Energy savings of up to 80 percent possible

Smart infrastructure solutions are not limited to large cities, as evidenced by the Sicilian municipality of Giardinello. While some think of smart cities as futuristic mega-cities, there are many smaller towns and villages where these solutions can be implemented. The principle behind smart city applications is to make life more convenient for citizens, contributing to improvement or mitigating deterioration. In times of crisis, such as the Corona pandemic and energy shortages, smart city solutions can offer opportunities for smaller cities to adapt and improve their infrastructure.

The challenge: integrating different types of luminaires

Giardinello, a small Sicilian town, is considering smart solutions for its public infrastructure to reduce energy consumption and save costs. The town has converted to LED technology and is now implementing a modern, digital solution for public street lighting management. The goal is to provide flexibility, energy savings, and a scalable technology that eliminates dependence on one manufacturer. The application must be designed and protected accordingly, considering the different types of luminaires and their impact on the village’s character.

The solution: communication via the LoRaWAN standard …

Modern lights use a Zhaga socket for interface and communication, unlike historical lamps with no modern Zhaga interface. The LoRaWAN standard, based on the OSI model, includes both the link and network layers, with double AES encryption for end-to-end cryptography. This new communication technology addresses the limitations of traditional Zhaga sockets and offers improved connectivity and security.

… as well as the Zhaga interface or a universal control device

LoRaWAN is a low power (LP)WAN technology used in Europe for data forwarding. It operates in the narrowband ultra-high frequency range (863-870 MHz) and offers up to 40 kilometers of range in rural areas and high penetration of building walls in urban areas. To implement a LoRaWAN network, luminaires use Luminaire Controller Units (LCU) or universal control units (LCU) with Dali-2 protocol. The system architecture follows a classic star topology, with three LoRaWAN gateways in Giardinello for high-quality illumination and connectivity.

The special feature: Lighting management as software-as-a-service

The Sicilian municipality is using the Grovez.io IoT platform for urban infrastructure applications. The platform features a LoRaWAN network server, decoder applications, and interfaces for communication. The municipality’s street lighting operator, Giardinello, now uses the Smart Lighting Service as a SaaS, allowing employees to control street lighting remotely. The combination of modern LED technology and LoRaWAN-based control technology allows for individual luminaire control and diagnosis.

The future: integration of vehicle traffic sensors and establishment of an environmental monitoring system

The Smart Lighting Service offers lighting management software that allows users to set various dimming levels, affecting energy consumption and luminaire lifespan. The solution simplifies the setting, and sensors in the field trigger automation. With demand-based lighting, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 80%. Giardinello is exploring further possibilities, including integrating traffic sensors and environmental monitoring systems using LoRaWAN-capable sensors. The community is already smarter than many large cities.

Learn more about Intelligent street lighting and Smart city: sustainable and livable.

The key to efficient, sustainable, and reliable operation

Phoenix Contact aims to address climate change challenges by focusing on the All Electric Society, a world with abundant and affordable renewable energy. This involves optimizing communication infrastructure in manufacturing, reducing primary energy demands, and increasing machine efficiency. Companies must support this development across all areas, particularly in production, to avoid a competitive disadvantage. Technological approaches like Industry 4.0 and powerful network infrastructure are essential for rapid response to changing market and environmental conditions.

New automation approaches in the logistics sector

Industry 4.0 involves digitalizing and networking automation devices within and across a company, using technologies like WLAN, Bluetooth, and 5G. The Internet of Things (IoT) integrates even the smallest devices and new automation approaches like automated guided vehicles. This approach improves manufacturing system availability, performance, and quality while increasing flexibility.

Wi-Fi 6 with up to 70 percent lower latency

Industrial trends like IoT and AI demand high-performance systems for data availability, latency, and throughput. Wireless LAN (WLAN) solutions can extend or replace wired data transmission, simplifying handling of mobile machines and docked parts. The Wi-Fi 6 standard has increased theoretical data transmission speed by 30% and reduced latency by up to 70% through Multi-User MIMO. The Wi-Fi 6(E) extension offers license-free 6 GHz frequency band with additional 80 MHz and 160 MHz channels, allowing for additional WLAN networks without mutual interference.

Compact and robust wireless modules for AGVs and AMRs

Phoenix Contact has developed FL WLAN 1010 and FL WLAN 1100 wireless modules for automated guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) systems. These modules address the challenges of reliable data connection, limited installation space, quality wireless communication, QoS availability, vehicle robustness, and diagnostics and maintenance functions. The integrated REST interface allows for easy installation in vehicles, saving time and eliminating incorrect configurations during vehicle commissioning.

