Computer controlled photoelectric sensor

Engineers at TRI-TRONICS Co. Inc., Tampa, Fla. (www.ttco.com), have designed and put on the market the first photoelectric sensors that can be set up, monitored, and controlled from a computer screen. DCS Smarteye sensors work with computers, PLCs, embedded controllers, and any control device equipped with a RS-232 serial port. Users point and click on icons to configure the sensors which feature an onscreen oscilloscope-style contrast deviation analyzer. It charts signal-level deviation against the background of the sensor's dynamic range while monitoring ongoing events. The analyzer lets users tweak adjustments for the most reliable sensing.