| Industrial computer adds real-time extension to XP Embedded |
Apr. 18, 2008
 B&R Automation has announced a compact industrial PC that comes with Windows XP Embedded enhanced with the company's own real-time extension. The APC620 Embedded offers integrated fieldbus interfaces, 512KB or 1GB of battery-backed static RAM, two CompactFlash slots, and support for eight remote displays, B&R says.
(Click here for a larger view of the B&R APC620 Embedded)
The APC620 Embedded (above, and below right) is bundled with B&R's Automation Runtime AR106 or AR010 software. This kernel lets Windows XP applications operate concurrently with a true real-time operating system, such as Wind River's VXWorks. The two OSes communicate via TCP/IP, but the real-time OS always has the higher priority, ensuring deterministic control of PLCs, according to B&R.
The device is part of an overall APC620 product line that features four housing types, including variants with one, two, or five PCI slots. The devices run fanlessly, thanks to large exterior heat sinks and the use of Compact Flash storage instead of hard disk drives.
B&R's APC620 computers, with the APC620 Embedded at right
A key feature of the APC620s is their SDL (smart display link) feature, which allows eight touchscreen displays to be connected to each computer using a bus topology. The systems have dual SDL buses, each capable of cloning content to four displays on cable runs of up to 524 feet. The SDL cable runs also carry USB signals -- allowing USB drives and keyboard to be connected remotely -- plus touschscreen signals, key presses, and service data such as temperature and operating hours.
As the junior member of the family, the APC620 Embedded does not have a PCI slot. However, it has three fieldbus interfaces, which allow the system to be connected to dozens or hundreds of instruments and PLCs (programmable logic controllers) in a manufacturing plant. The fieldbus standards supported by the APC620 Embedded are Powerlink, CAN (controller area network), and X2X Link.
Rear of the APC620 Embedded, showing ports and heatsink
(Click to enlarge)
The APC620 Embedded is available with 600MHz or 1GHz Celeron M processors, or Pentium M CPUs running at 1.1GHz or 1.4GHz. It comes with 512MB or 1GB of battery-backed static RAM, plus dual CompactFlash slots. The device also includes a 10/100 Ethernet port, two serial ports, and four USB ports.
Features and specifications listed by B&R for the APC620 Embedded include:- Processor -- 600Hhz or 1GHz Celeron M, 1.1GHz or 1.1GHz Pentium M
- Memory -- 512MB or 1GB of SRAM, battery backed
- Storage -- dual CompactFlash slots for mass storage
- Display -- supports DVI (optional) or up to eight remote displays via SDL (smart display link)
- Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet port
- Other I/O:
- 2 x RS232
- 4 x USB
- Fieldbus:
- Expansion -- 2 x Compact Flash slots
- Dimensions -- n/a
- Weight -- n/a
- Operating temperature -- n/a
While pricing and availability were not cited by B&R, the APC 620 Embedded appears to be on sale now.
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(Click here for further information)
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