2013年12月30日 星期一

The Reliable Software Developers’ Conference – UK, May 2014

Technology event organiser Energi Technical has announced that it will be launching "The Reliable Software Developers' Conference", scheduled for May 2014.
This one-day conference will provide an important forum for engineers and developers working in the development of safety critical systems and high availability systems. It is expected to attract software developers working in such industries as automotive, railway systems, aerospace, bankingmedical and energy. www.rsd-conference.co.uk
"In recent years, software has become so complex that ensuring safety and reliability is now a major challenge," said Richard Blackburn, Event Organiser. "Many systems now have millions of lines of code and will handle enormous amounts of data. Further to this, modern computer based systems will make millions of decisions every second and also have to be immune to interference and unpredictable events. This event will look at the MISRA coding standards, debug tools and software testing tools that are available to assist software programmers and engineers seeking to develop reliable and safety critical
systems."
The Reliable Software Developers' Conference will be co-located with the 2014 UK Device Developers' Conference. Both will be a one-day conference to be run in Bristol, Cambridge, Northern England and Scotland on May 20th, May 20rd, June 3rd and June 5th.
Delegates attending either event will have the opportunity to sit in on technical presentations and ½ day technical workshops and a attend a vendor exhibition of tools and technology for the development of real-time and embedded systems. www.device-developer-conference.co.uk
"Advanced Debug Tools, Code Test, Version Control, Verification Tools and Software Standards have been a growing feature of recent conferences, so it made sense to create a dedicated event," said Richard. "There will be a lot expertise available to delegates, and the chance to meet a broad range of vendors of test technologies and tools, all under one roof."
Refer to:http://embedded-computing.com/news/the-uk-may-2014/

2013年12月23日 星期一

Acrosser wish you Happy Holidays and a very prospective 2014 coming soon!

As we near the end of 2013, Acrosser would like to send you our warmest New Year’s wishes! We wish you and your family health, comfort, and prosperity this holiday season.

We also thank you for keeping up with our latest products, sending us inquiries, and choosing our products for your integrated solution! In 2014, we hope you will continue to choose Acrosser. We look forward to assisting you and your company in becoming the leader in your vertical market, and building a win-win relationship together.

And don’t forget about our star product, AES-HM76Z1FL, and its upcoming Product Testing Event in January! Remember to mark your calendar, since Acrosser is lending the product for free only to selected participants! Please stay tuned for more event information in early January!

With your continuous dedication and our commitment to quality, Acrosser is always motivated to make your embedded idea a reality!

2013年12月16日 星期一

Comprehensive customization for network appliances: meet our rackmount and micro box!

acrosser Technology, a world-leading network communication designer and manufacturer, introduces two network appliances that deliver great performance and protection while simplifying your network. Each product has its own target market and appeals to a unique audience.

Acrosser
’s ANR-IB75N1/A/B serves as an integrated Unified Threat Management (UTM) device that covers all of your networking security needs. Featuring a 3rd generation Intel Core i processor, increased processing throughput is easily made. For integration with information security systems, the device also features functions such as anti-virus, anti-spam, fire wall, intrusion detection, VPN and web filtering, in order to provide complete solutions to meet the demands of various applications.

Key features of the ANR-IB75N1/A/B include:
‧Support for LGA1155 Intel® Core ™ i7/i5/i3 processor / Pentium CPU
‧Intel B75 Chipset
‧2 x DDRIII DIMM, up to 16GB memory.
‧2 x Intel 82576EB Fiber ports
‧8 x Intel 82574L 10/100/1000Mbps ports
‧Two pairs LAN ports support bypass feature (LAN 1/2 + LAN 3/4)
‧LAN bypass can be controlled by BIOS and Jumper
‧CF socket, 2 x 2.5” HDD, 1 x SATA III, 1 x SATA II
‧Console, VGA (pinhead), 2 x USB 3.0 (2 x external)
‧Support boot from LAN, console redirection
‧Equipped with 80 Plus Bronze PSU to decrease CO2 dissipation and protect our environment
‧LCM module to provide user-friendly interface
‧Standard 1U rackmount size

As for our micro box, the AND-D525N2 provides more possibilities for different applications due to its small form factor (234mm*165mm*44mm). Aside from its space-saving design, the other 3 major features of the AND-D525N2 are its high performance, low power consumption and competitive price. Please send us your inquiry via our website (http://www.acrosser.com/inquiry.html), or simply contact your nearest local sales location for further information.
Key features of the AND-D525N2 include:
‧Intel Atom D525 1.86GHz
‧Intel ICH8M Chipset
‧x DDR3 SO-DIMM up to 4GB
‧1 x 2.5 inch HDD Bay, 1 x CF socket
‧4 x GbE LAN, Realtek 8111E
‧2 x USB2.0
‧2 x SATA II
‧1 x Console
‧1 x MiniPCIe socket

Besides In addition to these two models, Acrosser also provides a wide selection of network security hardware. With more than 26 years of rich industry experience, Acrosser has the ODM/OEM ability to carry out customized solutions, shortening customers’ time-to-market and creating numerous profits.

