Bedrock Automation Introduces Universal I/O Module with Embedded Cyber Security

Bedrock Automation introduced its 10-channel Secure Universal I/O Module, SIOU.10, for its Bedrock control system. Every cyber secure channel of the Bedrock SIOU.10 is software programmable to receive field input or output signals for analog, discrete or pulse sensors, and field actuators.

The Bedrock SIOU.10 combines the equivalent functionality of multiple I/O module types into a single, software programmable module; all while providing embedded digital and physical cyber security.

The SIOU.10 plugs into the pinless Bedrock Electromagnetic Backplane Module Interconnect (BMI) along with the Secure Control and Communications (SCC) Module and Secure Power Modules (SPM). The unique pinless BMI forms a galvanic isolation barrier for each of the ten SIOU.10 channels and leverages the Bedrock Black Fabric cyber security architecture.  Compared to I/O modules without digital and physical cyber hardening, the SIOU.10 reportedly delivers embedded cyber encryption and authentication from within. The benefits to the user include higher levels of reliability, integrity and safety.

Software Configurability
Each channel on the SIOU.10 module is software programmable to receive field input or output signals from analog, discrete or pulse sensors, and actuators. SIOU.10 channels are software configured in the Bedrock Integrated Development Environment (IDE,) where the process engineer can build distributed control system (DCS), SCADA remote transfer unit (RTU), or programmable logic controller (PLC) functionality.

The Bedrock SIOU.10 Secure Universal I/O module includes the following specifications:

• Ten channels of I/O per module
• Ten channels of software selectable 4-20mA analog input (AI) or analog output (AO)
• Ten independent HART 7 modems
• Ten additional integrated AIs to enable AO read back
• Ten galvanically isolated and regulated 24VDC field power supplies
• Ten software selectable discrete inputs (DIs) or discrete outputs (DOs)
• Ten additional integrated DIs to enable discrete output DO read back
• Ten 10 to 100kHz pulse inputs for pulse meters with software selectable filter and debounce time, frequency period and pulse accumulation
• Galvanic isolation of over 1000 volts channel-to-channel (CTC) and channel-to-ground (CTG) on all ten channels
• Single, Dual or Triple redundancy
• +/- 0.015% of span accuracy for all analog input AI channels
• Up to 48VDC DO switching 1 amp per channel, 10 amps per module
• Embedded electronic fusing for every DO channel with software selectable backoff and retry
• Software selectable NAMUR DI support
• Voltage Monitor or Contact Sense DI with software selectable filter and debounce time per channel

Pricing and Availability
The Bedrock SIOU.10 module will be sales released October 1, 2015 at a list price of $3,000 USD through Bedrock's network of system integrators and automation solution providers. Volume shipments will begin December 11, 2015.

Keywords: Industrial Automation, Virtual Marshalling, Cyber Security, Galvanic Isolation Barrier, Cyber Encryption, ARC Advisory Group.