Remote Diagnostic Systems ( RDS ) have relied so far on modem based connectivity, which is expensive. With the growing explosion of the Internet, Fault Diagnostics of equipment installed at remote sites becomes highly cost-effective. 

Interface has developed a range of products that enable an organisation to work out a coherent strategy for Remote Diagnosis using the Internet. The key aspect of this technology is that it does not require a TCP/IP stack on the machine controller. Standard RS 232/485 based connectivity is all that RDS requires to enable an equipment to be Internet enabled.
 

The RDS system consists of :

a. Remote Client ( RC ) which enables the web browser to view and control the I/Os, parameters and control variables on the controller. If the controller has a non-standard protocol, the Remote client can be built into the same protocol.

The RC can log into the RDS server, which runs on Java. An experienced on-site technician can use the RC to diagnose equipment faults independently of the Internet.

b. An Internet Control Gateway is used to connect a network or set of equipment controls to the remote client. This consists of a PC with Java enabled software which controls the equipment network and filters the information onto the net.

c. The Diagnostic Client ( DC ) can connect up to the RC on the Internet - the DC provides a set of data controls, to build a user friendly browser based frontend for the technician - controls like digital input/outputs, analog input/outputs, clocks, timers, etc. are available.

Using the DC, the technician gets the look and feel as if he were directly connected to the machine controller. He can set parameters, read input status, set output bits, change PID settings. 

d. Chat Option for feedback : While the DC is connected to the RC, the RC can be enabled such that the remote technician can chat with the on-site technician. The remote technician can give a report of actual machine behaviour.