Using a simple MQTT software upgrade, any member of WAGO’s PFC controller family can be transformed into an IoT controller with cloud connectivity – merging IT and automation.
Record, digitalize and link data profitably – this is the core concept behind Industry 4.0. A simple upgrade transforms the WAGO PFC100 and PFC200 Controllers into IoT controllers that transmit data from the field level to the cloud, where the data can be aggregated and used for analysis. This creates true added value for companies – be it for increasing the efficiency of in-house production, implementing energy management in buildings, or further developing end customer services. Existing systems also be made IoT-ready, making them sustainable into the future. The WAGO PFC family of controllers thus are the basis for a sustainable corporate world.
Profiting from Flexibility
In just a few simple steps, both WAGO PFC100 and PFC200 Controllers can be transformed into IoT devices by installing a firmware upgrade and programming an IEC application with the corresponding library. Following this step, status information such as Run/Stop, connection status, device information and variables defined in the IEC program can be transmitted to a cloud and visualized. The customer can decide whether the controller sends the data to Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, or IBM Bluemix. Connections to third-party solutions will also be feasible in the future due to the standardized MQTT protocol. The data are transmitted in JSON files (JavaScript Object Notation), and the link is encrypted using TLS.
Upgrades Made Easy
The user can easily run the software update in a Web browser using WAGO’s Web-Based Management (WBM) system. In addition, libraries are included for CODESYS 2.3 and e!COCKPIT. The cloud connection data is also configured using WBM. The variables that are to be transferred to the cloud can be defined using the IEC program – the programmer is always in control.
Text: Dirk Volkening I WAGO
Photo: WAGO