonator, monitor and control the contrast media injector via the CANopen network. The open network (CiA 425) for medical add-on devices is shortly going to be extended by an electrocardiogram interface.

Many of the CANopen device and application profiles are available at www.can-cia.org. Some are available only if you become a member of CiA.

Chicago, May 24, 2005

Monika Mack

CAN in Automation

New Books

Sensors & Transducers e-Digest (ISSN 1726-5479), Vol. 55, No. 5, May 2005

The deadline for articles, press releases and sponsored White Papers for the next  issue of S&T e-Digest No.6, Vol.56, June 2005 is
15 June 2005

Sensors Web Portal Up-Date Briefs:

News:

• New issue of Sensors & Transducers e-Digest, Vol.55, Issue 5, May 2005 is in the DIGEST section with products news

• Sensors Discussion Forum was started. The topics of discussion on the forum are not limited it is intended to meet the individual needs of all sensors web portal users. No any registration for posting and replaying is necessary

• Data Acquisition (DAQ) section has been opened

• Design of Wireless Autonomous Dataloggers IC's - new book editorial review

Up-Dated:

• Sensor Industry News subsection in NEWS section

• Sensor Industry News Archive section

• Sensor Industry News Syndication page

• Measuring and Control News page

• Standardization section

• Accelerometers section

• Temperature Sensors section

• Flow Sensors section

• Displacement Sensors section

• Gas Sensors section

• Nanosensors section

• Torque Sensors list of manufactures

• Links Section with coming sensor related events

• Training Courses with new courses including online tutorial

• Sensor Jobs section

• New contents of 'Sensors and Actuators'  A: Physical:

• Vol. 120, Issue 1 (29-April-2005)

• Vol. 120, Issue 2 (17-May-2005)

• New contents of 'Sensors and Actuators'  B: Chemical:

• Vol. 106, Issue 2  (13 May 2005)

• New contents of 'Sensor Review':

• Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2005

• Sensors Wish List with new requests, technical and commercial questions

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Addition Information

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