Performing more tasks and doing so more quickly

industrial automation systems are performing more tasks and doing so more quickly, more accurately, and in harsher environments than ever before. They are becoming connected tools with substantially more computing and communication capabilities, allowing them to interoperate with other devices. As they evolve and proliferate, these systems put new demands on their computing technology. Rugged COM Express modules not only meet the computing needs of today’s rapidly changing industrial landscape, but also protect the investment to meet tomorrow’s performance needs.

At the dawn of the “Industrial Internet,” the ante is being upped for modular Embedded Systems. More and more machines are being connected, many in remote and challenging environments such as oil and gas, locomotives, transportation, and ship-propulsion systems. To meet the demand for more data in less time, these systems must work faster and longer. Accelerating with the demand for data is the evolution of computer processors. But businesses can’t afford the downtime required to replace processors, or the expense of replacing the carrier board when upgrading the processor. According to a 2006 Department of Energy study, idle industrial machinery can cost as much as $800 per minute.

refer to:http://industrial-embedded.com/articles/rugged-increasingly-connected-world/

If engineers use models to capture requirements, ARP4754A recommends engineers consider the following

The impact of the new standards to UAV developers using model-based design is especially significant. Before describing this, an introduction to model-based design is appropriate.
Introduction to model-based design.

An in-the-loop testing strategy is often used as itemized below and summarized in Table 2:
1. Simulation test cases are derived and run on the model using Model-In-the-Loop (MIL) testing.
2. Source code is verified by compiling and executing it on a host computer using Software-In-the-Loop (SIL) testing.
3. Executable object code is verified by cross-compiling and executing it on the embedded processor or an instruction set simulator using Processor-In-the-Loop (PIL) testing.
4. Hardware implementation is verified by synthesizing HDL and executing it on an FPGA using FPGA-In-the-Loop (FIL) testing.
5. The embedded system is verified and validated using the original plant model using Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
A requirements-based test approach with test reuse for models and code is explicitly described in ARP4754A, DO-178C, and DO-331, the model-based design supplement to DO-178C.

refer to:
http://mil-embedded.com/articles/transitioning-do-178c-arp4754a-uav-using-model-based-design/

The networking implications of 4.0 LTE

If our factories are full of machines prompting other machines to take action, we had better hope that those machines can talk to each other effectively without any compatibility problems.

In order to make sure that machine X can talk to machine Y we need to ensure that a rigorous conformance testing process is in place. You have to be confident that anything designed for the networking, works with the networking.

It’s for this reason that the CLPA devotes a great deal of effort to ensuring that our partners’ products have been tested to the necessary standards. We have created a global network of conformance testing centres that ensure no matter where a partner is located, they have access to convenient local conformance test labs that help speed their time to market.

The evidence is compelling - there is an installed base of over nine million CC-Link devices, but every year the CLPA only discovers a handful of instances of incompatibility.

refer to:http://www.connectingindustry.com/automation/the-networking-implications-of-industry-40.aspx

Board makers and its dilemma

Millions of maker boards have shipped to date, mostly as an extension of a thriving young DIY community. However, as open networking platforms continue to surface as alternatives for commercial product development, it is possible that a generation of embedded engineers is being brought up by maker. GizmoSphere has also entered the maker market with x86 process technology, including an AMD Embedded computer G-Series APU capable of 52.8 GFLOPS at under 10 W on their Gizmo board. Part of the Gizmo Explorer Kit, the package “was designed to be flexible so that designers can customize the system according to their specific development goals,” says Kerry Brown, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Sage Industrial Electronic Engineering.

“Gizmo was created to provide a flexible, multipurpose development board to serve the unique needs of embedded developers,” Brown says. “There is a wide range of interfaces on the Gizmo board, including PCIe, I2C, USB, and GPIO … to enable each developer’s unique design goals. The companion Explorer board provides a sea of holes for industrial prototyping and debugging. The kit can be used by hobbyist developers who want to tinker at home on the weekends, or by entrepreneurs and small businesses developing their next product.”

refer to:
http://embedded-computing.com/articles/diy-pushes-open-hardware-kindergarten-kickstarter/

The next industrial revolution is on the go

The 4th generation Intel Core processor family will enable the transformation of the modern solutions. factory with Internet of Things technology – not only because of its higher performance but also because it permits industrial equipment manufacturers to significantly reduce design complexity and cost through consolidation of multiple applications and single board computer.  All told, managers of fanless embedded systems will find that the new processor’s performance, signal processing capability, and I/O flexibility are true game changers, enhancing productivity as well as augmenting the security and manageability of industrial PCs, controllers, single board computer, and HMI stations.

refer to:

http://embedded-computing.com/articles/transform-factory-the-intel-core-processor/

Hydraulic Actuators among power plant automation

Hydraulic actuators are more popular because of their technology ability to achieve high torque. Some companies offer a linear actuator that can be modified for rotary action through a technology  gearbox. The device has been around for more than a decade and offers a digitally stepped servomotor single board computer pump to provide higher positioning accuracy than pneumatic actuators. Hydraulic actuators have even been used to position small turbine control valves. The actuator is connected to a nearby smart programmable electronic embedded systems box with an umbilical cable.Configuration and calibration is made easy through this box, which can be mounted away from the process for convenient access.

refer to: http://www.power-eng.com/articles/print/volume-117/issue-8/features/opportunities-to-improve-efficiency.html

Strategic partnership in embedded system

JR Automation Technologies in Holland, MI, and AWL-Techniek, based in the Netherlands, announce a embedded computer strategic partnership.

With the advancement of customer success at the helm, the strategies of JR Automation and AWL-Techniek have aligned, creating a partnership that will allow global customer bases to benefit from an equally global system integrator presence. JR will service and support customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and AWL will support customers in industrial Europe and China.

This collaboration will raise JR and AWL to meet the strict embedded computer demands of expanding and globalizing automotive platforms that have been straining suppliers. Both experts in the design and build of automated equipment  and welding systems for the automotive and general industries, the pairing will now have the added ability to focus on their respective regions exclusively, giving the customer increased support and service availability.

refer to: http://www.automation.com/jr-automation-and-awl-techniek-join-forces