For all networking appliances product, please visit:
http://www.acrosser.com/Products/Networking-Appliance.html

Product Information – ANR-IB75N1/A/B:
http://www.acrosser.com/Products/Networking-Appliance/Rackmount/ANR-IB75N1/A/B/Networking-Appliance-ANR-IB75N1/A/B.html

Product Information – AND-D525N2:
http://www.acrosser.com/Products/Networking-Appliance/MicroBox/AND-D525N2/ATOM-D525-AND-D525N2.html

Contact us:
http://www.acrosser.com/inquiry.html

2013年12月10日 星期二

INDUSTRIAL GROWING IN CHINA


December 5, 2013 - The Chinese market for industrial Ethernet & Fieldbus Technologies grew by 18 million nodes in 2012. More than 3 million nodes used Ethernet and the remainder used Fieldbus technology.

Although Fieldbus has a large base of new connected nodes in China, the usage of Fieldbus is not as common as in developed countries such as Germany or the United States. This is mainly because Chinese customers are encountering networking technology much later than those developing countries.

However, the growing speed of Ethernet is quite considerable in China and we think it is a great opportunity for Chinese customers to upgrade their automation system under current market condition. Customers will just jump from old Fieldbus Technologies direct to Ethernet now and actually many of them are doing right now.  The Chinese market is currently engaged in extensive upgrading and new infrastructure construction, and that will require a great deal of Ethernet applications.

In China, international brands are quite influential. This is also true for industrial networking protocols because most of them having their supporting companies. For example, the most popular Fieldbus protocols in China are PROFIBUS and CC-Link, which are developed and promoted by Siemens and Mitsubishi separately, which command large market share in China.

refer to:http://www.automation.com/portals/industrial-networks-field-buses/industrial-ethernet-growing-in-china

2013年12月1日 星期日

High Computing Performance for All Applications- F.I.T. Technology

The demand for computing performance in the IPC market continues to become stronger as the IT field advances. Acrosser’s new AES-HM76Z1FL has been designed to meet these demands.
The F.I.T. Technology used to build this new product reflects its 3 major features: fanless design, Intel core i processor and ultra thin frame. The fanless design not only reduces the risk of exposure to air dust, but also prevents fan-malfunction. With a height of less than 0.8 inches, AES-HM76Z1FL’s slim design makes itself FIT into every application.
As its structure and output interface show, AES-HM76Z1FL provides a wide range of choices, from HDMI, VGA, USB, and audio to GPIO output interfaces that suit almost all industries. For wireless communication needs, the AES-HM76Z1FL has a mini-PCle expansion slot which provides support on both 3.5G and WiFi.
Another fascinating feature of the AES-HM76Z1FL is its ease of installation for expansions. By disassembling the bottom cover, expansions such as CF cards, memory upgrades and mini-PCIe can be easily complete without moving the heat sink. Moreover, Acrosser adopts 4 types of CPU (Intel Core i7/i3, Intel Celeron 1047UE/927UE) for AES-HM76Z1FL, allowing it to satisfy the scalable market demands of different applications.
In conclusion, the AES-HM76Z1FL is truly a well-rounded product designed for diverse applications. To promote our star product AES-HM76Z1FL, Acrosser will launch a product testing campaign starting in January, 2014. Acrosser will provide selected applications with the new AES-HM76Z1FL for one month, and it’s free! For more detailed information, please stay tuned for our press release, or leave us an inquiry on our website at www.acrosser.com!

Product Information:
http://www.acrosser.com/Products/Embedded-Computer/Fanless-Embedded-Systems/AES-HM76Z1FL/Intel-Core-i3/i7-AES-HM76Z1FL.html

2013年11月24日 星期日

Automation vendors have announced various services

Over the last few years a number of automation vendors have announced various services including outsourced maintenance, system integration, manufacturing and business process consulting, and remote operations. I wonder if an automation vendor can continue to be effective as both a product company and services provider.

To clarify the difference, let’s start by defining what I mean by services and products. By providing services, automation vendors engage with customers to perform labor and knowledge intensive tasks that may include system design, engineering services, system integration, preventative maintenance, remote operations, and other services. By providing products, automation vendors sell something to the customers, system integrators and engineering firms that they will apply to accomplish automation tasks in manufacturing and process environments.

refer to:http://www.automation.com/portals/factory-discrete-automation/can-automation-vendors-serve-two-masters-products-services

2013年11月14日 星期四

Acrosser unveils its ultra slim fanless embedded system with 3rd generation Intel core i processor

