Using Cellular as a Network Failsafe for Field I/O Controllers

Monitoring remote assets or field processes results in significant value, giving industrial companies of all stripes access to real-time data that is otherwise difficult to acquire. This is the great promise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). And it works great, delivering both operationally critical and strategically important information to the engineers and technicians who know how to use it best.

Many of these field locations have LAN access, commonly known as the most reliable network connection. While that sounds like your data is “in the bag”, it doesn’t take much experience to realize that even ethernet connections aren’t foolproof. When getting the data is important, building a failsafe is the responsible thing to do.

The good news is that it has never been easier to create a network failsafe. With cellular I/O controllers from ControlByWeb, you can acquire remote data, process that data on-site with embedded logic, and automatically failover to a cellular connection if the ethernet network loses connection. This gives ultimate peace of mind and ensures the highest likelihood of a good connection for important data.

ControlByWeb Failsafe Modules

We have a number of I/O controllers with embedded cellular modems that will automatically failover to a cell network in the event of communication loss. These modules can be set to any default connection mode: ethernet, wifi, or cellular. They can also auto failover to any other mode than the default. The most common way this feature is used, however, is to fall back from an ethernet or wifi network to a cell connection.

ControlByWeb Cellular Controllers

4 Relays, 4 Digital Inputs, & Up to 16 Temperature Sensors

1 Relay & 1 Digital Input

4 Relays & 4 Analog Inputs

Modbus RS-485 Module

See all cell units

These modules include GPIO, 1-wire for temperature and humidity, and Modbus RS-485 connections to monitor and control industrial processes and equipment. They feature an embedded webserver that offers a browser-based UI and logic builder instead of downloading software to a computer. They operate independently of network connections, software, or cloud platforms.

This makes them the perfect failsafe controllers. Not only are they capable of automatic failover, but they have the embedded logic, I/O, and independence necessary to effectively create redundant data acquisition and control.

Common Applications

There are many applications where a cellular failsafe is advantageous. So many, in fact, that a list of applications from our customers may be somewhat limiting. We offer this list, then, with the caveat that they are only some examples meant to spark your imagination:

• Mobile Security Trailers
• Irrigation Control Systems
• Billboard Monitoring and Control
• Level Monitoring and Control
• Generator Monitoring and Control
• Road Sign Automation
• Gate and Access Control
• Alarm Panel Monitoring