Remote diagnostics is the act of diagnosing a given symptom, issue or problem from a distance. Instead of the subject being colocated with the person or system doing the diagnostics, with remote diagnostics the subjects can be separated by physical distance (E.g., earth-moon). Information exchange occurs either by wire or wireless.
When limiting to systems, a general accepted definition is: 'To Improve reliability of vital or capital-intensive installations and reduce the maintenance costs by avoiding unplanned maintenance, by monitoring the condition of the system remotely. '
Process elements for remote diagnostics:
Typical uses:
The reasons for RD can be one of more of these aspects:
Machine remote diagnosis allows initiation of the best course of action for problem resolution. When tracking problems or strange behaviour on a PLC controlled machine, it is often difficult or even impossible to correct the problem if it cannot be reproduced by the service staff. In the worst case scenario, the machine needs to be serviced on site to identify the problem, involving a local technician with all the communication, language and accent problems that may arise with the machine builder.
A simple and cost-effective way to remotely maintain and service industrial machinery worldwide consists of using a Web broker architecture. As the Internet grew, it provided an opportunity for free or public long distance communication for remote access. Now combined with cellular technologies that provide wireless communication or DSL based technologies, this offers the market new communication media for accessing devices. However, DSL based technologies require installing a dedicated line to the machine location, while cellular technologies requires that wireless receivers are available in the vicinity of the machine providing adequate coverage for good communication.
Remote Diagnostic & Maintenance refers to both diagnoses of the fault or faults and taking corrective (maintenance) actions, like changing settings to improve performance or prevent problems like breakdown, wear & tear. RDM can replace manpower at location by experts on a central location, in order to save manpower or prevent hazardous situations (space for instance). Increasing globalisation and more and more complicated machinery and software, also creates the wish to remote engineering, so travel over growing distances of experienced and expensive engineering personnel is limited.