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EnerCera Battery Solves RTC Power Supply ChallengesPower supply issues jeopardize smart factory operations
Background
Efforts are being made by the manufacturing industry to create “smart factories” that bring together robotics, control technologies IoT, and artificial intelligence. By sending large numbers of production data and information on the status of the manufacturing equipment to the cloud and utilizing those data, the smart factory model promises high levels of profitability. In Japan, the adoption of Industry 4.0 standards will allow factory data to be managed and analyzed in real time and in an integrated manner, the visualization of data is a matter of urgency.
Problems
Record Time Accurately, Even During Power Interruptions
Real time clocks (RTCs) make it possible to embed accurate timestamps in manufacturing data and IoT sensing data that is transmitted to the cloud. In fact, accurate time stamps are required by a wide range of applications, including automotive applications and applications for security devices, machine tools, factory automation equipment, programmable logic controllers, smart appliances and many others. By switching to a backup battery when the main battery is being replaced or the main power supply is interrupted, these devices are able to keep and display the correct time. However, the utilization of non-rechargeable batteries as backup power supply creates the hassle of replacement. Meanwhile existing rechargeable batteries in market cannot be subjected to extreme temperatures or other punishing conditions.
Batteries to be Used in Demanding Applications
The use of real time clocks in punishing conditions creates the following issues:
Real time clocks cannot be used with AI cameras and other such devices that sends data to the cloud in encrypted form if they are to be mounted outdoors in extremely cold locations or tropical climates.
Real time clocks cannot be used in high-speed machining centers, where heat is generated by revolving tool bits.
Data from laser sensors, fiber optic sensors, and photoelectric sensors cannot be backed up by real time clocks since these sensors are exposed to high temperatures.
Main Issues
The use of real time clocks in cold climates or applications that otherwise involve negative temperatures is challenging.
Real time clocks cannot use in applications that generate heat or otherwise involve high temperatures.
Real time clocks cannot be installed in narrow and/or small spaces.