Acrosser Technology Co. Ltd, a world-leading industrial and embedded computer designer and manufacturer, announces the new AES-HM76Z1FL embedded system. AES-HM76Z1FL, Acrosser’s latest industrial endeavor, is surely a FIT under multiple circumstances. Innovation can be seen in the new ultra slim fanless design, and its Intel core i CPU can surely cater for those seeking for high performance. Therefore, these 3 stunning elements can be condensed as "F.I.T. Technology." (Fanless, Intel core i, ultra Thin)
The heat sink from the fanless design provides AES-HM76Z1FL with great thermal performance, as well as increases the efficiency of usable space. The fanless design provides dustproof protection, and saving the product itself from fan malfunction. AES-HM76Z1FL has thin client dimensions, with a height of only 20 millimeters (272 mm x183 mm x 20 mm). This differs from most embedded appliances, which have a height of more than 50 millimeters.
The AES-HM76Z1FL embedded system uses the latest technology in scalable Intel Celeron and 3rd generation Core i7/i3 processors with a HM76 chipset. It features graphics via VGA and HDMI, DDR3 SO-DIMM support, complete I/O such as 4 x COM ports, 3 x USB3.0 ports, 8 x GPI and 8 x GPO, and storage via SATA III and Compact Flash. The AES-HM76Z1FL also supports communication by 2 x RJ-45 gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x SIM slot, and 1 x MinPCIe expansion socket for a 3.5G or WiFi module.
Different from most industrial products that focus on application in one specific industry, the AES-HM76Z1FL provides solutions for various applications through the complete I/O interfaces. Applications of the AES-HM76Z1FL include: embedded system solutions, control systems, digital signage, POS, Kiosk, ATM, banking, home automation, and so on. It can support industrial automation and commercial bases under multiple circumstances.
Key features:
‧Fanless and ultra slim design
‧Support Intel Ivy Bridge CPU with HM76 chipset
‧2 x DDR3 SO-DIMM, up to 16GB
‧Support SATA III and CF storage
‧HDMI/VGA/USB/Audio/GPIO output interface
‧Serial ports by RS-232 and RS-422/485
‧2 x GbE, 1 x SIM, and 1 x MiniPCIe(for3G/WiFi)


Contact us:

2013年11月11日 星期一

Industrial automation systems are performing

The advantage of this level of modularity extends well beyond the initial deployment, however. In the longer term, upgrading the level of performance is simply a matter of replacing the processor module – not the entire subassembly. This saves money, and minimizes unforeseen impact on the way in which the module as a whole interacts with its surroundings.

In the locomotive example mentioned, the COM Express processor module can be upgraded without affecting the connection to the engine I/O residing on the carrier board – reducing costly and time-consuming recertification and testing. The modularity of COM Express gives a whole new meaning to “technology insertion.”

Because of this modularity advantage, COM Express can substantially extend the useful life of key elements within critical infrastructures – a valuable benefit for industrial applications such as oil and gas, energy, and transportation. This is especially true when it comes to leveraging commercial technologies – often referred to as Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS).

In the past, vendors often used special niche and proprietary components on their products. However, for many of these component vendors, the long-term commitment to ensuring the continuing competitiveness of these products – with its requirement for extensive investment in R&D – meant that such components often had relatively short useful lifetimes, and didn’t benefit from the support of well-funded programs to minimize the impact of obsolescence.

Commercial products, however – such as those from Intel and AMD – could be expected to benefit from a development road map that would see successive generations of products emerge into the market, each compatible with its predecessor and each capable of delivering new levels of performance. This constant “upping the game” presents a real opportunity for users of COM Express technology – and it is an opportunity that modular architectures leverage to the maximum, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) to become a practicable reality.

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

2013年11月4日 星期一

Transitioning to ARP4754A for UAV software development using model-based design

With model-based design, UAV engineers develop and simulate system models comprised of hardware and software using block diagrams and state charts, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. They then automatically generate, deploy, and verify code on their embedded systems. With textual computation languages and block diagram model tools, one can generate code in C, C++, Verilog, and VHDL languages, enabling implementation on MCU, DSP[], FPGA[], and ASIC hardware. This lets system, software, and hardware engineers collaborate using the same tools and environment to develop, implement, and verify systems. Given their auto-nomous nature, UAV systems heavily employ closed-loop controls, making system modeling and closed-loop simulation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a natural fit.
Testing actual UAV systems via ground-controlled flight tests is expensive. A better way is to test early in the design process using desktop simulation and lab test benches. With model-based design, verification starts as soon as models are created and simulated for the first time. Tests cases based on high-level requirements formalize simulation testing. A common verification workflow is to reuse the simulation tests throughout model-based design as the model transitions from system model to software model to source code to executable object code using code generators and cross-compilers.
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/

2013年10月28日 星期一

Asia claims almost half of Industrial automation sales


A recent report by IHS has shown that in 2012, capital expenditure on industrial automation equipment in Asia reached a total of $76.6bn, representing 46% of global investments in the sector.
Despite this established and rising trend, selling industrial automation equipment in Asia remains a clear business opportunity and one where many European providers are lagging behind.
Despite the first half of 2012 seeing an Asian market slowdown, with only a 3.7% growth in overall revenue from industrial automation equipment, the second half of the year showed definite improvement. The positive trend has continued in 2013, with the industrial automation sector set to grow by 6.2%. In such a dynamic market, getting new business can be both a business and technical challenge.
One of the key areas of opportunity is the power industry, where the booming consumer and industrial power markets in developing economies such as China and India have created rocketing demand. In China the per capita energy use is still a long way behind most of Western Europe, meaning the potential for growth is still huge. Without question, Asia represents a perfect storm of opportunities for European automation suppliers.
In order to help businesses better understand how to take advantage of the current climate and increase their industrial automation sales in Asia, particularly China, the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) is hosting a seminar entitled ‘Gateway to China’. The event will take place on 24th September at the Mitsubishi Electric Europe Tokyo Conference Suite in Hatfield.
For more information on the speakers and to book tickets for the event, visit the CLPA’s EventBrite page gateway-to-china.eventbrite.co.uk/.
In light of the sensitive current economic climate, many Asian companies are taking a more careful approach to investment – they are becoming more demanding towards their suppliers and making more enquiries before purchasing. Furthermore, according to IHS’ research, several Chinese manufacturers are currently developing products which are in direct competition with the ones provided by Western suppliers of industrial automation solutions. These are only a few of the obstacles facing European vendors who want to penetrate the Asian market to change the way they do business.
Flexibility and the ability to respond to very specific demands are becoming essential factors when dealing with the Asian market. Being able to offer technologies and products which are compatible with the needs of Asian clients is no longer an option, it’s a must.

