In brief

• Several European sensor manufacturers including LEM. Sensorex and RDP Electronics, have joined a programme to develop and promote "plug-and-play" analogue sensors conforming to the proposed IEEE P1451.4 standard. This standard calls for the addition of low-cost memory chips containing a standard "transducer electronic data sheet" with sensor data and scaling parameters. US sensor manufacturers, led by National Instruments, set up a similar collaborative initiative last year.

• Two US companies, Socket Communications and Isochron Data Corporation, have teamed up to produce Bluetooth-based products for wireless communications between industrial equipment and hand-held Pocket PCs. They say that by allowing personnel to monitor and control equipment from mobile computers, these products will add a new level of integrity and accuracy to data collection, system security and accountability.

• International Rectifier has introduced an integrated design platform for sensorless control of permanent magnet motors. This is the second in IR`s iMotion family of application-specific design platforms for motion control in high-speed spindles and other precision machinery. IR has also introduced a new chip set for the analogue stage of the platform, including a linear current-sensing chip and a three-phase inverter-driver chip.

• The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (Nema) in the US has release a document providing guidance on the differences between Nema and IEC devices for motor service. The document (ICS 2.4-2003) is a revision of a publication first issued in 1989, listing differences in Nema and IEC design philosophies for contactors, thermal overload relays and motor controllers. Details can be found at www.global.ihs.com

• Following Pepperl+Fuchs` recent claims to have launched the first all-metal proximity sensors, Contrinex has pointed out that its Series 700 range of inductive sensors are machined from a single piece of stainless steel, including the sensing face. Their sensing distance is said to be three times longer than conventional sensors, with an M8 non-flush sensor having a range of 6mm.