Using new Ethernet-APL HART Converter (HM-APL-PCB), transmitter manufacturers can easily convert existing HART transmitters to the new Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL) interface. The PCB can be customized to incorporate custom features or size requirements (see HART-APL-DEV). You can also quickly design “direct to APL” transmitters without using HART. According to Jeffrey Dobos, President of ProComSol, “Ethernet-APL is an exciting new technology. Manufacturers who want to add it to their product portfolio can now do it quickly and without high cost.”

The HM-APL-PCB consists of a ready to use PCB with a HART connector and an APL connector. Simply connect the HART transmitter to the HART connector and now the HART transmitter is an APL transmitter. The APL connection supplies all power needed for the PCB and the connected HART transmitter. Full documentation and support is included. ProComSol offers customization capabilities, to fit an existing HART transmitter enclosure.

The HART-IP protocol is used by the host system to configure and monitor the transmitter using Ethernet. Any HART-IP compliant host (such as ProComSol’s DevCom family of Apps) can access the APL transmitter via Ethernet through an APL Switch. No software development required. The PCB can also be used as a baseline “direct to APL” design for new transmitters. The PCB supports various hardware peripherals such as Analog I/O, I2C, and SPI Flash memory so you can quickly prototype and demonstrate APL functions on a new transmitter without using HART. Again, full documentation and support is available along with customization services.

ProComSol