- See more at: http://www.connectingindustry.com/automation/asia-claims-almost-half-of-automation-sales.aspx#sthash.4z4uCkA2.dpuf

refer to:http://www.connectingindustry.com/automation/asia-claims-almost-half-of-automation-sales.aspx

2013年10月22日 星期二

Does company size matters?



Does company size matter?Are you thinking of becoming an independent contractor? Our survey indicates that contractors make about $10,000 more per year than a direct employee. The average salary of a contractor (5.3% of respondents) is $116,636. That $10K may not be enough to cover the cost of insurance and other benefits available to direct employees, however.

If you look around your office or attend any embedded computer events, you will notice the sheer lack of females in the automation profession. This year the percentage of female respondents crept up slightly from 5.1% last year to 6.3%. Along with that gender gap comes a salary gap of about $11,283. The average salary for a male is $107,487, while the average salary for a female is $96,204.

There is a message here for employers. If you are paying less than the industry average, you could very likely lose your engineers. Based on data from industrial auto machines, a recruiting and contract staffing company based in Minnesota, there is a high demand for automation professionals, and high-quality candidates are hard to find. When companies do find good candidates, the candidates typically have multiple offers on the table. If your company employs high-quality professionals, pay them well, or you may lose them.

refer to: http://www.automation.com/factors-that-affect-your-salary-what-you-need-to-know

2013年10月1日 星期二

Tips for enhancing on-chip module safety


Self-Corrective Hardware
Chips can implement hardware monitors to detect failures. Faults like loss of lock in a PLL, sudden temperature change, change in clock frequencies, change in signal/power voltage levels, etc. can be monitored with such implementations. SoCs can intelligently control these faults and take self-corrective measures to safeguard users.

Redundant critical on-chip modules like processor, ISO, DMA controller, internal clock generator, and communications peripherals can improve reliability should a primary hardware module become non-functional while the vehicle is running. Such a system can have in-built error detection mechanisms and on-the-fly switching to redundant hardware to mitigate threats to passenger safety.
But this kind of redundant hardware architecture comes with the penalty of increased area and higher power management in silicon. Area penalties can be minimized by intelligent selection of which functions need to be duplicated in silicon. Power can be minimized by adopting power and clock gating in the redundant modules. Some  in-vehicle computers can be implemented in lock-step of each other, where primary and redundant modules process the same input. Mismatch in the output of the lock-step modules indicates a defect in either of the modules. The system can switch itself off or take appropriate safety measures to avoid any real-time failure. Redundant hardware should be placed quite far in silicon from the primary embedded systems to avoid tampering of both modules together.




refer to: http://www.edn.com/design/automotive/4421704/Safety---security-architecture-for-automotive-ICs

2013年9月17日 星期二

IT Technology for industrial controls applications

It is the author’s opinion that integration of the controls networking  and the IT network is inevitable. It became inevitable the moment the controls industry chose to use Ethernet as the medium with which to communicate data. The controls industry may choose to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern automation  era, or it can gracefully embrace the change. Embracing means the controls industry would be able to leverage the myriad rich, existing technologies that have been proven foolproof in the IT world. To be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern communications era would do a terrible injustice to those who have worked diligently to bring it about. This could quite possibly add an entirely new facet to the fieldbus wars, which I hope have not been forgotten.
With that said, the controls world is going to be moving with an industry that has a definite consumer bias, with product development and release cycles of six months or less. In an industry where the average life expectancy of an automotive production line is eight years, it is impossible to expect the networking in an industrial setting to keep up with modern IT standards. Therefore, we turn our attention to the technologies that have existed the longest, with the most open standards and the very best support. These are the protocols we wish to use and keep, and this article highlights and explains some of these technologies.

refer to:
http://www.automation.com/leveraging-it-technology-for-industrial-controls-applications

2013年9月10日 星期二

Solutions for Intel latest endeavor


The following describes how Intel is enabling the transformation with its 4th generation Intel Core processor family based on the Haswell microarchitecture. Boasting up to 15 solutions higher performance, 2x faster image and signal processing, up to 60 percent faster graphics, newly flexible high-speed I/O, and enhanced security, this platform offers major upgrades over its predecessors. As we will see, the new processors deliver scalable, robust performance for applications ranging from machine vision to machine diagnosis, from building controls to operator panels, and even top floor administrative servers solutions. In addition, the platform’s new security and manageability features make it well suited for the highly connected, Internet of Things-enabled factories of the future.

