FDA News

xCoupler Module Provides Guaranteed Data Delivery Between Plant Floor Devices and Business Systems

(March 13, 2007)-- For accurate, timely and assured data delivery between plant floor devices and business systems, xCoupler plant to business system data modules from Online Development now feature new message acknowledgement, handshaking and store-and-forward features. These modules are designed to install in Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PACs and are especially important for reliable data capture and compliance with standards or regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley or FDA CFR Part 11.

The acknowledgement feature helps safeguard against communications errors. When the xCoupler sends device data to business systems, it requires recognition that data has been acted upon before it sends subsequent messages. If the message is not acknowledged, the xCoupler module stores remaining messages in its flash memory and sends an email alerting users of a communications problem. Only when resolved, does the xCoupler module send stored data to the business system.

The xCoupler modules handshaking feature ensures that data transfer, such as a batch recipe or material handling movement, between the business system and plant floor devices has been completed. It occurs when a tag in ControlLogix is used to signal the completion of a database command and is supported through event triggers based on MSG INSTRUCTION, or ControlLogix tag triggers. With the exception notification feature, an email alert can besent if the database or tag data is not available.

xCoupler plant-to-business system data managers are information appliances that exchange data between devices including sensors, actuators, drives, bar code scanners, robots and RFID controllers, as well as, business systems such as IBM DB2 or AS/400, Microsoft SQL, Oracle and MySQL. These modules can be set up to communicate between plant floor devices in 60 minutes or less using the modules WorkBench configuration tool. This tool is also used to create tag-based triggers and events and provides a high level of data security. Since the xCoupler module is not a PC-based device, it is less susceptible to security problems and virus attacks.

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