Cat launch new-generation Product Link

CATERPILLAR have introduced improved hardware and an all-new architecture for their Product Link management tool, which allows customers to collect and track multiple types of information about their assets, ranging from machine location and service meter hours to machine health and productivity information.

Product Link gathers data from a machine’s on-board systems and transmits it wirelessly to Caterpillar’s network operations centre. The information is then delivered to the machine owner’s desktop. Using this fast, easy-to-access information, equipment owners can optimize asset utilization, reduce security risks, improve maintenance management and implement before-failure repair strategies, resulting in more up-time, lower operating costs and a higher overall return on the equipment investment.

The new Product Link architecture features a modular design that includes a satellite communicator (PL121SR) and a separate electronic control module (PL300 ECM). Equipment owners who require basic asset-management information, such as machine operating hours and location, can utilize a stand-alone PL121SR, while those who want access to additional machine health and productivity information need both components, which are available as a complete package (PL321SR). Both models are rugged and durable for operation in harsh conditions.

The new PL121SR and PL321SR models separate the computing and communication functions that were integrated in the earlier PL151 and PL201 models which they replace, thereby providing equipment owners with greater flexibility. It is now possible to make a one-off investment in the PL121SR satellite communicator and later add an electronic control module (PL300 ECM) to get more robust information. The new architecture is also versatile enough to accept the introduction of future communications devices that are compatible with the ECM. In addition, the ECM software is easy to upgrade as asset-monitoring capabilities become more sophisticated.

The Product Link hardware consists of an antenna unit, a data module and interconnecting wiring. The antenna unit consists of two separate antennas, one for receiving location information from a GPS satellite system, the second for receiving and transmitting signals from and to a low Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellite system that provides a potential worldwide communications solution.

The system is designed to provide four location reports and one service meter unit (SMU) report per day. Users have the ability to obtain additional reports via the Internet by sending a query from the Product Link Web to the Product Link module. The PL-121SR and PL-321SR modules allow the Web application to display SMUs, location, digital switch outputs and Product Watch alarms. The PL-321SR also permits event diagnostic reporting and fuel consumption reporting, if available from the ECM.