Page 19 - EngineerIt January 2021

AUTOMATION

diagnostics to help users debug industrial I/O systems. Controllers can be configured
to recognise I/O failures, notify users and even initiate an orderly shutdown. Users can
also access diagnostic tools to monitor I/O network performance and system health,
providing them with an early indication of any impending issues.

Industrial I/O roadmap
In addition to providing I/O interoperability, redundant architectures and helpful
diagnostics, PROFINET has further features that make it an ideal solution for PLCs,
PACs and industrial edge controllers. A specified profile enables data to be easily
shared between PROFINET and OPC UA networks. Another standard profile makes it
possible to connect IO-Link sensors and devices to PROFINET. Time-sensitive
networking (TSN) represents a set of networking standards for improving performance
by minimising latency, to provide high availability data transmission over deterministic
Ethernet networks.
PROFINET enables users to create the highest performance I/O networks that can
support the most demanding applications such as motion control, while further
improving their overall network capabilities, robustness and security. n

5G spreads Covid-19 virus a myth

CASA said that the claim that 5G is In its media statement dated 6 the novel coronavirus in 2020. Such
spreading Covid-19 is a myth. The April 2020, the Authority debunked fake theories can only cause despair
IAuthority would like to urge all South these conspiracy theories that link the and unnecessary technophobia among
Africans not to be swayed by these spread of Covid-19 to the deployment South Africans and must be strongly
conspiracy theories that are hell-bent on of Fifth Generation (5G) technologies. condemned”, says Dr Modimoeng.
bringing instability and fear to the nation. The Authority would like to reiterate its South Africa adheres to the
position that the development of relevant standards prescribed by both
standards for International Mobile the ITU and the World Health
Telecommunication for 2020 (IMT- Organisation (WHO), with the former’s
2020) and beyond (commercially focus being primarily on the regulation
known as 5G), is continuing at the of radio frequency electromagnetic
International Telecommunication field emissions. The Authority confirms
Union (ITU) and that the that type-approved electronic
administration, including ICASA, communications facilities provided in
contributes to and participates in the country adhere to the prescribed
these processes. standards and that there is no
“We all need to rely on evidence that they pose any health
scientifically-based evidence and risks to the country and/or its citizens.
refrain from these baseless theories. Recently there have been a spate
Some of the frequencies earmarked of attacks on telecommunications
and trialled for 5G deployment by infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal
industry players were previously following reports on social media
Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng,Executive Chairperson assigned to various operators in South about similar incidences in the UK and
of the Independent Communications Authority of
South Africa (ICASA) Africa – way before the outbreak of the USA. n

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