Throughout history, new fanless embedded systems have transformed the manufacturing industry. From the invention of steam engines to the introduction of computerized controls, these technologies have led to enormous leaps in productivity and quality. Today we are at another turning point. The introduction of embedded systems and Internet of Things technology are enabling unprecedented data sharing and analysis, turning previously disconnected manufacturing systems into an efficient, highly responsive whole.

refer to:


2013年8月26日 星期一

In search of progression among power plant

In addition, the working technology of effectively in harsh environments, and provide superior performance in a wide range of applications. The benefits include better efficiency, less maintenance and enhanced performance of the control valves. The electric actuators include a new technology to meet the specific demands of a constantly modulating control valve using electricity as the mode of power.

The work in harsh environments, and they get little or no recognition. But their impact on power plant efficiency can be significant. Valves and actuators are critical in almost every aspect of single board computer. They are used in a wide range of applications, including pollution control, feed water, cooling water, chemical treatment, bottom ash and steam turbine control embedded systems. They are exposed to a variety of chemicals, abrasive materials and very high temperatures. They are critical in optimizing efficiency, and they are often the final control element in the operation of a power plant.

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

2013年8月19日 星期一

Netherlands automation alliance with French company


The JR Automation Technologies in Holland, MI, and AWL-Techniek, based in the Paris, announce a business partnership on a 5 year memorandum basis last Tuseday. 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 ndustrial computer  presence. JR will service and support embedded system customers in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and AWL will support customers in Europe and China.


With the advancement of customer success at the helm, the innovative 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 Europe and China. Similarly, AWL is a leader in production industrial computer and experienced in the automotive and general industries with proficiency in laser welding.  With JR and AWL’s standing as leading global system integrators, this strategic embedded system partnership will facilitate an environment rich with knowledge, ability, and possibility for our customers.


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

2013年7月21日 星期日

Embedded computer features

                              

Removing embedded computer legacy I/O and tracking advances in mobile technology have positioned Qseven to provide the long lifecycle support that telehealth systems demand. In an SFF market full of options, this will be critical to the platform’s success.

“Due to the fact that medical is looking for long-term support because of very long embedded computer  lifecycles, the Q7 form factor has found a good niche in the industry,” says Fabio Lanini, USUK Area Manager at SECO srl out of Arezzo, Italy (www.seco.com). “It provides long-term support and flexibility so that customers can move forward with different solutions or processor architectures based on their long-term needs. With the Qseven form factor we have a lot of potential.”

refer to: http://smallformfactors.com/articles/qseven-coms-healthcare-mobile/

2013年7月16日 星期二

High-end signal choices for embedded system


High-end signal processing board and system suppliers also use a large number of FPGAs in their products. Besides the previously mentioned advantages, signal processing applications benefit from the programmability of the FPGAs. We can expect FPGA technology to continue moving onto single board computers as price levels decline.

Even system-level embedded products are embracing the trend. VPX is broadly defined to accommodate an array of fabric interconnects that are often implemented with either FPGAs or programmable silicon switches. This enables embedded system architects to define and design systems that can be modified to meet changing application needs.



2013年7月1日 星期一

Embedded computer challenge on memory multimedia

The primary advantage to the user is that an embedded computer's multimedia card’s memory is fully managed and independent from the NAND technology inside. As NAND flash geometries shrink, the technology becomes more complex to manage in terms of dealing with increased Error Correction Code (ECC) requirements, wear leveling, and bad block management. NAND flash is also variable in terms of road-map changes that require updates to software and perhaps even at the controller level. Embedded multimedia card memory is backward compatible and has a standard interface so that changes to the NAND are transparent to the application. This means that embedded computer don’t have to bother with dedicated software to manage the complexity of NAND flash. Embedded multimedia card memory uses standard interfaces, and functions are geared to match JEDEC specifications.


2013年6月25日 星期二

About credit card sized SBC

Panel PC, Embedded pc, Industrial PC

The initial goal in creating the Raspberry Pi credit card sized, Linux-based Single Board Computer (SBC) – targeted primarily at education – was to develop a response to the decline of students engaging with computer science and related engineering disciplines. Our desire was to reverse the trend of children becoming consumers rather than creators. The following case study follows the hardware development process from an early failure, initial prototypes, and through to the finished production design.

refer to :http://embedded-computing.com/articles/case-card-sized-sbc/

2013年6月18日 星期二

Wireless trend report forecasting

Industrial computer, Panel PC, single board computer


From climate control touch-screen dashboards to smartphones that read text messages aloud in the car, the buzz surrounding In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems has reached a fever pitch. As in-vehicle manufacturers scramble to build advanced infotainment systems that bring all elements of the entertainment experience on the road, they require new, advanced wireless technologies. But which specific wireless technologies do manufacturers need to transform cars into sophisticated in-vehicle entertainment systems?

