US-based manufacturer of fiber optic modules Phoenix Digital Corporation (PDC) was acquired by the German Softing Group. Phoenix Digital's safe fiber optic modules have been manufactured for many years to ensure secure and robust data communication in industrial controllers from Rockwell Automation.
"Phoenix Digital's safe fiber optic modules are an excellent addition to our portfolio of high-quality communication solutions in the Industrial segment. This enables us to extend the transmission media we offer for industrial controllers to optical processes using optical fibers. This further strengthens Softing's position in IIoT solutions in the upper performance segment and opens up new markets for us," says Dr. Wolfgang Trier, CEO of Softing AG. Softing expects this acquisition to generate additional sales of up to EUR 3 million p.a. in the coming years, once the products have been integrated into the Softing portfolio.
Data communication on a fiber optical cable
Phoenix Digital´s patented approach to data communication with opposing optical rings is tamper-proof by design. The packaging of data with transmission on a fiber optic cable does not require any software from the user and is extremely easy to use. The ring topology can be activated via just one microswitch. The PDC system is MAC-ID and not IP based. This means the user does not need to create an IP-based system or reference tables. Programming, addressing assignments or configuration are completely eliminated.
Automation applications in the oil & gas, mining, chemical, water, wastewater and general infrastructure industries are typical target segments for PDC. These industrial sectors appreciate the robustness, safety and the fact that networked controllers are extremely quickly reconnected and operational after a planned or unplanned restart.
