BROADCAST INDUSTRY

INTERBUS AT WORK

The Survey Says... INTERBUS.

dling the large cable, technicians needed to regularly connect and disconnect complicated plugs and sockets. Used primarily to bundle the several hundred signals, a PLC accepted pushbutton inputs. Signals were then transmitted to the systems PC, where the results were tallied and displayed via bar chart. CONTROL SYSTEM The shows producers reconfigured the manner in which answers are polled, increasing the number of possible answers to four (to accommodate multiple choices). In the restructuring, the audience was divided into two groups of 50 people each. Each of those groups include two team leaders. All audience participants could then each select one of four possible answers instead of the previous two, doubling the number of pushbuttons (each with one lamp/echo). These increased wiring requirements led to the selection of INTERBUS as the network to handle the doubled signal capacity. Eighteen INTERBUS modules are used with 24 binary inputs and 16 binary outputs each. Modules and 24-V power supply units (to trigger the lamps) were installed into small boxes. Three of these boxes are installed behind each section, totaling 72 inputs and 48 outputs per section. Short cables from the pushbuttons and lamps lead to INTERBUS modules. When installed, each INTERBUS module requires only two simple cable connections. Operations were also simplified since a separate PLC is no longer used. Instead, an INTERBUS interface card

APPLICATION OVERVIEW Representing a television industry first, a game show producer has implemented INTERBUS to replace parallel wiring. In addition to highprecision television equipment (cameras, mixing and transmitting devices, etc.), numerous electronic components play important roles in this particular application involving active audience participation/voting via keystroke. Since each studio serves as the basis for numerous TV shows, all show-specific studio and stage equipment must be disconnected and, in some instances, completely dismantled before the next show is aired or recorded. The time required to set up and tear down must be minimized, making sure the studio will not remain unused for an extended period. In this example, the show is recorded every other week in two

consecutive days, after which this shows set up disappears behind the scenes until the next taping. PREVIOUS CONFIGURATION In this application, the studio audience interacts throughout the show by pushing a button. For a simple Yes-No or Correct-Incorrect vote, two pushbuttons and one echo are required per person. The echo acknowledges that button activation was registered. Previously, parallel wiring was used for all audience pushbuttons. Each pushbutton and related lamp is connected via various cables with the terminal box of the control. Multiplying those components in this studios audience by 100 people translated to a thick, bulky cable consisting of hundreds of lines involving considerable set up and tear down efforts. In addition to han-

is installed in the systems PC. The same PC generates the results and displays them on-screen. RESULTS/BENEFITS SUMMARY Wiring set up and tear down efforts are considerably reduced: INTERBUS meant fewer connections, markedly less wiring, virtual elimination of connection errors,

and safer (fixed yet removable) installation at each audience seat. INTERBUS helps in the quick detection of occasional wiring faults. Pushbutton-by-pushbutton testing is no longer required since cable breaks and other anomalies are detected and communicated via INTERBUS.

The need for a PLC was eliminated. Substantial wiring cost reductions were realized using INTERBUS. INTERBUS supports future expansion, enabling more complex interaction as requirements increase.

PC
INTERBUS Interface Controller Board
INTERBUS I/O
INTERBUS
Remote OUT

HMI

INTERBUS I/O
INTERBUS
Remote OUT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

Remote IN

Remote IN

INTERBUS I/O
INTERBUS
Remote OUT

INTERBUS I/O
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

INTERBUS

Remote OUT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Error 10 US

Remote IN

Remote IN

And the Survey SAYS...

YES NO 132 58

0866a001

Application information as conveyed in INTERBUS AT WORK is provided as one of many services to automation users and manufacturers of automation-related devices and software by the INTERBUS Club USA. We invite inquiries about the Club and its many benefits. Please contact the INTERBUS Club USA at 1-888-281-2871. Or visit our worldwide website at www.interbusclub.com. 1998 INTERBUS Club USA 0866A Printed in USA