Technologies enable true IVI experiences

Although major automotive manufacturers have already begun introducing various IVI technologies, enabling true in-vehicle wireless entertainment requires standards-based technologies built on a single System-on-Chip. The next wave of IVI applications will rely heavily on three wireless technologies – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Near Field Communication– built on one combination radio chip. And as the market continues to evolve, OEMs will need in-vehicle to leverage traditional Wi-Fi rolling hot spots to offer vehicle-to-vehicle communications such as traffic management, incident avoidance, and social networking.






2013年5月13日 星期一

Mapping to embedded NIST

Industrial PC, gaming platform, networking appliance



Mapping to NIST
When it comes to securing the cloud from the ground up, many embedded computer rely on cloud computing characteristics and guidelines set forth by NIST. “When we think of the cloud we map everything back to the policies and procedures that the business and government communities pulled together under NIST,” Moore embedded computer says. There are four different types of cloud models: private, public, community, and hybrid as defined by NIST – with public and private being the most likely to be adopted by government users. A private cloud – owned and operated by a single organization or with a third party – is made up of multiple units and can be located on-site or off, according to NIST. A public cloud is open for use by the general public, is located on the premises of the cloud provider, and may be owned, managed, and operated by a business, academic, or government organization or a combination of them, according to the agency.

2013年5月7日 星期二

New Rackmount 1U Networking System

embedded pc, in vehicle pc, single board computer

ACROSSER Technology, a world-leading networking communication designer and manufacturer, launches ANR-IB751N1/A/B networking appliances. ANR-IB751N1/A/B networking appliances are the latest in scalable Intel 3rd generation Core i7/i5/i3 processors (formerly code-named Ivy Bridge). They feature a 1U rackmount chassis, maximum 16GB DDR3 memory, 8 x GbE ports, optional 2 or 4 x Fiber SFP LAN ports, 2 pairs LAN bypass, 2 x USB3.0 ports, 2 x SATA ports, and console port.

2013年4月23日 星期二

A plan for Mini-ITX price slash

the new Atom series solutions which include AMB-D255T1 Mini-ITX industrial mainboard and AMB-N280S1 fanless 3.5-inch single board computer. AMB-D255T1 is equipped with an Intel D2550 Atom processor. AMB-N280S1 is equipped with an Intel N2800 Atom. Both have a 5~7 year product warranty.

embedded pc, in vehicle pc, single board computer

Acrosser is providing a special price for these two boards to make them available for customers sooner. Please contact your local sales for more information.

2013年4月16日 星期二

Soar high your embedded computer

Industrial PC Solution, gaming platform, networking appliance


Anyone remotely familiar with the critical embedded computer industry knows that suppliers thrive on design wins. They are the first step in filling the orders embedded computer  and provide a good look into the health of the organization. Companies incentivize their sales teams to get key design wins that can assure business for years to follow. As important as design wins are, it is hard to brag about them. For many reasons, most of which could tip the competition, design wins are rarely talked about.

At Embedded Tech Trends 2013, several of the embedded computer  were able to talk about programs where they have been successful. Let’s take a quick look at some of those programs where VITA technology has been deployed.

refer to: http://vita-technologies.com/articles/embedded-trends-high-flying-design-wins/

2013年4月9日 星期二

Who do you think is the master of gaming?


Industrial computer, Panel PC, single board computer












Regarding HDTV support, HomePlug AV enables a broadband-strength network connection via electrical wiring for high-demand applications such as streaming movies or online gaming. Since the introduction of the HomePlug AV gaming standard back in 2006, its purpose has been to provide high-quality, multistream, entertainment-oriented networking over existing AC wiring within the home. HomePlug AV employs advanced PHY and Medium Access Control (MAC) technologies that provide a 200 Mbps class power line network for video, audio, and data.
The MAC layer is designed to be highly gaming efficient, supporting both Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Collision Sense Multiple Access (CSMA)-based access with AC line cyclesynchronization. The TDMA provides quality of service assurances including guaranteed bandwidth reservation, high reliability, and tight latency and jitter control. The CSMA provides four priority levels. AC line cycle synchronization provides superior channel adaptation in the face of common line cycle synchronized noise. The central gaming coordinator controls network activities, allocating time for CSMA use and scheduling TDMA use.


refer to:http://industrial-embedded.com/articles/plug-and-play-homeplug-homeplug-powerline-alliance/

2013年4月1日 星期一

Static analysis meets embedding systems...

Industrial PC Solution, gaming platform, networking appliance

About Embedded System:

Generally speaking, best practices are platform neutral – that’s why they’re called “best practices.” The subtleties endemic to embedded development notwithstanding, there are known standards for ensuring quality, regardless of platform. Avoiding memory leaks, for example, should be universal. Further, the relationship between static analysis and software isn’t necessarily defined by the application: It is defined by the purpose of the device. That said, running static analysis is a particularly important best practice for embedded software development.

refer to: http://embedded-computing.com/articles/getting-leveraging-right-static-analysis/

2013年3月11日 星期一

Real-time and general-purpose operating...

