steute is launching a new wireless receiver RF Rx SW868-NET-4S-A 48V for its sWave.NET® wireless network, developed with a view to applications involving automated guided vehicles (AGV).
The sWave.NET® system ensures energy-efficient battery management: during breaks and downtimes of up to three weeks, individual vehicles or the entire AGV system can be put remotely into a "sleep mode" in which they require no power. The vehicles do not have to return to a central charging station for their "time-out", instead simply remaining wherever they happen to be. A buffer battery supplies the wireless receiver, enabling it to receive a "wake-up" signal and pass it on to the AGV control unit, in this case by conventional power.
To date, steute has used a wireless actor from its standard range for this. For the AGV-typical 48V on-board power supply, AGV manufacturers had to install an additional converter. The latest generation of the RF Rx does not require a voltage converter, however, thus requiring less power. In addition, a relay is no longer responsible for the switching: instead, optocoupler outputs provide coupling with the AGV control unit. This also contributes to energy-saving operation of the wireless receiver, mounted on the AGV.
With this new development, steute is expanding its sWave.NET® range for AGV applications, an important target market for this robust and flexible network. Renowned AGV manufacturers are already using the wireless "wake-up" function in their vehicle fleets, while some system integrators and car manufacturers have included the sWave.NET® system in their AGV specifications.
