Latest Communication & Security Articles

Most commercial control technologies have fascinating histories, especially industrial robots. Here’s the story behind…

Most commercial control technologies have fascinating histories, especially industrial robots. Here’s the story behind the development of Unimate, the world’s first.

Some controllers and network devices have one port, while others have two. Why is there a difference, and what advantages…

Some controllers and network devices have one port, while others have two. Why is there a difference, and what advantages does having two network ports actually provide?

With its latest offerings, NVIDIA promotes adopting Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD), including four cloud…

With its latest offerings, NVIDIA promotes adopting Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD), including four cloud application programming interfaces (APIs).

Yokogawa updates its flagship OpreX software for better software and third-party device interconnections.

Yokogawa updates its flagship OpreX software for better software and third-party device interconnections.

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and…

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and how does it differ from the familiar ladder logic programs?

Banner Engineering augments the Snap Signal series with a new converter that transmits analog I/O signals and converts…

Banner Engineering augments the Snap Signal series with a new converter that transmits analog I/O signals and converts them to Modbus or IO-Link.

NASA seeks to establish robot support crews for future space exploration missions through the Cooperative Autonomous…

NASA seeks to establish robot support crews for future space exploration missions through the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) project.

Safety controllers hold a respected position in automation, relaying critical information between field and plant-level…

Safety controllers hold a respected position in automation, relaying critical information between field and plant-level systems. Banner Engineering’s line of XS26 controllers has been optimized for networking.

Schneider Electric offers its Managed Security Services (MSS) geared towards shoring up industrial data security and readiness.

Schneider Electric offers its Managed Security Services (MSS) geared towards shoring up industrial data security and readiness.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are designed as an endlessly-looping program, examining all lines of code as…

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are designed as an endlessly-looping program, examining all lines of code as rapidly as possible. Following are a few critical tips for when programmers only need to run a series of single operations at startup.

Could these feature-packed devices be a logical solution to any inventory visibility shortcomings in your factory or…

Could these feature-packed devices be a logical solution to any inventory visibility shortcomings in your factory or warehouse operations?

The basic component of data exchange between devices, machines, and embedded systems serves as a hallmark foundation in…

The basic component of data exchange between devices, machines, and embedded systems serves as a hallmark foundation in every organization’s Industry 4.0 implementation process.

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack.…

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack. The first step in the process involves sending data from a device to a server.

Checking all the boxes needed for harsh industrial applications, Balluff’s IO-Link hubs are fit for duty without frills…

Checking all the boxes needed for harsh industrial applications, Balluff’s IO-Link hubs are fit for duty without frills or extra expense.

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although…

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.

Omron’s NX5 series PLC is designed with IIoT in mind, including standard OPC UA and direct connection to relational…

Omron’s NX5 series PLC is designed with IIoT in mind, including standard OPC UA and direct connection to relational databases such as SQL, all without the need for additional hardware or licensing.

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping…

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping engineers predict how and why some system design choices are made over others.

Phoenix Contact adds to its product family of panel PCs and IPCs with the Valueline 3, available in a standalone box or…

Phoenix Contact adds to its product family of panel PCs and IPCs with the Valueline 3, available in a standalone box or ready to integrate into a robust touch panel for industrial environments.

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian…

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian capabilities for short-term data visualization.