Careful planning of the wireless channel design

WLAN building infrastructure is crucial for AGVs/AMRs, with proper placement of access points, metal installation, and suitable antenna positioning determining wireless coverage. Simulation tools can help determine coverage and reflections. Careful planning of wireless channel design and application can reveal potential issues early. Designing WLAN infrastructure can be complex and requires experience. Phoenix Contact specialists offer support in WLAN infrastructure design.

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Ensuring reliability and performance during transmission

Optical sensors play a crucial role in industrial applications, ensuring reliable image processing and performance. As they become more powerful, they are used in various applications, including quality management and documentation systems. Machine vision systems must remain functional even under demanding conditions, such as mechanical stress. Data connectors must meet these requirements to prevent wear and downtime. Miniaturization in smaller systems poses challenges, including electromagnetic interference pulses, reduced system architecture, and thermal problems. Solutions include miniaturized interfaces, device-integrated connection technology, optimized component positioning, and simulations of heat generation, signal integrity, and impedance.

Standards for optimized image processing

Phoenix Contact, a leading industrial connection technology company, offers a range of data connectors, including D-SUB, RJ45, USB, HDMI, coaxial, and fiber-optic connection technology. They are also experts in new components like Single Pair Ethernet and RJ45 Industrial, ensuring optimized image processing for machine vision applications.

RJ45 Industrial

Phoenix Contact has developed the RJ45 Industrial product family for industrial applications, featuring an optimized 360° shielding concept. The product family includes raised housing shield springs and pins for printed circuit boards to counter electromagnetic interference. The connection between RJ45-IND connectors and female printed circuit board connectors has been optimized, resulting in a perfect match and increased contact depth. The temperature resistance of the female PCB connector has been improved using fiberglass technology, allowing temperatures from -40 to +105 C. The RJ45-IND patch cables are robust and feature an IDC fast connection for easy assembly.

Single Pair Ethernet

The IEEE 802.3 task force has created transmission standards for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), enabling data rates of 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps at distances of 15 to 1,000 m. The MultiGigBASE-T1 standard supports data rates of up to 10 Gbps at distances of up to 15 m. SPE is an exciting field for industrial image processing due to its potential to transmit data and power. Phoenix Contact’s SPE portfolio offers compact and 50W consistent designs, including compact IP20 connectors and IP67-protected M8 connectors. SPE components are available for machine vision sensor developers, including new semiconductors, magnetics, and SPE-compatible cables.

Board-to-board connectors

Phoenix Contact’s Finepitch product series offers a professional contact system for space-saving PCB connections, offering high-speed data transmission rates of up to 52 Gbps. The system features ScaleX double contacts (FP 0,8) for vibration-resistant connections in confined spaces. Phoenix Contact provides support during the design-in process, allowing device developers to obtain preconfigured 2D/3D data for their CAD software. They also offer individual thermal and housing simulations, free simulations for data and signal integrity, and a free sample service.

Simple and fast setup of a modular DC fast charging station

Phoenix Contact has introduced preconfigured and scalable modules for 19″ rack mounting. Enabling fast commissioning at low system costs. These modules contribute to the All Electric Society (AES) vision, which envisions renewable energy as the primary type of energy worldwide. The modules simplify the design process, allowing industry newcomers to participate in the charging infrastructure market. The distribution, power, and control modules allow for quick

The DC fast charging station for everyone

The modular 19″ Charx system from Phoenix Contact offers a cost-effective solution for developing and constructing DC fast charging stations by the international IEC 61851 standard. This system allows for quick assembly, maintenance, and repair, with the ability to replace individual modules. It reduces wiring work and errors and offers fast-connection technology, RJ45 communication interfaces, and a wide range of mounting materials. This system saves considerable system and installation costs, allowing a fully functional charging station to be set up in just a few minutes. Phoenix Contact’s experience as a leading charging infrastructure component supplier further benefits the customer.

The 19″ system modules in detail

The Charx system, 19″ format, incorporates 30 kW power modules available in AC/DC or DC/DC versions. Along with a power control unit and an AC distribution unit. Achieving up to 96% efficiency, these high-quality modules offer flexibility for charging powers up to 1.5 MW. Ideal for large vehicle batteries, utility vehicles, and solar systems, the system enables the entire power flow from the grid to the vehicle. The AC distributor module allocates AC power to a maximum of five power modules. The power control module oversees up to five 30 kW modules, facilitating charging powers of up to 150 kW with a maximum current of 500 A. Preconfigured for easy installation and remote access, the charging controller ensures user-friendly operation.

Learn more about CHARX technology.