Sercom wireless xtender
Optimize your horticultural processesSercom wireless xtender
Hortilife works closely with its supplier Sercom. This company provides a series of reliable process computers for controlling the regulation of the greenhouse or storage space.
In January 2018, the Sercom Wireless Xtender was introduced. The concept of wireless communication between a central climate computer and its substations, or with stand-alone fertiliser dosing systems in open fields has been optimized.
In The Netherlands, Â it is widely used in the supply of climate control of storage rooms for flower bulbs. Wireless Xtender is also being actively used within the horticulture. As an important supplier of highly advanced climate control systems, we recommend our clients to use the radio technology to realise the possibility of long distance communication, in real-time.
Two-way communication system
The new two-way communication system makes it possible to communicate between the main computer and up to 16 sub-stations, over a distance of up to 5 kilometres. The system was formally introduced at the IPM exhibition 2018 in Essen, Germany. It offers many possibilities to manage several locations from a central office. It facilitates the option to expand production areas without the need of expensive and time-consuming wiring.
Technical specifications:
- Can be used without having to use a PC to configure it (Plug & Play);
- Automatic baud rate recognition;
- Automatic data format recognition and setting;
- Protocol independent;
- Automatic end-of-message detection;
- Suitable for 868MHz for long range;
- USB connection and is powered directly from the USB port.
New PCB for wireless RS485 connection between process computer and control PC
After the introduction of the above mentioned development, with which a wireless connection can be made between the climate computer and individual field stations, this development with the introduction of the Wireless RS485 Xtender has been continued. This is a PCB that enables a wireless connection between the process computer and the control PC.
The print can easily be connected to the operating PC or laptop in the office. The same print can be placed in the process computer on location. After this, a connection is automatically established between the two locations. Then it’s possible to monitor and operate the climate computer within a distance of 5 kilometres.
This technology, which is based on radio waves, just like the Wireless Xtender, is not limited to a connection between the process computer and the operating PC, but can be applied to any system or device that works with an RS485 cable connection as standard.