Virtualization for embedded systems has many implementations in which two or more operating systems coexist to gain the benefits of each. One approach puts Microsoft Windows and a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) together.

embedded pc, in vehicle pc, single board computer
 
Much is being said about virtualization these days in the softwareworld. Simply stated, virtualization is about getting multiple OSs to run on the same computing platform at the same time. Virtualization has been cited as a key technology for getting the most performance out of the newest multicore processors. But just as not all computing applications are the same, not all virtualization approaches are appropriate for all applications.
Embedded systems have a key requirement that doesn’t normally apply to office and server computers: the need for deterministic response to real-time events. To support the requirement for determinism, embedded applications typically use RTOSs. Embedded applications also employ general-purpose OSs to handle operator interfaces, databases, and general-purpose computing tasks.

refer: http://embedded-computing.com/articles/real-time-general-purpose-unite-via-virtualization/

2013年3月4日 星期一

Embedded Application : Simplifying the development of M2M devices

With advances in wireless technologies, defining a strategy for building wireless M2M-enabled devices is not the dauntingly complex task it was once thought to be. Instead of devoting precious R&D resources to the integration of fragmented, ad hoc technologies, today’s developers can take advantage of increasingly sophisticated Embedded Application Frameworks (Linux, Android, and others), some of which are highly optimized for M2M application development.

Industrial PC, gaming platform, networking appliance
Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, or the ability to connect and manage remote devices over the air, offers enormous potential. With the ability to centrally control remote industrial equipment, trackvehicle fleets, manage electric vehicle charging stations, expand the capabilities of consumer devices, and much more, M2M has profound implications for virtually every industry.
Given the novelty of M2M technology, however, developing connected devices has traditionally been an expensive and time-consuming process, largely due to the fact that system designers had to build the entire M2M architecture from scratch. Today, designers have a powerful new option in their M2M toolkit: Embedded Application Frameworks (EAFs). By deploying connected services on mature, prepackaged Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOSs) and libraries embedded directly into the communications module, M2M designers can substantially reduce the time and costs involved in developing new M2M hardware and focus their efforts on creating innovative connected applications.

CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPING M2M SYSTEMS

At its core, M2M technology involves augmenting a device or piece of equipment with intelligent services and connecting that device to a back-end infrastructure that can monitor or control it. To accomplish this, an M2M device employs two basic elements: a mechanism to communicate with the back-end infrastructure (a wireless modem or module) and software to run the services.
Mature wireless communication modules have been available for many years, and designers of connected devices have often used off-the-shelf components to provide connectivity. Most of them relied on a traditional multichip architecture. In practice, this required assembling the hardware and software – usually based on a full-blown OS along with its associated software libraries, running on a stand-alone microprocessor supported by external memory – before designers could even begin addressing the services running on top of the device.
Early developers of connected devices had few choices available because there simply wasn’t a mature market of prepackaged software available for supporting M2M connectivity. But this reliance on bespoke device architectures introduced a number of inefficiencies that today’s developers can no longer afford.
Developing systems in this manner takes a long time. Assembling and integrating the entire architecture from scratch typically requires a minimum of one year in development before the system can be brought to market. While this might have been an acceptable timeframe in the early days of M2M, system providers today cannot afford to wait that long. They need to stake their position in the marketplace as quickly as possible.
Building the entire architecture from scratch is also inherently expensive. Apart from the operational costs associated with integrating and testing all components of the architecture in-house, relying on this model also typically involves using a full-blown RTOS and having to equip the device with full-scale processing power to run it. Some complex M2M applications require this much horsepower, but for the vast majority (which often simply monitor a device and send out data to a back-end server), a full-blown RTOS is overkill. Why invest in a full-scale OS and microprocessor, when what the device is actually doing requires just a fraction of that computational capability?
The biggest drawback of this approach, however, is that it requires connected device developers – often at a start-up company – to devote significant time and resources to things that have nothing to do with their core areas of expertise. For example, if a developer is building an M2M system for health care, the value of that system lies in the intelligence created for a specific health care application. A developer of industrial systems possesses expertise in developing services that effectively monitor and control that equipment using the most appropriate protocols. Whatever the industry or expertise, a connected device developer’s core value proposition is most likely not assembling multichip computing architectures.

EMBEDDING INTELLIGENCE IN THE COMMUNICATION MODULE

EAFs address these issues by providing a means to embed M2M services directly into the communication module, alongside blocks of prepackaged software, connectivity capabilities, and processing resources (see Figure 1). In this way, an EAF makes it easier, faster, and less expensive to deploy an M2M system. It allows developers to use mature, proven, widely deployed technology instead of having to reinvent it. EAFs improve:
·    Time to market: By using prepackaged components and embedding software code directly in the communication module, M2M system providers can substantially reduce development timelines. Instead of taking a year to develop all aspects of the system, many M2M applications can be developed and brought the market in less than six months.
·    Development costs: Deploying software in an EAF on the communication module eliminates the need to buy and assemble a separate RTOS, microprocessor, and external memory for a device. Because an EAF provides a lightweight OS specifically optimized to run common M2M services, it can share processing resources and memory with the communication module. This also reduces operational expenses by eliminating the need to staff engineers with expertise in OSs and communications, and instead focus engineering resources on the application and its unique services.
·    Efficiency: Relying on a multichip architecture with a separate communication module and microprocessor limits the RTOS to a relatively simple command interface with the modem. When the application is embedded on an EAF in the communications module, however, it can directly access all the different layers of the communications stack. That means the developer has more control over how the application monitors and accesses the communications stack at different levels using different APIs. It also delivers capabilities beyond those available to a stand-alone RTOS.

