What is SMART Single Module Auto Ranging Transmitter Device

 

This term was coined by Honeywell, USA in 1985. The first generation of instruments like flow meters were mechanical devices. The next generation used electronics for improving performance. With electronics, adjustment of range, span, zero adjustment etc. could be carried out with potentiometers. (i.e. ease of setting parameters was achieved) In some cases functions like linearization, annunciation (exceeding process limits) etc. were also integrated. With the help of 4-20mA transmitter, data transmission over longer distance was made easy. There was a considerable jump in technology in terms of improved accuracy, response, interface with operator, ease of adjustment of range and span. This was made possible with use of digital circuits, microcontrollers, ADC, DAC. Today we hear about not only Smart Transmitter/Instruments, but Smart Control Valves, Smart Machines like Microwave Ovens, Washing Machines etc. Digital Oscilloscope also can be categorized as Smart Oscilloscope. Most of these are called embedded applications. Todays microcontrollers like PIC [from Microchip] & Atmel consume negligible power, have built in ADC/DAC with multiplexer (multi channel). Also they have in built timers, EPROM, E2PROM, RAM, Watch dog timer on a chip. The operating frequencies are also high. So these are finding applications in every field. (high frequency is not needed in all applications) These processors can work on very low frequency. This is very beneficial, because the power consumption depends on the operating frequency. For many instruments operation frequency of C used may be as low as one kHz for satisfactory operation.

Following are some of the features that can be added in any smart transmitter (or any other equipment)

SMART DEVICE

•     Communication with master control, printers and other units
•     Linearization - Look up tables  - Use of formula
•     Compensation of secondary effects like temperature/pressure
•     Auto Calibration
•     Auto offset adjust
•     Auto Range Selection. (DMM)
•     Span adjustment
•     Remote programming of parameters
•     Self-diagnostics
•      History memory
•     Improved accuracy
•     Annunciation
•     Sensor characteristics may be stored
•     Inter locking with other system easy
•     Easy math calculations
•     Smart displays
•     Use of PID possible
•     Password for locking parameter settings
•     Code (in memory) can be bared

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What is a Internet Fax

Internet fax is a device that uses IP networks to transmit the faxes instead of the PSTN. Internet fax uses e-mails as the medium for sending the faxes. Internet fax services include email to fax, fax to email and PC to fax (sending faxes from your computer). Internet fax is type of service, which enables you to send and receive the faxes in a timely manner without a fax machine. Only an email accounts is required to setup your Internet fax account.

Subscribers have to monthly fees to the internet fax service providers. Internet fax service providers usually works in a way that when a fax is sent to the subscriber’s number, the fax service receives the fax and send it to the recipient’s email address as an attachment.

All you need is to have the registered email address with the internet fax service providers. You have to write the fax content in the body of the email and type the fax number in the “To” field with a @ sign and a internet fax service name e.g 14545668999@efax.com. In the subject field sender can write the name of the recipient.

There is a small tool bar in the system tray for sending and receiving the faxes and it comes after installing the fax software. Upon receiving the email to the Internet fax service providers the automated programs convert the email messages to the fax format and send the fax to the recipient fax number. On the other, hand the recipient receives the fax on their fax machine normally.

The Internet fax services provide very ease and you assigned a fax number, which has to be active 24 hours so that you account can accept the faxes. On the other hand, the working of the regular fax machine is typically depends on your telephone line, which should be free while sending and receiving the fax. Internet fax service also saves your papers and the need of the fax machine.

Internet fax service is very familiar to the sending and receiving the email messages and it also saves the cost and time so many people are likely to use this service.
Another big advantage is given by the Internet service providers is that it offers the toll free numbers to its subscribers in USA and Canada. So the people from USA and Canada can send faxes for free. Most internet fax services costs $10-20 per month. The communication charges are greatly reduced as opposed to the conventional fax machines, which costs a user per page

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