Low-cost VXI-based front-end for distributed measurement applications

A low-cost measurement and control network for industrial distributed applications is reported. The architecture is arranged on three hierarchical levels: the fieldbus, the intranet and the Internet. Particular attention has been paid to the lower level which represents the field level, based on the H8/3048F Hitachi microcontroller and linked to a VXIbus device by means of a suited register based interface. The proposed network has been designed for industrial measurement applications. It can embody a number of analog signal conditioning circuits, processor and communication capabilities, to meet industrial needs. An application of proposed station to monitoring of water distribution system is reported. Experimental results showing the system performance are also included.