Industrial PC, gaming platform, networking appliance
Figure 1: An Embedded Application Framework embeds M2M services directly into the communications module, along with blocks of prepackaged software, connectivity capabilities, and processing resources.
 

Most importantly, EAFs address the “core-versus-context” question, allowing connected device manufacturers to focus on the unique value they bring to the system.

KEY ELEMENTS OF AN EAF

So what should connected device manufacturers look for when considering the EAF model? Any EAF should include the following core components:
·    Lightweight OS optimized for M2M: While a few M2M applications require a more powerful RTOS, most do not. The keys for the EAF OS are a small footprint and ruggedization for M2M deployments. The OS should be natively designed to provide APIs that control voice call, data call, SMS, and TCP/IP connectivity. It should be optimized to take full advantage of its direct access to the communications stack. To provide full support for a connected application, the OS should also provide a core feature set that includes:
-  Real time, including guaranteed response time to external or internal interruptions, regardless of its state.
-  Flexibility to prioritize tasks.
-  Multitask capabilities to define and synchronize as many tasks as services require.
-  Flexibility in processing speeds and power options to optimize battery life.
-  Memory, firmware, and software protection features.
-  Ability to use APIs to access the cellular modem’s audio and data path.
·    Software libraries: To simplify the development process and speed time to market, the EAF should include a variety of software libraries and APIs that provide a variety of functions the device or services might need. This includes services such as location/GPS connectivity, comprehensive Internet connectivity protocols, and wireless and Internet security services. The EAF should also support third-party libraries that take advantage of software developed for the specific needs of the target market. Ideally, the EAF should be backed not just by the communication module vendor, but also by a community of partners and developers working to expand its capabilities.
·    Development tools: The EAF should also include a package of development tools that make it easy to code, debug, and monitor M2M applications, and these tools should be open source and free to use. Ultimately, the EAF should provide everything needed to develop and embed the M2M application into the module.
·    Cloud connectivity: Finally, the EAF should provide tools to streamline cloud-based management of connected devices, including a fully realized system to handle device monitoring and software/firmware upgrades over the air. The system should allow developers to monitor the health of the devices and identify potential problems. It should also include proven tools to remotely upgrade the OS stack, as well as the M2M application itself using a patch mechanism.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PREPACKAGED M2M COMPONENTS

The EAF discussion raises an age-old question for businesses: Should I make it or buy it? For most companies and most M2M systems, buying makes a good deal of sense. After all, if you were starting a car company, would you make your own tires and windshield wipers? Your own stereos and navigation systems? Clearly, there are some elements of the product developers will want to build themselves, as that’s where they can add the unique value that differentiates their system. But for most of the M2M architecture, the market now offers mature prepackaged components that are both proven and cost-effective.
Some companies have concerns about ceding control over the system when using prepackaged M2M components. However, the reality is that lack of control should not be an issue with any modern EAF. As long as the EAF supports open standards, developers should be able to write code in a common programming language such as C/C++, which means they retain the ability to port that code to any other platform used in the future.
Of course, there will always be exceptions to this rule of thumb. For some companies and projects, it makes sense to build everything in-house, as the product’s value lies in reinventing the entire system. There are also M2M systems that are simply not suitable to run on an EAF – more complex, heavier applications that require the horsepower of a more powerful processor and a full OS.
Even this distinction might not be relevant for long. Today’s EAFs rely on previous-generation processors that have been on the market for several years. As EAFs continue to evolve and take advantage of higher-powered processors and multicore architectures, even companies developing very complex M2M applications will likely be able to embed them into the communications module EAF and benefit from the same advantages.
As EAFs and the M2M market continue to evolve, there will be fewer and fewer reasons for connected device manufacturers to invest in building basic M2M capabilities, much less entire device architectures. Ultimately, this will make system design much easier for M2M developers. More importantly, as designers focus more on delivering unique value instead of on M2M hardware, we can expect to see M2M innovations that at present can only be imagined.

refer:
http://embedded-computing.com/articles/embedded-frameworks-simplifying-development-m2m-devices/#utm_source=Cloud%2Bmenu&utm_medium=text%2Blink&utm_campaign=articles

 

2013年2月25日 星期一

As digital design has proliferated the electronics world

Industrial computer, Panel PC, single board computer

Understanding and selecting analog IP can be risky, but engineers today have more choices and more control than they think. Knowing how to manage the IP selection process can help engineers effectively meet objectives and reduce risk.

As digital design has proliferated the electronics world, making designs faster, easier to test, and more robust, the analog portion of embedded designs is becoming a bottleneck. To meet requirements and timetables in the analog portion, engineers generally have three weapons at their disposal: utilize peripheral analog IC, build the functionality internally (make), or purchase the IP block from an external vendor (buy). Each option has its own merits and drawbacks, but none can launch a competitive advantage better or cause more frustrating confusion than analog IP.


Refer:
http://embedded-computing.com/articles/understanding-analog-cores-embedded-computing-needs/